SO Tunbridge Wells_Feb10 by Staying in Going out

The 2010 Power List MEET THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS

JAMIE OLIVER SCHOOL MEALS IN HIS SIGHTS AGAIN T HE POWER LI ST 201 0

ASTON MARTIN

SPEED UP WITH THE RAPIDE

ROMANTIC GESTURES 10 WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU

Emily Blunt PREPARES TO REIGN AS QUEEN OF THE BIG SCREEN

ISS UE 23

FEBRUARY 2010 £1.50 WWW.SOTUNBRIDGEWELLS.CO.UK

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£1.50 STIL L

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A £2,000 DIAMOND RING

Hello... We live in an interesting part of the world. Indeed, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area has the lot; all the right shops and services, a stunning countryside plus a fascinating mix of people that help make the place tick. And it’s some of those individuals that we recognise in this issue with our 2010 Power List. In all, we name 15 people who for a variety of reasons impact our daily lives. They range from the ‘rocket man’ who is taking us into space to the woman who influences our wardrobe. Who do you know who’s on the list? In this issue we also recognise Emily Blunt, you’ll remember her from The Devil Wears Prada. This is going to be a breakthrough year for the young Brit who we believe is one of our finest actors. Meryl Streep, by the way, agrees with us. Another familiar face gracing our pages is that of TV Chef Jamie Oliver who dons a cowboy hat and tells us how he met up with some Indians. Talking of which, on our Confidential pages there’s word of a local Indian restaurant, (we know it’s from a different continent), that’s been given a big thumbs down. But which restaurant is it? And, of course, we couldn’t possibly publish in February without a mention of St Valentine’s Day. But this is no passing reference to romance. We’re giving you the chance to win an amazing £2,000 diamond ring for your loved one. On top of that we find out what Harrods’ bath towels have got to do with selling your home, take a look at the new four-door Aston Martin, highlight the best of the new season’s fashion trends and preview the most exciting event of the month – Tunbridge Wells Fashion Week. Phew! It’s almost too much to believe.

SoTW

info@sotunbridgewells.co.uk For full contact details see Page 14 february 2010

February

tunbridge wells

Inside your

Issue…

THIS month YOU SHOULD…

Buy skinny leg jeans, get free tickets to major attractions and listen to Corinne Bailey Ray

SO TELL US… Has anyone else noticed how much more helpful and friendlier people are in bad weather?

NOW FOR THE NEWS

TW CONFIDENTIAL

Making love is good for your heart, a bookie declines to pay a £7million snow bet and two men attempt to steal timers from under police noses.

All the gossip and rumours that have been passed our way, like the Indian restaurant that’s been given the thumbs down and the TV celebrity out with the kids and no make up.

THE 2010 POWER LIST We name the Tunbridge Wells people who most impact and influence our daily lives including the ‘rocket man’ and the clergyman who wants to take us to the seaside. How many of these people do you know?

43 Cover

Feature: TO BE BLUNT

Described by Meryl Streep as one of the best young actresses she’s ever worked with, Emily Blunt is set to be crowned Queen of the Big Screen. Find out why.

FASHION INSIDER

february 2010

We take a sneak peek at the latest high heel toe curler and offer an alternative to all those plastic bags.

UNDRESS TO IMPRESS

A timely look at some of the beautiful lingerie guaranteed to boost anyone’s confidence.

SPRING WATCH

The low down on what’s hot and what’s not as the new trends land on the rails post the sale season.

57 INSIDE LEG

Movie star spies and country gents provide the inspiration this month along with a few well timed accessories.

108

TUNBRIDGE WELLS FASHION WEEK

It’s finally here, the biggest event in the town’s fashion history with all the top local boutiques showcasing their new collections. You really won’t want to miss this one. CHILD’S PLAY What the junior fashionista should be wearing; whirling dervish fluffy chiffon skirts.

WIN A £2,000 RING It’s Valentine’s Month and here’s your chance to win an amazing gift for your loved one – or yourself! And it couldn’t be easier.

Cover and article images: Emily Blunt courtesy of Celebrity Pictures.

co n te n ts

99 99

MORE FOR OLIVER We catch up with TV chef Jamie Oliver to ask where he’s heading next after the successful opening of his Brighton restaurant.

105 EDUCATIONAL VALUES

Kent College Headmistress SallyAnne Huang explains how a Chinese take away for 100 people epitomises the culture of the school.

108 FAMILY BOND 67

THOSE SPECIAL MOMENTS With romance in the air we look at 10 unique ways to say “I love you.” Each one’s a winner.

Cosying up in front of a fire is one of those little seasonal pleasures that almost makes winter worthwhile.

THE HARRODS’ TOUCH

TWIN SET

THE GALLERY

HEARTH OF THE MATTER

If the need for a four door car was the only thing stopping you getting an Aston Martin your worries are over. Cash in those shares.

114 THE CROSS ARTIST

Roy Cross is a name you might not know but it’s almost certain you’ll know about his work. Intrigued?

Award-winning estate agent Mary Stanley reveals the secret of selling your home in a tough property market.

As the longest running musical Blood Brothers heads for town we talk to its creator Willy Russell about how it all started.

Our regular look at some of the interesting work on offer in Tunbridge Wells that you might like to grace your home.

f ebr u ar y 2 0 1 0

tunbridge wells

3 Cumberland Walk, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1UJ Tel: 01892 616103 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

Account Manager Amy Lawson amy@magazinepeople.co.uk

Contributors Valerie Thacker Harriet Louvelle Sally-Anne Huang Sarah Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara Mark Turnbull Mirror Image 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

february 2010

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS

This month you should…

Read...

We’ve mentioned the brilliant Sony e-reader before in these pages, but here’s a rather special version – a limited production James Patterson edition with his thriller Cross Country pre-loaded onto it. Owners of this particular ‘digital book’ will also be able to download his new Alex Cross crime novel Worst Case, before its general print release. Sony’s ﬁve inch screen has been purposefully designed to mimic the look of ink on paper, to minimise eyestrain. This version is £199 from sony.co.uk

Wear...

Skinny leg jeans just got skinnier. The new Super Stretch jeans from denim experts Citizens of Humanity can be dressed up or down, but the big feature is the 35 per cent ‘stretchability’. They ﬁt like they were made just for you and simply don’t get baggy. They’re available in three different washes, so you can have a pair for day, for night and for shopping trips! £219 at Kitch on TW High Street 01892 513613

Listen...

Corinne Bailey Ray bounced to fame in 2006 with her summer anthem Put Your Records On from her self-titled debut album. This month she’s back with the follow-up album entitled The Sea. The ﬁrst single from the album I’d Do It All Again is already a hit in the download charts and with the calibre of bluesy-pop showcased on the rest of the album, expect a few more award nominations to head Corinne’s way by the end of the year. £8.99 from HMV. com or £7.99 from iTunes.

FEBRUARY 2010

THIS MONTH

Cook...

You either love them or hate them… AGAs. And if you’re a fan you should know that The AGA Shop in TW will be holding two sessions titled A Day in the Life of an AGA on February 2 (6.45pm) and February 3 (11am). Cooking specialist Deborah Miller will talk through the different ways to get the best out of your AGA or Rayburn. She’ll highlight a few techniques you may not have thought of, making it a great opportunity for all owners (even prospective ones) to pick up a few tips and hints on the legendary AGAs, an abbreviation of the company name, Aktiebolaget Gasaccumulator. Classes cost £20; 01892 530781.

View... Project...

Printing out photos is just so passé. Who wants to crowd round a PC screen or even the camera just to see your most recent shots? Luckily Nikon have come up with a very modern solution to this very modern problem; the new Coolpix S1000PJ digital camera has a built-in projector which means you can literally take your photographs and then immediately project them onto any ﬂat surface. Just keep an extra set of batteries handy… £389 from Jessops.

Order...

Always keen to report on the epitome of posh pens, we bring you the Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2009, the barrel of which is woven from pure horsehair. And if you think this sounds exclusive, wait until you ﬁnd out that every single one is woven by hand. To create the ﬁligree pattern seen here, the hairs are carefully selected for colour and uniform thickness, then approximately 175 hairs are individually interwoven for each inch of fabric. On request, a pen can be

Gary Shelford is coming to the Trinity Theatre Tunbridge Wells (February 11) with a quite incredible show. He undertakes a solo production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, which he performs with nothing more than a wooden box, some interesting sound effects and his quite brilliant vocal dexterity. Orwell’s wit and humour of the satire shines through creating 110minutes of thrilling theatre. This is something for young and old fans of the book alike. Tickets are £12; 01892 678678 or visit trinitytheatre.net

specially made from the tail hairs of your own horse. The price for such bizarre luxury? £2,200 from tombow.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Rent... Based on Audrey Niffenegger’s best-selling novel of the same name, The Time Traveller’s Wife is released this month on DVD. This highly anticipated film sees Eric Banner as Henry DeTamble who is thrown through the years by a genetic disorder which sees him time-shift when stressed. Rachel McAdams costars as his long-suffering wife in what is a touching romance. Don’t take the negative comments of the critics as gospel, as with this film personal tastes very much dictate the film’s reception. Available from The Foyer, £3.50 a night.

Enjoy... Here at SoTW we’re delighted to be media partners of this year’s Kent Big Day Out, so make sure you download your free tickets to one of the many attractions from February 26 onwards. Organised by Explore Kent the activity day will take place on Saturday March 27 and is designed to show off the best attractions and destinations in the county. You can have an adventurepacked day at somewhere like Go Ape at Bedgebury Pinetum (pictured), or simply relax and take in the views at one of the county’s stunning castles or grand houses. Check kentbigdayout.co.uk for a full list of attractions.

Scuba...

If you’re thinking of scuba diving on holiday then don’t go away without taking your PADI course (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) before you depart. Why waste valuable days of your holday taking the course when you could get it all sorted before you leave home. The open water course in Tonbridge takes four days and will equip you to scuba dive unsupervised all around the world, be it on the sunny reefs of Australia or the sandy bays of Thailand. Visit dive-machine.co.uk or call 01732 773553.

Perform...

You should make your way to the East Sussex National Golf Resort later this month, no matter what the weather! The resort near Uckﬁeld is staging another Opera Interactive evening where guests can get involved in performances, essentially becoming part of the entertainment themselves. It takes place on Sunday February 28 and follows the huge success of a similar Evening of Song black-tie event last year. With popular songs from the opera along with some classical and cabaret, the evening promises to once more be a great night. Tickets cost £50 and include a four course meal. Call 01825 880191 or visit eastsussexnational.co.uk FEBRUARY 2010

L D E

BEAUTIFUL FLOORINGS AT SALE PRICES

Where you will find one of the largest selections of quality carpets, pergo laminates, amtico,and structured wood from woodpecker all at lower prices during our sale period. We promise to help you make the right choice to suit your home and your budget, with professional fitting and advice. Please telephone for a free measure and estimate. Appointments for home selection available.

RUGS UP TO HALF PRICE

Fashion Carpets 42 High Street Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN11 1XF Tel: 01892 528676 Also At Sidcup, Bromley And Welling

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T U N B R I D G LE EW T TE EL R LS

SO tell us... YOUR LETTERS PAGE

SOTW WINNING LETTER OF THE MONTH:

Sir, Has anyone else noticed how much more helpful and friendlier people are when it snows heavily? They smile and say hello as they plod along in their wellies, push or tow your car when you get stuck, hurry over when you slip and even offer to

Charlotte Meyers (Tunbridge Wells) Ed: A valid point. But we’re not talking normal street collections to which few object.

If your letter is chosen by the Editor as the Letter of the Month, you’ll win a Bespoke Aromatherapy Massage at THE CHAPEL worth £75

get your shopping in their 4x4. Then the snow disappears and they go back to being “normal”. Part of me wishes it would snow more often. Louise Watson (Via email) Ed: You must have different neighbours to the rest of us (actually, you’re right!).

Sir, Perhaps your readers can tell me why there’s only one Monopolies Commission? James Thwaite (Crowborough) Ed: Found a left over Christmas cracker have we? Sir, I read a story in your news page on doctors being warned about the perils of flirting with patients. Amusingly, on the following page there was Dr Hilary Jones from GMTV surrounded by attractive women at a local charity event. Seems Dr Jones didn’t receive the memo. Dave Scott (via email) Ed: Those ladies were not his patients so, hey ho!

Sir, I have just returned The Chelmsford Citadel* from visiting my mother in Chelmsford, Essex, where last year a new citadel was built for the Salvation Army. It’s a stunning building, not to everyone’s taste but simply incredible to behold. I then flicked through the pages of your magazine to see a picture of the Tunbridge Wells Salvation Army hall. Doesn’t quite live up to its Essexian counterpart does it? Annie Smith (Goudhurst) Ed: It’s what’s inside that counts. Besides, you hit it on the head when you mentioned “taste”. 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.

FOECBTROUBAERRY 220001 0 9

* Project: Hudson Architects; Image: Keith Cole

Sir, My daughter was a “chugger” in Tunbridge Wells while on her Summer break from university. I fail to see Jeremy Warburton’s problem (January) with such methods used by modern charities. Doesn’t he realise that without street collections many important charities would fail, meaning more suffering and less good work being done here and in developing countries. I think he may be being a little short-sighted.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

And now for

The News… OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT SOME OF THE STORIES, LIGHTHEARTED AND SERIOUS, MAKING THE HEADLINES Good news for: HOSPITAL VISITOR

A Tonbridge pensioner has been reunited with her car after parking it while visiting her husband at the Kent and Sussex Hospital and then forgetting where she had left it. It was six weeks before the Vauxhall Astra was eventually found in a nearby street. Members of the public called police after they issued an appeal for help. The husband was later released from hospital and is recovering at home.

LOVING MEN

Men who make love at least twice a week can almost halve the risk of heart disease, according to new research. It shows that males who indulge in regular romance are up to 45 per cent less likely to develop lifethreatening heart conditions than others who have sex once a month or less. The study, of over 1,000 men, shows love-making to have a protective effect on the male heart but did not examine whether women also benefit. Researchers who carried out the investigation are calling for doctors to screen men for sexual activity when assessing their risk of heart disease.

BIRD FANCIERS

Kent has finished in the top five places in England for the sighting of rare birds… and has now been dubbed a twitchers’ paradise. Fifteen rare birds were recorded in the county during 2008 putting us in fourth place behind Yorkshire (20), Norfolk (17) and the Isles of Scilly (16). The figures have been released by the British Birds Rarities Committee. A tufted puffin (pictured) was spotted, for the first time in Britain, on The Swale. Other sightings in Kent included a green heron, an Audouin’s gull and a fan-tailed warbler.

Bad news for: DIM DUO

Two men have been arrested after allegedly attempting to steal lighting timer switches from under the noses of a police crime prevention unit. The pair were apprehended after security staff at the B&Q store on TW’s North Farm Industrial Estate noticed them appearing to pocket the goods and

SNOWY PUNTER

The bookmaker Ladbrokes has avoided paying out an accumulator bet worth £7.1million to a man who wagered snow would fall on Christmas Day, because the bet was accepted by mistake. The punter, believed to be from East Sussex, placed two winning £5 accumulators on snow falling across 24 towns and cities in the North and Midlands on Christmas Day. But staff at the bookmakers took the gamble against company rules which state such a wager can only be a single bet. The company has honoured the relevant single bets and paid out £31.78. It has apologised to the man for the mistake.

walking out towards their car. Unfortunately for the men, police officers were set-up directly outside B&Q as part of a crime prevention unit, ironically giving away the same products chosen by the duo. The men were later released on bail. Commenting on the men one officer tells us: “Unfortunately the lights were on but there was no one in.”

STRANDED DRIVERS

Police in Kent arranged for vehicles abandoned in heavy snow on the A229 Blue Bell Hill near Chatham to be towed away, leaving owners facing hefty recovery bills. Angry motorists say they had to pay £150, plus £20 extra for every-day stored, in order to get their cars back. Police say they contracted recovery agents to remove 18 vehicles so that gritting lorries could clear the West Kent route. Motorists claim they were not blocking the road and that they were doing the right thing by continuing their journey on foot.

FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE SHOPPING CENTRE TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN1 2SS 2ND FLOOR, UPPER MALL ADJACENT TO FENWICK STORE

0754 606 3506

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F ebru a r y 2 0 1 0

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

WHO

NOTHING OUR ATTEESCAPES NTION

was the councillo r pressing for his road to be giv en priorit y when it came to snow clearanc e and g ritting? He didn ’t get it !

Which

two self-p roclaimed looking fo entrepren r possible eurs are venues to open a w atering h ole that truly reﬂects th e town’s ‘Ro yal’ status? W ord is they’re respondin g to pleas from the late-nigh t crowd for a high end place to g ather.

WHICH

big time TV celebrity, much in the news right no w, went unrecognised as she traip sed round Sainsbury’s with a full trolley, three kids and no make up? She a host of ex later won tra admirers, though, when she pic ked up people stranded in the snow and drove them home in her 4x4. She wa s staying at her mums.

WHY

were staff at a law ﬁrm somewhat surprised when they called in to say they were stuck at home in the snow? They were informed the day off would count as holiday. They’re now checking their legal rights. Meanwhile a leading retailer advised staff that if they left work 30 minutes early to avoid being trapped in the snow they’d be deducted an hours pay. JE F AB N RUU AAR R YY2 20 01 01 0

Who was the

UFO spotter to report an alien object ﬂoating in the sky over Calverley Park at 23.58 hours on December 28? He claims it was a bright orange circular light that was

WHY

are staff at one of our major local businesses worried about job security? Because they’ve been told that company spending must now be limited to under £100 per transaction. Seems the restrictions have been imposed by outside interests, such as banks.

deﬁnitely not a plane or a lantern.

TT UWN B CR O INDFGI D E EWNETLI A LS L

town eaterie, close to Why should an outfulofabo ut where it orders

a lot of shops, be care it took the edge its meat from in future? Because of 20 butchers out t nigh off a big post Christmas wait up to two to them ing and their friends by forc nished before ﬁ e wer them hours for food. Some of e. plat a of t others had even had sigh

WHO was the elderly lady that took a collection of coins to be valued, after clearing out the drawers in her bedroom at home, to be informed that one of them is so rare it’s worth around £20,000? She told the valuer, at the top end of town, that she does not want any publicity “in case my children ﬁnd out about the money.” WHICH Indian restaurant, that believes it’s among the best around, is feeling the heat after being given the thumbs down on one of our most reputable blog sites? The restaurant reviewer took into account the quality and freshness of food plus level of service, and awarded it just two stars out of a possible ﬁve. Most hurtfu l is the fact that another local eating establishment, servin g a rival national cuisine, recently received four stars!

WHY did the famous TV comedian lose his sense of humour in Tunbridge Wells the other day? Because he almost collided with another car near ? Mount Pleasant while driving his shiny Mercedes. UR k O After coming to an abrupt halt the comedian, UM lls.co.u R once part of a double act and known for IAuLgh idgewe T his surreal humour, wound down his N o r window and expressed his views IDEow thrsotunb F in a totally unscripted fashion. ONus knntial@ C t Passers by were impressed. Le nﬁde co FJ EA BN RUARY 2010

POWER LIST

The

2010 POWER LIST

THERE’S A CORE OF PEOPLE IN EVERY TOWN WHO, IN SOME SHAPE OR FORM, INFLUENCE EVENTS AND LIFESTYLES. HERE WE NAME SOME OF THOSE VERY PEOPLE IN AND AROUND TUNBRIDGE WELLS

by Richard Moore

FEBRUARY 2010

Sponsored by

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

In 2008 we published a Power List which identified local people who most impacted and influenced our daily lives. It was the first time such a list had been produced. This month we review and update that list. People have gained a place on our list for a whole host of reasons. They might be at the heart of local politics or involved in protecting our quality of life. They might encourage an interest in the arts and theatre or work with young people. They might provide jobs, take care of our health needs or be entrepreneurs or clergy. Whatever their contribution to our community each individual on our 2010 Power List has been identified by SoTW researchers as someone special. In compiling the list we have talked, over the past three months, with people whose opinions and judgements we value. Out of that research has come a list of 15 names of those who make a significant and measurable difference to our world; people who are successful and stand out from the crowd which is one of the reasons that London Golf Club is again sponsoring the Power List. The club, near Ash, is itself recognised as a “world class venue” and was the home of the prestigious European Open in 2008 and 2009. We talk to the people on the list about w hat’s happening in our town and also ask some of them a couple of extra questions, such as: ■ If you had a magic wand what single thing would you change or create to make Tunbridge Wells a better place to live? ■ You receive an unexpected windfall of £10,000. On what would you spend the money? The answers make fascinating reading… including the idea of relocating Tunbridge Wells to the coast, purchasing a pedigree Sussex bull and staging a St Valentine’s dinner for lonely hearts. You’ll be surprised who wants to play cupid! ➢

2 Sponsored by

FEBRUARY 2010

Christopher Nevill 6th Marquess of Abergavenny

Christopher George Charles Nevill, 6th Marquess of Abergavenny, is one Christopher of our biggest land owners and a real heavyweight when it comes to old aristocracy power and inﬂuence. A Marquess stands below a Duke, yet above an Earl. Educated at Harrow, he lived and worked in Hamburg in the 1970’s where it is said he “developed a more global perspective.” He inherited the 3,000 acre Eridge Park, which is reported to have 100 cottages and homes worth in excess of £50million, when his uncle died in 2000 with no surviving male heir. The private country estate has been in the hands of the Nevill family since the Norman Conquest. He also succeeded as 10th Earl of Abergavenny and 10th Viscount of Nevill in the Peerage of Great Britain and 6th Earl of Lewes in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The Marquess of Abergavenny, seen talking to HRH Duke of Kent, rarely makes public statements and attempts to retain an element of privacy around himself and his family. When he does speak, others tend to listen!

POWER LIST

Sponsored by

ROY BULLOCK MBE Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Being Leader of the biggest political group on the council (the Conservatives) makes Councillor Roy Bullock the most inﬂuential person in town. As the senior elected member on the authority his views and thoughts touch much of our daily lives. He provides direction and drive for the borough and plays a lead role in the strategic policy and budget aims of the council. Roy Bullock is a key ﬁgure in the council’s relationships with central government and works with both public and private partners to ensure the delivery of services to our community. Not much of consequence happens in this town without his knowledge and input. So, Council Leader if you had a magic wand what would you change to make TW a better place to live? “For a Council Leader to admit he needs a magic wand to get things done is a career threatening admission. However, in the spirit of good journalistic practice – never turn down the opportunity to make your voice heard – I offer the following: “I would like a large dowry of both capital and revenue funding that would enable me to redevelop and operate well into the future, the cinema site. “The facilities would include a new theatre; a cinema with at least six screens; an ice skating rink; places for young people to chill out and some good healthy eating places

ALASTAIR TOD Chair of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society

Not a name that is always in the headlines but certainly one that deserves recognition. Alastair Tod is on our list as head of the non-political Civic Society – a vital body that represents the interests of all of us living and working in TW when it comes to the environment, building projects, road developments and pure ‘quality of life’ issues. It’s Alastair Tod and his colleagues who monitor Town Hall activity in an effort to protect our interests, our heritage and our culture. If you had a magic wand what would you change to makeTW a better place to live? “Too many candidates for a magic wand! Redesign the (town centre) cinema site with public access and get it developed. Restore public access to the Town Hall and open it up as a centre for the community. Reshape the town centre with people in mind and rebuild the bandstand (in Calverley Park) for public events.“

at reasonable prices, plus a collection of niche retailers catering for all ages!” What would you do with an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “Send invitations to all the lonely hearts in the Borough to come to a dinner dance at a local venue on St Valentine’s Day in the hope that some of the participants would be able to cast that loneliness aside at least for the evening and just maybe for longer with new friendships.” And what of 2010? “It’s the year we all will have to start repaying the horrendous National Debt of some £1.4trillion. “This Council is in a strong position to fight the aftermath of the recession and I’m confident the difficult, but necessary, decisions we have made will leave us stronger for 2010 – and beyond. “Very few people saw the recession coming but those who have taken corrective action in the early days will emerge leaner, fitter and stronger than ever before and I place the Council as being one of those. “Residents will be affected in different ways. Some will have benefits cut, others will see reductions in take home pay. Growth of the economy will be very low and it’s likely unemployment will continue to increase; everyone will be struggling to balance budgets and it’s likely the retail sector will see sluggish growth. “We will do all we can to help. Our Gateway is well placed to help those in difficulty with housing, with debts and with unemployment. Working with our partners we will help you to find a solution. “Tunbridge Wells is, and always will be, a great place to live, the people that live in the borough make it this way and I am proud to live amongst them.”

What do you mean by “reshape the town centre with people in mind”? “We need more space for people – wider pavements and better paving, control of advertising boards, restrictions on delivery times, more seats etc, and a general redesign of Upper Mt Pleasant. “There should also be a purge of unnecessary and unmaintained signs along with, if possible, more pedestrian streets, help for independent retailers, better street furniture and lighting suited to a historic town. Space and facilities for public events and community activity is also needed. “These things need not be expensive if planned over time, with a sense of commitment beyond that which comes from individual commercial developers. “Keeping the Town Hall building (which might disappear) is the acid test of what the Council wants.” What would you do with an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “Start the bandstand fund.”

FEBRUARY 2010

TH B E EA BA T N K

In ve R st eg in is E te n r w Pr ith ime us ur no 200 w 9. ! *

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BWI, your partner for wine It takes time and skill to nurture the development of each wine, experience and knowledge to create the best quality and a high standard from each vintage. At BWI we apply the same reasoning, and the same approach to ensure we can provide the very best quality service to our private clients. Over many years we have built enviable contacts and relationships with the chateaux and negociants of Bordeaux. This enables us to provide the highest quality advice throughout the year, and specifically during the En Primeur season: • Sourcing • Broking • Cellar Building • Investing We offer exclusive opportunities to purchase highly sort after and unusual wines and formats, such as 2007 d’Yquem Nebuchadnezzar’s. Whatever your requirements from Bordeaux, BWI can provide you with a high quality service. Offering the right advice, the right sourcing, at the right time delivered to you from our team of professionals. Speak to our wine specialists: Simon Quinn Direct line: 01732 749 027 simon@bwiltd.co.uk Martin Lea Direct line: 01732 749 028 martin@bwiltd.co.uk

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content of this advertisement should not be solely relied upon to make a financial * The investment and does not in any way constitute financial advise. The value of a wine

may fall as well as rise. Always consult your professional financial advisor before taking JANUARY 2010 investment decisions.

POWER LIST

Sponsored by

GLENN DOUGLAS CEO NHS Trust

Healthcare touches all of our lives and the quality of service and treatment we receive through our hospitals is very much in the hands of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; the man in charge of that on a day-to-day basis is Chief Executive Officer Glenn Douglas. The Trust has responsibility for three main hospitals – Kent and Sussex, Pembury and Maidstone. It also provides services to hospitals in Crowborough, Uckfield and Hawkhurst. Each year Glenn Douglas and his team are responsible for a budget getting on for £300million and a staff of more than 4,000 which handles in excess of half a million patients. Their biggest challenge has been overseeing the development of the new 512 bed hospital being built at Pembury at a cost of £277million, which represents one of the biggest healthcare changes in our town for decades. The aim is to remove the present problems of overcrowding in hospitals and the dilapidation of buildings; both the subject of much public comment over the years. It’ll be 2011 when the first patients are treated at the new Pembury facility where every person will have their own single occupancy room which is designed to address “key issues such as privacy, dignity and infection control.”

Executive KEITH Chief AXA PPP GIBBS healthcare

With 1,800 staff, AXA PPP is the biggest employer in Tunbridge Wells which makes it a major contributor to the local economy and well-being of the town. It is also one of Britain’s leading medical insurers looking after five million members at home and abroad. AXA PPP is headed by Keith Gibbs a maths graduate from the University of Kent who during the Summer led a company wide review to improve operating efficiency, “without having to make widespread redundancies.” This year AXA PPP celebrates its 70th anniversary... “We’ve come a long way since the early days when around 50 employees administered benefits on behalf of our members from Hermes House along St John’s Road. Today our 1,800 staff work across five sites in the town.” What would you change to make TW a better place to live? “A better integrated public transport system would help improve the town’s environment and reduce our carbon footprint. When it comes to reducing our own carbon footprint, we had a pretty successful 2009 having been recognised by The Sunday Times as one of Britain’s 60 Best Green Companies.” What would you do with an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “We have a year-round programme of activities to support the fundraising efforts for a number of charities so this windfall would be very welcome for those causes. We raised £20,000 for our chosen charity for 2009, MacMillian Cancer Support, and during the Summer 400 employees participated in 36 challenges to help local groups and causes.”

GREG CLARK

Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells

If political commentators are to be believed, then Greg Clark is a man going places. Since being elected as our MP in 2005 he’s worked hard on constituency matters while at the same time raising his proﬁle and credibility on the national stage. As the shadow energy and climate change secretary he attended the UN’s Copenhagen conference in December and if the Conservatives win this year’s General Election he’s likely to end up with a seat on the Cabinet. Indeed there are some who will tell you that Downing Street in the next decade is not beyond his reach. Certainly he is our most powerful man

nationally and wields much influence in the town itself with local decision makers regularly seeking his views on major issues. So, if you had a magic wand what single thing would you change to make TW a better place to live? “Tunbridge Wells is already a great place to live, but the biggest single improvement I can think of would be to sort out the traffic congestion that we’re becoming famous for – starting with dualling the A21. I’m confident, though, that we won’t need a magic wand to achieve it. I’d also love to see the cinema reopen at the heart of the town. You receive an unexpected £10,000 windfall. What would you do with it? “Sorry to be a bit boring, but I think I would save it. Actually I’m not really sorry, saving more is something the whole country needs to do – starting with the Government.”

FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

MARTIN WILSON Police District Commander for Tunbridge Wells

The Chief Inspector is in charge of neighbourhood policing for an area stretching from Capel and Bidborough in the North down to Sissinghurst and Hawkhurst in the South. His challenge is to ensure that TW remains a “safe place to live and work.” To help achieve this he’s introduced some new ideas, since being appointed towards the end of last year, such as: ■ A Neighbourhood Task Team of six additional officers who go into parts of the town and villages where problems have been identified. ■ Giving out vouchers, redeemable in local shops, for good behaviour as part of ‘positive ticketing.’ ■ Using ‘restorative justice’ for minor incidents and first time offenders who are brought together with victims to apologise and make amends, like paying for damage. What would you change then to make TW a better place to live? “Difficult this one as I’m a real fan of our town as it is… though I’d like to see a small town centre cinema.” And how would you spend an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “With £10,000 extra I’d probably sponsor some of our youth provision in the town. Local voluntary and community organisations do a great job working with young people and are often short of funding.”

Sponsored by

FEBRUARY 2010

Simon HumeKENDALL Biusinessman

This is a man with an impressive pedigree. On the political front he’s Chairman of Tunbridge Wells Conservatives and Deputy Chair of Kent Conservative Party which puts him very much at the centre of local politics. His business interests include Bewl Water and Lamberhurst Vineyard; he’s been voted Kent Entrepreneur of the Year and has completed a three year term as President of the Bayesian Society, a social group of bankers, accountants and lawyers. What then would you change in TW to make it a better place to live? “If I could wave a magic wand it would be to resolve the trafﬁc problems of Tunbridge Wells and a Tram system running from the Fairground car park up to Royal Victoria Shopping Centre would do much to bring the two ends of the town together and make life easier for residents and visitors alike.” What would you do with an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “I have just had a £10,000 windfall and intend to use it to provide new playground facilities at Lamberhurst and Sherwood Park Primary Schools.

POWER LIST

Sponsored by

Will Whitehorn President of Virgin Galactic

The influence of Will Whitehorn extends way beyond Tunbridge Wells… to the very frontiers of space itself! His work at the space tourism company of Sir Richard Branson will impact our lives for generation to come. Quite simply the man who lives on a small farm between Frant and Wadhurst, has been charged with shooting for the stars. He’s President of Virgin Galactic a US business engaged in developing a new technology; an airlaunched space system for taking people and commercial payloads into space. Test flights are expected to start later this year with commercial activity in 2011-2012. If you want to experience space travel it’ll cost you around £120,000 and during the trip you can float in zero gravity enjoying views of space and earth stretching 1,000 miles in every direction. In addition to his work at Virgin, where he has been a board member since the early 1990s, Will Whitehorn is Chairman of a quoted company called Next Fifteen Communications which is “the world leader in global technology public relations.” Back down here on earth, what would you change in TW to make it a better place to live? “I’d like to see a sensitive re-development of the far end of The Pantiles to continue to improve the vibrancy of this end of town. I love The Pantiles and especially the lovely Cassa Vechio/Grey Lady restaurant.” How would you spend an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “I would buy a pedigree Sussex Bull to join the tiny Whitehorn Herd of pedigree Sussex cows on my farm.”

DAME KELLY HOLMES Athlete

Winning two Olympic Gold Medals at the 2004 Athens Games gave Pembury born Kelly Holmes the chance to “voice my opinions to powerful people with things I am passionate about.” And one of the things closest to her heart is helping youngsters to do something positive with their lives through sport. For three years the Hildenborough resident toured the country “inspiring and motivating children and teachers to spread the word about the importance of physical education and sport.” It was part of her role as National School Sports Champion, a Government created position supported by the Youth Sport Trust. Today she is building on that work through the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust that has recruited a host of retiring or retired sporting heroes. It’s hoped these will play a key role in developing sport across the UK, helping to nurture talented young performers as well as working with youngsters of different backgrounds to help them find and believe in their own talents. Dame Kelly says:”I believe passionately that everyone has a talent. They just have to find it and elite sports performers can be a great stimulus for young people to find and discover their own talents.” She also tells us:”My charity is working alongside the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon on February 28. If you would like to run and support us, please do get in touch through kcr@dkhlegacytrust.org”

FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BERIC WEBB Businessman

Surely ranked among the most recognised business figures in town, Beric Webb recently stepped down as President of the West Kent Chamber of Commerce. He served as President for two years during which time he played a key role in “stimulating the success and development of members and their businesses and providing a forum to influence developments in the local community.” Beric Webb opened shop in Tunbridge Wells some 20 years ago as a sole trader. Today he heads two separate companies in the town, named after him, providing Independent Financial Services and General Insurance. How do you read the coming months? “We have a General Election due and this will lead to a certain amount of economic uncertainty. We’re much more fortunate though than many parts of the UK in the strength of our community and this is reflected in the business community as well. The big concern is how any Government will raise sufficient monies to both service and subsequently redeem the tremendous borrowing that has been incurred. “As a town, Tunbridge Wells will survive although we may lose a few more familiar faces.” What single thing would you change to make TW a better place to live? “I would like to see the Cinema project completed. Even as a “boarded up” entity it’s still an eyesore in the town centre which will do little to encourage visitors, or more importantly repeat visits. The money spent on the project would also help the local economy but has to be found from somewhere.” How would you spend an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “There are so many good causes I would probably share it. Kent Air Ambulance does a tremendous job and anyone of us might benefit from them. Help for Heros does a great deal to support injured service personnel and deserves every piece of support we can give. I’d also support local charities that help homeless people – many of whom are ex-service personnel that have difficulty coming to terms Sponsored by with life outside [the forces] and end up on the streets.”

FEBRUARY 2010

HARRY COLLINS Crown Jeweller

The Royal Family have favoured Tunbridge Wells since Queen Henrietta ﬁrst visited in 1630 which makes it all the more appropriate that today we can lay claim to the title of ‘Town of the Crown Jeweller’. Harry Collins, one of the best known ﬁgures in our community, is head of the small, family business of G Collins & Sons in the High Street, its only establishment. Along with other associated duties, the role involves the care and maintenance of the Crown Jewels housed in the Tower of London. According to a previous holder of the title it demands “the highest standards of craftsmanship, dependability and discretion” and is “no sinecure but the greatest honour that can be bestowed on any jeweller.”

ANNE HORTON Managing Director of Hoopers

She started as a trainee Sales Executive at Harrods 34 years ago. Today if you live or shop in Tunbridge Wells, Anne Horton is likely to influence what you buy for your wardrobe and what you buy for your home. But she’s not just the Managing Director of our local Hoopers’ store; she’s the driving force behind all five independent department stores, along with the three separate menswear outlets, that make up the chain. Aside from Tunbridge Wells, there are others in Torquay, Harrogate, Wilmslow and Carlisle. “I could have worked out of any of those stores but chose Tunbridge Wells because it’s the most appealing location,” she says. Hoopers is primarily a fashion related business with a product line largely comprised of upper middle market to premium brands. It also caters for home interiors. “Given the fact we’re quite a small company in the world of department stores, I get to work with every part of the business,” says Anne Horton, one of those behind the first Tunbridge Wells Fashion Week.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

F ebru a r y 2 0 1 0

POWER LIST

Michael Elliott Actor

Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells plays a vital role in the cultural life of the town and is acknowledged to be one of the leading venues in the South East. Among those who deserve to take a bow for that fact is Michael Elliott. He and his wife Caroline were, in 1981, founder members of the theatre and have directed and acted in many of its productions. He took the part of Scrooge (pictured) in A Christmas Carol and is now on the Board of Trustees of Trinity which is seen as the cultural hub of our town. Michael Elliott has been General Administrator at the National Theatre, run the top entertainment law firm Denton Hall and been Head of Theatres for Bill Kenwright, a leading West End producer. He turned professional actor in 1994, has more than 500 West End performances under his belt and eight years ago founded Bitesize Lunchtime Theatre which has so far mounted 20 productions. With Trinity facing a financial crisis, he offered his services as Artistic Consultant in the hope that his wide business and theatre experience could lead Trinity towards a firmer footing. He tells us: “A year ago Trinity was in financial trouble. In twelve months that has been turned round by a tremendous volunteer effort, by fundraising and by massive public support with audiences up 33%. “But we need to keep on fighting to repair the hole left in our finances caused by our loss of grants - and that means continued backing from our community.” If you could change one thing to make TW a better place what would it be? “While one thinks of the macro, say better parking, more practically I would wish for a rehearsal centre for amateur actors. The contribution they make to the town with regular and popular musicals and plays without subsidy, deserves better rehearsal facilities. At present they trek between unsatisfactory church and community halls. They have earned the right to expect something better, and only the Council can help.” And what would you do with an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “I would spend it on solar panels. There would be no payback in my lifetime but I would be making a contribution to the environment and there would be something benefit for my grandchildren.”

REV HOWARD FLINT Vicar of Christ Church

He trained as a secondary school teacher (mainly PE and English) and spent 15 years in classrooms before swapping the ‘blackboard’ for the pulpit. Howard Flint was ordained in 1997 and is today working literally at the heart of our town as Vicar of Christ Church – the “Church on the High Street.” Since his arrival three years ago the congregation has tripled, although Howard Flint would much prefer people simply say it has “grown signiﬁcantly.” Christ Church has a High Street café that acts as a bridge between the Church and the Community and is the focal point for the inter-denominational Street Pastors’ project which involves working during the night in the town centre to make sure young revellers get home safely. What’s given you the biggest buzz so far at Christ Church? ”The turnaround in many people’s lives through prayer and the Holy Spirit working in people. Perhaps acceptance is the way that God’s love is being actively shown.” What single thing would you change in Tunbridge Wells to make it a better place to live? “The coastline of England, so that Tunbridge Wells retained its proximity to London but was now also situated on the coast. It would have sandy beaches, a harbour with boats and a port for travel to the Continent. Parking and public transport would be free with trams available to all parts of the town.” And what would you do with an unexpected £10,000 windfall? “The town badly needs secure overnight accommodation for homeless persons. Consequently, individuals often sleep rough in one of the parks, car parks or business frontages. I would use the money as ‘seed corn’ and attempt to generate further monies to provide a place for such ‘non-referral’ accommodation.” Our thanks to London Golf Club for again sponsoring the Power List. The club is one of the country’s finest golf, leisure and business venues and is situated off junction 3 of the M20 near the village of Ash. For more information call 01474 879899 or visit londongolf.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Stephen Venables, In The Steps Of Shackleton

Charley Boorman Live

Sat 13 March

Mon 15 March

Dennis Locorriere & Andy Featherweather Low

Mark Beaumont, The Man Who Cycled The World

The Sorcerer: Opera della Lunaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand new production of Gilbert & Sullivan

Debbie Reynolds, Alive And Fabulous

Tue 23 March

FEBRUARY 2010

Fri 26 March

Wed 17 March

Sat 10 April

Blunt

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

WORDS DAN SMITH

TO BE

MERYL STREEP DESCRIBED HER AS ONE OF THE BEST YOUNG ACTRESSES SHE’S EVER WORKED WITH. AND THIS YEAR EMILY BLUNT IS SET TO PROVE IT WITH A QUARTET OF FILMS THAT WILL SEE HER REALLY HIT THE BIG TIME

ight now Emily Blunt is perhaps best known as the bossy and condescending Emily Chalton in The Devil Wears Prada (2006), but in 2010 we’ll see the 26-year-old Brit burst onto centre stage as she stars alongside some of the acting world’s biggest names. Her werewolf thriller Wolfman (2010) with Benicio del Toro is currently wowing cinema goers around the globe and three further films are in the pipeline for later this year (Wild Target, The Adjustment Bureau and Gulliver’s Travels). They’re all crammed with co-stars who will join the growing list of high flyers that Emily has already worked with, such as Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Judi Dench and Susan Sarandon to name but a few. And it just so happens that the latter two are particularly flattering of her work. Emily is also currently in a long term relationship with John Krasinski, one of the best-loved characters in the American version of The Office. Simply put, Miss Blunt is heading onwards and upwards and it looks like 2010 is going to be her best year yet. But despite being Hollywood’s up-coming British darling, she very nearly never made it. Between the ages of eight and twelve Emily had issues with ‘verbal non-fluency’. “I couldn’t talk as a kid because I stammered all the time,” she says. “So I would just watch… I’m fascinated by human behavior.” ➢

FEBRUARY 2010

E M I LY B L U N T

FEBRUARY 2010

tunbridge wells

Back then her mother was keen to see Emily conquer the problem before her adult life and so enrolled her daughter in relaxation classes. These attempts were largely unsuccessful, but after four years of suffering with the condition, solace finally came from an unlikely source. When she was 12, a school teacher asked Emily to act as someone else and adopt a regional accent. She attempted a broad northern English accent and found that while impersonating other people her stuttering ceased. That was the moment an actor was born. With her stammering problem resolved, Emily resumed her privileged upbringing in the London suburb of Roehampton. Her father Oliver Blunt was, and still is, a very successful barrister (he was the fourth highest paid in Britain in 2007, bringing home close to £1million in that year alone) and so with substantial financial backing, Emily was educated at private school. She excelled at almost everything she turned her hand to; becoming a grade-8 cellist, a strong singer and a talented actor, as well as being academically gifted. Acting quickly became not only a vehicle to regular speech patterns and communication, but also a hobby and she added it to her growing repertoire of talents. “I’d love to be exciting and say I was the rebel at school, but sadly I wasn’t,” says Emily of her childhood. At the age of 16 she enrolled at the prestigious Hurtwood House boarding school (which has an impressive drama department) and almost waltzed straight onto the West End. By 18 years old she had carved out a niche as an excellent period actress and found herself performing opposite Dame Judi Dench in a stage production of The Royal Family (2001) in Edinburgh. At the time, she had just six months of formal acting training under her belt. Throughout the early years of the noughties, Emily continued to build up her reputation on stage and eventually broke onto the big screen in the UK indie film

F ebruary 2 0 1 0

My Summer of Love (2004). Despite the film’s difficult subject matter (a teenage lesbian crush in the English countryside), Emily proved more than capable of depicting the manipulative teen protagonist, even though the role was at odds with her more thespian roots. Adding more big names to her list of co-stars, 2005 would see Emily alongside Bill Nighy and Miranda Richardson in the British TV drama Gideon’s Daughter and then, the following year, came her breakthrough - The Devil Wears Prada. This was the film that brought Emily to large, mainstream audiences including the American market which subsequently shot her to fame: “We’re revered,” she says of being a British actor in America. “We must all be related to Shakespeare or something, by the way people react… You can get away with a lot with this accent over here [in the USA].” Emily had to ensure she was stick-thin for the role which saw her play a venomous New York fashionista, but says she doesn’t enjoy the pressure in America for size-zero actresses and models: “I feel the fear of the business creep under my skin in L.A. in a way that it doesn’t in England,” she said. “It’s funny - I feel like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, unless you’re in Hollywood!” It’s also been reported that Emily and the film’s star, Anne Hathaway, would cry on set because they were so hungry, having to become “painfully thin” for their parts. None-the-less Emily was highly praised for her performance and improvised many of her lines, competing with co-star Stanley Tucci to see who could be more over-the-top in their scenes together. The flamboyant Tucci has since admitted that Emily won “hands down”. The following year saw Emily in Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts - you may be beginning to notice she has a knack for working alongside some serious actors. ➢

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E M I LY B L U N T

FEBRUARY 2010

“I’m so lucky with co-stars,” says Emily. “I feel like I’ve worked with people who have their stuff figured out. I feel really lucky. And I learn from them every day – every single day.” Perhaps Emily’s biggest project to date came in 2009, when she portrayed Queen Victoria, starring in The Young Victoria, a part she thoroughly enjoyed: “I really felt it was one of those parts to play. A character with such gravitas. I loved that the script was really focused on a dysfunctional family more than royalty. I thought it was a fresh look at her and royalty… she’s a young girl, she’s in way over her head… she’s in love and she’s a teenager.” Emily has managed to cultivate a bit of a squeaky clean image, avoiding the pitfalls of many of today’s actresses. Just how has she managed it? “Well, you wear underwear,” is the response. “That helps.” But despite Emily’s successful, albeit modest, filmography it’s likely that 2010 will turn out to be her most lucrative year yet. Wolfman is set to be a major spring blockbuster and will furthermore cement her place in the minds of the American audience. Moving forwards, a film adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels is in the pipeline and is due for release at the end of the year. Emily will play the Princess of Lilliputia in a version of the classic that may upset purists of Jonathan Swift’s original satire; early reports mention a cast mainly comprised of comic performers, led by Jack Black as Lemuel Gulliver. “People who are very loyal to the book I’m sure will have their qualms about the fact that we’ve made this a kind of romping comedy,” says Emily. “But it’s still very funny.” When prompted on the fact that she’s played a lot of regal characters recently she jovially remarks: “I’m obviously only taking on roles where people have to bow to me. I mean, that’s literally all I’m doing right now. Queens or princesses, so take your pick.” Others involved in the project include British actors Billy Connolly, Catherine Tate and James Corden (best known as Smithy from the BBC comedy, Gavin & Stacey). The jury will be out on this one until well after its release in December 2010. Also due for release this year is Wild Target (2009), a comedy in which Emily will be back alongside Bill Nighy, who plays an assassin on the verge of retirement, with Rupert Grint (aka Ron Weasley from Harry Potter) as his apprentice. Filming was completed last year, so keep an eye out for release dates. And if all that isn’t enough, Emily’s managed to bag a leading part in The Adjustment Bureau opposite Hollywood big-hitter, Matt Damon. “It’s based on a Philip K. Dick short story that has a sci-fi element to it,” she says. “But it’s supposed to be a modern love-story about two people destined to be, against the system – the slightly Big Brotheresque system. My character happens to be a world-class contemporary dancer, and that’s hilarious because I cannot dance.” Like many British stars that make it big, Emily’s not quite ready to leave Blighty for good. Currently she splits her time between L.A with boyfriend John and London, where her family still reside. But we have a feeling that she’ll be keeping an eye on our side of the pond for some time because right now she’s one of the best leading ladies in the land… and quite rightly SO.

tunbridge wells

FINAL REDUCTIONS SALE ENDS SOON

Tunbridge Wells - 0 1 8 9 2 6 1 4 0 0 0 Chislehurst - 02084 676 661

February 2010

fashi o n

Fashion Editor Melissa Woodland on what you need to know

this month... Carry On

Reddy or not

Red lips are back and there’s a shade of red out there that’s juast right for you. If you are fair skin and light hair, look for a red with yellow or orange undertones. If your skin is darker, a blue-based red will have more impact. Don’t be afraid to try out different shades until you find your perfect match. Rouge Dior Replenishing Lipcolour £21 Fenwick, TW.

If you’d like to cut down on your plastic bag consumption, but still want to look good, Lulu Guinness has got the solution. She’s designed an exclusive range of nine tote bags for House of Fraser featuring her signature prints, such as the Cameo and Lips designs. Practical, lightweight and stylish, they’re perfect for your next shopping trip. £50 from House of Fraser Bluewater 0844 800 3708. houseoffraser. co.uk

Walk this way

Ask us...

Next month we’ll be drawing on the expertise of local stylists, boutique owners and fashion pros to get answers to your style questions. If you need to know how to pull off a certain look or don’t know what to wear for a special occasion, send your query to melissa@magazinepeople.co.uk

With the excitement of Tunbridge Wells Fashion Week this month (see page 58) it would be easy to overlook the other catwalk shows scheduled to take place in February. Designers Burberry Prorsum, Matthew Williamson, House of Holland and Nicole Farhi will all be showing their Autumn/Winter Collections at Somerset House during London Fashion Week, which takes place between February 19th and 24th. londonfashionweek.co.uk

Sneak Peek

High fashion comes at a price. And this season’s price is getting a little chilly around the toes. Peeptoe boots are a big look for 2010. Wear them now with skinny jeans if you don’t mind a little frostbite! Camilla Skovgaard suede cut-out boots £355 net-a-porter.com

d e s s e r d n Uto ess

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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Cleo ue basq , £34 g thon nia £12, Petu t a , l a e r Lep k, b ng and ic o Fenw W th pender T sus 157 set £ com . myla

k Blac hite w d n a a k br chec riefs b , £16 S, M& £8, TW

ke Sna t in r p skin £16, bra , g £6 thon raph g Auto & S, at M TW

er Clov d e d a p d 22 £ a br ts shor , 2 1 £ l at Lepe ck, i Fenw TW

FEBRUARY 2010

AND ODL DS WOR ISSA WO MEL

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FEBRUARY 2010

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t up new visi on st t t of pr yli o s th es st alo is en Si n ad ta an wi th ve tio rt n

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FA S H I O N

spring 1.

WITH A MYRIAD OF NEW TRENDS LANDING ON THE RAILS POST SALE SEASON, WE THOUGHT WE SHOULD GIVE YOU THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT

WATCH 1. Slow(er) Fashion

The last decade saw the rise of fast fashion. With low cost on-trend pieces readily available through high street retailers, the fashion-conscious could really keep their look up-to-the-minute. As the ﬁnancial climate continues to change, the style-savvy are shopping less frequently, but selecting a few high quality pieces to update their wardrobe.

2. Narciso Rodriguez

2. Deconstructed fabrics

Forget neatly ﬁnished seams and tidy pleats. This season sees frayed, roughed up or slashed fabric adding character to classic cuts and traditional shapes. Inject a little edginess to your work wardrobe. Max Azaria

3. Epaulettes

Philip Lim

Military style stays with us through Spring, but think fewer buttons and more detailing on the shoulders to keep your outerwear current.

4. Jumpsuits

Anna

Some thought this 70s revival was Sui just a passing phase, but this year jumpsuits are going mainstream. Practical in a casual jersey fabric or perfect for a night out in a luxe silk or satin, but always wear with heels. ➢

FEBRUARY 2010

Badgely Mischka

Burberry Prorsum

5. Statement necklaces

If you haven’t bought one by now, get yourself to the shops. A strong necklace will help you make an impact with even the most pared-down of outﬁts. You’re missing out!

Narciso Rodriguez

6. Nudes

Easier to wear than this season’s other big colour trend – white, soft Neapolitan shades of putty, palest pink and rich cream allow the fabric itself do the talking. It’s about pairing complementary tones not making a statement with colour.

7. Sheer fabrics

Not a look for everyone, but a hint of skin through sheer sleeves or a chiffon overlay adds ﬂuidity to an outﬁt. Combined with the other key trend which sees underwear worn as outerwear, this cheeky look will get pulses racing.

Dennis Brasso

8. Decadence

Rufﬂes, frills and fringing. We’re not looking for clean lines this season, we want to see details. Ruching and rufﬂes can be forgiving, hiding problem areas with style. And if you don’t think you’re brave enough to wear fringing, consider a slouchy leather handbag with a fringe trim.

9. Florals

How would we know it was Spring without the emergence of new blooms? The Spring/ Summer catwalks were a veritable garden of ﬂowers, from abstract ﬂora- inspired prints to individually appliquéd blossoms. The High Street is following suit.

10. Low-to-no heels

10.

After months of teetering in skyscraper heels, our feet can breathe a sigh of relief. Though vertigo-inducing footwear isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, many fashion houses sent models out in a more comfortable mid-height heel or even ﬂats.

Y-3

FEBRUARY

Burberry Prorsum

THE

GALLERY HAIR & BEAUTY

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TUNBRIDGF E AW SH E LI OL N S

TIMED TO PERFECTION Take a break from traditional cufﬂinks without journeying down the novelty route. The new Mechanical Cufﬂinks from fabstuff.net balance nostalgia with modernity, setting traditional Elgin watch movements in sterling silver.

FIND INSPIRATION IN MOVIE STAR SPIES AND COUNTRY GENTS THIS MONTH PLUS A FEW WELLTIMED ACCESSORIES

Quirky and stylish. £104.95 01293 870037.

SUIT UP Inspired by the leading men of timeless spy movies, Moss Brothers Intelligence range marries classic cuts with modern fabrics and is perfect for the style-conscious among you. The immaculate tailoring is designed to leave you feeling classy, conﬁdent and ready for anything, just like the action heroes who inspired each piece.

Savoy Taylors Guild wide pinstripe suit £598, waistcoat £99, Bengal stripe shirt £50, Purple twill tie £25 all at Moss Bros, Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells.

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH While trends come and go, it’s essential to have a few key pieces in your wardrobe that will look good no matter what’s currently de rigueur. Luxury tailor Crombie never fails to produce those stand out items that lift any outﬁt. Their sports jacket in checked wool offers timeless style, with a nod towards one of this season’s looks – the country gent. Throw it on over jeans or chinos; minimum effort, maximum style.

£450 at crombie.co.uk or House of Fraser, Bluewater.

BAGS OF STYLE Every few seasons or so, the ‘man bag’ is introduced by a design house with the hope that ﬁnally the look will catch on. Sadly, it usually doesn’t. However, one suitably manly bag is selling well. The satchel. It simply doesn’t go out of style. From schoolboys to solicitors, the leather satchel or messenger bag is the tote of choice for those who ﬁnd briefcases a little too formal. Invest in a leather one in warm antique brown or classic black and wear it with pride. It’s no passing trend.

Brymore bag by Mulberry £495 at Hoopers in TW.

IT’S A HOLD UP Finish your casual look with a soft leather belt. Brown works well against most shades of denim, so we’ve picked out this tan number from Diesel. The worn edges give it a well-loved look.

Belt £40, Fenwick, TW and House of Fraser, Bluewater.

DFEECBERMUBAERRY 220001 0 9

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

AT A GLANCE Prices: Fashion show tickets - £15 Gala Dinner - £100 per head Tickets for Hoopers shows: 0189 2 530222 Tickets for Brew House shows: 0189 2 520587 Wednesday February 24: 1.00pm Hoopers’ Fashion Show 8.00pm Old School House Fashion Show Thursday February 25: 1.00pm Old School House Fashion Show 8.00pm Hoopers’ Fashion Show Friday February 26: 7:30pm Gala Dinner Old School Hou se 1.00am Carriages

FEBRUARY 2010

model citizens

TUNBRIDGE WELLS SO THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE TOWN’S FASHION HISTORY IS UPON US – HERE COME THE GIRLS WITH TUNBRIDGE WELLS FASHION WEEK!

ashionistas have been talking about little else but the Tunbridge Wells Fashion Week since plans for the catwalk extravaganza were unveiled at the end of last year. The waiting is now almost over as final line ups are confirmed and rehearsals take place for the events which run from February 24 to February 26. There’s still time though for you to book your seat or actually take part. Models and boutiques from across town will be showcasing their talents in what promises to be a most memorable week hosted collectively by some of the biggest names in the borough; The Brew House Hotel, Hoopers Department Store and So Tunbridge Wells magazine. Already signed up are established top-end boutiques like Country Style, Greens, Kitch, La Belle Femme, Little London and Minimaya. La Belle Femme owner Joanna Edwards says: “It’s a fantastic idea to bring together some of the best known names in the area for fashion and showcase the clothes and models of the town. We’re really looking forward to the events and, of course, the big party on the final night! “Hopefully this will be the first of many such weeks which add another dimension to the fashion profile of the town.” The Director of Greens Richard Plunkett tells us: “This is a great opportunity to showcase the Spring/ Summer collection to Tunbridge Wells residents, some of whom may still think they have to travel to London to buy luxury designer menswear.” The majority of the participating shops are based in what is essentially the independent fashion hub of the town, Tunbridge Wells High Street. It’s down there that the specialist boutiques focus on individual style and design choices, away from the mainstream national brands. The growing list of boutiques will be joining forces with models from the

area to create a truly stunning local spectacle. The week kicks off with a fashion show at Hoopers Department Store on Wednesday February 24, with a 1pm lunchtime performance. At 8pm the show will move down to The Brew House Hotel’s Old School House for a second event. On Thursday February 25, the order of the day will be reversed as the 1pm showing will be staged at The Old School House and the evening performance will take place up the road at Hoopers. Friday night will see a celebratory black tie gala dinner at the Old School House where the evening will include the unveiling of the Face of Tunbridge Wells; a title awarded to the model that most encompasses the ideals of Tunbridge Wells Fashion Week. There will also be a mini-fashion show, performances from local jazz troupe the Swinging Little Big Band, a charity auction and, to round off the evening, a disco. It’s not too late if you’re a male or female model and would like to take part. But you’ll have to hurry! If you dream of a career on the catwalk then contact Kym Hammond at The Brew House Hotel on 01892 520587 or visit tunbridgewellsfashionweek.co.uk to be in with a chance of becoming the Face of Tunbridge Wells. And if you’re a boutique, designer or shop and you’d like to get involved please also contact Kym. Tunbridge Fashion Week is set to be a ground breaking event where you can see the best of the collections on offer from the top boutiques in town. Make sure you don’t miss out! SO

FEBRUARY 2010

C H I L D ’ S P L AY

WHAT THE JUNIOR FASHIONISTA SHOULD BE WEARING THIS MONTH, PLUS WHAT TO SEE AND PLAY WITH Aye Aye Captain An essential for any well-stocked playroom, the dressing up box offers endless options to nurture your children’s imaginations. From superheroes to emergency services, fairies to cowboys, playing dress up allows them to express themselves and increase their self-conﬁdence. They might even ﬁnd their dream job early! We love the Buccaneer Pirate costume from Glittermoon which includes a red and white striped pirate shirt, eye patch, bandana and cutlass. Available in four sizes for children aged 18 months to eight years, it costs from £14.99. glittermoon.co.uk

Sweet Dreams Not many people like going to sleep in the dark, especially if there’s an ogre waiting to leap from your wardrobe and gremlins living under your bed. Keep the monsters at bay with a chic night light. The gentle glow of this friendly duck lamp will let your little ones sleep easy. £45.93 from The Children Salon on TW High Street. 01892 524763

Whirling dervish A new craze in children’s fashion is set to sweep the UK. Already hugely popular in the USA and Australia, Pettiskirts are letting little girls everywhere feel like a princess. Derived from petticoats, these skirts are made from soft ﬂuffy chiffon which means they bounce up and down as you walk and are perfect for twirling in. Team with a simple T shirt and ankle boots for an edgy look, or go all out girlie with pretty tights and ﬂoral accessories. They’re so cute, we want one for ourselves! From £39.99, exclusively available at Just Dresses on St. John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells. 01892 549669 justdresses.co.uk

Baby, baby With babies losing much of their body heat through their heads (not much hair to keep it in yet) a hat is a must have. This beautifully soft 100 per cent cashmere beanie with matching mittens is the ideal gift to keep your favourite baby toasty. Available in blue, pink and caramel priced £24.99 from whiterabbitengland.com

Travelling Light Educational drama specialist The Cat’s Grin Theatre Company returns to TW this month to stage their energetic retelling of Around the World in Eighty Days. Set in 1872, the story follows the tale of Phileas Fogg, who bets his friends he can traverse the globe in eighty days. Accompanied by his faithful manservant, Passepartout, and chased by devious Police Inspector Fix, he criss-crosses the continents in a race against time. To see the performance on February 28 call the Trinity Theatre Box Ofﬁce on 01892 678678. Tickets £5.

FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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Orchard Priory

• Garden design • Landscaping • Oak buildings • Interiors •

www.orchardpriory.co.uk

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FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

WIN VALENTINE’S DAY IS UPON US AND HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN AMAZING GIFT FOR YOUR LOVED ONE

A £2,000 DIAMOND RING

FEBRUARY 2010

ight years ago Paul Toulson and his father-in-law Richard Jones opened a jewellers in Ely Court at Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells - and the pair have never looked back. Toulson Jones Jewellers has just completed it’s most successful year so far selling diamonds. During his 15 years in the jewellery business Paul has developed a real passion for diamonds; it’s a passion he wants to share with you! The independent family company caters for all budgets providing everything from silver items, including charm bracelets, to bespoke diamond pieces. “My passion for diamonds comes from the belief that each stone is as unique as the person who will be wearing it,” explains Paul. And you or your loved one, could soon be wearing a magniﬁcent diamond courtesy of Toulson Jones Jewellers Paul and his team will make a bespoke diamond ring worth £2,000 just like the ring pictured for the winner of this competition. Or if you prefer they’ll use the stone as the centre piece of a stunning pendant. The choice will be yours! “From the day we opened we wanted to create our rings from scratch, offering a personal, friendly service with higher quality stones at an excellent price,” explains Paul. “To do this we go as direct to the source as possible for the materials then do the work ourselves. All stones are ethically sourced and all rings are produced in UK workshops which, in my opinion, are the best.” Our prize stone itself is one of the best, is fully certiﬁed and has its own unique laser inscription reference number. “There are certain things to take into consideration when looking at a stone including what’s called the four ‘Cs’ which are Cut, Carat, Colour and Clarity,” says Paul.

COMPETITION

Here’s what the competition stone is all about: Cut Round brilliant Carat 0.30 Colour D (Highest Grade) Clarity SI2 Toulson Jones Jewellers has plenty of experience meeting individual needs and requirements with 70% of diamond pieces being made to order. “This is a first class stone that will make a ring, or pendant, that someone can feel proud to own,” says Paul. “Because we make all our own rings we’re able to ensure that all mounts sit perfectly together and that the rings themselves are a perfect fit.” You can view the actual diamond that is on offer. It’s currently on display in the window of the Toulson Jones Jewellers in Ely Court at the Royal Victoria Place. While you’re there you might also want to check out what else is available. “Remodelling is a large part of our business,” says Paul,” so if you have a necklace or ring that you’re currently not wearing, we will work with you to create a contemporary item you’ll wear time and time again.” To be in with a chance to make this a truly memorable Valentine’s month all you have to do is fill in the form below and send it to: So Tunbridge Wells Toulson Jones Compeition, 3, Cumberland Walk Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1UJ Or you can simply email your details to: info@sotunbridgewells.co.uk Closing date: Midnight on March 6th 2010, after which the winning name will be drawn at random.

You can ﬁnd Toulson Jones Jewellers at 10 Ely Court, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2SP : 01892 615 477. Or visit them at

toulsonjonesjewellers.co.uk

DURING THE WHOLE OF THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, TOULSON JONES JEWELLERS WILL BE RUNNING A SPECIAL VALENTINE’S PROMOTION OFFERING A 20% DISCOUNT ON

Title (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Other):

ALL ENGAGEMENT RINGS AND WEDDING RINGS… WHICH MEANS EVERYONE CAN BE A WINNER! YOU CAN FIND THE JEWELLERS AT ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email*: Address: Town: Mobile No*:

Postcode: Date of birth:

Gender:

Signature: *By giving your email and/or mobile number you agree to receiving unsolicited emails and/or mobile communications. Please tick this box if you would prefer not to receive postal items There is no cash alternative to the prize and all standard competition Terms and Conditions of the Magazine People Ltd apply. Only one entry per person per household. Entrants must be over 18. Editor’s decision is ﬁnal.

FEBRUARY 2010

Valentine’s

Guide

VA L E N T I N E ’ S

WORDS DAN SMITH

10 UNIQUE WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU THE ONE RESTAURANT Why wait until the Sunday to enjoy ﬁne food, excellent wines and ambient music? On Saturday February 13, the One Restaurant at The Brew House Hotel will be

serving a rather special dinner with Champagne cocktails on arrival, a delicious three-course meal and live music to set the mood. The dinner is just £75 per couple and there’s no need to rush home – book a room.

HARRODS’ CHAMPAGNE Of course, the most romantic drink in the world must be Champagne and rose Champagne is even more special. So, if you’re entertaining one of the most important people in your life, you won’t want to appear like you haven’t put some serious thought into the matter. Hit the nail on the head and opt for this Harrods’ Ruinard Seduction case. With its opulent presentation and perfectly balanced palate, it’s the ideal ﬁzz to quaff with your loved one. £45 from Harrods.

SWEET TREAT Chocolate is known for its sensual and stimulating qualities, so why not incorporate it into your Valentine’s Day? Thorntons have a ludicrous supply of sweet delights ranging from the elaborate to the quaint. These cute ‘I love you’ cups are just £2.50 and will bring more than a single smile to the face of your loved one. They’ll smile once when they receive the gift and again upon consumption! Thorntons, Royal Victoria Place.

BOOK IT UP European Coast and Country is the latest Mr and Mrs Smith hotel handbook and it’s crammed with perfect getaways for the romantic couple out and about on the Continent. This stylish book with amazing photography is guaranteed to have you rushing to get the next plane to mainland Europe for a luxurious, passionate break. £19.95 from Waterstone’s. FJEABNRUUAARRYY 220001 0 9

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

DIAMONDS FOREVER Jewellery might be one of the best ways to say ‘I love you’ but with so much choice out there, how do you decide what to buy the lady in your life? Luckily in this department Burrells the Jewellers have done the hard work. This 18ct rose and white gold heart pendant ring, set with stunning diamonds, is sure to melt the heart of the lucky recipient. Price TBC from Burrells.

PICTURE THIS

THE BEACON If the weekend of February 14 is ﬁlled with delightful spring sunshine then the view from The Beacon is sure to be a treat for the eyes to behold. But step inside and the warm glow of the open ﬁre,

smell of traditional home-cooked food and excellent atmosphere will surely appeal to all ﬁve senses. A special dinner will also be served with a glass of bubbly at £35 a head. It’s the perfect setting for the perfect romantic Sunday.

If you dare to be different this Valentine’s Day then give the one you love a unique and memorable gift from Artique Galleries, on the High Street. The gallery is currently exhibiting their Valentine’s Collection, in which all of the pieces celebrate love, friendship and togetherness in their own special way. Artique’s art consultants are always on hand to lend their professional advice and art vouchers are available if you simply can’t make up your mind. This piece by Fabien Perez is just £995.

SANKEY’S It‘s said that oysters are the ocean’s great aphrodisiacs, in fact the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, sprang forth from the sea on an oyster shell. With this is mind, visit the town’s best-known seafood restaurant, Sankey’s, and indulge in freshly opened oysters with a bottle of Champagne from the brasserie’s ﬁne collection. Of course you don’t have to be a fan of oysters to enjoy a visit. Fresh crab, ﬁsh and mussels all feature on their fantastic menu.

SONGS FOR LOVERS Mix tapes might be romantic, but they’re just so 80’s. The equivalent for this era is the iPod - especially when loaded with your very own romantic playlist to set the mood on February 14. The latest incarnation of the modern classic is the Nano 5G, now with video playback, a larger screen and an FM radio. All new iPods feature Genius,

FEBRUARY 2010

the built-in DJ that creates playlists based on the ﬁrst song you choose. Just pop on some Barry White and it’ll do the rest… The 16GB version is £138 from iStore, Royal Victoria Place.

PANDORA TO HER NEEDS Charm bracelets from Pandora in Royal Victoria Place make for fantastic Valentine’s gifts, not just because the beautiful stones are stunning accessories, but also because each new charm can mark a special time or celebration. You can fully personalise the bracelets, choosing pieces which perfectly reﬂect your partner’s style and personality. From precious stones to gold love-hearts, there are literally hundreds to choose from so your gift can be as individual as your lady. The charms themselves are from £20, leather bracelets from £35 and metal bracelets from £55.

WALNUT FLOORING PROMOTION

189mm x 21mm Pre-Oiled Engineered - £45.95m2

PROPERTY

THE PORTFOLIO AN EXQUISITE COLLECTION OF PROPERTY, HOMES AND INTERIORS

FEBRUARY 2010

Frant o ff ice 0 1 8 92 750999 Goudhurst o ffice 0 1 5 80 211888 Hors mond en off ic e 0 1 892 724488 Mat field o ff ice 0 1 8 92 724949

RURAL COLLIER STREET

SMARDEN VILLAGE

RURAL HORSMONDEN

This substantial attached converted Oast House is located in a delightfully quiet rural position with stunning far-reaching views over the neighbouring countryside. The beautifully manicured Gardens, well designed Terraces and fine shrubbery provide a wonderful setting and this attention to detail is once again evident when you step inside. The light and spacious accommodation comprises: Entrance Hall, Sitting Room with Fireplace, fully fitted Kitchen with Dining Area, Cloakroom, Principal Suite with Walk-in Wardrobe and En-Suite Shower Room, Five further Bedrooms, Two with En-Suites and a Family Bathroom. The Oast benefits from Private Gardens, Parking and a Detached Double Garage. Nearby Marden provides a Mainline Railway Station with Trains to Central London. NO CHAIN.

Enjoying a peaceful and tranquil location within this historic and sought after Village is this attached Kentish Barn and Detached Cottage. The delightful Gardens feature a large Duck Pond and far reaching views to the Church. With a wealth of exposed beams and timbers the Barn and Cottage offer flexible well-presented accommodation comprising: Impressive Drawing Room with Dining Area, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Cloakroom, Master Bedroom with En-Suite, Guest Bedroom with En-Suite, two further Bedrooms, and a Family Bathroom. The Cottage provides: Sitting Room, Kitchenette, Double Bedroom and En-Suite Shower Room. The property also benefits from a Triple Garage and a Cedar Greenhouse. Headcorn provides Main line links to London.

This Detached converted Barn is quietly situated down a private drive off a most prestigious lane on the outskirts of the much sought after Horsmonden Village. This versatile accommodation gives you the opportunity to create a two or three Bedroomed property and currently offers a Drawing Room with wonderful Brick Fireplace, a Dining Room, Fully Fitted Kitchen/ Breakfast Room, Sitting Room/ Bedroom 3, Study/Bedroom 2 and Family Bathroom on the Ground Floor. The delightful Master Bedroom and Bathroom are situated on the First Floor. The beautiful Garden to the front has a Terraced area leading on to a lawn with mature flower beds, shrubs and trees and a gravelled Terrace at the side. Off Road Parking. Nearby Paddock Wood offers Mainline Rail Services to Central London.

SANDHURST VILLAGE

RURAL HORSMONDEN

This substantial Detached Country Family Home can be found in a quiet location backing onto fields but within walking distance of the village Shops The well presented accommodation comprises: Entrance Hall, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Cloakroom, Sitting Room, Drawing Room with Wood Burner, Dining Room, Integrated Double Garage-currently used as Children’s Play Area. Master Bedroom with En-Suite Shower Room and Walk-in-Wardrobe, a Second Bedroom with En-Suite, Three further Bedrooms and a Family Bathroom. The Grounds of approximately Half an Acre are mainly laid to lawn and feature mature flower Beds, a Kitchen Garden and ample Off Road Parking. Cranbrook School Catchment Area. Staplehurst provides Mainline Trains to Central London.

This stunning Grade II Listed attached Oasthouse has been sympathetically converted mixing modern luxuries with period charm. The Oast still displays many fine period features and has been finished to a high specification with Oak doors, Italian tiling, contemporary white Bathroom Suites and a beautifully fitted Kitchen with Granite work surfaces. Arranged over Three floors this property enjoys delightful views over its Garden and the surrounding countryside. Comprising: Entrance Hall, Kitchen/ Dining Room, Cloakroom, Sitting Room, Galleried Study/ Fifth Bedroom, Four further Bedrooms, Two Bath/Shower Rooms. A Private Garden with Terrace. Garaging and a Communal Garden with 2 large Ponds. In a rural, accessible location between sought after Villages of Horsmonden and Yalding.

Set in a wonderfully elevated position, enjoying commanding views over the Kent countryside, this handsome Grade II Listed Barn conversion offers well-proportioned accommodation in a secluded enclave surrounding the Medieval Church on the rural outskirts of the historic Village of Horsmonden. Dating back to circa 1500, the Barn has retained much of its rustic charm. Comprising: Reception Hall, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Dining Room, Sitting Room, Conservatory, Boot Room, Utility, Shower Room, Master Bedroom Suite, 4 further Bedrooms and a Family Bathroom. Just under an Acre of lovely Lawned Gardens and Terraces surround the property and to the rear there is a Five-Bay Open Garage. Nearby Paddock Wood provides a Waitrose and Mainline Station with Services to London.

OIEO £649,999 FREEHOLD

£695,000 FREEHOLD

OIEO £650,000 FREEHOLD

£675,000 FREEHOLD

£525,000 FREEHOLD

£825,000 FREEHOLD

OPEN 7 days a week Monday-Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays 9.30am - 5.30pm

Mary Stanley

Jane Beard

Katie Brown

Caroline Cheney

Tom Clarke

Jaime Fairbarns

Jill Finn

Jemima Goodson

Bryony Gordon

RURAL STONE-CUM-EBONY

RURAL ROLVENDEN LAYNE

Luxury meets tranquility in this spectacular rural splendour. This fabulously restored unlisted Barn conversion dates back to circa 1800. Stylishly converted around 1986 the Barn offers flexible accommodation featuring an attached Annexe which can be used as part of the property or separately. The property comprises: vaulted Reception Hall, Dining Room, Drawing Room with Inglenook, Study, Sitting Room, Cloakroom, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Family Room, Three Double Bedroom Suites within the main property, Three further Bedrooms/ Reception Rooms within the Annexe (up to 6 Bedrooms in total) and a Bathroom. The Grounds extend to approximately 5.33 Acres including lawned Gardens, a Pond, a wild Meadow/Paddock, a mature Orchard, Detached Double Garage and a Stable.

An impressive and romantic Grade II Listed Country House which is believed to date back to the 17th Century with Georgian additions. The House can be found along a quiet Country Lane in the tranquil Hamlet of Stone-cum-Ebony and comprises: Hall, Drawing Room, Sitting Room, Study, Dining Room, Kitchen/ Breakfast Room, Utility and Cloakroom, 5 Bedrooms with 2 En-Suites and a Family Bathroom. Full Planning Permission has been granted to provide a further reception room, a Conservatory and an En-Suite Bedroom. With stunning rural views the House sits within approx. 0.88 Acres of pretty manicured Gardens, Ponds, a Knott Garden, a Rose walkway and a Triple Garage with Gymnasium. The Cinque Port Town of Tenterden is some 5 miles away.

The ultimate in peace and tranquillity, this UNLISTED Medieval Hall House, thought to date back to c1425, stands on an ‘Ancient High Spot’ next to the River Rother. You can fall Hook, Line and Sinker if you like r messing about on the river r Full Riparian Rights apply to this property. The Mile-Long Track makes this House arguably one of the most remote properties in Kent! The versatile accommodation offers Reception Hall, Drawing Room with Inglenook Fireplace, Sitting Room, Dining Room, Study, Snug, Kitchen, and Utility Room, Galleried Landing, 6 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms. Externally, there is an oak framed Pergola to the side of the house, extensive Lawns with a Box Hedge Landscaped Feature, large Wooden Shed & ample Parking. A small Damson Orchard flanks the River Bank and views of the surrounding countryside are nothing short of spectacular.

RURAL BROAD OAK/BREDE

RURAL FRITTENDEN PRICE ON APPLICATION

£1,400,000 FREEHOLD

The ultimate in peace and tranquillity! This exquisite Unlisted Detached period property is located at the end of a long private driveway and benefits from exceptional views over its own Gardens and Grounds of approximately 14.6 Acres. The beamy, sizeable accommodation comprises: Side Entrance Hall/Utility Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room with AGA, Sitting Room with Inglenook, Study, Drawing Room with Inglenook, Dining Room, Family Room, Cloakroom, Principal Suite, Guest Suite, Four further Double Bedrooms, a Family Bathroom and Laundry Room. The Grounds are divided into post-and-railed Paddocks and Gardens featuring a decked Terrace, Hot Tub, Dog Run, Kitchen Garden, Stable Block and a Three Bay Garage Complex with a Room above and a Shower Room. No Chain.

For those who wish to step back in time and live in a truly idyllic rural setting off a leafy country lane we have something very special to tempt you. This charismatic Grade II Listed Water Mill will captivate you from the moment you walk through the front door. Provenance abounds, this unique and capacious family home currently comprises: Entrance Hall, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, 5/6 Receptions, 6/7 Bedrooms and 4 Bathrooms and has the potential to become 2 dwellings, subject to planning. A separate Cottage offers 2 Kitchens, 2 Sitting Rooms/ Bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms. Set within a Wildlife Haven of approx. 9.7 Acres with far reaching views, the Grounds are interspersed with natural Water and feature Lakes, Woodland, Fruit Gardens, a mature well planted formal Garden, Swimming Pool with Summer House and Garage/Store. CRANBROOK SCHOOL CATCHMENT AREA.

This idyllic rural retreat is located in an extremely peaceful location off a quiet country lane, still within easy driving distance of the A21. The well presented character accommodation comprises: Entrance Hall, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Sitting Room, fitted Kitchen, Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Cloakroom, Principal Bedroom with En-Suite Bathroom and Two further Rooms (currently used as Offices). Four further Bedrooms, a Family Bathroom and Attic Storage Room. The Gardens are beautifully landscaped and include a Kitchen Garden with a Greenhouse. There is ample Parking and a Detached Double Garage. Add to this Two Paddocks - making a total of some 2.59 Acres. Nearby Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge have Mainline Rail Services into Central London.

OIEO £895,000 FREEHOLD

£1,250,000 FREEHOLD

£1,100,000 FREEHOLD

RURAL MATFIELD

All Viewings Conducted Laura Hoadley

Allan Killeen

Jan Killeen

Harriet Matthews

Helen Mathews

Teresa Parker

Pam Rowland

Debbie Samuels

Kerrie Tyler

Chez Van Aswegen

www.countrypropertygroup.com

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

• Reception Hall • 3 Reception Rooms • Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Utility Room • Cloakroom • 5 Bedrooms • Bathroom • Separate WC • Garage • Open Field Shelter & Tack Room • Oil Fired Central Heating

Rotherfield £1,100,000 An impressive detached character house set in outstanding gardens and grounds of about 5 ½ acres, in a rural location on the edge of the village.

• Gardens & Grounds About 5 ½ Acres

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

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

• 5 Bedrooms (2 En Suite) • 2 Further Bathrooms • Drawing Room • Dining Room • Sitting Room • Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Utility Room • Butlers Pantry • Study • Tennis Court • Park-Like Mature Gardens

Cross In Hand £1,995,000 A classical early Victorian substantial detached family house with magnificent views to the South Downs.

• Paddocks and Pond About 12 Acres

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

tunbridge wells

February 2010

INTERIORS

THE HEARTH OF THE MATTER WORDS HARRIET LOUVELLE

A FIRE IS A FOCAL POINT IN THE WINTER AND COSYING UP IN FRONT OF AN OPEN HEARTH IS ONE OF THOSE SEASONAL PLEASURES. FLICKERING FLAMES TRULY BRING A ROOM TO LIFE

fter the 70’s fad of ripping out original fireplaces and replacing them with ‘lifelike’ gas versions, there is now an equally enthusiastic rush to put them back again. Reinstalling a fireplace is often top of the list of the home renovator, and one of the important considerations when buying a new home. Most houses built before 1960 will have a Class 1 chimney, which is a traditional style brick or stonebuilt chimney. This will need to be checked over by a chimney sweep before you go out and buy your fireplace. A good chimney will be clean and free of leaks, to allow the gasses produced when you burn your fuel to escape. A clean chimney will also help prevent fires caused by the build up of creosote on the chimney walls when you burn wood. In newer houses with a steel flue liner, pre-cast flue (a small rectangular shaped flue) or even no chimney at all, you could opt for natural gas, LPG (liquid petroleum gas) or electric. These can of course be placed in a traditional fire surround, and you could even install a gas fire basket to create quite a striking modern twist on a traditional design. For those with no chimney there are several options. If you don’t want the cost or hassle of installing one, you could go for a power flue fire, where an extractor fan takes the fumes from the living gas flame fire to the outside wall. It will fit into most fireplace surrounds and can also be side venting, so if you live in a flat or terraced house the flue system can run along the skirting to the outside wall. ➢

OFCETBOR B UE A R Y2 20001 8 0

tunbridge wells

February 2010

I n te r i o r s

“Toasting your toes in front of an open fire has always been one of life’s pleasures.”

If you’re lucky enough to have a Class 1 chimney however, you can burn any type of fuel. Charcoal, peat, coal, hexamine fuel tablets and pellets made from wood, corn, wheat, rye and other grains are all options. Check with your local authority to see if there are any restrictions on the type of fuel you can use, in some areas the burning of coal, for example, is restricted. Peat is best avoided for environmental reasons. It stores huge volumes of carbon (the equivalent of about 20 years’ worth of industrial carbon emissions is stored in British peat bogs alone) which is best left undisturbed to avoid releasing this carbon into the atmosphere. Wood fuel is essentially carbon neutral as it absorbs as much carbon dioxide in its growth as it releases when it’s burnt. For this reason, the installation of wood fuel appliances is often treated more favourably by building regulations. You’ll also need to consider draw, which is the ability of your chimney flue to suck the gases and smoke upwards and into the outside air. Wood burning stoves such as the Charnwood Island

(pictured previous page) are a good option for those whose chimney draw is less than perfect. There are some very contemporary wood burning stoves on the market today, such as the Xeoos TwinFire by Country Warmth, which combine modern technology and design with a very old concept. But if your after something truly traditional with a degree of heritage Architectural stores in Tunbridge Wells are well worth a visit. They stock of over 150 different restored and reclaimed fireplaces including wood, marble, stone and cast iron surrounds and all manner of period fire baskets spanning a period from late Georgian to Edwardian. Toasting your toes in front of an open fire has always been one of life’s pleasures, but these days you can get the effect without the pollution or cost associated with coals or logs. Gas-fired coals look so good these days it’s hard to tell they’re not real, or if you haven’t got a hearthside gas supply you could simply plug in an electric fire, which have been transformed since the days of the soulless two-bar fire. ➢ F eb r u a r y 2 0 1 0

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Modern rooms are usually better suited to a more pared-down look, such as bowls with logs or pebbles. If there’s no hearth or you want to maximise floor space, a wall-hung fire is a good choice. Contemporary spaces need sleek fires that suit their style, currently the most popular are wall hung fires which resemble TV screens, displaying a beautiful flaming image. There’s a large selection including those that don’t need a flue for ventilation. Two of the best in B&Q’s range are the Pinoir Black Granite Gas Flueless Wall-hung Fire, £999 and the Royale Power Flue Wallhung Gas Fire, £1,299. And if you still think there’s no place for a fire in your home, or you can’t afford one, don’t get hot under the collar. Simply switch on the brilliantly effective, Light The Box DVD, £10.99 from Amazon. Played on a flat screen TV it literally brings fires to life on screen, and there’s a choice of 12 traditional or contemporary fire

styles complete with sound effects - crackling logs or roaring gas flames. Enhance the effect with aroma of an open fire by using the wood-smoke ‘Essence of John Galliano’ room spray by Diptyque, £32 at Liberty. We’ve tried both the DVD and spray and together they work so well that guests say they can ‘feel the heat’ and love watching the flickering flames. So, now there’s no reason why every guest to your home shouldn’t receive a warm welcome. SO

STOCKISTS:

FEBRUARY 2010

Victoria Stone 01892 541337

Country Warmth 01303 240300

Kent Fireplace Company 0208 4665910

Ablaze 01580 764284

Fireplace Warehouse The Architectural Stores 01227 457643 01892 540368

Woodstockﬁres 01435 868686

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Granite Transformations manufacture and install Granite, Stone, Quartz and Glass worktops

R E O VIC DO ER E N S BL HE NG ILA TC YI A KI RA AV SP W RE NO

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tunbridge wells

February 2010

PROPERTY

THE HARRODS TOUCH E

WORDS NICK MOORE

STORED ACROSS THREE FLOORS OF A TUNBRIDGE WELLS WAREHOUSE ARE 500 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS INCLUDING BATHROOM TOWELS FROM HARRODS. THEY ARE THE UNLIKELY KEY TO THE ONGOING SUCCESS OF AWARD-WINNING ESTATE AGENT MARY STANLEY

ighteen years ago Mary Stanley was running a successful telemarketing company employing more than 30 staff. Then along came the 90’s recession and the business closed. Much deliberation followed, during which she came to the conclusion that a complete change of career was required. She noticed a shop in her home village of Horsmonden was for sale and bought it without really knowing what she was going do with the premises. Discussions with friends in the local pub revealed that what was missing from the village was a good estate agent who really knew and understood the area. It was then Mary Stanley decided her shop would become the first branch of The Country Property Group. Mary Stanley approached her bank for a business loan but was declined by her Manager (a certain Mr Nice) because of the poor economic state of the country and the flat property market, much like today. “In fact he thought I was completely mad,” she recalls. “It’s a conversation I’d like to remind him about these days when I’m paying in large sums of money generated from our property sales.” Despite the lack of a bank loan, Mary Stanley opened the estate agents with no knowledge or experience of the property market but with a firm focus on client service and good solid business ethics. She encourages staff to deliver the same high level of service as that offered at her favourite restaurant, the Michelin star Chapter One at Farnborough Common (SoTW Nov Issue). In those early days there were just two of them at the estate agents and Mary Stanley took all the property pictures herself, a skill she was taught by her gardener just before setting up the business. Eighteen years down the line and The Country Property Group now employs 22 staff and has four branches – Horsmonden, Frant, Goudhurst and Matfield – specialising in everything from bijou to baronial, taking in equestrian, country houses, country cottages and rental properties along the way. Every year has been more profitable than the last. Even 2009 has seen an increase in business and the group is one of the few estate agents not having to make redundancies because of the recession. Indeed they bet against the bank by significantly increasing staffing levels and their advertising budgets too. What does the future hold for The Country Property Group, winner of the of the Best Medium South East Agency at the Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2008? ➢ FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

“Continued success demonstrated by the fact we’re opening two new branches this year,” explains Mary Stanley. And her secret is? Opening branches seven days a week, “Sunday being the busiest of all.” Ensuring they have a good knowledge of clients “including the names of any children.” Keeping vendors up to date at all times because “the worst thing about selling your house is not knowing what’s happening.” Getting value for properties by working for the vendor not the buyer;”we’re famous locally for getting the sale prices we suggest.” Ensuring all employees remain happy and motivated; “we divide 5% of our monthly turnover between all 22 staff.” Mary Stanley also believes selling houses is about psychology. “That’s why we personally conduct all viewings, so we can read a potential buyer’s reaction, answer questions there and then and resolve any queries,” she says. Another key to her success is the make-over service on offer to clients. “The hardest thing to sell is a cold empty house.” says Mary Stanley who to date has worked on more than 40 properties and constantly has two or three on the go at any one time. “All the staff get involved in helping to make-over a property. Inside it’s a tidy up and de-clutter while outside the gardens are done, with new lawns put down if needs be. “We do whatever it takes because we’re selling the lifestyle not the house and it’s got to be a ‘ready-tomove-in-life.’ Our make-overs are usually followed by a champagne open weekend for potential buyers.” This is why Mary Stanley keeps those 500 household pieces carefully stored in Tunbridge Wells. She spends most of her spare time trawling local antique shops for “gems’”, everything from mirrors to beds. “People aren’t good about visualising what spaces could be used for,” she says. “Our make-overs help them do this by demonstrating the best use of all available space.” Her favourite pieces are the Harrods bathroom towels, a must for any country home! Other favourites include perfume bottles, chandeliers and curtains. Some of her pieces are over 100 years old and have been in more than 30 properties as part of a giant mix-and-match. Mary’s husband is retired and does not get involved in the business although she confesses: “He gets very annoyed when I take things from our fruit basket at home for a make-over”. She’s even been known to bake bread prior to a viewing of one of her made-over properties to create that real homely smell. Pressed for an example of a successful make-over she recounts the story of the brother and sister who were left a four bed 18th century country house in West Kent. “The house was in need of some TLC and a good tidy up. Both the siblings wanted it sold asap in its current state and had it valued at £500,000. We suggested one of our make-overs and promised to get more than £500,000.” The make-over took two weeks and the property sold the following week for £600,000. Pass those bath towels, please! SO

FEBRUARY 2010

“THE HARDEST THING TO SELL IS A COLD EMPTY HOUSE …ALL THE STAFF GET INVOLVED IN HELPING TO MAKE-OVER A PROPERTY.”

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

01622 742742

www.thegreenhomecompany.com hello@thegreenhomecompany.com

Grants for Solar Power are ending in April. Right now you can get up to ÂŁ2500 towards the cost of a solar system that will generate free electricity or hot water for decades to come... Call 01622 742742 for a free survey or visit www.thegreenhomecompany.com to find out more.

FEBRUARY 2010

tunbridge wells

SO PROMOTION

POWER PLAY

THERE’S MUCH TALK THESE DAYS ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY WHICH IS SEEN AS THE ULTIMATE GREEN, LOW CARBON FUEL. TO FIND OUT WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT WE CATCH UP WITH ANDY PYKE THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE GREEN HOME COMPANY IN COXHEATH Tell us what you actually do?

T H E G R E E N CO M PA N Y

supply free electricity or hot water (depending on the type of system) for well over 20 years. Under a new incentive scheme that starts this April, a solar PV (electricity producing) system can potentially wipe out your electricity bill entirely.

Does the installation cause much disruption? Not really. A typical install takes two or three days. Much of this is exterior work like ﬁtting panels to the roof. Our installers take tidying up after themselves as seriously as they take the technical aspects of each installation.

What help is available to encourage people to use solar power? There are a range of incentives and grants in place. For solar hot water systems you can get, as mentioned, up to £1,900 per household whilst for Solar PV (electricity generating) systems the typical family can expect to get back over £750 per year under the new feed-in-tariff scheme.

Will using solar power really make a difference to climate change?

The Green Home Company installs solar energy systems in homes and businesses across the South East of England. Our systems do two things, they save money and they reduce carbon emissions.

Yes it will. The government is committed to sourcing 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. Domestic solar energy systems are one of the key strategies for achieving this as they are zero carbon emitting and extremely efﬁcient.

And how did the business come about?

Where’s it all heading?

The company was formed because the UK urgently needs to embrace renewable energy technologies. The government is supporting households that choose a green energy technology such as solar power and we have built a strong business on installing these technologies at an affordable price for most households.

Our solar leasing scheme is generating a huge amount of interest and we are being pressurised to offer it nationally. The main interest this year has to be solar PV systems as they offer such an excellent payback but we are also seeing growth in demand for heat pumps and rainwater harvesting systems. SO

How many people have you helped?

www.thegreenhomecompany.com

By the end of last year we had completed 300 domestic installations.

What do you offer that’s different? Solar energy systems have evolved to the point where they are now an efﬁcient and effective choice for homeowners. The big revolution we have bought to the UK market is solar leasing. We’re able to lease complete solar systems from as little as £25 per month.

The average system costs what? A solar hot water system typically costs around £4,500. Grants available in this area mean that our clients can get up to £1,900 of this paid back to them under various incentive schemes run by the Department for Climate Change and local councils.

Will a solar system save money on energy bills? Absolutely yes! This is the great thing about solar energy. Once it has been installed, a solar system will

FEBRUARY 2010

Set

TWIN WORDS ELAINE PEAKE

BLOOD BROTHERS RECENTLY CELEBRATED ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, MAKING IT ONE OF THE LONGEST-RUNNING MUSICALS IN HISTORY AND THIS MONTH LOCAL AUDIENCES WILL GET A CHANCE TO SEE IT AT THE ASSEMBLY HALLS. WE TALK TO ITS CREATOR WILLY RUSSELL The musical Blood Brothers is about twins separated at birth and taken to different ends of the social spectrum; one an Oxford graduate councillor, the other unemployed and in prison. Both fall in love with the same girl with tragic consequences.

So, where did the story idea come from? “I was walking along one day; I lifted my right foot and by the time I put my foot down I had the story. Sometimes that happens but very, very rarely. When I was at secondary school, I remember being in some class that was looking at a play. I have this dim memory of the idea of a baby being taken in one direction and its nurture being decided by which baby was taken from a pram. I don’t know if I’ve imagined that, I haven’t looked for this story that might have inﬂuenced me - it was just the kernel of an idea sown all those years ago.

People generally seem to have quite a fascination with twins? “That was actually something I didn’t particularly share. I was interested in what happens to them when they go their separate ways. If she picked the other one out of the pram, would it have been any different?

When did you take the leap to compose the whole of Blood Brothers yourself? “I was frightened of doing it for years. I had the entire story - I would often be on the point of going to sleep and I would think of another idea, so the story was building over many years. I just thought

that I wouldn’t be taken seriously if I was the composer. Then one day I thought, ‘This is crazy, do it yourself.’”

When Blood Brothers ﬁrst went around schools, what feedback did you get? “Absolutely fantastic. But they are the most difﬁcult audience. Kids don’t sit there politely putting up with rubbish. They’ll just tell you straight. Five actors would have to walk into the middle of that space and, without any lights or scenery, just go bang! and grab them. And I never saw it fail.”

How did the show get into the West End? “Bob Swash, who produced John, Paul, George, Ringo…and Bert, had come to see the school version on tour and absolutely loved it. He had been badgering me for years to write another musical. So there was a London producer involved right from the word go.”

W I L LY R U S S E L L

rs Johnstone Lyn Paul plays M

What do you think is the secret of the show’s enduring success? “ People do see it more than once and one of the reasons is that it is a musical with a strong book, it has got a tale to tell. If all the electricity fails and you can’t light the show or amplify it, you can still do the show with a piano, and if the piano blows you can do the show a capella, and it will work. It simply relies on that primal, ageless, universal thing of ‘I’m going to tell you a story.’ Your ears prick up and you stay with it, and there’s no better experience.” SO

Blood Brothers, Assembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells. February 23-27. 01892 530613

Presumably it gets translated into the various languages? “Mostly, but certain things don’t. It’s hilarious in Kyoto hearing them speaking in Japanese and suddenly hearing ‘roast beef’! Probably the most bizarre was the Siberian production directed by Glen Walford. She got there to ﬁnd an oligarch who was completely besotted with the show, but saw it as a Christian parable - he had hired a 250-piece choir. She said when it got to ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’, it was unbelievable. FEBRUARY 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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THE GALLERY

on this page: Blue Harmonics II by Duncan Macgregor (printed on glass) 39 x 22 inches - £710 Untitled II by Fabian Perez 40 x 30 inches - £3,525 Into the Sun by Rolf Harris 30 x 20 inches - £825 Damien’s Dress by Sarah Jane Szikora - size and price TBC

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T U N B RTIHDEG EG AWLELLELRSY

on this page: Leicester Square III by Csilla Orban 48 x 30 inches - £1895 Shaftesbury Avenue by Brian Shepherd 40 x 30 inches - £2095 Loved by Doug Hyde 28 x 21 inches - £540 Blown Away by George Somerville (Aluminium and Mixed Medium) - £435 All work can be seen and purchased from The Artique Gallery, 43 High Street, Tunbridge Wells. For any further information and news on their next exhibition (Duncan MacGregor, Saturday 20th March 2010) please call the gallery direct on 01892 520571.

F E B R UJ A U RNYE 220001 0 9

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Valentines at

the beacon

St Valentine’s Day Sunday 14th February 2010

Delicious menu at £35 per head including a glass of Bubbly

Beacon Oﬀers

Visit our website to download a voucher for a main meal and a glass of wine for just £9.95. Mondays to Thursdays, lunch or dinner. Oﬀer ends Thursday 1st April 2010.

Tea Garden Lane, Tunbridge Wells

01892 524252 www.the-beacon.co.uk

Look out your window

lid 5% ay of for f* y all ou So r ne TW xt rea d

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Does the view beat this? Escape the winter weather and tailor-make your best holiday yet.

Call us on 01435 866555 to see how. www.thetravelconcept.co.uk email: ask@thetravelconcept.co.uk Holidays to Remember The Travel Concept is a trading name of The Freedom Travel Group Limited registered in England and Wales with registered number 3816981. VAT NO. 403 3146 04. Registered ofﬁce: New Centry House, Manchester, M60 4ES. Head Ofﬁce: Hamil Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent ST6 1AJ. The Freedom Travel Group Limited is part of the Co-Operative Group Limited. *Terms and conditions apply

FEBRUARY 2010

JAMIE OLIVER

WORDS SARAH O’MEARA

Oliver

Image courtesy of PA Photo/Channel 4

MORE FOR TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR WE GAVE A RESOUNDING THUMBS UP TO JAMIE OLIVER’S NEW RESTAURANT IN BRIGHTON. HE CERTAINLY WON US OVER. SO, WE DECIDE TO CATCH UP WITH THE TV CHEF TO FIND OUT WHERE HE’S HEADING NEXT

itting with his legs crossed, dressed top to toe in blue denim, wearing a slightly too small shiny blue hat, Jamie Oliver could be here to tell us about his new fashion makeover show. But no, while the 34-year-old might enjoy a little tight denim and the odd TV ad campaign dressed as all the characters from the Village People, he’s still an Essex lad at heart. The last 12 years have seen the former ‘Naked Chef’ jubilantly crash his way through every food show-making tradition going, leaving other far more experienced TV cooks looking confusedly on. “I don’t know why everyone’s so surprised,” he exclaims as we chat about his original decision to set up Fifteen - a restaurant which teaches a new trade to under-privileged teenagers - at the tender age of 24. “I mean that’s what TV was invented for, for crying out loud. It was invented to inspire people and get them to live better lives, or something.” Emphatic and blunt. A typical response from a chef who’s clearly never quite understood why no-one else bothers to make useful shows. “I mean what about hospital food? Someone should do that. Look how we treat old people in the last 20 years of their lives, and the s**t they get fed.” And he’s off again. But we’re not here just to discuss his future ideas, we also want to talk about his latest success ‘Jamie’s America’ which aired on Channel Four for eight weeks. Different to his former cooking and campaigning shows, this time Jamie was on the road looking for the foods that tell America’s story. Think Louis Theroux’s hapless naivete and Rick Stein’s passion for honest grub, combined with lots of denim. Some viewers might be sad, others - in Rotherham perhaps, where his school dinners crusade received much opposition- may be relieved that he decided to leave Britain alone this time. But you get the sense that the father-of-three needed a breath of fresh air. ➢ FEBRUARY 2010

tunbridge wells

IN TWO YEARS HE’LL BE BACK WITH ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR school CANTEENS “AND IT AIN’T GOING TO BE PRETTY”.

Images courtesy of PA Photo/Channel 4

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“I wanted to get under the skin of the cooking and the culture rather than just focus on the fat b******s and junk image they’re labelled with,” says Jamie elegantly, happy to talk at length about a TV project that took a year to finish. Each area of the country told its own story, he says, from the immigrants of New York’s Queens district, to the hurricane-struck residents of Louisiana and gangs in Los Angeles. “We were lucky that each show themed itself really quite beautifully. When you have the idea, the bit you can never promise is the heart, the emotional bits. “But New York turned into a show about immigration without us really planning it to. And when we did LA, out of nowhere it became about the East side and the gangs.” After making friends in LA with two Mexican cooks, Jamie saw a side of Hollywood that he never knew. “Out of all of their mates, they were two that got out. The rest of the gang were either dead or in jail for life,” he explains. By the time he got to filming out among the Navajos in Arizona, Jamie had become adept at describing a world he previously knew nothing about. “The Navajos were amazing, very spiritual, I didn’t think I’d like that stuff. I wanted [the programme] to show the sad story of the demise of the Indians. Their world is bleak, disparate, lost, forgotten, delinquent and f****d up and yet amazing, dramatic and so brilliant.” After getting over “all the weird bits”, Jamie learned to appreciate a culture that was all about respect, looking after people and only taking what you need. “A lot of the answers that America desperately needs to find, regarding food and how to nourish your family, lie with the people who originally founded it.” He also discovered a country on the brink of change, as he drove through the British-style enclaves of Savannah, Georgia, towards the European city of New Orleans. “It was amazing to be there. I’ve never seen America like it. They were contemplating, reviewing and a tiny bit vulnerable. I’d never have thought that by the end of the year, that their President would be black.” But despite his new-found love of the US and its “can-do” attitude, this series is a detour from his first passion - fixing our kids’ meals. In two years, he says, he’ll be back with another look at our school canteens, “and it ain’t going to be pretty”. Sweetly, he seems surprised when asked why he originally began making programmes that were about more than just food? “I was 24 years old [after Naked Chef] and had a massive huge guilt-trip about having money. Basically I’d been brought up in a family where money was absolutely taboo - you didn’t talk about it and there was no such thing as an easy quid. “As the public had made my success, and I only had money based on the public going out and buying books, I felt uncomfortable with it. And I was young, didn’t have kids and I wasn’t even married at that point.” He pauses, as though his consequential decision to open a restaurant for disadvantaged young people, is what every attractive, mid-20s, millionaire celebrity male chef would have done. No wonder why we all keep buying his books. SO

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Now Open on Mondays

Fine dine MONTROSE with fine wine Fine Dine and Wine with Style in great style

Enjoy modern European cuisine with a British bias and probably the best and most affordable wine list in town. Also, special Sunday lunches (last orders 5:30pm) for all the family. All produce is sourced locally.

Make Valentine’s Weekend Special

Treat the love in your life to an unforgettable Valentine’s weekend meal created by our chefs with lovers in mind. Full details on our website.

Wednesday is Steak and Fish Night Chef’s Amuse Bouche, a choice of starters and an entrecote steak or seasonal fish of the day, served with hand cut chips – a bargain at £18.95. À la carte also available.

BOOK NOW 01892 513161 MONTROSE

MONTROSE The New Independent Boutique Restaurant

The New Independent Boutique Restaurant Southborough Common, Tunbridge Wells, Southborough Common, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0RX Kent, TN4 0RX

Open: Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner Sun: Special Sunday lunches all day from

Open: Tues-Sat for lunch and dinner Sun: Special Sunday lunches all day 12.00-17.30 (last orders) from 12.00 – 17.30 (last orders)

www.montroserestaurant.co.uk

www.montroserestaurant.co.uk e-mail: bookings@montroserestaurant.co.uk e-mail: bookings@montroserestaurant.co.uk

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ballards ■ Specialist in Traditional, Antique &

Modern Re-upholstery

■ Curtain Making ■ Upholstered Furniture made to order ■ An Extensive Range of Fabrics from all

leading suppliers

■ Free Measuring & Estimating Service

ESTABLISHED FAMILY BUSINESS WITH OVER 35 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

Call: 01892 890033 Unit 1 Bayham Farm Buildings, Little Bayham, Lamberhurst TN3 8BD

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discover Senior School Open Mornings 2010 Wednesday 17th March 9.30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1.00pm Tuesday 11th May 9.30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1.00pm Contact 01892 822006 to book your place(s)

www.kent-college.co.uk

Old Church Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4AX Kent College is a registered charity no 307920 and is a member of the Methodist Independent Schools Group.

TUNBRIE DD GU E CW AE T LI OL N S

Family Values THE HEADMISTRESS OF KENT COLLEGE IN PEMBURY, SALLY ANNE-HUANG, EXPLAINS HOW A CHINESE TAKE-AWAY FOR 100 PEOPLE DURING THE SNOW EPITOMISES THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOL

s I write, the snow around our school buildings is starting to thaw and roads appear to be getting back to normal. Literally thousands of schools around the UK are re-opening for business and teenagers are returning to their textbooks and, for some, public examinations. Kent College is ﬁlled with booted, laughing young women, sharing Christmas stories and ﬂinging the last snowballs of the cold spell. But we have not ‘re-opened’ today. Not because we are shut due to severe weather but rather because, although some staff and girls could not reach us, we never closed. Choosing a boarding school for your child means choosing a 24/7 community and extended family – even if he or she is going to be a day pupil. Therefore, while other schools left the answer phone on and had an extended holiday – albeit enforced and unwanted – the resident staff and pupils here at KC have enjoyed a really special time together. Sixth formers set quizzes for younger girls, the small children of our on-site families had snowball battles with prefects and at one point I, owner of the most reliable 4x4, was dispatched for Chinese take-away for almost 100 people. Not because our catering staff were not available (they have fed us all week) but because that’s the kind of treat any family might have on a Sunday evening. Here at Kent College only a quarter of our girls board, but our mission statement places boarding at the heart of our ethos. ➢

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Having resident heads for both the Prep and Senior Schools, a resident bursar and families running the boarding houses, not only adds to the community feel of the school, but also means that we are together to make decisions in times of difficulty. Furthermore it means we have resources to support day girls that non-boarding schools may lack. Thus, like many boarding schools, day girls taking public exams were able to sleep on site at school rather than risk being late. A-level Biology was taught on a Sunday afternoon for anyone who was available, because there are always staff here and opening up is never a problem. At Kent College we are extremely aware that we are only as good as the individual experience of your daughter, during her own time at the school. If she is highly academic but needs support to be organised, we can offer a mentoring system that will get her through. If she does well in class but you are struggling to broaden her horizons beyond Facebook and Eastenders, then we have in excess of 50 different clubs and societies to attract her attention. And if she has developed a phobia of any part of the academic curriculum, then we have staff who love their subject and will refuse to rest until they have increased her passion too. Is she needs an education or, for that matter, a personal opportunity, then we strive to provide it. Future happiness depends not only on jumping academic hurdles but also on developing confidence. To this end, we have our renowned drama department, our impressive exchange programme with schools in Australia and the US, and our own bespoke outside confidence course, to give just a few examples. All of this means that we are able to take on almost any challenge and to offer the girls challenges in turn. Last year 10% of the Upper Sixth leavers gained places at Oxbridge colleges. Many of our brightest and best, gaining straight As at A-level or A*s at GCSE, were once so-called ‘failures’ in the Kent 11+ system; treat them as individuals and see what they can do. Similarly, many of our girls have identified needs such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, but develop extremely successful strategies and gain high accolades thanks to individual educational programmes. I am conscious this may sound as though we are attempting to be all things to all pupils, an educational jack of all trades and, by implication, master of none. But in reality, the simple core philosophy that we provide the very best way forward for each individual pupil in our care is the sole skill at the heart of what we do. Get that right and everything else will follow. And we have created a school where it is impossible for any one girl to slip through the net. Large enough to provide a full range of subjects and facilities, we are small enough to know one another and we stay true to our principles with class and tutor groups of around 15 or 16. If we can strip away the cliché and rhetoric of this current educational era, we can get back to what really matters – your child. Visit Kent College and, like all Headteachers, I will be happy to spend time discussing educational philosophy. However, in reality, I’d rather hear about your daughter. SO

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“Outstanding” says Ofsted Last term I experienced one of my proudest moments as a Headmistress to date when a team of Ofsted inspectors awarded boarding at Kent College with an overall grade of “outstanding”. It is challenging enough to gain this in one category during inspection but to have been given the result overall is a real achievement. The inspectors wrote of “excellent support whereby the young people can develop as individuals” and that “boarding has a high priority within the school.” On this last point they are absolutely right, but I would also add that, perhaps as a family that eats together is said to stay together, a school which has its boarding right is likely to have a great deal of other things right too.

Kent College is an independent day and boarding school for girls

Contact: Old Church Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 4AX 01892 822006 seniorschool@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk www.kent-college.co.uk

Forthcoming Open Mornings: Wednesday 17th Match 2010, 9.30am – 1.00pm Tuesday 12th May 2010, 9.30am – 1.00pm

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Bond

Family words nick moore

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motors

If the need for four doors was the only thing stopping you investing in an Aston Martin, your worries are over. It’s time to cash in those shares.

ston Martin’s new Middle East owners loved the 2006 Rapide concept so much that they agreed to find the money to make the dream a reality. Production will start in the coming months. The decision was made to create a bespoke production facility in Austria in partnership with Magna Steyr and allow buyers to visit the plant for a tour and to spec up their car. There are more than 2.5 million different combinations of paint, options and finishes available from Aston Martin’s core options list. But what’s that I hear you ask: “An Aston Martin built outside of good old Blighty?” Yes that’s right, this will be Aston manufactured outside of GB. The Rapide will be built in a new state-of–the-art 23,000 sq.metre (247,000 sq.ft) manufacturing facility in Graz utilising the same modern technology as the global headquarters in Gaydon. The first drive of the Rapide has yet to take place although our friends at Aston Martin were more than happy to allow us access to the results of a passenger ride in a near-production version… with the promise of our very own test model in the next couple of months. We’ve already seen the finished Rapide on Aston’s stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show and given that the design language is already familiar to the rest of the range it’s no surprise that it’s a looker. This is a truly gorgeous car that doesn’t appear one bit compromised by its four-seat remit. Some will dismiss it as nothing more than a stretched DB9, but they’ll change their minds the moment they see it. ➢

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Although the Rapide is almost as large as the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin was willing to sacrifice outright practicality in the pursuit of style and the result, other than the spectacular lines, is a more snug rear. There’s actually some quite useful leg and headroom once you’re in, but the door aperture is distinctly small and takes getting used to. The width is also restricted by the huge transmission tunnel that houses more than just the solid torque tube joining the engine to the SPECIFICATIONS: transaxle, as Aston has fitted a second air conditioning unit for PRICE: Estimated at £150,000. the rear passengers. So, the space 0-62MPH: 5.3 seconds is definitely ‘cosy’. The cabin is a thing of beauty TOP SPEED: 188mph though, with bespoke Bridge of Weir leather trim everywhere and loads of exquisite metal detailing. DB9 owners will feel right at home in the front seats, as the whole instrument pack is shared with the coupé and the shape of the foot wells is identical. Adding to the sense of proportion, Rapide’s low roof line combined with uniquely styled 20” wheels, contribute to its sporting stance. The iconic side strake, housing the LED indicators, is elongated to meet the rear doors and the pillarless side glass helps convey Rapide’s coupé lines. Prices have yet to be finalised, though it’s estimated the Rapide could top £150,000, which is over £50,000 more than the Panamera Turbo. In purely logical terms these cars are not rivals. However, while the list of options for the Porsche is both extensive and expensive, the Rapide comes virtually fully equipped as standard once you’ve made those pre-buy spec choices; the colour, pitch and style of the stitching, for example, can be altered to your taste. Like all Aston Martins, the Rapide has undergone the marque’s strict and rigorous testing programme to ensure the required levels of quality, durability, performance and dynamics are met. Around 50 prototypes were built, all designed to be subjected to the toughest tests. For example, hot weather testing took place in Death Valley, USA and Kuwait, exposing the car to temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius (122f). Cold weather assessments in Sweden and in a cold testing chamber saw prototypes subjected to -40 degrees Celsius. High speed testing took place at the famous Nardo proving ground in Italy, while dynamics were honed at the Nürburgring, Germany, where prototypes were relentlessly run for 8,000 km (5,000 miles) on the Nordschleife, pushing all components to the very limits. System functionality is consistent with that on the DB9, with ‘Park’, ‘Reverse’, ‘Neutral’ and ‘Drive’ modes selected via facia-mounted controls. When in ‘Drive’, pulling either of the leather-trimmed magnesium alloy paddles mounted on the steering column

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AVAILABLE: Anytime now. FOR MORE INFORMATION: lancasterastonmartin. co.uk

will activate Touchtronic mode, enabling the driver to control gear shifts via the paddles. Touchtronic mode is also accessible directly on engine start-up. Alternatively, the ‘Drive’ mode can be selected at any time by pressing the ‘D’ control on the centre console, engaging a fully automatic mode which will select the most appropriate gear for the speed and driving conditions automatically. The system includes a ‘Sport’ mode – activated by a button on the centre console – which engages a more aggressive gear shift strategy with gear changes feeling sharper and more forceful. Engine speed matching on downshifts is more aggressive and in full automatic mode, upshifts

occur at higher speeds. A new saddle-design fuel tank has been integrated to hold 90.5 litres (20 gallons) enabling Rapide to deliver a range of over 300 miles without reducing the car’s sporting dynamics. It also serves as a flat loading space in the luggage compartment. But the Rapide is a sports car – a thoroughbred which can be enjoyed by four people in unison. Aston Martin engineers have spent thousands of hours tuning suspension, throttle maps, tyres, brakes and steering to create a car that, while practical, also provides a dynamically engaging drive with an extremely close eye to detail. Needless to say we’ll give our final judgement on how the Rapide drives once we get behind the wheel, but first impressions are that it’ll seduce buyers even before they open the door. Aston can only build 2,000 examples a year, so it’s likely to remain a relatively exclusive model and retain its value. Deliveries begin in the second half of 2010, but we’d urge all potential buyers to get themselves along to the factory for the tour ahead of that. SO

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IT’S ALMOST CERTAIN THAT YOU’LL BE FAMILIAR WITH THE WORK OF LOCAL ARTIST ROY CROSS. ON THE OTHER HAND IT’S HIGHLY UNLIKELY YOU’LL ACTUALLY RECOGNISE HIS NAME

erhaps millions of paintings by Roy Cross have been replicated and distributed around the world for over 40 years. Indeed, some of his best work is still being reproduced. But he’s neither a famous portrait artist, abstract painter nor landscape specialist. No, Roy’s best-known works are the action-filled packaging for the legendary Airfix model kits including planes, boats and tanks. He’s just released a stunning 128-page book – The Vintage Years of Airfix Box Art – chronicling his career painting for the world-famous toy company, which was founded in 1939 and is the oldest UK manufacturer of scale plastic model kits. Roy was born in 1924 and the story of his career begins back in his childhood, before WW2, when his mother would take him to RAF air shows at Hendon Aerodrome. “The Hawker bi-planes with the big Rolls-Royce engines were favourites of mine,” says the Langton Green resident, “particularly in silver like the Fury, the Demon, the Hind and so on.” He’d practice drawing the planes he saw at shows and it was these sketches of WW1 fighters that taught Roy the difficult angles and perspective of aircraft illustration. Before WW2 Roy worked for the Air Training Corps,

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using his skills to write and illustrate articles in their magazine. On the outbreak of war he intended to join and fly for the RAF. “Unfortunately my eyesight was too bad and so I was enlisted as a radio mechanic until one chap, an officer, mentioned I’d be much more useful illustrating Signed copies of air instructions manuals.” The Vintage Years of Airfix Box Art are available at The Aviation When the war ended Bookshop in Tunbridge Wells at Roy worked on aviation £35. Call 01892 539284. technical drawings for repair and training and in the 1950s he continued as a freelancer for magazines. “But in the 60’s colour photography was coming in,” says Roy. “The aircraft industry was in a bad way and I needed to find a new source of income.” It was during a difficult spell in the1960’s when he noticed the simple black and white packaging of the Airfix kit bags. Roy knew he could do better and wrote to the toy company with his extensive portfolio of work. They gladly accepted, and kept him on a healthy retainer and payment package for a decade, from ’62 to ‘72. His first design was a German bomber, the Dornier Do217 and over the following ten years he created between 200 and 300 other box designs including some of Airfix’s best selling models, like the Supermarine Spitfire. A great deal of Roy’s work is still being produced and Airfix continue to sell the fantastic product to eager young collectors. The popularity of Airfix began to decline in the 70’s and Roy once again looked around for more work, eventually finding himself painting maritime scenes specialising in the last 200 years of sail-power. Roy says he prefers the older styles compared to modern designs, which “have too many portholes!” Despite being 86 years of age, Roy still works in the studio he had built into his Langton Green home. He had the house erected when his son was attending Tonbridge Boy’s School and it was designed with his career in mind so that today he can continue to enjoy his passion for painting. SO Warners Solicitors, ‘discretion assured whatever the secret’ www.warners-solicitors.co.uk

The 2010 Power List MEET THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS

JAMIE OLIVER SCHOOL MEALS IN HIS SIGHTS AGAIN T HE POWER LI ST 201 0

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Emily Blunt PREPARES TO REIGN AS QUEEN OF THE BIG SCREEN

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