tunbridge wells
edition
stayingin
december
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season's greetings... Here in the StayGo office, we feel that it's now not too early to say Merry Christmas to all our readers. We hope that you have a truly wonderful festive season and wish you all the best for 2012! In the meantime, if you have any news or events that you'd like us to cover, then email me at editor@staygo.co.uk
2011
W
elcome to the Christmas issue of Staying In & Going Out magazine. In this issue, there's a mix of festive fun, diary dates for Christmas and the New Year, plus lots of regular features, too, including some great competitions!
what's inside...
• An interview with Glynis Barber,
star of EastEnders and Dempsey and Makepeace, now featuring in panto at the Assembly Hall Theatre A deliciously warming soup for a winter snack or a special Christmas dinner starter Preview of the Winter Wellbeing Festival, coming to Tunbridge Wells for the first time in January!
• •
win!
• A family ticket to see The Secret • •
Garden at Trinity Theatre, in our amazing competition. See page 9. A £10 WH Smith voucher for our fun kids' puzzle. See page 7. A £10 Fenwicks voucher for completing our tricky word puzzle. See page 8.
For Staying In ideas read on from here. For Going Out, just flip over...
Lisa Miles editor@staygo.co.uk 020 7348 9868
Tunbridge Wells • Southborough • Brenchley and Matfield • Pembury • Rusthall
e atabl Unbes! home priceked food y coo roast onl
£4.95 SPORTS BAR ay Sund
Taste of Kent menu
BRENCHLEY SPORTS BAR
pork & BEALE’s
6oz Loin of Pork served with Beale’s Apple Juice Sauce & Plaxtol Shards | £5.50
STEAK & SCOTNEY
Beef marinated & braised in Scotney Farm bitter served with Horseradish Dumplings| £5.00
LAMB & BIDDENDEN
BRENCHLEY SPORTS BAR
PORK & Kent Hop SAUSAGES
Brenchley made Sausages served with a Caramelised Onion & Red Wine Gravy | £4.00
Located between Brenchley & Matfield on the Brenchley Road TN12 7NX • 01892 723303 • www.brenchleybar.com
SPORTS BAR
BRENCHLEY SPORTS BAR
SPORTS BAR
BRENCHLEY SPORTS BAR
B Sk a y r S S W a W n po e a ac r lc r k t o m s s, m & e
SPORTS BAR
6oz Rump of Lamb pan fried & served in a Biddenden Red Wine & Wild Thyme Jus & Plaxtol Shards| £6.00
A few of our...
a message from...
favourite things
the Tunbridge
Wells dad
Now do this:
roasted sweet potato, philly & garlic soup Serves: 6
1. Heat the oven to 200°C. Toss the sweet potato, onion and garlic in oil, tip onto a large baking tray and bake for 20-25 mins until the vegetables are golden.
You will need
2. Tip the roasted vegetables into a large saucepan, cover with the stock and bring to the boil. Once boiling remove from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes then blend until smooth.
• sweet potato peeled and chopped • 1 onion diced • 1 head of garlic broken into cloves and
3. Return to the heat, add the Philly and stir until it’s all melted in. Simmer for 5 mins, season to taste and serve garnished with parsley.
• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 1/2 l of reduced salt vegetable stock • 180g Philadelphia Extra Light • parsley to garnish • bread, such as ciabatta, to serve
Serve with chargrilled ciabatta or simply buttered toast. This soup makes a cracking Christmas starter or maybe just a warming winter snack. Delicious!
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes
peeled
and serve
knit for Christmas... Who can resist these adorable guys and their 55 knitted balls! If you haven’t yet heard of Arne and Carlos or picked up a pair of knitting needles, then check out this video on You Tube. You’ll need no more persuading... http://tinyurl.com/c3hews6 Arne and Carlos’s new book is published by Tunbridge Wells award-winning crafts publisher, Search Press. Surely, this book will make an inspiring Christmas present, so hurry before they all fly off the shelves! tunbridge wells edition
Venture into Tunbridge Wells in the week and you will find yummy mummies everywhere – but look carefully and you will see an increasingly common sight – the yummy dad! Daddy day care is becoming popular. With redundancies increasing, childcare costs rocketing and Mrs Dad bringing in a higher wage, more and more dads are looking after the baby. Look carefully and you can see us everywhere: in The Grove wondering if we’re allowed to take a pint from The Compasses to the play area; in Juliet’s trying to look manly with the china; in Monkey Music and wondering what the words are; and being told off in pilates for wearing shorts that don’t protect things from view! You can also spot our prams, as we have substituted the entire contents of the house (which Mrs Dad seems to take everywhere) for just a wipe and an iphone. We will, though, have every pram gadget known to man – especially the Bugaboo cup holder, which handily holds a pint! It can, however, be tough being a dad in Tunbridge Wells as, unlike the mums who meet up for support (or cake!), there are few places for dads to mix. So if you are a dad, follow tunwellsdad on Twitter for tips and hopefully we can start meeting up to help each other. Or for a pint – sshh don’t tell Mrs Dad... Follow Tunbridge Wells Dad on Twitter @tunwellsdad
December 2011 / stayingin
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A warm and friendly atmosphere awaits you at the Hair Workshop. Our experienced staff are always on hand to give you that personal touch.
26 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells 01892 530195
JOIN THE AXA PPP healthcare...
Festive Countdown!
O
n the 1st December, AXA PPP healthcare launch its Festive Countdown – a competition that runs during December in which you can win daily prizes, plus entry to a free draw to win an amazing holiday!
how it works Enter each day for a chance to win one of the daily prizes, plus with each daily entry you’ll be automatically registered to enter the main prize. So the more daily prize draws you enter – the more chance you have at winning the holiday. The daily prizes include: Apple iPod Shuffle (2GB) iTunes Voucher - £50 DeLonghi Metropolis Kettle Nintendo Wii Fit Plus Kenwood Smoothie Maker Sphereing for 2 Body Sculpture Ab Trimmer DeLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Sony iPod Clock Radio Bose In-Ear Headphones
• • • • • • • • • •
win an amazing holiday The main prize in this competition is a holiday for two to luxurious Lake Como in Italy. What a fabulous start to the new year that would be!
How to Enter To take part in the AXA PPP healthcare Festive Countdown, sign up on www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/ countdown – and off you go!
tunbridge wells edition
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LOVELY LAKE COMO Lake Como is a hot spot for celebrities and tourists alike, known for its stunning views and amazing lakeside villas. In fact, it's been a holiday destination since Roman times!
December 2011 / stayingin
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STAYGO
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B
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Our magaz to provide ine is designed boost to yoa significant through ouur business, advertisem r considered editorial. A ents and nd it work s! Starting fr o m just £72, go on-line advertisingto see what we can offer opportunities you...
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Maternity Reflexology can help support women through pre-conception, sub-fertility, pregnancy, birth and during the postnatal period. no wo n... Wr efle xolo gy
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07940 533103
PUZZLED kids?!
win!
1. A Christmas song. 2. She goes on top of the tree! 3. The man with the beard! 4. A yule log perhaps?
1.
R
4.
K
£10 Toys R US voucher
2.
Answer the questions and fill in the grid. When you’ve finished, a new word to do with Christmas will appear in the shaded squares! What is it?
3.
5. Get an adult to help you cut out your answer and send it to the address below with your name, address and age. The first correct entry pulled out of the bag after the closing date wins a £10 WH Smith voucher!
L
6. 7.
StayGo Kids Stuff, 2nd Floor, Lee House, 109 Hammersmith Road, London, W14 0QH.
name:
Closing date 31st December 2011. The first correct entry out of the bag wins! You must be 12 or under to enter. See website for full terms and conditions
address:
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quick spot... Which two Christmas trees are the same?
it’s a joke... Q: What goes Oh, Oh, Oh!
www.staygo.co.uk
Check the website for competition winners and answers!
5. The meat in your Christmas dinner! 6. They help Santa make toys! 7. You find them under the tree!
hop along
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Starting from the left, hop along each column to make 100 by the time you reach the right-hand column.
7
47
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40 34
31
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A: Santa walking backwards! Q: Did you hear about Rudolf ’s friend, called Olive? A: “Olive the other reindeer, used to shout and call him names...”
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just for laughs... Q: What's the most popular wine at Christmas? A: I don't like sprouts! Q: What do you call a bunch of chess grandmasters bragging about their games in a hotel lobby? A: Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer! Q: Mum, can I have a dog for Christmas? A: No, you can have turkey like everyone else!
tunbridge & wells are disgusted!
Christmas facts
Postmen in Victorian England were popularly called "robins". This was because their uniforms were red. Victorian Christmas cards often showed a robin delivering mail. The first Christmas stamp was released in Canada in 1898. Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
8 stayingin
/ December 2011
Send in your facts & jokes to production@staygo.co.uk
Join in the exploits of our curmudgeonly residents to find out what they’re up to this month!
Wells, what a Disgusting waste of money Christmas is!
...Indeed Tunbridge what's wrong with a wooden hoop and an orange?
the reindeer are... The names of Father Christmas’s reindeer come from the 1823 poem A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore. They are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. But the best known reindeer of all comes from a 1939 story and colouring book Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer, which was later turned into the famous song.
by mark smith
Move it!!
I like to move it, move it
...Later after hearty Christmas Dinner...
tunbridge wells edition
www.staygo.co.uk
directory ARTS, MUSIC & THEATRE
HAIR & FASHION
ASSEMBLY HALL
ECO
Theatre and entertainment, including music and dance, for all the family address: Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LU telephone: 01892 530613 website: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
TRINITY THEATRE Theatre and arts centre with a wide range of events and great café address: Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP telephone: 01892 678678 website: www.trinitytheatre.net
cafÉs and eating out ARte bianca
Café and Italian deli, with a wide range of authentic produce address: 1 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YQ telephone: 01892 510554 website: www.artebianca.co.uk
THE BEACON Pub and restaurant with stunning views in a quiet backwater of Tunbridge Wells address: Tea Garden Lane, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JH telephone: 01892 524252 website: www.the-beacon.co.uk
CAFÉ PERK
Coffee house, lunches and home-made cakes, complete with friendly service address: 120 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2QZ telephone: 01892 541638 website: www.camdenperk.co.uk
THE GREY LADY
Music lounge with Mediterranean style menu for lunch and dinner address: 70-72, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TW telephone: 01892 544700 website: www.thegreylady.co.uk
TUNBRIDGE WELLS BAR & GRILL
Stylish restuarant and cocktail bar address: 84 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 IYB telephone: 01892 522963 website: www.therestaurantbarandgrill. co.uk/tunbridge.html
Long established hair studio in the High Street address: 52a High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1XF telephone: 01892 543484
FARGS LTD
Men's barbers for all haircutting and styling address: 10 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2PT telephone: 01892 533336 website: www.fargstunbridgewells.co.uk
HAIR WORKSHOP
Friendly hairdressing salon and beauty room address: 26 London Road, Southborough, Kent TN4 0QB telephone: 01892 530195
stampede
Footwear for mums and kids with a range of on-trend styles for all occasions address: 48 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9NY telephone: 01892 511651
HEALTH & FITNESS AXA PPP Healthcare For great deals on health insurance website: www.axappphealthcare.co.uk
victoria conway
Complementary therapist and reflexologist telephone: 07940 533103 email: victoriaconway@hotmail.com
Home GARDENER & COOK Stylish homewear and gifts, new and vintage, for home and garden address: 38 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TN telephone: 01892 525941 website: www. gardenerandcook.co.uk
Food A. FULLER BUTCHERS Traditional family butcher with quality meat products and friendly service address: 5 Nelson Road, Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5AW telephone: 01892 526563 website: www. fuller-butcher.co.uk
© 2011 The Exclusive Edge Ltd. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, phtocopying or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. See website for Competition Entry Terms and Conditions. CREDITS: shutterstock.com
tunbridge wells edition
THINKING INSIDE ! THE BOX
e’s find us! Her anding It’s easy to ever-exp r ou of w just a fe ated cations situ list of box lo nbridge Wells area: Tu around the re y Hall Theat The Assembl atre he T ity The Trin re café Trinity Theat hips &C sh Fi an ce O orse The Black H Sports Bar ey hl nc re The B st Office Brenchley Po ers ch ut B A. Fuller Arte Bianca dy The Grey La The Beacon st Office Brenchley Po chocolate parties r pe m Temper Te oes Stampede Sh Tiffin Café at copy holder tre Plus a 1,000 en C ts or ells Sp Tunbridge W y Castle!!! ne ot Sc and now
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
FOR MORE : INFO VISIT
.stay www uk o go.c .
CONTACT US... EDITOR: Lisa Miles editor@staygo.co.uk Arts editor: Zac Thraves arts@staygo.co.uk Health editor: Victoria Conway victoriaconway@hotmail.co.uk Design & production: Lee Smith & Dan Annett production@staygo.co.uk Sales & production manager: Lee Smith sales@staygo.co.uk Publisher: Exclusive Edge Ltd 2nd Floor, 109 Hammersmith Road, London, W14 0QH Phone: 020 7348 9868
December 2011 / stayingin
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www.staygo.co.uk
see you on the flipside Wooosh! That is the sound you flipping over. If it wasn’t a digital version, of course.
tunbridge wells
edition
goingout december
2011
Staygo exclusive! Q&A
Glynis Barber
This Christmas, The Assembly Hall Theatre is presenting Sleeping Beauty, a traditional pantomime for the whole family, starring Glynis Barber in her first-ever pantomime role. We were lucky to be able to take Glynis away from her busy schedule to tell us a little bit about herself – and her upcoming role!
STAYGO: You're starring in Sleeping Beauty at The Assembly Hall Theatre over the Christmas season. This is the first time you've appeared in panto. What attracted you to the role?
Glynis: Well, I play the Bad Fairy. For many years I used to play sweet, good girls but after playing Glenda in EastEnders, people now see me as the baddie. Baddies are much more fun to play, so I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it! STAYGO: What are you looking forward to most about the show? Glynis: I have never sung on stage before or anywhere for that matter and have never had to fly! Don't know whether to be excited or scared – but those are the things I’m looking forward to most. STAYGO: Have you done any comedy before?
the first panto I have ever done! It is always exciting to do something new, which is what attracted me to it. It's a challenge.
finishing doing a comedy right now, touring round in Alan Ayckbourne's Season's Greetings, which is about a family Christmas reunion – and all the frustrations that that entails. I love doing comedy.
STAYGO: How did the tour go?
ag m goof ay ice st cho @ the
STAYGO: Can you tell us a little bit about your character in the show?
Beautiful objects for Home and Garden • Scandinavian ceramics, glassware and textiles
Glynis: Yes, in fact I am just
Glynis: Yes it is
Gardener & Cook
• British bird-boxes, garden tools and furniture • Garden urns and statuary • Giftware including books, stationery, candles and toiletries • New and vintage
Ideal Christmas gifts for friends and family... Or perhaps for yourself! 38 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN • 01892 525941
Glynis:
33a Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AT 01273 477049
It was great fun. Wonderful cast, including
www.gardenerandcookstores.co.uk
Continued on page 5…
Southborough
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Hawkenbury
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St Johns
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Tunbridge Wells
Croc Boots free gift with every purchase!
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The Paul Dunton
gig guide
PAUL SAYS… Christmas is fast approaching and there is a whole festive feast of musical events to savour and enjoy at your favourite local venues. So forget roasting chestnuts by the fire... get your dancing shoes at the ready, folks!
Trinity theatre www.trinitytheatre.net Saturday 3rd December Richard Durrant £14/12 Saturday 3rd December Winter Warmer showcase £5 Saturday 17th December Christmas carol concert £10/£5
THE ASSEMBLY HALL theatre www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Thursday 1st December Heathfield School Christmas concert £7/£4 Friday 2nd December Adam Ant & The Good, The Mad & The Lovely Posse £27.50 Sunday 4th December Lara Melda & RTWSO (classical concert) £10, £14, £17 & £19.50 Monday 5th December That’ll Be The Day – Christmas show £23.50/£21.50
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SHOWS! Thursday 22nd December at The Music Room, Pizzaexpress, Maidstone Featuring The Paul Dunton Ensemble, The Ackerleys, The Charlie Rivers Band, Intraverse Tickets are £7 Pre-booking only For gre 08456027017 or online at at local bands and tou www.pizzaexpresslive.com rin
g acts
visit The Fo rum
Melinda Ortner, Saturday 24th December on the C ommon Christmas Eve Special at The Guy Osbourne, www.tw forum.c Grey Lady Music Lounge When Colours o.uk Tickets £10 Collide, Sarah Tonin Featuring The Paul Dunton Ensemble, Sunday 11th December Audio Whores, Billy Paul Dunton (solo), Kyla Stroud, Jupp Band Annaca, James Kirby Monday 26th December Wednesady 14th December Boxing Day Bonanza at The Grey Poppy Alice, SW3, Bella McKendree, Lady Music Lounge Jo Hook Tickets £10 Sunday 18th December Featuring The Paul Dunton Ensemble, David Harding, Worry Dolls, Phoebe Dan Clews Band, The Breretons Katis, Paul Dunton Ensemble Wednesday 21st December New Years Eve at Trinity Theatre Raw Peaches, Big Fish Little Fish, Foyer concert, includes glass of Dorey The Wise, The Soundcasters Tuesday 27th December Josh Davies, champagne and canapés Tickets £20 Three for a girl, The Varlies Featuring The Paul Dunton Wednesday 28th December Ensemble, Three for a girl, The Alex Nodwell & Miller, Lo and The Beholds, Beharrell Band + 1 more Luke Bacon Ticket reservations Thursday 29th December Contact paul at paul@pauldunton. Darren Smallman, KP & Squizz, Zigo, co.uk or the box office on Cyrano Rose, Jenny Worthley, The 07786547265 Jemima Price Band
PAUL DUNTON & GUESTS AT THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE www.paulduntonandguests.com Local music by candlelight Doors 7.15pm, entry £5 Music from 8pm Sunday 4th December Dylan Brown, Jenny Ridley, Corey Fox, Sevenscore Wednesday 7th December With a special guest from the USA tunbridge wells edition
December 2011 / going out
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... continued from cover
Christopher Timothy and Ricky Groves, and quite a challenging play. Lots of business happening on stage and you had to really be on your toes to get it right. Things could easily go wrong and sometimes did!
Glynis Barber
STAYGO: Aside from acting, do you have any other projects in the pipeline? Glynis: I've made an anti-ageing yoga DVD – Anti-ageing Secrets with Glynis Barber – and am very interested in health and lifestyle. I want to do more of this type of work and maybe a documentary on the process of ageing.
STAYGO: You originally left South Africa in order to come to London to attend a theatre school. You must have been very determined?
Glynis: Yes, I was. I've wanted to be an actress since I was five years old.
STAYGO: And finally, what's your favourite fairytale and why?
STAYGO: What was your first big break in the acting world?
Glynis: Well, the first series I did was Blake's 7, a 1970s sci-fi drama, which many people might remember! That was followed by Jane, in the early 80s, which was a TV series about a WW2 heroine. I then played the detective Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace, which is the role that most people know me from.
STAYGO: What's been your favourite TV role so far in your career? Glynis: I have enjoyed them all in their own way. I did have a lot of fun causing havoc as Glenda though. STAYGO: As well as TV, you're
STAYGO: You also recently starred as Glenda in EastEnders. Will Glenda ever return?
also a well-established theatre actor. Is there a special role that you've always wanted to play on stage?
Glynis: There are no plans for Glenda to return at present.
Glynis: There are many parts that I would still like to play. Gertrude in
all star cast Alongside Glynis Barber, Sleeping Beauty features children’s presenter Derek Moran, as Muddles. Derek presents Milkshake! on Channel 5 and also performs in the Irish boy band D-Side! Meanwhile, the role of the King is played by Christopher Beeney. Christopher has played many roles on TV and in the theatre but is probably best known for his perforeney
Christopher Be
Hamlet is one. I did however get to play Lady Macbeth a few years ago, which had always been an ambition of mine.
Glynis: I used to love fairytales when I was young. I remember having these wonderful books that I spent hours reading. I loved the pictures and I remember being intrigued by The Snow Queen. So beautiful and yet so cruel! Mmmm, maybe I should base myself on her! STAYGO: Thanks – and good luck in Sleeping Beauty! To book Sleeping Beauty call the box office on 01892 530613 or visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Tickets from £17, children £14.50
mances as Edward Barnes in the much loved TV series Upstairs, Downstairs and as Morton Beamish alias Herman Teasdale in the long running series Last of the Summer Wine. Adding to the all-star cast, there are flying sequences, show-stopping song and dance acts, larger-than-life characters and plenty of jokes and join-in fun. And if that wasn’t enough, there are amazing CGI effects, including flying dragons, space flights and forests of thorns that grow before your very eyes! Sleeping Beauty will make your Christmas definitely one Derek to remember... Moran
December 2011 / going out
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Welcome to the...
Winter Wellbeing Festival
J
anuary can be a bit of a ‘blue’ time, with Christmas festivities long gone and the dark, chilly days of winter stretching ahead of us. This can sometimes lead to rather blue feelings, especially if your New Year’s resolutions are already out of the window! But don’t despair because help may be at hand.
All under one roof On the weekend of the 28th and 29th of January, a Winter Wellbeing Festival is coming to Tunbridge Wells. This event is being presented by Star Communities, who support therapists by arranging health and wellbeing events. This festival will feature over 60 stalls under one roof at the Assembly Hall, bringing together a whole host of different therapists, practitioners and nutritionists – all there to offer information and advice. Plus there will be a variety of healing and wellbeing products to discover, both for you and your home. Star Communities has been running similar events for six years and owners Mike and Liz Flannery are very excited to be bringing the festival to Tunbridge Wells for the very first time. Mike tells us, “We ran a similar event at Lewes in 2011 and we had over 1,000 people coming through the doors over the weekend. It’s the ideal opportunity to bring therapists and their potential clients together so that they can meet each other, and also so that people who are considering treatment can decide what kind of therapy might work best for them. “Many people think about how they want to live their life differently; how they can confront some of the issues that hold them back; or want to know tunbridge wells edition
more about how the food they eat might affect their health and wellbeing. This is their chance to explore some of those things and perhaps consider new therapies or treatments for conditions that may affect them.”
The festival experience And indeed, this event offers much more than simply networking. It aims to provide a real ‘festival’ experience for everyone, with free speakers, workshops and performers and the opportunity to try a variety of therapy and healing taster sessions. And on top of all this activity, Basil café (which is based in St. Johns Road) is providing the refreshments, so you can make it a whole day out by staying for lunch and sampling the delights of a tasty wholefood menu. In fact, Mike and Liz are sure that the event will be an exciting all-round experience for everyone attending. So if you’re looking for a way to beat the winter blues and improve your health and wellbeing, or if you’re simply curious and want to have a fun day out, why not come along? Tickets are only £3 on the day or £5 to cover the whole weekend, which we think is an absolute bargain! To book tickets, contact The Assembly Hall Theatre on 01892 630613 or visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk If you are a therapist or practitioner and are interested in taking a stall or getting in touch with Star Communities, please contact Mike Flannery on 07901 700990 or e-mail mike.flannery@starcommunities.com December 2011 / going out
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art for
art's sake... by Zac Thraves
T
is the season to be…, well, we could be many things this year as our wallets feel the pinch; but one thing we could all find ourselves feeling is entertained, especially with the local delights on offer at this time of year.
A winter warmer... Trinity Theatre is also going to be presenting A Winter Warmer on 10th December at 7pm; this promises an evening of merriment with festive food, drinks and brilliant bands. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Then from the 14th December, we head into The Secret Garden and that will run all the way through the Christmas season. Box Office 01892 678678 or www.trinitytheatre.net
WHAT’S ON AT TRINITY
PANTO TIME!
To warm us up in preparation for the big events, Trinity Theatre is hosting a wealth of comedians this month. Its popular Comedy Café boasts an impressive line-up; none more so than Ross Noble, who has powered his way to the top of the stand-up tree. In the last few years Ross has found popularity through appearances on Have I Got News For You and for Radio 4’s Just A Minute. But it is for his dry-wit and wacky stand-up that he is best known and he will be headlining the Comedy Café on 7th December. Other dates for the café are 14th: 16th and 20th December with other fantastic acts, including Rob Deering and Stephen Grant. The Comedy Café is a fantastic evening out.
Over at The Assembly Hall Theatre it’s panto-time again! This year Glynis Barber heads up a cast for Sleeping Beauty; a wonderful, magical fairy tale that will make you believe in true love. This also stars Derek Moran, whom those of you with children will know presents Milkshake! on Five. If that sentence means anything to you then I’m sure you will be delighted to see him live; if it doesn’t fear not (you’ve not missed out on a ‘Beibermoment’), instead you can enjoy Glynis Barber being villainous. As you will know already from our cover interview, Glynis Barber has made numerous series on television over the years; she is most popular, probably, for Dempsey and Makepeace, that fantastically 80s detective series. She has also been in Emmerdale and EastEnders. For me she will always be Jane, but hardly anyone I know remembers her as that! The Assembly Hall Theatre always put on a brilliant production during this time of year and Sleeping Beauty promises to be no exception. Expect wonderful scenery; beautiful lighting; dazzling effects and plenty of shouting! The show opens on 10th December and runs until 2nd
Ross Noble
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December 2011
January 2012. Box Office 01892 530613 or www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Sleeping Beauty isn’t the only pantomime on this year. At The Royal Victoria Hall we are being treated to Aladdin, presented by Pantomime Productions. Each year this production has proved popular with children and parents alike and this has always been a more traditional treat than some of the star-studded shows we have come to expect across the country. Performances start on Boxing Day and run through until the 7th January 2012. Box Office 01892 533739 The Oast Theatre at Hildenborough is also producing a festive play this year through The Youth Theatre. The Nativity is written by David Farr and is a humorous, exciting retelling of the immortal tale that should delight everyone. This has a short run, opening on 15th December until 17th December. Box Office 01732 363849 Glynis Barber as the Bad Fairy
tunbridge wells edition
dramatic
installation GRAND UNVEILING AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE On 24th November I was very pleased to be invited to the unveiling of a dramatic new installation at the Assembly Hall Theatre. A giant spinning wheel has been made by a group of students from the Skinners’ Kent Academy, working alongside Kester Hulland-Rumley, a technician at the Assembly Hall. This is part of a project towards ‘good citizenship’ and will help to raise awareness of the theatre’s Christmas charity: Hospice in the Weald. The work of art was unveiled
Win!
A FAMILY TICKET TO THE SECRET GARDEN
Running at Trinity Theatre from 14th December to 1st January, The Secret Garden is a genuine family musical that children – and grownups – of all ages will love! Based on the well-known children’s book of the same name, it tells the story of an unloved orphan girl, thrust into the company of her invalid cousin, and how she discovers a secret garden that changes both their lives. Directed by Michael Elliott, Artistic Consultant at Trinity Theatre, the show combines wonderful characters with music, magic and comedy that is a mustsee this Christmas season.
Spinning wheel sculpture
Louise Giblin sculpting Beth Tweddle
For a chance to win this fabulous prize, simply answer the following question and email your answer to editor@staygo.co.uk by the closing date: 14th December 2011. Who wrote the children’s book, The Secret Garden? a) Charlotte Brontë b) Frances Hodgson Burnett c) Enid Blyton
by the students, along with local artist Louise Giblin ARBS, who has captured the imagination of many with her body casting sculptures. This year, she has been working with some of the nation’s most celebrated athletes who will feature in a series of remarkable bronze and cold cast metal sculptures to be exhibited in London during the 2012 Olympics and aiming to raise money for charity. Five major British Olympic representatives have been body cast for sculpted pieces: athlete Sally Gunnell OBE; Paralymian swimmer Darren Leach; athlete and former Sports Personality of the Year, Dame Kelly Holmes; hurdler Kriss Akabusi MBE; and gymnast Beth Tweddle MBE. The giant spinning wheel is now on display above the canopy of the Assembly Hall Theatre and will remain there until the 5th January. It is a timely reminder of what a community can do when it comes together. Congratulations to the Skinners’ Kent Academy and Kester!
say hi to Zac…
When he's not acting, Zac keeps busy with arts events, so if you have an event coming up and would like a mention in the magazine, contact arts@ staygo .co.uk on Twitter @ Hary828
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For a real taste of Italy... visit... Italian wines, meats & cheeses... and the most amazing coffee!
www.artebianca.co.uk 1 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YQ Tel: 01892 510554
New look restaurant OPEN 15th JANUARY
Celebrate New Year... ...with La Casa Vecchia & The Grey Lady
Enjoy a fabulous 3-course menu with a glass of Peach Bellini on arrival to celebrate this New Year’s Eve £59 per person
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t dr ww ess w.t heg / Bl r ack eyl 018 a d 92 y.co 544 . uk 70 0
music lounge Make this New Year’s Eve one to remember with live music from Soul Avenue at The Grey Lady Music Lounge £79 per person 70 - 72 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TW
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01892 544700
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and a new year's party...
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Spa Valley Railway Santa Specials leave Tunbridge Wells West to Groombridge on the following dates: 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th and 21st to 23rd December. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
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drusillas Check out Santa's Christmas Cottage every day from the 10th to the 23rd December. You can also take a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine and take the bauble challenge! www.drusillas.co.uk Ashdown Forest Llama Park See the reindeer in their stable, plus Santa and his elves, of course. www.llamapark.co.uk
floor stormers, all the way from the Motown classics of the 60s to present-day hits such as Cee Lo Green’s Forget You and Beyonce’s Crazy in Love. Dress smart or black tie for this exciting event – and book NOW to avoid Please check opening disappointment! times with the £59 or £79 per person venue to avoid 01892 544700 disappointment! www.thegreylady.co.uk
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elebrate New Year’s Eve at the Grey Lady Music Lounge, with fantastic food and great live music to keep the party going all the way into 2012! Arrive to a complementary glass of Peach Bellini on arrival and dine in style with a special threecourse menu. Then dance the night away to Soul Avenue – a five-piece soul and funk band, who play dance-
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LAPLAND UK Award-winning premier Christmas family event, which celebrates every child’s belief in Father Christmas. Returning again to Bewl Water. www.laplanduk.co.u
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his little café and deli on the corner of Chapel Place is packed with treasures from its native Italy, which all make perfect Christmas presents! There are bottles and jars of olive oils and sauces, boxes of amaretti biscuits, pasta and bottles of Italian Lots of great gift ideas at wine, liquers and spirits, plus sweets Arte Bianca and chocolates. But on top of your ‘must buy’ list has to be the panettone. fresh for days and Italian tradition This traditional Italian cake is fast says that a slice of panettone taken becoming a regular on the list of with a sip of sparkling Prosecco Christmas desserts and it also makes guarantees good luck and health a beautiful gift because of the way for the coming year. What more it’s presented. Choose from a range can we say? of gorgeous boxes for an impressive Arte Bianca, 01892 510554 looking present for the in-laws! It stays www.artebianca.co.uk
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from Arte Bianca
the big question
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Christmas gifts...
BODIAM CASTLE Meet Santa in his wonderful medieval grotto and explore the castle with a seasonal challenge! www.nationaltrust. org/bodiam
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MONDAY
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YOU'D BETTER WATCH OUT Santa Claus is coming to town, so let's hope you've all been very good!
AXA PPP Healthcare
Festive Countdown www.axappphealthcare.co.uk/
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Scotney Castle Christmas Carols & Victorian fairground 3rd December
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Happy 90th Birthday Dave Brubeck
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Trinity Theatre
Secret Garden opening night 14th December www.trinitytheatre.net
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Christmas Eve
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Happy 53th Birthday Billy Bragg
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1nd December sonline.co.uk www.thepantile
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Sunday Drama College Plus in 24 HOURS 30th December www.the-beacon.co.uk
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Happy 57th Birthday Rowan Atkinson
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Trinity Theatre new look restaurant open > from 15th January > www.thegreylady.co.uk
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Big Blue Box 14th January www.trinitytheatre.net
Happy 19th Birthday Zayn Malik
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Happy 70th Birthday Muhammad Ali
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Gary Ryan 27th January www.the-beacon.co.uk
Shoes for kids, mums and school 48 St. Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9NY • 01892 511651
being Winter Well Festival m/events/ nities.co www.starcommu tunbridgewells
what's on this month DECEMBER...
W
elcome to our StayGo listings page! We bring you events for December, so that if you're looking for something Christmassy to do, just grab StayGo and flick to relevant date. Easy! And if you have any dates that you'd like to see listed, then email them to editor@staygo.co.uk
THROUGHOUT DECEMBER Calverley Park ice rink open until 2nd January (excluding Christmas Day). 9.30am to 9.30pm. £7 children and £9 adults. Book via www. tunbridgewellsatchristmas. com or at The Assembly Hall Theatre 01892 530613
(accompanied children only). Booking essential via Catherine Pitt on 07759 226060 or email info@ discoversoutheastengland.co.uk
SATURDAY 3RD AND SUNDAY 4TH
• Pantiles Christmas Market, 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. www.pantilestraders.com
wednesday 7th
• Twuttle community networking
event at Pidwidgeon & Pie. 10am to 12 noon. www.pigwidgeonandpye.com
MONDAY 12th Are you looking for new and interesting books to read? Do you want to invigorate your book group? The Big Book Group is a new and unique show coming to the Assembly Hall Theatre. It is both a joyful celebration of literature and a coming together of people from all walks of life bonded by their love of books. Features include: Carol Birch on Jamrach’s Menagerie, Araminta Hall on Everything and Nothing, hot reads for book groups and their families, plus a chance to steal the show as you help a star author with a spot of flash fiction. £12, 01892 530613 www. theassemblyhalltheatre.com
wednesday 7th and thursday 8th
• Christmas wreath making
workshop in the Great Hall at Knole Park. All materials supplied, £50. 01732 462100
friday 9th
• Music from the movies at Calverley Park ice rink. 5.30 to 9.30pm £7 children and £9 adults. Book via www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas. com or at The Assembly Hall Theatre 01892 530613 Tunbridge Wells Civic Society at the Camden Centre presents Some Kent Ghosts - their haunts and stories. 7.45 pm, visitors welcome. www.thecivicsociety.org
• sunday 4th
• Carols & Songs by Candlelight at The Salomans Centre at 6pm. 01892 507630
sunday 4th and 18th
• Christmas storytelling and
activities for kids at The Corn Exchange in The Pantiles. 10.30am and 2.30pm. £3.50 per child
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December 2011
saturday 10th
• Farmers' Market, Civic Way,
9am-2pm. www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk
SATURDAY 17TH
• Camden Road Christmas Market
from 10-3pm. Complete with bands, buskers and a choir. www.camdenroad.org/camdenroad-christmas-market To complement the Camden Road Christmas Market, Discover South East England presents a family treasure hunt. £2.00 per person. Purchase your Treasure Hunts from Chez JJ and Bob's DIY on Camden Road. Contact: Catherine Pitt at www.discoversoutheastengland.com
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tunbridge wells edition
• Wadhurst Choir sings carols at
Bedgebury Visitor Centre. Normal admission charges apply. www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk/ WhatsOn
SATURDAY 17th AND SUNDAY 18TH
• Pantiles Christmas Market, 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. www.pantilestraders.com
wednesday 21st
• Farmers' Market, Civic Way, 12 noon to 6pm. www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk
thursday 22nd
• Pantiles late night shopping event, with surprises in store! www.pantilestraders.com
saturday 24th
• Farmers' Market, Civic Way, 9am-2pm. www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk
MONDAY 26TH
• Boxing Day walk with the Friends of Bedgebury. 01580 879842
friday 30TH
• The Sunday Drama College Plus
in 24 Hours at the Beacon Hotel. Students gather at 9.00pm on December 29th at the Beacon and by 9.00pm on the 30th they will have a musical for you! Tickets are £12/£10 concessions and if you want to book a meal beforehand just call the Beacon. 01892 524252. tunbridge wells edition
charity at christmas Christmas is traditionally a time for giving and there are many charitable causes out there that appreciate any help you are able to give. So why not enter the Christmas spirit and do something good this December...
PENSHURST CHRISTMAS market Penshurst Christmas Market aims to be a magical Christmas experience, complete with a wide variety of stalls ideal for Christmas shopping, performances from local choirs, mulled wine, sausages, sweet treats and a raffle raising money for charity, including Penshurst Church and the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre. Stalls will range from exceptional women’s clothing and accessories to beautiful designer children’s clothing, handmade wooden toys, handcrafted Christmas cakes and gingerbread, home wares, vintage fashion, restored furniture, glass ware, pottery, handmade Christmas decorations and stockings, aromatherapy products and treatments, jewellery, fine wine and stunning pieces of art. Open from 10.30am-4pm and 7-10pm on Friday 3rd December and from 9.30am-3pm on Saturday 4th.
reindeer ramble Run, jog, walk or ramble 5km for Hospice in the Weald! Start from Eridge Park Estate on Sunday 11th December at 11am. You can buy antlers for the fun of it, plus refreshments, including a barbecue, mulled wine and mine pies. You
can even get treats for your dog! In addition, if you raise the most sponsorship, you can WIN four tickets to see Sleeping Beauty at the Assembly Hall Theatre! Get your sponsorship to Hospice in the Weald by Thursday 15th December for a chance to win. Entry fees £10 per adult, £4 under 16s and under 5s free. Bring a family of 4 and the dog for only £20! For more information please contact Emma on 01892820508 or events@ hospiceintheweald.org.uk
AND finally... A THANK YOU FROM THE RNLI! The RNLI Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch would like to say a BIG thank you to all its supporters for their help over the last twelve months and, indeed, over many years. We spoke to committee member Joan Hamilton-Smith and this is what she had to say: "Being only a small committee, we rely on the dedication of our helpers and the generosity of the public and this year, in 2011, everyone has surpassed themselves because, so far, we have raised just over £20,000 for the first time ever, with a few more weeks still to go until the end of the year! THANK YOU!"
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