Times of Tunbridge Wells 17th August 2022

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By Robert Forrester

Driest

were seen within four hours, with just 1,218 patients waiting longer.

Nationally, however, MTW is doing better than many hospital trusts as A&E departments across England saw their worst month for performance in July.

A record 29,317 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England last month.

This is up 33 per cent from 22,034 the previous month and is the highest for any calendar month in records going back to August 2010.

And a total of just 71 per cent of patients in England were seen within four hours of arriving at A&E in July – the worst performance on record and well below the 95 per cent operational target.

July, which included a heatwave that

The drought status was announced for the county along with seven other areas of the UK following what officials have said is the driest summer for 50 years.

The National Drought Group, made up of representatives from various government departments, environmental agencies, vested interest groups such as the National Farmers’ Union and the water industry, announced on Friday that eight of 14 areas had now been moved to ‘drought’.

These included Devon and Cornwall, Solent and South Downs, Kent and South London, Herts and North London, East Anglia, Thames, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, and East Midlands.

The status is the second of four stages, the first being ‘prolonged dry weather’.

Stage three and four are ‘severe drought’ and ‘recovering drought’. The last time a drought was declared in the UK was in 2018.

This year, south-east England has clocked up the greatest number of days of the year with little or no rain for more than 40 years.

According to Met Office data, the region recorded 144 days with average rainfall of less than 0.5mm between

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

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Drought and hosepipe ban begin as thunder and floods predicted AN OFFICIAL drought was declared last week as a hosepipe ban came into force across the area and just before thunderstorms and flash floods were forecast.

South East Water’s first TUB (Temporary Usage Ban) ban since 2012 that could land residents who flout the ban a £1,000 fine, came into effect at midnight last Friday (August 12), the same day an official ‘drought’ was declared across Kent.

Thursday 18th August

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UR E ER YO E AP FR L P CA LO

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

ATTENDANCES A&E numbers are at levels 20 per cent higher than before Covid-19

By Richard Williams RISING numbers of people visiting the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at Tunbridge Wells Hospital this summer means thousands are having to wait hours to be treated.

July was among the busiest months on record for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) which runs the A&E units in Pembury and Maidstone.

The Trust say A&E rates are now 20 per cent higher than before the Covid crisis.

Figures by NHS England show that 19,931 people came through the doors of MTW’s A&Es last month – the highest numbers seen this year.

Of these, 3,205 people (16 per cent) had to wait for more than four hours to be seen.

Just 84 per cent of people were seen in less time, despite the government

target requiring that 95 per cent of A&E patients should be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

‘Attendances are now 20 per cent higher than the numbers seen before the pandemic’ The figures are a rise on June’s waiting times, when 86 per cent of the 17,235 people that visited A&E were seen within the target time with 2,484 people left waiting for four hours or more.

While just 17 people were left waiting for 12 hours or longer in July, four-hour wait times have increased to levels much higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Back in July 2019, before the Covid-19 crisis, MTW saw 17,769 A&E patients in that month and around 89 per cent

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Wednesday August 17 | 2022

this week… Visitor numbers see A&E waiting times rocket STABLE FOUNDATIONS Salomons Estate seeks planning permission for historic conversion P6

Continued from front page

caused major disruption to travel as well as fires around the country, saw NHS staff across the UK deal with more than 85,000 emergency ambulance callouts, NHS England said.

That was the highest number since records began and almost two-thirds higher than the 51,771 in July 2020, it added.

Attendances

GREEN GYM Mayor opens Rotary Clubs’ new outdoor exercise space at Dunorlan Park P11

A spokesman for MTW told the Times that attendances were up 20 per cent.

He added: “Our commitment is to see patients as quickly as possible in our Emergency Departments.

“Attendances are now 20 per cent higher than the numbers seen before the pandemic and while this has led to an increase in waiting times for some patients, we remain the best

performing trust across the region and in the top 10 in the country.

“To help reduce waiting times, we continue to invest in both staff and facilities and recently opened a new Children’s Emergency Department at Tunbridge Wells Hospital which provides a

modern purpose-built area for our younger patients to receive care. We are also developing our Same day Emergency Care (SDEC) service which sits alongside ED and enables us to provide more patients with emergency care as quickly as possible.”

…AND GENERAL WAITING LISTS ARE ON THE RISE TOO

VINYL VICTORY Markus Holler puts a new business spin on his music career P25

THE NUMBER of patients waiting for treatments such as knee and hip operations at MTW is also on the rise.

Last month, the Times reported how waiting lists for non-emergency treatments such as general surgery had stopped growing after seeing month on month increases since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis.

The figures showed that 40,679 were awaiting treatment at MTW in May, which was a rise of just 43 patients from 40,636 in April.

However, NHS figures released last week show that the waiting list had risen to 41,162 in June.

The departments with the longest waiting lists at MTW are for ophthalmology (6,659),

gynaecology (5,113) and general surgery (5,074).

The figures come amid a backdrop of a new record high of people in England waiting to start routine hospital treatment, with 6.7 million on the waiting list at the end of June.

This was up from 6.6 million in May and was the highest number since records began in August 2007.

Thunder and rain expected just as drought begins Continued from front page

RESTAURANT REVOLUTION The Times reports on the burger insurgency changing the taste of Tunbridge Wells P30

January 1 and August 6.

It is the highest number recorded for the period since 1976, which saw 166 days of little or no rain up to August 6 and a total of 187 days of little or no rain between the start of the year and the end of August.

The Met Office said Tunbridge Wells saw highs of 35°C last weekend. The highest temperature recorded in the town this year was 39°C in July.

Floods

CONTACTS EDITOR RICHARD WILLIAMS richard.williams@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 240626 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER VICTORIA ROBERTS newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779615

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WEATHER & TRAVEL

PARCHED Tunbridge Wells Common has been ‘tinder dry’ following the heatwave which flooded in 2017, as well as many areas in the town of Paddock Wood.

The Met Office says it is likely to become drier again from Thursday, with daytime highs generally in the low to mid-20s.

Meanwhile, residents in Tunbridge Wells have been asked to ensure their bins are kerbside and ready for collection much earlier during the spells

of hot weather.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “I can confirm that since last Wednesday (August 10) the recycling and waste crews have been starting at 5am in order to beat the heat.

“Usually we ask people to have their bins out by 7am, but in recent hot weather it’s been 6am and in the extreme heat it’s moved to 5am.”

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ON THE ROADS A21 (Scotney Castle Roundabout to Coopers Corner) Road closure for reconstruction and repair (8pm on August 16 to 6am on August 17) A21 (Tonbridge Bypass to Sevenoaks bypass).

Overnight sliproad and lane closures for bridge works (9pm-6am) on August 22-26 A21 (Vauxhall Lane to Longfield Junction) Overnight carriageway and lane closures for fencing and road repair works (8pm-6am) on August 19-22 A21 Northbound Pembury slip road closure for

maintenance works (August 23 at 8pm to August 24 at 6am) A267 (Mayfield Road and Tunbridge Wells Road, Frant) Road closure to repair highway. Closed between B2100 and B2099. Until August 22 at 6am Broadwater Forest Lane (Groombridge) Road closure for drainage (August 18-19) Forest Road Ongoing roadworks (traffic controls) for broadband works and road repairs Quarry Road (outside no. 11) Road closure for gas works August 20-21. Diversions in place Reynolds Lane (St Johns) Temporary signals and

road closures for gas works. Until September 1 Speldhurst Road (Southborough) Temporary signals and road closures for gas works. Until October 3 See p.4 for further details on diversions.

RAILWAYS No Southeastern train services on Thursday (August 18) or Saturday (August 20) due to RMT and TSSA strike action. Next-day services (Friday and Sunday) disrupted. TfL strike on Friday.

Courtesy of the Met Office

DESIGN/PRODUCTION JASON STUBBS jason.stubbs@onemediauk.co.uk

It is expected that the drought status will remain in place until around October, despite heavy rain falling in parts of Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday and thunderstorms now being forecast in the area with a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in parts of Kent having been issued earlier this week over fears of flash floods.

Kent County Council has warned of the risk that rain could fall in the form of thundery and torrential downpours, which – given the parched ground – would run off and lead to potential surface water flooding.

Areas in Tunbridge Wells that have been susceptible to flash floods in the past include The Pantiles and the bottom of Mount Pleasant Road,

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

NEWS IN BRIEF

Further murder charge for Caley Road killing TWELVE people have now been charged following the death of a man in Tunbridge Wells last year.

Xhovan Pepaj, aged 25, was fatally injured in Caley Road, at around 3.15am on December 4, 2021, after being stabbed multiple times.

An investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate has led to the arrests of 14 people, ten of whom have already been charged with murder.

Detectives now say an eleventh man, Jonathan Hedges, 24, of no fixed abode, has since been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit robbery.

He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday August 13, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday August 15.

All 11 suspects have pleaded not guilty and are on remand until an appearance before Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, August 22.

PM bid raised £120k TOM Tugendhat has so far declared the largest amount of donations of any of the Conservative leadership candidates, updates to the MPs’ Register of Interests show.

The Tonbridge MP raised more than £120,000 from donations, including £42,673 from a London-based company set up only 10 days before Boris Johnson’s resignation, £50,000 from long-standing Tory donor Ian Mukherjee and £25,000 from Beacon Rock Ltd. Kemi Badenoch raised £12,500 to support her bid for the Tory leadership, Suella Braverman’s unsuccessful campaign received £10,000, while Rishi Sunak was only loaned some office space in Westminster worth £3,195.

Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt, Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt and Nadhim Zahawi are yet to declare any financial support for their campaigns.

Fees for scan pictures MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) has announced it will be charging parents for the photos of baby scans from September 1.

Photos cannot be purchased in the scan room, with the machine located in the waiting area. Payments can be made by card only, with one photo costing £5, while two will be £7 and three will be £10.

A spokesman for the Trust said: “All baby scans for pregnant people [sic] are provided free of charge at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) as part of their maternity care, and always have been.

“Like many other NHS trusts, from September we will charge a small fee for those who want a printed copy of their baby scans.”

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Toy Appeal hunts for new premises as year set to be its most crucial yet

By Richard Williams THE cost-of-living crisis along with the arrival of hundreds of families from Ukraine mean there are more children at risk of going without this Christmas, the organiser of the town’s Toy Appeal has said.

The Mayor’s Toy Appeal, which has been running in Tunbridge Wells since 1987, could be set for its busiest year yet, as rising costs and an influx of people fleeing the Russian invasion could lead to the appeal having to find gifts for a record number of children this year.

Presents The annual appeal aims to ensure children in the borough, who may have to otherwise go without due to financial hardship in the family, receive Christmas presents.

Toys come by way of donations, either in cash or new toys bought by generous residents.

Last year, the Toy Appeal ensured 550 Tunbridge Wells children that may have gone without a gift from Santa received something to open on Christmas day.

Each child was given a main present, ranging from Lego sets and soft toys to radio-controlled cars and Barbie dolls, along with a number of stocking fillers.

Karen Collins, who has been running the appeal for the Mayor – which this year is Cllr Godfrey Bland – for the last seven years, told the Times: “This year could see more children at risk of going without.

“We have the Ukrainian families that have come over and for many, Christmas may be the last thing on their mind at the moment.

“And with the cost-of-living crisis seeing bills

TOY STORY Last year’s Mayor, Chris Woodward, with Karen Collins during the appeal rise, I suspect we will have a lot more children needing us this year.”

However, with just three months to go until the appeal is set to begin on November 19, the Toy Appeal is yet to find a premises this year.

“Unless we find somewhere, we won’t be able to run the appeal,” warned Karen. “I have asked Royal Victoria Place if they can let us have some temporary space, which would be ideal, but a warehouse or unused office would work too.

“We don’t need a huge room, and a number of smaller premises would work, but they have to be a reasonable enough size to give us enough room to sort the toys.”

Anybody who can help the Mayor’s Toy Appeal, which runs from November 19 to December 10, has been asked to contact Karen Collins at the Toy Appeal (details see right).

THE TOY APPEAL NEEDS YOU! ORGANISER of the Mayor’s Toy Appeal, Karen Collins, is to step down after this year’s appeal, after running the charity drive since 2015.

She said she hopes another volunteer who has time during November to December would take over the role, but she has ‘not yet been inundated with offers’.

“I hope somebody steps up to take over, because I wouldn’t want to see the appeal stop,” Karen said, adding that people interested should contact karen.collins@ mayorstoyappeal.co.uk

Royal Town makes the list of best staycation breaks – but only just TUNBRIDGE WELLS has made a consumer magazine’s top 20 list of the best places in the UK to go for a staycation, but it only just made the grade.

The Royal Town ranked 19th in Which? magazine’s top 20 Best City Breaks in the UK 2022 within the small cities and towns category, beating Hastings, which came bottom.

Topping the category was the city of Wells in Somerset. The magazine gave the West Country city the full five stars for lack of crowds, being an ideal place to find some peace and quiet while

also enjoying value for money.

Second was St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales – the UK’s smallest city, which received similar plaudits for being a quiet retreat. Also making the grade was Eastbourne in East Sussex (17 on the list), and the spa city of Bath (3rd).

Leisure To get the results, Which? surveyed 3,662 members about UK towns and cities they had

Family not told of death AN INVESTIGATION is underway after the family of a Tunbridge Wells woman who died earlier this year said Kent Police failed to notify them of the death.

Susan Williamson, 70, died at her flat in Valley Road in Tunbridge Wells in March following an illness, but her brother, Jim Williamson, said he found out from her neighbour three days later.

Kent Police said it had asked Canadian police, via Interpol, to inform Mr Williamson in person.

Det Supt Mat Scott, from Kent Police’s professional standards department, said an investigation had been launched.

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visited for leisure purposes in the past year and stayed in for at least one night.

The magazine asked members to rate the food, accommodation, sights and attractions, level of crowds, and value for money at destinations across the UK. It then gave star ratings from one to five for different aspects followed by a total ‘Staycation Score’.

Disappointingly, while Royal Tunbridge Wells received three stars for the amount and quality of accommodation in the town, as well as three stars for its lack of crowds, it received just two stars for the town’s food and drink offerings and just two stars for value for money.

As a staycation destination, the royal town was given 60 per cent. Top of the list Wells scored 88 per cent while bottom of the list Hastings received 57 per cent.

In other categories, York was ranked as the best large city for a staycation, scoring 86 per cent, while Cambridge topped the list of medium cities and towns.

Boom

EATING OUT Tunbridge Wells only received two stars for its food and drink offerings

Guy Hobbs, Editor of Which? said of the results: “While the UK's stunning coastal and countryside destinations have stolen much of the glory during the recent ‘staycation’ boom, our research shows just how much the UK's towns and cities have to offer those searching for the perfect long weekend away.

“With a world-class array of cultural and heritage sites, buzzing nightlife and culinary options to suit every budget, you’re sure to find somewhere to tempt you on Which?’s list of the best towns and cities for 2022.”

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Summer holiday diversions that are driving motorists around the bend

By Richard Williams THE school holidays have seen Kent County Council (KCC) approve a raft of road closures this summer, which are leading to some large diversions for motorists.

Roadworks conducted by various utilities companies as well as KCC Highways and East Sussex County Council, have led to lengthy alternative routes of more than 40km for drivers.

Eridge Road in Eridge Green has been closed between Sham Farm Road and Bunny Lane. The diversion identified by East Sussex County Council ran via Bunny Lane and Frant Road (A267), then via the Uckfield Bypass (A26) and Eridge Road (A26) – a total of 43 km.

ROADWORKS A raft of works are being conducted this summer

a view to minimising disruption from any conflicting works.

“We must balance the need to allow access with being able to keep Kent moving, which is why we often ask for roadworks to be carried out during school holidays when the risk of disruption is lower.

“Utility companies provide essential water, energy and communications to residents and

businesses and they have a duty to maintain these services.

“While it is not always possible to co-ordinate this, particularly where works are urgent, we insist that anyone working on our network communicates this clearly to those affected.”

To keep abreast of all the road closures and diversions, read the Times travel information on page 2.

Greens back MP’s delay on decision for controversial Cumbrian coal mine THE Green Party in Tunbridge Wells has supported a decision by Tunbridge Wells’ MP to delay the approval of a controversial new coal mine in Cumbria.

The fate of the mine – on the edge of Whitehaven, West Cumbria – was meant to be decided by July 7, but this was pushed back to mid-August after the sacking of Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove.

Greg Clark, who replaced Mr Gove, has now moved this deadline back to November 8, the department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has said.

Planned It means the decision will be taken after a new prime minister has been elected to replace Boris Johnson.

The delay comes after the local Green Party in Tunbridge Wells wrote about the controversial mine in last week’s Times (August 10) and appealed to the Tunbridge Wells MP to scrap the plans.

John Anthony Hurst of the Tunbridge Wells Greens, said the group supported Mr Clark’s postponement of the decision, but added: "If Greg Clark keeps his job in the Cabinet, he should cancel this project.

“The Industrial Strategy he published as Business Minister in 2017 aimed to ‘maximise the advantages for UK industry for the global shift to green growth’, and a new UK coalmine would do the complete opposite.”

The Cumbrian mine is being planned to

Pupils prepare for A-level results day HUNDREDS of schoolchildren in Tunbridge Wells will get their A-Level results tomorrow [August 18], after having had almost their entire period of study disrupted by the pandemic.

The students, who have just finished year 13, started their A-Level courses in September 2020 – in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.

Last year, 44.8 per cent of UK entries were awarded an A or A* grade – up by 6.3 per cent on 2020 when 38.5 per cent achieved the top grades.

Across the South East of England, schools did even better, with 47.1 per cent achieving top marks.

Generously

Disruption Other diversions include works by BT Openreach in Tong Road, Brenchley, set for August 21 that will see motorists forced to take a 16km diversion.

In Horsmonden, works by UK Power Networks will also see residents wanting to use the Maidstone Road have to take a 16km diversion.

Openreach works between Hunters Cottages and Little Conghurst in Hawkhurst, scheduled for August 22 until August 26, will see motorists having to take a 6km diversion.

In Tunbridge Wells itself, a road closure for gas works outside number 11 Quarry Road on August 20-21 will send town centre drivers on diversions of either 1.9 or 1.2km.

Despite the raft of closures and diversions, KCC say the summer holidays are the best time to carry out such works.

A spokesman for the authority said: “As well as carrying out maintenance on our roads we are responsible for co-ordinating all works on the highway including that of utility companies with

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

produce coke for the steel industry to avoid the need to import it from Russia – the world’s leading exporter of coal used in the industry – as opposed to producing coal for power stations.

Despite this, and while it is backed by several Tory MPs, the mine has been labelled ‘absolutely indefensible’ by Parliament’s Climate Change Committee chairman Lord Deben.

In a letter sent to the project’s stakeholders, a Government representative said: “This is a complex matter and officials are not yet in a position to complete their considerations prior to providing advice to Ministers.

“In these circumstances, given the imminent decision date, an additional period of time is required.

“Planning Ministers will therefore not be in a position to reach a decision on this application by the previously notified date.

“The Secretary of State [Greg Clark MP] hereby gives notice that he has varied the timetable previously set and he will now issue his decision on or before November 8, 2022.”

If approved, the coal mine would be the first to open in the UK in 30 years, with the firm behind the project claiming it would create around 500 jobs.

ENVIRONMENTAL Last week’s Green party column in the Times raising the issue of the coal mine

But education minister Will Quince said grades are likely to drop this summer compared with last year, and then again in 2023, as part of a transition back to pre-pandemic arrangements.

However, the Government has said grades are still expected to be higher than in 2019 – the last year GCSE, AS and A level students sat summer exams before the pandemic hit.

And the Department for Education said exams would be graded more generously this year ‘providing a safety net for students’.

Students were given some information in advance to help ‘focus their revision’ and exam boards provided advance information for exams in most subjects.

Pupils were given a choice of topics or content in some other GCSE subjects.

Exam boards provided a sheet of formulae and an updated equation sheet for students sitting their GCSE maths, physics and combined science exams.

Full details of local A-level results in next week’s Times.

Warning TV signals could be affected by mobile upgrades MOBILE network upgrades in Tunbridge Wells may affect some television viewers, as mobile services start to use some of the frequencies previously used for free-to-view TV, a company has said.

Restore TV, which was set up by mobile providers to combat issues with TV signals caused by mobile network changes, say there is a small chance the upgrades could cause interference to TV services received through an aerial, such as Freeview, BT, TalkTalk and YouView.

Interference The company is offering to send a free TV filter, to be fitted between the aerial lead and TV or settop box, to any household affected by interference caused by mobile signals.

Ben Roome, CEO of Restore TV, said: “We know just how important TV is to inform, entertain and provide welcome company.”

The programme offers telephone and online support and may even be able to offer a free follow-up visit by an engineer, depending on eligibility, added Mr Roome.

There is additional support for those who are 75 or older, registered blind or partially sighted, or who receive benefits including personal independence payments (PIPs), attendance allowance, constant attendance allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility Support.

Restore TV answers to the communications regulator Ofcom through the Coexistence Technical Working Group.

Television viewers experiencing new interference can contact 0808 13 13 800 (free from landlines and mobiles) or visit the website: restoretv.uk

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Aerial photography by SwoopMedia

Salomons Estate reveals its new plans

By Robert Forrester A COUNTRY estate in Tunbridge Wells is investing millions in a new development that will secure the future of one of the borough’s oldest stately homes.

Steeped in rich history, Salomons Estate has submitted planning permission for a number of proposals that are set to secure the future and conserve the heritage of its listed assets.

The ‘phased approach’ includes reinstating original character through landscape

PLANS Runcie Court is set to be converted

restoration, increasing accommodation and function room space, and converting and improving the sustainability of David Salomons’ old stable block, Runcie Court.

Historical The plans have been conceived in a bid to promote local tourism and generate the funds necessary to restore the estate’s main building, Salomons House, which has been an important historical site for over 190 years.

OPEN AIR The courtyard would host outdoor events

‘We want Salomons Estate to be here in another 190 years, and for this to happen we need to continually invest in the historic building and its assets’

MANSION Salomons House

It was built as the family home of David Salomon, a leading figure in the nineteenthcentury struggle for Jewish emancipation, as well as being the first Jewish Sheriff of the City of

London and Lord Mayor of London.

Since acquiring the estate in 2013, Markerstudy Leisure, now Elite Leisure Collection, which runs various businesses in Tunbridge Wells, including One Media, publisher of the Times, has invested heavily as the heritage property’s offering has grown.

Currently, Salomons Estate employs 78 members of staff, is home to 23 businesses, and holds an average of 75 weddings each year, making it an integral part of the local and wider community.

“We want Salomons Estate to be here in another 190 years, and for this to happen we

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

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to preserve 130-year-old stable block need to continually invest in the historic building and its assets,” said Operations Director Nick Moore.

He continued: “To be able to do this, we need to ensure we are generating the income needed to fund the restoration, which runs into the millions.”

‘I wanted to find out who works there, who visits and how the estate connects with Tunbridge Wells and the community’ The current proposals have taken more than 12 months to devise and have been designed by architect Gaby Higgs, who has over 40 years of experience working with listed buildings and historic townscapes.

Gaby explained: “I set out to investigate,

survey, photograph and talk to as many people as possible to understand what makes Salomons so unique and special.

“I wanted to find out who works there, who visits and how the estate connects with Tunbridge Wells and the community.”

Tourists Specialising in the restoration and conversion of Georgian houses, including sensitive retrofitting for environmental performance and long-term sustainability, Gaby’s qualifications and experience are an ideal match for Salomons’ long-term development project.

“The buildings will be restored and repurposed for long-term viable and sustainable uses, maximising their potential to create employment, and attracting both tourists and local visitors to enjoy spending time at Salomons,” added Gaby.

Interior photography by Emily Harding

DETAILS The stables retain original features

FROM HORSES TO VISITOR ACCOMMODATION With phases one and three of the development underway, phase two, Runcie Court remains in its infancy, as the estate awaits planning approval from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The distinctive stable block completed in 1894 now has a Grade II* Historic England listing. The proposed plan involves converting the building into short-stay visitor accommodation, carefully and sensitively designed to provide 17 suites, allowing people to appreciate and experience the history, architecture, and character of Salomons Estate.

Not used as a stable block for many decades, the most recent use for Runcie Court has been as commercial office space, but the Salomons plan will renovate the aging building to bring it back to its former glory, as well as secure the future of the Grade II* property.

The central area of Runcie Court is articulated by exposed brick arches and glazed screens, and with decorative tiles, joinery and ephemera relating to the stables still intact,

AERIAL VIEW Runcie Court seen from above

PORCELAIN Decorative tiles

the features will remain and serve as distinctive design elements for the individual luxury bedrooms, ensuites and living spaces.

The ground floor stable blocks are highly decorative and superbly detailed, with original tiles, horse stalls and porcelain troughs. The intention is to retain this area for public use, for example as a museum, café, bar, or events space.

External to the stables is an enclosed courtyard, suitable for leisure, entertainment, and outdoor hospitality or retail uses and with post-pandemic trends here to stay, the external space holds enormous potential to become a destination attraction.

At roof level the haylofts that boast arched beams, timber cladding, and a clock tower will create unique accommodation, giving visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the history of Salomons Estate.

The plan to expand, revitalise and re-use the asset for long-term sustainable uses is sustainable in both social, economic and environmental terms.

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A crafty bit of school holiday help from town’s Metro Bank

By Victoria Roberts METRO Bank is open all week with free craft activities for children to do on the premises, or to take away in a craft bag.

The event is being held in branches up and down the country and is part of the Metro Bank’s community engagement programme, which sees it providing ‘Money Zone’ financial education

GREG CLARK MP

workshops to over 250,000 schoolchildren throughout the year.

The children can also take selfies with the bank’s mascot, ‘Metro Man’.

01892 519854 or email:

greg.clark.mp @parliament.uk

Hotel group reports highest post-Covid occupancy levels

By Molly Miller TUNBRIDGE WELLS-based Elite Leisure Collection (ELC) hotels have reported their highest monthly occupancy levels since August 2019, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

According to UKHospitality, which represents over 100,000 venues across the UK, the cost of the pandemic to the sector is estimated at £115billion, so the data from Salomons Estate and One Warwick Park in Tunbridge Wells suggests there is a light at the end of the tunnel for Kent’s hospitality businesses.

Venue

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Community Stephen Cotton, Tunbridge Wells Metro Bank’s store manager, said: “We’re always looking for ways to support our local community.

“We know how long the summer holidays are

and we are glad to be able to offer this free event for kids. Last year’s craft event was lots of fun and this year will be no different.”

The week-long promotion started on Monday (August 15) and runs until Sunday.

“You don’t have to be a customer to come and enjoy the event – everyone is welcome,” added Mr Cotton.

Metro Bank is at 2 & 4 Calverley Rd and is currently open Monday to Saturday 8.30am-6pm and 11am-5pm on Sunday.

Reporting its latest figures for July 2022, Salomons Estate, a wedding venue which also provides accommodation and function room hire, said the Victorian country house had hit 80 per cent occupancy.

This was topped by fellow ELC property One Warwick Park Hotel in the centre of town, which reported 84 per cent occupancy – a level not seen since August 2019.

ELC is also the owner of One Media, publisher of the Times.

Commenting on the increased business, ELC operations director Nick Moore said: “People are travelling again.”

However, an influx of travel-focused Brits means investing in technology including a ‘virtual concierge’ for guests, according to ELC. The city-centre hotel is also creating Deluxe Plus suites, each with a balcony overlooking Cumberland Walk.

These ‘feature bedrooms’ are all equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine and walk-in wet room and bath, and complemented by a robe and slippers, said the company.

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Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Deadline nears to register trusts for new directive

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Local law firm helps a client’s business flower in new regions

A DEADLINE for registering trusts to abide by a new money laundering law is drawing near, and it may catch out trustees who previously did not have to register, a local law firm has warned.

“Most trusts in a will, discretionary trusts, life interest trusts – even if there is no tax liability – are all required to register,” said West Kent-based Warners Solicitors.

“This could include a trust set up within a will, giving someone – for example a surviving spouse – the right to continue living in a home.”

Under the new Money Laundering Directive (5MLD), more types of trusts require registration, rather than only trusts that were liable to pay taxes.

Registration Registration means trustees must maintain and provide information about trusts and beneficiaries to HMRC’s Trust Registration Service (TRS).

“There may be penalties for failure to register on time or failing to update the register going forward,” added Warners, saying the deadline for registration is September 1.

After the deadline date, a trust must be registered within 90 days of its creation, and the register must be updated within 90 days of the trustees becoming aware of any changes.

“There are some exclusions to this rule which may mean that some trusts are not required to be registered, but trustees will have to assess whether or not their trust falls into an excluded category,” said Warners.

“Joint ownership of property could be caught by the new rules, although the requirements are not straightforward and there are exceptions,” added the firm, with an offer to advise trustees of ‘live’ trusts.

By Sarah Carter TUNBRIDGE Wells-based Thomson Snell & Passmore (TSP) has helped one of its clients continue its nationwide expansion by acquiring three more companies in the Midlands and North.

Surrey-headquartered Nurture Landscapes was founded in 2008, focusing on landscape maintenance for the corporate and private sector.

However, the company has since acquired 37 businesses, expanding geographically and branching out into pest control.

TSP assisted with all those acquisitions except for three in Scotland, it said.

The law firm also advised Nurture in its most recent three acquisitions, Barton Grange Landscapes near Preston, Alpha Pest Control in

Stoke-on-Trent and Enserve in Leeds.

Alpha Pest Control and Enserve will become part of Nurture’s new focus on the pest control business after the group acquired Rokill Pest Control in 2021.

Ambitious Peter Fane, Nurture Group’s founder and executive chairman, said the three new businesses added loyal client bases as well as extra capacity and skills in the Midlands and North.

“As an ambitious and award-winning horticultural and landscaping business, branching out and going for growth is in our veins.”

And he thanked his legal advisors: “I would like to especially thank the legal team at

Thomson Snell & Passmore. Their help and support was much appreciated in helping bring more successful deals to fruition.”

TSP corporate partner Jason Varney said: “It is fantastic to work with ambitious, growing businesses, helping them to achieve their goals.

It is particularly rewarding to support long-term clients such as Nurture Landscapes, building up a relationship over many years, which enables an in-depth understanding of their unique needs and aims.

“We look forward to continuing to support Nurture Landscapes with its future expansion plans.”

Mr Varney was assisted by a team including associate Joseph Hartland and supported by commercial property partner Alisa Sweeney and employment partner Ben Stepney.

SAT 20 AUG · 8PM

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Local dance troupe win All-England acclaim for Ukrainian performance

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DANCING QUEENS Dance Consortium trio (L-R) Lilli-Belle Wright, Freya Armstrong and Ella Kukkola

By Sarah Carter THREE young dancers from Tunbridge Wells were named national champions in the All England Dance National Finals at the end of July, thanks to their performance of national dance from Ukraine.

Local dancers 17-year-old Lilli-Belle Wright, 16-year-old Freya Armstrong and 17-year-old Ella Kukkola, who train at The Dance Consortium, first performed their Ukrainian dance at the Ukraine Relief Group’s fundraising event.

Traditional At the national dance competition late last month, the girls performed their number again in the classical dance section, where performances must be choreographed in the most authentic style, music and costuming for the traditional dance of a country.

“This particular trio celebrates the national flower, the sunflower, and the symbol of hope that it represents to the people of Ukraine,”

explained Katie Thompson from the Dance Consortium.

“Sunflower buds face the rising sun and trace the movement of it each day and the choreography reflects this.”

At the competition, Ella also received a top mark for her solo tap performance and was invited to compete in the AED Young Tap Dancer of the Year competition, where she was runner-up.

The girls started their training as pre-schoolers at the Dance Consortium, where national dance is taught from age five, starting with English national dance.

Other Dance Consortium pupils, some as young as seven, also brought home medals from the championship.

The Dance Consortium was founded in Tunbridge Wells in 1986, and is accepting new students to join from September, both in Tunbridge Wells and at their new branch in Crowborough.

Interested families can sign up at: TheDanceConsortium.co.uk

Football club scores for charity after running online ticket sales

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FUNDING GOAL Club Captain Jack Smith and team, accompanied by mascots Eliza Nailor, Florence Poole, Florence Mearing, Adelaide Mearing and India Shepheard A MOVE into online ticket sales helped a local football team to raise over £220 for charity – and it hopes to raise more by progressing through the rounds of the Emirates FA Cup. Rusthall FC’s extra-preliminary round FA Cup game against Loxwood FC on August 1 was the first time the club had tried online ticket selling, the club’s head of communications Jamie Poole told the Times.

“Usually sales are via the turnstile on the day, and only a small proportion for this game – about 25 per cent – of tickets were bought online.”

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Opportunity With the club’s season tickets not valid for the FA Cup game, Rusthall FC experimented with online sales for the first time, and used the opportunity to donate part of the handling fee to charity.

At this point, a group of young girls – attracted

to the club by the success of England’s Lionesses, joined up as ‘mascots’ to carry out a match-day collection, boosting the total to over £220 for children’s hospice charity Demelza.

Demelza provides clinical care, therapies, specialised activities and practical support for children across Kent, southeast London and East Sussex.

“The girls were keen to get involved in the football club when they saw what the Lionesses were doing,” Jamie said.

“Their parents enquired about it in the buildup (to the England women’s win) and it was all quite spontaneous, really.

“We would like to have an all-girl youth team,” he added.

Rusthall FC went on to win its match against Loxwood 3-2 and will face Ramsgate FC in the preliminary round of the FA Cup this Saturday (August 20) – again at the local club’s Jockey Farm Stadium.

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Mayor starts the wheels turning on exercise machines at new park gym

By Victoria Roberts A NEW outdoor gym at Dunorlan Park has been officially opened by the Borough’s Mayor to celebrate the centenary of the Rotary Club of Tunbridge Wells (RCTW), in cooperation with the Rotary Club of The Pantiles (RCP).

The equipment, set up in a crescent formation overlooking the lake, is in shade in the afternoons and is free to use, with no gym induction or membership fees.

Donation The exercise apparatus has been in operation for a few weeks already, but the two Rotary clubs got together last week to acknowledge partners such as RTW Round Table, whose donation of funds from last year’s fireworks display at Dunorlan Park had been a major contribution.

RCTW president Philippa Bernstein said: “The gym equipment is our way to mark 100 years of Rotary in Tunbridge Wells. Rotary wanted to give something that would be of benefit to our

community to mark the occasion.”

Expressing appreciation to others such as Ian West of the Dunorlan Park Café and Jan and Adrian Johnson of 55Plus Equity Release, she also thanked TWBC, which will insure and maintain the equipment, as well as Council parks and sports team leader Peter Every.

Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Cllr Godfrey Bland said the new equipment ‘has been the object of much energy and much generosity’.

“They’re magnificent, and I look forward to gently trying them,” he added.

Also present to officially open the equipment was former Kent and England cricket captain Chris Cowdrey. He told guests he appreciated the irony of being asked to endorse a gym, as he had once been out drinking in Tunbridge Wells with fellow cricketer David Gower before a match at the Nevill Ground.

He recalled an article about the following day’s match, with the journalist commenting on the two players’ performance and wondering ‘how good the two of them would be if only they spent less time in the pub and more time in the gym’.

Health centres to boost junior fitness …especially for girls in Lioness summer

ON YOUR BIKE Mayor Cllr Godfrey Bland with (L-R) Philippa Bernstein, Chris Cowdrey, John Chapman (credit: David Fawcett)

MOVE TOGETHER (NUFFIELD HEALTH) Cost: free Location: The Common, off Mount Ephraim Activities: boxing, pilates, yoga, dance, Zumba, circuits and more.

Who: 11-16 Booking at: local Nuffield Health centre or NuffieldHealth.com/move-together

SUMMER RACKET SPORTS MEMBERSHIP (FUSION HEALTH)

TWO locally-based gyms are targeting girls in a bid to get children more active this summer, following research by one of the organisations that showed just 12 per cent of 11-16 year old girls planned to play sport this summer.

The Nuffield Health survey was carried out in the first week of the summer holidays and found that despite women’s sports coverage – culminating in the Lionesses’ Euros win – over a quarter (28 per cent) of teenage girls say exercise is not important to them.

Meanwhile, 28 per cent of parents anticipate their daughters will stay indoors for four to seven days every week this summer.

This follows Nuffield Health’s Healthier Nation Index, which recently showed that women’s health had suffered most in the pandemic, with 47 per cent saying they had done no vigorous physical exercise in the last year.

Activity Sport England’s Active Lives survey has also shown that 54 per cent of girls aged 11-16 are doing under 60 minutes of activity a day.

Nuffield Heath’s charity and medical director Davina Deniszczyc warned the new survey showed ‘this problem often starts in girls’ teenage years, with many reporting multiple barriers to physical activity’.

“If we don’t start knocking these (barriers)

down for young girls now, we run the risk of this continuing into their adult lives, negatively impacting on both their physical and mental health,” she added.

The group’s clinical fitness specialist Olivia Tyler said: “I hear the same concerns all the time, especially from young women. It is a mixture of feeling self-conscious, worried about being embarrassed and not knowing what else they can do that goes beyond the traditional sports offered in school sports lessons.

“We are hoping to inspire young girls with fun activities they can do with their friends in convenient, safe spaces that will encourage participation over the summer and beyond.”

There is an exercise gap between boys and girls, with the Nuffield survey showing that 27 per cent of 11-16 year old boys planned to play sport this summer.

Meanwhile, 43 per cent of girls feel embarrassed while playing sports or exercising, compared to only 28 per cent of boys.

“Our ambition is to get as many young girls as possible active this summer without having to worry about cost,” added Davina Deniszczyc.

Cost and health were also the focus of local leisure centre operator Fusion Lifestyle, which runs the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre in St John’s Road, The Weald Sports Centre in Cranbrook and Putlands Sport & Leisure Centre in Paddock Wood.

RECONNECT LEISURE MEMBERSHIP (FUSION HEALTH) Cost: £10 for the summer Location(s): Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, Putlands Sports & Leisure Centre and The Weald Sports Centre Activities: including swimming, badminton, tennis, skating, kids’ classes and junior gym Who: children on free school meals, those in care and care leavers (under 21) Booking at: Fusion-Lifestyle.com

Cost: £10 until end of August Location(s): Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, Putlands Sports & Leisure Centre and The Weald Sports Centre Activities: tennis, squash and badminton Who: under 18s Booking at: Fusion-Lifestyle.com

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‘Third age’ pub quizzers reach £5,000 mark in quest to fund local good causes

By Sarah Carter PUB quiz teams for the local u3a retirement association have raised £5,000 for charity over six years of competing, persevering through many changes of teams and venues, and through all pandemic restrictions.

Having reached a target of over £4,000 in November 2019, the Tunbridge Wells association’s pub quiz group raised its bar to £5,000 and continued battling through remote pub-quizzes as restrictions were brought in all over the world.

The group forms teams which compete against one another on the night, and although each participant pays about £2 to participate, they then donate any winnings to charity, mainly local causes, explained pub quiz group coordinator Dick Hoare.

Target “Local charities which have benefited in the past have include Headway, Nourish Community Foodbank, The Bridge Trust and Samaritans.”

Late last month, two teams of four reached the £5,000 group target at the Brecknock Arms

THINKING CAPS Members of the u3a pub quiz group at an event in May pub quiz.

The High Flyers won £15 and The Optimists won £5.

“We’ll never get rich, but it's a fun night out and you can't put a price on that,” he said.

“And that's how we broke through £5,000.”

The pub quiz group is one of about 100 special-interest groups organised by Tunbridge Wells u3a, which also include ambling, art appreciation, canasta, computing, science and Spanish. Members are no longer in full-time employment. New members can find out more at: TunbridgeWellsu3a.org

Crowborough man first to benefit from new radiotherapy machine

PATIENT Paul and the Halcyon A CANCER patient from Crowborough was the first to benefit from a new radiotherapy machine which halves treatment times and provides a much more comfortable experience.

The £2million Halcyon radiotherapy machine at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) started operating last month and is one of only a few in the country.

The machine, based at MTW’s Maidstone site, targets larger tumours more effectively and provides more accurate images in a less enclosed and quieter environment, helping to reduce stress to patients.

Quieter Bladder cancer patient Paul, 56, from Crowborough was the very first person to be treated with the new machine, on July 25.

He said: “It’s a much quieter machine than what I’ve been treated with before, so it was a much more pleasant experience, and I was in and out so quickly – it was a terrific service.

“If I ever win the lottery I’ll be buying them another one!”

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) chief of cancer services Philippa Moth said: “Improving the patient experience is always at the forefront of every decision we make and the investment in this new technology will mean our patients have access to faster, more accurate

treatment and therefore spend less time in hospital and more time with their loved ones.

“The Halcyon is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure our patients have access to the best possible care and thanks to the hard work of our fantastic teams will help us build on the progress we have made in the last few years in becoming one of the best performing cancer centres in the country.”

As well as being much easier for specialist staff to use, the Halcyon also offers increased efficiency such as dramatically lower running costs helping to save energy and being completely paperless.

The Kent Oncology Centre belongs to the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) which also runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

The cancer centre continued all cancer treatments throughout the pandemic.

MTW is one of only a handful of trusts to have met national cancer standards for almost three years.

Staff are now looking forward to increasing the number of cancer patients they can treat with the delivery of a second Halcyon later this year.

MTW’s other investments in cancer care include recruiting more specialist oncology clinicians, developing and training nursing staff to enable them to deliver chemotherapy treatment and the opening of a new Oncology Outpatients suite in May.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

The human touch

Bygone village life recalled in trip down memory lane A SPECIAL trip down memory lane for an elderly resident, made possible by her carer, has shed light on village life in bygone years – including drawing water from the village well and romance in the milking parlour.

Helen, who rarely gets out by herself nowadays, was born and raised in the small village of Frant, East Sussex, as were her parents, and so she holds the village very close to her heart and has seen the village and the community change over the years.

‘My mother was a milkmaid at the farm and my father was a maintenance man at the same

farm and that is how they met. I went to the local school, which is now a private residence offering holiday accommodation,’ explains Helen.

Helen’s carer, Laura, works for TerraBlu, an independent company who provide domiciliary care for elderly people living in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and the surrounding areas.

TerraBlu celebrates its 20-year anniversary in September and staff have agreed to pledge 20 minutes of their free time to spend with their clients. As Laura has forged a wonderful friendship with Helen over time, she was

Helen enjoys a hearty lunch at The George, Frant

delighted to collect Helen from her home and accompany her for a walk to The George pub for lunch, as her ’20 minutes of kindness’.

‘We sat together and had a lovely meal. Helen said that when she was younger, she spent a lot of time in The George, as her friends’ parents were the owners. She used to love running around the pub and playing in the garden with her friends, pretending they were running the place,’ says Laura.

On the way back, Helen took Laura past the village well and explained, “I remember collecting water from the village well, as I often had to carry buckets to fetch water from it for my family.” Helen expanded that, “It’s incredible how the village has changed, and I’ve been lucky enough to watch it all happen.”

Laura reflected that, “I really enjoyed our conversation together. It is sharing in activities such as these that makes my job so rewarding. It really helps to build a bigger picture of my clients so I can adapt their care around their past and present life experiences.”

“Providing excursions such as this, so our clients can visit the places they love, is one of the many services that our team of committed carers provides to ensure our elderly clients enjoy the best possible quality of life while living independently in their own homes,” explained Netta Sceal, Deputy Care Manager.

“It’s this human touch that our carers weave into the care we provide for all our clients that makes TerraBlu care so much more than delivering an agreed care plan, helping to ensure our clients can lead life to the full,” added Managing Director, Richard Gould.

A month of caring We’ve been mostly… celebrating our TerraBlu stars!

EACH one of our TerraBlu team regularly goes over and above what is expected of them in their day-to-day roles. To celebrate their contributions we have started a scheme called TerraBlu Stars. Julia Mead, Director of care expands, “I’m thrilled to present each of our stars with a certificate and a Marks and Spencer voucher so they can have a treat on us for their brilliant work. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Emma presenting Laura with her gift

We’re looking forward to… our 20-year anniversary celebrations!

Helping your elderly relative or neighbour through a heatwave AMBER heat warnings this month – following July’s record-breaking temperatures – mean an ongoing risk of heat-related illness, especially for the older people in our community.

The UK government released updated information in July, highlighting the danger that severe heat can cause everyone, especially older and disabled people, and those living in care homes.

So what can you do to keep your elderly relatives or neighbours safe in the heat?

TerraBlu, a local domiciliary care provider in Tunbridge Wells, suggests regularly checking in on them to ensure they are keeping hydrated by drinking between six to eight cups of fluid per day. Keeping blinds or curtains pulled in sunny

rooms and avoiding going outside during the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 4pm, is also advisable.

“It’s important to ensure that elderly relatives and neighbours are closely monitored during a heatwave, especially if they have health conditions that could mask a heat-related illness, such as heat stroke or dehydration. It’s key to visit regularly in person, rather than just rely on a phone call.

“Dehydration can cause headaches, a feeling of thirst and overheating, so leave fresh drinks within easy reach and in several rooms and provide plenty of fresh snacks in the freezer and water-based foods, such a yoghurt, ice pops or watermelon to snack on,” says Netta Sceal,

Deputy Care Manager.

“As the elderly tend to walk locally to the shops and appointments, they can quickly find themselves struggling and overwhelmed with the heat,” cautions Richard Gould, Managing Director. “Others can easily forget to keep hydrated and find themselves feeling very unwell and in need of help.

“At such times, elderly people and their relatives can benefit from having a home carer pop in to check on them as they are trained to spot signs of heatstroke or heat-related illnesses.

Carers can assist with driving to the shops and appointments and providing suitable meals. If you can’t check on an elderly relative yourself, such services can be vital at times like these.”

SEPTEMBER sees the 20-year anniversary of TerraBlu. We have been avidly organising special events for the team, their families and our wonderful clients to help celebrate. Emma Foard, Operations Support Manager, is busy coordinating our very own festival called TerraFest! And our carers have pledged ‘20 minutes of kindness’ to their clients, giving each one 20 minutes extra of their unpaid time.

“We are thrilled to be reaching this momentous anniversary. It would not have been achievable without such a dedicated team and loyal clients. Thank you all,” commented Emma Foard, Operations Support Manager.

Looking for care with a human touch?

Want a fulfilling career where you can make a difference?

www.terrablu.co.uk

01892 529 429 info@terrablu.co.uk 9 Calverley Crescent, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2NB

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Wages falling at record rates Jeremy Paxman to step down against rocketing inflation hosting University Challenge

UK WORKERS saw their pay lag behind inflation at record rates over the past quarter, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said regular pay, excluding bonuses, grew by 4.7% over the three months to June.

Analysts had predicted that wages would increase by 4.5%.

It comes after CPI inflation hit a new 40-year record of 9.4% in June and is expected to peak at around 11% later this year.

Representing The ONS said this resulted in a 4.1% drop in regular pay for employees once CPI inflation is taken into account, representing the biggest slump since records began in 2001.

Official figures also showed that the number of UK workers on payrolls rose by 73,000 between June and July to 29.7 million.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate increased to 3.8% for the quarter compared with 3.7% for the previous period.

ONS director of economic statistics Darren

Morgan said: “The number of people in work grew in the second quarter of 2022, whilst the headline rates of unemployment and of people neither working nor looking for a job were little changed.

“Meanwhile, the total number of hours worked each week appears to have stabilised very slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

“Redundancies are still at very low levels.

“However, although the number of job vacancies remains historically very high, it fell for the first time since the summer of 2020.”

Vacancy numbers hit 1.274 million over the three months from May to July, slipping by 19,800 in the first signal the UK’s hot labour market could be cooling.

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said: “Today’s stats demonstrate that the jobs market is in a strong position, with unemployment lower than at almost any point in the past 40 years – good news in what I know are difficult times for people.

“This highlights the resilience of the UK economy and the fantastic businesses who are creating new jobs across the country.”

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STARTER FOR TEN Jeremy Paxman and the Oxford University Challenge team 2009

JEREMY Paxman is stepping down as the host of University Challenge after 28 years, the BBC has announced.

He has presented the quiz show since 1994 and will film his last episode in autumn, with his final series of the programme airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from August 29 through to summer 2023.

Brains The journalist and broadcaster, 72, said: “I’ve had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work with an amazing team and to meet some of the swottier brains in the country. It gives me hope for the future.”

This year the popular BBC programme celebrates 60 years as Britain’s longest running quiz show.

Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of Unscripted, said: “Since the BBC revived University Challenge in 1994 Jeremy has been at the front and centre of the show’s success and is without doubt one of the world’s finest, and most formidable quizmasters.

“We are hugely grateful to Jeremy for his dedication to the programme for an incredible 28 years, he will be much missed by us all and the show’s millions of viewers.”

The programme’s new presenter will be announced later this week, the corporation said.

Paxman revealed in May 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

National News

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Year is worst on record for railway cancellations INDUSTRIAL disputes, severe weather and coronavirus-related staff sickness caused the worst year for train reliability in Britain since records began.

Analysis of Office of Rail and Road data shows the cancellations score in the 12 months to July 23 was 3.6%.

That is the highest figure in records dating back to 2015.

Strike action in disputes over jobs, pay and conditions has resulted in a surge of cancellations in recent weeks.

PICKET LINE Outside Tunbridge Wells Station

Decline Avanti West Coast had a cancellations score of 16.2% of its services in the latest four-week period, between June 26 and July 23.

That is the most in any recorded period for the West Coast franchise since the figures began.

The operator says it is suffering staff shortages caused by drivers engaging in an ‘unofficial strike’, with a sharp decline in the number who are voluntarily working on their rest days for extra pay.

Drivers’ union Aslef insists this is “disingenuous” and blames the company for failing to employ enough drivers.

Other operators which saw their highest cancellations scores on record in the four weeks to July 23 include CrossCountry (10.3%), LNER (7.4%) and Merseyrail (5.5%).

The scores reflect the number of full and part cancellations as a proportion of planned trains.

Each part cancellation counts for 0.5 of the total which is used to calculate the percentages.

Severe weather also caused major disruption to services during the past 12 months.

A rare “do not travel” alert was issued across the network on February 18, with seven operators suspending all services because of Storm Eunice.

Lines were blocked and damaged by fallen trees and flying debris as winds exceeded 120mph.

Last month’s heatwave brought services to a standstill due to the closure of lines or speed restrictions amid fears of tracks buckling as temperatures exceeded 40C, and lineside fires.

The spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant towards the end of last year led to a rise in staff sickness which resulted in a spate of cancellations, leading to timetables being slashed.

July’s retail prices index (RPI), an inflation figure usually used to determine the next annual

rise in regulated fares such as season tickets, will be released on Wednesday morning.

The Department for Transport announced on Monday that the 2023 increase in fares in England will be below RPI, which is expected to be around 12%.

Chris Page, who chairs pressure group Railfuture, said: “The Government claims that the fare rise will be below inflation, but the devil will be in the detail.

“They won’t say what the increase will be, or which fares it will apply to.

“If the Government was serious about tackling the cost-of-living crisis it would make rail travel much more affordable and make it easier for people to use cars and planes less.

“Germany has shown the way with its nine euro (£7.58) travelcard offer.

“It proves that if the price is right, people will flock to the trains.”

NEWS

15

Ryanair to move flights to Stansted BUDGET airline Ryanair said it will add more than 500 flights serving London Stansted during the October half-term school holiday after Heathrow extended its cap on passenger numbers.

The Dublin-based airline said the extra flights at the Essex airport will have capacity for 100,000 passengers.

Heathrow announced on Monday that the limit of 100,000 daily departing passengers it introduced in July due to staff shortages will continue until the end of October.

That will disrupt the holiday plans of many families hoping to get away during half-term.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said: “While hopeless Heathrow continues to cut flights and raise fares for families, Ryanair and London Stansted continue to add flights, and offer thousands of low-fare seats for the autumn mid-term break.

Hopeless “With over 500 additional flights, more than 100,000 additional seats and prices starting from just 29.99 euros (£25.29), Ryanair looks forward to welcoming thousands of additional families during the autumn mid-term break on its low-fare flights to/from London Stansted Airport.

“While hopeless Heathrow continues to mismanage air travel, Ryanair and London Stansted will continue to grow and deliver for London families, the way we have through all of summer 2022.”

Ryanair insisted that it and Stansted have “more than sufficient staff to handle these additional flights”.

Heathrow has repeatedly criticised airlines for a shortage of ground handlers at the airport, which has resulted in thousands of items of baggage not being put on to their owners’ flights this summer.

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Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Education

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17

EDUCATION Times

It’s time to get inventive to win this year’s heritage photo competition Young people are invited to submit their imaginative entries on the theme of ‘Astounding Inventions’ to this year’s Heritage Open Days Photographic Competition for Students THIS IS the third year of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society’s Heritage Open Days Photographic Competition for Students, which is free to enter and offers a series of generous prizes in two age categories, so it’s time for children aged between four and 13 to get their cameras or phones out to join in.

This year’s theme to follow is ‘Astounding Inventions’, and all students within the age groups who live in Tunbridge Wells borough are welcome to enter shots that reflect that theme. There will be prizes for winners and runners up in two entry groups.

Gallery

Last year’s theme was ‘Edible England’ (as pictured here) and saw a range of imaginative entries and well-deserved winners.

During the festival, a gallery of images submitted by students will appear on the Heritage Open Days Facebook and other social media pages.

Explaining the idea behind the competition, Caroline Auckland, one of the local organisers, said: “All of the Heritage Open Day events are run by adults, and although many events are suitable for young people to attend we really want to encourage young people to contribute to local heritage appreciation.

“The photographic competition is always linked to the Heritage Open Day special theme,

2021 WINNER

2021 RUNNER UP

ENTRY DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS: • Entry group Years 4-6, with a first prize of £50 and two runners-up prizes of £25.

• Entry group Years 7-13, with a first prize of £100 and two runners-up prizes of £50.

• The theme of ‘Astounding Inventions’ may be interpreted in any way – e.g. architecture, transport, computing, domestic appliances.

Look for inspiration at the newly-opened Amelia Scott cultural centre on the corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Monson Road, which explores objects connected with Tunbridge Wells and the High Weald.

• One digital entry per student (landscape or portrait, high resolution jpeg). Include your

name, year group, address, school, plus title of photograph submitted. Entries must be students’ original work.

• Submit entries by September 8 2022 to twellsheritage@gmail.com • The judges’ decision is final. Results of competition to be announced on the Heritage Open Days website.

Entry will allow use of images on the Heritage Open Days website and social media pages and in their newsletter and future Tunbridge Wells Heritage Open Days leaflets. Entry permits publication of names in press releases.

and as organisers we tend to have preconceived ideas about the entries we expect to receive, and are always delighted when we receive fresh, vibrant, creative presentations on the theme.

“Last year it was ‘Edible England’, and the class of 2021 produced images which told stories in multiple ways. In some entries the focus on detail was thought-provoking and in others playful. The title and description of each submission added to the photographic context.

“We can't wait to see the submissions for 2022 and anticipate a diverse range of images interpreting our local heritage. Above all, young people are invited to have fun interpreting this year's theme.”

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2022 This year’s heritage festival runs from September 9-18, and is another opportunity to visit historic sites in our area for free, some of which may not normally be open to the public. It is a superb chance to explore and discover places and buildings inside and outside.

Keep an eye on the website below for the places you can visit during the festival.

Some events may require booking.

For more information visit: heritageopendays.org.uk

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Letters

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Greg Clark Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Greg Clark was first elected MP for Tunbridge Wells in 2005.

He has held a number of positions in Government, including Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He is currently Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Gatwick must respect the impact it has on people who live under the flight path THIS SUMMER – the hottest on record – has been the first for three years in which international travel has been free of Covid restrictions in Europe.

The heat has meant that many of us have been sleeping with our windows open, and many have noticed the return of aircraft noise from planes flying over our towns and villages before landing at Gatwick Airport.

The noise – and the overflying – was at unacceptable levels before Covid, but the quieter skies of much of the last three years has made it more noticeable, and more resented.

Reports So I was disappointed when I learned of plans to increase the number of night flights – between the hours of 11.30pm and 6.00 am landing at Gatwick.

As soon as I read the reports that this expansion in night flights was being contemplated, I contacted the Minister for Aviation, Robert Courts MP. I set out the impact that this would have on my already noise-

affected constituents.

So I was very pleased when, on 22 July, the Minister wrote to me to say that, in acknowledgement of the strength of feeling expressed in my letter to him, he would no longer relax flight quotas as a method of managing capacity at Gatwick.

But that does not mean that the work is over to reduce aircraft noise. Many constituents have told me that aircraft are flying much lower than before over Tunbridge Wells and the neighbouring villages. Gatwick have confirmed to me that this has indeed been the case this year, but could not explain why.

Obviously, the lower the altitude an aircraft flies at, the noisier it is for people under the flight path.

The pilots are guided by the air traffic control system rather than the airport operator, so I have written to NATS, who run air traffic control, to find out why this should be the case.

There is a long overdue change needed in the way airspace is managed in the South East, and, along with my neighbouring MPs, I am pressing the Civil Aviation Authority to make changes for

is no worse than now. However, in my view, this misses an important point: as residents living near every other airport in the country everlower noise, ours alone would not improve. We would be robbed of the benefit of technological advance.

Victory

the future to avoid concentrating flights over heavily residential areas.

There is another threat to our tranquillity that we must see off, which is Gatwick Airport’s application to use its emergency runway as a second regular runway, greatly increasing the flight movements.

The airport argues that new technology will make planes quieter, so that the overall impact

I am glad that we have an international airport near Tunbridge Wells. It provides jobs for many of my constituents – whether air crew, ground staff or engineering and technology businesses clustered around Gatwick. And many of us use Gatwick to fly on holiday or on business.

But its operators must respect the impact it has on people who live under the flight path, and the Civil Aviation Authority must find ways to make a reality of the Government’s policy “to limit and, where possible, reduce the number of people in the UK significantly affected by aircraft noise.”

This has been a valuable victory, but I will continue to work to ensure that my constituents enjoy greater tranquillity.

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Letters

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Wednesday August 17 | 2022

And another thing…

Finances were in good shape The arrival of the A-team for the salvation of the ‘ailing Tunbridge Wells’ at the last election seems to have had a break-down on the way in which required the support of the ‘backup team’ headed by Tom Dawlings.

All the wild remarks about Borough finances being in trouble seem to fly in the face of reality and the Borough auditors who have supported Councillor Dawlings.

Then, to cap it all we were told that parking charges had to be increased.

That went down well, rather like the proverbial Lead Balloon especially as it was pulled out the incoming leader’s hat and prompted a major negative reaction from public and traders alike.

Does the incoming ‘coalition’ not understand anything about democracy and people’s opinion and sensitivities?

The Borough finances were in good shape when handed over, it is just a pity somebody cannot, apparently, read a balance sheet.

Patrick Thomson Hawkhurst

MEETING Residents in Paddock Wood at an emergency meetings this month to discuss the parking fees pharmacy. The access of two hours free parking on a limited pension making the difference between maintaining their independence for a few more years or giving up.

Underpaid carers servicing our most vulnerable who could certainly not afford the additional pressure of parking charges on what may not even be a living wage salary.

Of course, we will and must switch to electric-powered transport when affordable and the grid can support it which it doesn’t currently, but not by adding pressure on those least able to bear it, usually women.

Even two hours free parking has a part to play.

Carol Wilson Tunbridge Wells

the doctor’s surgery which has now relocated from Rowan Tree Road to St Johns.

This location is inconvenient but not impossible to attend as I recently discovered, picking up this local bus service from near my home.

However, I discovered the hard way this week, waiting for some time with others at the bus stop, that this service has changed its timetable from August 1 and so I did some investigating.

The KCC website reporting on this issue has hidden the information about this service out of numerical order between bus numbers 224

and 230, so is not easy to find.

It goes on to say the only change is withdrawing the Saturday service. In fact, this service has gone from half hourly to hourly and now finishes earlier at 14.00 with the 15.00 only going as far as the War Memorial.

I trust our MP and local councillors will fight to save this vital service from any further cuts.

This surely has got to be an easier and more sustainable option than campaigning for the return of a Doctors Surgery with a car park.

Penny Kift Tunbridge Wells

PEPPY SAYS...

CARTOON BY PEPPY: (Follow her on Twitter @Peppyscott)

Mrs Francis’ support (Times, August 3), at least in part, for the council’s parking charge proposals as a move to low emission vehicles ignores the human element in its impact.

Those comfortably situated may well continue their online grocery deliveries and enjoy their ‘event’ experiences regardless of parking costs, others however, and many will be local, will not be immune from facing a cost-of-living crisis and a winter of potential poverty. They will be watching pennies not just pounds.

As a user of Yew Tree Road Car Park (proposed for cessation of free parking) I assume Paddock Wood to be similar and I see the overwhelming benefits two hours free parking provides for residents.

Parents, usually mothers with young children linking visits to the doctor or a dentist with visits to the library and local shopping are unlikely to be able to achieve it in an hour and without adding additional demand on limited budgets.

Older and vulnerable people combine careful shopping for one with their doctor, dentist appointments, post office and

Southborough buses cancelled With reference to the bus route cuts reported in the Times, August 3 and in previous editions. These have not mentioned the Southborough to Showfields and Ramslye 289 service.

This is a vital connection with the town centre shops, banks and, more importantly,

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

PARKING ROW. More possible woes for the Controlling Coalition on TW Council (Lib Dem/ Labour/Alliance). Recap: they’re the ones in deep trouble for not consulting the voters (public) on ending free parking. Something they accused the Tories of not doing. Whisper it, but Calverley seems to recall that borough councillors used to get free parking themselves at the Town Hall along with staff.

Obviously, that would be the height of hypocrisy if they still grab those freebies. Anybody out there know the answer?

TORY FIASCO. Never again should the country be paralysed by indecision while a handful of people make up their minds on the next Prime Minister.

Conservatives say until votes by their members are counted no major decision can be taken by Boris or anyone else. Truly disturbing as the country faces, amongst other things, the cost of living crisis.

Calverley suggests instead of taking two whole months to find a PM, the MPs should be given a week to pick their two candidates (they all know them) and the party faithful (it’s no secret how many there are – less than 200,000) should then have another week to vote. Job done. And if Boris, Liz and Rishi can’t sit down together today and start solving the crisis how can you trust them to run the country?

AND ON COSTS … seven days a week Calverley has newspapers (not the Guardian) delivered early morning by ‘paper boy’ John. (He’s actually in his late 50s.) Always ready to natter Calverley this week asked what he was up to later that day: “After this I’m going to my day job working on a building site where I do a bit of everything, then tonight I’ll do my home deliveries for the Indian in the High Street.”

So, he does three jobs? “Yes … we need the money so I have to.” And the country is full of people like John struggling to keep their lives afloat waiting for the lifeboat.

BEING BRITISH makes swimmer Tom Daley ‘feel sick’. Why? According to his BBC woke documentary, the fact homophobia is still widespread in the Commonwealth is all down to what happened 300 years ago during Colonial rule. Our ‘toxic history’ should make all Brits feel ‘deeply ashamed’. Come on Tom. Few, if any, countries could escape unscathed if you attach blame for wrongs going back centuries. Making today’s generation feel guilty for the sins of their forefathers is ill judged. If Tom feels so bad, maybe he should return the medals he won representing his country?

FINAL THOUGHT. Always look on the bright side … there is a positive to the ongoing drought. The grass goes brown and you don’t have to waste time mowing the lawns – always a real chore since the gardener quit.

Chin, chin dear reader…

We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words

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This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or you can write to the Editor, Times of Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG

Free parking has overwhelming advantages especially for women

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Join us

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Booking now open!

Secure your spot now to get creative for our week of FREE arts and crafts activities, talks and workshops for all ages in Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre!

ALL ACT IVITI ARE ES

FREE

!

From Monday 22 to Monday 29 August, enjoy a packed programme of fun sessions for beginners and professionals alike, including photography, glassmaking, embroidery, ceramics, floristry, still life even making your own toy!

Try something new, discover and support a new town centre business or local artist, and help us paint the town red (and all the other colours)! Book now!

View the timetable of FREE activities and book at

www.rtwtogether.com/artweek

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Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Life&Times

ARTS • BOOKS • GOING OUT • FOOD • EVENTS • ANTIQUES • TRAVEL • PROPERTY • LIVE MUSIC and MORE...

Arts – P24

Going Out – P28

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Tunbridge Wells goes burger barmy P30 Drink – P33

24

Arts

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

First free Art Week is set to keep town centre buzzing

arts

Art Week organised by Royal Tunbridge Wells Together begins next week, and as Sarah Bond finds out, there are a range of free activities for young and old alike…

A

programme of arts and craftsrelated classes, workshops and online talks will be offered to the public or free through Royal Tunbridge Wells Together’s inaugural Art Week from August 22-29, with 547 spaces available to secure a place.

And book now because places are going fast.

The activities for both adults and children organised by the Business Improvement District (BID) members include photography classes and watercolour painting on The Pantiles, making moving toys with Whirligig Toys at the Amelia Scott cultural centre, hand-tied bouquet floristy workshops at The Cove, bath bomb-making at Lush, design-a-duck at Manic Ceramix, embroidery, still life, millinery, and glass-making at Glass by Claudia.

‘Tunbridge Wells is such an aesthetically pleasing town, and has such a high concentration of makers, artists and creative businesses’ Sessions take place in businesses represented by the BID across the town centre.

Sarah-Jane Adams, the BID Director for the organisation Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, explains how she designed the concept of Art Week to showcase the town’s

creativity: “Tunbridge Wells is such an aesthetically pleasing town, and has such a high concentration of makers, artists and creative businesses, as well as a long history of being immortalised in works of art.

“We wanted to highlight some of these businesses and allow families and individuals to come into the town centre to enjoy a free activity, learn a new skill and discover a new local business.” she says.

“We hope there’s a range of options for everyone, whether you’re an art buff or if stick figures are your limit!”

Telling the Times more about local businesses’ involvement in this unusual and inventive opportunity, and the public’s enthusiastic response so far, she added: “I’m really pleased with the response to Art Week at its launch, we’ve had a large number of booking enquiries, and some activities are now full, which is fantastic –

Millinery with Antonia DeLuca at The Framing Centre

Manager Amber at Castle Fine Art

the participants so far range from age two to people in their 70s, which is a great indication of the range of creative opportunities available within our town centre.”

Families “We’re also pleased to see that individuals are coming along to meet new people, mothers and daughters are having days out, and families and friends are coming in groups, so we hope these sessions will bring people together and encourage new friendships, while discovering a new hobby or a new business that customers weren’t previously aware of,” she explains.

“Longer term, we’d love to make this an annual event and grow it to become an item in the calendar that residents and visitors look forward to – we were glad to see such a positive response to supporting town centre hospitality through our first Cake Off event in June, and it’d be great to do the same for

our crafters, makers and fashionistas.

“Our businesses have been really enthusiastic in getting involved, and have been imaginative in their approach to the types of activities on offer – where else can you make a bath bomb and then paint a watercolour scape of the Pantiles in the same week?” Sarah-Jane says.

One business owner taking part is Phil Reid of The Cove in the High Street, who said: “The Cove are super excited to be involved in Art Week. We think it’s a fantastic idea to be able to provide people the opportunity to learn something new, discover a new talent, and do that through town centre businesses.”

To book, please email the title of the activity, time and date of the session, and the full names of those who would like to take part to: events@rtwtogether.com Parents/guardians must be present at all activities for children. All places are first come, first served.

The full programme of events can be found at: rtwtogether.com/artweek

Make a coaster at Glass by Claudia

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Discover the Many Faces of Fine Art Arrange a no-obligation valuation for sale.

Call Fine Art valuer and Gorringe’s Partner Clifford Lansberry on 01273 472 503 or send an email to clifford@gorringes.co.uk

Clockwise from top: Neil MacPherson R.S.A, (1954-) – £3,900 + fees. Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys (1829-1904) – £3,200 + fees. 19th century Italian – £2,400 + fees. Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891-1915) – £1,600 + fees. After Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) – £1,400 + fees.

Visit our Fine Art department at gorringes.co.uk

Arts

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

25

How London Road record store got into the groove following lockdown

Owner vinyl record store Sugarbush Records,Markus Holler, speaks to the Times about how Covid saw his online business rocket and brought about a renaissance in LPs...

I

t’s cheering to hear of a Tunbridge Wells success story, and on top of the town centre burger boom reported in our Food pages, we’re celebrating the popularity of the new vinyl record exchange shop in London Road – Sugarbush Records.

Owner Markus Holler had been successfully buying and selling vinyl online full time for 30 years, but it was long his dream to open an actual record shop.

And it was during the pandemic, when he was playing and selling music on The Forum terrace every Saturday, that he spotted the ideal premises on the main road opposite when it came on to the market. So come spring of this year, he opened up, and it has been doing a roaring trade ever since.

Turntable The vintage singles and albums plus CDs and tapes are very keenly priced, at only a couple of pounds each, or buy five and get a sixth free.

Markus mans the music on the turntable, and there are retro images on the walls, including a wonderful illustration by his father.

On our visit, the shop is buzzing with enthusiastic buyers. It’s small wonder, because the town has badly missed having a good second-hand record store since the popular Vinyl Revolution pop-up in Camden Road opened in 2016, then closed to move to Brighton.

Explaining the history of his vinyl adventure, Marcus tells the Times: “Sugarbush Records started back in the late 80s as a record label for my own band, Silent Blue. Then in the early 90s I started selling second-hand records because I needed to make some money!

“Luckily, people were off-loading their vinyl record collections in large numbers to replace them with CDs, but there was a hardcore of people who still like really liked and collected vinyl. There was a huge gap in the market after the record companies stopped pressing discs, so that worked quite well,” he says.

Apart from the appeal of holding a physical record and the authentic sound, you couldn’t

RECORD HOLDER Sugarbush Records owner Markus Holler

‘After I opened, I was surprised at just how many people are interested in buying vinyl’ beat the amazing album covers and the information inside.

“I spotted the shop when I was selling records

outside The Forum, and it was ideal for expanding Sugarbush’s identity. Due to the pandemic, the rents were more affordable, and I needed space for my stock. Now I have two floors of extremely cheap records in between one and two pounds. Plus you meet people, and it’s just more fun,” Markus explains.

“After I opened, I was surprised at just how many people are interested in buying vinyl, and since I’ve had the shop I’ve been getting loads more records coming through the door for me to buy as well.”

As to the most popular artists that people look for, he instantly says: “Oh, Pink Floyd! I get asked for them loads, much more than any other bands. ‘The Wall’ and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ are massive albums.

“Then it’s the classics – The Beatles, Bowie, The Stones, Oasis and Stone Roses, plus Queen, of course. And with Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’, I could probably sell five copies a day if I could find them. It is one of the biggest selling albums of all time.”

So who is Markus’s favourite band?

“It’s got to be the Beatles,” he laughs. “I got my first Beatles album when I was about six!”

Sugurbush Records can be found at 2 London Road, with the Tunbridge Wells shop’s website at: sugarbushrecords.info Mail order: sugarbushrecords.com

This Saturday (August 20), the National Trust’s scenic Ightham Mote at Ivy Hatch, near Sevenoaks, welcomes Kent-based band The Dial, who have been entertaining crowds for 10 years.

They will perform on the picturesque lawns of the 14th-century mansion as part of the Music at the Mote strand of concerts. The performance starts at 7pm and tickets are priced £15 each.

Growing Music has been an integral part of Ightham Mote’s 700-year long history and the historic estate has hosted Music at the Mote annually for several years, with the event growing bigger each year.

Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and

celebrate summer in the best way – with dancing – to a mixture of soul, pop and rock classics.

There will also be an on-site bar.

Ightham Mote was acquired by the National Trust in 1985 and is now one of the most peaceful and characterful medieval manor houses in the country.

Enchanting sounds have resonated throughout its long history, created by the remarkable musicians, singers and composers who have lived in and visited the manor house and gardens. These music nights have been a way bring that history into the modern day and connect visitors with the past.

Book your tickets by calling 0344 249 1895 or email: IghthamMote@nationaltrust.org.uk nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

National Trust/Marcus Cribb

Music at the Mote returns

26

Books

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Times book editor Victoria Roberts picks out three books to read this week In this week’s bookcase, a classic murder mystery: even the Scandinavians are getting into Sherlock Holmes. Then a fiction début for illustrator, writer, feminist social activist and influencer Florence Given.

Finally, something for the little ones, a fresh adventure for Peter Rabbit.

Dark Music by David Lagercrantz

Girlcrush by Florence Given

Published in hardback by MacLehose Press, priced £20

Published in hardback by Brazen, priced £16.99

A crime thriller inspired by Sherlock Holmes, written by the author who successfully continued writing Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy sounds like a dream. But it’s happened, and Stockholm-based David Lagercrantz has penned a classic murder mystery bringing together two unlikely allies, needing each other’s expertise to uncover an international conspiracy. Local community police officer Micaela Vargas opens the story after being drafted into a murder inquiry, because she knew the suspect. She teams up with Professor Hans Rekke, a specialist in interrogation techniques, who is brought in to help obtain a confession. Bringing together a welleducated man from the upper classes with a young local police officer from Stockholm’s suburbs is an ingenious idea, and you’ll love the massive contrast in styles of the two main characters, as they cope with the ups and downs of a complicated investigation – one Holmes himself would have loved to solve.

When artist Eartha finally dumps her unfaithful and fairly useless boyfriend, she is excited to be her true self and try dating women as well as men. She soon finds relationships can be tricky, regardless of who they are with, and life gets even more complicated when her drunken comingout video makes her a social media celebrity. Given’s enjoyable first novel looks at how people interact with each other in person and online, and considers how real life differs from the constructed social media images people create. The easy-to-read story also provides an interesting perspective on the price influencers are sometimes expected to pay to make a living.

Review by Beverley Rouse

8/10

Review by Alan Jones

7/10

Peter Rabbit: Hide And Seek!

by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Nicola Kinnear Published in paperback by Puffin, priced £7.99

The world’s most beloved bunny is back on the childhood agenda with Hollywood films, an animated TV show, and now a new adventure thanks to author Rachel Bright. Peter Rabbit: Hide And Seek! is the second in this new series of adventures for the floppy-eared hero, and sees him playing tricks on Mr Tod the fox, and inventing a cloak of leaves to shield him from view. But when Peter becomes boastful, he attracts unwanted attention that puts him in danger once more. Bright presents a fresh story that feels in keeping with the original books, and is peppered with characters from the Beatrix Potter canon, but with a sweetness that departs from Potter’s franker tone. With an encouraging and playful narrative complimented by luscious illustrations by Nicola Kinnear, this lyrical tale is a welcome addition to any young child’s bookshelf.

Review by Holly Cowell

8/10

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EYE SPY A BRAND NEW CLINIC IN KENT

20/20 vision ahead for local residents – as new eye clinic opens near Maidstone

A

brand new eye clinic is opening in West

Malling bringing first class cataract and vision correction treatment to residents of Kent – including NHS cataract surgery with minimal wait for treatment.

Optegra Eye Health Care is a network of specialist eye hospitals across the UK and internationally and is expanding with the launch of Optegra Eye Clinic Maidstone, opening officially on 15 August 2022.

Richard Armitage, NHS Director for Optegra, says: “We have worked closely with the NHS for a decade and since the pandemic this work has really stepped up a gear.

“It is well known that many people across the UK face huge waiting lists due to the back-log of patients awaiting treatment, but in fact ophthalmology is the second largest waiting list.

“Many people are suffering with cataracts, which will just get worse and impact vision, for far longer than they should. The only treatment is surgery, and we are delighted to be able to bring NHS cataract

Cutting the ribbon: Leader of the Council, Cllr Matt Boughton, cuts the ribbon; held by Optegra surgeon Mr Robert Petrarca (left) and Optegra Maidstone clinic manager Ibrahim Toma (right).

Optegra team in background.

treatment in this specialist clinic to the people of Kent.

“Simply ask your optician or GP to refer you for treatment within 4-6 weeks with our leading surgical teams.”

The new clinic, in Kings Hill, will initially focus only on NHS cataract surgery – however, in a few months it will extend its treatment offering to also include private cataract surgery (where patients can choose to ‘upgrade’ their lens to also be free of glasses) and also vision correction surgery – from laser eye surgery to lens replacement and implantable contact lenses.

The clinic will treat all cataract and lens replacement patients on site, while laser eye surgery patients will have pre- and post-op clinics in Optegra Eye Clinic Maidstone but have actual treatment at Optegra’s flagship hospital in London’s Harley Street district, with travel expenses covered.

The new clinic will be run by Ibrahim Toma, who has worked for Optegra for almost three years, and the lead consultant ophthalmic surgeon is Mr Robert Petrarca, who says: “I am excited to join this new venture with Optegra and help lead the clinical team in setting up a safe, efficient and patient-friendly cataract service.

“Cataract is a natural ageing of the lens of the eye which causes clouding and affects vision – symptoms can include cloudiness, faded colours and noticing glare from lights for example when driving in dusk or dark.

“The only solution is a highly successful surgical intervention where we replace the clouded lens with a new, synthetic one, in a 10-minute procedure. It is pain-free and conducted as a day patient. It truly transforms vision and patients tell us how much it improves their quality of life.

“Covid has led to a large backlog of cataract patients awaiting treatment and we are delighted to be able to support people in the Kent region with speedy access to treatment in this excellent, fully

equipped new clinic.”

As well as bringing new jobs to the region – both medical and administrative – the clinic is being well received by local optometrists who are eager for more options to refer their patients for treatment.

The clinic can be found at Optegra Eye Clinic Maidstone, 10 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent, ME19 4AQ. One recent Optegra patient, Jane Brett de Jiminez, is enjoying transformed vision since her cataract surgery. She was nervous about treatment but knew her vision was deteriorating.

She said: “Whilst driving to and from work, the lights seemed very bright and everything looked a bit foggy, even on a sunny day. I had to stop driving as I couldn’t see the difference between the grass and the road. I had to rely on my husband much more and I knew then that I would have to get the cataracts removed.”

She discovered that the process was much easier than she had imagined it to be: “Everyone was so reassuring and put my mind at ease. Once the eye drops were in, I didn’t feel anything and was surprisingly relaxed! It was so quick that I didn’t have time to think about it.

“My vision is now perfect. It’s amazing to be able to see so clearly without any fog. I can drive and read number plates from far away. I was living in a grey world without even realising it, so now I’m enjoying all the colours.

“I wish I had let go of my fear and had the procedure done when it was first offered years ago, as the slow deterioration has been very difficult. But I’m here now and I’ve not looked back since!”

For more details, please visit:

www.optegra.com Tel: 0800 077 3272

28

Going Out

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Get ready for a rocking few weeks at the Assembly Hall ROCKERS may not always live to an old age, but the genre itself is an enduring one, still packing venues and filling our ears with songs we can’t get out of our heads.

The Quo Experience pays tribute to five decades of music by the English rock group, while recreating the full stage show with a wall of white Marshall amps and guitars at the Assembly Hall on August 26 at 7:30pm.

As experienced musicians and passionate fans of Status Quo, the Quo Experience will play favourites ‘Whatever You Want’ as well as ‘What You’re Proposing’ and ‘Burn Bridges’ with the feel of the original band.

The programme also includes ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’, ‘Down Down’, ‘Living On An Island’ and ‘In The Army Now’.

Paying tribute to another legend of longevity, singer Chris O’Connell fronts ‘And Finally… Phil Collins’ the next night, August 27, at the Assembly Hall.

‘And Finally’ puts on a high-energy two-hour show delivering hits ranging from the atmospheric – ‘In The Air Tonight’ – to

the danceable – ‘Sussudio’ – along with some hits from Genesis. …and speaking of longevity, fans who are prepared to wait a little longer will be rewarded with a five-night run of the musical ‘Rock of Ages’ starting on September 13.

The production’s plot weaves together anthems including ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’, ‘We Built This City’, ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’, ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ and ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’.

Freddie Mercury did not Live Forever, but the music of Queen has lasted, as Freddie lookalike and soundalike Scott Maley will prove on September 2, as he and the rest of Supreme Queen fill the stage of the Assembly Hall with undeniable magnetism.

One of the top Queen tributes since forming in the 1990s, Supreme Queen have played for hundreds of thousands of fans and have headlined major events including the Saint-Tropez International Queen Convention, ROCKING OUT The Quo Experience will treat fans of Status Quo to a set of familiar rock favourites when they play the Assembly Hall on Friday August 26 where they played to 10,000 people.

This is a good week to say goodbye to Olivia Newton-John with some ‘Summer Loving’ from the classic movie ‘Grease’.

An event organised before the star’s sad death last week, the Green Duck Coffee House & Bar outdoor screening will no doubt attract an influx of fans. Olivia, you’re the one that we want! Enjoy treats from the fully-stocked bar and don’t forget to bring a blanket to keep warm, as the film starts at approximately 8.45pm. The venue is at 53 Grosvenor Rd. If you prefer to hear your summertime open-air music live, then head to Tonbridge Castle on August 21, as the symphonic East Sussex Concert Band take centre stage in the spectacular setting of the castle grounds.

Free admission.

Why not let your hair down with a brandnew pantomime adaptation of the popular fairy tale ‘Rapunzel’? Scott Ritchie Productions proudly presents this exciting, and fun-tangled musical adventure at The Assembly Hall on August 19-21. With a wicked witch, a feisty heroine, a tap-dancing horse and a host of adventures, ‘Rapunzel’ promises to be a vibrant take on a classic and much-loved story. Expect spectacular song and dance and jokes a-plenty in what promises to be the family show of the year.

In an event postponed from earlier this year, Kent-based cover rockers The Dirty Pillows are at the Forum on Friday (August 19) at 7:30pm. Release The Geese also perform.

Age 16 and over unless accompanied by an adult.

Got a heart full of laughter and a weekend with no plans?

Head over to Trinity Theatre on August 20 for a night of side-splitting comedy. The Good Ship Comedy show features Apollo comic Nathan Caton, rising star Matt Stellingwerf and the UK’s most sought-after act Cally Beaton in this hilarious evening packed full of personal anecdotes and punchline-

RONNIE SCOTTS SOHO SONGBOOK rich material.

Direct from London’s world-famous jazz club, The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars take Hever Festival this Sunday (August 21), in a unique evening celebrating the music and history of the world’s greatest and most influential artists of all time. A must for any music fan, The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars show combines world-class live jazz and narration, offering its audience a glimpse into the incredible world of Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook.

Tunbridge Wells Pride was cancelled this year, but the Forum is still celebrating, with a ‘Goodbye for Now Party’ on August 20 at 7:20pm. A fantastic lineup including the likes of Luna Lestrange and Paul Aleksandr will take centre stage and raise a glass to Tunbridge Wells Pride. Age 18 and over.

Art Week starts next Monday, with town centre businesses running child and adult workshops from photography classes and watercolour painting on The Pantiles, to making moving toys with Whirligig Toys, floristry at The Cove, bath bomb-making at Lush, designing a duck at Manic Ceramix, as well as embroidery, still-lifes, milliney, and even glassmaking. All companies are members of RTW Together’s Business Improvement District. Sign up at RTWTogether.com/ ArtWeek for events on August 22-29.

The Spa Valley Railway runs on four days this week – Wednesday, Friday and the weekend. Check weekend trains for food services which include cream teas and fish ‘n’ chips.

For young families, there are three theatrical outings of ‘Jolly Roger’s Swashbucklin’ Train Ride’ tomorrow (August 18).

Over-18 families can join the Wildwood Vineyard wine tasting service on Saturday (August 20).

This Saturday (August 20) the Knights of Royal England will entertain modern visitors to Hever Castle with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights, in an authentic arena complete with a Royal Box. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat, the valiant knights will then compete for points to determine this season’s ultimate champion. A designated BSL (British Sign Language) area within the Jousting Field will provide interpretation of the event for those with hearing impairments and their friends and families.

Fly to Neverland this summer as Concord Theatricals’ dazzling musical production takes centre stage at Tonbridge Castle on August 20. Bursting with magic, mischief and music, this funny and moving version of a much-loved story promises to bring the whole family on an unforgettable adventure. Tickets at £10 ART WEEK AT (children) or £40 for two WHIRLIGIG TOYS adults and two children, from: TicketSource.co.uk

Music Matters

music matters

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

29

Music shop’s delight at having hosted successful Fringe events THE SECOND annual Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival 2022 took place in July, modelled on the famous Edinburgh Fringe, it celebrated talent and creativity within the local community. The festival was delivered by a small but mighty army of volunteers headed up by Debbie King, owner of The Talentz, Nell Price of Arty Farty Retreat, Grace Simpson of chocolatier Goupie, Comedienne Aimee Cooper and Larry Hardcastle from Studio 44.

Concert Across the two weeks, TW Fringe hosted 165+ events in 43 venues and Brittens Music was one of an array of venues that creatively used their floor space and sprung to life as an intimate music venue to host two incredible events.

The local musical instrument store and music school transformed their shop space into a welcoming concert setting, holding a sell-out piano recital for the talented pianist Jong-Gyung Park. As proud promoters of local talent, they also held an acoustic singing gig for two young, up-coming local artists Biddle and Sofia Lovell.

Fringe-goers could also be found at an open mic poetry evening at The Chapel Hairdressers, comedy at Zero Waste Company and theatrical performances at Tangier Wood to name but a few of the other ‘unusual’ venues.

Andrew Collins, Owner of Brittens Music says: “The Tunbridge Wells Fringe was a

‘We’ve never had an event in the shop on this scale before, it was brilliant’

to welcome people in through the doors for something a bit different, especially an affordable piano recital, from an exceptionally talented pianist, that has played all over the world,” he adds.

great opportunity for us to support our local community as well as push our boundaries and see how far we can transform the shop into a performance venue. With a bit of muscle we were able to move around the pianos and reorganise the bigger items, to create a seated area for approximately 50 people – we could have even accommodated more.

“We’ve never had an event in the shop on this scale before, it was brilliant to be able

Being involved in the TW Fringe has given Brittens Music, and undoubtedly many other businesses, ideas and the confidence to explore what they can do next. Brittens Music has made plans to create regular musical events in the shop following the success of their TW Fringe events. Future events include performances from music school students to showcase their progress

Future

and more musical events and recitals across the range of instruments.

Andrew concludes; “It makes sense for us to open our doors as a music venue of sorts, and it’s a great way for us to network with, and support, our local musicians and music artists. It’s also another avenue for us to engage the local community in all things musical and promote the services we offer to support music education for everyone, across all ages, musical styles and levels of ability.”

To stay in the loop of upcoming events and activities held at Brittens Music, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @brittensmusic, or visit their website: brittensmusic.co.uk

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30

Food & Drink

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Winning the bunfight in the Tunbridge Wells burger wars Tunbridge Wells is set to see a host of new burger restaurants open soon with Chuck & Blade and Side Street in Camden Road, and the American chain Five Guys opening round the corner in Fiveways. Sarah Bond speaks to Richard Oddy of Roddyburger on the new burger revolution…

F

ormer Tunbridge Wells commodity broker Richard Oddy, known to everyone as ‘Roddy’, was the first person to spot a gap in Tunbridge Wells’ restaurant market back in 2020 – the lack of a good burger outlet.

And when he was made redundant after the pandemic hit, he ended up following his passion for cooking and launched a much-needed high-quality takeaway burger business in the town, which then led to his first restaurant, Roddyburger, opening earlier this summer, in May. “I went into the pandemic without a job and with a mortgage to pay. After six months of writing for a website I decided I didn’t want a city career again, and that I needed something that I really wanted to do,” Richard says.

Kitchen “I've always loved a burger and I figured that there were no decent burger bars or burger businesses in Tunbridge Wells.

There was a McDonald's on the industrial estate and a few pubs selling burgers, but that was it.

“I've also always loved to cook and always made my own burgers, and so I thought ‘right let's go for it, let’s take the bull by the horns (so to speak!)’ I used my own delivery app and it all started from there,” he explains.

With the orders soon piling up, Richard then needed a kitchen, and with everything still locked down in December

2020, his friend Matthew Sankey was happy to let Richard rent his kitchen at Sankey’s on Mount Ephraim, and business continued to boom with both deliveries and people coming to collect their takeaways.

‘The beef is then aged from anywhere between 30 and 40 days depending on the cut, and that goes into the mix to give it a depth of flavour’ “After three months Sankey’s reopened so I looked for another kitchen and ended up renting the kitchen at The Sussex Arms, and when everything started to open up again the business really grew. So I still do burgers from there and its sister pub The Ragged Trousers as well as from Roddyburger. And we deliver to other outlets on The Pantiles on Jazz Nights as well.”

The secret to Richard’s success is the succulent meat used in his burgers, sourced specially from well-loved and happy Welsh dairy herds, and his flair for his own home-made spicy sauces.

As a broker, he worked in Madrid for five years, hence his top burger being the Spanish-inspired ‘The Manuel’.

“I was put in touch with a fantastic beef supplier in Wales,” he explains about the brilliant beef. “They source all their

MEAT THE OWNER Richard with one of his signature burgers

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Food & Drink

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

31

over 50% and cooking oil has risen by 100% this year. My electricity is treble what I modelled, so it's been incredibly tough, and we’ve done as much as we can to conserve power.

“None of these things we could forsee, but I

beef from ex-dairy cows, so because the cows have already had a life in milking their meat has an incredible fat quality throughout. The fat is almost yellow and just bursting with flavour. It’s incredible.

“And the beef is then aged from anywhere between 30 and 40 days depending on the cut, and that goes into the mix to give it a depth of flavour, which makes it stand out against all others where the cow hasn’t really had a life,” Richard explains.

Options Roddyburger also has chicken burgers and wings and great side dishes, such as Beef Brisket Dirty Fries and breaded Mac & Cheese Bites.

They offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, too, as well as an amazing range of milkshakes, including Kinder, Crunchie and peanut butter flavours.

“People really love the milkshakes, especially in this weather, they have been flying out of the door!” laughs Richard.

And his own favourite burger? “Ah, ‘The Gazza’, which is our most popular beef burger.

SERVICE Assistant manager Tom Haacke “Ideally, I would like to do fewer hours in the kitchen and then I can work driving the business forward and looking at other avenues, such as offering pop-up opportunities to other businesses on the days we are closed. The community has supported me so brilliantly in this venture that I would like to give something back,” he says.

And costs for people and businesses everywhere are increasing rapidly.

“My business model was torn up two weeks after signing the lease on the restaurant because of the situation in Ukraine. Energy prices are triple what they were under my original model and other bills are sky high because the cost of everything has gone through the roof.

“For example, the cost of buns has risen by

don’t want to raise my menu prices so the margins are exceptionally tight. We do six different beef burgers with prices ranging from £11.50 to £13.50,” he explains.

But with his distinctive and flavoursome offerings, Richard has built a very loyal and large client base and loves the business, which is booming, so he’s not too worried about the rivals down the road. As well as Roddyburger and the two Pantiles pubs he also has portable kitchen equipment and caters for outside events such as festivals, sporting occasions, parties and weddings.

So Roddyburgers is looking forward to as long a life as the dairy cows.

“I don’t think people will ever go off burgers!” he laughs.

You can savour the full menu on the Roddyburger website: roddyburger.co.uk

‘People really love the milkshakes, especially in this weather – they have been flying out of the door!’

It’s effectively a bacon double cheeseburger with sauce and hidden pickled onions. Or if I'm going chicken, The ‘Seoul Sandwich’, which is a Korean-style chicken thigh in sweet and spicy sauce. It is extremely crispy, with an Asian style slaw and sauce.”

But running his own booming business is not without its challenges, especially in the current economic climate with staffing problems in the hospitality industry and rising prices.

“I am looking for chefs as we speak, and that isn’t easy these days. I'm full time in the kitchen and full time running the back office as well. So it is difficult, but at the moment, needs must.

And also opening up in Tunbridge Wells JUST OPENED: CHUCK & BLADE

COMING SOON: FIVE GUYS

This local restaurant chain started in Rochester and now has an outlet in Canterbury opened in Tunbridge Wells last Thursday (August 11), just down the block from Roddyburger in Camden Road.

With the venue named after cuts of beef, they promise ‘the juiciest, filthiest handmade burgers in Kent’ – as per the big boast of ‘Dirty Smash’ on a giant neon sign inside. So you can now see if they live up to their promise. chuckandbladeburgers.com

Judging from the host of great social media comments posted in the windows of the upcoming restaurant, residents of Tunbridge Wells are looking forward to the American fast food chain opening at Fiveways, in the old Closs & Hamblin (C&H) fabric shop.

With its offering of hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries, Five Guys was named after the five brothers who launched the business in Virginia in the USA back in 1986. They aim for: ‘Burgers and Fries cooked to perfection’ – and a lively taste of Americana of course. fiveguys.co.uk

COMING SOON: SIDE STREET

Set to be taking over the former Prohibition Vapes store in Camden Road, this third new burger venue has yet to show any external signs of life, but there is plenty of room inside, so they may serve up more than just their original takeaways.

Inspired by the ‘smashburger’ concept, they promise ‘big food, big flavour’, after the founder fell in love with the food he tried in America. Smashburgers are literally ‘smashed’ down to improve the contact of the meat with the heat source. The first outlet opened in June 2020 in the northern town of Rochdale during the pandemic, so it is interesting they have chosen Tunbridge Wells for their southern presence. sidestreetburgers.co.uk

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Open: 10.00am – 5.30pm Mon – Sat | 10.00am – 4.00pm Sunday Tel: 01892 529 750/07966 157 064 | 8 Castle Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Local NEWS 3317 FoodNews Drink

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

April 7 |17 2021 Wednesday August | 2022

Cheers to seductive and challenging Pinot Noir Times’ Drinks Editor James Viner picks four cracking bottles of this very old, beguiling red burgundy grape to celebrate International Pinot Noir day tomorrow (August 18)...

I’VE ALWAYS been an aficionado of Pinot Noir.

It’s a finicky, early budding, thin-skinned, low tannin, high acid, mildew- and virus-prone grape and an everlasting source of enthralment for many wine lovers. Additionally, it’s a versatile, catch-all food pairing wine, complementing for example, both seared salmon or tuna and duck.

Hard to cultivate, it produces a notoriously wildly changeable, comparatively delicate and occasionally haunting liquid quintessence of place. The seductive, but fussy and challenging ‘heartbreak’ grape – the ultimate test and Holy Grail of fine winemaking – is moving north and in warm, sunny years it can ripen fully in formerly marginal vineyards to produce classy still reds (seek out still examples from local producers Balfour Hush Heath Estate and Gusbourne).

You don’t need to break the bank to find a decent one but you have to be wary, since it’s extremely unforgiving, even in the greatest terroirs. Here are four charming chillable sub-£20 summery Pinot Noirs (PN) worth celebrating tomorrow and beyond…

1) High-street New Zealand choice Te Pa Signature Series Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020, New Zealand (Tesco, £12, Clubcard member price) New Zealand shines at fine still PN. Marlborough is famous for its piercing Sauvignon Blanc but it also makes characterful, high-toned, tangy PN. This one from a family-owned domaine has notes of redcurrants, plums, red cherries and raspberries, plus hints of chocolate, coffee and

spice. The oak is largely invisible, serving only to frame the fruit and shepherd it through the long, unwavering finish. Give it a swish and watch it unfurl. Very smart at the Tesco Clubcard price. One for early-season grouse now the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ has passed. Alc 13.5% 2 A striking terroir-focused, high-altitude PN from cool northwestern Greece – yes, a PN from Greece!

Alpha Estate Pinot Noir 2018, Amynteo, Greece (Aldi, £14.99) Bored with the same old summer red wines?

Then nab this fine bottle – so heavy it could

2 1

3

serve as a dumbbell – from a northwestern Greek wine estate with vineyards located at around 690 metres on a plateau facing Lake Petron and Mount Voras. Alpha Estate is located in windy Amynteo/Amindeo, Greece’s highest, chilliest and smallest appellation (and the only Protected Destination of Origin (PDO) where rosé is important). A beaut of a richly-textured, off-piste, single-vineyard PN with a riffle of wild cherries and a jolt of spice, black plums and cocoa, the oak slick, but integrated. Tangy, spritely acidity and fine tannins add to the pleasure of drinking. A whizz with feathered game and roast pork. Unfiltered and unfined.

Alc 13.5%

4

3 Charming, silky ‘Bargain-basement’ red Burgundy 2020 Berry Bros. & Rudd Bourgogne Côte d’Or Pinot Noir

by Benjamin Leroux, Burgundy, France (bbr.com, £18.95) Burgundy is the spiritual home of the enormously pernickety Pinot Noir grape. Made with Burgundian savoir-faire and sourced from the best parcels in Chorey-lèsBeaune, this subtly sensual, silky red ‘bargaindy’ leaps out

of the glass and has generosity, a velvety mouthfeel, finesse and a refined, complex bouquet of hibiscus, damson, cranberry, wild strawberry and autumnal leaves, sending the nasal receptors darting in all directions.

Ripe fruit, tons of atmosphere and fine, willowy tannins. A great introduction to red burgundy from a high-calibre (micro) Beaunebased négociant run by terroir-bewitched Benjamin Leroux, ex regisseur/GM of all-star Pommard estate Domaine Comte Armand.

Lovely drinking and very approachable now.

Perhaps with roast chicken/pork or grilled lobster. Alc 13.5% 4 German Gem from a vineyard located in southern Pfalz, on the Alsace border Schweigener Spätburgunder, Weingut Friedrich Becker 2018, Pfalz, Germany (The Wine Society, £26) As the world’s third-largest producer, Germany is a top source of fine PN. The grape’s name here is Spätburgunder – late (spät) ripening pinot (burgunder). This delectable example comes from Germany’s second largest region, the Pfalz, which – unusually for the country – is not centred along a river valley. Plenty of layers to this, making it a complex and compelling wine.

It’s a PN of true sophistication, perfumed and judiciously oaked with notes of red fruits, forest floor, tobacco leaf, pepper, beetroot, herbs and fine, sinewy, mineral tannins. The length, finish and aftertaste sing in picture-perfect harmony.

Spicy kick to close and leaves a great stamp on the palate. Prost! Alc 13.5% Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

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This substantial double fronted detached family home sits in an enviable position on the edge of the Common, in the popular village of Rusthall, just a 1.5 mile walk from Tunbridge Wells mainline station and with countryside walks on the doorstep. With 6/7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2/3 reception rooms. EPC D, Council Tax G

Scan here for an idea of what your property could be worth www.kmjproperty.co.uk

01892 515188

sales@kmjproperty.co.uk

Property

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

35

property news

Boom for new-builds as price outperforming existing homes AS ENERGY PRICES SOAR, WILL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AFFECT A PROPERTY’S VALUE?

NEW build homes are currently fetching a 20 per cent premium compared to existing properties, new research has uncovered.

A study by digital home sellers, Unlatch, current average price of an existing home in Britain is £272,851 having increased by 8 per cent in the last year.

However, the average price of a new-build has risen from £330,662 to £422,414, marking annual growth of 28 per cent.

New-builds in Britain have, therefore, outperformed existing homes by 19 per cent when it comes to house price performance.

But certain regions are performing better than others.

Performed In the South East, East of England, Yorkshire & Humber, and West Midlands, new-build price performance is 20 per cent better than existing homes, in the North West the difference is 19 per cent, and in London, it’s 15%.

On a regional level, new-builds have performed most strongly against existing homes in Wales.

The average new-build home in Wales has seen its value increase by 34% in the past year, rising from £246,740 to £331,159. This growth is 23% higher than that of existing homes which, in the same time period, saw their value increase by 11% from £181,199 to £201,633.

In Scotland, new-build growth of 29% compared to existing property growth of 7% - a difference of 22% - while in the East Midlands, South West, and North East respectively, new-build growth outperformed existing homes by 21%.

On a local authority level, new-builds are outperforming older properties by the largest margin in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, up by 38% in the past year, 18% higher than existing homes which have seen their value increase by 20%.

This is followed by Scotland’s Western Isles where new-build growth of 35% matches against 17% growth for older homes - a difference of 18%.

In East Ayrshire, East Lothian, and Glasgow new-build performance is 17% higher than existing properties.

Investor Richmond ranks top in London, where new-build house prices have outperformed existing by 14%, while Bexley (12%), Camden (12%), Hackney (12%) and Tower Hamlets (12%) also rank amongst the highest in the capital.

Lee Martin, Head of UK for Unlatch said: “New-build homes are increasingly desirable. Their overall finish and quality has improved dramatically over the past decade and they are vastly better than older properties when it comes to energy efficiency and fuel consumption. In today’s world, this looms large in homebuyers’ minds, even more so since the cost of living crisis kicked in.

“This is not only true for end users, but also for investors alike. Investors on the whole do prefer to go for a new build property for many reasons, one more being that by the time said investor completes on their purchase, the agent usually already has a tenant lined up to move in; meaning no void periods.

“In a fast, frantic, and highly competitive housing market, new-builds also offer more reliability in terms of the actual purchase itself. Fewer sales are subject to falling through as a result of unwanted discoveries during the surveying process, as well as the fact there is no dreaded chain to contend with.

“Of course, this heightened attraction does mean that new-builds have seen a far greater level of house price growth when compared to the existing market, but the flip side to this is the fact they also make a far sounder investment.”

With the latest energy price rise predictions putting average annual bills at more than £4,000 this winter, the energy efficiency of properties is becoming more important to house buyers.

Rightmove recently reported a record number of home hunters searching for green features, and properties that have a good energy efficiency rating are selling quicker than before. Deborah Richards, Managing Partner of award-winning sales and lettings agent, Maddisons Residential, shares her view on this changing trend.

Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, have been a legal requirement when marketing any property for sale (except for listed buildings) since 2007. Although they contain very valid information, until now they have been of little importance to most buyers. But that is changing! EPC B-rated homes have overtaken D-rated properties as those finding a buyer quickest.

In our beautiful town of Tunbridge Wells, so loved for its plethora of Victorian and Edwardian properties, there are certainly many homes below a C-rating. Since April 2020, the UK government has made it illegal to rent out a property with an E-rating (or below), without a valid exemption. There are plans to extend this to all new leases for properties with a C-rating or below by 2025. This will certainly affect investor buyers.

At Maddisons, we find that local buyers and homeowners of period properties are keen to improve their property’s energy efficiency. The five easiest ways to achieve this are: change to LED light bulbs; insulate your walls and ceilings; double or triple glaze your windows; install a more efficient boiler; and install a smart meter.

So, will a property’s EPC rating become just as important as off-road parking, a south-facing garden, or that extra bedroom, and affect property prices? My feeling is probably not. We can all do our bit to make our homes greener and, providing a property’s EPC rating does not affect its mortgage-ability, I think values of period homes will hold.

DEVELOPER OPENS WILDLIFE CONTEST FOR BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS A KENT based developer is inviting people to take part in a brand-new wildlife photography competition celebrating Cranbrook.

Berkely are asking for local amateur photographers to pick up their cameras, iPhones or the like and submit their best wildlife picture submissions, whether they are buzzards, beetles and butterflies through to owls.

Award-winning photographer David Jenner will be offering his ‘top tips’ on how to take the best photo, as well as providing feedback for those lucky runners up and winners to help hone your skills.

David Jenner as part of a panel of three judges, with the remaining judges comprising a Berkeley representative and a representative from this newspaper, will be selecting the best pictures with fantastic prizes up for grabs.

The competition will host the following categories with the winners of each awarded a £300 voucher to Jessops, a leading UK photographic company specialising in printing and specialist photography equipment.

There are two categories for entries: 11-15 year olds that is open to those with a fledgling interest in photography and/or nature, and 16+ for those with basic experience that are looking to develop their skills further Submit your entry via the website bit.ly/ CapturingCranbrook where full competition terms and conditions can be found.

The competition opens on Wednesday, August 15 with final submissions to be sent by Wednesday, September 14.

Meet the expert: Deborah Richards is the founder and managing partner of Maddisons Residential, leading independent estate agent in Tunbridge Wells offering expert sales and lettings with excellent customer service.

www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk 18 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN Telephone: 01892 514100 Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk

36

Antiques

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

There's nothing boring about brown wood

antiques

Auctioneer Joseph Trinder talks about some of the items going under the hammer Joseph Trinder

often met with an assumption that any items crafted from wood may likely share the same fate. I’m very pleased to report today that this is certainly not the case.

Appearances

F

REQUENT readers of my weekly offering will know all too well that despite my personal and the industry’s collective championing of the subject matter, antique furniture, especially that which falls under the unflattering strap line of ‘brown or dark wood furniture’ is so very difficult to sell today in comparison to the reality of the market say 20 or so years ago.

As much as I certainly have many more articles in me on the subject of antique furniture, its brilliance, necessity and benefit – this is not my topic of consideration today. Here, I show you how smaller objects created from the same beautiful natural materials from across the world can hold significant and often surprising cultural and monetary value.

In my experience, due to the permeation of understanding within the public’s mind that brown furniture is now a struggle, I am

Indeed, treen (typically small, domestically useful artefacts crafted from wood) has always been something I have been interested in – the variety of appearances, colours and qualities within differing woods from different parts of the world is myriad and really rather fascinating. The way wooden objects react to time and use is really unlike anything else, the glow or ‘patina’ that builds up over time is the soul of an antique and a quality no modern replica can fake.

One of my favourite anecdotes which undoubtedly makes an appearance in most dinner party conversations from my career

to date reflects on a discovery of some very modest looking but ultimately valuable pieces of wood...

Importance During attending a routine property visit to provide a quick check that there was nothing of value present before a clearance took place, I was alarmed (and excited) to see a group of Tongan and Fujian war clubs and paddles left abandoned in a skip on the driveway... Discarded by the owner who considered them nothing more than funny old walking canes, a search of the property yielded more from behind cupboards and in long-sealed trunks in the attic. Beautiful works of art in their own right, ripe with ritualistic and cultural importance, the collection went on to sell for around £25,000 if I recall correctly – showing just how important old bits of wood can be!

HOUSE CALLS

On the day of writing, quite remarkably, I happen to have discovered another similar piece. A routine valuation visit in which I removed this and a very large porcelain leopard from a highly amused client’s home who herself couldn’t quite fathom my fascination in this ‘old stick’ – I will have to ask the reader to kindly forgive the amateur photography here (see left), as I penned my article before the item has even had opportunity to benefit from our skilled photographer’s handling. Here we have a New Caledonian Club, likely early 19th century which should go on to sell for towards £1,000 with Gorringe’s in September.

Soon I invite you all to check the attic, under the stairs and behind the dresser for any such charismatic clubs or indeed any other wonderful wooden creations that you may wish me to shed some light on, it may just be our next exciting discovery.

FOR AUGUST IN YOUR AREA There is no obligation to sell, so call Clive Today to arrange a home visit at no charge and at your convenience. He will advise you personally on your items and absolute discretion is guaranteed.

GOLD • SILVER • WATCHES REMEMBER CLIVE IS ALWAYS READY TO MAKE YOU A GENUINE NO OBLIGATION OFFER

Clive Attrell is back and available throughout Kent & East Sussex for home antiques valuations (Appointment Only)

Call Clive on 07860 942726

Free antiques valuations by ITV and BBC television personality Clive Attrell. Clive is an experienced and internationally respected antiques valuer with over 40 Years’ experience in the business.

TOP PRICES PAID FOR

• GOLD (in any condition) • SILVER (in any condition) • WATCHES (working or not) • COSTUME JEWELLERY • DIAMONDS • SOVEREIGNS • KRUGERRANDS

• COINS • TOYS • GAMES • POSTCARDS • CHINESE CERAMICS • FIGURINES • OBJECTS OF INTEREST

• MEDALS • SWORDS • MILITARIA • CLOCKS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • PRINTS / BOOKS

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38

Motoring

Wednesday August 17 | 2022

Motoring News

This week…

Skoda updates Enyaq iV

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New MG4 EV

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New range findings

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Skoda updates Enyaq iV with new New MG4 EV to start from £25,995 software and upgraded software MG HAS announced prices and specifications for its new electric MG4 hatchback.

Joining the ZS EV crossover and MG5 estate in the brand’s electric car line-up, the MG4 is its first all-electric hatchback and promises impressive value for money, spaciousness and technology.

With prices starting from £25,995, it will be the most affordable full-size EV on the market, comfortably undercutting rivals such as the Nissan Leaf by several thousand pounds.

Range That £25,995 price tag buys an MG4 in ‘SE Standard Range’ form, which uses a 51kWh battery that allows for a claimed range of 218 miles. Standard equipment also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, seveninch digital dial display and automatic LED headlights.

The SE is also offered in a ‘Long Range’ form, which uses a larger 64kWh battery that extends the claimed range to 281 miles, while 135kW

SKODA has introduced a number of updates for its electric Enyaq iV as part of a 2023 model-year revision.

The Enyaq now benefits from a new platform software, which allows the vehicle to accept future updates over the air. This also upgrades the navigation system and head-up display with clearer, more user-friendly designs. Remote access – which was previously only available as an option – is now standard on all Enyaq models and allows users to view their car’s parked location and charging status via a smartphone app.

Simplified The update also brings improvements to the Enyaq’s battery management system, helping reduce electrical losses and ensure the car is delivering the best possible electrical range.

Skoda has also simplified the option packs

rapid charging capability means it can be charged from 10-80% in just 35 minutes. This model is priced from £28,495.

At the top and with prices starting from £31,495 is the ‘Trophy Long Range’, which features an upgraded ‘MG Pilot’ driver assistance package incorporating lane change assist and blind spot monitoring. It also gets leather seats and a 360-degree camera system plus keyless entry.

This offers an electric range of up to 270 miles.

Guy Pigounakis, commercial director at MG Motor UK, said: “Our first all-electric hatchback will offer a level of equipment usually expected from premium and performance EV manufacturers.

“We believe our new MG4 EV will be an enticing proposition for customers seeking an affordable electric car without compromise. The potential of the innovative modular scalable platform is considerable and is set to deliver some exciting new MGs over the coming years.”

The MG4 will go on sale in September, with all versions also boasting a seven-year warranty.

available on the Enyaq, with just four now remaining – Clever, Plus, Advanced and Maxx.

Clever – priced from £2,755 on Enyaq iV 60 and 80 models but included as standard on SportLine Plus versions – adds keyless entry and start, heated front seats and a two-zone leather heated steering wheel, among other functions.

Move up to Plus – priced from £4,830 – and you’ll find full LED matrix headlights added alongside an electrically adjustable drivers seat while Advanced – priced from £6,980 – builds on this with a head-up display and Skoda’s new ‘Crystal Face’ illuminated front grille.

Finally, the Maxx package – priced from £9,375 – adds in adjustable front seats with powered lumbar support, an around-view parking camera and dynamic chassis control.

Further options can be added, such as a panoramic sunroof, partition net screen and heat pump. The updated Enyaq can be ordered now, with prices starting from £38,480.

Electric cars able to travel up to 19 miles after range is depleted, new tests find ELECTRIC cars are able to travel up to 19 miles after their range readout hits zero, new research has discovered.

What Car tested 10 of the latest full electric models to see how far they could go in optimum conditions. In all, contenders fell short by between 8.1% and 18.6% of what their official claimed range was.

However, the vehicles were helped as they continued to run for several miles despite the gauges reading that the battery was entirely depleted. What Car says this suggests that the readouts are being programmed conservatively so that drivers are left with a buffer if they do run out of charge.

Shortest Out of all the cars tested, the new BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport went the furthest on a single charge and had the greatest buffer too, of 316 miles and 19 miles respectively.

On the other side, Cupra’s Born had the shortest summer range of 219 miles, while the BMW iX3 had the smallest emergency buffer of just five miles.

The tests were conducted on a closed vehicle proving ground, over a 15-mile route consisting of 2.6 miles of simulated urban traffic, four miles at a steady 50mph and eight miles at 70mph, to reflect motorway driving.

Three of the cars had also been tested during winter time by What Car. The difference in summer ranges compared with those during colder temperatures was apparent, with the BMW iX3 M Sport Pro covering an extra 41 miles in summer and the Kia EV6 RWD GT-Line adding an additional 50 miles in the warmer weather. The Tesla Model Y Long Range gained an extra 57 miles, too.

What Car editor Steve Huntingford said: “The fear of what will happen if you run out of charge in an electric car continues to put many people off making the switch, but our test showed that you not only get plenty of warning, but that even when the range readout hits zero, you’ve still got plenty of time to make it to a refuge area or find somewhere else safe to stop.”

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