SO Tunbridge Wells Sept09 by Staying in Going out

Tunbridge Wells

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

SOT W

EDUCATION

THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDE 2010

WIN

£1,100 LUXURY DESIGNER WATCH

WHERE THE SMART MONEY IS BEING INVESTED

PROBABLY T HE BEST LOCA L M AGA Z I NE I N THE WORL D

WATERWORLD DIVING DEEP WITH THE WRECK DETECTIVES

CHAMPAGNE REIGNS THE STORY BEHIND THAT MOST FAMOUS OF GRAPES

ROBERT DOWNEY JR

ISS UE 18

£1.50

SECRET OF THE HOLLYWOOD COMEBACK KING

PAGES

OF ELEGANT HOMES

RUNWAY SUCCESS

NEW FASHION TRENDS UNVEILED

Sept 2OO9

Hello... Investing is the key to this issue; investing in your children’s future by putting them through independent schools and investing in things tangible to get a decent return on your cash. It’s easier to do the former, if you’re successful at doing the latter. They do say that one of the greatest things you can give your children is an education. And in many cases that means sending them to a private school which is why we’re publishing our annual guide to the best of the independents in the region. It’ll help you ensure that your child (or grandchild) gets the most suitable education with the match between pupil and school as perfect as possible. To pay those school fees you’ll be looking for the best place to stash your cash and earn the biggest return. Again we can help with our exclusive on a few investments that might not be obvious… such as whisky! But don’t mention hard liquor to our guest superstar Robert Downey, Jr. who seems to have overcome his drink and drug demons, at least for now. We find out where the man who ran round New York almost naked, is now heading. We’ll also keep the Hollywood actor in the dark about our trip to France to join the Bubbly Detectives assigned to protecting one of the biggest brand names in the world: Champagne. It’s a fizzing piece. Crossing the channel in the SoTW yacht we spy the Underwater Time Team from TW who are much like their TV archaelogical counterparts aside from the fact they do it at the bottom of the sea. Mix all that with the chance to win a £1,100 watch, a peek at the very best property for sale, a chance to meet our very own windsurfing champ plus the scoop on the main runway fashion trends, and you have the perfect cocktail of contents. So, sip slowly and enjoy.

SoTW

info@sotunbridgewells.co.uk For full contact details see Page 12 s e p t e mb e r 2 0 0 9

CLIVE CHRISTIAN

C L I V E C H R I S T I A N TUNBRIDGE WELLS, 7 LONDON ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT, TN1 1DG TELEPHONE: 01892 619 550

CLIVE.COM

September

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

INSIDE YOUR

ISSUE…

THIS MONTH YOU SHOULD

SO TELL US

NOW FOR THE NEWS

HORSING AROUND

25 27

102

Get yourself to The Chapel Bar in TW and rack up your chips at their weekly poker league.

Blackened faces, Bollywood beauties, suits worth £70,000 and the Richest Villages – all get an airing in our letters page.

House buyers return, crime drops and squaddie heroes are cheered to the rafters; all good stuff.

It’s the end of the season at Brightling Polo Club, and what a season!

THE WEBB NETWORK Celebrating 20 years of Beric Webb making his mark in the town.

UNDERWATER TIME TEAM

SHAW SUCCESS

A RACING CERTAINTY The Ivy House Dining Room reopens in Tonbridge with great fanfare and TV-chef John Burton-Race.

INVESTING SMARTS From whisky to garages, some unlikely places to stash your cash and watch it grow; far better than Icelandic banks, lumpy mattresses and china pigs.

Beneath the waves with the local wreck detectives, and you can join them!

Our very own Olympic windsurfer Bryony Shaw talks exclusively about her hopes for gold at this month’s world championships.

FEATURE:

DOWNEY, BUT NOT OUT He’s Hollywood’s comeback king but will Robert Downey, Jr. beat his demons by staying on the wagon and in front of the cameras?

INSIDER

A sneak-peek at what to be seen in as the leaves begin to turn.

SEPTEMBER 2009

ON TREND

DIVINE DECADENCE

INSIDE LEG

WIN £1,100 WATCH

THE PORTFOLIO

PERIOD LIVING

48 COVER

55 FASHION

Runway styles set to hit the high streets in the coming weeks.

Ladylike elegance comes to the fore as power silhouettes and intricate detailing lead us into Autumn.

Autumnal tips for men; from overcoats to watches and sweaters to skin savers.

Your chance to own a stunning Georg Jensen time piece. And it couldn’t be easier.

Fifteen pages of the ﬁnest real estate to buy, rent or admire.

This month Harriet Louvelle lends a hand renovating a tired Tudor manor house near Groombridge.

THE GALLERY

ALL OF A FLUTTER

Our pick of the bunch from art galleries in and around TW.

Local artist Gemma Harwood talks us through her unique and experimental style. She’s certainly one to watch!

EXTRA SPARKLE

SO LOCAL

TV antique expert James Braxton extols the beneﬁts of provenance when it comes to auctions.

Alastair Jessel tells how Taywell Farm Shop in Goudhurst is promoting local produce and business.

IVY LEAGUE CHEF JK Bentley and The Wife take a table at the Kings Arms in Rotherﬁeld as the new man revamps the menu.

MY FAVOURITE BOTTLE…

BUBBLY DETECTIVES

We’re at the Newick Park Hotel to check out the wines beneath the ﬂoor boards.

Champagne remains the most exclusive brand in the world – meet the men and women who keep it that way.

102 GREAT DANE

We get to grips with the Zenvo ST1, the 1,100BHP supercar from, of all places, Denmark.

107 2010 SCHOOLS GUIDE

Our annual review of the top independent schools in the region will help you get the best match for your child.

127 LIFE & STYLE

Cookies, carpets, clutter and chipped nails all receive our attention in this issue.

129 UTTERLY

DEADICATED We unearth more secrets in a once forgotten cemetery, at the back of the town’s bus station, that has much to do with Jane Austen. SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

3 Cumberland Walk, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1UJ Tel: 01892 616103 Fax: 01892 515495 www.sotunbridgewells.co.uk info@sotunbridgewells.co.uk Publishing Director Nick Moore nick.moore@sotunbridgewells.co.uk

Sales Director Sharon Lacey sharon.lacey@sotunbridgewells.co.uk

Editorial Director Richard Moore FRSA richard.moore@sotunbridgewells.co.uk

Art Director Lee Smith Designers Claire Hawkes, Ian Flynn Senior Writer Melissa Woodland melissa.woodland@sotunbridgewells.co.uk

Publishing Assistant Dan Smith dan.smith@sotunbridgewells.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Sarah Taylor sarah.taylor@sotunbridgewells.co.uk

Account Executive Felicity Evans felicity.evans@sotunbridgewells.co.uk

Contributors Valerie Thacker Zoe Storey Harriet Louvelle Fiona Fraser JK Bentley Published by The Magazine People Ltd. Designed by SCW Design & Publishing Ltd. www.scw.uk.com Printed by Headley Brothers Ltd. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those 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 or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

Subscribe to SoTW for just ÂŁ1 per issue! For details visit www.sotunbridgewells.co.uk or call 01892 616103

SEPTEMBER 2009

www.magazinepeople.co.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

This month you should…

Read...

She revolutionised how women looked by banning corsets from her fashion designs, shortening skirts and ushering in the two-piece suit. Now, Coco Chanel’s early life has been turned into a ﬁlm, based on this revealing and entertaining new biography. Chanel by Edmonde CharlesRoux published in paperback is available from all good bookshops, priced £14.99. The ﬁlm itself is in cinemas now.

Listen...

Cecil Beaton dressed the stars of stage and screen with unequalled style and elegance, photographing them to create iconic images. Now drawings from his 1954 book, The Glass of Fashion are being released as repeat designs for fabric and wallpaper. Hugo Vickers, Beaton’s biographer, will be giving a series of illustrated lectures during the London Design Festival (September 19th-27th) that will provide a fascinating insight into Beaton’s life and work. Skinners of Tunbridge Wells is hosting the second date in the lecture series on the evening of Wednesday September 23rd at eatery Relish! on Camden Road, TW. Tickets for the lecture evening include a drink and canapés and are available on 01892 510030 priced £20.

Learn...

Long established as a sport of the gentry, falconry is seeing a resurgence in popularity. Take up this unusual pastime and join the Sevenoaks based Kent Adult Education course. You’ll learn handling techniques using Harris Hawks as well as the history and safety of the sport. The taster course is on October 3rd and costs £79. Call 0845 606560 or visit kent.gov.uk/adulted

SEPTEMBER 2009

THIS MONTH

Support...

Creative local talents in the areas of ﬁlm, photography, art and music will be showcasing their work at the Lantern Film and Media Festival at Trinity Theatre in TW. As part of Trinity Week (September 4th-13th) the festival will run for three days starting September 4th. The week will also feature a special screening of Casablanca and stage performances of Oh What a Lovely War. For more details visit: lanternmediafestival.com or trinitytheatre.net

Buy...

Watch... Share in the wonderful story of the little orphan Sophie and her magical journey with a dream catcher called the Big Friendly Giant. Roald Dahl’s whimsical tale of The BFG has been brought to life in a stunning stage show that is sure to delight every member of the family. It’s at the Assembly Halls in TW between September 8th and 12th. Tickets start at £10.50. Call 01892 530613 to book.

If you like to stand out from the crowd, why not build your own necklace from the new Thomas Sabo range. Available only at Glitterati on The Pantiles, all the components of these fun pendants are made in sterling silver and feature enamel or Swarovski crystal detailing. Just pick your favourites from the selection of charm-like adornments and you’ll have your very own one-of-a-kind piece. The Strawberry and Dragonﬂy pendant costs £273.85 complete: 01892 518024

Rent...

State of Play is a story of corruption and deceit in Washington DC. A female political researcher dies in an accident under suspicious circumstances on the same day a street thief is shot. The following investigation uncovers a tale of split alliances and hidden agendas. Russell Crowe excels as the mercurial lead Cal McAffery and Rachel McAdams is utterly convincing as rookie reporter Della Frye. Available from The Foyer: £3.50 a night, call 01892 548700. SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Accessorise... Ensure you’re the best dressed in town: carry the latest twist on a classic from Mulberry. In a versatile patent leather, the black Bayswater is roomy enough to hold all your essentials while maintaining your style credentials. Perfect for your Autumn wardrobe, it’s £650 from Hoopers: 01892 530222.

Bluff...

Rack up your chips at the Social Poker League at The Chapel Bar every Thursday night from 7.30pm. Open to all abilities and levels of experience, this is a great chance to enjoy a few hands

of poker and buy in is just £5 per game. Every player also plays for points and is entered into an online league, so you could even win a trip to Las Vegas. Register by calling 01892 533980.

Confront... Facing up to your fears is, they say, the best cure for a phobia. If it’s spiders and other creepy crawlies that make you somewhat anxious then help is at hand. Just pop along to Drusillas Park in Alfriston on Sunday September 20th for Phobias Day. The Secretary of the British Tarantula Society, Angela Hale, will be there to help you get a better understanding of the creatures you dread, and so reduce your anxiety (it’s also supposed to be a lot of fun). Normal entry prices apply. Visit drusillas.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2009

Swing...

Plug this machine into your computer, leaving plenty of space between the tee and the on-screen action, grab your clubs and get ready to play St Andrews, Pebble Beach or one of hundreds of other world-class golf courses. This gadget replicates your swing onto the tethered ball and sends the on-screen sphere ﬂying down the fairway! The Golf Launchpad costs £229.00 and is available from iwantoneofthose.com

LETTERS

SO tell us... YOUR LETTERS PAGE

If your letter is chosen by the Editor as the Letter of the Month, you’ll win £25 of M&S vouchers.

SOTW WINNING LETTER OF THE MONTH:

Sir, Strange goings-on in your news pages. Apparently it’s wrong for some Kent morris dancers to blacken their faces with make-up following tradition, but fine for a white girl from TW to pretend to be Indian in Bollywood films. I’m confused. Any one else? Sir, After your gushing article on Kate Middleton (June) followed by talk of bunting and royal weddings, I did find it slightly amusing that her uncle has been unveiled as a cocaine fanatic. I found it even more amusing to discover that both Kate and “Wills” (cringe) had been his guests in Ibiza. Classy couple for the throne. Sandra Smith (Tunbridge Wells) Ed: Just shows you can choose your friends but not your relatives Sir, Why were there no competitions in your July issue of SoTW? Clive Beesley (Crowborough) Ed: We were whetting your appetite for the big one in this issue! See page 65.

Sir, I thought your story about the Richest Villages (August) was really interesting but find it hard to understand why Five Oak Green did not get mentioned in your list of the top 20 villages. I have lived here many years and know there are lots of expensive houses.

Philippa Short (Tenterden) Ed: Another sign of our mixed up PC World, and we don’t mean the one on the industrial estate. Sir, Surely nobody in their right mind would spend £70,000 on a man’s suit (Inside Leg, August)? Robert Jenkins (Via email)

Jacqueline Thomas (Five Oak Green)

Ed: Are you seriously telling us you never have?

Ed: There might be “lots” but not enough. Five Oak Green was actually in 21st place so posh it up bit and you might make it next year.

We accept Letters to the Editor by e-mail (info@sotunbridgewells. co.uk) or post (SoTW 3 Cumberland Walk, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1UJ). Letters must carry full names and contact details. Letters may be edited for publication.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Of Royal Tunbridge Wells

FISHMONGERS OPENING EARLY SEPTEMBER 9 VALE ROAD

OPPOSITE THE TRAIN STATION

The freshest fish & seafood products from the British coast brought directly to Tunbridge Wells for you. See our website or call for more details

WWW.SANKEYS.CO.UK

01892 511 422

NEWS

And now for

the news… OUR ROUND-UP OF STORIES, BOTH SERIOUS AND LIGHTHEARTED, MAKING THE HEADLINES Good News: GREEN SHOOTS

There are strong signs of a recovery in the Tunbridge Wells housing market with the number of viewings increasing 30%. A shortage in supply of houses, down nearly 40% on the year, has led to a significant increase in demand from potential buyers. The best properties are exceeding their original guide price. The Partner and Office Head of Frank Knight

CHEER LEADERS

Thousands of people lined the streets to cheer the First Battalion the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment as they marched through Tunbridge Wells on their homecoming parade. Brigadier Simon Deakin described it as a “smashing turnout.” The Battalion, which served in Iraq, is the most decorated infantry unit in the British Army. It was the first time in eight years it has been able to parade through the county because of operational commitments. Biggest cheer was for Speldhurst born Private Andrew Neil who was presented with his Operation Telic medal for services in Iraq.

bad News: SHORT CHANGED

Tunbridge Wells Council has come up with a way to counter criticism of the fact that ticket machines in local car parks do not provide change. The 97 ticket machines in 13 pay and display car parks in the Borough have collected £720,000 extra over the last three years, that should have been given to motorists in change. The council now claims to have resolved the issue by pushing up prices from 90p an hour to £1. This means that in many cases no change is required.

in TW, Andrew Harwood, says: “It’s remarkable given the present economic backdrop. “The lack of choice for prospective purchasers seems to have really focused their minds and many of them are now looking with a vengeance.” He warns would-be sellers not to hesitate about putting their homes up for sale. “The current market does represent a really good opportunity to achieve a sale and to wait for ‘better times’ may be a mistake.”

CRIME DOWN

Kent and Sussex are becoming safer places to live. According to Home Office figures overall crime across the two counties has dropped, although serious and violent offences have risen. In Kent, crime is down by more than 10,000 offences. That’s a drop of almost 8% on the previous year. There were 471 fewer burglaries, 136 fewer robberies and 640 fewer vehicle thefts. Antisocial behaviour incidents dropped from 88,264 to 75,554 (12,710). In Sussex crime has fallen 9.8% meaning there were 11,728 fewer victims. Vehicle offences dropped by 7.6% resulting in 839 less incidents and vandalism by 11.4% equating to 3,039 fewer offences. The Bad News though is that figures for violent crime, drug offences, firearms, kidnapping and child pornography all rose. Police argue that when they actively pursue specific areas of crime the figures in that area will increase. They also say there have been changes in the way some crimes are recorded.

MAJOR BLOCKAGE

The A26 is shut for a 100 yard stretch between Major Yorks Road and Neville Street. It is due to reopen on September 7th. “Quite why it’s necessary to close a main road for quite so long is something of a mystery,” commented one trader. “It’ll be interesting to see if they work late and at weekends.”

COSTLY CALL

The 77p a minute charge was imposed by BT as most calls redirected from 118 are apparently less than one minute in length. Alf was quoted as saying: “If I had written down the number and dialled it myself, it would have cost me nothing.” BT have now refunded the full amount and Alf ’s computer is running perfectly.

Traders at The Pantiles end of town are unhappy at the seven week closure of the main A26 road because of gas works. They believe it will deter customers during the Summer months, normally the busiest period of the year. Diverted traffic is also causing congestion in side roads and the situation has been aggravated by the closure of nearby Broadwater Down for road works.

A Tunbridge Wells pensioner was charged nearly £100 after he contacted the PC antivirus experts Norton with a question about their computer program. When Alf Vanning (81) called the BT 118 500 directory line and agreed to be connected to Norton on a London number, he had no idea that the following two hour phone call would cost him £91.57.

SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

HORSING

AROUND

Photos: Ro Older Combat Moose Photography

rightling Polo Club celebrates the close of another successful season (they lost only 3 out of 20 matches) with the Farewell Trophy which takes place at the Burwash ground September 19-20. One of those wins was the Lloyds TSB Private Banking Trophy that attracted some 500 spectators for the ﬁnal. The home team La Fuenza Verde, lead by patron Caroline Owen, triumphed over Plain Clothes Portugal from Sussex Polo Club. Six teams competed at Brightling which is now fully afﬁliated and the only polo club in Kent and East Sussex. Club Secretary Rena Hood tells us: ”Since we were formed in 2006 we’ve come on leaps and bounds. We’re a very family friendly club with lots of social events and well worth a visit.” For full details about the club and what’s happening go to brightlingpolo.com

SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

THE WEBB NETWORK

Photography: Mirror Image Photography

ne of the best known business ﬁgures in Tunbridge Wells brought friends and clients together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of setting up shop in the town. Beric Webb started out as a sole trader and today has two separate companies specialising in Independent Financial Services and General Insurance. Kent Air Ambulance and Hospice in the Weald were two charities to beneﬁt from the celebrations at Beric Webb Associates in Mount Ephraim Road. Each charity received a £150 donation. Beric himself, who is in to his second year as President of the West Kent Chamber of Commerce, tells us: ”We are very fortunate to be based in Tunbridge Wells which is a great town in which to operate, and I would like to thank all the people who helped us celebrate, especially our clients, many of whom live some distance away. Cheers.” And Cheers to you Mr President! SO

SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

A RACING CERTAINTY

Photography: Mirror Image Photography

V chef John Burton-Race was amongst those on hand to welcome guests at the re-opening of the 15th century Ivy House Dining Room & Bar in Tonbridge. It follows a £150,000 reﬁt by Kent Inns of Distinction which is run by husband and wife team Richard and Sherry Martin. The couple own three other eating establishments in the county and have recruited John Burton-Race, star of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, as head of group development with responsibility for training and menu development. John tells us: “I have hundreds of ideas which apply to the pub/restaurant environment that I can’t normally use in a Michelin star restaurant.” Richard Martin says: “With his involvement we will be able to introduce some really exciting new styles of food.” The Ivy House is managed by son Daniel Martin. SO

SEPTEMBER 2009

september 2009

tunbridge wells

Antiques • Interiors

SV Antiques Charing (nr.Ashford)

King Arthur’s Court, Maidstone Rd (A20) TN27 0JS

01233 713609 n Items from a few pounds to

a few thousand – but always with a discount! n We are able to carry out both probate and insurance valuations n We’re always keen to buy from single items to full house clearances

The Chester Valuation Company Specialists in Valuations for Insurance, Probate, Matrimonial & Family Division & Sale by Auction Jewellery, Silver, Paintings, Clocks, Furniture Selected Items or Comprehensive Home Contents Valuations Ex-Sotheby’s – 40 Years’ Experience A Nationwide Company on Your Doorstep

Opening times: 9.30 - 4pm Mon - Fri 10 - 4pm Sat Closed Sun & Bank Hols Out of hours trade viewing by appointment

www.svantiques.co.uk e-mail: svantiques@surfree.co.uk

september 2009

Total Confidentiality Assured

For further information please call either Jeanette or Michael Hore

01435 872975 – www.chestervaluation.co.uk

INVEST

INVESTING SMARTS WORDS MELISSA WOODLAND

WITH INTEREST RATES AT A RECORD LOW, WE’RE ALL SEARCHING FOR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANY SPARE CASH. WE WANT SOMEWHERE THAT IS SAFER THAN AN ICELANDIC BANK, MORE PROFITABLE THAN A CHINA PIG AND MORE COMFORTABLE THAN UNDER THE MATTRESS. BUT WHERE TO START?

Over a barrel:

INVESTORS IN BRUICHLADDICH OCTOMORE WHISKY DOUBLED THEIR MONEY IN DAYS.

he list of criteria for potential investments sounds like a pretty tall order in the current climate – secure, predictable, and proﬁtable. But there must be opportunities that will let us sleep peacefully while our money grows. Time perhaps to turn away from the traditional stocks and shares and start buying tangible items that are likely to at least hold their value. With a myriad of alternatives to explore we talk to people in the know to see what they’d put money on.

WHISKY: Traditionally, investment in whisky has been less volatile than its close cousin – wine (we’ll get to the grape later). Prices for old and rare whiskies are continuing to rise. This is due in no small part to the incredibly long lead time on high quality liquor (single malts are generally not released for at least 12 years after production with some of the best laying in wait in excess of 40 years), which leads to scarcity of the best barrels. Ben Ellefsen from the Master of Malt in Tunbridge Wells says that now is the time to think about buying to invest rather than drink, to take advantage of the ‘lag’ between production and demand. “Whisky is, in many ways, an easier investment than wine – it can have been sitting in the back of a drinks cupboard in a living room for decades without making a jot of difference to the contents. “However, my ﬁrm advice would be to only invest in malt that you like, and always follow the golden rule: Don’t invest in anything that you wouldn’t be happy to drink. “Obviously, you have to have chosen your whisky carefully. But there have been a fair few sales in recent history that have seen a good return. Bruichladdich Octomore, for example. A very young, and very heavily peated whisky from Islay Distillery Bruichladdich illustrates a classic lesson in supply and demand. ➢

E SEPTEMBER 2009

E SO

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

“When it was released at a price of £79.95 a bottle, it was the most highly peated in the world, which happens when the grain is roasted over peat. The result? It sold out almost immediately, and subsequently appeared on a well-known internet auction site regularly selling for over £160 a bottle. More than 100 per cent profit within just a few days for those ‘in the know’. “Then there’s the Macallan 55 Year Old in Lalique Decanter that was launched in late 2007, a limited release worldwide of only 420 bottles, one of which we have. Price on release was below £6,000. This whisky now retails at £8,500 for a single bottle anywhere you’re lucky enough to find one.” So, what kind of profit might we look forward to putting our money into whisky? If you invest wisely, it seems that over five years you could be looking at a return of up to 300 per cent. That’s worth a drink, or two!

GARAGES: Not perhaps an obvious investment opportunity until you think about the lack of parking in and around Tunbridge Wells. But with the right spot you could be looking for a ten per cent return on your investment over a couple of years plus any rental money, according to Steve Donnelly of land agents Chapel Place Ltd. in Tunbridge Wells. Out at High Brooms, for example, you might pick up a garage for £10,000 and rent it for maybe £70 a month; while in the centre of town you’re more likely to be paying £20,000 for the garage but renting for maybe £200 a month. And the shortage of parking spots is only going to get worse which is good news – if you own a garage or two. PORTFOLIO OF LAND: Overall the price of land has bottomed out over the last couple of years as the housing market has slowed. But as buyers become more active now’s a good time to grab that parcel of land as an investment. “As house prices rise so will the value of the land they are built on,” explains Steve Donnelly. “If the plot you want to buy already has planning permission so much the better but don’t be put off if you have to get

HAVE A FIELD DAY:

PUTTING TOGETHER A PORTFOLIO OF LAND IS AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Parking Problems:

GARAGES IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS CAN OFFER A 10 PER CENT RETURN. planning permission post-purchase.” He also tells us about the beneﬁts of buying woodland, which has some attractive tax breaks, plus agricultural land including small paddocks. “You might be paying a relatively high price right now for what we call amenity land, maybe £8,000 - £10,000 an acre, but that’s likely to rise to £12,000 - £15,000 an acre within a couple of years.” Steve explains that one option for those looking to invest in land is to put together a portfolio. “Obviously we have people come to us looking for a single plot on which they can self-build but we are equally happy to help others who might want to build a portfolio of different types of land, and that can happen for those with £50,000 or £500,000 to invest.”

GOLD AND JEWELLERY: Gold is often turned to in times of ﬁnancial difﬁculty, with people purchasing bullion and jewellery to protect against currency devaluation and market instability. In its raw state it doesn’t go out of fashion and dips in value are generally short lived. ➢

INVEST

Gem of an investment:

ONE EXPERT BELIEVES THE PRICE OF GOLD WILL DOUBLE WHILE ALL ARE AGREED BIGGER IS BETTER IF YOU’RE PUTTING YOUR MONEY INTO DIAMONDS. Buying and selling at the right moment is essential. Usually, when times are tough, the price goes through the roof, but when the economy settles down, people return to stocks and shares and sell their gold. The founder of BullionVault.com Paul Tustain thinks that the high we saw earlier this year of £592 ($1,000) per ounce could soon be eclipsed. He’s predicting that there’s more to come from the gold market and expects to see prices reach £1,184 ($2,000) before the current financial downturn ends. So, what about when gold has been crafted into an item of jewellery? It will still have a value as a result of the weight of the metal, but does it offer a good investment opportunity if it’s designed to adorn? Leslie Gillham of Gorringes Auction House in Tunbridge Wells says that not all jewellery is selling well at the moment. “The jewellery market is driven by fashion and that means that its profitability fluctuates. Some antique jewellery, for example, is not what people are looking for at the moment. So, you need to be prepared for it to be a long term investment. “Most things will come back into fashion at some point – you need to find the right time to sell. And only larger diamonds are really sought after at the moment, so smaller stones aren’t going to make a huge profit in today’s market.”

WINE: A good bottle or twelve of the very best vino makes for a sound investment over the medium-to long-term. But it’s fair to say you have to invest for a minimum of say six years and longer if you want to make really big gains. And you can’t just pick up a case of any old wine and expect its value to rise. Wine aficionado Graeme Moore of Montrose Restaurant on Southborough Common suggests working with a wine merchant if you’re not confident about where to start with this Capital Gains-exempt investment. “Whether you’re working independently or with a merchant, the first rule is to buy the best wine you can afford” he explains. “I’d always advocate going for French wine, a first growth from Bordeaux of Grand Cru Burgundy or Rhone if you want a wine that will appreciate in value. Try only to buy the better vintages – although this is often difficult to judge when buying young wines – and is another good reason for using a reputable wine merchant. Buying en premier (purchasing wines a year in advance of them being bottled) means you are able to secure stocks of wines which are otherwise difficult to obtain. Because it is cheaper to buy them before they are bottled, you can usually trade them at a profit in the early years before they are ready to drink. Once the wine is ready for delivery it is best to store it in a bonded warehouse until you are ready to sell it on; you won’t have to pay excise duty and VAT. ➢

Bottling it:

WINE PRICES ARE DOWN AT THE MOMENT, MAKING IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST. SEPTEMBER 2009

tunbridge wells

september 2009

INVEST

“As with antiques, buyers want to know where their purchase has come from and that it has been looked after. Storage is key. When you’ve found your chosen investment, it needs to be kept in a temperature controlled, air conditioned unit – if you don’t you won’t be able to maximise your profit.” What about when you want to sell? How do you know when’s the right time? Graeme recommends keeping an eye on current auction prices. “Decanter magazine publishes a great list of current auction prices, so you know what’s selling well and when. The best ways of selling are either through the wine merchant who helped you choose and purchase the wine, a merchant who specialises in buying and selling top of the range wines, or my preferred method of selling via an auction house. You do have to pay a commission to the auction house, normally ten per cent, but the top houses have a host of worldwide clients who are thirsty for top quality wines and the competition normally ensures you get top dollar.” And the all-important profit? Graeme says it’s impossible to predict a specific return, but that it’s definitely possible to make money in the longer term.

Nostalgia reigns:

“In the early 1970s I purchased some bottles of what turned out to be the fabulous 1961 vintage of a red Rhone wine called Hermitage, ‘La Chappelle’, for around £45 per bottle and sold them a few years back at auction for £3,800 per bottle (£4,300 including buyers’ premium). It’s not the norm, but it’s possible. “The older a wine gets, provided it’s stored in the right conditions and keeps well, the more likely it is to appreciate. As time goes on, there are fewer bottles of these wines around to sell – people drink them!”

ART AND ANTIQUES: Like jewellery, the value of both art and antiques is almost entirely dependent on the fashion of the day. So-called ‘brown’ furniture, produced before the Second World War, has been out of favour for some time. Gorringes’ Leslie Gillman says it’s the cheapest it’s been for 25 years, making it the ideal time to pick up a bargain. But unless you’ve got acres of storage space, only buy pieces that you don’t mind looking at – it could take a while for the style to come back into favour. “A nice piece of Georgian furniture valued at around £5,000 to £10,000 would be a good long term investment now. You’ll have the enjoyment and use of a beautifully ➢

THIS SENTIMENTAL PICTURE OF A MOTHER AND CHILD MADE DOUBLE ITS ESTIMATE AT AUCTION.

SEPTEMBER 2009

E SO

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

made item and in years to come, when trends shift again, such a piece will be in demand. “People are becoming more nostalgic. We’ve seen that in the art market. Pretty oil paintings from the 19th Century which wouldn’t have attracted much attention a few years ago are now selling way above expectations. “A lovely, but very sentimental picture of a mother and child by John Seymour Lucas (previous page) was estimated at £1,500 to £2,000 at a recent auction. It made £4,200. So it doesn’t have to be a big name to make money. Good pictures from that period are really selling well.”

CARS: What about an investment that you can get real enjoyment out of before you try to make money from it? Such as a classic car. Kept in good condition, classic cars are unlikely to lose money and your vehicle of choice doesn’t have to be an Aston Martin or Jaguar. Less ﬂashy models such as the Morris Marina can still prove lucrative if you have the patience and skill to restore one. There’s always a resale market amongst the owner car clubs and vehicles registered before 1973 are exempt from road tax. But what if you like the idea of a classic car, although actually want something a little newer? No problem, you can get the best of both worlds with a Morgan sports car, one of the last British vehicles being built by hand. And they’re available on our doorstep. Brands Hatch Morgans at Borough Green are main agents and specialists for the brand which has just celebrated its Centenary. The Kent company offers modern classics that are good at keeping their value. “A Morgan is indeed an excellent investment,” Sales Manager Rod Coe tells us. “New ones start from around £27,500 and the depreciation is negligible. “One of the most collectable is the V8 Morgan Plus 8 which is no longer being produced. An example purchased in 2004 for around £39,500 is still worth about the same today.” He says many of the older Morgans are now historic and greatly prized by collectors and those taking part in historic motor racing. Evidence of that is the fact that Morgans over 15 years old are appreciating in value. A Plus Four model that cost £800 in 1951 is currently on the market for £39,500. Not a bad return, even if it’s taken 48 years during which you’d have had a lot of fun out of it. It’s time to take your money out of the piggy bank and start making it work for you. You never know, it might make you a lot of money. But remember: Before taking any decisions on investing make sure to get advice from a professional. SO

SEPTEMBER 2009

REGARDLESS OF YOUR INVESTMENT OF CHOICE, THERE ARE A FEW RULES THAT APPLY ACROSS THE BOARD.

Do your homework. Don’t buy anything as an investment unless you’re sure it is what it says it is and ask the experts if you’re not sure

the best you can afford – one top-notch 2. Buy item is a better investment than several of a lower quality think you will automatically make a lot 3. Don’t of money. Nothing is guaranteed, so if the market for your investment crashes, the blow is softened if you can enjoy your purchase on its own merits at the right time – keep your eye out 4. Purchase for the bottom of the market. That’s usually a good time to make a purchase at the right time – that’ll improve your bank 5. Sell balance ready to play the long game. Some 6. Be investments take longer than others to mature. Make sure your expectations are realistic

Driving Proﬁts:

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Underwater DIVING

WORDS SARAH TAYLOR

TIME TEAM THERE’S A TUNBRIDGE WELLS GROUP THAT BEARS CERTAIN SIMILARITIES TO TONY ROBINSON’S TIME TEAM ON CHANNEL 4. BUT WHILE THE TV ARCHAEOLOGISTS DIG AROUND ON DRY LAND THE TW TEAM DO IT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

embers of the Tunbridge Wells Sub-Aqua Club, like their counterparts on television, have a passion for history, a desire to discover the unknown and a knack for unearthing remains. And it’s all done underwater. Imagine the rush as you take your last breath of fresh air and dive below the surface of the sea, trying to adjust to everything at once. There’s the slightly metallic air you start to breathe, clamping down tightly on the rubber mouthpiece as the cold water hits your face and exposed skin; but most of all it’s the breathtaking view that greets you as you start going deeper. You feel slightly isolated but definitely not alone; fish crowd your vision and conger eels watch you from a distance. Visibility grows poor as you reach the murky depths where colours and shapes start to emerge. They are the curves and square edges of wrecks that were once proud ships. That’s exactly what members of the Tunbridge Wells Sub-Aqua Club (TWSAC) experience every time they become underwater detectives. They run weekend dives (our fabulous British weather permitting) off Beachy Head near Newhaven, submerging themselves in freezing cold water and plunging down below in search of forgotten remains and wrecks. The dives are all about finding and naming sunken ships; in their opinion, “a wreck with no name has no history”. The ships they discover have so many stories to tell. They’ve travelled thousands of sea miles to a hundred different ports, been crewed by scores of people and have sunk in so many different ways. ➢

SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

The challenge for TWSAC is to identify previously unnamed wrecks and document their history. “We are not plunderers,” emphasises Jamie Smith, the club’s diving officer. Indeed not. His team are passionate about the wrecks and are always looking to find out more about their favourite dive sites. When not a thousand leagues under the sea, they search for information and pictures so they can recognise the shapes of the ships that haunt the deep. Although Jamie’s passion is wreck diving, he points out that it’s not undertaken by all of the 22 TWSAC members. “More and more people are getting involved in the searches, but it’s not something that’s pressed on anyone.” The group have been involved in several projects over the years – they recovered the deck gun from UB 130, a German WW1 Uboat that was on her way to a breakers yard when her tow broke. With permission, the TWSAC raised the gun and donated it to the Newhaven Maritime Museum where it’s on display for the public to enjoy. Over the years, they’ve looked at more than 80 wrecks and have so far named four, all steam ships. There’s the Admiralty trawler Lancer II that sank after a collision in 1918, the collier Mid Surrey that went down after a collision in 1919 and the naval trawler Avanturine that was sent to the bottom by a German E Boat while mine sweeping in 1943. The fourth vessel is the Harold, a merchantman that went missing near Newhaven in 1889. It was discovered during Jamie’s first underwater wreck adventure. He found a piece of a china hand-basin which carried part of the ship’s name, then later a matching plate. Lying at a depth of 112ft (34m) off Newhaven, Harold was discovered pretty much intact. The dive team raised a bell they found on the superstructure using rope and lifting bags that act as giant yellow balloons. They’re taken down by the team and inflated with their breathing apparatus. There are over 100 wrecks in the English Channel, seven of which the TWSAC are currently investigating. Most of them are around 115ft (30-35m) deep. The group use photographs, drawings, video footage, measurements and site surveys to find and identify them. “It’s really rewarding to solve the mysteries,” Jamie says, “and important that the wrecks are named and their history told. The more I look around at other groups, the more I realise we seem to be doing something different.” In fact TWSAC doesn’t offer dive training, Red Sea trips or freshwater experiences. They dive, in Jamie’s words, “for adventure and to find clues”. “People are passionate about diving for many different reasons,” he says. “For me, it‘s a hobby, a passion, and an obsession. A new wreck charted or uncharted is on my favourite list because you never know what you’re going to be greeted by; the wreck itself, an abandoned net, masses of fish or all three. “Others in the club are keen photographers and can be seen waiting for a lobster to strike the right pose, assuming the budding chefs amongst us don’t get to it first – a wreck is a great source of their favourite seafood.” And the future? “Let’s hope we don’t get too good at it – or all our adventures will come to an end.” To find out more about TWSAC visit twsac. org or call 0845 643 1665. SO

SEPTEMBER 2009

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SUCCESS TUNBRIDGE WELLS-BASED BRYONY SHAW MADE HISTORY LAST YEAR IN BEIJING WHEN SHE WON AN OLYMPIC BRONZE FOR WINDSURFING. HERE SHE TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO SOTW ABOUT HER HOPES OF HITTING GOLD AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

he 26-year-old hit the headlines when she became the first woman member of a British Olympic team to take a windsurfing medal. Millions of television viewers saw her break down in tears immediately after the victory which she described as, “the best thing in the world.” Newspaper readers across the country also saw her painted in gold, from head to foot, in a move to promote her sport prior to the Olympics. And she was back in the news in June after taking another Bronze at the European RS:X Championships in Israel. Now Bryony, who shares a home in TW with her former windsurfing boyfriend Greg King, is aiming for top spot on the podium at the World Championships in Weymouth (August 31st – September 11th). She took a break from training to talk to Dan Smith.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS IS A BIT FAR FROM THE WATER ISN’T IT? Well I live here but actually spend most weekdays down in Weymouth, Dorset where my team, Skandia Team GBR, are based. My boyfriend Greg, who I met at a windsurﬁng competition four years ago, owns a landscaping ﬁrm here in TW. It’s such a beautiful place to live; personally I love the designer shops and being able to walk down into town for a nice dinner on the weekends. Not that I can always appreciate the weekend, my routine can get a bit messed with. I just got back from a week’s training in Spain with the Spanish pair Marina Alabau and Blanca Manchon who took Gold and Silver at the European Championships. It was hectic but incredibly valuable. ➢

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN WINDSURFING? I gave it a go on family holidays to the south of France when I was younger. There was a really calm lake where you could try it out. Being a young girl I was into dancing so I had good balance and I was also into canoeing and swimming at the time, so I felt comfortable on the water.

WHAT MAKES YOU SO SUCCESSFUL? Whatever I’ve done, I’ve always been highly competitive… even in PE. Also, the nature of windsurﬁng just makes you want to get better and better. When I started, I found that if I trained a bit harder and got that bit more skilled, then I could get a coach. If I won a few races then I’d be able to get into serious competitions, and so on. I just always want to improve and push myself. SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

TRAINING WITH THE ENEMY THEN? It’s not really like that. The three of us sort of rotate at the top at the moment and the nature of RS:X windsurﬁng means that the more each of us know, the better we are as individual racers. You need to build up your own skill set and learn from others. Also, if I train with them, I can get to know their strengths and weaknesses to exploit in races. We get pretty competitive when we race, but it’s all forgotten back on the beach… generally. AS AN OLYMPIAN, YOU MUST BE INCREDIBLY FIT? Well I train hard of course and eat to supplement the exercise. I take in a lot of fruit and veg and make sure not to overload on carbs. On competition days we’re out on the water for around three hours, so we need to have a great deal of slow-release foods. There are two races per day, with half-hour breaks between them. Each race lasts around half an hour as well, plus the set-up times. So it’s pretty gruelling.

ALL SET TO WIN GOLD AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS? Yes, with bronzes in the Olympics and Europeans, I’m conﬁdent. Especially as I’ve been training with Marina and Blanca. Plus the competition will be held in Weymouth, essentially my homeground. Knowing the waters and understanding the way the weather acts is invaluable in RS:X windsurﬁng.

YOU’RE ALREADY KNOWN AS A GOLDEN GIRL, ARE YOU NOT? That was the PR guys at Skandia’s idea and it really made a splash in the media. Five of us were sprayed gold – which took two hours. Suddenly, we were on the covers of all the papers. The media really ran with it, which was great in raising the proﬁle of the sport. It was really good to get them onboard as RS:X isn’t typically media friendly, what with being out there on the sea for hours! SO

To follow Bryony’s progress at the World Championships check out skandiateamgbr.com

SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

tunbridge wells

september 2009

R obert downey J r

But

Downey Not Out

words Dan Smith

Sex, drugs and… easy listening. Nothing turns out as expected in the extraordinary life of Robert Downey, Jr. the troubled actor who’s had his fair share of ups and downs

ith a film career spanning almost 40 years and 70 films, Robert Downey, Jr. is a man notorious for his off-screen antics and yet renowned for his on-camera performances. Here is an entertainer who’s been given a second bite at the Hollywood cherry by his contemporaries. Why? Well, because he’s a damn good actor. Right now, the 44-year-old is hot property in the movie world, one minute starring in the action and technology-packed franchise, Iron Man (2008), and the next offering an inspired take on the role of the prolific sleuth, Sherlock Holmes (2009). Robert’s career hasn’t always been in such fine shape however. Throughout the 90s drug charges and unsuccessful rehabilitation marred the career of a man who when sober could be one of the best, but whose demons often caused him to crash back down to earth. Here, we chart the rollercoaster ride of Robert Downey, Jr.’s career and ask: Will he remain on top for good, or is another big fall just around the corner? His first onscreen outings were courtesy of his father, Robert Downey, Sr. who was an underground film actor, writer, producer and director. He would occasionally include his son in his often surreal creations, doing so first in Pound (1970) where he was cast as a sick puppy at just five-years-old. His father’s creative background, coupled with a childhood spent in Greenwich Village, New York, assured that Robert had an artistic upbringing and led him to pursue a stage school education at the

Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Centre. Despite this, Robert claims to be a bit of an amateur: “I know very little about acting,” he admits, “I’m just an incredibly gifted faker.” At the age of 20, his ‘gifted faking’ had landed him a spot on the American weekly comedy show, Saturday Night Live. Unfortunately, he was fired shortly after in a cull aimed at restoring the show’s slumping viewing figures. Subsequently, in the mid-80s Robert turned to the big screen and appeared in a number of so-called ‘coming-of-age’ movies, prompting him to be labelled as part of the ‘Brat Pack’; a loosely affiliated fraternity of young actors of the time. Other ‘members’ included Emilio Estevez (The Breakfast Club), Demi Moore (Ghost) and Rob Lowe (West Wing). Robert has noted that one of these ‘Brat Pack’ films, Less Than Zero (1987), had a particularly bad impact on him. The protagonist of the film, Julian Wells, is a drug-addicted rich boy and Robert began to follow in the footsteps of the character: “Until that movie I took my drugs after work and on the weekends. That changed on Less Than Zero. The role was like the Ghost of Christmas Future. I became an exaggeration of the character.” The film was described by The New York Times as, “desperately moving” and it was critically acclaimed, moving Robert in the right direction professionally. Unfortunately though, the downward spiral of drug abuse and recklessness had already been set in motion and had ruined his relationship with Sex and the City star, Sarah Jessica Parker. ➢

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ROBERT DOWNEY JR

Robert Downey, Jr. with wife Susan Levin

“I was so selfish. I liked to drink and I had a drug problem, that didn’t jibe with Sarah Jessica because it was the furthest thing from what she is.” It wasn’t the last time that his lifestyle would demolish a relationship. He married Deborah Falconer in 1992 but the pair split after eight years, in 2001, following years of strain. Together they had a son, Indio, who now lives with his mother. For a time in the early 90s, Robert managed to juggle his career and his excessive consumption of booze and drugs. He successfully appeared in a number of early 90s films, most notably Chaplin (1992). In this biography of Charlie Chaplin, he enlisted the help of a tennis instructor, a violin teacher and a posture coach to prepare for the role. His labours paid off and he received his first Oscar nomination for his performance. The difficulties really began in the mid-90s when surreal drug-related stories of Robert’s private life began to circulate in the media. In 1996 he was arrested for speeding in LA and was found in possession of heroin, cocaine and a .357 Magnum handgun, oh and he happened to be naked at the time. A month later, while apparently high, he wandered into a neighbour’s house and passed out on one of their beds. On another occasion in New York he ran through Washington Square Park in his underwear shouting at the top of his voice. When he’d finally calmed down, he sat down in just his pants and socks in front of a crowd of people and read a message from a fortune cookie given to him by a local boy. It read:

“The world is always ready to receive talent with open arms.” As we now know, the world would be ready for the talents of Robert Downey, Jr. but first he’d have to sober up and serve some hard jail time. After missing a drugs test in 1999, he was arrested and stood trial for imprisonment after repeat offences. Despite being defended by O.J Simpson’s lawyers, he was sentenced to three years. In the courtroom, he freely admitted his drug use, saying to the judge: “It’s like I have a loaded gun in my mouth and my finger’s on the trigger, and I like the taste of gun metal.” Poetic stuff for a man looking at three years inside. He was released after one year, in 2000. It would be great to say that his brief stint in prison put Robert back on track but unfortunately, this wasn’t to be. Upon his release, Robert was given a big break and appeared in the hit prime-time comedy/drama Ally McBeal. His character was popular and his performances well-received by audiences but clearly his demons were far from exorcised. “It was my lowest point in terms of addictions,” he admits, “At that stage I didn’t give a **** whether I ever acted again.” Again, he was off the wagon. Again, he was arrested. And again he attempted to rehabilitate. It literally got to the stage where he still had the reputation as an actor, but was just too risky for film producers to touch. Even Woody Allen wanted to cast him but couldn’t get the insurance to cover him. ➢

SEPTEMBER 2009

tunbridge wells

“ROBERT BEGAN TO REBUILD HIS CAREER AND NOW THAT HE WAS CLEAN, HE HAD A HUNGER TO ACT AND PERFORM LIKE NEVER BEFORE.”

se p tember 2 0 0 9

Eventually, by 2003, he was clean. “I finally said, ‘You know what? I don’t think I can continue to do this.’ And I reached out for help… It’s not that difficult to overcome these seemingly ghastly problems… what’s hard is to decide to actually do it.” The problem was that by this stage he had let down a lot of important people in LA and despite his commendable performances, he was seen as a liability. Luckily though, an unlikely old friend came to the rescue. Mel Gibson. “He [Mel] was one of the first people to call and offer the hand of friendship. He just said, ‘Hey, welcome to the club. Let’s go see what we can do to work on ourselves.’” The two had, of course, starred alongside one another in Air America (1990) and Mel Gibson knows all too well what it’s like to be on the wrong side of a ‘drunk under the influence’ offence. Gibson paid Robert’s insurance bond for his comeback film, The Singing Detective (2003), which received lukewarm reviews. Next, he gave another sober performance in Gothika (2003), a film for which producer Joel Silver held back 40% of Robert’s fee until the completion of the film. Despite similar clauses being built into a number of his contracts, Robert began to rebuild his career and now that he was clean, he had a hunger to act and perform like never before. Between ’05 and ’07 Robert had a string of successes. He put in a great period performance in Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), directed by George Clooney (SoTW cover, issue 14). He starred in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), the tonguein-cheek LA caper and managed to get his son, Indio, cast in the opening scene. Then in ‘07 he was brilliant in Zodiac (2007) as a journalist following the case of one of America’s most notorious serial killers. By this time, Robert had married for a second time. On the set of Gothika he had met Susan Levin (pictured on previous page) who produced the film and the couple quickly formed a relationship, marrying in 2005. Happily they remain together. With all this going on, Robert even found enough creative juices to put out a solo album entitled The Futurist. Although it’s usually a kiss of death for actors to put out records, The Futurist has actually received quite positive reviews. His throaty croon is somewhere between Sting and Bruce Springsteen and the chilled-out (often lamenting) album works as a medium of reflection for Robert. The big year came in 2008 when the summer releases really made him a mainstream icon. He starred in both Iron Man and the ludicrous comedy, Tropic Thunder (2008). Though the latter is more of an acquired taste, Iron Man was a hit worldwide grossing over £185 million ($300 million) in Canada and the US alone. The follow-up, imaginatively titled Iron Man 2, is due for release in 2010. Not only that but at Christmas this year he’ll take the lead in Sherlock Holmes alongside Jude Law (SoTW cover, issue 10) as Dr Watson. Early production material shows Robert hamming up the British accent and relishing the opportunity to exercise his ever-present eccentric side. So, Robert Downey, Jr. is now Hollywood’s golden boy. He’s got a chequered past, yet has seemingly overcome his demons. But the big question persists, can he keep it up? And the answer is, watch this space… SO

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fa s h i o n

Faux fur coat, £160 by Jesiré Red

So Fashion Editor Fiona Fraser scouts out this month’s top buys, style news and fashion forward trends

this month...

Jesiré Red Launch

Fancy Footwork

Jesiré launch their new label Jesiré Red this month. The new label is a younger, fresher and a more trend inspired collection. The line continues to push boundaries with a mix of techno fabrics, fun, directional shapes and contemporary outerwear. This season will see the return of the statement coat. And Jesiré does not disappoint with gems like the vibrant fuchsia long line coat, the must-have leopard print faux fur coat and a rock chic blueberry biker jacket – sure to impress. This collection is definitely one for the true fashionista.

Camilla Skovgaard’s first shoe collection was picked up by Saks Fifth Avenue before she’d even graduated. Since then she has spent the past few years playing around with everything from aerodynamic platforms to stilettos so high and complex they seem to defy the laws of gravity. But what is new about young designers experimenting with avant-garde shapes? It’s the commitment to delivering innovative design and quality that sets designers like Camilla Skovgaard apart. Whilst working in Dubai, Skovgaard reacted against dull and tasteless shoe designs by combining technical function, structured 3-D form, plus cut and balance to create must-have foot wear. Say goodbye to your traditional peep-toes – there’s something more dynamic in store. Cut away heels, £290. For stockist information log on to camillaskovgaard.com

Budget Trend – Sharp Shoulders

The Bag

Mauro Orietti-Carella, creative director of Zagliani, has collaborated on his first concept shop-in-shop with Martino Gamper, an internationally renowned artist, to bring to life the tactile luxury of his covetable bags and complimentary accessories. Zagliani bags stimulate the senses, in particular touch, and this notion inspired the earthy materials and sensuous shape of the installation. Their aim was to create an environment that evoked the sensuality of Zagliani whilst simultaneously highlighting the quality and craftsmanship that is inherent in every piece. Gold was the colour of Mauro’s first creation for Zagliani, the iconic Puffy style, and remains his symbol of good luck. The 200 sq.ft boutique is now open at Harvey Nichols London.

Puffy bag, £1,400, available form Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1 – 0207 2355000

Embellished cropped jacket, £60, from Dorothy Perkins, Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells – 01892 543361

Scent Science

Balmain and Martin Margiela have created one of the most sought after looks this season – the shoulder. Shoulders have grown in stature quite literally this season and have stepped off the catwalk and onto the high street. If you want the look without paying too high a price opt for this little number. This jacket is on trend and on budget, the black sequin and gold tassel embellished shoulders will have your shoulders looking sharp and über cool.

Escentric 01 fragrance, £69 available from lookfantastic.com

Perfumery has always been about head-turning. Now, scents are about to be turned on their head. For the first time in fragrance history, a major perfume line is launching as homage to a single scent ingredient - an aroma chemical. As simple as it sounds, this has never been done before. The first scent, Escentric 01, is packed full of the aroma chemical Iso E Super and is blended with pink pepper, lime peel and orris incense in a new balance. Moving away from the traditional fragrance formula, the second scent, Molecule 01 contains only Iso E Super, which on its own is less of an aroma, more an effect. The wearer will definitely notice the impact of the fragrance on other people - Molecule 01 lends radiance to the wearer, giving a september 2009 pheromonic effect, so watch out girls!

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fa s h i o n

AUTUMN / WINTER RUNWAY REPORT

GIRL

Dries Van Noten

MEE TS

3.1 Philip Lim

Chloé

The deliveries have hit the shops! So, what’s in store this Autumn/ Winter? We’ve got the scoop on the six main runway trends

BOY

Tailoring takes a masculine twist for Autumn, with blazers and loose trousers firmly keeping their place in the style stakes. The trick to this style is to avoid the staid office look. 3.1 Philip Lim achieved this on trend look by layering printed tops under sharp suits, Dries Van Noten mixed unconventional colours effortlessly and Chloé opted for an über sophisticated combination of neutral hues mixed with silk separates.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Razor sharp shoulders, bodycon, metallic overload dresses whizzed up the runways with Balmain’s space age style taking the lead. Richard Nicoll takes the futuristic look to town with a touch of Barbarella-esque referencing and Marc Jacobs combines pin-tuck jeans with his liquid metal jacket – genius! Keep accessories to a minimum with this look and ramp up the style stakes by wearing ankle Richard boots with body-con dresses. Nicoll

Balmain

Marc Jacobs

NK MPU GLA

By Fiona Fraser / Photographs: Marcio Madeira

Twenty8Twelve

Punk is back and it’s definitely packing a punch this season. With so much black on the catwalks it’s hard to ignore this trend. Balmain, Marc Jacobs and Twenty8Twelve served up the shortest of dresses and some of the tightest this season. Look out for studs, sequins, chains and cut out detailing – mix with a biker or dark denim jacket for an 80s edge, team with studded boots and leather gloves for extra kapow!

Balmain

Marc Jacobs

september 2009

tunbridge wells

Christian Dior

D&G

Defying the credit crunch, designers marched out decadent collections comprising lace, velvet, brocade and a plethora of jewels. This trend is both regal and theatrical. Lampshade skirts, curtain tie belts and quilting give this trend a turn of the century feel. Embellishment and structure is the key to this trends success. If you are not ready to commit to the full look experiment with mixing different textures together and overload on statement jewellery.

Balenciaga

Without question this is one of the biggest trends this season – quite literally! The stature of Roksanda Marc shoulders swaggering Ilincic Jacobs up the catwalk would put Alexis Carrington’s feeble excuse for a shoulder to shame. This time around shoulders are sharper, sleeker and not for the faint of heart. Clashing prints, acid colours and belted skirt suits complete the look. One word of advice, to avoid looking like a quarter-back steer clear of rounded shoulders and huge shoulder pads.

DEC

ADE

80s

RICH

PICK INGS

Balenciaga

GRO GRUWN UP NGE

Missoni

september 2009

Forget 90s grimy grunge; this trend is all about layering textures with comfort. Rich textures such as lace, cashmere and beaded knits get the thumbs up. Missoni layered textures, whilst Haider Ackerman gave grunge a chic edge. Choose thin layers and lots of them. Avoid chunky knits – instead opt for a cape or oversized coat and wear open to show off your clever layering.

Chloé

Haider Ackman

IF YOU LONG TO DRESS WITH LADYLIKE ELEGANCE THEN BY MALENE BIRGER ANSWERS YOUR CALL THIS SEASON. YOU’LL BE LUSTING AFTER SHEER BLOUSES, SHIFT DRESSES, EMBELLISHED SEPARATES AND DECADENT FABRICS. A BRAND CONCERNED WITH BEAUTY ON EVERY LEVEL, THE COLLECTION BENEFITS FROM INCREDIBLE ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHILE NEVER LOSING SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT EACH PIECE MUST PERFORM IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Divine Decadence

Power Silhouette

In homage to Coco and Karl, you’ll ﬁnd bodyconscious construction and sculptured shapes all the more iconic, silhouetted in black.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Selected pieces from the By Malene Birger collection are stocked at net-a-porter.com. For all other enquiries log onto bymalenebirger.com

WORDS FIONA FRASER

FA S H I O N

Texture

Dresses are classic, modernised with a mix of soft leather, brocade, velvet, wool and lace on sleeves and hems.

Decadent Detail

Simple meets ornamental when crystal is added for shimmer - pretty trims on tweed coats, sequins on capes and corsages for lapels.

Lace

The mini dress makes a reappearance in knit, worn with lovely lace leggings.

Wool

The Autumn/Winter collection has a wool focus, in light to heavy versions, including felted, wool crêpe and bouclé.

Ruffles

Finely carved rufﬂes are punctuated with pearls and delicious details in the form of felt corsages and sequin edging.

Balance

Leather look-alikes or tight trousers are teamed with cosy oversized cardigans and wool ponchos.

SEPTEMBER 2009

FA S H I O N

Inside leg

THE COAT Jil Sander has arrived at Harvey Nichols with a new boutique in the Knightsbridge store. The menswear collection reinforces the label’s reputation for understated, sleek and intricately cut designs. Strong shapes and details are key and this single-breasted wool overcoat is an exercise in modern tailoring – a super-sleek and undoubtedly suave collection. Jil Sander A/W catwalk. Wool Coat, £1,400 available from Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge. London. SW1 - 020 7235 5000

WORDS FIONA FRASER

NEW TRENDS, GROOMING AIDS AND NAMES TO NOTE!

TIMELY ACTION CRYSTAL CLEAR J. Maskrey started her career as a make-up artist but soon broke away from traditional methods by using crystals to make stick-on motifs, which developed into the original ‘Skin Jewellery’. In the year 2000 J. branched into clothing, initially as a backdrop to her ‘Skin Jewellery’ business. She debuted at London Fashion Week in 2001 and her clothing line caught the attention of the fashion press. J. Maskrey moved to Paris in 2006 and has been concentrating on her ready-to-wear lines ever since, producing seasonal men’s collections using luxurious materials such as cashmere and silk, with the continual sheen of crystal embellishment on top. Swarovski crystal sweater, £360 by J. Maskrey. For stockist information log onto jmaskrey.com

BAG SAVVY Guys drooling over bags? Yes sir! We’re talking about the ones made by Chris Liu and Tibor Matyas, the Londonbased duo behind the Chris & Tibor label. The concept and inspiration of the label comes from London with its exciting mix of history, style and the futuristic modernity of the adjoining City. Their Autumn/Winter 2009 collection, “The Krays meet Teddy Boys”, takes inspiration from the history of the notorious boxing twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray. Look for dotted leather, oiled bird feather fabrics on totes, quilting and much more. The bags are available in a rich assortment of hues and will add a touch of casual luxury to even the most generic gym bag. Quilted back pack, £395 by Chris & Tibor available from asos.com

Watch collectors, time to add to your collection! With features including special dials for atmospheric adjustment, futuristic strap fabrications and impeccable design heritage via Italo Fontana, (he of U-Boat Watches fame), Welder Watches are sure to earn the average watch ‘techie’ serious respect amongst fellow watch enthusiasts. For those simply after a ‘very-now’ watch design, the smug knowledge of wearing a modern classic in its own right will be more than enough justiﬁcation for its purchase! Black chrono watch, £495 by Welder available from welderwatch.com

SMOOTH OPERATOR The barber’s art is thought to date back many thousands of years with relics resembling razors having been found as early as 3,500 BC. And though throughout the centuries short-cropped facial hair has gained and lost favour many times over, the art of shaving has endured. But it is an art that many men simply fail to master. So how can you achieve a close shave? Curb your razor burn and get smooth with these skin savers. Razor burn relief, £22 by Anthony Logistics available from niche-beauty.com Shave balm, £32 by Manceuticals available from Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge. London. SW1 020 7235 5000

SEPTEMBER 2009

Competition

september 2009

win

THIS STUNNING GEORG JENSEN LADIES WATCH WORTH £1,100 COULD BE YOURS!

n 1904 Danish born Georg Jensen began a tradition of artistic silver smithing and jewellery making that continues as his legacy today. Some of the greatest contemporary designers follow his inspiration and excellence of craftsmanship to create the modern classics. One of them was Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe who over five decades created jewellery for the likes of Billie Holiday, Brigitte Bardot and Ingrid Bergman. She also created this closed bangle watch for Georg Jensen. It’s a classic design; simple and elegant with a quartz movement and hidden clasp, at 12 o’clock, that’s incorporated in to the design. Crafted in stainless steel with a dial mirror it measures 27mm. Georg Jensen is an international luxury brand represented in Kent by G.Collins & Sons Ltd, Crown Jewellers, High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells. It’s G.Collins & Sons that is offering readers the chance to be the proud owner of this fantastic modern classic worth £1,100. All you have to do is answer the following question: In what year was Georg Jensen born? Answers on a postcard to: SoTW Watch Competition 3, Cumberland Walk Tunbridge Wells TN1 1UJ Or email: info@sotunbridgewells.co.uk Please make sure you include your full name, address, phone number and if you have one, email address. Closing date for the competition: Midnight on September 30 2009, after which the winning name will be drawn at random. All standard competition Terms and Conditions of The Magazine People Ltd apply. One entry per person per household. Entrants must be 18 or over. No cash or alternative prize can be selected. The Editor’s decision is final. As a result of new competition laws the answer to the question is no longer found in the text.

tunbridge wells

Informed Lighting Solutions

We have

relocated

Lighting Unit 11 Wren Industrial Estate Coldred Road Maidstone Kent ME15 9YT 01622 693689 or visit our website: www.iqlighting.co.uk lighting projects | fitting service | energy survey | classic and contemporary

september 2009

PROPERTY

THE PORTFOLIO AN EXQUISITE COLLECTION OF PROPERTY, HOMES AND INTERIORS

SEPTEMBER 2009

KnightFrank.co.uk

TicehurstÂ

A contemporary house with wonderful views Drawing/dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, study, 4 bedrooms (3 with ensuite), shower room, double garage, swimming pool, gardens and woodland. In all about 5 acres. Guide ÂŁ1,200,000

Tunbridge Wells tunwells@knightfrank.co.uk 01892 515035 (SPB/274490)

Andrew Harwood or Simon Biddulph tunwells@knightfrank.co.uk 01892 515035

KnightFrank.co.uk

Tunbridge WellsÂ

A magnificent contemporary house, located on the historical site of Dunorlan Park The property has large south facing windows to take advantage of one of the best views in Tunbridge Wells. Open plan drawing room/sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, 4 bedrooms all with en suites. Indoor swimming pool complex, detached annexe, double garage, rear landscaped gardens with direct access into Dunorlan Park. In all about 5,585 sq ft. Guide ÂŁ1,900,000 (SPB/278600)

Tunbridge Wells tunwells@knightfrank.co.uk 01892 515035

Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 tunbridgewells@hamptons-int.com www.hamptons.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells £1,250,000

Frant £1,100,000

A remarkable renovation and extension of a town centre Victorian former lodge. Stunning quality and style throughout the beautifully presented spacious interior.

A distinctive Yeoman style detached 5 bedroom family house set in beautiful gardens in an outstanding location close to the village green.

Tunbridge Wells £825,000

Wadhurst £725,000

A superbly presented 5 bedroom family home with wonderful light and spacious accommodation situated in a popular part of town.

A distinctive 6 bedroom detached house with 3 reception rooms & 3 bath/shower rooms, situated in a small close on the edge of this popular Sussex village.

One address. Thousands of properties. www.hamptons.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 tunbridgewells@hamptons-int.com www.hamptons.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells £1,000,000

A beautifully restored and updated character 4 bedroom country house, incorporating many outstanding features and set within gardens of about 1 Acre.

A fine 5 bedroom semi detached house built to an attractive design and high specification, within walking distance of the town centre.

AG SA RE LE ED

Tunbridge Wells £1,250,000

Wadhurst £825,000

Langton Green £730,000

A charming detached 4 bedroom period family house dating inpart from the 16th Century, with substantial more recent rear addition, sympathetic to the original character.

An excellent detached house built by Martin Grant Homes in the 1980’s with spacious family accommodation situated in the centre of this highly regarded and popular village.

One address. Thousands of properties. www.hamptons.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 tunbridgewells@hamptons-int.com www.hamptons.co.uk

Brenchley £4,500 pcm

A beautifully presented converted Victorian chapel boasting four bedrooms, four bathrooms and double garage with additional one bedroom annexe and own shower room.

A magnificent piece of English Heritage - This Manor House family home boasts seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, three reception rooms and a wealth of period features.

LE T

Lower Green £4,500 pcm

Maresfield £2,500 pcm

Crowborough £2,700 pcm

An exceptionally light and spacious very high specification five bed detached family house with additional one bed annexe and gardens of about 3/4’s of an acre.

An outstanding five bedroom, three bathroom Connor’s built house dating from the turn of the last century and beautifully presented in the ‘arts and crafts’ style.

Friston £2,600 pcm

Wadhurst £2,300 pcm

A substantial detached four bedroom family home with triple garage and mature gardens in beautiful rural setting with fantastic country views.

A four bedroom, two bathroom, four reception room detached executive family home with double garage and enclosed rear garden on the edge of Stonegate village.

One address. Thousands of properties. www.hamptons.co.uk

LE T

Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 tunbridgewells@hamptons-int.com www.hamptons.co.uk

Mayfield £2,000 pcm

Lamberhurst £2,000 pcm

A spacious four double bedroom, two bathroom detached family house with generous front and back gardens, located in the village of Five Ashes.

A fine example of a traditional Kent Oast built circa 1870. This four bedroom end of terrace family home has a bespoke Stoneham designer roundel kitchen and off street parking.

Tunbridge Wells £1,995 pcm

Lamberhurst £1,800 pcm

A spacious three/four bedroom period family home tastefully decorated throughout. Built circa 1880 and benefiting from a garage to the side of the property.

A versatile five/six bedroom Kent Oast with two allocated parking spaces. The property has a large open living space, roundel kitchen, downstairs w.c. and master roundel bedroom.

Groombridge £1,600 pcm

St Johns £1,350 pcm

A modern four bedroom, two bathroom detached family home located in the village setting of Groombridge with downstairs w.c. and garage.

A three bed detached family home with garage located in St Johns within walking distance of many local schools and amenities.

One address. Thousands of properties. www.hamptons.co.uk

tunbridge wells

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Oak & Pine Furniture

MADE TO MEASURE

NOW OPEN

IN TENTERDEN

We are here Webbs

White Lion

Tenterden High Street

01580 761714 Tenterden Pine, 53a High Street Tenterden www.oakpinefurniture.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2009

Advertorial Feature

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

FASHIONABLE CARPETS

he big difference, though, is the fact that Eric Woodroofe now owns the store which operates under the name of Fashion Carpets. “In those early days it was Hughes furniture store,” he recalls,” and it’s where I served a five-year apprenticeship. When the firm went out of business 20 years ago I was a store manager and decided to buy the place.” So how has Eric, with the help of his two sons, managed to survive when even some of the big carpet chains have gone out of business? “We belong to a buying group with 160 other independents which means we can get some good bulk deals and we pass the benefits of that onto our customers. We also get a large amount of repeat business because local people know we offer value for money with a really personal service.” And it’s that solid reputation that has made Fashion Carpets the preferred retailer for all leading brands of fine flooring and materials, including Brintons carpets which is another family run business.

Forty-five years ago Eric Woodroofe started work as an apprentice carpet fitter in a furniture store along the High Street in Tunbridge Wells. Today, he’s still working at the same premises!

William Brinton began weaving carpets in Kidderminster in 1783 and the current Chairman (Michael) is the sixth generation of the family to be involved in the company. Add to that the fact that Brintons is the only carpet company in the world to design and make its own looms and you get to see why it’s one of the best around, which is why it has an association with Fashion Carpets. Fashion Carpets: 01892 528676 or visit fashioncarpets.co.uk

READER OFFER: RECEIVE 10% DISCOUNT ON ANY BRINTONS RANGE OF CARPETS WHEN YOU ORDER FROM FASHION CARPETS AND MENTION SO TUNBRIDGE WELLS MAGAZINE.

visit your local Brintons Dealership…

Fashion Carpets 42 High Street Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1XF Telephone: 01892 528676 www.fashioncarpets.co.uk

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tunbridge wells

T u n b r i dpgreo w p ee r lt ly s

Living

Period words Harriet Louvelle

History is rich with inspirational interiors if you know what you’re looking for. So why not borrow (or steal) the style of homes from the past to create your perfect pad?

his month, I’ve turned historian to create my clients’ dream home; searching through the multitude of decorating options that are inspired by times gone by to find a style that combines modern technology with the craftsmanship and appeal of traditional finishes. The imposing manor house that I’m set to turn into a comfortable family residence sits in the countryside, on the outskirts of Groombridge Village. It has become rather dilapidated in recent years, losing many of its original features during previous renovation attempts. We have a few authentic elements left to work around, such as wood panelling, but for the most part, we’re starting from scratch. My clients are keen to borrow from a few different historical styles to create a warm and imposing home. ➢ september 2009

tunbridge wells

september 2009

T u n b r i dpgreo w p ee r lt ly s

Study

The first door off the hallway leads to a spacious room which has been designated as a study/library. With both my clients working from home occasionally, it’s essential that they have a useable space that can serve as an office. Bearing in mind their desire for period charm, I’ve approached luxury design house Clive Christian on London Road, TW to find the perfect room furnishings. We opt for the classic Regency style study, which exudes warmth from the beautiful walnut finish. The fitted open library sections are combined with velvet-lined cabinets, perfect for housing family heirlooms and photos. The grand Westminster desk is topped with a traditional leather inlay, creating a magnificent space for my clients to work in, while the leather wingback chair is the perfect spot to curl up with a book. The room feels like it’s been here forever, yet it’s kitted out with all mod-cons. It’s the perfect place to escape to. Price on application.

and the graceful lines of the columns echo the linearity of the wood panels. It’s a real statement piece. The fireplace costs £3,289. We pick up some solid cast iron fire tools and some matching candle sticks to evoke the period feel further. The result is a comfortable space to relax in; equally suitable for lazy Sundays or entertaining friends; and the family can’t wait for it to be cold enough to get the fire going.

Kitchen

In a departure from the naturally deep wood tones found elsewhere in the house, the owners really want to achieve a light and airy feel to the kitchen, without compromising on grandeur. The experienced team at HKS put together the perfect look for us, designing and fitting a bespoke Edwin ➢

Lounge

Next stop is the large, wood panelled living room. We’ve brought in the professionals to strip back years of varnish and paint, unveiling the stunning natural patina that lays beneath. Despite the deep tones of the wood, the room feels cosy rather than dark. My clients have some beautiful hardwood furniture that will be right at home in this room, but it is missing a key ingredient… a focal point. The original fireplace was removed years ago, so we’ve brought in the experts at Victoria Stone to steer us in the right direction. They suggest Farmington’s Windsor surround; the Cotswold limestone of this imposing fireplace contrasts with the walls beautifully september 2009

tunbridge wells

Contacts: Clive Christian clive.com 01892 619550 Ginny Peace Interiors ginnypeace.co.uk 01580 712212 HKS hks-uk.com 01435 865599 Traditional Bespoke Furniture tbf.me.uk 01892 723083 Victoria Stone victoriastone.co.uk 01892 541337 Wells Interiors wellsinteriors.co.uk 01892 535555

Loxley Hand-Painted kitchen. The cupboards feature a formal raised and fielded door and frame giving a very traditional, ornate look to the room. The work surfaces are predominantly marble, but the island unit features a walnut top. The Heathfield based company has managed to marry the traditional styling, and essential range cooker, with top appliances, ensuring modernity fits in seamlessly. The flagstone flooring adds light, but more importantly, is easy to clean once the children and dog have been around. Price on application.

Bedroom

My final task is to create a romantic and tranquil space in the master bedroom. A four poster bed is a must. Wells Bedding on TW High Street come up trumps with a range from The Royal Oak Furniture Company. In fact, I’m spoilt for choice. Eventually, I opt for the Balmoral. All handmade, the quality of each piece is just what my clients were looking for. The beautiful tones of the solid oak furniture are rich and warm. The triple wardrobe offers plenty of storage and the dressing table adds a real touch of elegance. The look is pulled together with the sumptuous fabrics used for the drapes on the bed, the cushions and the upholstered stool that accompanies the dressing table. The room wouldn’t be out of place in a National Trust property - just the look we were going for. Prices - Four poster bed: from £6,500, dressing table, triple mirror and stool: from £3,500 and Gents wardrobe: from £5,900. SO

september 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

tel: 01892 531727 mob: 07736 842954 info@moliorhomes.com

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THE GALLERY

on this page: Curve by Shaun Ferguson (oil on canvas) 60 x 66 cm Fairfax Gallery £5,300 Which Way Now by Peter Brown (acrylic on canvas) 80 x 80 cm Pantiles Edge Gallery £1,400 Winter Almonds by Barbara Rae RA (silkscreen) 100 x 100 cm Bluemoon Gallery £975 Hatﬁeld Forest I by Seb Antoniou (oil on canvas) 100 x 70 cm Pantiles Edge Gallery £1,495

S JE U PNTEE 2M0B0E9R

2009

T U N B RTIHDEG EG AWLELLELRSY

on this page: 107-7281 by Philippe (resin on canvas) 90 x 90 cm Pantiles Edge Gallery £795 Solitude by Michael Bennett (oil on canvas) 55 x 50 cm Fairfax Gallery £1,500 Evening Elegance by Rob Hefferan (oil on board) 86 x 71 cm Artique Gallery £6,895 La Boheme II by Imogen Palmer (bronze) 67 cm Artique Gallery £850

S E P T E MJBUENRE 2 0 0 9

tunbridge wells

september 2009

ARTIST PROFILE

ART IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE YOU FEEL SOMETHING, TO EVOKE A RESPONSE. THE WORK OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS ARTIST GEMMA HARWOOD CERTAINLY DOES THAT. WHICH IS WHY WE CAUGHT UP WITH HER TO FIND OUT HOW EXPERIMENTATION HAS CREATED SUCH A UNIQUE STYLE

Ballet Shoes Oil on linen £380 Jemima Commission, Acrylic on linen Butterﬂies Oil and graphite on linen £350 Commissions start from £700

Flutter

ALL OF A WORDS MELISSA WOODLAND

emma Harwood always intended to follow up her BA in Art for the Community with further study. However, a spontaneous decision to enter the prestigious BP Portrait Awards in 2004 changed her career path. It was the first competition she had entered and she got through to the finals with her work being exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery; a significant achievement for any artist, let alone a recent graduate. It was just the encouragement that Gemma, now 33, needed to pursue fine art professionally and she hasn’t looked back. Her pieces, which are exhibited at the Fairfax Galleries in The Pantiles, Burnham Market and Chelsea, exude tranquillity and peace, yet have a real spirit to them. The mother of two aims to uplift the viewer with her paintings, explaining that she hopes to create pleasing aesthetics and intrigue in the technique rather than any heavy social commentary. The style is certainly both interesting and thought-provoking. Gemma’s love of draftmanship ensures that her work is finely detailed. And her use of mixed media draws you into the image, encouraging you to look closer. She combines different mediums such as linen, canvas or stone surfaces with oil, graphite and collage to create multi-faceted pieces. Gemma relishes the challenge of painting the human form, but adds an ethereal quality to the final image with the addition of contemporary elements such as fluttering butterflies. “I’m frequently commissioned to produce portraits, often head and shoulder compositions of children, so I find it useful to occasionally have a complete change of subject matter and may find myself painting anything from a discarded object around the house to redesigning wallpaper seen in an old magazine as a backdrop for a composition.” Her fondness for experimentation means she regularly develops new styles and methods, with varying degrees of success. “Whilst I am aware of what has previously been successful, I find myself applying a further process to an apparently finished painting sometimes discovering a new technique or ‘happy accident’. I have to admit, though, this occasionally leads to an unhappy accident!” Regardless of whether her finished work comes about by accident or design, the easy style has real appeal. Gemma Harwood is one artist worth watching out for. A range of Gemma’s work can be seen at Fairfax Gallery on The Pantiles. fairfaxgallery.com SO SEPTEMBER 2009

tunbridge wells

september 2009

Extra

ART & ANTIQUES

SPARKLE JAMES BRAXTON IS ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN ‘ANTIQUE FACES’ ON TV WITH APPEARANCES ON BARGAIN HUNT AND FLOG IT. HE’S ALSO A FOUNDER DIRECTOR OF THE FINE AUCTION GROUP WHICH INCLUDES DREWEATTS IN TW. WE ASK HIM: WHY IS THE PROVENANCE OF A PIECE SO IMPORTANT?

A 17th Century German steel and walnut games board, with later gilt and silver chess set £114,000. Provenance: The Estate of the late Dame Miriam Rothschild

rovenance literally means “place of origin” and simply put, it explains where an item comes from and can signiﬁcantly add to the appeal and the value. Take this folding games board and accompanying chess set (pictured). The games board was made in Germany during the second half of the 17th Century, whilst Charles II was restoring peace to England after the ravages of the Civil War, Black Death and Great Fire of London. The playing surfaces were engraved, silvered and gilded by craftsmen who might ordinarily be making the ﬁnest armour and weapons. The interior carries the armorial shields of a baron from Silesia, in the South West of Poland, with Germany on one side and Austria on the other. So we have aristocratic provenance, but a rather distant one, with a baron in a country that no longer exists. Add to this the Rothschild name and the item becomes more important. As the games board was consigned for auction by the executors of the late Dame Miriam Rothschild, associations are made with the great collection of Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. So, does provenance affect the price? Yes it does. In this case, against an £8,000-£10,000 estimate, the games board made a staggering £114,000. Rather like Princess Margaret’s three plastic umbrellas that made £2,000 in June 2006. Provenance brings extra sparkle and bigger prices. SO

SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

A medieval farmstead in a magical setting. Surrounded by 75 acres of idyllic Kentish countryside, Elvey Farm is a boutique guesthouse, restaurant and wedding venue, in the heart of Darling Buds of May country. Come and spend the night in one of our beautifully appointed suites.

UNUSUAL FRUITS AND CROPS WITH MINIMAL AIRMILES

Or try our Kentish restaurant, which specialises in traditional Kentish cuisine. Open seven nights a week, plus Sunday lunch.

We specialise in soft and top fruits, aiming to provide our customers with tasty produce that cannot be found in a supermarket. Our fruits are picked ready to eat and don’t sit in depots for days. TAYWELL FARM SHOP Cranbrook Road, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 1DY TEL: 01580

211881

WEB: www.taywell.co.uk

Fine dine with fine wine in great style The

Kings Arms Real ales & ﬁne wines Contemporary British Food using fresh local produce Large car park Open all day Warm, friendly atmosphere Outside catering available in our patio and garden with stunning views of Sussex High Street, Rotherfield TN6 3LJ

Tel: 01892 853441

SEPTEMBER 2009

MONTROSE The New Independent Boutique Restaurant Southborough Common, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0RX Open: Tues-Sat for lunch and dinner Sun: Special Sunday lunches all day from 12.00 – 17.30 (last orders) www.montroserestaurant.co.uk e-mail: bookings@montroserestaurant.co.uk

LOCAL

FARMS BEAR FRUIT

FEW BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN AS DESERVING OF REPRESENTING OUR SO LOCAL CAMPAIGN AS TAYWELL FARM SHOP AND ICE CREAM LTD IN GOUDHURST; MAJOR PROMOTERS OF LOCAL PRODUCE

he guys down at Taywell Farm Shop in Goudhurst qualify for our So Local campaign on two fronts. Firstly they grow and produce a great deal of fruit for local consumption by the public and for businesses. Secondly, in the form of the farm shop, they’ve created a platform to distribute other locally produced foods. We catch up with one of the owners Alastair Jessel and learn more about this unique operation. SO

SO LOCAL

WHO ELSE OWNS THE BUSINESS? Both myself and Mark Phillips run the farm shop and I look after the ice cream side of the business.

DESCRIBE THE PARTNERSHIP AND BUSINESS? We are two farmers from Goudhurst and Marden who have combined to promote produce from our farms, together with produce from other farmers and producers in Kent and East Sussex. 85% of everything sold in the shop comes from the two counties. During the fruit season about 35% comes directly from just the two farms. Taywell Ice Creams takes the surplus fruit and converts it into ice cream and sorbet and supplies other farm shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels throughout Kent, London and a little into Surrey and East Sussex.

HOW MANY OUTLETS DO YOU OWN? We’re about to open our third on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells, to join Lamberhurst Vineyard and the shop in Goudhurst.

HOW LONG HAS TAYWELL BEEN AROUND? In June, Taywell Farm Shop celebrated its third year of trading and in September, Taywell Ice Creams will also reach its third birthday.

WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR GOODS? The Marden farm produces strawberries and asparagus. The Goudhurst farm grows everything else. The aim of the shop is promote the best of Kent and Sussex and so we purchase milk, cream, bread, biscuits, frozen meals, jams, cakes, salads etc from within 20 miles or so. The Lamberhurst Vineyard shop has been converted this month to promote the vineyards and micro breweries from Kent and Sussex and now holds alcohol from almost every single major supplier in the two counties with almost 120 different bottles from a dozen suppliers.

WITH THESE, DO YOU SUPPLY OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES? Too many to list in fact, but around Tunbridge Wells we supply Woods, The Black Pig, Sankeys, Spotted Dog Farm Shop, The Huntsman in Eridge, The Junction in Groombridge, George & Dragon in Speldhurst, Camden Arms and Downingbury Farm Shop in Pembury.

HOW CAN YOU COMPETE WITH LARGER COMMERCIAL RIVALS? With quality and freshness. Unlike supermarkets we pick our fruit when ripe, not three weeks early before the natural sugars have reached their maximum. Theirs has a long shelf life; ours will last just a few days but can be eaten in the car on the way home. Theirs will taste of nothing but look pretty; ours will be sweet, tasty and juicy and will cost the same or a little less and has not sat in a cold store for a week and on a shelf for another week.

HOW IS THE NATIONWIDE RECESSION IMPACTING YOUR BUSINESS? The farm shop had been growing at 25% per annum but has quietened down to about 15%. The ice cream has slowed from 100% growth each year to 50% but we have had to stop marketing it recently because we ran out of capacity. Steps are in hand to increase output and more local staff from the village have been employed to continue its expansion.

REMEMBER: Every £10 spent supporting an independent outlet is worth a staggering £25 to the local economy. Simply put, it helps keep our towns and villages alive. For a full list of participants in our So Local campaign visit www.sotunbridgewells.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Perfect Strangers Perfect Strangers are a function band comprising experienced musicians covering the South East of England. Our aim is to oﬀer a wide selection of both melodic and rhythmic numbers starting from as far back as the 30’s and working forward through to the present day.

late summer at

the beacon

If you are planning for a Wedding Reception, Corporate Function, or a Private Party, we invite you to sample some of our music by visiting perfectstrangers.uk.com where you will be able to ﬁnd a list of the tunes most often requested which form the backbone of our repertoire, although we are always open to suggestions. With our range of music you can sit back, close your eyes and relax or get up and boogie; the choice is yours…

New Seasonal Menu Home Grown Vegetables and Fruit

Champagne Teas Fridays and Saturdays, 3 - 6pm

Live Music at the Beacon

Corinne West – A ﬁne American singer/songwriter

15th September 2009, 8pm downstairs in the Verandah Room

Tickets £7

Tea Garden Lane, Tunbridge Wells

Contact David Dickson email: info@perfectstrangers.uk.com website: www.perfectstrangers.uk.com tel: 01892 655949

01892 524252 www.the-beacon.co.uk

WE’VE NOW ADDED SPANISH SANDWICHES TO OUR ALREADY POPULAR TAPAS MENU! GOATS CHEESE, ROCKET AND RED ONION SLICED SERRANO HAM AND MANCHEGO CHEESE CHAR-GRILLED BAVETTE STEAK WITH ALIOLI ROASTED CHICKEN AND CHORIZO WITH PAPRIKA MAYONNAISE MEDITTERANEAN VEGETABLES AND MANCHEGO CHEESE

A LITTLE MORE “LUNCHY” DON’T YOU THINK?

SEPTEMBER 2009

Tapas served Mon – Thursday evenings Mon – Sunday lunchtimes Drinks served all the time! TN4 Bar and Kitchen, 29 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN4 8AA

01892 515949 tangonovember4@aol.com Facebook: TN4 bar and kitchen, for updates on all events through the summer

Chef is

R e s ta u r a n t s

words JK Bentley

IVY LEAGUE

One of the better known restaurants in London is The Ivy. In fact, it’s probably the best known. So, my ears prick up when I hear that an Ivy trained chef has taken up residence just down the road at the Kings Arms in Rotherfield. Naturally, The Wife and I book a table

here’s been a pub on the corner of the main road running through Rotherfield since the 18th Century. It’s reputed to be the most haunted hostelry in East Sussex. Something to do with the ghost of a young girl looking for her father who was a baker and hanged himself on the site. Can’t comment one way or the other on that, but I do recall that some years ago the pub changed its name to the Rainbow Trout, the distraught villagers rioted (well, almost) and the old sign of the Kings Arms was resurrected. As we park the Range Rover and walk towards the pub it’s pretty obvious it’s not just the name that’s changed since we were last here. Before reaching the rear entrance we pass a pleasant sun terrace complete with barbeque (Sundays weather permitting) and stunning views of the countryside. It even has, we note with interest, somewhere to feed, water and ‘park’ the horse. Up the steps, through the doors and it’s clear the whole place has undergone a serious revamp to produce a cosy, intimate main dining room with oak beams, exposed brick walls and high backed leather chairs. Taking up station at a table by the window, we sip aperitifs, enjoy the last of the evening sun and devour the menu. One thing The Wife and I like is a menu that’s not overly complicated. And this one hits the nail. There’s “The Beginning”, “The Middle” and “The End”. As we consult about the food we sample warm local bread with balsamic and olive oil (£2.75) and fresh marinated olives (£2.50). They come from the bit of the menu titled ‘Nibbles’. There’s nothing like nibbling as you chew over what to eat. Eventually, The Wife opts for a starter of smoked salmon and dill terrine with fennel and orange salad (£6.25). I focus on marinated beetroot, Colston Bassett stilton mousse and walnut dressing (£6.50). From the “Middle” bit it’s pan-fried lemon sole with pea, bacon and new potato fricassee (£14.50) for her and aubergine samfaina with dressed baby leaves (£11.25) for yours truly. On the wine front it’s a glass of Pinot Grigio Blush Sartoria for The Wife (£3.95) and Ropiteau L’Emage Sauvignon Blanc for myself (£3.30). Marinated exotic fruits with passion fruit sorbet (£5.75) appeals to the pair of us from the “End” bit. ➢

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Our thoughts on the food? Spot on! For example, the blend in tastes and textures of the marinated beetroot and stilton mousse is something to savour. Some consider Colston Bassett the best stilton in the world. They’re probably right. The lemon sole is obviously freshly landed (turns out to be locally caught) and the peas (it’s often the small details) are deliciously fresh, not frozen. All this, however, is not too much of a surprise when you consider the food comes from a kitchen run by an ex-Ivy-leaguer. The London restaurant might be legendary for luring A-list celebrities but it’s also known for offering unfussy dishes (not over priced) through an eclectic menu that nods somewhat towards intercontinental cuisine. Which means The Ivy is a pretty good place to visit. And the same can be said of the Kings Arms where Chef Mark Churchward has imported many of the fine ideas and habits he picked up during his three years at The Ivy. (He’s also worked at the Chapel Down Restaurant in Tenterden run by TV celebrity chef Richard Phillips.) Mark has created a menu that has variety without being daunting; it does what it says on the tin. There’s grilled local rib steak (£19.90), line caught cod in crisp batter (£9.95) and local handmade sausages on creamed potatoes with shallot and grain mustard sauce (£9.95). On Sundays, four of you can pre-order a joint of meat cooked fresh for whatever time you like, which has much appeal, and if you fancy something a little less formal at anytime, there’s an enticing bar menu that includes the likes of salt beef sandwiches and home made pork pies. I mention this because the Kings Arms is very much one of those places that caters for all palates and price ranges, and does it in fine style with welcoming and helpful staff such as Spanish waiter Antonio Lodeiro. Owners Kim and Justin Scales set themselves some pretty high standards and targets when they took over this village pub three years ago. And they’ve achieved them. SO

Menu at a Glance: The Beginning: The Middle: The End: Wine by the glass: Bottles:

£4.50 – £6.50 £9.95 - £19.90 £4.40 – £6.60 From £3.30 £12.95 – £35.00

www.thekingsarmsrotherfield.co.uk Reservations 01892 853441

september 2009

Favourite

WINE

AND MY

BOTTLE IS...

DOWN IN THE CELLAR OF NEWICK PARK HOTEL WE GO THIS MONTH WITH RESTAURANT MANAGER MELANIE VOISIN. WHICH TWO WINES WILL SHE CHOOSE ABOVE ALL OTHERS?

t Newick Park we’re lucky to have a seemingly never-ending wine cellar beneath the floorboards of the hotel. It spans almost the entire floor-plan of the building, all the way to our stable block where it has been said that buried treasure lies beneath. Though unfortunately, we have so far found this to be untrue! Down in the cellar amongst our wine collection, I’m delighted to say that I don’t have to walk too far through the vast expanse to find the particular wines I’m looking for and I’ve chosen a couple of my favourites to share with you. First up from our broad list, I have selected a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc called ‘Cloudy Bay’ 2007 at £37.50 per bottle. This wine is pale straw green in colour and enticingly fragrant. It’s been noted that the big flavour is more similar to eating a bunch of grapes than a glass of wine. The palate is rich and succulent, with a zesty citrus and applesherbet acidity that leads to a long, lingering, and characteristically crisp finish. It’s known for being a cult wine and in short supply, so try and sample it soon, before it all goes. It’s also said that due to its popularity this was the wine that put the Marlborough vineyards of N.Z on the international map. My second choice is a red; our Pinot Noir. This 2005 from Hamilton Russell Vineyards in Walker Bay is £45.00 per bottle. Again a new world wine, this South African comes from low yielding, northeast facing, stony clay-rich slopes. All the grapes from this vineyard are selectively hand harvested at optimal ripeness and traditionally vinified with minimum handling. Its taste is intense, concentrated and beautifully balanced. The aromas and flavours are complex but focused; with lovely notes of red cherries, smoke, spice and subtle vanilla. This wine goes extremely well with game and red meats such as our braised top side of beef, truffled risotto, haricot vert, and field mushrooms served with a Madeira jus. Delicious. SO

Restaurant Manager Melanie Voisin discusses wine with General Manager Tom Hibbert.

MY OTHER FAVOURITES FROM THE NEWICK PARK WINE LIST INCLUDE: UP TO £30.00 White: Albarino, “Serra da Estrela” Bodegas Couto - DO Riax Baixas from Spain 2007 £26.00 Red: Chianti Classico Villa Cafaggio Marchesi Di Fescobaldi, Nipozanno, Tuscany, Italy 2006 £25.00

UNDER £60.00 White: Puligny – Montrachet ‘Les Enseignieres’ Roux, Pere et Fils 2004 £47.00 Red: Shiraz, Penny’s Hill ‘Foot print’ – McLaren Vale, South Australia 2005 £49.00

SEPTEMBER 2009

THE

GALLERY HAIR & BEAUTY

I n d i v i d u a l C r e at i v e Cutting and Colouring Full Range of Beauty T r e at m e n t s F o r Women and Men

0 1 8 9 2 5 1 4 9 0 0 / w w w. t h e g a l l e r y. m e 63-67 LONDON ROAD SOUTHBOROUGH ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS KENT

Bubbly The

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

DETECTIVES NORMALLY THERE’S A DEARTH OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE SOTW OFFICE BUT WHEN THE PHONE RINGS WITH AN INVITATION TO RHEIMS, AS A GUEST OF THE CHAMPAGNE BUREAU, ALL HANDS SHOOT UP. FIRST TO PACK THEIR SUITCASE THOUGH AND GRAB A FISTFUL OF EUROS IS DAN ‘AU REVOIR’ SMITH

oday Champagne is internationally renowned as the most luxurious and sensuous alcoholic drink in the world. This reputation is in part a result of the careful brand management of a product worth nearly £20million a year. Not surprising then, that there are ‘Champagne police’ who ensure the protection of the bubbly and its good name. Officially they’re known as the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne or, CIVC. This highly authoritative body has two roles. Firstly, it ensures that the Champagne name remains pure from imposters around the world and secondly, it sets the high levels of legislation which dictate what can be labeled as Champagne. Keen to learn the lengths the CIVC go to with their detective work and to find out what exactly they’re protecting, I take up the invitation from the Champagne Bureau (their UK arm) and make my way to St. Pancras International station. My voyage of exploration, education and hopefully a little intoxication will not be endured alone. Joining me are a handful of notable journalists, travel writers and foodies, all keen to widen their knowledge of the fizzy drink. Thankfully, the rail link from London to Rheims in France is smooth and relaxed. There’s plenty of time for a taste of what’s to come in the form of a nice glass of bubbly and a chance to get to know one another before retiring for the night. Day two of the adventure starts early and as the mini-bus transports us through town, we’re given the chance to grab a fleeting look at the picturesque and historic Rheims on our way to Epernay, the heart of the Champagne region. In Epernay we arrive outside a rather stern looking building named equally seriously ‘The Champagne Institute’. The building’s sterile theme dissipates when we’re greeted at the gate by the highly charismatic Philippe Wibrotte, head of public relations. Inside Philippe informs us that as Brits we’re of particular interest to the CIVC; the UK is the biggest export market for Champagne. “The UK consumes around 40 million bottles a year, enough for a bottle for every one and a half people,” he extols. “Compare this with India, where one bottle is drunk per 4,130 and you start to get the idea of how big the UK market is.” ➢

SEPTEMBER 2009

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varieties, others include just two, or even one. “In the most basic sense,” Violaine explains, “the white grape Chardonnay is used to add elegance and a balance of acidity to the wine, the black grape Pinot Noir adds structure and backbone and the Pinot Meunier, also black, produces aromas, fruity notes and a powerful, short taste in the mouth.” With this in mind we sample the Trudon Cuvée Tradition Brut, a non-vintage. This is chosen because it’s produced with 100% Pinot Meunier grapes. It’s highly aromatic and flavoursome with a big impact, though the short taste fades quickly which is apparently typical of Meunier wines. Next, we try Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs (white of whites) Brut, also a non-vintage. Produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes, this will show us the pure characteristics of the Chardonnay grapes. On the palate it’s long, covering the whole mouth and tongue; it’s got notes of cooking apples and a little sharp citrus. Finally, we’re offered Jacquart Brut Mosaique 2002 Vintage; the first vintage we try. Vintages are produced when a Champagne house feels that the grapes of that year are of particularly good quality. The Jacquart is generally more complex than the previous two as it’s a blend of all three grape varieties. The Pinot Noir gives you the structure, the Meunier brings a strong nose and the Chardonnay balances the after taste – beautiful. My contemporaries and I agree that these are all delicious bottles of bubbly and the rather empty spittoons are testament to the fact. We leave the Institute with Philippe in search of lunch at a typically French restaurant, where the plan is to enjoy another few glasses of the good stuff. I’m getting used to all this, though admittedly I’m struggling to get my head around all the, facts, figures and legislation. Better knock back an espresso or two because later in the afternoon we’ll be visiting a number of Champagne houses to put our tasting theory into practice and witness the long process of actually producing bubbly. It’s a tough job being a journo NEXT MONTH… on the road away The Champagne adventures of Dan Smith from Tunbridge continue as he gets a lesson in taking the Wells… SO cork out of a bottle of bubbly - with a sword.

Philippe goes on to describe the ‘police work’ side of the CIVC. The appellation of Champagne (the region where the precious grapes are grown) needs to be protected against imposters and currently the CIVC has around 800 legal cases open. ”We’ve had thousands of cases in America alone where they’ve labeled US produced sparkling wines as Champagne. Then there are the more obscure breaches of the brand name. Again in the States there’s Champagne sandpaper and from Taiwan there’s even ‘Champanties’ – knickers presented in a mock champagne bottle.” Apparently the brand image is so important that no infringement is too small to get the lawyers on their feet. But does Champagne deserve to be so stoutly defended? Can the CIVC legitimately claim that its beverage is so much better than other sparkling wines? Well, the evidence to the afﬁrmative is impressive. Each year the CIVC set a staggering 319 speciﬁc harvest times for the differing vineyards around the region, which the growers must adhere to. This ensures the best results from the grapes, based on their individual locations, characteristics and taste. According to Phillipe, there’s also a strong culture of “improving from the bottom up”. In two CIVC-owned experimental vineyards, there are no less than 45 engineers and technicians focusing on viticulture (the science of vines) and oenology (the study of wine and wine making). My perception of Champagne as an archaic and highly traditional product is beginning to change, although there’s no time to contemplate these thoughts as a young woman named Violaine Decaffarelli enters the room to teach us the basics of Champagne tasting… and it’s only 10:30am. Before we begin we’re given a brief introduction to the only three grapes used in its production; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the lesser known Pinot Meunier. The juices from these grapes are blended in different percentages to produce a desired taste or bouquet. Some Champagnes contain all three grape

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SPORTS & PRESTIGE CARS

AT BIRCHWOOD GARAGE IN SOUTHBOROUGH

(BEHIND TEXACO)

CARS ALWAYS REQUIRED - Please call us for a polite and friendly response Birchwood Garage, 13-17 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0RJ TEL: 01892 548889

www.auto-sportiva.com

SEPTEMBER 2009

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GREAT DEFINE SUPERCAR. HOW ABOUT ONE THAT CROSSES DENMARK IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES?

“WE’RE ABOUT 45 MINUTES SOUTH OF COPENHAGEN, BUT I DON’T LIKE TO SAY PRECISELY WHERE, BECAUSE I DON’T WANT PEOPLE JUST WANDERING IN,” JENSEN TELLS ME” 102

SEPTEMBER 2009

motors

Dane

words Nick Moore

amed for pastries, Lego and Hans Christian Anderson, the Danes aren’t usually one of the first nationalities mentioned when discussing leading world manufacturers of turbo charged chariots. That is until now; I give you the deafeningly quick Zenvo ST1. But to understand the car we must first appreciate its roots. Zenvo Automotive is a Danish sports car company located on the Danish island of Zealand. It’s managed by Jesper Jensen, the founder and financier, plus Troels Vollertsen, the car’s performance expert. The brand is based on a combination of their

names (clever, eh?) and both admit the project is meant to shock though neither will divulge the company’s exact location: “We’re about 45 minutes south of Copenhagen, but I don’t like to say precisely where, because I don’t want people just wandering in,” Jensen tells me. We can see why! The Zenvo’s 7-litre supercharged V8 turbo pumps out a claimed 1,104bhp – that’s 103bhp more than the Bugatti Veyron. Featuring a six-speed manual gearbox, it’ll hit 60mph in less than three seconds; that’s Ferrari-beating. As you can imagine, it isn’t cheap. The price tag for this mighty motor is €750,000 (£646,000). Naturally, it’s wrapped in a carbon-fibre body that has weaponsgrade visual menace and if you want one (which you do) you’ll have to get your name down fast as no more than 15 will be made. ➢

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Zenvo has (for some unknown reason) elected to electronically limit top speed to 375kph (233mph), meaning high speed bragging rights stay with the Veyron, for now. But who cares about top speed when the ST1 looks this mean? There’s an abundance of creases, cuts and slashes over the ST1’s carbon fibre exterior, all of which appear to serve the dual function of channelling air and making the thing look like Batman’s car with even more muscle. Low-volume niche market supercars can be a little short on interior luxury, but the ST1 is something different. Inside it’s got (deep breath) dual-zone climate control, dual airbags, keyless entry with a push-button ignition, electric seats trimmed in leather and alcantara, an MP3-compatible stereo with built in sat-nav, a heads-up display and power windows. So, it’s not just pretty on the outside. If that’s not enough for you, here’s the options list. Carbon fibre wheels, 394mm ceramic brakes with eight-piston calipers, custom paint and interior colours, fitted luggage and a roll cage with racing harness are all factory-fitted extras. Jensen says the Zenvo concept has been simmering for the past decade and got the green light in 2005. He describes himself mysteriously as “the administrator”, while his business partner Troells is the engineering brains and apparently has form in the racing and tuning industry with a sizeable client base in the Middle East. That’s a territory, of course, in which there is no such thing as too much power. “We realised that Denmark had no design or engineering heritage in this field,” Jensen admits, “which was why we didn’t reveal anything at all until we were 100% ready. We didn’t want to make promises we could not keep. Even some of our suppliers and partners were cynical to begin with. “But we had the correct finance in place before we started the project, and we paid them properly up-

“THE CAR’S STYLING IS THE WORK OF CHRISTIAN BRANDT, A GRADUATE FROM THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART AND FORMER ALFA ROMEO DESIGNER” front. When they saw the finished car, they said: ‘Now we believe you, now we’re interested!’ “We’re Danish, which means we respect deadlines and know how to deliver something on budget. Perhaps we have been a bit cautious, but we didn’t want to exaggerate the car’s capability. The top speed, for example, I think we can go quite a bit faster than the figure we are currently quoting.” The car’s styling is the work of Christian Brandt, a graduate from the Royal College of Art and former Alfa Romeo designer, who admits that part of his brief was to make the car look evil. “It’s longer than the Porsche Carrera GT, and wider than the Lamborghini Murciélago,” he says, “so it’s very extreme. “It has great proportions and sits on the road like an Audi R8. The Nordic tradition is to progress logically with our design themes, which is what we aim for, inside and out. We also realise that at this level there must be absolutely no compromise with quality.” Like Jensen, Brandt knows the stakes couldn’t be higher for the first supercar from Denmark, but he is bullish. “When we say we’ll do something, we actually do it. That’s just our way. There is no bull.” Oh, and if you’re wondering about the claim it “crosses Denmark in less than 20 miniutes”, it comes from the pair themselves. And they’ve been right on every other point. Enough said, though. The Zenvo ST1 is the best Danish export since Carlsberg... probably. SO

THE NUMBERS: ENGINE: 7,000cc, V8 supercharged, turbocharged POWER: 1,104bhp @ 6900rpm TORQUE: 1,055 lb ft @ 4500rpm 0-62MPH: Sub 3sec TOP SPEED: 233mph (limited) PRICE: £646,000 AVAILABLE: Now

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Hadlow Garden Day Nursery

Nestled in a beautiful rural location, Hadlow benefits from a calm and tranquil atmosphere with a large secure garden, which allows your child to enjoy their natural surroundings whilst learning.

What we offer

• Government funded term time places available 12.5 free

hours (For more information visit www.kindernurseries.co.uk)

• Rural setting with a calm and tranquil atmosphere • Full time care for children from 3 months • Large, open external play areas • Highly motivated, qualified and committed staff • Good Ofsted report February 09 • Extensive range of modern toys and equipment • Safe and secure premises • Healthy nutritious menu • Open 51 weeks a year, 7am to 6pm

Find us

Hadlow Garden Day Nursery, Court Lane, Hadlow, Tonbridge, TN1 10DU (Off the A26 in the village centre)

Tel: 01732 850777 H/O: 01634 230222 www.kindernurseries.co.uk

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Nurseries

SCHOOLS

Independent Schools Guide 2010

COMPILED BY SARAH TAYLOR

IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES YOU WANT TO BE CERTAIN THAT THE MONEY YOU SPEND ON SCHOOL FEES GETS YOUR CHILD THE MOST SUITABLE EDUCATION. THE MATCH BETWEEN PUPIL AND SCHOOL NEEDS TO BE AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE

his month we publish the annual SoTW Independent Schools Guide. Over the following pages you’ll ﬁnd details of the top independent schools across the region with background details that will help you decide the best place for your child or children (or your grandchildren). From school fees to notable facilities and relevant professional comments, it’s all there at a glance. According to the annual census of schools, independents are not only holding their own but have slightly increased their share of the school population in England. Results reveal an overall decline in pupil numbers by 51,600 to 7,890,000. However, the number of children in the independent sector grew by 380 to 569,000. That’s up from 7.16% of the total to 7.21%. A decade ago it was 6.71%. The biggest concentration of independents is in the South-East with many of them across Kent and Sussex where around 200 schools look after some 40,000 pupils both as boarders and day students. We invited a selection of those independents to tell us, in alphabetical order, about their school and what makes it special.

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“Tranquillus Mediis In Undis” T U N B R I D GSEC H WOE O LLS

Beechwood Sacred Heart School Address:

Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3QD

Established:

1915

School type:

Co-educational day and boarding, preparatory and senior for pupils 3 -18 years

Name of Head:

Mr Nicholas Beesley MA (Oxon)

Number of pupils:

400

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£2,650 - £4,530

Boarding fees per term: £6,225 - £7,500 Notable facilities:

Drama, Art, Design and Sport facilities, library and ICT centre, Internet access.

Notable exam results:

GCSE: 90% pass rate, A-A* 37%. A-level: 98% pass rate, A-B 70%. Beechwood is regularly placed in the top 10% of all schools in the country at A-level.

Bethany School Address:

Curtisden Green, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 1LB

Established:

1866

School type:

Co-educational day and boarding for pupils 11-18 years

Name of Head:

Mr Nicholas Dorey M.A. (Cantab.)

Number of pupils:

420

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£4,728

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

In the last inspection of February 2009, all aspects of the school were judged to be either good or outstanding, the report concluding: “the school very successfully meets its aims to be a vibrant caring community where all can achieve their full potential”. What makes your school special?

Beechwood is a happy, friendly school with a warm family atmosphere that is appreciated by both pupils and parents. Small classes mean that teachers know their students very well and have an excellent rapport, so they enjoy their work and are given the conﬁdence to succeed. A broad curriculum and wide range of extra-curricular activities ensure that they are prepared fully for life. Beechwood is now fully co-educational up to Year 9; this year applications from boys and girls are welcomed for all year groups for entry in September 2010, including the Sixth Form. Website: beechwood.org.uk Email: registrar@beechwood.org.uk Phone: 01892 532747

What makes your school special?

Bethany is a strong, thriving, extremely buoyant school, situated in a beautiful 60-acre rural site in the heart of Kent. Class sizes are small and our thriving Sixth Form has 120 students. While each individual is encouraged and supported, we still teach the importance of participating fully in a community. Mr Dorey ﬁrmly believes that school should be enjoyed not endured. We want our students to be happy, because happy students are conﬁdent and successful. It is this atmosphere of positive nurturing and encouragement which makes Bethany ‘refreshingly different’. Website: bethanyschool.org.uk Email: registrar@bethanyschool.org.uk Phone: 01580 211273

Boarding fees per term: From £7,168 Notable facilities:

New Science centre, Food Technology centre, Textiles Centre, ﬂood-lit astro.

Notable exam results:

99.5% pass rate and in the top 5% of schools for value added at A-level last year.

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“Bethany is a school with a special character. Pupils’ personal development and pastoral care are outstanding features.”

“Quod Rectum Quaere, Id Sequere”

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“Veritas Sine Timore”

Caterham School Address:

Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YA

Established:

1811

School type:

HMC co-educational day and boarding school for pupils 11-18 years

Name of Head:

Mr Julian Thomas BSc (Hons) MBA FRSA

Number of pupils:

791

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£4,223 - £4,420

Boarding fees per term: £7,823 - £8,247 Notable facilities:

Science block with 13 laboratories, over 620 networked computers and language laboratory, 25m pool, Gym and Sports hall, Sixth Form centre, Health centre.

Notable results:

2008: A-level: Grade A 69%, grades A-B 88%, grades A-C 97%. GCSE: Grade A*-A 70%, grades A*-B 92%, grades A*-C 98%.

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“Caterham School provides a rounded education for all its pupils,

Hilden Grange Preparatory School Address:

Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3BX Established:

1934 School type:

Co-educational day for pupils 3-13 years Name of Head:

Mr John Withers Number of pupils: 280

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Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£2,862 - £3,610

Notable facilities:

Outdoor heated swimming pool, Sports hall, Tennis courts, Library, Art studio, Science laboratory, Music department and ICT rooms.

Notable exam results:

Kent Tests and SATs results are consistently well above the

SEPTEMBER 2009

with an emphasis on academic, creative and sporting activities. Through the quality of the teaching, the students make good progress and achieve standards above those in many comparable schools.” What makes your school special?

We believe that a truly excellent education is about more than academic achievement alone. We are a forward-thinking school that focuses on developing the whole person, aiming to ensure that each pupil leaves here ready for life at university and beyond. As a family school with Christian values, we provide a caring and stimulating environment. All students go on to university and last year 91% went to their ﬁrst choice with 84% going to one in the top tier. Website: caterhamschool.co.uk Email: admissions@caterhamschool.co.uk Phone: 01883 343028

average for Kent Schools, and in the past ten years, over 80 scholarships have been won to local independent secondary schools. Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“Pupils thrive at Hilden Grange because the school encourages each individual pupil to feel valued in a warm and friendly environment… A key strength of the provision is the use of subject specialists and teaching in ability groups… Behaviour observed around the school was exemplary.” What makes your school special?

One of our pupils stated that Hilden Grange ‘feels like home, as everyone is caring’. These words reﬂect the unique atmosphere of our school, and demonstrate why the vast majority of parents who visit us choose it for their children. Specialist teaching in all subjects produces excellent academic results, while outside the classroom, children enjoy a wealth of extracurricular activities, with particular strength in Sport, Music, Art and Drama. Above all, we strive to help each child achieve their own level of excellence – inside and outside the classroom. Website: hildengrange.gdst.net Email: ofﬁce@hildengrange.gdst.net Phone: 01732 352706

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U N B R I D GSEC H WOE O LLS SO “Every Child Is TAn Individual And Deserves The Best”

Hilden Oaks School & Nursery Address:

Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3BU

Established:

1919

School type:

Co-educational day nursery, pre-preparatory and preparatory for pupils 3 months-11 years

Name of Head:

Mrs S. A. Sunderland MA, NPQH

Number of pupils:

150

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£225 - £265 (pre-school/nursery per morning/afternoon session) £2,150 - £2,935 (Reception-Year 6)

Notable facilities:

ICT Suite, extensive library, Science, Art, PE and Music facilities

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“Pupils’ attainment is high and rapid progress is made”.

Holmewood House School Address:

Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0EB

Established:

1945

School type:

Co-educational nursery, pre-preparatory and preparatory day and boarding for pupils 3-13 years.

Name of Head:

Mr Andrew S.R. Corbett M.A. P.G.C.E

Number of pupils:

450

Number of staff:

160

Day fees per term:

From £1,475 - £5,055

Boarding fees per term: £6,365 Notable facilities:

Theatre and Music block, Art rooms with kiln, Design Technology lab, 25m indoor swimming pool, Sports hall, all-weather pitch, tennis and squash courts, indoor .22 shooting range.

Notable exam results:

23 Scholarships (academic, Music, Drama and Design Technology) to senior independent schools gained

What makes your school special?

Hilden Oaks has over 90 years experience of giving children the very best start to their education. The school is proud of its family atmosphere in which pupils are nurtured and allowed to learn at their own pace whilst ensuring that everyone achieves the highest standards. The thriving pre-school was recently assessed by Ofsted as “Outstanding” for “teaching, learning and helping children to achieve well and enjoy what they do”. We know that in order to achieve, children need to feel valued and confident. Small class sizes mean every student gets the attention they need and deserve. Website: hildenoaks.co.uk Email: secretary@hildenoaks.co.uk Phone: 01732 353941

by Year 8s last year. Common Entrance candidates all passed to schools of their choice. 11+ candidates equally successful. Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“The school meets pupils’ needs in providing good teaching, inculcating valuable learning habits and promoting excellent all-round personal development. Students learn effectively and develop their emerging talents and personalities in a well-organised and happy community. They are conﬁdent and articulate, enthusiastic and motivated, friendly and courteous.” What makes your school special?

Almost everything! The breadth of our curriculum, combined with specialist, expert teaching in every subject means we achieve excellent academic results. We have superb facilities and masses of open space. First-class Music, Drama, Art, and a vast range of afternoon activities bring out the best in every child. The food is excellent! Although we are large, we manage to achieve an outstanding family atmosphere. It all combines to make Holmewood one of the leading prep schools in the country.

Website: holmewood.kent.sch.uk Email: registrar@holmewood.kent.sch.uk Phone: 01892 860006

“Constantia Praesta”

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Hilden Oaks School & Nursery

Celebrating 90 years! Open Days Friday 16th October 1.30 - 3pm Saturday 17th October 9.30am - 12 noon

Celebration Bursaries Please contact the school office, or see our website, for information about bursaries for boys and girls in Years 1, 2 and 3 available in 2009 and 2010.

Every child is an individual and deserves the best Why not attend our Open Morning or make an appointment to visit and see what Hilden Oaks has to offer your family? 38 Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 3BU T: 01732 353941 E: secretary@hildenoaks.co.uk W: www.hildenoaks.co.uk

Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School, Rochester

an independent school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18

OPEN MORNING Saturday 10 October 2009

Arrival any time between 9.30am and 11.30am. To book, please telephone 01634 888555.

www.kings-school-rochester.co.uk Email: enquiries@kings-school-rochester.co.uk

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“Respice Finem” T U N B R I D GSEC H WOE O LLS

Kent College Pembury Address:

Old Church Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4AX

Established:

1886

School type:

Pre-preparatory, preparatory and senior day and boarding for girls 3-18 years

Names of Heads:

Mrs Ann Lawson (Pre-preparatory and Preparatory) Mrs Sally-Anne Huang MA (Oxon) PGCE (Senior)

Number of pupils:

400 (Senior) 200 (Pre-preparatory and Preparatory)

Number of staff:

140 (both schools)

Day fees per term:

£2,270 - £3,417 (Pre-preparatory - Preparatory) £4, 984 (Senior)

Notable exam results:

GCSE and A-level results are consistently outstanding with 100% pass rates. Outstanding achievements in subjects including Mathematics, Art, Science and Languages.

What makes your school special?

Surrounded by lush, beautiful countryside, Kent College is a hidden gem where girls thrive and excel in all they do, whether winning a local Mathematics competition, performing in a Drama production or climbing to the top of our on-site abseil tower. Our day and boarding students are given superb opportunities both in and out of the curriculum and taught to believe in everything they do. Website: kent-college.co.uk Email: seniorschool@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk Phone: 01892 822006

Boarding fees per term: £6,178 (Preparatory)

£8,034 (Senior) Judi Dench Theatre, Music school, swimming pool, new Science wing, laboratories, tennis courts, Sports hall.

Notable facilities:

King’s School, Rochester Address:

Satis House, Boley Hill, Rochester, Kent ME1 1TE

Established:

604AD

School type:

Co-educational day for pupils 3-18 years, boarding for pupils 11-18 years.

Name of Head:

Dr Ian Walker

Number of pupils:

650

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£2,220 - £5,140

Boarding fees per term: £6,120 - £8,650 Notable facilities:

Notable exam results:

25m indoor swimming pool, Music Room and a Sixth Form Centre with computer suite, Sport options including fencing, rugby, netball, rowing, and numerous extracurricular activities, ﬁne tradition of Music and the Performing Arts. 2008: A-level pass rate: 98%. GCSE pass rate: 92.9%.

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at King’s School, Rochester is outstanding.” What makes your school special?

By the fact that we come top of Medway year after year in SATS Tables, and in the top few of Kent; by the fact that we are, consistently, rated top for value-added; by the fact that although we are non-selective, we regularly out-perform the Grammar Schools; by the fact that Inspection Reports consistently rank us very highly academically and as “outstanding” in “spiritual, moral, cultural, ethos” categories. It has also been noted that “the pupils were observed to be extremely well-behaved, consistently showing respect for each other, for the staff and for members of the public whom they frequently encounter in walking between the various school buildings around the town… Their behaviour is an impressive feature of the School, a source of pride much valued by the parents”. Website:

kings-school-rochester. co.uk Email:

enquiries@kings-schoolrochester.co.uk Phone: 01634 888555

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The Mead School Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5SN

Address:

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“The school is very effective in meeting its aim to ensure that all pupils have opportunities to feel success within a secure family ethos. The care that the staff devote to the well-being of their students is an outstanding feature of the school.”

Established:

1987

School type:

Co-educational preparatory day school for pupils 3-11 years

Name of Head:

Mrs Angela Culley

Number of pupils:

180

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£876 - £1,396 (Kindergarten) £2,678 (Reception, Years 1-2) £2,967 (Years 3-6)

Notable facilities:

The Mead ethos is to create life long learners and extend and develop the personal talents of the individual. By promoting Art, Music, Drama and Physical Education we ﬁnd that academic standards are raised and we are proud of the results achieved by our pupils.

Mead School is a place that ‘encourages all its pupils to feel success’. Those who are happy and secure in school thrive and become lifelong learners. To this end, the school, founded on Christian principles and impressively housed in a Victorian villa, is run as a family unit providing a happy, secure, lively and stimulating environment in which children can develop. Academic standards and expectations are high, enabling each student to realise their potential, discover their strengths and interests and move to secondary school as independent learners who have learned excellent work patterns and strong values which will remain with them for life.

Notable exam results:

Children are prepared for entry to a wide range of secondary schools in both sectors including local Grammar schools. A list of exam results is available from the school.

Website: meadschool.info Email: meadschool@hotmail.co.uk Phone: 01892 525837

The New Beacon School Address:

Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2PB

Established:

1882

School type:

Day preparatory school for boys aged 4-13 years

Name of Head:

Mr Michael Piercy B.A (Hons)

Number of pupils:

390

Number of staff:

100 +

Day fees per term:

£2,820 - £3,640

Notable facilities:

The New Beacon is thriving and successful, situated in a semi-rural location. The school is proud of its traditions but has modern views on facilities and curriculum.

Notable exam results:

Boys are prepared for leading

What makes your school special?

independent schools; each year many gain academic scholarships or awards for Music, Art and Sport. In 2009, 14 pupils won scholarships. Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“The school strives to ensure that all students achieve their academic potential while beneﬁting from a broad and balanced education and developing positive attitudes towards life and learning. It is extremely successful in achieving these aims. Boys thrive academically and are highly motivated to do their best.” What makes your school special?

In all they undertake, the best is expected of New Beacon boys. They work hard, yes, but they are supported when they ﬁnd something more challenging or a concept more difﬁcult – and the teachers know them very well. Perhaps the most telling of observations from the teaching staff when I joined The New Beacon was that it has ‘the feel of a small school’ – which can only come from knowing the individual within a strong community, no matter how large. I share their commitment to this approach, I think they are absolutely right. Come and see for yourself! Website: newbeacon.org.uk Email: admin@newbeacon.org.uk Phone: 01732 452131

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Create.Excite.Reward.

Professional training in the Performing Arts for young people aged 6-18 years. All students perform in our local & national shows including the Royal Albert Hall. Be part of the excitement For a free introductory session call Rachel on 01435 872881 Classes held every Saturday in Tunbridge Wells 10am-1pm and Sevenoaks 2pm-5pm. New term starts Saturday 12th September

www.theatretrain.co.uk

Patrons: Sir Derek Jacobi KBE, Alfred Molina, Kate Williams, Frances de la Tour and Catherine Tate.

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We aim to provide an excellent all-round education so that every pupil can achieve his or her full potential academically and socially. We strive to develop the pupil as a whole person thereby helping to prepare them for their life at university and beyond. We are a family school with Christian values providing a caring and stimulating environment. Excellent A-level results enable all pupils to progress to university with 84% going to one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top tier. Open Morning Saturday 19th September 9.30 am to 12.00 pm. The Headmasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk will be at 10.30 am and 11.15 am. Entrance is selective at all ages. The closing date for receipt of applications for 2010 entrants aged 11+ and 13+ is Friday 13th November 2009. Scholarships are available to registered candidates and are based on assessment. Families who may be eligible for financial assistance through a Caterham Bursary should contact the Registrar for an application form. Regular Forces Bursaries are also available. Situated on a beautiful 80-acre campus it is hard to believe that the school is on the edge of London just 5 minutes from the M25 (J6) and 20 minutes from Gatwick airport. School coach services operate from Sevenoaks, East Grinstead, Copthorne, Edenbridge, Lingfield, Leatherhead and Purley.

CATERHAM SCHOOL To request further details or to arrange a visit please contact the Registrar, Mrs Mattinson. Tel: 01883 335058 Email: admissions@caterhamschool.co.uk Caterham School, Harestone Valley Road, Caterham Surrey CR3 6YA www.caterhamschool.co.uk

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Rochester Independent College Address:

Star Hill, Rochester, Kent ME1 1XF

Established:

1984

School type:

Co-educational day and boarding school for pupils 11-18 years

Names of Heads:

Mr Brian Pain, Mr Alistair Brownlow and Mrs Pauline Bailey

Number of pupils:

220

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£3,150 - £4,250

Boarding fees per term: £8,142 Notable facilities:

Science and Mathematics specialists, 40 A-level subjects, no subject combination restrictions, new subjects from 2008; Astronomy, Film Studies, Music Technology. Minibus routes.

Notable exam results:

2008: A-level: 51 % Grade A. Top Non-Selective School in Kent in the FT Top 1,000 Schools Table 2008.

Roedean School Roedean Way, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 5RQ

Address: Established:

1885

School type:

Co-educational day for pupils 3-11 years, day and boarding for girls aged 11-18 years

Name of Head:

Mrs Frances King

Number of pupils:

400 seniors, 90 juniors

Number of staff:

140 senior staff, 18 junior staff

Day fees per term:

£935 - £1,995 (Nursery) £1,900 - £2,625 (Junior) £4, 725 - £5,450 (Senior)

Comments from Ofsted:

The quality of education, teaching, assessment and behaviour at the school is reported as “outstanding”. Ofsted also say “the provision for students’ spiritual, moral and cultural education is outstanding” and that “working relationships are very good and teachers and students enjoy each other’s company”. What makes your school special?

RIC offers a fresh and lively alternative to traditional independent education and combines traditional academic rigour with a creative buzz. We celebrated our 25th anniversary this summer. The focus is on examination success and university entry in a lively, supportive and informal atmosphere. There is no uniform, no bells ring and everybody is on ﬁrst name terms.” Website: rochester-college.org Email: admissions@rochester-college.org Phone: 01634 828115

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“Levels of achievement are high and fulﬁl the school’s aim of encouraging pupils to explore their talents, to strive for excellence and to develop their intellectual curiosity. Achievement is not limited to academic success; individually and in teams, the students succeed in a range of activities; particularly Music, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, Dance, Drama and Sport.” What makes your school special?

Despite having achieved top A-level results for Sussex in 2008, Roedean is not deﬁned by a one-dimensional hunt for academic glory. We believe the job of a great independent school is to develop the whole character of our students. This comes through a variety of means: exposing girls to a rich variety of cultures in a creative, yet purposeful, atmosphere. A combination of rigorous studies, balanced with theatrical performance, sporting competition and community service gives pupils a chance to grow and learn.

Boarding fees per term: £8,450 - £9,400 (Senior) Notable facilities:

Notable exam results:

320-seat theatre, heated indoor swimming pool, large Chapel, Dance and Drama studios, laboratories, Sports pitches and a secret tunnel to the beach. 2008: A-levels: 100% pass rate, AS levels: 98% pass rate, GCSE: 100% pass rate

Website:

roedean.co.uk Email:

info@roedean.co.uk Phone:

01273 667500

“Honneur Aulx Dignes”

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Rose Hill School Address:

Coniston Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SY

Established:

1832

School type:

Co-educational day preparatory for pupils 3-13 years

Name of Head:

Mr David Westcombe

Number of pupils:

310

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

From £1,400 (Kindergarten) £2,665 - £3,785 (Reception-Year 8)

Notable facilities:

New Arts Centre for Art, Design and Music, 220-seat Theatre, Sports hall, golf course, Astroturf October 2009.

Notable exam results:

11+: average 95% passes over the last three years and 100% success in independent school assessments.

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

What makes your school special?

Rose Hill is one of the oldest preparatory schools in the country and yet beneﬁts from ultra-modern facilities on a 17-acre site near the centre of Tunbridge Wells. Its size is a key factor in its success and ensures ‘outstanding’ pastoral care for its pupils each of whom is recognised as an individual. Superb facilities for sport and the creative arts ensure that academic challenge is balanced by mutual respect and understanding. Website: rosehillschool.co.uk Email: admissions@rosehillschool.co.uk Phone: 01892 525591

“It is a happy, successful, thriving and popular school. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is now outstanding.”

Sevenoaks School Address:

High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HU

Established:

1432

School type:

Co-educational day and boarding for pupils 11-18 years

Name of Head:

Mrs Katy Ricks MA

Number of pupils:

1,000

Number of staff:

144

Day fees per term:

£5,471 (direct entry to Sixth Form £6,215)

Boarding fees per term: £8,774 (direct entry to Sixth Form:

£9,518)

Notable facilities: Performing Arts centre opening January 2010, fully equipped Sports centre. Notable exam results: 2009: International Baccalaureate: 9

students achieved 45 points, 109 students achieved 40 points or above with an average score of 38.87. 2008: GCSE: pass rate over 87% A*-A grades, 25 students gained ten A*s. Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

“The school provides an outstanding all-round education for pupils of high ability. Parents are highly satisﬁed with the education provided, and students are appreciative of all the opportunities available.” The school’s all-round provision for boarders, IB results, Music, and pupils’ cultural awareness were all noted as “outstanding”. What makes your school special?

Sevenoaks School is situated on an attractive 100-acre campus adjoining Knole Park and close to central London. Creative and innovative with a strong pastoral and co-curricular emphasis, the school provides academic excellence and a global dimension driven by the International Baccalaureate. Around 90% of students go on to their ﬁrst choice university. We have international students from over 40 countries. Sevenoaks was chosen as The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2007-8. Website: sevenoaksschool.org Email: regist@sevenoaksschool.org Phone: 01732 455133

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Co-educational day and boarding school for ages 11-18

“Bethany is a school with a special character… pupils’ personal development and pastoral care are outstanding features.” ISI Inspection Report

• 420 pupils in small classes with excellent pastoral support. • Stunning new Science Centre opened December 2008. • Thriving Sixth Form. 99.5% pass rate and in the top 5% of schools nationally for Value Added at A level in 2008. • School buses from a wide area including Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Tenterden and Wadhurst. DIARY DATES: Open Mornings: 19 September 2009 & 6 February 2010 Entrance Exams: Year 7: 7 November 2009 Year 9: 23 January 2010

Scholarships: Year 7: Week commencing 9 Nov 2009 Year 9: Week commencing 25 Jan 2010 Sixth Form Taster Day: 20 November 2009

For more information please contact our Registrar at: Bethany School, Curtisden Green, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 1LB Tel: 01580 211273 e-mail: registrar@bethanyschool.org.uk

www.bethanyschool.org.uk

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“My Trust Is In God Alone”

Sutton Valence School

Day fees per term:

£2,350 - £5,390

Boarding fees per term: £6,475 - £8,525 Notable facilities: New theatre, Sports hall, swimming pool,

astro-pitches, Maths and ICT centre, athletics track. Notable exam results: A-level: on a par with local grammar

Address:

North Street, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3HL

Established:

1576

School type:

Co-educational day and boarding preparatory and senior school for pupils from 3-18 years

Name of Head:

Mr Bruce Grindlay

Number of pupils:

520 (Senior) 380 (Preparatory)

Number of staff:

60 (Senior) 40 (Preparatory)

schools 95% of students going to their university of choice. Comment from Ofsted:

The preparatory school Kindergarten is rated “Outstanding”. What makes your school special?

Sutton Valence combines traditional values and a strong sense of community with modern teaching methods to provide continuity of education. We have a strong academic record and ﬁrmly believe in a bespoke education; an education that tailors its teaching and available opportunities to engage and enthuse all pupils, helping them achieve more than they could have believed and pushing them to realise their potential. The school facilitates the growth of our students into self-assured, rounded individuals with leadership skills and good moral values that leave them equipped to go conﬁdently out into the world and make a difference. Website: svs.org.uk Email: enquiries@svs.org.uk Phone: 01622 845200

Vinehall School Address:

Vinehall Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5JL

Established:

1938

School type:

Co-educational day and boarding pre-preparatory and preparatory for pupils 2-13 years

Name of Head:

Mrs Julie Robinson, BA (Hons), PGCE

Number of pupils:

340

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£4,500

Boarding fees per term: £5,880

122

Notable facilities:

38-acre grounds with various pitches; astro turf, hard netball/tennis courts, nine-hole golf course, Sports hall, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool.

Notable exam results:

100% pass rate at Common Entrance. Feeds grammar schools, particularly Cranbrook, along with a wide range of senior schools and notable public schools. 18 Public School Scholarships at 13+ in 2009.

Comment from Independent School Inspectorate:

Outstanding report from February 2008, particularly praising the social, moral, spiritual and cultural aspects of this friendly and successful school. See link to report on website. What makes your school special?

Vinehall creates a happy and friendly atmosphere whilst inspiring children to do their best to be their best. We provide an enormous breadth of opportunity with Sport every day, Music and Drama for all, developing performance conﬁdence in our own theatre and with a dedicated Music school. The creative arts are strong in very well-resourced Art and DT block and academic learning takes place in a beautiful library and classroom block. All staff teaching and supporting the pupils are dedicated to making learning fun and successful for the children. Children are treated as individuals and develop into communicative, positive young people. Website:

vinehallschool.com Email: ofﬁce@ vinehallschool.com Telephone:

01580 880413

“Pro Aliis Optimum Agere” SEPTEMBER 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT

FLY FISHING? Try it out with our expert team from The ORVIS Store in Tenterden

Saturday 3rd October 2009 join us at a local fishery, for only ÂŁ25 per person. Places are limited, so for more information and to book your place, please call the store on the number below.

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Wellesley House School Address:

Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2DG

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

Established:

1898

School type:

Co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils 7-13 years

Name of Head:

Mr Simon O’Malley

Number of pupils:

135

“The teaching encourages pupils to make the most of their intellectual, physical and creative talents. Students are given useful opportunities to think for themselves and to increase their understanding. Through their excellent relations with the children, teachers create an atmosphere of mutual trust; very much part of the school’s aims.”

Number of staff:

Day cost per term:

£5,100

Boarding cost per term: £6,360

Fields for cricket, rounders, netball, rugby, football, hockey, athletics, indoor heated swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts, .22 shooting range; purpose-built Sports hall for gymnastics, fencing and indoor Sports.

Notable facilities:

Notable exam results: 11 scholarships to major independent

schools in 2008, 9 scholarships in 2009. All candidates sitting Common Entrance and scholarships passed successfully into their chosen senior schools.

Woldingham School

What makes your school special?

Think Wellesley, think family. This has been the ethos behind our school for many years and it still holds true today. Once your child joins the school, not only they, but you and your family are welcomed into the community. This is borne out by the numbers of Old Welleslians who, when invited back for celebrations, are keen to return to tell us all their news. Their support and interest often leads to their children entering the school thereby perpetuating the family culture. Making friends for life is what makes Wellesley special. Website: wellesleyhouse.org Email: ofﬁce@wellesleyhouse.org Phone: 01843 862991

Comment from Independent Schools Inspectorate:

Established:

1842

“Woldingham School aims to be a caring and supportive Christian community in which students are happy, conﬁdent and inspired to meet challenges and achieve excellence in whatever they choose to do, according to their ability. Girls are encouraged to become independent, enquiring young women, who forge lasting relationships, achieve academic success and become positive inﬂuences in the world.”

School type:

Catholic boarding and day for girls 11-18 years

What makes your school special?

Address:

Marden Park, Woldingham, Surrey CR3 7YA

Name of Head:

Mrs Jayne Trifﬁtt MA (Oxon)

Number of pupils:

520

Number of staff:

Day fees per term:

£5,135

Boarding fees per term: £8,435 Notable facilities:

Notable exam results:

600-seat auditorium with orchestra pit, sound/lighting control rooms, MIDI computer room, keyboard and 8-track digital recording studio, recital and practice rooms, Sports facilities include Sports hall, squash courts, ﬁtness/ dance/gymnastics studio, outdoor courts and pitches, all-weather pitch, indoor tennis dome, indoor pool. A-level: 100% pass rate year-onyear, GCSE: 98.22% pass rate, A*-C.

Woldingham is renowned for bringing out the very best academic performance from each girl. The school’s outstanding and recently completed Arts, Music and Sports facilities support its track record of excellence in those ﬁelds and its value added scores position it in the top 10% across the country. A varied extra-curricular programme includes polo lessons, clay pigeon shooting, fencing and DoE award. With its stunning historic house and 700-acre estate, it is only 35 minutes from central London yet in the heart of the Surrey Downs. The ﬂexible day and boarding arrangements make it an ideal choice for both London and country families.

Website: woldinghamschool.co.uk Email: registrar@woldingham.surrey.sch.uk Phone: 01883 654206

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LIFE &

Style

LIFE & STYLE

COOKING WITH GAS From the creators of the leading children’s cookery school, Cookies Kitchen, comes an opportunity for adults to attend; The Kitchen Cookery School. But you won’t ﬁnd any run-of-themill courses at this brand new venture, which is offering two types of cookery

lessons; for the private client and for corporate team building. Individuals looking to learn new techniques, recipes and ideas from the professionals can beneﬁt from a couple of different approaches led by expert chefs. They can choose to join the small group sessions, which will focus on seasonal cookery, held

in the kitchens of The Swan in West Malling, or they can gather a group of friends and nominate a kitchen and the chef will come to them. Together you prepare your own recipes, then the chef tidies up and leaves you to dine and enjoy or package your goodies to take home. The next seasonal group session will be held in November, just in time for Christmas entertaining. Corporate team building is also being launched. The school is keen to ﬁnd more premises to operate from in the Tunbridge Wells area. THE KITCHEN COOKERY SCHOOL: 07748 715644 or visit thekitchencookeryschool.com

CLUTTER FREE HOMES As a nation we just love surveys, like the one from Mintel Reports, which paints an interesting picture of clutter in the home. It suggests that one in four of us hoards things while 28 per cent of us are worried about clutter or are, in the words of the survey, “space concerned”. And whereas before we might have moved home to counter the lack of space, it’s not quite so easy in these ﬁnancially challenging times. In many cases it’s now about making the best of the space available which is where the Aylesford-based company Sliderobes can help. They’re the experts in bespoke storage and really come in to their own where space is tight. Sliderobes are designed to ﬁt around you and your home with a look to complement every décor and a choice of glass, metallics, mirrors, leather and wood effects for your sliding doors. You can use them individually or combine them for a unique look. SLIDEROBES: 01622 718987 or visit sliderobes.com

NO WEIGHTING With obesity reaching epidemic numbers, far too many people are gaining excess weight which is why McIndoe Surgical Centre in East Grinstead is offering laparoscopic gastric band surgery. Weight loss surgery lowers the amount of food you can eat by reducing the size of your

stomach or bypassing it. There are two main types; gastric banding and a gastric bypass. Gastric banding, sometimes known as ‘lap banding’, is a procedure to help overweight people achieve substantial and long-term weight loss. The operation limits how much food you can eat. An inﬂatable band is placed around the stomach to divide it into two parts. This creates a smaller pouch at the top, which takes less food to make you feel full. The food then passes slowly through the opening left by the band into the lower part of your stomach. A gastric bypass operation creates a small stomach pouch in the same way as the gastric band. But instead of the food passing into the stomach, it bypasses it

and much of the intestine through a small intestine that has been rerouted and grafted onto the stomach. There are a couple of ways of establishing if you are eligible for surgery. The ﬁrst uses your height and weight to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and the second simply uses your waist measurement. Your ﬁrst step, though, towards weight loss surgery is an initial assessment at the centre. This is a free consultation with an experienced bariatric surgeon to identify if you are suitable for surgery. MCINDOE SURGICAL CENTRE: 0800 917 4922 or email weightloss@ mcindoesurgical.co.uk

CHIPS NAILED Chipped nails really should be a thing of the past once you know about Bio Sculpture Gel, which is a one-component nail treatment that strengthens and promotes the growth of natural nails. Applied onto a prepared nail it cures under a UVA light leaving the nail strong but ﬂexible with a natural glossy ﬁnish. Bio Sculpture offers a permanent nail colour that lasts for weeks without wearing or chipping. The advantage of Bio Sculpture Colour Gel is that you can easily change your nail colour by simply applying Bio Sculpture Varnish. Later the polish can be removed with specially formulated non-acetone cleanser and the permanent nail colour will be restored to its original state. “I’ve had the Bio Sculpture Gel nails for a month now,” one woman tells us, “and I’ve never been happier. Nail polish chips in no time, but this gel manicure dries instantly and looks just like normal polish but is stronger.” BIO SCULPTURE GEL: 0845 331 2347 or visit biosculpture.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2009

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SO Tunbridge Wells ­ Sept09

SO Tunbridge Wells Sept09