YOURSHERWOOD NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
Be safe,
60 years of
play safe
Sherwood Carnival
And have a
Titan the Robot
Get involved in an exiting
great summer!
and much more!
historical project!
pages 8-9
page 13
page 4
Sherwood
t ...plus find ou mily about great fa days out this summer! ) (leaflet inside
welcome... ...to the July 2013 edition of ‘Your Sherwood’ Welcome to the summer edition of Your Sherwood. I’m sure many of you will recognise this edition’s cover star – Titan the Robot – the main attraction of this year’s Sherwood Carnival! More photos from a great day are inside. We also have a career and work tips section – dedicated to helping those of you who want to move on in your job, or want to get back to work. There is plenty of advice from how to fine-tune your CV to how to prepare for interviews. There is also an opportunity to get involved in a project being run by Cllr Bob Backhouse to trace the history of Sherwood and the lives of some people that have lived here over the years. I hope lots of you do get involved and help Bob put together the story of Sherwood’s first 60 years. As ever, we have our regular update on the regeneration of Sherwood and what has been happening at the Lake and Woods as well as much, much more. I hope you enjoy it. Don’t forget we are always looking for ideas for articles. So if you do have any suggestions please get in touch by emailing yoursherwood @tchg.org.uk or calling 01892 501446.
!
Nuisance motorbikes
To report a non-urgent crime or anti-social behaviour in the area, call Kent Police on 101.
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YOUR SHERWOOD JULY 2013
Food for thoughts - tell us what you want to see in ‘Your Sherwood’! We want some help to make sure this magazine is what you want to read – and who better to ask than you, our readers! We would like to form a small focus group of Sherwood residents we could meet with to find out what you want to read about and to give us suggestions for stories or features. Better still, there is free food in it for you! We will pay for a meal at the Hungry Horse over which we can discuss your ideas.
Get involved... contact Steve Mandaluff 01892 501446 yoursherwood@tchg.org.uk
New group for ‘ladies of a certain age’ ‘Ladies of a Certain Age’ is a new social group for likeminded ladies who are over 50. The group meet together on the second Saturday of every month between 12 noon and 2pm at St Phillip’s Church to share a spot of lunch and take part in spiritual discussions.
Steve Mandaluff Your Sherwood Editor
Kent Police are clamping down on nuisance motorbikes in the Sherwood area. If someone is causing a nuisance by driving off-road without the landowner’s permission please let the Police know.
News bites
At the monthly gathering the ladies also arrange for members of the group to go out together, along with their friends. Since the group started they have enjoyed ten pin bowling together and have a trip arranged to see ‘The Rat Pack’ in November. For more information... contact Lynne Weatherly on 01892 614516 or lm.weatherly@btinternet.com
TN2 Library opening times Monday: Closed
Friday: 9am to 5pm
Tuesday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm
Wednesday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Flowering Community Transformation
Summer Reading Challenge
The transformation of a garden on the corner of Oak Road and Sandhurst Road has continued, thanks to the hard work of local people and a local garden designer.
The ever popular Summer Reading Challenge is returning for the summer holidays.
At the beginning of May, garden designer Mary Nightingale teamed up with residents and their children to plant a wildlife-friendly, low-maintenance herb bed. The herbs that have been planted are all edible and include favourites such as sage, rosemary, mint and thyme, lavender, bronze fennel and marjoram. The main feature of the garden is a Mountain Ash tree, known for its year round interest – spring flowers followed by berries, and foliage changing in colour from green through amber and red in the autumn. The initial ground preparation was carried out by Green Team Enterprises, who cleared the land and constructed the timber-framed raised beds. The Kent High Weald Partnership organised the soil and sourced the plants and tree. They worked from Mary’s design for the garden. Mary and her team of residents and their children will soon be moving on to their next project. They will be looking at replanting and renovating Doorstep Green – the small park and play area just off Oak Road. They are always looking for new recruits, and volunteers are always welcome to help with the improvements and community gardens. If you’re a budding gardener and want to help with the community gardening projects contact Mary by emailing info@tchg.org.uk or calling 01892 501480.
Children aged 4 to 13 can take part by reading six books borrowed from the library. When they have completed the challenge they will receive a certificate and medal. The theme for 2013 is Creepy House, and the challenge began on Saturday 13 July. On Wednesday 31 July there will be a special Creepy House activity at Sherwood Library. For more information... contact the library on 01892 537639
Families rise to the rhyme challenge Families performed specially rehearsed nursery rhymes, accompanied by percussion instruments, as part of a special rhyme challenge session in March. The session was part of Sherwood Library’s popular Baby Bounce and Rhyme Time. At the end of the session each child received a certificate, with one mum commenting how it was the first certificate her child had received. Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions are for children under three years old, their parents and carers. Sessions take place at Sherwood Library every Tuesday from 10am to 10.30am. To find out more just drop into the library or call 01892 537639
Town & Country are on Twitter. Follow @tandchousing for all the latest news and information from them!
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60 years of Sherwood – history in the making! Local resident and councillor, Bob Backhouse, is embarking on an exciting project to trace the history behind Sherwood and some of the people who live here. Here he tells us what he is doing and how you can help him: ‘Work began over 60 years ago, in 1950, building on the area we all know and love as Sherwood. Before then it was a collection of fields, woodlands and a few houses along very few roads. It tended to be linked, in parts, to High Brooms. As Sherwood is a post-war development we have no war memorial and our church at St. Philip’s only came about in the 1970s. We therefore have few records about the people who made Sherwood or the places where they lived. I have had the privilege of receiving many stories and tales of our area, pre and post Sherwood. I want to try to capture these experiences so they can be documented in the written story of Sherwood’s first 60 years. To do this I need the help of the local community in providing me with the material for my research. In particular I would like to get the following: • W ritten stories of peoples’ experiences of living here when they arrived and after, up to the present day. Accompanying photos would be also be welcome.
If there is enough material I will make a recorded history on DVD as well as a booklet. I hope in time to make a proper history book, and the more stories and anecdotes I get the better. Some people will have moved away from Sherwood and I would urge their friends and family to get their experiences too. There are over 6,000 people in Sherwood now and there must be as many who used to live here at some stage in their lives. Many will be in Tunbridge Wells or nearby. I hope to make this project last for at least a year so we can get as many and varied stories as possible. There will be no limit to what we can record and we have the potential to make an exciting and interesting record that will be a testament to Sherwood. I will publish a progress report in October 2013 and I hope to have enough material to make an intermediate publication early in 2014. Please do help this social history project by sharing your stories with me.’
please contact me... by phone for an interview or to share a story 01892 535086 bobbackhouse@gmail.com 23 Blakeway, Sherwood, TN2 3DF
• P hotos of any aspects of Sherwood. These will be copied and returned. • P ersonal interviews – I would like to interview people face-toface and make these interviews into written accounts. I am happy to meet people by appointment at their homes or at the TN2 Centre. Peoples’ stories can remain anonymous if wanted, and confidences will be kept. I will put a post box for written stories in the TN2 Community Centre in Greggs Wood Road for any material to share with our project. Our stories, whether serious or happy, will make a great body of history for us to hand down over the next 60 years and to show what life was really like for residents. Queen’s Silver Jubilee 1977
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YOUR SHERWOOD JULY 2013
Love Where We Live Awards 2013 Time is running out to acknowledge the people who help make Sherwood a great community. Thursday 1 August is the deadline for nominations for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s (TWBC) Love Where We Live awards. Whether you want to nominate an individual, organisation or a group of people just make sure you get your form in before the deadline to show you appreciate their hard work and commitment to the community. Winners will be chosen by an independent judging panel and invited to an awards ceremony on Wednesday 2 October 2013, when they will be presented with a trophy and receive a prize. How to nominate Complete a nomination form, which you’ll find on the council’s website at www.lovewherewelive.co.uk. You can: • submit your form online • print it off and post it, or • pick one up at the Gateway or Weald Information Centre. Forms are also available from Hilary or Lizzie at TWBC on 01892 554270.
The awards categories for 2013 • Lifetime Achievement • Sports Achiever of the Year • Individual Head • Charity of the Year • Ethical Business • Safer Community • Young Volunteer of the Year • Best Group
The closing date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 1 August. for more information... contact Hilary or Lizzie from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 01892 554270 LoveWhereWeLive@tunbridgewells.gov.uk w ww.lovewherewelive.co.uk
Memorial tribute to Kevin Lynes in place at Little Forest A tribute to one of Sherwood’s most popular faces has been completed at Little Forest Children Centre.
Formerly Connexions Kent & Medway, CXK is a charity which empowers young people and adults to maximise their potential.
The Kevin Lynes Memorial Garden was completed in June and will provide a safe and protected place where children can play outdoors. The garden has two decking areas, a covered area and adjacent flower boxes.
CXK will be delivering another Prince’s Trust Team Programme from 23 September for all young people aged 16 to 25 who are unemployed.
Kevin Lynes was elected to the County Council in 2001 as Conservative councillor for Tunbridge Wells East and became cabinet member for regeneration and economic development in 2008.
Anyone who is interested should contact either Clare Alexander by emailing clarealexander@cxk.org or calling 07725 44504 or Lara Delaney – laradelaney@cxk.org and 07918 073758.
He was extremely popular with people on the Sherwood estate and campaigned for numerous improvements to local facilities and services. Kevin was also one of the driving forces behind Little Forest Children Centre being established. The garden was built by CXK, delivering the Prince’s Trust Team Programme, and community warden Gary Simpson. The resources to build the garden were kindly donated by B&Q. Sarah Warner, network manager for Little Forest Children’s Centre, is delighted with the garden: ‘I am eternally grateful to CXK, who have done a great job with the garden. It is something to remember Kevin by as he was so important in making us what we are now.’
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Sherwood regeneration Here’s the latest news from Town & Country on the many new homes being built and also being planned in Sherwood at the moment………. Phase one progress We are now halfway through our 18-month build programme for phase one of the Sherwood redevelopment. New homes for phase one will be handed over in stages. The private sales homes handover will start in November this year and the affordable rented homes will be handed over from December 2013.
Phases two and three progress As many of you who attended will know, a series of consultation events took place between October 2012 and February 2013 showing our proposals for these phases. The consultation events were very well attended and we received some great feedback. Following these events a planning application was submitted, the plans included: • 1 20 new homes at Silwood Close, including 41 homes for older people – creating traditional streets that are well overlooked, that have private gardens and secure parking
The final plans are hopefully to be considered by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Planning Committee on 7 August.
Burslem and Clifton Road We have consulted with local residents on our plans to redevelop the eight existing flats on Clifton Road. These flats have become unpopular over recent years, and have proved difficult to let. They cannot be adapted if the needs of residents change, and acoustic and thermal insulation does not meet modern standards. We have considered several options including refurbishing the block to bring it up to standard, but the layout makes it very difficult to upgrade and it is also not cost effective.
•N ew TN2 Community Square – improving the community square and making it the heart of the neighbourhood
A planning application has been submitted to build five three-bedroom terraced houses that fit in with the existing houses on the street. These plans got a positive reception at the consultation events we held.
•N eighbourhood Park – providing a variety of spaces with different play and amenity facilities for all ages
We are expecting a decision from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council planners in August.
• ’ Activity Route’ – creating a pedestrian friendly route that links the TN2 Community Square with the Neighbourhood Park
We are also continuing to explore the options available to redevelop the Burslem Road garage site and will give a further update in the next edition of Your Sherwood.
The plans also included proposals to build new retail units for the three existing retailers located on Greggs Wood
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Road. However, the retailers have now decided they would prefer to stay where they are. Based on this decision the plans have been amended by converting the proposed retail units into residential flats. A further consultation event has been held to inform local people of the changes to the scheme design.
YOUR SHERWOOD JULY 2013
1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments
n...
Garages 4 Bedroom - 6 persons Houses 3 Bedroom - 6 persons Houses 3 Bedroom - 5 persons Houses 2 Bedroom - 4 persons Houses 2 Bedroom - 4 persons wheelchair accessible Houses
Want a new Lakewood home? Are you, or would someone you know, be interested in moving to one of the new Lakewood homes? The first set of homes at the old Kemble Close site, are due to go on sale soon. Open market sale A total of 24 of the homes are going to be sold on the open market. There are: • 4 x two-bedroom houses • 15 x three-bedroom houses • 5 x four-bedroom houses They are plots 5 to 16 and plots 28 to 39 on the map. If you are interested please contact Savills on 01892 507005 or visit www.lake-wood.co.uk Help to buy: Don’t forget you may be eligible for the Government’s ‘Help to Buy’ equity loan. Through this scheme you buy your newly built home with at least 75% of the cost met by a mortgage and a deposit of at least 5% of the purchase price. The rest is paid for by the government through an equity loan scheme. You won’t be charged loan fees for the first five years of owning your home. Help to Buy equity loans are open to both first-time buyers and home movers on new-build homes worth up to £600,000. For more information about help to buy please visit www.gov.uk
Shared ownership There are a total of nine homes available for shared ownership. There are: • 4 x two-bedroom houses • 5 x three bedroom houses They are plots 19 to 27 on the map. To register your interest please contact Town & Country’s
Sales and Marketing Department on 01892 501677 or email sales@tchg.org.uk Shared ownership: This is also known as ‘part-rent/part buy’ and is an ideal way for people to get a foot on the property ladder. You take out a mortgage to buy part of the house - typically between 25% and 75% - and pay a discounted rent to Town & Country on the other portion. If your circumstances change in the future you can buy a further share in the property.
Renting If you are interested in renting a Lakewood home then more details will be published in the autumn edition of Your Sherwood.
Improvements to the Lake As you may also have noticed, Sherwood Lake has undergone a considerable facelift. A number of improvements have been completed including a new spillway, a bridge over the spillway and a new pathway to the woods and lake from Greggs Wood Road. In the last edition of Your Sherwood we mentioned that there had been some concerns from local people over the water level of the lake. The water is at a stable and safe level now and we are pleased to say those who raised concerns are now happy. All we need now is some good summer weather so you can really enjoy it! To find out more about what is going on at the lake and woods over the summer turn to pages 14-15.
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Firefighters appeal for a ‘safer summer’ With longer days and hopefully warmer weather, the summer is an exciting time for children and teenagers, but it can have its dangers. Here Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) remind us of how you can ensure your children stay safe during the long summer holidays. It’s natural to want to get outside with friends and family and make the most of the mild weather. But throughout the season KFRS is called to more and more rescues sparked by the hot weather, particularly to children in difficulty. Children and teenagers are often fascinated by fire and this becomes a particular danger during the dryer summer months. Grass fires are frequent and often the result of
‘We want people to enjoy the outdoors but every year fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside, crops and wildlife habitats. While some fires are started deliberately most are actually down to carelessness. Outdoor fires can spread very quickly and divert crews away from other incidents such as road crashes where lives may be in danger. Water also poses a danger. It’s natural to want to cool down in the heat, but young people are often unaware of the dangers. Whether it’s the unknown depth of a stream or the hidden currents at the seaside, things can quickly go wrong. We are appealing to adults to sit down with their families and talk about the risks and follow our golden rules for keeping your family safer this summer.’ KFRS Community Safety Manager Stuart Skilton
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experimenting with fire. From the red hot barbecue in the garden to their first camping trip, a combination of inexperience and curiosity can often put them at risk. Keep your family safer this summer by following our golden rules: ! Adults, set a good example! Behave safely and responsibly! Fire: ! Never use accelerants such as petrol on barbecues ! Never leave a barbeque unattended ! Never cook or smoke inside tents ! Always make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished ! Never leave lighters or matches around – they can be a temptation to children ! If you are worried about your child’s interest in fire contact us about our Fire Setters Team. Water: ! Be aware of your children’s limitations – for example, how confident are they in the water? ! Don’t jump or dive in, as the water can be far deeper than it looks – with unseen hazards ! Never swim near weirs or locks as there are usually dangerous currents ! Even inland waters can be very cold, no matter how warm the weather. Be aware that this can quickly cause cramp and breathing difficulties. For further advice on how to keep you, your family or a neighbour safe from fire or water call Kent Fire and Rescue Service free on 0800 923 7000 or go to www.3breaths.info for more information.
Please remember that building sites are very dangerous places, particularly outside of working hours. Although we make every effort to ensure that our sites are as safe and secure as possible, we ask for your co-operation in keeping everyone outside the site perimeter at all times.’ Note to parents:
Health and Safety on site With the homes at Kemble Close now well underway Hill Partnerships give us a reminder of the importance of staying safe around the building site: ‘Our top priority at Hill is to create a safe environment for the community and look after the safety of the workforce. Health and safety is always our number one focus and, as I hope you will notice in time, great effort will be taken to ensure that the site and its surrounding area remain tidy and clear. Maintaining a tidy site is crucial in maintaining a safe and productive site.
Machines on construction sites often look very interesting and exciting to play on. These machines can be very dangerous and must only be operated by trained professionals wearing protective clothing. Please make sure that your children stay safe, especially with the summer holidays approaching, and do not attempt to enter the site compound. Facts & figures • No reportable accidents on-site to date • P erforming well above the compliance level for the Considerate Constructors scheme • 20% local labour and procurement If you have any queries, please contact Hill’s Resident Liaison Team: 0800 032 6760, or email residents@hillpartnerships.co.uk.
Holiday health hazards
• Watch out for stinging nettles, but if stung a dock leaf really does neutralise and cool the skin.
Summer’s here, schools are closed, and it’s time for holiday frolicking. But be aware of the hazards that could ruin the holidays, and keep your family safe with these tips:
Sunburn and heat exhaustion • Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm when it’s at its strongest, but if you do go out walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and cover up with loose clothing and a widebrimmed hat
Danger! Water! • Never let your child near any body of water without strict supervision, within grabbing distance, even for a moment – all it takes to drown is three minutes face-down in water • Be alert even in shallow water – drowning can occur in less than an inch of water • Always tip the water out of a paddling pool when children have finished playing in it. Don’t get stung • Smells and bright colours attract insects. Avoid using scented creams, strong perfumes, bright clothing and sparkly jewellery if you’re going to spend time outside • Cover up in lightweight clothing when in wooded areas or grassy fields and spray insect repellent on clothes first to avoid inhaling the fumes • Don’t try to swat wasps and bees away if they buzz close to you – calmly move out of their way • Check your drink before sipping it at picnics and barbecues!
• A pply waterproof sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 each time your child goes out to play. Take special care on areas that are likely to burn, such as the nose, ears, shoulders, and around clothing or bathing suit lines. Reapply every 90 minutes and limit the time spent in the sun • D rink lots of water and cold drinks, but avoid those containing caffeine and alcohol • E at cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content • T ake a cool shower or bath, sprinkle water over your skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck • Don’t leave anyone, including pets, in a parked car. More tips and advice are available at www.nhs.uk
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Sherwood Time Bank Share your time and help those in need If you want to share your time with others in the community and help people with jobs they might normally struggle to do then why not join the Sherwood Time Bank? How it works Sherwood Time Bank launched at the end of June and the idea is simple. A person who requires help with a task – it could be anything from shopping to gardening or dog walking to decorating – makes a request to the Time Bank. A match is then made with a volunteer who has registered with the Time Bank to offer their help and the two are paired together. All new members are credited with ten hours into their time bank at the outset, and time is then debited and credited according to how they use it. For example: • P erson A requests help with cutting their lawn. A match is made and Person B volunteers to cut the lawn, which takes one hour • P erson A is debited the time it has taken – and is left with nine hours in their time bank.
Sherwood Time Bank and donating tickets occasionally. It is hoped more organisations will donate tickets in the future as well. Sherwood Time Bank can also link up with any other time bank registered within the UK. So say, for example, a time bank volunteer has a weekend trip to Liverpool planned, Sherwood Time Bank can link up with Liverpool Time Bank to see if there are any tickets available for shows in that area while the volunteer is on holiday there. Join the time bank! To register, or just for more information contact the Sherwood Time Bank team on 01892 670816 or email handinhandforsherwood@ hotmail.com. You can also find out more on the National Time Bank website: www.timebank.org.uk
• P erson B is credited with the time it has taken – and now has 11 hours in their time bank. Using the hours You can use the hours you have built up to get volunteers to do jobs for you that you require help with. Or you can donate the hours to someone else – they don’t even have to be registered with the group. This enables anyone within the community to benefit from Sherwood Time Bank. Another exciting part is that ‘time banks’ receive donated tickets for events. These are then made available for ‘sale’ to people using the hours they have accrued. Currently Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall is supporting
nd Get your tickets for the Hand In Ha
for Sherwood fundraising event
some who have needed a little hand with p that’s helped hundreds of people grou l loca a is od rwo She for d Han Hand in bedding. extra food, or some warm clothes and lplex on Longfield Road. Sunday 18 August at 6pm at the Bow on t even ing rais fund a ing hav are They ! The event is for over 18’s raffle and a magician to entertain you ic, mus , food , ling bow of es gam eone on the night. For just £15 you get two k colleagues, or you can just join som wor ds, frien r you be can e thes – l only. Teams of six people to bow 670816. wood@hotmail.com or call 01892 For tickets email handinhandforsher
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YOUR SHERWOOD JULY 2013
New home for Skinners’ Kent Academy In 2008 an all-ability school with multi-million pound facilities was a dream. Today it is a reality. Students and staff moved into the brand new £21.4 million Skinners’ Kent Academy (SKA) facilities in the middle of April. Principal, Mrs Sian Carr, reflects on an exhilarating time for everyone involved: ‘We have just moved house – on a grand scale. The first month flew by in a flurry of filing, fixing phone lines and IT installation. Three months later, with the unpacking complete, we can concentrate on acclimatising ourselves to our wonderful new state-of-the-art facilities. Be it the new radio studio, or the drama studio, the many classrooms or numerous breakout spaces, the seven science labs or the design and technology rooms, there are so many new and exciting spaces for us all to explore. Unlocking the building’s full potential over the coming months and years will be a thrill and a great privilege.
FACILITIES: • • • • •
7 science labs A lecture theatre with 3D capabilities Radio studio Drama studio £ 1.4 million pound worth of IT including a multi-media edit suite and wi-fi throughout the building to enable students to use mobile devices • Outdoor learning spaces • 88x61m all-weather pitch • A multi-use games area with three floodlit netball courts and five tennis courts
Despite the logistics and excitement of the move into the new building we have not been distracted from our everyday work; indeed it has inspired us. In just three months students have been on some wonderful outings, taken part in a maths challenge and performed with the London Chamber Orchestra in London. Our Years 10 and 11 have adapted excellently and tackled their GCSE examinations schedule with focus and commitment. In June the Academy hosted four major events including our annual Prize Giving Ceremony, the PTFA’s first fund raising event, a dinner for local Academy heads and Academy Learning Days for more than 500 local Year 5 students. Yes, we are excited. Yes, we feel privileged to have moved into our £21.4 million pound new house – but everyone who knows SKA knows that it is so much more than just a building. It is the people in it that matter, and together we will continue on our journey to ensure that the Academy is the outstanding all-ability school in Tunbridge Wells, of which we can all be proud.’
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The goal? WEMBLEY!!! Back in May a historic event took place in Tunbridge Wells’ sporting history and Your Sherwood editor Steve Mandaluff was there to witness it:
Darlington 1883 (a reformed version of the Darlington team that played in the Conference the season before), but still managed 109 points and over 100 goals.
What do the following football teams have in common? – Manchester City, Swansea, Bayern Munich and Tunbridge Wells? They all played in cup finals at Wembley in 2013 of course!
Tunbridge Wells had the first chance inside ten minutes when Josh Stanford’s effort was pushed away by the Spennymoor goalkeeper. Just a few minutes later Andy McMath, playing in his last game before emigrating to Australia, burst forward and shot over.
May 4 was the day of reckoning as Tunbridge Wells FC made the short trip to the country’s capital football stadium to face Spennymoor from County Durham in the FA Vase Final. The FA Vase is a national competition and Tunbridge Wells fought their way through seven rounds to reach the final. Of 544 teams that entered the 2012-13 competition, the Wells were through to the final two… If you support a bigger Premier League team appearances at Wembley can be a common place thing, but when it is your local team it really is something special. After all, this is a team that usually plays in front of 100 fans, whose players work hard all week, play football for the fun of it and don’t receive a single penny for doing so. Tunbridge Wells won their semi-final on 30 March, and in the following weeks the sense of anticipation for the Final built and built. Banners went up wishing the team well, the sale of club merchandise rocketed and celebrity links to the club were unearthed. (Can we classify fashion designer Karen Millen, whose son Josh Stanford plays for Tunbridge Wells, as a celebrity?) By the morning of 4 May it seemed that most of Kent were shifting en-masse to London. We arrived at the train station in Tunbridge Wells at 11.30am to find it busier than the Titanic’s plumber. It was lined by people of all ages and genders, with the majority of them draped in red and white. After squeezing into the train we began our journey. Tunbridge Wells had sold 11,094 tickets by the end of Friday 3 May. The additional trains that were being laid on would definitely be needed. There was time for a bite to eat and a couple of drinks at Waterloo before heading to Wembley. My stomach was in knots already, so I had no idea how the players felt. The mood at the stadium was fantastic and people were in good spirits on the walk up Wembley Way. Various backslapping and hand shaking took place as old acquaintances bumped into each other in the most unfamiliar of surroundings. A souvenir programme was purchased, the difference being that this time the names listed on the back weren’t Rooney, Ronaldo or Messi – they were Spackman, McMath and Cornell! In the ground the attendance was over 16,000 and the Tunbridge Wells end was packed. The teams lined up for the national anthem and pre-game handshake and then the waiting was over and the game kicked off to a roar from the crowd. Tunbridge Wells knew they faced a tough task. Spennymoor has won their league three seasons in a row, gaining over 100 points in two of the seasons. This season they had finished second to
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That was to be the last Tunbridge Wells saw of the Spennymoor goal though, as the remainder of the half was one-way traffic. Spennymoor took the lead on 18 minutes when their little forward Gavin Cogdon’s looping header beat Chris Olagdogba. Bizarrely, he decided to antagonise Tunbridge Wells fans by celebrating in front of them – his handstand press-up celebration was rather impressive though. At half-time it was 1-0 Spennymoor and, to be honest, it could have been worse. Spennymoor were controlling the game and their efficient use of the ball had the Wells chasing shadows. The second half started in the same manner but then, slowly but surely, Tunbridge Wells came into the game. Where they couldn’t quite match their opponents for ability, they were more than matching them for effort. Spennymoor were still creating opportunities but the difference this half was that Tunbridge Wells were having some of their own. The magic moment came on 78 minutes. The Spennymoor defence couldn’t deal with a right wing cross and it was only cleared to the penalty spot, where Josh Stanford volleyed sweetly back into the unguarded net. Manic scenes followed as the Tunbridge Wells team celebrated en-masse in front of their fans. Back in the game, and suddenly we weren’t just hoping for a draw, we were considering a win! The feel-good mood lasted for all of, well at least three minutes – then Spennymoor, like a boxer stung by a vicious right hander, rose from the canvas to retake the lead. Trying to get back on level terms with just nine minutes left proved one step too far for Tunbridge Wells. They huffed and puffed in the final stages, but never troubled the Spennymoor goal. When the final whistle went Spennymoor deserved their 2-1 victory, but all Tunbridge Wells supporters went home feeling proud of their team. The players did a lap of honour, soaking up surroundings the like of which they would never experience again in their lives. The fans slowly trickled away from Wembley to make the short journey back to Kent. Whilst there were no highlights on TV to watch that evening, it is something everyone involved with will remember for a long, long time.
Tunbridge Wells FC play at the Culverden Stadium on Culverden Down in the Kent Football League. Their league campaign will start in August. Make sure you get down and support them!
Sherwood Carnival a ‘titanic’ success! Clear blue skies, sun, plenty of stalls offering food, drink, clothes and handmade gifts and an eight-foot tall robot all helped make this year’s Sherwood Carnival a roaring success! Star of the show was undoubtedly ‘Titan the Robot’. Titan kept the crowds entertained with his mix of comedy, street theatre and music, proving a real hit with old and young alike. There was also a performance by the Sunset Twirlers Majorettes, as well as lots of other fun and games.
Thank you to everyone who came along!
JULY 2013 YOUR SHERWOOD
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Summer at Sherwood Lak The summer months offer something different again at Sherwood Lake. Pathways around the lake hum with bees and dragonflies, while trees offer a sense of peace as leaves move in the breeze, casting welcome shade from the sun. If you go down to the woods today you will certainly see a few changes! Here the Kent High Weald Partnership (KHWP) tell us what they have been working on lately, and what’s coming up over the next few months:
KHWP will be running further Forest Schools sessions with Temple Grove over the summer term, so if you spot a group of children in red dungarees exploring the undergrowth, you’ll know what they’re up to!
Forest Schools
Focus on water quality
Learning was never more fun! Children from Temple Grove Academy have been taking to the woods like fish to water as part of a six-week Forest Schools programme. Forest Schools sessions make use of nature, and the experience of contact with nature, to help guide children in exploring the outdoors through both play and learning.
KHWP met with Southern Water, the Environment Agency and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council officers during the spring to look at the surface water outfall pipe at Sherwood Lake. Occasionally this outlet has been the source of pollution incidents at the lake in the past.
In a Forest Schools setting, games and activities help children to develop a range of important life skills, such as cooperation, communication, and understanding the needs of others. Hide and seek, shelter building, tool skills, and environmental arts are all enjoyed as part of the programme.
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Both Southern Water and the Environment Agency listened carefully to the concerns raised during the consultation with residents last year on the lake’s future. As a result, Southern Water has offered £1,000 towards the cost of installing a reed bed at ‘Smelly Gap’, as well as ongoing help with water quality testing.
Summer fun at Sherwood Lake There will be a packed programme of summer fun at Sherwood Lake this year. From mud-pie making, to bat tracking and teddy bears’ picnics, our events offer something for everyone! Mud Pies and Mud Faces – Friday 9 August, 11am to 2pm Re-connect with your ancestors, and make art from natural materials. Is that a mud pie peeping from that tree? Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Thursday 15 August, 11am to 2pm Bring teddy for a terrific outdoor adventure before sitting down to a picnic fit for hungry bears! Wild Cooking – Wednesday 21 August, 11am to 2pm Learn how to make a meal of your surroundings. All food will be provided for this fun and informative, family-friendly session. Bat Detective Walk – Wednesday 21 August, 7.30pm to 10pm This special night is for Sherwood’s junior bat detectives, with batty games followed by a bat tracking walk around the lake. Wild Child Workshop – Thursday 29 August, 11am to 2pm Go wild in the woods – learn to whittle, seek shelter from a storm, and cook up a feast fit for a wild child of the forest.
ke and Woods Sausages to the rescue! KHWP had a fantastic day at the lake with the Friends of Sherwood Lake during May, making giant barley straw sausages to feed to the lake! When it breaks down in water barley straw releases a natural chemical that is toxic to algae but harmless to wildlife. The sausages, which have been anchored amongst lilies throughout the lake, will help to reduce the chances of an algae bloom over summer, the effects of which can be lethal to fish and other wildlife.
Would you like to help? KHWP leads regular practical activity days at Sherwood Lake, where you can help to make this beautiful greenspace even better for people and wildlife. On Wednesday 14 August and Wednesday 21 August between 10am and 3pm we’ll be out improving paths and making space for Sherwood’s wilder inhabitants. Why not come along? It’s fun, free, and a great way to see another side of Sherwood.
Call us on 01580 212972 to find out more, or just meet us outside of the TN2 Community Centre to join the fun!
Stop and think – not down the sink! Southern Water have recently confirmed that some pollution found at Sherwood Lake is the direct result of fat collecting in the drains. You should never pour fat, oils or grease down sinks, drains or toilets. It will solidify in the pipes and can cause blockages, flooding and, as in the case at Sherwood Lake, pollution. To help keep the lake pollution-free for everyone:
Do:
Don’t: W ipe and scrape plates, pans and utensils before washing (and put waste in the bin) C ollect waste oil in a suitable secure container A rrange for oil to be collected by a licensed waste collector U se strainers in sink plug holes (and empty contents into the bin)
Put cooking oil, fat or grease down the sink Pour waste oil, fat or grease down the drain Put food scrapings into the sink (place in the rubbish bin) Pour boiling hot water down the sink to try to dissolve fat and grease – it doesn’t work!
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HOW TO GET If you are looking to get back into work, or just want some help moving on in your career, we’ve pulled together some tips and advice that should help!
Help for mums moving on A four-week course aimed at giving a helping hand to mums who want to return to work or education has proved a great success. The free ‘Mum’s Moving On’ course ran throughout April, May and June at Little Forest Children’s Centre. It concentrated on giving mums a chance to think about their future, discuss aspirations and build confidence. It also covered starting and improving a CV, interview techniques and volunteering opportunities. Little Forest Children’s Centre was able to offer the course in conjunction with the Working Futures Partnership following a successful bid by the Friends of Little Forest to the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency for funding. A further course is set to start in September. For more information contact Dawn Grant by calling 07736 946 333 or emailing dawn@working-futures.co.uk Feedback from participants ‘I found this course very useful. It has given me the tools and knowledge to start applying for jobs’ ‘Loved the workshop and Dawn (who ran the course). Found it helpful and loved the fact that Dawn asked us what we wanted from the workshop and helped us to get it’. A further course is set to start in September.
Job club and cyber café ? Are you aged 16-25? ? Don’t know where to look for work? ? Feeling stressed about jobs and careers? ? Can’t face doing that CV? Come along to St Philip’s Job Café for free help and advice on Wednesday mornings 10am to 12noon. It takes place at St Philip’s Church on Birken Road. You can drop in from 10am for a chat and a coffee, or to do your CV. You can even have a free career planning and advice session with a professional careers adviser. Visit them at www.facebook.com/StPhilipsJobCafe - check their term-time opening dates online before going along as they are shut in the school holidays and half-terms. St Philip’s also hosts the Cyber Café on Wednesday mornings from 9am to 11.30am. This is run by St Gregory’s School and is a free IT drop in centre, for anyone wanting to improve their computer skills. Everyone is welcome to either of these free sessions!
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VOLUNTEER! It’s good for your job prospects If you are out of work or working part-time, volunteering can be a great option. From improving your job prospects and employability to learning new skills and meeting new people, it can make as much difference to your life as you can make to others’. Look how volunteering can help you: • Give your CV a boost – research shows that 73% of employers would employ someone who has volunteered over someone who hasn’t. They are impressed by someone who shows a willingness to go the extra mile. Even without workplace experience, volunteering enables employers to see that you have developed the skills they are looking for. And on application forms or at interview you can refer to your volunteering experiences to illustrate the skills you have learned. • Get back into work – if you’ve been out of work for a while through a health condition or redundancy, volunteering can be a great way to ‘plug yourself in’ again. It’s also a good way to fill gaps in your work history or to get a reference if you don’t have one. • Try out a potential career – it’s very helpful to get a taste of the kind of work you think you’d like to do to see if you are suited to it, and volunteering gives you the opportunity to get experience in an area you’d like to work in. • Build relationships – volunteering helps you build links with organisations in the wider community such as charities, schools, and support services, as well as with individuals. • Boost your confidence – you’ll learn and do things you wouldn’t normally get the chance to do – you’ll gain new skills and discover you possess skills you didn’t know you had! Contributing your skills and knowledge to benefit others will gain their respect and enhance your self-esteem. • Meet new people – meeting people you wouldn’t normally get the chance to meet can help develop your social skills – especially if you’ve been feeling isolated – and even change your perspective on life. It can help you feel valued and part of a team. • Have fun! Try visiting www.do-it.org.uk or www.vawk.org.uk Volunteering to find out what volunteering opportunities are available near you.
T INTO WORK Improve your CV Curriculum Vitae, which CV stands for, means ‘course of life’. But your CV shouldn’t be your life history, just a documented overview of your work experience or qualifications. A potential employer will use it to judge your skills, experience and qualifications against what the job requires, and to see if you tick all the right boxes. But your CV will be just one of probably hundreds, so it’s important that it stands out for all the right reasons. There’s no one perfect model for a successful CV, but it should include personal and contact information, education and qualifications, work history and/or experience, relevant skills, achievements, interests or hobbies and referees. It doesn’t have to be titled ‘CV’ or ‘Curriculum Vitae’ – just your name will be fine. And while conventional CVs tend to start with name and address, a braver and more logical approach in today’s job market is to start with a single sentence that summarises what you have to offer and can bring to the role, and to leave your contact details until the very end. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you:
DO Present your CV in a clean, clear and well-structured way with clearly headed sections, type written and printed on good quality white paper Keep it short, no more than two pages of A4 and don’t print back-to-back – instead use two pages stapled neatly. Be concise and relevant – and place the most important information in the top half of the first page Tailor it to the job you are applying for – read the job description first and then try to relate your skills and experience to that role. If you’ve got relevant work experience, skills or qualifications state them in positive, assertive language. But if you haven’t, think about the things you do that can be translated into ‘transferrable skills’ – being a busy mum, for example, can mean you possess exceptional organisational skills, can prioritise and can handle pressure. Be accurate – check and double-check for spelling and grammatical errors. There should not be any! Include interests and activities that show off your skills and demonstrate that you can work in a team or assume responsibility – for example volunteering, coaching a football team, or helping organise community events.
DON’T Don’t leave unexplained gaps in your work history Don’t make false or exaggerated claims Don’t include marital status, gender or age – unless they are specific requirements of the job, this information is not relevant Don’t include passive interests or solitary hobbies as people may assume you lack people skills Don’t forget to include up to date contact details, and a phone number and email address that works. Once you have created your CV don’t forget to update it as you learn new skills, gain new qualifications or change jobs.
Nail that interview! So you’ve updated your CV and hopefully got that all important interview. Below are a few tips to help you make the right impression once you get there: • Dress smartly, speak clearly and confidently • Turn your mobile off • Prepare for the interview beforehand by researching the employer and the job role advertised • Examine the job specification and application form so you can think what type of questions they are likely to ask you… go prepared! • When asked for your skills, quote real examples to demonstrate your understanding and show you have skills for the job • They will ask you why you feel you are suitable for the role, so go prepared with an answer • Take your time answering the questions, make sure you understand and keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you • Sell yourself, be positive and do not lie • Prepare some questions you will ask at the end of the interview – this always shows keenness and willingness to know more about the organisation. Do not ask about wages or perks! • When asked about your weaknesses, turn this into a positive…. ‘I’ve often been told I’m a bit of a perfectionist’ is actually a strength. Be honest and actually speak about any weaknesses and how you have overcome things. Remember, the interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself, so try to relax and actually enjoy it!
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New youth club at TN2 A new youth club has started running at TN2. It runs termtime only on a Tuesday evening from 5.30pm to 8pm and is for young people aged 11 to 17. It has use of the sports hall, and also the café area for board games and arts and crafts. The club is being run by Voluntary Action Within Kent (VAWK), and has been assisted by a grant from Town & Country Housing Group. Ellen Dunn, aged 12, enjoyed a day trip to Bowles Outdoor Centre earlier this year with the group:
When we went to Bowles, we did kayaking in a swimming pool and made rafts to work as a team. We also did low ropes which was really fun, and zip wiring from a tree, it was amazing but scary, but it was worth it as it was fun! We did sledging and we went fast and it was so funny as we kept on falling off them. The staff were really kind and were helpful.
Robin of Sherwood (in Tunbridge Wells!)
Britain’s most famous outlaw may have actually been from Tunbridge Wells not Nottingham according to research from a historian… Sean McGlynn, an academic at the University of Plymouth and the Open University, has amassed evidence to suggest Robin Hood is based on William of Kensham, a largely forgotten 13th century forest bandit from Kent. Mr McGlynn made his claim after carrying out research for his book Blood Cries Afar about the French invasion of 1216. He unearthed remarkable parallels between the folk hero Robin Hood and William of Kensham. These included: • W illiam was living at the time when the Robin Hood legend is believe to have emerged • W illiam wielded a longbow – the weapon most associated with Robin Hood • W illiam and his band of 1,000 men had taken to the Kentish Weald after the French invaded Southern England. The invaders eventually left in 1217, but William and his army harried them so effectively it was recorded that Prince Louis (the French leader) feared sending men into the Kentish forest. They
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for more information... contact Isobel Standen 01732 454785 isobel.standen@vawk.org.uk
would raid the French forces and Mr McGlynn believes they returned property stolen from the locals, robbing from the rich to give to the poor. William most probably did visit Nottingham. ‘It’s almost definite that William visited Nottingham Castle because it was the nearest thing to Royalist headquarters’ explained Mr McGlynn, thus explaining how the legend may have been relocated from the South East to the East Midlands. William was rewarded for his service with the job of Warden of the Seven Hundreds of the Weald, and settled in Kensham, near Tunbridge Wells.
Profile on… Meghan Rae Elizabeth Edwards Meghan has lived in Sherwood, with her family, for her entire 16 years. She has often given up her own time to volunteer for various community grou ps such as the Sherwood Events Team, which runs a number of fun activities including the Sherwood Car nival. Meghan has recently completed her GCSE’s and is now helping out as a volunteer at the TN2 Commun ity Centre until she returns to further education in Sep tember. What is the best thing about Sherwo od?
All my family live in the area
What was the first song you bought ?
One Direction – One Way Or Anothe r (Teenage Kicks), because it was the Red Nose Day charity single When are you happiest?
When I’m asleep
What is your favourite TV programm e?
What’s the best advice you have eve r received? And who gave it?
The Big Bang Theory
What is your favourite piece of mus ic?
If unsure, wing it. From my Grandm
Any song by One Direction
What do you want to do as a career?
What is your favourite type of cak e?
other.
Lawyer
Chocolate fudge cake
What was the last book you read?
Where would you most like to live
Goodnight Mr Tom
New York, USA
in the world?
What has been your greatest achieve men
t?
Getting through school successfully What would you do if you won the lottery?
Buy a house and One Direction
What three things would you take with you to a desert island?
An iPod, a Kindle and Harry Styles
What was your most embarrassin g mom
ent?
When I tripped down the stairs in the middle of full school assembly What is the trait you most dislike in you
rself?
I’m too loud and annoy myself som
etimes
What is the trait you most dislike in oth
ers?
When people are two-faced and dish
onest
What is your favourite film?
Foreverland
If you would like to suggest someone we could profile in the next issue please email yoursherwood@tchg.org.uk or call Steve Mandaluff on 01892 501446
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Regular events
Dates for your diary
Tuesdays 2pm to 4pm TN2 Library
Work Club Take advantage of free access to computers and the internet for job searching. The library has books you can borrow that can help you in your search for work
Tuesdays 10am to 10.30am TN2 Centre
Baby Bounce and Rhyme A fun way to help your baby or toddler (aged under 3 years) develop a love of language. Join in with nursery rhymes and action songs. Session last about 20 minutes
Alternate Tuesdays 12noon to 2pm TN2 Centre
CAB Surgeries Get free, independent and confidential advice from a trained adviser Call 01892 533 880 for exact dates
Tuesdays (term time only) 5.30pm to 8pm TN2 Centre
TN2 Youth Group Sports, board games and arts and crafts for 11 to 17 year olds
Wednesdays 9am to 11.30am St Philip’s Church
Cyber Cafe Improve your IT ability at a free cyber café. A crèche is available
Wednesdays 9.30am to 10.30pm Housing Surgery Turn up to discuss any tenancy related issues you may have with your Housing Manager. TN2 Centre No appointment necessary Wednesdays (term time only) 10am and 12noon St Philip’s Church
St Philip’s Job Café Support and advice with searching and applying for jobs for those aged 16 to 25
Third Wednesday of each month Kinship Carers Support Group Help for those raising children who are not their own, due to the parents being 12.30pm to 2.30pm unable to do so themselves. Come along for a chat and support Little Forest Children’s Centre Thursdays 2pm to 3pm TN2 Centre
Hop, Skip and Jump Fun sessions using resources such as trampolines, parachutes, slides and rockers, tunnels and tents etc. For under 5’s
Every four weeks (next date Saturday 13 August) 11am to 4pm TN2 Centre
Lakewood Community Bootfair Market Having a sort out? Short of cash? Do you make your own crafts? Come and sell at this community event. £6 per table or £10 a market stall. Free to browse
Second Saturday of each month 12noon and 2pm St Philip’s Church
‘Ladies of a Certain Age’ This group of ladies over 50 meet to share a spot of lunch and spiritual discussion
Sundays 11am to 1pm Trebilco Close herb garden
Help at the herb garden! Help look after the community herb garden at the bottom of Trebilco Close – new volunteers always welcome!
Designed by WriteMessage.co.uk and sandstonecreative.com
Special dates Wednesday 31 July
Creepy house reading activity at Sherwood Library Call 01892 537639 for more information
Thursday 1 August
Deadline for Love Where We Live nominations
Wednesday 7 August
Final plans for phases two and three of the regeneration to go to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Planning Committee
Friday 9 August 11am to 2pm
Mud Pies and Mud Faces Re-connect with your ancestors, and make art from natural materials
Wednesday 14 August 10am to 3pm
Practical Activity Day Make the woods and lake even better by helping improve paths and making space for local wildlife
Thursday 15 August 11am to 2pm
Teddy Bears’ Picnic Bring teddy for terrific outdoor adventure and enjoy a picnic fit for hungry bears!
Wednesday 21 August 10am to 3pm
Practical Activity Day Make the woods and lake even better by helping improve paths and making space for local wildlife
Wednesday 21 August 11am to 2pm
Wild Cooking Learn how to make a meal of your surroundings. All food will be provided for this fun and informative, family-friendly session
Wednesday 21 August 7.30pm to 10pm
Bat Detective Walk A special night for Sherwood’s junior bat detectives, with batty games followed by a bat tracking walk around the lake
Thursday 29 August 11am to 2pm
Wild Child Workshop Go wild in the woods – learn to whittle, seek shelter from a storm, and cook up a feast fit for a wild child of the forest
WWW.SHERWOODPLAN.COM YOUR SHERWOOD is brought to you by the Sherwood Plan partners: Town & Country Housing Group, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent County Council; the agencies leading on key themes – K College, Kent High Weald Partnership, and the Primary Care Trust and the Team Sherwood resident representatives who we thank for their time and enthusiasm.