Churchill said that Reservists are “twice a citizen” because of what they contribute to our community. The same is true of our nation’s volunteers. Since my selection as Conservative candidate I have spent time meeting many who contribute so much to our community—the local, often unsung heroes, who work tirelessly to make the lives of all of us in this wonderful corner of Kent better. These are some I have met over the past year. I pay tribute to them all.
The amazing Borough Green Station Volunteers do tremendous work keeping the station clean, tidy and beautifully planted. Their efforts to remember those who gave their lives in service of their country deserves our thanks and the widest recognition.
My “Tea with Tom” events brought people across our community together to question me on what I hope to do in Parliament. We’ve had events in Penshurst, Platt, West Malling, Hadlow, Wrotham, East Peckham and Tonbridge – wherever someone has wanted to organise them. Please get in touch if you could host one.
I was honoured to be invited to officially switch on the West Malling Christmas Lights. I am passionate about supporting independent retailers and our traditional High Streets.
Robin Betts’ award-winning cheese makers is a great example of diversity and innovation in the rural economy. Their cheese tastes great, too!
Ryarsh
Wrotham
West Malling
Borough Green
As a former soldier I take great pride in our Armed Forces and was delighted to join residents marking Armed Forces Day in Kings Hill.
Kings Hill Wateringbury
Hadlow East Peckham
Hildenborough Edenbridge and Tonbridge Cottage Hospitals deliver vital care to the local community. I was shown around Edenbridge War Memorial Hospital by Matron Emma Starsmore and Dr Andrew Russell.
Leigh
TONBRIDGE
Edenbridge Penshurst Cowden
I didn’t need much persuasion to visit the excellent Larkins Brewery in Edenbridge and sample their fine ales. I am pictured here with their Head Brewer, Bob Dockerty.
Flooding ruined Christmas for many last year. Local Flood Warden Carl Lewis is making sure any future damage is reduced. I am working with Carl and the Council get better flood protection.
For me, politics is about duty. It is about serving our community to achieve the best, and to help ensure others fulfil their own potential. That doesn’t mean taking easy decisions, anyone can do that, it’s taking tough, difficult and at times unpopular decisions that make the difference. Over the past decade I have been on duty around the world serving my country. Today, I am honoured to be doing the same at home. It is the duty to protect the nation. That is why I am committed to spending what we need on defence and security. But today national security is about more than ships, soldiers and aircraft. It is also about our economic security; the finances that support us and enable us to shape our own destiny. It is the duty to grow the economy. That is why I am committed to the reforms we have made to balance the books. Everyone knows
I love Ian Chatfield’s Old Tonbridge sausages. His award winning butcher’s shows what Tonbridge High Street could become. I am working with local councils and the Chamber of Commerce to bring high quality stores to our vital towns and villages.
I support many local charities, including this visit to a Macmillan Coffee Morning organised by Jean Atkinson in the Baptist Church in Trench.
that a home which cannot pay its debts will go bankrupt and the whole family will suffer. Our nation is at risk of the same. If we fail, it is not the wealthiest who will suffer most, but the poorest and most vulnerable. Across Europe, we have seen bankrupt nations slash services and close hospitals. That is the consequence of failing to tackle the deficit and hoping to spend our way out of debt. It is the duty to plan for the future. Investing in real education to ensure our children are able to grow in the humanities, arts and sciences, and be able to stand tall in the competitive world. Growing strong, confident and capable citizens requires the knowledge that can only be imparted through good schools and inspirational teachers. Today, our children are competing and co-operating across the world. It is the duty to be open to new ideas. No nation has a monopoly on genius but our success over the centuries has been to harness the thoughts of others and provide
The preservation of local history and landmarks is often down to the dedication of volunteers who will always have my support. I was delighted to visit Hadlow Tower recently with Owen and Chris Baldock
I love walking through our beautiful countryside so joining the East Peckham Walking Group to inspect the flood defences on the Rivers Medway and Bourne was great fun.
the security, investment and the freedom to allow these visions to grow. That is the British way. It is why businesses, trade and individuals come to the UK and it has made us respected, prosperous and free. My duty to you is to ensure we are secure, stable and open so that together we can prepare with confidence for a future that will provide hope, opportunity and security for all. Together, I know we can do it.
If you would like to discuss any local issues with Tom, please get in touch at tom@tomtugendhat.org.uk If you run a group, voluntary organisation or charity and would like Tom to visit to meet your members and learn about your work in the community, please get in touch. Visit Tom’s website: www.tomtugendhat.org.uk or follow him on Twitter @TomTugendhat
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INTOMTHIS EDITION… TUGENDHAT’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE
YOUR CONSERVATIVE TEAM REPORT BACK ON THEIR WORK LOCALLY TOM OUT AND ABOUT IN THE CONSTITUENCY A DUTY TO SERVE HOW YOU CAN HELP US WIN IN MAY
Cowden & Hever Conservatives — New Year 2015 Edition
TOM TUGENDHAT’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE Happy New Year! It feels only yesterday I left the Army and was chosen by you to run for Parliament, but over the past year we have already done so much together. We have brought forward work on the Leigh Barrier to stop the threat of flooding that ruined Christmas for so many people last year. We have pressured government and phone companies to improve mobile coverage for the benefit of residents and business. And we have applied pressure to Southern Rail and South Eastern Railway to get them to deliver on their obligations.
growth and record employment to embedding educational excellence and choice for all. This is about greater opportunity and freedom; Conservatives intrinsically trust people to make the best decisions and run their own lives. That’s why we must defend our interests at home and abroad and hold an EU referendum.
That’s why I want to be your MP – to fight for our country, our community, and you.
But there’s still much more to do. From building on our economic
YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATIVE TEAM IN COWDEN & HEVER REPORTING BACK
Promoted by Andrew Kennedy, on behalf of Tom Tugendhat and Matthew Dickins all at West Kent Conservative Campaign HQ, Suite 3, Paddock Wood Business Centre, Paddock Wood TN12 6EN. Printed by DA Printers, 6 Lankester Parker Road, Rochester ME1 3QU
CONTACT US... SUPERFAST BROADBAND
MATTHEW DICKINS 07910 328110
TOM TUGENDHAT 01732 842794
Superfast broadband is now coming to our villages. We had initially been excluded from these vital improvements but as a consequence of extensive lobbying, the majority of properties should have access to significantly greater speeds by the end of the year.
GATWICK AND AIRCRAFT NOISE Having lived beneath the flight path for over twenty years, Matthew has first hand experience of disturbance from aircraft.
Superfast Broadband will be available by the end of the year
Despite our proximity to London, our crippling connections had denied us what are regarded as basic services in much of the rest of the country access to online banking, government services, film streaming, video calls, photograph sharing, computer backup services, music downloads, school homework systems et cetera. This long awaited infrastructure investment should mean we can access all these and more. Not only is this great news for domestic users but faster connections also bring economic benefits by unlocking new possibilities for online enterprise and flexible working arrangements. Working at or closer to home reduces congestion and means people are around more often to support local businesses.
Recently we have seen a myriad of consultations on proposals relating to aviation and airspace capacity both Noise from low-flying aircraft continues to locally and nationally. It is cause a disturbance imperative that the community continues to work together to (1) oppose plans which threaten our beautiful and tranquil part of the country (2) propose and champion better alternative proposals (3) engage positively with the relevant authorities and businesses to campaign for improvements to legislation, aircraft design, angles of descent, flightpaths and night-flights.
WEEKLY BIN COLLECTION PROMISE Sevenoaks District Council is the only District/Borough authority in Kent which collects both household waste (black sacks) and recycling (clear sacks) on a weekly basis. This means no complicated collection calendars and no food festering a fortnight. It's just a simple and sensible service unique to the Sevenoaks District.
UCKFIELD LINE OVERCROWDING Additional carriages have been secured to help bring an end to the nightmare on peak services. Matthew, Tom and Sir John stand united in campaigning for a better deal for Uckfield Line commuters who are faced with rising rail fares, late or cancelled trains and disruption from works at London Bridge.
SWITCH AND SAVE
Matthew will continue to campaign for a better deal for the Uckfield Line
Sevenoaks District Council's new Switch & Save scheme produces an average annual saving of nearly £200 on domestic utility bills. For a Band D property, that's equivalent to having your District Council Tax refunded. Just visit www.sevenoaksswitchandsave.co.uk for more information.
Matthew is committed to maintaining our weekly refuse and recycling collections
Matthew and fellow Conservatives at Sevenoaks District Council have always promised to defend and protect this service they remain committed to this pledge.
BETTER CONNECTED CAMPAIGN Strong communications are essential to the enjoyment and prosperity of our area. Matthew has launched his Better Connected Campaign and is seeking your views to help add weight to his calls for better mobile, rail and postal services. He would very much like you to return the enclosed questionnaire on these important issues.
FAREWELL DINNER FOR SIR JOHN STANLEY MP
An Invitation to thank our outstanding MP for 40 year’s service In May this year Sir John Stanley MP will be retiring from Parliament after 40 year’s service to the residents of Tonbridge and Malling, and those parts of Sevenoaks that fall within its boundary. To mark the occasion and to thank Sir John for the work he has done on our behalf, local Conservatives will be hosting a dinner at Chiddingstone Castle, attended by Sir John
and Lady Stanley. The dinner will be held on Friday 13 March 2015 at 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets are £25.00 per person including wine. There will be a raffle in aid of Conservative Party funds. For further details please contact Matthew Dickins on 07910 328110 or Paddy Cooke on 01892 853983.
intouch
INTOMTHIS EDITION… TUGENDHAT’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE
YOUR CONSERVATIVE TEAM REPORT BACK ON THEIR WORK LOCALLY TOM OUT AND ABOUT IN THE CONSTITUENCY A DUTY TO SERVE HOW YOU CAN HELP US WIN IN MAY
Leigh & Chiddingstone Causeway Conservatives — New Year 2015 Edition
TOM TUGENDHAT’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE Happy New Year! It feels only yesterday I left the Army and was chosen by you to run for Parliament, but over the past year we have already done so much together. We have brought forward work on the Leigh Barrier to stop the threat of flooding that ruined Christmas for so many people last year. We have pressured government and phone companies to improve mobile coverage for the benefit of residents and business. And we have applied pressure to Southern Rail and South Eastern Railway to get them to deliver on their obligations.
growth and record employment to embedding educational excellence and choice for all. This is about greater opportunity and freedom; Conservatives intrinsically trust people to make the best decisions and run their own lives. That’s why we must defend our interests at home and abroad and hold an EU referendum.
That’s why I want to be your MP – to fight for our country, our community, and you.
But there’s still much more to do. From building on our economic
AN AUDIENCE WITH SIR NICHOLAS SOAMES MP Sir Winston Churchill’s grandson to speak in Tonbridge
Local Conservatives are delighted that Rt Hon Sir Nicholas Soames, Member of Parliament for Mid-Sussex, former equerry to Prince Charles, professional soldier and grandson of the great Sir Winston Churchill, has accepted an invitation to speak at Tonbridge School. An Audience with Sir Nicholas Soames will be held on Thursday 12 March. Doors open at 6.30pm for
Reception drinks (cash bar) with the show starting promptly at 7.30pm. Sir Nicholas will be interviewed by Tom Tugendhat about his remarkable life and family. Tickets are just £12.50 per person with all proceeds being used to support the Election Campaign Fund. To reserve tickets please call us on 01732 842794 or email tonbridgeconservatives@gmail.com
YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATIVE TEAM IN LEIGH & CHIDDINGSTONE CAUSEWAY REPORTING CONTACT US... GATWICK
PETER LAKE 01892 740400
TOM TUGENDHAT 01732 842794
A number of residents in Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway are badly affected by noise from aircraft flying in and out of Gatwick. A second runway will create a superhighway potentially delivering a plane down twin corridors nearly every 30 seconds, creating a noise ghetto through the heart of the South East over some of the UK’s finest heritage sites. For us all it is so much easier for us to use Gatwick rather than Heathrow or Aircraft noise is an on-going issue Stansted and we have no wish to stop people flying. However, CAA, NATs and Gatwick Airport Ltd must listen to our concerns. Engine noise from some aircraft, and in particular Easyjet, is intolerable and the height that aircraft fly over Leigh and Chiddingstone is far too low. There is a strong call for a greater distribution of aircraft across our skies in a broad swathe so that residents will only be affected on an occasional basis, and if noise problems and height issues are addressed, then we will all have much less to worry about. Peter Lake, prospective District Councillor for Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway, says: “I intend to play my part in representing the residents of Leigh and Chiddingstone in any negotiations with Gatwick and the other authorities.”
LEIGH FLOOD BARRIER We need better protection against future flooding
CLIVE PEARMAN KENT COUNTY COUNCILLOR because the Leigh Flood Barrier does not protect all homes. The flood defence barrier which 01732 860391
Promoted by Andrew Kennedy, on behalf of Tom Tugendhat and Peter Lake all at West Kent Conservative Campaign HQ, Suite 3, Paddock Wood Business Centre, Paddock Wood TN12 6EN. Printed by DA Printers, 6 Lankester Parker Road, Rochester ME1 3QU
opened in 1982, and is designed to protect Tonbridge, struggled to cope with huge rainfall that led to hundreds of homes flooding last year. Now we are told that the Environment Agency hopes that £11m improvements to the Leigh Barrier can start in 2019 – this means raising the barrier by one metre to cope with future harsh weather. This
is all very well for Tonbridge but what about Hildenborough and Leigh residents upstream of the barrier. Will residents get additional protection or just a flood warning service to alert us to take action to protect our homes? Originally there was a plan to build flood defences well upstream of Leigh and Edenbridge – have these plans been kicked into the long grass? Peter Lake, prospective District Councillor for Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway says: “A lot of talk,a lot of promises, but what action and what of the consequences? I will do my utmost to keep up the pressure on the Environment Agency to make sure that any future plans protect us all.”
Peter Lake will lobby the Environment Agency to protect Leigh & Chiddingstone
LEIGH PRIMARY SCHOOL It is really good to have a flourishing primary school at the heart of our community. However, no school stands still as it is an evolving process, but most importantly the children come first. The staff, the PTA and the governing body play a huge part and the teachers go to great lengths to make learning engaging and interesting and the results prove just what a special place this is. The school is so lucky to lie alongside the village green and it is great to see pupils making such good use of the green for their outdoor activities. Football, netball and cycling are just some of the many activities enthusiastically enjoyed by the children and the parents too. There is a wonderful website (www.leighprimaryschool.com) which lists so many of the activities enjoyed by the children, from a visit to the Stag Theatre to see Cinderella to the school choir Leigh Primary School is at the heart of singing at High Hilden Residential our community Home. Peter Lake, prospective District Councillor for Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway says: “As a Kent County Councillor I supported the school by helping the new building projects but there is always more to do and I hope to play my part in the future.”
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INTOMTHIS EDITION… TUGENDHAT’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE
YOUR CONSERVATIVE TEAM REPORT BACK ON THEIR WORK LOCALLY TOM OUT AND ABOUT IN THE CONSTITUENCY A DUTY TO SERVE HOW YOU CAN HELP US WIN IN MAY
Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone Conservatives — New Year 2015 Edition
TOM TUGENDHAT’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE Happy New Year! It feels only yesterday I left the Army and was chosen by you to run for Parliament, but over the past year we have already done so much together. We have brought forward work on the Leigh Barrier to stop the threat of flooding that ruined Christmas for so many people last year. We have pressured government and phone companies to improve mobile coverage for the benefit of residents and business. And we have applied pressure to Southern Rail and South Eastern Railway to get them to deliver on their obligations.
growth and record employment to embedding educational excellence and choice for all. This is about greater opportunity and freedom; Conservatives intrinsically trust people to make the best decisions and run their own lives. That’s why we must defend our interests at home and abroad and hold an EU referendum.
That’s why I want to be your MP – to fight for our country, our community, and you.
But there’s still much more to do. From building on our economic
YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATIVE TEAM IN PENSHURST, FORDCOMBE & CHIDDINGSTONE REPORTING BACK CONTACT US... THE FARMING AND EXTENDED COMMUNITIES
PADDY COOKE 01892 853983
TOM TUGENDHAT 01732 842794
It has been an essential part of my campaign to ensure that all our communities are treated fairly by both local and central government. I have constantly supported all initiatives to protect individual groups within my Ward - community grants for local projects for the well being of residents in the District, have been applied for and granted. This has included, among others, repairs to Fordcombe Village Hall, War Memorial at St Mary's and Traffic control in Penshurst. Keeping our communities in the public eye has included hosting the Chair of the Addington Trust and showing him around a sample of our numerous working farms. Special attention has been given to policing in the area; thefts from farms, is on the increase, especially those properties easily accessible from our motorway system. The introduction of The County Rural Advisory Group, by Kent Police, has been fully supported by myself and I have been invited to attend their group meetings to ensure that our area is fully considered when policies are debated.
INVESTMENT IN PENSHURST, FORDCOMBE & CHIDDINGSTONE
CLIVE PEARMAN COUNTY COUNCILLOR 01732 860391
Promoted by Andrew Kennedy, on behalf of Tom Tugendhat and Paddy Cooke all at West Kent Conservative Campaign HQ, Suite 3, Paddock Wood Business Centre, Paddock Wood TN12 6EN.
As long as I remain as your District Councillor I will invest my time and energy in concentrating on how to improve services and communications within our Ward. Promoting Superfast Broadband has always been a priority and although a vast improvement has been achieved there is still a good deal more to do. I will maintain my ambition to increase the megabytes available across our area - businesses being run from home is something I would hugely support, but this will not happen with substandard communications.
Waste collection has remained a 'sacred cow' with Sevenoaks District Council, and the weekly collections have been sustained, despite the severe cuts from Central Government. Bus services in rural areas are always a bone of contention but I have been closely involved with the Kent Karriers' scheme operated by Compaid to maintain an adequate service for the elderly in our Parishes. Over the past years I have represented you on the Committees of Bough Beech Reservoir (Conservation and Recreational), Becket Trust and the Margaret Hyder Trust (Pastoral and Community), and The Citizen Advice Bureau ( Edenbridge and Westerham); these organisation exist to serve our Communities, and it is with immense pride that I am able to represent you on these committees.
THE SKIES OVER OUR COMMUNITY Huge progress has been achieved in the past twelve months in respect of lobbying Ministers, local MP's, and Councillors in order to influence a reduction in the intensity of air traffic over the High Weald and to strongly protest against the construction of a second runway at Gatwick. I fully support the two groups in our area, who, with the support of many individuals have mounted strong opposition to these changes, which would if implemented, have a dramatic adverse influence on our area. As a member of the HWCAAG and a supporter of GON, I, along with many others are actively lobbying for a programme of planning rolling respite, which will enable the continued success of Gatwick but would spread the burden of noisy aircraft across the region; maximum safe height approaches, which should be monitored strictly, culminating in severe fines for those who breach such restrictions; the measurement of noise to be revised to suit actual impact on the ground with special reference to the effect on resident's health especially that of children; complete embargo on night flights to align with policies adopted elsewhere; modification to the Airbus fleet, to eliminate the aircraft whine that is currently experienced across the High Weald. The second runway is not an option! We live in a special area, where the inhabitants are under severe pressure to minimise the harm to the Metropolitan Green Belt. Why should an multi - national company be exempt from such policies? In short - they shouldn't!
FAREWELL DINNER FOR SIR JOHN STANLEY MP
An Invitation to thank our outstanding MP for 40 year’s service In May this year Sir John Stanley MP will be retiring from Parliament after 40 year’s service to the residents of Tonbridge and Malling, and those parts of Sevenoaks that fall within its boundary. To mark the occasion and to thank Sir John for the work he has done on our behalf, local Conservatives will be hosting a dinner at Chiddingstone Castle, attended by Sir John
and Lady Stanley. The dinner will be held on Friday 13 March 2015 at 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets are £25.00 per person including wine. There will be a raffle in aid of Conservative Party funds. For further details please contact Paddy Cooke on 01732 853983 or Matthew Dickins on 07910 328110.