Times of Tunbridge Wells 20th April 2022

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

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Jazz is to make its return to Pantiles TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ most popular weekly event returns next month but changes implemented during Covid are set to stay.

Jazz on the Pantiles, which takes place on Thursdays throughout the summer returns on May 5, and will run until the end of the summer season in September.

The new system means that to attend the Thursday night Jazz event you will need to book a table at one of the participating venues, including The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Kirthon or Casa Vecchia.

There is also a £5 entry fee.

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Full details on the return of Jazz on the Pantiles see page 26.

Businessmen that mis-sold pensions linked to councils’ homeless scheme EXCLUSIVE TIMES INVESTIGATON

By Richard Williams

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TWO businessmen who mis-sold investments wiping out people’s pensions are linked to a firm making millions of pounds from providing emergency accommodation for the homeless – including those in Tunbridge Wells.

The Times can today disclose the connection following an investigation into a complex web of companies and their directors.

Paramount Independent Property Services makes more than £5million a year from providing emergency accommodation for the homeless in Kent but the firm has links with investment firm Portal Financial Services.

Portal has just lost an appeal after the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) found it has been mis-selling pension schemes and claims against the business could now run into the millions.

The High Court found against the

finance firm last month after its clients saw their pensions wiped out after they pumped money into a high-risk scheme run by a business called Cherish Wealth Management – a business that has collapsed after a separate High Court action for mis-selling investments totalling more than £30million.

The decision now opens the door to

‘For the Council to pay a company to cream off a profit from that contract seems like madness’ claims from all the investors who ploughed money into the scheme through Portal and lost their money, which is likely to be in the millions of pounds.

According to Companies House, Portal has not filed its accounts since May 2020 and would have been struck-off the

register of UK companies earlier this month had the move not been blocked by anxious investors trying to claw money back.

If the company collapses, the only redress for those that have lost pensions is to appeal to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Yet through an interconnected web of businesses, Portal Financial Services is run by the same people as a lucrative property business making millions from housing the homeless in Kent.

Portal has a sole ‘designated member’, which operates in a similar fashion as a company director, and that is a business called Galahad Advisory, run by Gillingham businessman Andrew Moore.

Until recently, Agravain Advisory, run

by Rochester-based Jamie SmithThompson, also acted as a ‘designated member’ to Portal.

The business resigned its position just

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TRADING UP Teens turn 1p into £100 for cancer charity in ‘penny challenge’ P10

SMUGGLERS’ STAND The Times commemorates the ‘Battle of Goudhurst’ 275 years ago P12

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Councils’ homeless scheme linked to company that mis-sold pensions Continued from front page before the High Court ruling.

Both these businesses are also ‘designated members’ to Paramount Independent Property Services.

The housing firm provides emergency, nightly accommodation to nearly all the district and borough authorities in the county, including Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC).

Paramount, whose Managing Director Grant D-Negri is a former a Tonbridge & Malling Housing Officer, received more than £5million of taxpayers’ money from Kent’s authorities in one year alone, including £86,000 from TWBC, according to figures Jamie seen by the Times.

SmithA spokesperson for Thompson TWBC confirmed that

any money from Paramount, despite the same Paramount was still used for ‘nightly paid’ accommodation for the homeless, people being behind both companies.

Hugo Pound, leader of the Labour group at although the authority says it Tunbridge Wells Borough Council told the Times is now using the company’s that paying a company that ‘cream off a profit’ services less frequently as from homelessness, was ‘madness’. it is utilising its own stock He added: “Until the Council commits to of temporary building more genuinely affordable housing for accommodation. rent, we will have individuals and families But a number of Kent unable to find the money to rent, let alone buy, a councils are still heavily property. reliant on the services of Andrew Moore “And for the Council to pay a company Paramount, with – who then cream off a profit from authorities such as that contract – rather than Thanet having spent up to managing a relatively small £2million on one year alone to house operation itself, seems like homeless people with them. madness when our budgets are A spokesman for Thanet District being constantly squeezed by Council confirmed this week that this Conservative Government.”

Paramount was still ‘a significant Portal, Paramount, Andrew source of temporary accommodation’ Moore, Jamie Smith-Thompson for the council.

Grant D’Negri and Grant D’Negri were all Despite this, as it is a separate business entity, investors who lost money through Portal will be unable to claw back

approached for comment but did not respond.

MIS-SELLING CLAIMS LED TO COLLAPSE OF MINI-BOND FIRM DEPARTURE POINTE Crowborough dancer Eleanor Lewis takes off on a four-month tour with Ballet Central P22

FESTIVAL FLOURISH The Black Deer Festival is back with a ‘sit down’ performer this summer P26

A TUNBRIDGE WELLS minibond company that collapsed owing more than £237million to more than 11,500 investors had also been found to have mis-sold its investments.

London Capital & Finance, which was set up by former Tunbridge Wells Conservative party chairman, Simon Hume-Kendall, went bust in January 2019 after the city watchdog – the Financial Conduct Authority – froze its bank accounts after it was found to have mis-sold its products.

It led to a collapse of the company that saw

investors, many of them having had ploughed in their life savings and pension funds, lose more than £237million.

The collapse of LCF, which is currently at the centre of a Serious Fraud Office investigation, has been one of the biggest financial investment scandals in recent years.

There is no suggestion that either Portal Financial Services or Paramount Independent Property Services have acted unlawfully or that the amount of money lost to investors is on the same scale as the LCF collapse.

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MP wants to wait for full report before voicing opinion on partygate scandal

By Richard Williams

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GREG Clark says that he will wait for the publication of the full Sue Gray report into parties at Downing Street, despite Boris Johnson, the PM’s wife and Rishi Sunak having all been fined for breaking Covid rules.

When the ‘partygate’ scandal broke earlier this year, the Tunbridge Wells MP had declined to comment on the allegations, telling the Times that while he understood ‘the anger that people feel about the revelations about what happened in Downing Street in 2020’ he wanted to wait until ‘all the information is known’ before commenting.

Despite the PM admitting breaching his own Covid rules and paying a fine to the Met Police last week, Mr Clark has still declined to comment on the scandal.

Investigation He told the Times yesterday: “I have said from the outset I will consider my views on the events at Downing Street and the conduct of the Prime Minister once all of the information is known – including the end of the police investigation and publication of the Gray report.

“At that point I will set out to constituents the conclusions I have reached comprehensively.”

His words come after the prime minister, his wife Carrie and Chancellor Rishi Sunak paid £50 each for attending a birthday party for Mr Johnson in June 2020 when the rest of the country was banned from gatherings, including funerals.

Following the revelations, more than 80 Conservative MPs have expressed their support for Mr Johnson and said he should keep his job, despite widespread anger across the country over the double standards of ministers not abiding by their own rules.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis yesterday (Tuesday) compared the offence to a

FINED Mr Sunak and the PM both broke Covid rules criticise his conduct, came as MPs speeding fine. returned to Westminster yesterday But around 280 Tory MPs have (Tuesday) to hear from the PM who refused to publicly back the PM. GREG CLARK promised to ‘set out his position’ after Conservatives in Tunbridge Wells had being fined for breaching Covid rules on his voiced their ‘disgust’ at the allegations, birthday by the Met. when the story broke earlier this year.

Mr Johnson apologised for being in breach of It led to former Tunbridge Wells Council leader the rules but now faces a vote on whether he David Jukes quitting the Conservative Party after misled parliament. more than 50 years a member and saying the For more on partygate and what Boris Johnson scandal will result in a ‘bloodbath’ at the local said to MPs yesterday (Tuesday), see national elections scheduled for May. news page 14.

Mr Clark’s refusal to either back Mr Johnson or

TONBRIDGE MP NOW SECOND FAVOURITE FOR TOP JOB THE MP for Tonbridge & Malling is now tipped by the bookies to be the second favourite to be the next leader of the Conservative party if Boris Johnson steps down.

Tom Tugendhat had been just 33/1 to land the top job before the Downing Street partygate scandal emerged.

Bookies shortened the odds on the current Chair of the foreign Affairs Select Committee to 7/1 after he became the first Tory MP to

admit he wanted the PM’s job earlier this year.

He had told reporters it would be a ‘huge privilege’ to be PM when asked if he wanted the role.

Yet the Tonbridge MP remained behind Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss as the bookies’ favourite until the latest revelations that saw the Chancellor fined for rule breaking.

Mr Tugendhat is now 8/1 to be next PM trailing Liz Truss at 6/1.

Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is third favourite at 9/1, while the odds on Rishi Sunak have fallen to 12/1.

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

NEWS IN BRIEF

Eleven charged with Sherwood murder ELEVEN people have now been charged following the death of a man in Tunbridge Wells.

Xhovan Pepaj, aged 25, was found stabbed in Caley Road in the Sherwood area of the town, at around 3.15am on December 4, 2021.

Since then, an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate has led to the arrests of 13 people.

Fabian Szymula, of Essex, aged 20, was arrested on April 8, 2022 and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. He was remanded to a hearing on April 29.

He joins ten others from the Essex area all charged with Mr Pepaj’s murder.

The 10 suspects pleaded not guilty and are remanded to the hearing on 29 April.

A 33-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, who were also arrested in connection with the investigation, remain on police bail pending further enquires.

Primary school places NINE out of ten children have bene offered their chosen primary school after figures were released.

Families in Kent found out yesterday (Tuesday) what primary schools their children have been offered to join in September 2022, with 15,486 (90.07 per cent) of the 17,175 Kent applicants were offered their first preference.

Around 16,787 (97.74 per cent) will receive one of their three named schools.

Shellina Prendergast, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “The number of children who did not receive any of their preferences is under 2.5 per cent and, in many cases, this is because parents named fewer than three schools, which limited the options KCC could consider before assigning them an alternative.

“We appreciate this will be a disappointing and concerning time for those pupils and their families, but we would urge them not to be discouraged as this is only the first stage in the applications process.”

Foodbank donations fall THE foodbank that serves Tunbridge Wells has issued a plea for food donations, following record referrals in the week before Easter.

Nourish Community Foodbank has seen the number of people needing its service in the 2020/2021 financial year rocket to 16,238, up from 10,141 the year before.

And referrals are continuing to rise.

Operations Manager Dawn Stanford said: “We have had more referrals this week than any other week so far this year, and we are expecting this rise to continue.

“However, our food donations are at the lowest they have been all year.”

Contributors can drop food and sanitary supplies in Nourish’s boxes in supermarkets, and can now make donations directly at its warehouse in Kingstanding Way (Unit 5). Collection points can be found at nourishcommunityfoodbank.org.uk

Burglar arrested in pub A BURGLAR who stole cash from a house in Tunbridge Wells was caught spending his ill-gotten gains in a pub near to the house he had targeted.

On February 15, Scott Parker cycled to a house in Birch Close, Sherwood and kicked open the front door before stealing around £250 in cash from a distinctive money tin.

But police caught the inept thief after CCTV captured him cycling to a nearby pub and emptying the stolen cash tin on the bar.

The 46-year-old was arrested and Parker was sentenced to one year and two months’ imprisonment.

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Tunbridge Wells and German double celebrate 33 years of being twinned

By Victoria Roberts TUNBRIDGE WELLS and a spa town in Germany are celebrating 33 years of forging closer ties this week on the anniversary they were twinned.

On April 22, 1989, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Wiesbaden City Council in Germany, signed a formal friendship and twinning agreement.

Twinning agreements are civic agreements between two towns or cities to promote trade, tourism and culture.

DOPPELGANGER Wiesbaden civic centre

Agreement Close links with Wiesbaden, which is in the western German state of Hesse, were first forged by local ex-servicemen in 1960 who visited the city to meet German soldiers that had fought in the war.

A formal agreement twining Tunbridge Wells and Wiesbaden was signed almost 20 years later.

A number of international companies have their German or European headquarters in Wiesbaden, including Porsche and Ferrari and it is also one of Germany's wine-growing regions.

Wisebaden is located near to Frankfurt, around 700 km from its Kent twin, and like Tunbridge Wells it is a spa town, boasting thermal springs, first documented in Roman times.

Michael Holman, president and former chairman of the Tunbridge Wells Twinning and Friendship Association, said although both places were spa towns, the 'twins' were far from identical.

“It was hard work, I am sure, to convince Wiesbaden, a town of now, 300,000 people, to twin with a little tiddler like Tunbridge Wells,” he recalled.

“Our population of the Borough is only about 120,000. At the time, it would have been much less.

“It's a town on a grand scale, compared with Tunbridge Wells. But Tunbridge Wells has its attractions and is a lovely town to visit.”

Some of Tunbridge Wells’ attractions have direct links with Wiesbaden, such as the bicycle-shaped cycle-stands, made by a blacksmith from the German town, and the Wiesbaden plaque incorporated into the water feature at The Pantiles' 1887 building – referencing the fact that both towns were founded on springs.

Over the years, schoolchildren have enjoyed sporting exchanges, musical co-operation and even work experience exchanges.

During the pandemic, the twinning association has worked to keep up the rapport, relying on all the hallmarks of a long-distance relationship: correspondence, Zoom calls, and newsletters.

Now that the 'twins' can finally travel after two years of pandemic restrictions, the complications of Brexit remain, which have made arranging paid student work placements even more complicated than the paperwork for dutiable goods such as wine, Mr Holman said.

He then added: “In August this year, unable to take part in the Wiesbaden Wine Festival, we sent 100 bottles of wine from Biddenden to Wiesbaden for their celebration of a twin town

wine festival.”

A spokesperson for Wiesbaden’s city administration's international relations and town twinning department said the city was looking forward to celebrating the anniversary of being twinned with Tunbridge Wells, adding: "Many activities are planned by our partnership association in this year."

She added a visit by the new Chairman of Wiesbaden’s twinning assocation, Dr Friedrich Schrecker is taking place in Tunbirdge Wells this week.

Van driver tried to kill Cranbrook neighbour following a feud over a shared driveway trial at Maidstone Crown Court Wood claimed he had no recollection of the collision, having previously sustained a head injury after falling from a ladder.

But a jury found him guilty of attempted murder.

By Robert Forrester A 59-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for 15 years after attempting to murder a pensioner in Cranbrook by mowing him down in his van following a dispute over land.

Charles Wood of Rye Road, Sandhurst, used his vehicle to mount a pavement and deliberately drove at the victim, who has not been named by Kent Police, at high speed.

An investigation later revealed he lived close to the victim, and had previously been involved in a long running dispute over a strip of land used to access both Wood and the victim’s homes, and which was also used by people to park their cars.

Wood had been traveling in the Sandhurst area on March 2, 2020, when around 1.20pm he saw the victim, a man in his 60s, walking on a pavement in Rye Road.

After driving his vehicle at him Wood then sped from the scene.

Collision Police and ambulance crews attended, and the victim was taken to hospital with injuries including a bleed to the brain, a bruised aorta, as well as a broken back and ribs. He spent a number of months in hospital.

Witnesses described seeing a silver panel van being driven in the area moments before the collision.

Enquiries quickly led to Wood being identified

Sentenced

JAILED Charles Wood as the suspect and when officers attended his home address, a short distance away in Rye Road, the van was found parked outside with damage to its windscreen and bonnet.

Wood was located on the following day and arrested.

He later denied any wrongdoing and during his

He was sentenced to 15 years at Southwark Crown Court last week (Wednesday, April 13) and was told he will have to serve a minimum of ten years (two thirds of his sentence) and will also be disqualified from driving for 12 years and six months on his release.

Lead investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Garry Cook, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said that Wood used his van as an offence weapon.

He added: “Wood used his van as a weapon and his actions left his elderly victim suffering a number of appalling injuries.

“It is only by chance that the victim survived this unprovoked assault, although there is little doubt these serious injuries will have a profound and long-lasting effect.

“As well as the lasting physical scars the impact of this crime will likely have a significant psychological impact on the victim for the rest of their life.”

He added: “I only hope today’s sentence will provide some closure and reassurance that at least justice has now been served.”

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Hospital waiting list begins to shrink as Trust recovers from the pandemic The figures come against a backdrop of a new number of record of patients in England waiting to start routine hospital treatment – rising to 6.2million at the end of February.

This was up from 6.1million in January and is the highest number since records began in August 2007.

By Victoria Roberts WAITING lists at the NHS Trust that runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital are bucking the national trend and declining following record levels reached after the pandemic.

The latest figures from NHS England show a nearly 2 per cent fall in February of people waiting for hip operations and other nonemergency care at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW).

It follows record levels of people waiting for treatments and surgeries as a result of the pandemic.

Conditions

Longest Back in November, MTW, which runs both the hospital in Pembury and the hospital in Maidstone, saw its waiting list peak at 39,341 – the highest levels ever recorded.

In figures published last Thursday [April 14], MTW had 37,775 patients on the waiting list as of February 2022, down 1.73 per cent from January 2022.

Despite the fall to waiting lists, only 70.1 per cent of patients are being seen within 18 weeks, compared to the target of 92 per cent, but that target has not been hit since the pandemic began.

The longest waiting list at MTW is for ophthalmology, with 7,854 waiting for eye-related treatment, 35 per cent for more than 18 weeks.

However, the figures show that MTW had managed to reduce this number by 567 patients,

RECOVERING Tunbridge Wells Hospital

or 6.7 per cent, month-on-month, down from 8,421 patients waiting in January.

General surgery and the gynaecology service have the next-biggest waiting lists, with 4,163 and 4,131 waiting, respectively.

The gynaecology waiting list actually increased by 50 patients over the month – or 1.22 per cent, with 39.4 per cent waiting longer than 18 weeks.

However, MTW is beating the 92 per cent

standard in cardiothoracic surgery and the general internal medicine service, both seeing 100 per cent of patients within 18 weeks.

Meanwhile, in elderly medicine, 96.2 per cent are seen within this period.

The average wait time for non-emergency treatment at MTW currently stands at 11.4 weeks.

Only one patient was listed as waiting for more than 52 weeks, in the ‘general surgery’ category.

Although the waiting list has continued to grow in England, the figures also show the number of people waiting more than a year, and more than two years, have fallen.

NHS England said that despite record volumes of 999 calls and ambulance callouts for life-threatening conditions over the winter period of December to March, the service had managed to cut the numbers waiting the longest for hospital treatments.

A total of 23,281 people in England were waiting more than two years to start routine hospital treatment at the end of February, down slightly from 23,778 at the end of January.

But it is around nine times the 2,608 people who were waiting longer than two years in April 2021.

The number of people having to wait more than a year to start hospital treatment also fell from 311,528 in January to 299,478 in February.

The NHS elective recovery plan sets the ambitions of eliminating all waits of more than two years, except when it is the patient’s choice,

by July and all waits of more than a year by March 2025.

MTW EMBARKS ON A RECRUITMENT DRIVE MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) is conducting a recruitment drive as the service attempts to return to normality following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The recruitment campaign will promote MTW as a leading hospital Trust, offering various job opportunities and multi-disciplinary roles, as well as training and development opportunities, including management, education and research positions. Miles Scott, Chief Executive at MTW said: “We are offering new roles in many areas to support our expanding services and recruiting staff right across the board, with a focus on clinical posts. It’s a great time to join the Trust as we continue developing our

services and facilities and our people can really help play a part in shaping our future.

“We invest in training to support all staff to help them excel in their careers and take up opportunities in areas that interest them as they develop their skills. We have a fantastic team of friendly people at MTW who really support each other. We encourage health professionals looking for a new role to join us on the next stage of our journey.”

Dr Peter Maskell, Medical Director, MTW added: “We are a clinically-led organisation where decisions are informed by our clinicians, which means staff can have a big impact on how we operate. Everyone working here is

committed to providing the very best patient care and they live and breathe the Trust’s values of patient first, respect, innovation, delivery and excellence.

Boost “We offer excellent career progression. We’re a teaching hospital for doctors and have relationships with universities that train nurses and other health professionals, which boost our talent pipeline.

“We work with the Kent and Medway Medical School, and we are currently preparing to take 40 medical students for their clinical

attachments in September.

“Staff at MTW can enjoy living in one of the most beautiful areas in the UK where it’s easy to have a night out in London or visit the coast for the afternoon.

“Many have relocated from London or commute from the capital. I trained here and have returned to work here. It is such a supportive, modern and forward-thinking organisation and I would highly recommend it.”

The recruitment drive, focused on clinical roles, comes at an exciting time for MTW as it has invested in a range of new facilities, service developments, training centres and digital transformation.

Fraudster awaiting extradition after selling fake wine in $100million US ‘Ponzi scheme’ does not exist and instead use the money to pay off interest to earlier investors to claim the scheme is working.

According to New York attorneys, both Fuller and Burton used aliases to con investors out of more than $99million (£76million) and used the proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to other investors in a scheme, which ran from June 2017 to February 2019.

By Richard Williams A TUNBRIDGE WELLS man is awaiting extradition after allegedly defrauded wine collectors in an alleged £76million Ponzi scheme.

Convicted fraudster, Andrew Fuller, 55, who is from the Kent town, and his business partner Stephen Burton, 57, also believed to be from the county, are said to have offered investors huge returns by investing in cellars that included costly wines but many of the expensive vintages did not actually exist, according to court papers filed in New York.

Notorious Instead, the pair were taking money from investors to pay off interest from other investors’ loans in what has been dubbed by US prosecutors as a ‘Ponzi scheme’.

Named after notorious US crook Charles Ponzi,

Conspiracy ‘FRAUDSTERS’ Stephen Burton posing with a vintage wine and (inset) Andrew Fuller a Ponzi scheme is when fraudsters take money from clients for an investment opportunity that

Fuller even changed his name to James Wellesley – the surname of the Dukes of Wellington – for the scheme.

Burton and Fuller are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Fuller is now in custody awaiting extradition to the USA, while Burton is alleged to be on the run after leaving prison for another offence.

In papers lodged with the eastern district court of New York, US district attorney Breon Peace said: “Unlike the fine wine they purported to possess, the defendants’ repeated lies to investors did not age well.

“These defendants duped investors by offering them an intoxicating investment opportunity collateralised by valuable bottles of fine wine that turned out to be too good to be true.”

The two men both have previous convictions for fraud.

Fuller, from Tunbridge Wells, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2013 after admitting charges including fraud and forgery over a property scheme.

Burton was arrested at a hotel in Kent on Valentine’s Day 2019. He later pleaded guilty to possession of false identity documents and money laundering and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

He has since been released and is understood to have fled the country.

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Local Elections

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Local elections 2022: battle for the Town Hall 2022

MAY sees one of the closest fought local elections for nearly two decades taking place at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The authority has been run by the Conservatives as a minority party since it fell to No Overall Control for the first time in two decades in 2021.

Housing plan puts ward on a knife edge The controversial decision to put 120 homes in the Spratsbrook Farm and Ramslye Field area of the ward has made it one of the most hotly contested seats in the local elections this year.

The houses, which were part of the Council’s Local Plan were agreed by an all-party group at the authority consisting of Labour, Lib Dem, Alliance, and Conservatives.

But both the Green Party and Ukip have targeted the area due to the strong opposition in the area to the housing plans.

GREEN FIELDS Spratsbrook Farm is a site for new homes

Alternative

Balanced The Conservatives are not fighting to keep control of the 48-seat chamber at the Town Hall.

The election on May 5 could see control of the authority fall from the Conservatives for the first time in 20 years if they fail to return enough councillors.

There are 60 prospective councillors vying for one of 16 available seats at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC).

Just Labour and the Conservative party have a full slate of candidates in all available wards, despite the Town Hall being balanced on a knife edge.

The Conservatives currently have 21 councillors in the Town Hall, while the opposition groups

can currently muster 26 seats between them – 12 Lib Dems, 6 Alliance, 5 Labour and 3 independents.

These are the penultimate local elections before the current boundary system changes in May 2024 that will see a reduction of councillors from 48 to 39.

To retain power, the Conservatives have to avoid losing more than five of the seats they currently hold, but they would need to win all ten they are defending plus a further four if they are to regain the majority they lost in 2021.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at some of the key battle grounds for the political parties. This week we will be looking at Broadwater.

CURRENT MAKE-UP OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL CONSERVATIVE PARTY 21

ALLIANCE 6

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 12

LABOUR PARTY 5

INDEPENDENT/VACANT 4

However with not enough brown field sites in the town to build homes on, and the government insisting that 13,500 homes have to be built in Tunbridge Wells over the next 15 years, is there an alternative?

Six candidates are all vying for the Broadwater seat that is currently held by the current Mayor of

SEATS BEING CONTESTED

Tunbridge Wells Cllr Chris Woodward.

We approached all the candidates and asked what their views are on the housing plans for Broadwater.

We also asked what other issues they are fighting this local election on (see opposite):

CURRENT HOLDER

PARTY

Benenden & Cranbrook Cllr Sean Holden Conservative Brenchley & Horsmonden Cllr Alan McDermott Conservative Broadwater Cllr Chris Woodward Conservative Culverden Cllr David Scott Conservative Hawkhurst & Sandhurst Cllr Patrick Thomson Conservative Paddock Wood East Cllr Sarah Hamilton Conservative Paddock Wood West Vacant (previously held by Conservative) Pantiles & St Marks Cllr James Scholes Conservative Park Cllr Nicholas Pope Alliance Pembury Cllr Barrington-King Conservative Sherwood Cllr Bob Backhouse Conservative S’borough & High Brooms Cllr Alain Lewis Labour Southborough North Cllr Joe Simmons Conservative Speldhurst & Bidborough Cllr Matthew Sankey Alliance St James’ Cllr Rob Wormington Lib Dem St John’s Cllr Mark Ellis Lib Dem

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Local Elections

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

NEWS

The candidates fighting it out in Broadwater CLLR CHRIS WOODWARD

ANNE MUSKER

‘Housing plan is balanced as other areas taking more’

‘We need more affordable homes and social rents’

‘We draw the line at building on green space’

‘No to any building on non-brownfield sites’

What is your position on the housing outlined for Broadwater in the Local Plan?

Considering that the Lib Dems have backed the Council’s Local Plan, what are your views on the proposed housing?

If houses are not built in Broadwater, where should they be built?

Children of local people can't afford to live here.

The Council should build its own houses at social rents for local people and buy back sold-off council houses when they become available. Better insulation, building to high modern standards, and rapid repairs will help people and the planet.

When the Plan was approved, Broadwater ward was represented only by the Conservatives.

The plan that the Conservatives approved included the greenbelt land of Ramslye Fields—against the wishes of local residents. Our position is that brownfield development is to be welcomed, but we draw the line at building on much-loved green space.

What do you say to the people of the ward unhappy with the housing proposed in the Local Plan?

Considering the government-imposed requirement to deliver about 750 new homes per year over the period of the new Local Plan, on balance I felt that there was little justification for rejecting this properly considered allocation of 120 homes for Broadwater – other areas of the Borough are having to absorb a lot more.

What are other issues in Broadwater are you campaigning on?

I would identify three principal concerns: Redevelopment of Town & Country dwellings looms; I want to be sure that vacating tenants get the support they need in transitioning to alternate homes.

With the upward creep in numbers of local homes, I constantly pursue the case for a local medical centre.

As a TWBC Commons Conservator, I will pursue the need for more funding to help address a significant backlog of necessary improvements.

JAMIE JOHNSON

What are other issues in Broadwater are you campaigning on that you feel are important to residents there?

We need more - and cheaper - local buses.

There is too much fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour.

We need a better police presence on the streets, better protection for women, and activities for young people. We need to fix the bin contracts. And encourage better disabled access to shops and public buildings.

ADRIAN THORNE

What are other issues in Broadwater are you campaigning on that you feel are important to residents there?

Having lived here most of my life, I feel that it is important that we make our streets safer - we must enforce speeding limits.

Coupled with this, we must maintain our beautiful countryside and improve accessibility on our footpaths. Boroughwide the Liberal Democrats have a plan for a town centre that we’re all proud of.

We want new houses on old, disused sites like the factory in Showfields – good quality, eco-friendly houses.

There is fierce opposition amongst locals to losing precious green spaces like Ramslye farm fields, and once we lose those spaces, we will never get them back.

We are the only party to represent those feelings.

What other issues in Broadwater are you campaigning on that you feel are important to residents there?

Repairing years of Conservative neglect; we need our doctors' surgery back, we need the Showfields regeneration to move faster.

We need green schemes like safe pavements, car clubs, bike lanes and regular litter-clearing.

We need Councillors in the community who listen to residents and act! * The Alliance and Ukip candidates were contacted but were unavailable to comment

Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers

Textiles, Vintage Fashion, Handbags & Luxury Luggage Valuation Days Monday 3rd May - Lewes Friday 6th May - Tunbridge Wells The market for designer items and textiles is ever-growing. With the power of the internet, our sale platform reaches clients across the world, yet our attractive galleries set a demand on a more local scale.

Regardless of age, names like Mulberry, Chanel and Hermés attract impressive results through the expertise of our experts.

Our own Annie Hartnett, a former specialist dealer in antique and Chinese textiles, costume and lace, has lifelong experience within the industry. Alongside her is Emily Bearn; a recent graduate who has extensive knowledge of vintage and modern design. Both fuse together in leading the impressive im textiles department with us here at Gorringe’s.

To book an appointment for a free appraisal email tw@gorringes.co.uk or telephone 01892 556860 A Chinese apricot embroidered silk ‘dragon’ formal court robe. Sold by Gorringe’s in 2021 for £24,000 Two graduated Louis Vuitton Alzer suitcase trunks. Sold by Gorringe’s in 2022 for £3,200

www.gorringes.co.uk

7

The Amelia Scott building will open its doors on Thursday 28th April and we can’t wait to welcome you!

Why not pop in to look around, or plan a visit to experience all that The Amelia has to offer. Cultural events, exhibitions, activities and more, you’ll never run out of things to do.

If you need to talk to an advisor, pay a bill or access Council services, this is the place to go.

Everyone’s welcome to explore the library, pick up their next best read or fall in love with reading all over again! You can also relax and enjoy a treat in our new café, run by local coffee experts, Fine Grind.

There’s so much to discover.

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK For more information and to sign up to our newsletter visit theamelia.co.uk

There’s something for everyone at the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival!

Bank Holiday Weekend | Friday 29 April – Monday 2 May 2022

One of Britain’s most beloved comedians and authors, David Baddiel is headlining the opening night of the Festival where he will be discussing his most recent authorial venture, Jews Don’t Count.

Assembly Hall Theatre Friday 29 April, 8pm

Kate Humble has been a cornerstone of BBC programming for over twenty years, and has been instrumental in fostering her viewers’ relationship with the natural world around them. Kate will introduce her new recipe book, Home Cooked, a stunning collection of simple, seasonal dishes designed to help reinvigorate every meal.

Assembly Hall Theatre Saturday 30 April 2.30pm

A pioneer of UK alternative comedy, Jo Brand has been tickling the country’s collective funny bone for decades! Join us at the Assembly Hall Theatre as the Saturday evening headliner, Jo will be talking about her most recent book, Born Lippy: How to Do Female.

Assembly Hall Theatre Saturday 30 April, 8pm

Coinciding with the opening of The Amelia Scott, this packed programme of events across the whole town will bring together some of the nation’s favourite writers, covering both adult and children’s literature. Fact or fiction, popular or niche, there will be something for everyone!

Tickets available on-line or via the booking hotline 01892 530613.

theamelia.co.uk

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Local News

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Falling jobless figures stutter but local employers struggling to hire

By Victoria Roberts UNEMPLOYMENT figures have remained stable for the second month in a row, with just five fewer unemployed claimants in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area.

According to figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) last week, 1,890 people were claiming some form of out of work benefits during March 2022.

Flat This was broadly flat compared to the February figure of 1,895, but it remains nearly double the number who were unemployed before the Covid pandemic began.

It is now exactly two years since the last pre-pandemic month of March 2020, when just 1,130 people were claiming out-of-work benefits. years as the cost-of-living squeeze tightened, It was April 2020 which saw the level soar to according to the ONS. 2,325 claimants in the area.

The government body said regular pay “I am surprised that it is still higher than it excluding bonuses tumbled 1.8 per cent was pre-pandemic, as we are seeing in the three months to February when such a shortage of candidates in all taking soaring inflation into areas that I would have expected account, as measured by the the number of unemployed to be Consumer Prices Index (CPI) – the very low at the moment,” Neil steepest fall since August to Simmons, of local recruitment October 2013. agency TN Recruits, told the But Tunbridge Wells is bucking Times. that trend.

“With regards to the Mr Simmons said: “Salaries are unemployment figures, I would creeping up at the moment, but expect that number to drop given this is also partly due to the the continued strength in the job NEIL SIMMONS pressure coming from candidates market – across all sectors.” who are working from home but still on Across the UK workers suffered the London salaries, so they are not willing to biggest fall in their real pay for nearly nine

BUSINESS

9

Solid ground for property investors PROPERTY investment is just the first item on the agenda for The Finance Hub’s new business area of financial literacy events and business networking tomorrow (Thursday).

The business network, which opened in March as a one-stop-shop for financial planning, with customers choosing whether to pay for advice through commissions or fees, told the Times at the time that it was planning to offer ‘themed’ events sponsored by local businesses.

Speakers at its first event tomorrow [April 21] will explain the groundwork needed to use property as an investment, and how investors can set targets for their returns, in order to maximise results.

Currencies

take a drop for a locally based role.

“The rise in living has clearly a knock-on effect with our candidates, although living in a ‘candidate market’ they are faced with a decision to either invest in a new role to increase salary or sit securely in what they know.

Vacancies “We [as recruiters] are aware of the unemployment changes and the increase in job roles where local companies are expanding and now able to deliver business plans that had to be frozen due to the pandemic.”

The news comes as the Times reported last week of a shortage of trained chefs in the town that has seen nearly 100 vacancies for the role posted on a leading job search website.

Flying Entertainment presents

DREAMBOATS & PETTICOATS

Topics will include using a pension to invest in property, structuring a property business and navigating taxation, and financing projects from bridging and development to refinancing.

However, with the event already oversubscribed, and with a waiting list, the networking business on The Pantiles has drawn up a slate of future events, The Finance Hub director Gillian Palmer told the Times.

“On the 19th of May, we are running a joint event with Office Tribe for their clients and any small businesses to talk about the wellbeing effects of co-working and collaboration,” she said, adding that she would lead the event.

Later, on June 9, Currency UK, which is an affiliate member of The Finance Hub, will run a currency event, which will welcome anyone working across currencies, including those buying, owning or selling property abroad.

The June 23 event, by Pam Loch of Loch Associates and Larry Hardcastle of Studio 44, focuses on company websites as a means of attracting customers and staff while remaining legally compliant.

EDEN MARK KANE WYNTER

®

VERY SPECIAL GUEST

MUSIC THAT LIVES FOREVER

MARTY WILDE

I DON’T KNOW WHY FORGET ME NOT WELL I ASK YOU BOYS CRY

A TEENAGER IN LOVE RUBBER BALL SEA OF LOVE BAD BOY • DONNA

FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST

AND

VENUS IN BLUE JEANS GO AWAY • LITTLE GIRL IT’S ALMOST TOMORROW

NANCY ANN LEE

THE WILDCATS

IN

CONCERT

Tuesday 3 May, 7:30pm

Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 01892 530613

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NEWS

Community News

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Teen friends trade up from a penny and donate £100 to cancer charity

Cross-fitters raise money for rare childhood disease

By Sarah Carter A TONBRIDGE couple are raising money for the charity which has helped them since their daughter was diagnosed with an almost unique chromosomal condition nearly a year ago.

Crossfit Tonbridge and Crossfit TAG in the Sevenoaks Weald, run by Joel St John and wife Emma, will challenge everyone, from five years and up, to compete in CrossFit challenges – or even test how long they can hold a plank – to win donated prizes and celebrate Ophelia St John’s first birthday in May.

FUNDRAISERS (L-R) Basil, Sammy, Emily and Elvis with Polly Taylor

By Richard Williams A GROUP of teenage friends from Tunbridge Wells walked into a cancer charity in the town and handed over £100 that they earnt after starting out with just 1p.

Polly Taylor from the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre in Monson Road says she was ‘overwhelmed’ when the four youngsters walked in with the money earlier this month.

The penny challenge was the brainchild of 14-year-old Elvis Dunjohn, a Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar School pupil, who got the idea from a class project.

He said: “We were on our Easter holidays and I wanted to do something to help small local charities that are trying to make a difference, and as we had done the penny challenge at school I thought it would be a good way to raise money.

“The idea is you start with a penny and trade up, buying and selling things until you reach

Care your target.”

Along with pals Emily Hitchell, Sammy Lampitt and Basil Aramankuzhy, the quartet made their first trade by swapping the penny for a pen.

“We went to Southborough Library, and they gave us a pen for the penny after we told them what we are doing,” Emily explained.

“We then traded that with people we came across and the local shops, until we had enough money to buy some cornflakes and chocolate, which we made some cakes that we sold for £1.50 each.

“We also received a lot of cash donations.”

Following their day of trades on April 4, the four friends walked into Pickering and handed over their profits - £100.

“I was overwhelmed with emotion when they walked in,” Polly Taylor at the charity said.

“They were on their school holidays and to put themselves out like this for us is truly inspirational.

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Due to a very rare condition affecting her chromosome 10, the little girl was born with multiple complications including club feet, a missing kidney, kidney dysplasia, cleft palate, differences in her brain shape and other problems, including a collapsed lung and heart issues, said father Joel.

Ophelia’s mother Emma continues to coach part-time, having been the children’s coach before the little girl was born, Joel told the Times.

Although it was the Guy’s Hospital genetics team which diagnosed Ophelia, and she remains under the care of specialist services in the NHS, the charity Unique provided practical advice for life with such an unusual

illness, Joel explained.

“Because it’s rare and wide ranging; there’s hardly any info out there in digestible format for families like us. They’re solving that problem,” he said, adding that the charity had written useful guides to life stages such as teething, schooling, adolescence, travel insurance and more.

At the event on May 14, entrants will start with small CrossFit-based challenges, followed by a competition in which the four owners will take on teams of four coaches, and teams of four members.

“The day is designed to be very inclusive, so our members from age five up to 65 can all take part,” stressed Joel.

Raffle prizes at the event include a month’s supply of micro-greens, a 30-minute massage, a personal trainer session, afternoon tea for two at Salomons Estate and more.

There is a pay-what-you-want barbecue and cake sale. This is not the gym’s first foray into charity, said Joel.

“We recently raised money for Cancer Research over November and December last year.

Earlier in the year, we raised money for a community- accessible defibrillator and more.”

FAMILY Emma and Joel with baby Ophelia

Contact CrossFitTonbridge. co.uk or find more information about Unique at RareChromo.org

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

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Community News

NEWS

11

The sun is not setting on the town’s Paddock Wood twirlers after they win major victory residents throw lifeline to RNLI

By Victoria Roberts

A ONE-day charity appeal for lifeboats in Paddock Wood earlier this month raised 11 per cent more than the last time a collection was held in the town, in 2019.

The Pembury, Paddock Wood & Tonbridge Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution [RNLI] raised £557 on April 9, from collectors in the town centre, local chairman Peter Chartres told the Times.

“This time we had 12 collectors, spaced apart, whereas in 2019 we had 15 collectors, and the take per bucket was also up – from an average of £33 per bucket in 2019, while this year it was £46.

TUNBRIDGE Wells’ only majorette troupe came back from the postponed 2020 national festival with trophies galore, after not only keeping their batons up throughout the pandemic but also persisting in competition.

Started in 1999 by Brenda Kitchenham with her twin daughters Faye and Zoe, who have since become co-leaders, the Sunset Twirlers take have been taking in girls from four years old ever since.

Members “We gradually got girls coming to us from Oakley School and went from there,” Brenda told the Times.

The troupe now has over a dozen members, ranging from 25 to seven years old, including eight who have special needs.

“We’re the only troupe left in Tunbridge Wells now, but there used to be four or five groups in the area. It has fallen off a bit, but we’re not sure whether that is because the parents don’t want to drive,” Brenda added.

Having started in 1999, the Sunset Twirlers have now seen off other troupes, rival hobbies and the pandemic to win the ‘Ambassadors’ prize at the UK Federation of Majorettes’ (UKFM) Bubble Nationals, held at Pontins Camber Sands on March 18-21.

“This was classed as the 2020 nationals because of the pandemic. That competition was cancelled the week before we were due to go, and we’ve gone two years without it,” said Brenda.

Some of the troupe also received ‘Ian’s trophy’ for those who could not join in with so

Donating

much of the competition, but she said: “We got to the end of the presentations at Pontins, and I was just thinking ‘oh, good, we can go soon’, but then they called them out. Well, we all know that the most important prize comes last.

Included “I did try not to cry, and managed it – just

about.”

The competition this year had not included as many troupes as normal – around thirty compared to 50-60 normally – but Brenda said they were proud to have kept going.

“A lot of troupes haven’t been able to get back into schools to practice, because of the pandemic.

“But we practice weekly – every Monday night at 6pm-8pm,” she added.

“Some of the people donating did mention that they were up against it financially, but considered the Lifeboats were doing a superb job,” he added.

The local RNLI branch ran plenty of outreach events, he said, but the BBC’s ‘Saving Lives at Sea’ series had also helped, he said.

However, he also attributed the increased takings to a combination of Paddock Wood’s rising population and increasing ‘localism’.

The town is rapidly expanding with thousands of new homes earmarked for the area.

“I think the population is increasing. There is a lot of building going on.”

And, with increased fuel and bus costs, combined with shops and facilities in the town, ‘the footfall is quite a bit higher.’

He added: “Why would you want to go to Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells with all the factors you’ve got here?”

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Community News

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

The Hawkhurst Gang’s last stand...

It may not be as famous as the Battle of Hastings or Bosworth Field, but today (April 20) marks the 275th anniversary of the Weald’s own medieval skirmish, and as Paul Harvey discovers, scars from the Battle of Goudhurst are still visible to this day….

BLACKTOOTH, Nasty Face, Staymaker, Pain, Poison, Shepherd, Red Mist, Trip, The Kentish Giant – characters out of a Disney Production or a kid’s comic perhaps?

These were in fact aliases of 18th century smugglers who for sure would have given small children nightmares at that time! Especially those that lived in Goudhurst almost 300 years ago…

The Hawkhurst Gang’s exploits became legendary and were virtually unchallenged for almost 15 years from around 1735. They became established as one of the more infamous Gangs of Smugglers through the South.

“They feared neither Customs Officers nor Soldiery, they respected neither God nor Man, and into the course of attaining their aims they stopped at no atrocity nor brooked any interference from anyone”, so it was written at the time.

its church and churchyard which was the location of the ferocious pitched battle that took place on the 20th April 1747. It really is quite hard to imagine...

Thomas Kingsmill was now leader of The Hawkhurst Gang at just 27 years of age.

His arrogance and determination to prove to his fellow Gang members that he was worthy of

Wars The Smuggling Gangs of the 18th Century emerged from the preceding centuries of sufferance with severe customs duties being imposed on Imported Commodities to pay for a series of expensive wars.

Two key protagonists emerged at this time: Thomas Kingsmill and William Sturt who as young men played significant roles in shaping the social history of the South East in the mid-18th Century.

They were both natives of Goudhurst, a similar age, but chose very different career paths.

Thomas Kingsmill, born in 1720, became a prominent member of the Hawkhurst Gang who later became their leader.

William Sturt – born in 1717, his name is still recalled by local Historians as the Hero of Goudhurst, who stood up to Kingsmill and the Hawkhurst Gang by organising the Goudhurst Militia and defeated the Gang at the Battle of Goudhurst on the 20th April 1747.

In a beautiful tranquil spot in the glorious Weald of Kent you can discover Goudhurst with

the role became a real opportunity to now test himself as Captain. He threatened to ride into Goudhurst, kill the residents and burn the place down. He named the day: April 20. It was 1747 and that arrogance was going to be his downfall.

The day arrived and sure enough Kingsmill and the Gang galloped into sight of the Goudhurst Church, stripped to the waist, faces painted, head bands in place and armed to the teeth with carbines, pistols and swords. Their familiar battle cry piercing the springlike air.

Kingsmill left the main group and standing high in his stirrups made a blood thirsty speech – brandishing his sword, he then re-joined the Gang.

Sturt was well prepared. The women and children of the village had already been sent away as a precaution.

Stationed Sturt had trained his men well, trenches had already been dug, barricades erected, and manned snipers were stationed on the Church tower. They gathered as many firearms as possible and made up cartridges and cast many balls for muskets.

The Gang opened the attack, 50 horsemen dismounted and aimed their fire at the Church tower and windows. But the Militia fought back with volleys of musket fire from many directions, with long range weapons and being under cover proved to work the defeat of the Gang.

The gang quickly broke up and fled in all directions once they realised that they had completely underestimated the skill that Sturt had brought with him to defend Goudhurst.

When the smoke cleared – three of the smugglers were lying dead in the churchyard.

Things weren’t good for Kingsmill.

He knew he couldn’t return to Goudhurst, his Gang had been depleted, he had also lost his brother in the process.

It was in April 1749 that Kingsmill and his

fellow smuggling friend Fairall were eventually found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging at the gallows in Tyburn.

After the hanging in front of a sizable crowd, their bodies were put into iron chains, then transported in plain wooden boxes back to Kent.

At least 75 of the gang members were hanged or transported at that time and as many as 14 gibbets could be seen dotted across the Kent and Sussex skyline.

Kingsmill’s body was hoisted up into an iron Gibbet in Goudhurst and left to rot in full display for all to see as the black crows and magpies squabbled and squaked over the carcass.

Fairall’s body was taken to Horsmonden and was also gibbeted.

So, next time you are in Goudhurst, reflect on this incredible period in our social history and wonder how William Sturt must have felt when looking up to the gibbet with Kingsmill’s rotting body on display, holding his young son’s hand, proudly knowing that he directly contributed to Kingsmill’s eventual downfall and put an end to the Hawkhurst Gang’s Reign of Terror!

If you are interested in hearing a studio production audio story about The Hawkhurst Gang and The Battle of Goudhurst please email info@wealdproductions.com.

CURRENT EVIDENCE OF THE DAYS OF SMUGGLING • The gibbet was an iron cage into which the hung smugglers were placed wrapped in iron chains and left to rot. The gibbet with Kingsmill’s body was at Goudhurst Gore, still showing as a place name near Goudhurst and the gibbet holding William Fairhall was at Horsmonden, with Gibbet Lane still named.

• Spyways is the name of a house in Goudhurst High Street, used by the smugglers as a look out post for Dragoons and Customs Officers and was also the village jail.

• Smugley Farm exists in Goudhurst; Tubs Lake between Hawkhurst and Cranbrook was a staging post for contraband on its way to London.

• Section of Goudhurst’s Oak Church Door from 1747 has been framed showing lead shot embedded in it from the Battle of Goudhurst.

• You can still find musket balls in the earth close to the hedge rows around the playing field near the church – evidence of The Battle.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

FOLLOW THE SMUGGLER'S ROUTE!

Why not follow in the footsteps of The Hawkhurst Gang, and stop off for respite at one of Balfour Hospitality's fine establishments en route?

We are proud to extend the hospitality for which we are renowned at Balfour Winery to the fantastic pubs we also own across Kent and Sussex, including this trio of countryside inns enriched in steep history.

If you are following the route of the smugglers, you can grab a hearty breakfast at The Ship Inn, Rye before passing the site of the Battle of Goudhurst, resting your weary legs at The Goudhurst Inn. Grab a pint of our own Jake's IPA, Lager or Cider, or if wine's your tipple, we have an array of superb English wines, created just a stone's throw away at the Balfour Winery.

Finally, head over to The Woolpack Hotel, Tenterden, to sample some superb dining options in our cosy restaurant, or grab another drink in one of the finest pub gardens in the Weald of Kent, in our opinion anyway!

Got more time? You can even spend the night to give you more time to explore the surrounding area, as each of our pubs have boutique bedrooms with incredibly comfortable beds, you'd not ever want to leave!

www.theshipinnrye.com | www.thegoudhurstinn.com | www.thewoolly.com

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National News

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

PM apologises for partygate fine as he faces a vote on whether he misled MPs BORIS Johnson has made a ‘wholehearted apology’ to the House of Commons after he was fined for breaching Covid rules.

The PM attended Parliament to explain his actions in the Commons yestertday, as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter recess.

Mr Johnson told MPs: “Let me begin in all humility by saying that on April 12 I received a fixed penalty notice relating to an event in Downing Street on June 19 2020.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he had approved an application from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and other opposition MPs allowing them to table a motion for debate on Thursday.

Guidance

‘Resign’ “I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology, and I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House.”

Shouts of ‘resign’ could be heard in the Commons.

But Mr Johnson added: “As soon as I received the notice, I acknowledged the hurt and anger and I said that people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister – and I repeat that, Mr Speaker, again in the House now.

“Let me also say, not by way of mitigation or excuse but purely because it explains my previous words in this House, that it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital

FACING THE MUSIC Mr Johnson leaving for the Commons yesterday meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.

“I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly.

“I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still under way, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps.”

Mr Johnson said he has taken “significant

Unions hit out at Rees-Mogg after he tells civil servants to go back to work MESSAGE Mr Rees-Mogg in a radio interview

UNIONS have reacted with anger after Government Efficiency Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg issued a call for the ‘rapid return’ of civil servants to their Whitehall desks.

In a letter to Cabinet ministers, Mr Rees-Mogg said they needed to issue a ‘clear message’ to their departments that with the end of Covid restrictions in England, officials should be back in the office.

He argued that ending working from home would bring the benefits of ‘face-to-face, collaborative working’ as well as delivering wider benefits for the economy.

But the move was branded ‘vindictive’ by Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA representing senior civil servants, who said ministers were out of step with practice in the private sector.

Department With up to three-quarters of staff still reportedly working from home, Mr Rees-Mogg accompanied his letter with a league table showing how many staff in each Government department were attending the office on an average day.

“Now that we are learning to live with Covid and have lifted all legal restrictions in England, we must continue to accelerate the return of civil

servants to office buildings to realise the benefits of face-to-face, collaborative working and the wider benefits for the economy,” Mr Rees-Mogg added in his letter.

“To deliver this, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Steve Barclay, and I, urge you to issue a clear message to civil servants in your department to ensure a rapid return to the office.”

Mr Rees-Mogg was backed by the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis who said it was ‘a very good thing’ for people to be back in the workplace.

“There’s something different about that face-to-face interaction,” he told Times Radio yesterday [Tuesday]. “I think anybody who’s been missing that recognises that, but there’s also the issue, particularly for new staff and younger staff, about being able to become part of a team and get to know their colleagues.

“Actually, that doesn’t work in a virtual world.

“You need to be in an office to be able to learn from others to work with others and get to know each other, so I think people being back in the workplace is a very good thing.”

A Government spokesman said: “Ministers have been clear that departments should make maximum use of office space and progress is being monitored.”

steps” to change the way things work in No 10.

Labour leader Keir Starmer called the PM’s apology ‘a joke’.

Mr Johnson’s words came after the Commons Speaker announced that MPs will get the chance to vote on whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament over his assurances Covid rules were followed in Downing Street before the news of the fines broke.

It comes after the Prime Minister, along with his wife Carrie Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, were last week issued with fixed-penalty notices (FPN) by police investigating claims of coronavirus lockdown breaches in No 10.

Mr Johnson has apologised for his part in attending his own birthday bash, held in June 2020 in the Cabinet room, and paid the fine despite telling the Commons previously that all Covid guidance was followed at the heart of Government.

Labour is understood to be wording the motion to make Thursday’s vote about whether to refer Mr Johnson to the Committee of Privileges, which examines issues relating to contempt of Parliament. The committee has the power to summon reports and documents.

It means that MPs could request to see the full version of senior civil servant Sue Gray’s inquiry into the Downing Street lockdown gatherings and any potential photographic evidence that exists.

Russia steps up Donbas offensive with assaults on cities and towns RUSSIA has ratcheted up its battle for control of Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland, intensifying assaults on cities and towns along a front hundreds of miles long in what officials on both sides described as a new phase of the war.

After a Russian push to Kyiv failed to overrun the capital, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the eastern Donbas region.

That would give President Vladimir Putin a vital piece of Ukraine and a badly needed victory to present to the Russian people amid the war’s mounting casualties and the economic hardship caused by the West’s sanctions.

In recent weeks, Russian forces that withdrew from Kyiv have regrouped in preparation for an all-out offensive in the Donbas, where Moscowbacked separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for the past eight years and have declared two independent republics that have been recognised by Russia.

Onslaught While Ukraine’s president and other officials said the offensive had started, observers noted that it was just the beginning of a massive onslaught.

Ukraine’s military said early on Tuesday that a “new phase of war” began a day earlier when “the occupiers made an attempt to break through our defences along nearly the entire front line”.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview that “another phase of this operation is starting now”.

Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said air-launched Russian missiles destroyed 13 Ukrainian troop and weapons locations while the air force struck 60 other military facilities, including missile warhead storage depots, while Russian artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities and 1,214 troops concentrations over the last 24 hours.

The Pentagon cast the stepped-up campaign as “shaping operations” setting the stage for a broader offensive in the mostly Russianspeaking Donbas region.

The US believes Russian forces are “continuing to set the conditions for what they believe will be eventual success on the ground by putting in more forces, putting in more enablers, putting in more command and control capability for operations yet to come”, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said.

The assaults began along a boomerang-shaped front that stretches more than 300 miles from north-eastern Ukraine to the country’s south east.

Russia said it struck several areas with missiles, including the north-eastern city of Kharkiv as well as areas around Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro, west of the Donbas.

Five civilians were killed in a barrage on Kharkiv, governor Oleh Synyehubov said on Tuesday.

Moscow’s troops seized control of one town in the Donbas on Monday.

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Four in ten people to face fuel poverty energy bosses warn

Sausage rolls back on the menu as Greggs plans 100 new stores

AS MANY as four in 10 people in Britain could it a long-term measure. fall into fuel poverty in October, energy bosses He said that between 30% and 40% of people warned as they called for more support from the in Britain might go into fuel poverty from Treasury for vulnerable households.

October when the price cap is likely to rise Scottish Power chief executive Keith Anderson significantly again. said the Government should take £1,000 off the EDF estimates that its most vulnerable tenth of bills of the poorest in open the UK in October. customers will golike-for-like from payingsales £1 indrop every The group saw 9.2£12 per GREGGS has said itpeople plans to around 100 Thestores Government or billpayers would they on 2019 energy bills £1 in every cent have against after thetoimpact of the£6. third new by the end of the year after then it pay this off over a10rebound years, heinsuggested.

Centricalockdown boss Chrisbut O’Shea prepayment national it wassaid lifted by the announced sales that have helped customers startsites. seeing a real increase in opening ofwill 48 new return it to profit.

October.

Greggs had 2,115 locations at the start of July The bakery chain told investors that its Tariff and said it is targeting 100 net openings for the recovery in trade in recent months was ‘stronger current year to continue its strong growth plans.

“I think the anticipated’ problem’s got and in scale than we had astoit the sawsize growth Drop It said this is expected to create around 500 that it requires significant suburban areassomething and local high streets.of that jobsstart in the second of of theenergy year. soared nature where those who are deemed At the of April thehalf price The business saidpeople it has an opportunity to to be new in fueltopoverty or vulnerable need by around 54% for the average household, but grow 3,000 stores as it struck ansomething ambitiousof the and scale that puts bills meanwhile the weather is getting warmer, so tonesize after withstanding thetheir impact of back the to Expansion where it used to be before the gas crisis,” he told consumption is likely to drop. pandemic.

MPs the Business, Energy and Industrial Those whothe arebusiness paying their energy bill bymore direct Theongroup has also targeted growth areas such However, highlighted even Strategy Committee. debit will see prices go up summer build as delivery and drive-thru sales after the ambitious growth plans asthis it said it ‘hastothe Mr Anderson called ‘stage up credit for to theexpand winter,its but prepayment pandemic weighed onthat some coreone’, tradewhich such as opportunity UK estate to at least should besites. followed up with a social tariff that customers will not do that so will see an even its travel 3,000 shops’. gives poorer discounted This bigger in October.

Greggs saidhouseholds its like-for-like sales forenergy. the four Rogerrise Whiteside, the chief executive of Greggs should replace theofcurrent price said.

Twoturned months ago the Government announced weeks to the end July were 0.4cap, per he cent above who vegan in 2019, said he saw more a Helevels addedititsaw is “perverse” that customers £200 rebate to be through applied to energyinnovation, bills in the in the same period in 2019,with growth potential product prepayment meters – struck. who are likely to be more October, which will need to be paid back over before the pandemic such as its vegan sausage rolls. vulnerable – pay more for their energy the next few years.

The Newcastle-based business said itthan now “Greggs once again showed its resilience in a those who pay byprofits direct debit.

Mr Lewis called for the £200 to be increased if expects full-year to be ‘slightly ahead’ of challenging first half, emerging from the E.ON UKpredictions chief executive Michael Lewis said his bills go up months significantly again in October, and for previous as a result. lockdown in a strong position and company would support a helped social tariff, butits called the repayment period to berestrictions extended ifwere necessary.

New openings have also to buoy rebuilding sales as social total sales over the half-year to June to progressively relaxed,” he said, adding the £546.2million, to just short of the £546.3million company its full-year profit to be slightly BULB BOSS STILL BEING PAID expects £250,000 it posted in the same period in 2019. ahead of Greggs’ own expectations. the normal running of the firm until a buyer THE boss of bailed-out energy supplier Bulb is could be found. still being paid the same £250,000 salary that Wood refused to say whether that is he was collecting before the business wentNEWS into INMr BRIEF imminent when he was quizzed by MPs on the administration. future of the company.

Hayden Wood, who set up the company, was Speaking to the Business, Energy and asked by administrators to stay on in his role as Industrial Strategy Committee, he said: “I don’t chief executive after it failed in November and think it responsible for me to share details of an continues to receive nearly £21,000 a month. active sales process that is ongoing right now in Bulb was bailed out by the Government last a public forum.” year and ministers set aside £1.7billion to cover A BELARUSIAN activist who DEATHS from drugs have SEVEN men have been found ran a group helping his risen for the eighth year in a guilty of murdering a law countrymen flee persecution row and remain at their student who was mistakenly has been found dead in Kiev. highest level in more than a gunned down in a botched Thefigures average easy accessshooting. cash Isa rate is the SAVERS scouring theleader marketoffor ISA will Vitaly Shishov, thea cash quarter of a century, drive-by best it has been since when it was findKyiv-based the biggestBelarusian month-on-month in the House jump show.

TyreJune firm2020, boss Feroz 0.45%, Moneyfacts said. 40, arranged the rates offer inwas a decade, according toThere analysis. in on Ukraine, found hanged were 4,561 deaths Suleman, The average one-year fixed meanwhile ISAs (individual Savings Accounts) offer taxtofree in one of the city’s parks not related drug poisoning execution ofIsa a rival recorded month-on-month savings on interest up police to a threshold of £20,000in England far from his home, said registered andthe biggest businessman in broadrate increase 2011, to 0.87%, a year. in a statement.

Wales in 2020, the Office since for August daylight butrising the gunman heits highest Mayinstead 2020 when it stood at TheAaverage access Isahas rate in National April is Statistics murdereasy investigation (ONS)point since hired shot dead 0.91%.

0.38% – up from 0.30% March – Moneyfacts. been launched, with in a focus said. innocent passer-by Aya Longer-term Isa rates, with terms of more co.uk onfound. the death apparently This is the highest number fixed Hachem. thanin550 days, have jumped up. at The financial therecords 0.08 began being madeinformation to look like website said since 1993, Onalso Tuesday, a jury IsaCourt rate took is now percentage increase read. is the biggest suicide, point the statement andmonthly up 3.8% fromThe the average long-term Prestonfixed Crown less 1.30%, up from 1.12% in March. rise for this type of president account since April 2012 - year. a Authoritarian previous than four hours to find marked the biggest month-on-month rise decade ago. Lukashenko has Alexander Separate figuresItreleased Suleman, from Blackburn, since 2008 and theofhighest average rate for Someone £5,000 access vowed tosaving continue whatinto he an easy last week showed thatJuly there guilty murder. type of accountSix since February were 2020,also when it cashcalled Isa could typically make £15 in interest overdrug this a ‘mopping-up were 1,339 related accomplices was 1.34%. a year if they do not dipcivil into the pot based operation’ against deathson registered in Scotland convicted of killing the analysis was based on someone a March’s average annual rate, £19the worstThe society activists, whom heincreasing last to year, drug businessman.

All will having be £5,000 savings deposit. based on April’sasaverage rate. denounced ‘bandits’. death rate in Europe. sentenced at a later date.

Belarus activist Drug deaths hit Student killed found dead in a 25-year high after botched ‘fake hanging’ across England drive-by killing

Biggest rise in ISAs rates in a decade

National News

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15 13

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EDUCATION Times

Education

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Students teach valuable lessons in the appreciation of the arts...

Until May 4, Royal Victoria Place will be hosting Tonbridge Grammar School’s Visual Arts Exhibition to showcase the artistic talents of 15 Year 13 students who are currently completing their International Baccalaureate Diplomas. The Times finds out more about this annual creative show ROYAL Victoria Place (RVP) has opened its doors to Tonbridge Grammar School’s Visual Arts Exhibition, providing a former retail unit to showcase the artistic talents of 15 Year 13 students who are currently completing their International Baccalaureate Diplomas.

Located on the first floor, the exhibition includes fine art, perspective drawings and watercolour paintings, as well as sculptures and pottery for the local Tunbridge Wells community to enjoy.

“Running until Wednesday May 4, visitors to the RVP can be enthralled and inspired by the host of material created by the students, which capture their personal interests and the wider world around them,” a spokesperson for British Land who own the RVP told the Times.

“Visitors to Royal Victoria Place can be enthralled and inspired by the host of material created by the art students” Guided through a series of taught workshops, each student has explored individual ideas which have been inspired by personally chosen artwork and artefacts, with the aim to help them develop

their creative expression and analytical thinking.

Often, those who complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma go on to study visual arts in higher education.

Nicky Blanchard, centre manager at Royal Victoria Place, added: “We’re delighted to be able to host the Visual Arts Exhibition and provide a space for the students of Tonbridge

Grammar to show off their artistic talents.

“The work they’ve produced is truly unique and will no doubt inspire the local community to get creative.”

The Visual Arts Exhibition is open seven days a week at Royal Victoria Place from 9.00am 6.00pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am – 4.30pm on Sundays.

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Mothers Day Afternoon Tea at Salomons Cllr Tom Dawlings

Conservative Council Leader for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Cllr Tom Dawlings has represented Benenden & Cranbrook at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council since 2014. Before entering local politics his career was spent with the Bank of England. He was elected Leader of the Council in May 2021.

Tunbridge Wells has a bright post-Covid future THESE are exciting times for Tunbridge Wells with the local economy showing welcome signs of buoyancy.

Businesses have been supported during the Covid pandemic by Government with the furlough scheme and business loans and, administered through TWBC, with some £54 million of grants to businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

Encouragingly, there is now a positive investment environment in the town with many of the empty retail premises ‘under offer’ and with the acquisition (subject to planning) of the old cinema site and the former BHS store by, respectively, AXA and Elite Leisure Collection, two businesses with extensive interests in the town.

Determining TWBC is also playing a part and has appointed a partner to manage co-working arrangements for 20,000 square feet of space in the Town Hall. There is, of course, more for TWBC to do in assessing its property assets and determining if these are delivering what residents need. That work is underway.

Footfall in the Town Centre will also be increased with the opening next week of the Amelia Scott. The enhancement of the Library, Museum and Adult Education facilities has been planned for some years and the outcome is a stunning building which should be a real draw for the Town.

The Climate Emergency is a key priority for TWBC. Carbon emissions have been reduced by 50% mainly through using electricity from renewable sources.

Significant savings are also being achieved – the Amelia Scott ESTABLISHED

throughout the Covid pandemic. At times during Covid lockdowns, monthly shortfalls were exceeding £1 million.

Nevertheless, with Government financial assistance and prudent management, we have not drawn on reserves and have remained debt free and balanced the revenue budget in the years a delicious tea, to 31stEnjoy March 2020, 2021 and 2022.afternoon We are, however, all too painfully aware of the inflationary and cost of living pressures overlooking our breath-taking grounds on that we are all now encountering. For residents in financial 26th March 2022. difficulty,Saturday TWBC has schemes with up to 80% Council Tax relief and a hardship fund.

Just £22.50 person, and Mums On Housing, TWBCper has prepared a Local Planall to deliver the Objectively Housing Need forglass the Borough set by receive a Assessed complimentary of bubbles.

Government. The Local Plan is presently the subject of Government andmidday is continuing the second stage Tables examination available toto 4.30pm – that is a stage further than achieved by 3 of our neighbouring THE ABANDONED ABC CINEMA authoritiesCall whose01892515152 plans were rejected.or email Last year planning policies delivered 662 new homes, including reception@salomons-estate.com 272 homes allocated to social housing providers (building on the will be an environmentally efficient building exporting power to towebook.

7,935 social housing units have in the borough). the grid from solar panels, significant insulation improvements Helping Ukrainian refugees is a recent priority. The offers to are being made to the Town Hall and Government funding help with accommodation have been heart-warming. We are able secured to make improvements to other Council buildings. A to provide practical help and advice from sharing difficulties carbon descent plan to achieve net zero by 2030 has been overcome (eg on how to open bank accounts). established.

There are arrangements being co-ordinated with KCC (eg TWBC is continuing to install EV charging points in Councilsafeguarding checks and schooling). We are appalled by what is owned car parks. We are lobbying for more powers as the happening in Ukraine and want all refugees to feel safe and planning authority to require higher environmental standards for welcome in our borough. new developments and we are increasing engagement with A great deal is being achieved heralding a bright post-Covid residents and schools to raise climate awareness. future for the town and borough.

The Council’s finances have been very difficult to manage

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Letters

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And another thing…

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

Walkout was astonishing and shameful How petty and adolescent for a counsellor to lead a boycott of a meeting to which a visiting police officer had been invited.

This resulted in a small group turning their nose up at the business they have been elected to do! They deliberately snubbed colleagues and the police officer. This was shameful particularly, in the light of the subject: violence against women.

Planning comments unwarranted Councillor David Scott was in contravention of a clear. instruction by the Legal Officer, at TWBC, to apologise for his conduct in relation to his unwarranted comments towards the Planning Committee, He disregarded this instruction and attempted to carry on regardless.

They say a leopard never changes its spots and this seems to be the case with Councillor Scott ! He refers to ‘things used to readily get done in the past’, presumably when the Conservatives had a stranglehold at TWBC and, it seems, he has a grudge against working with the new composition of our council.

Perhaps he should be reminded that the previous Tory led administration managed to lose £10m of tax payers’ money on the unwanted Calverley Square vanity project Martin Dawes Tunbridge Wells

I was astonished to read about this in the Times (April 06).

In the same edition we heard that the same Councillor, Hugo Pound, wants to work collaboratively after the next election.

He wrote: “It's all about working cross party, building a consensus…”

I think Councillor Pound falls more than a few ounces short of his own ambitions there.

Accident was a matter of time It was surely only a matter of time before an accident occurred on Mount Pleasant Road outside the Town Hall (see Times, April 13). This is a botched mixed-use thoroughfare with neither pedestrians nor traffic clear who has right of way.

Among others I have predicted accidents and called for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to bring clarity: to either enforce the restrictions or declare this expensive enterprise a mistake.

Fines were imposed at the scheme’s inception but following protests the council waived these to allow a period of customisation. It’s clearly turned into a pedestrian chicken-run.

Calls to TWBC elicit no response neither from councillors, nor officials. Does the signage mean anything because, witnessing the volume of traffic that breaches it, it does not.

Sam Goodenough Tunbridge Wells

We vote for these people to represent us and they should be mature enough to put aside this childishness and get on with the business.

I don’t care whether they like each other but I just expect them to be civil and carry out their function. We shouldn't be surprised though, because after all this seems to be how politics is done these days.

Martin Coleman, Tunbridge Wells

In response to Cllr Rands With regards to Cllr Rand’s letter last week (Times, April 13), signed legal agreements to develop major sites in RTW inlcude: 1. The Town Hall 2/3rd to use as coworking space for businesses, innovation, and home working support.

2. The ABC Cinema site for apartments for active 60+ with health-spa, restaurant, shops for all.

3. The BHS store for entertainment including electric go-carts, cinema, and a host of other exciting venues.

4. The Amelia Scott, opening end of this month with ongoing exhibits, library, museum, education, and social space.

5. The Chalybeate Spring, enhancing its heritage with a fountain, exhibits and refreshing its appeal.

6. Many of the Covid induced loss of stores – most under offer or being developed.

Developers have invested time and money and

worked hard on these proposals. Of course, they are, or have been, subject to planning approval for the rights to develop. The planning system can stop projects by applying arguments based on the National Planning Policy Framework.

Legal agreements to proceed are rights purchased before planning permission can be applied for by the company or person developing a site.

In addition, the Leader and I have advance planning fora bus/taxi system using light electric vehicles in the town.

For clarity, relative to the opposition letter last week, these are Conservative supported initiatives in which we have played a significant role in enabling and encouraging.

Cllr David Scott Tunbridge Wells Borough Council We want affordable houses too I can assure Dariel Francis that providing genuinely affordable housing is one of Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats six to fix in our election manifesto.

When the Liberal Democrats ran Tunbridge Wells Borough Council from 1995-1998, around 200 affordable dwellings were built in Southborough alone. The Council’s housing policy was one of only six in the country to be rated ‘excellent’.

I think Cllr Francis is being unfair in expecting Brendon Le Page to find the hopes of Southborough Town Council to have social housing on the former Library site in the minutes of its meetings.

This was only placed on two agendas last month and because of reasons beyond anyone’s control the meetings were cancelled. In other words, the hopes have yet to be discussed in a motion for that purpose, decided upon or recorded in the minutes.

If the former Library site is used for housing, affordable or otherwise, rather than a community use then the environment of the future residents is important.

Congestion on the A26 through Southborough does nothing to improve the air quality for our residents and as a priority should not be sniffed at.

Cllr Trevor Poile (Lib Dem) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

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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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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Life&Times

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

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The shape of things to come

Ballet Central perform at the EM Forster theatre P22

Arts

arts

22

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

“I want to inspire audiences on my new ballet tour”

Eleanor Lewis is a local student dancer. Here she tells Eileen Leahy why she is so excited to be taking part in a four-month tour with Ballet Central which includes a special performance at the EM Forster theatre at the end of this month

O

N APRIL 27 Eleanor Lewis, a final year dance student from Crowborough, will be performing with the renowned dance company Ballet Central on their welcome return which starts touring this spring.

Eleanor, a former pupil at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School will be joining the company on a four-month, 11 venue tour across England, arriving in Tonbridge at the EM Forster Theatre on the third date of the tour.

“I’ve been dancing since I was four,” Eleanor said. “I had an amazing teacher who really inspired me to take dancing more seriously.

“Ballet has always been my main passion. it is more fulfilling for me personally because it takes so much effort, hard work and time to achieve the precision needed in classical ballet so the outcomes are more rewarding.”

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Ballet Central Eleanor adds: “At Central as part of the degree course we train in Flamenco, jazz, contemporary and choreography as well as pas de deux skills. This is really important for future careers – being able to dance in different styles and disciplines makes us versatile dancers and this is often what employers want in the dance

“I am looking forward to showing the EM Forster audience – and the country -the hard work required to become a professional dancer” industry, alongside classical ballet training.”

Ballet Central was formed in 1984 as a touring company to give final year BA students first-

Arts

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

hand experience of professional dance. Its unique touring experience forms part of the degree course and provides students with valuable skills making them particularly versatile, mature and professional.

“The company presents a new cast of exceptional dancers performing a mixture of original pieces from distinguished choreographers and a restaging of an existing contemporary work,” a Ballet Central spokesperson tells the Times.

Eleanor began her dance training at Lisa Maybank School of Dance in Brasted, near Westerham. She later trained with Royal Ballet Associates and London Senior and Junior Ballet.

Eleanor is now in the final year of a three-year BA (Hons) Professional Dance & Performance degree at the Central School of Ballet in London.

“Students join the touring company Ballet Central in their final year of the degree course to gain professional performance experience and the opportunity to work with leading choreographers leading up to graduation in

July,” continues the Ballet Central spokesperson.

Under the artistic direction of Artist-inResidence Mikaela Polley and Artistic Director Kate Coyne, Ballet Central will present three new pieces this year created on Central’s dancers.

Mikaela Polley’s new piece Unbound involves the entire company, created as a celebration of the dynamism of the ensemble bringing classical

“The experience of working with renowned choreographers in the creative process is invaluable for student dancers” ballet and contemporary dance together. New choreography from the dance industry influencer Ashley Page, Twice Removed, is to music by the composer John Adams. Ballet Black’s Mthuthuzeli November, also a former dancer on the Ballet Central tour, has created a new piece Sunset in Cape Town that

demonstrates his distinctive choreographic voice. Cathy Marston’s piece Moving, Still is being restaged especially for this year’s Ballet Central tour.

Eleanor says she can’t wait to get on stage: “I am looking forward to performing in front of live audiences and showing the country the hard work required to become a professional dancer.

I want to inspire audiences in the Ballet Central tour. I can’t wait to feel the rewarding thrill and exhilaration after a performance. Dancers live to dance and this is one of the main reasons I want to become a professional dancer.”

Mikaela Polley, Artist-in-Residence says: “The experience of working with renowned choreographers in the creative process is invaluable for student dancers. They learn to absorb, understand, and interpret the story of each piece and the choreographers’ different ways of working. This accelerates their growth as future professionals and helps to prepare for the transition into company life when they graduate in July.”

Due to Covid restrictions Eleanor says the start

23

of her degree wasn’t ‘ideal’ but she has learnt valuable lessons from her experience.

“We were unlucky as a year group as we were really affected by the lockdowns at the start of the Covid pandemic. We were sent home two years ago to train in bedrooms and kitchens while watching classes on Zoom. It wasn’t ideal but you need to be resilient to thrive. By the end of my Second Year we were in Central’s new studios in Southwark where the facilities are fantastic and all training together.”

And now Eleanor is really looking forward to performing at the EM Forster Theatre on April 27.

“It’s really great to have the chance to perform in my home town.

“When I was at school, I went to see Ballet Central perform in Tonbridge three times so it will be wonderful to be doing the same as those dancers before me. Seeing the Ballet Central tour in Tonbridge was the reason I applied to the degree course at Central.

“It will be my first time on stage there, but I will have family and friends in the audience so it’s very special for me personally.”

Tickets are £16 (£11 dance school groups) and available from www.emftheatre.com For more info visit balletcentral.co.uk

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We love our food and wine and we're looking for talent to fill roles across front and back of house positions.

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24

Books

Times book reviewer

HANNAH KIRSOP

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

ONE YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

MULTI-GENERATIONAL EPIC

The Promise by Damon Galgut

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

(published by Vintage, priced £8.99)

(published in hardback by Wildfire, priced £16.99)

As the winner of the 2021 Booker Prize, it would be easy to think this might be a demanding read but, whilst thought-provoking and stimulating, this is a hugely readable book. The opening sees lead character Amor Swart taken out of school to return to the family farm outside Pretoria following her mother’s death. Reunited with family and their black housekeeper, Salome, Amor demands that her Pa’s deathbed promise to her Ma be kept and Salome be gifted her house and land, a promise that overshadows the family throughout the book, from the end of the apartheid era to the present day.

Told in just four chapters – each of which is named after the family members other than Amor – what struck me most was the skill that Galgut showed in maintaining a single, continuous narrative during each chapter, subtly redirecting the focus of the prose without relying as others might do on syntax or layout to signify a change in direction.

Hugely impressive as a writing style, and strongly recommended for both this and the underlying story.

This debut novel charts three generations of a Chinese family, starting in 1938 during Japan’s invasion of China in WW2, and spanning 70 years and many geographies from Changsha in China to Taiwan in Taipei to Los Alamos in the US. Following the death of her husband, Meilin and son Renshu flee the burning city of Changsha with her brother-in-law’s family and embark on a perilous journey to safety and security. Suffering further losses and with their wellbeing permanently hanging on by a slender thread, the potential for melancholy is offset by Meilin’s tenacity and resilience, and the wonderful Chinese folk tales she tells Renshu both offer hope during their dark times and act as a moral backdrop for Renshu’s character in the book as he, along with Meilin and later daughter Lily, navigates life’s delicate balance of blessing and misfortune in the search for contentment.

Inspired by her father’s background, Fu’s story is a blend of family history and fiction. Filled with interesting history, an engaging story and compelling, flawed and honest characters, this is an epic family saga which I strongly recommend.

Melissa Fu – author of Peach Blossom Spring – will be attending the inaugural Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival and discussing her book & the power of storytelling in the Upper Atrium at The Amelia Scott at 10.30am on 1st May. Please see theamelia.co.uk/tw-lit-fest for more details.

9/10

Hannah Kirsop grew up in Kent and now lives in Horsmonden with her family. She loves to read and share recommendations and runs Bainden Book Club for a group of local women to discuss interesting fiction and non-fiction in a range of genres. You can find www.baindenbookshelf.com online or on Instagram: @baindenbookshelf

The bookcase…

Here are some more reads to inspire you this week …

Elizabeth Finch by Julian Barnes Published by Jonathan Cape, priced £16.99 (ebook £9.99) Julian Barnes’ novels often centre on the recollection of past events and relationships, and he is second to none at exploring the frailty of memory and the inability of one person to give a full account of another, however intimate they were. Academic Neil reflects on his former teacher and friend Elizabeth Finch, pouring over her eccentricities and work, attempting to understand the inspirational effect ‘EF’ had on him. However, his biographical vision blurs and repeatedly refocuses on himself. Neil’s shifting emotions engage the reader as fully as any plot, and EF’s academic interests are explored with the same lightness that characterises Barnes’ art criticism.

Elizabeth Finch ranks alongside Barnes’ best.

Review by Pugh Ginn

9/10

9/10

Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Published in in hardback by Doubleday, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99) Named as one of the mustreads of 2022, it’s easy to see why Apple TV has snapped up the rights to Lessons In Chemistry. Original and refreshing, Elizabeth Zott is one of those singular unforgettable characters you don’t come across often enough in fiction. She’s a 1960s woman who wants to unlock the secrets of life through chemistry. While she can understand chemical reactions, she hasn’t a clue about office politics or why people react the way they do to her – yet she finds a kindred spirit in Nobel-

nominated Calvin Evans.

Elizabeth finds herself tossed out of university for not toeing the line, and somehow finds herself the star of a TV cooking show where she teaches her mostly female audience about the chemistry of food and selfdetermination – not settling for the status quo where women are underpaid, undervalued and underappreciated. Witty and dark, it’s both a breath of fresh air and a reminder of how much still has to change for true equality.

Review by Bridie Pritchard

9/10

The No-Show by Beth O’Leary Published in hardback by Quercus, priced £14.99 (ebook £8.99) Beth O’Leary’s latest novel marks a move away from her previous efforts, which have focused on two main characters.

This opens with three women – Siobhan, Miranda and Jane – who have all been stood up by the same man. The question is, why? O’Leary’s characters are usually easy to connect with, but

7/10

that bond seems harder to form in this novel. Initially, the women’s decisionmaking and willingness to forgive can feel frustrating.

As in her previous books, individual chapters are told from different perspectives – on this occasion adding an element of confusion in places. But as the story unfolds, the lives of the main players draw the reader in until the tale builds to its unexpected, but ultimately satisfying ending. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Review by Alison Kershaw

Going out

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

25

The Times’ Victoria Roberts provides a round-up of local events and activities…

T

HIS YEAR’S Music at Malling festival features a symbolic fusion of traditional and brand new, with the premiere of six ‘companion’ pieces to J.S. Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos.

Commissioned by festival director Thomas Kemp and played alongside the ‘original’ concertos, each new piece is a ‘response’ to one of Bach’s by a UK composer.

“It is fantastic that we can bring people together again in the iconic setting of Malling Abbey to hear the Brandenburg Concertos – some of the most celebrated and influential music ever written - alongside new companion pieces,” said Mr Kemp.

The project had been meant as a contribution to the 300th anniversary of the Brandenburg Concertos, in 2021, but was postponed due to the pandemic.

However, with the festival performances taking

place in the 1960s chapel – built into the fabric of the 900-year-old abbey – the setting is a feature of the programme which does not depend on an anniversary.

“The combination of old and new in both the abbey buildings and between the Six Brandenburgs and Six Commissions makes for a really fascinating and thought-provoking programme,” he said.

“The new works are written by a fascinating cross-section of composers working in the UK.” The new pieces are ‘Sequel’ by Brian Elias, ‘The Malling Diamond’ by Michael Price, ‘Illumination’ by Deborah Pritchard, ‘Concerto Grosso’ by Daniel Kidane, ‘Bach Shadows’ by Joseph Phibbs and ‘Gold and Precious Silver’ by Stevie Wishart.

Tickets from Eventbrite for the three concerts on Saturday, April 23, at midday, 2:30pm and 4:30pm.

LOOKING at screens and stages big and small, The Times of Tunbridge Wells presents a selected guide to the week ahead.

Experience climate change, mass unemployment, ‘economic pandemics’ and ‘the rise of global fascism’ through comic Reginald D Hunter’s deceptively slow but inexorable pace of delivery… and shudder – or laugh. On at The Assembly Hall Theatre tonight [Wednesday, April 20], at 8pm. Ages 18 and over only.

The next ‘live screening’ from the National Theatre is Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’, starring Kit Harington as the freshlyanointed king, taking England into a bloody war with France.

Trinity Theatre on Thursday, April 21 at 7pm.

Trinity Theatre has ‘An Evening with Gill Sims’ this Friday [April 22] at 8pm. [See the Times interview with Gill, on page 28.]

At The E.M. Forster Theatre NISH KUMAR (Tonbridge School), Comedy Nights are on again, featuring UK Comedy Awards, Edinburgh Fringe and University of Kent alumna Laura Lexx, who has appeared ‘Live at the Apollo’ and on ‘Mock the Week’.

Supporting her is Michael Odewale, who has appeared on ‘Mock the Week’. Friday, April 22 at 7:30pm.

Ages 16 and older.

Riffing on the slogan ‘Take back control’ political comedian Nish Kumar brings his show ‘Your Power, Your Control’ to The Assembly Hall on Sunday [April 24]. Hopefully, no-one will throw any bread rolls, but if you want to hear what happened when someone did, you can read the Times’ interview with Nish on February 9.

Meanwhile, the character of Dr Watson takes to the stage at Trinity Theatre on Sunday night, telling of ancient intrigues – oh, a long game indeed – which still shadows London in 1894.

Trinity Theatre on Sunday, April 24 at 7pm.

‘Cyrano’ de Bergerac lends his inner beauty and poetry to a more handsome man in the wooing of Roxanne, in this 2021 film starring Peter Dinklage of ‘Game of Thrones’. Trinity Theatre tonight [Wednesday, April 20] at 8pm.

Pine Grove Pictures present the feel-good musical film ‘Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again’ this Friday [April 22] at Crowborough Community Centre. Bar opens at 7pm, and film starts at 8pm.

Inspiration is life-changing for the boys of a fictional 1950s New England boarding school, and for their teacher John Keating – played by Robin Williams in tragic mode. ‘Dead Poets Society’ at Rusthall Community Cinema on Saturday [April 23]. Doors open at 7pm.

Chapel at Malling Abbey

WITH one of the best live music scenes in the South East, here is a round-up of some of the best bands and acts performing this week You might Wish You Were Here (that is: at The Assembly Hall) tomorrow night [Thursday, April 21] at 7:30pm, for Pink-Floydendorsed tribute group ‘Think Floyd’, whose show will feature the rock band’s classic back catalogue, including ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘The Wall’, ‘Meddle’ and more.

After breakdown which led to experimentation and, finally, creation, Tunbridge Wells musician Isaac Holman’s new music arrives at The Forum, whose picture he had on his wall while composing. Solo act Baby INTO THE BLUE Dave, on Friday, April 22 at 7:30pm. Age 16 and older unless accompanied by an adult.

If you’ve had a hard week and want to spend your Friday night Lost in Music, that’s exactly the show on at The Assembly Hall, music straight from the heart of 1970s disco, featuring Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge, Chic and more.

April 22 at 7:30pm.

On at The Grey Lady is the five-piece group Into the Blue, performing the gamut of genres, from disco and pop, to rock, reggae and ballads, with professional power and polish. Friday, April 22 at 7:30pm.

The Vestry Hall, Cranbrook, will thrum to the siren sounds of The People Versus, a singer-songwriter duo from Exeter, promising an ABC of anthems, ballads and charm. Friday, April 22. Doors open 7pm.

This Saturday [April 23] at 7:30pm comes the delayed appearance of Beardyman, a composer and multi-instrumentalist of the beatbox and of live looping. Originally scheduled to appear in October, festival season favourite Beardyman heralds the warmer weather at The Forum on the edge of the Common. Age 16 and older.

Grammy Award-winning American hiphop stars Arrested Development finally ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT play their delayed gig at The Forum this Friday [April 22] at 7:30pm.

New tickets released for this date. Supported by Lees. Age 16 and older unless accompanied by an adult.

WHETHER your family is young or old, big or small, there’s plenty to do both indoors and outdoors over the coming week, along with some active ideas.

Mindfulness and yoga coach Lisa Whitehouse is starting weekly parent/carer and baby guided mindful walks at Bedgbury Pinetum, starting next Tuesday, April 26. Not suitable for toddlers or older children. Tickets £10 from Eventbrite, which includes parking at Bedgbury.

Comedy Club 4 Kids is a child- and family-friendly afternoon out, enjoying circuit comedians pitching their work to the over-sixes.

No line-up was available at the time of writing. At Trinity Theatre on Saturday, April 23 at 2pm.

The Spa Valley Railway is running this weekend, with departures from Tunbridge Wells West (April 23-24). Family and children’s all-day tickets from spavalleyrailway.co.uk. The Murder Mystery and Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper service departs at 6:15pm on Saturday.

TULIP CELEBRATIONS AT HEVER Groombridge Place’s Enchanted Forest is now open for general admission Wednesday-Sunday (10am-5pm), featuring Crusoe’s World, the board walk, fort, tepees, canal walk and canal boat.

The giant chess set is open, but gardens are being renovated. Birds of Prey displays at 12noon and 3:30pm. The treetop walkway and swings on swing walk have been removed following a winter safety check.

Hever Castle’s ‘tulip celebrations’ continue until this Sunday [April 24], with garden tours at 11:30am, and a special opening of the 25-acre Woodland Walk.

West Kent Social Circle meets at Hollywood Bowl this Sunday [April 24], to gather new members for seaside trips, escape room challenges, quizzes, eating out, walks, crazy golf and more.

Meet-ups are at weekends and on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Schedule on Facebook.

26

Events

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Black Deer announces its full 2022 line-up as Americana music returns to Eridge Park

T

HE AWARD winning Black Deer festival returns in June after a three-year hiatus with a star studded line-up heading to the Eridge Park event in East Sussex.

Indie giants James have just been announced they’ll be on the bill. They’ll be joining Van Morrison, Wilco, The Waterboys, Jake Bugg, Imelda May and Drive-By Truckers at ‘Europe's premier Americana playground’ in June.

James will get the party started for the event which was last staged in 2019 following successive postponements due to the pandemic, completing an impressive three day lineup.

The much-loved British band, whose career has spanned a staggering five decades and have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, will be bringing their charismatic live show to the deer park.

Other new additions to the line-up include Orange Goblin, Israel Nash, Amy Helm, Noble Jacks, Blue Rose Code, Josh Okeefe, ASG, William Crighton, Madison Violet, Black Water County, The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Kezia Gill, Powerhouse Gospel Choir, The Outlaw Orchestra, Josiah, The Jonny Halifax Invocation, Black Orchids, Hannah White, Willi Carlisle, Dylan Earl, Eddy Smith & the 507, Franky Perez, Bonnie Montgomery, Misty River, Chris Fox, My Fine Companions, Hayley Ross, The County Affair, Ruby Dew, Jessie Reid and Thomas Jay. Back for its third year, The Black Deer

“Black Deer isn’t just about hearing the music you love, it’s about discovering music you’re going to love and experiencing the unique cultural richness that surrounds this popular way of life we call Americana” Songwriter Sessions bring artists together for a Nashville-style 'in the round' performance you won't see anywhere else. Other acts confirmed this year for these intimate and must-see gatherings are Imelda May, Hiss Golden Messenger, Cam and many more.

Another unmissable musical offering in the deer park in 2022 will be the inaugural Great Americana Songbook. A house band, led by AMA-UK award-winner Robert Vincent, will headline the festival's party central Haley's Bar

on Saturday night and be joined by a range of artists from the Black Deer line-up to perform a set of Americana standards. The theme for 2022 is The Band's seminal 'The Last Waltz'.

Though still in its infancy, Black Deer has already won a string of awards for its authentic celebration of Americana culture, showcasing some of the genre’s greatest acts. But the festival is more than an appreciation of a musical genre. Black Deer is a celebration of a way of life.

Alongside the musical program, the festival has built a strong allegiance with quality fodder, cooking up a storm in their Live Fire Arena thanks to the skills and associates of Grillstock founders Jon Finch and Ben Merrington. Chefs appearing this year include BBC stars Hang Fire, Southern Kitchen’s Sam Evans & Shauna Guinn, Twe12ve Fires fire-cooking hero John Relihan and acclaimed best-selling author Genevieve Taylor.

Black Deer's hugely popular cookout will also return, alongside the new and highly anticipated

chilli-eating competition. The acclaimed Gospel Brunch will also make a comeback - famous for bringing a congregation together on festival Sunday for free food, communal gathering and old time sing-a-longs to the likes of 'Amazing Grace' with the Powerhouse Gospel Choir and very special guests.

Adventure The Young Folk area, a partnership with not-for-profit Community Interest Company Woodland Tribe, has been a major attraction for festival-going families since day one. Promoting the best kind of adventure play, allowing children to safely use hammers, screws and rope, the youngsters at Black Deer get to build the playground of their dreams.

And last but not least, hear the growl of the counterculture at The Roadhouse, Black Deer's heavier space. Curators Desertscene and Clash Magazine will present performances from artists as diverse as The Picturebooks and Wildwood

Kin on their respective stages, while Black Deer partners Harley-Davidson will also be on-site amongst the custom motorcycles and vintage vehicles, with their revolutionary JumpStart Motorcycle Experience.

Black Deer’s co-founders Gill Tee and Deb Shilling, said: “Black Deer is not just about hearing the music you love, it’s about discovering music you’re going to love and experiencing the unique cultural richness that surrounds this popular way of life we call Americana.

“The natural ingredients that complete this simple melting pot can all be found at Black Deer – from authentic smokehouse BBQ cooking and a righteous Sunday gospel brunch to the thrill of custom motorcycle culture and a connection with nature to inspire the young folk, the festival is a community gathering for those who love to get it together in the country…”

See the full Black Deer line up at: blackdeerfestival.com/line-up

Jazz On The Pantiles is back but changes to format set to stay Tunbridge Wells’ most popular weekly event returns next month.

Jazz on The Pantiles starts another season on Thursday, May 5.

Julian Leefe-Griffiths who runs the summer-long jazz season said: “We are really looking forward to bringing The Pantiles alive again with some excellent Jazz nights, we have a really exciting season coming up.

Organise “I work with the jazz impresario Lionel Shell, who many in the town know from his smart suits and colourful shoes, This year Lionel has booked a great line up with regulars such as Derek Nash, Dave Ital and Vince Dunn, plus some new and emerging acts for the stage.

“It's quite a labour of love to organise the Jazz which has been running in its current format for over 10 years. Jazz on The Pantiles has really become an iconic summer event in the town, which everyone seems to love attending.

“This year has been particularly challenging, getting the show back on the road again, but we have help from our excellent headline sponsor

Dandara together with Brooks McDonald, Thomson Snell and Passmore and the supportive Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

“My thanks must also go out to two new sponsors this year. Batcheller Monkhouse and AXA Health.”

However, he added that the format of the Thursday night event will be the same as in the last two years.

“It's been one of the unintentional benefits of Covid, before we used to run the Jazz in a fairly relaxed and open way. As time went on, this became more difficult with the rising number of people attending,” explained Julian.

“We needed to do something to reduce the crowd numbers, as the whole Pantiles was getting quite swamped. We also did have a few issues with people bringing in alcohol, which benefited no one who operated at or contributed to the Jazz.”

The new system means that to attend Jazz on The Pantiles you will need to book a table at one of the participating venues. These include The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Kirthon or Casa Vecchia.

There is also a £5 entry fee.

34

Food & Culture

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28

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Blogger mum raises a glass to her comedy show at Trinity theatre Gill Sims is the author of the parenting blog Peter and Jane and of four novels, starting with ‘Why Mummy Drinks’. Victoria Roberts caught up with her before her show at Trinity Theatre this Friday...

A

S A STORYTELLER who seems more comfortable with conversation than performing a scripted narration to a passive audience, Gill Sims has an ‘interviewer’ to start things off when she appears on stage at the Trinity Theatre this Friday.

“It’s ‘in conversation with’ It’s not really a routine, but an interview. More of a chat between friends,” Gill tells the Times.

“There’s a bit at the end when people can ask their questions. That’s always a lovely bit, to hear people’s thoughts and ideas. I always really enjoy that part.”

Introducing her ‘interviewer’ – Jo Middleton, of the ‘Slummy Single Mummy’ blog, and author of ‘Playgroups and Prosecco’ – Gill says: “We shouldn’t really be allowed out together because we tend to have a bit of a rampage when we do.

I’m really looking forward to it.”

However, having an ‘interviewer’ is really just a starting ingredient for her uncannily inviting manner which can turn almost all everyday misfortune into a story which not only soothes the teller, but prompts listeners to make their own confessions.

Even without their own stories, people seem to want to connect with her, as in Gill’s anecdote about a woman who got a chance to say something at the end of an event and blurted out a request for ‘advice’.

“I did have one lovely lady who asked whether I had any parenting advice for her, which was very kind of her, really, having just heard about my parenting fails for an hour or so.”

The famous part of her social media persona is the application of wine to metaphorical cuts and bruises, but she also swears by time, distance and telling, which is where an audience comes in.

“Nine times out of ten, if you tell someone about something, they’ll say ‘that happened to me, too’. Or ‘you think that was bad? Well, this happened to me.’ Sharing your problems does not minimise them, but definitely helps keep them in perspective.

“What seems at the time to be the worst day

“I did have one lovely lady who asked whether I had any parenting advice for her, which was very kind of her really, having just heard about my parenting fails for an hour or so!” ever. You see other aspects of it that you wouldn’t have seen in it if you sat at home and cried to yourself.”

That loneliness is something many parents – especially mothers – will recognise, but social media is a ‘double-edged bread-knife’, Gill acknowledges.

“I think social medial has put so many more expectations on parents, and on mothers in particular. There are so many more opportunities to compare yourself to millions of parents, as opposed to just the ones in your circle.

“Sometimes that’s great, if you can find

like-minded people and everything, but (there can be) massive pressure on you that you’re putting a white-bread ham sandwich in your son’s lunch as that’s all he’ll eat – while someone in... I don’t know… Canada is creating a bento box every day with tableaux of Shakespearean tragedies out of carrot sticks, and you’re thinking – ‘Okay… [expletive]. I can’t do that because they wouldn’t eat that... Would they eat it if I did that?

I don’t know how to do that.

“You can kind of fall down a rabbit hole, on the internet, of things you ‘should’ be doing and you just end up not doing all these things, and it’s just nine times out of ten, children don’t actually know, or require any of it. It’s other parents you’re trying to impress with these sort of things.”

In contrast to these competitive parents, Gill disarms any opposition by performing her ‘parenting fails’.

Telling a story about almost collecting the

wrong child from the playground, she says airily: “We’ve all done that, I think – tried to take the wrong child out of the park – and then realised ‘oh, no you’re not my one.’ I will try to pick the cleanest looking one, which is never mine.

“Not you – that one. The one rolling in the puddle. That’s my one. That’s always my one.’”

In response to a question about her trip to Trinity Theatre for her appearance, she turns this disarming charm on Tunbridge Wells itself, saying: “This is my first time. I’m really looking forward to it. It would be nice to have a little time there.”

Then, asked whether she was expecting to wander around the town and see if the schoolchildren are ‘terribly clean’, she laughs.

“I’m sure they’ll be clean. I’m sure they’ll be clean. The children wouldn’t dare be dirty.”

An Evening with Gill Sims is at Trinity Theatre on Friday, April 22 at 8pm.

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30

Food & Drink

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

EMILY BUTTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

food & drink

“My new book takes you from pregnancy to parenthood one dish at a time...”

Adam Shaw is a specialist local food blogger and writer. His At Dad’s Table Instagram account has 48K plus followers who he inspires every day courtesy of delicious recipes and top tips on eating well – from pregnancy to weaning and beyond. Recently the father of two - with another on the way - published his first book How To Grow Your Family. Eileen Leahy caught up with Adam to find out why it’s a recipe for success So Adam, for those not familiar with your Instagram account can you briefly sum it up for us please?

I run @At_Dads_Table where I share food-positive, fun and easy to make pregnancy, weaning and family recipes with my 48k+ followers. My debut cookbook How to Grow your Family is based on my page and was published in March.

When and why did you get into running At Dad's Table?

When my wife first became pregnant we were both surprised at how official food advice focused so much on what you can’t have, not what you can. We both felt like we’d failed as parents before we’d even started! So instead I started designing food-positive recipes for each trimester to make my wife and baby feel good and it grew from there….

You have two toddlers now; would you say getting them to eat the good stuff is getting easier - or is it still a challenge?

And we have a third on the way any day now! Like all aspects of parenting, it’s still

a challenge and we have our ups and downs…However as my eldest (4) is getting older he’s able to tell me more about what he wants to eat and I think it’s important to give him that independence (within reason).

What are your top tips for getting kids to eat more fruit and veg - and do you believe in 'hiding' them in other foods or are you more transparent?

I try to be transparent with my kids when it comes to food. I’ll chop and blend veg into sauces to improve taste and texture but I’ll never lie to them about what they’re eating. I’m not really a fan of carving fruit into animal shapes or hiding strong tasting food in something sweeter, I don’t see the point!

What’s your USP as a kids’ food blogger and author?

I firmly believe in giving your children the confidence to try new foods and that comes from involving them in all aspects, be it going around a supermarket together, prepping food, talking about what you’re eating and making the dinner table a safe,

enjoyable place to be.

How did the book deal for How To Grow Your Family come about?

It’s with Nourish Books who are an imprint of Watkins Publishing. I’d always wanted to publish a book - and with Covid wreaking havoc on the conference and events industry which I had worked in for

“I firmly believe in giving children the confidence to try new foods and that comes from involving them in all aspects of it” over a decade, I decided to put all of my effort in the first lockdown into making At Dad’s Table a success with the goal of securing a book deal.

Can you tell us what readers can expect to find in it?

I like to call it a ‘cookery bible’ taking you from pregnancy through to new parents

one dish at a time. There are six chapters, 20 recipes in each covering the first three trimesters of pregnancy, the fog of new parenthood, weaning and finger food and finally family meals. As well as the recipes there’s information on the best foods to eat at different times, in-depth food hacks, a guide to the nutritional make up of the best foods to eat and lots more!

Did you find it easy to write or was it more of a challenge given you have your hands full with toddlers?

Well my publishers asked me to also photograph the food too as it all took place over lockdown, which was quite a challenge! I could write the recipes in the evening when the kids were in bed, but obviously you need natural light for the best food pictures so I’d have to make and photograph the food with a then 1 and 3-year-old around, which was quite testing!

My wife helped me enormously in trying to keep them out of the way - but there are some funny outtakes on my Instagram feed!

Where did you get inspiration from for the recipes?

Food & Drink

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

I’m not much of a meal planner. I tend to make sure my fridge is full of fresh fruit and vegetables and then go from there, always thinking about what extra twists I can add to a dish to get more nutrients in.

What do you think parents (and their children) will enjoy most about your new book?

I hope they’ll appreciate the positive nature of it. I can’t stand how during these first few years of parenting we are expected to totally change our view of food. Be it strict, unnecessarily boring diets in pregnancy or labelling a baby as a ‘fussy eater’ when they’re not even a year old, it’s all wrong in my opinion. Food is a pleasure, it’s fun and should be enjoyed. I hope people will see this book as a gateway to making them feel good (and reassured!).

Will you be doing any local promotion for it such as book signings people can come along to?

As we get closer to summer I’ll be doing a few local appearances around town so keep an eye on my @At_Dads_Table on Instagram account for details.

“My new book is a ‘cookery bible’. As well as recipes there’s info on the best foods to eat at different times and food hacks” And finally, which cooks inspire you and why?

From a food mentality perspective, it has always been Jamie Oliver. I love how he makes delicious dishes with simple ingredients and I think my food-positive outlook as probably kickstarted by him when I was a teenager. Closer to home I love the food prepared by the Tanner Brothers at The Kentish Hare and Will Devlin at The Small Holding and I’m really looking forward to Atul Kochhar opening up on The Pantiles.

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NOW TRY ONE OF ADAM’S TASTY TREATS FOR ALL THE FAMILY: SALMON BIRYANI You can pack lots of spices and veg into this dish. It’s a delicious and easy-to-make fakeaway to reward yourself at the end of a long day.

SERVES 2 Prep time: 15 minutes - Cook time: 30 minutes INGREDIENTS A knob of butter (or a vegan alternative) 1 onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 5cm/2in piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and grated 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 aubergine/eggplant, diced 1 carrot, diced A few cauliflower florets 300g/10½oz/1½ cups long grain brown rice 600ml/21fl oz/2½ cups vegetable stock 1 teaspoon tomato purée/paste 12 new potatoes 100g/3½oz/½ cup frozen peas 2 salmon fillets, about 150g/5½oz each Large handful of spinach, chopped 1 spring onion/scallion, chopped A few coriander/cilantro sprigs, leaves chopped Salt

5. When almost all of the liquid has been absorbed in the biryani pan and the rice is cooked, add the spinach and stir it in, allowing it to wilt.

6. Flake the salmon into chunks and place on top of the biryani. Finally, sprinkle over the chopped spring onion/scallion and coriander/cilantro and serve.

MIX IT UP: • Try crumbling some paneer on top of the biryani while it’s cooking for extra calcium.

• Combine half a teaspoon of each of the spices with a splash of oil and use it as a marinade for the salmon, or alternatively use chicken or lamb, or an entire roasted cauliflower for a vegan option.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and spices, then stir well so they coat the diced onion.

3. Add the aubergine/eggplant, carrot and cauliflower florets. Pour the rice into the pan along with the stock and stir in the tomato purée/paste. Bring to the boil, mix well, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the potatoes and stir in the peas. Cover the pan and cook for around 20 minutes. If the pan gets too dry, add some more stock.

4. While the biryani is cooking, place the salmon fillets in an ovenproof dish, season and bake for 10 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

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32

Food & drink

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Cheers to the spears!

Spring has well and truly arrived. In the vineyard, tender green shoots are emerging on the vines – but it’s also British asparagus season. To celebrate this delicious crop, Times Drinks Editor James Viner gives us his tips on the best crisp, dry, unoaked and aromatic whites wines to drink with the fresh, locally-sourced deep green spears. And as this coming Saturday is St George’s Day he also suggests an excellent Cornish cracker to enjoy THOUGH prized as a delicacy since ancient times, asparagus is quite easy to grow, provided you’re forbearing since it typically takes three years from sowing to harvest. Traditionally the season runs from 23 April (this Saturday), St George’s Day, and runs through to the Summer Solstice on 21 June. This year, however, the first perky spears arrived around eight weeks earlier than usual.

1. Must-try supermarket unoaked Austrian white Specially Selected Grüner Veltliner 2020, Niederösterreich, Austria (£6.99, Aldi, 12.5%) Two-thirds of Austria’s vineyards are planted with white grapes and it’s especially famous for dry, medium-plus acid white wines made from the loess-and-water-loving, thick-skinned Grüner Veltliner (GV), which accounts for around 30 per cent of all plantings, and Riesling. Nab this smart, unoaked and versatile – GV’s a great ‘sling it with everything’ option – rendition from Niederösterreich, the largest of Austria’s wine regions for both production and exports, in the NE of the country, while you can. Great value from the Aldi buying team for a pure cocktail of white pepper, flowers (think orris root), asparagus and pears. The tell-tale peppery/ spicy aromatics come from rotundone, a key aroma compound found in the grape skins. It’s terrific with both white and green asparagus. I especially loved it with asparagus risotto and also lemony roasted asparagus with new potatoes and a pea salad. Prost! Not for the cellar.

2. Say ‘Salud’ to this pale, bone-dry, refined and complex single-vineyard fino sherry Valdespino ‘Inocente’ Pago de Macharnudo NV Fino sherry, Spain

CELEBRATE ST GEORGE’S DAY THIS SATURDAY IF YOU like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc try early-ripening Bacchus, which is redolent of hedgerows and nettles. Try a bottle of Cornwall’s Camel Valley 2021 (£15.50, The Wine Society) with asparagus served with white fish/goat’s cheese (£8.50-£8.95, Lea & Sandeman & The Wine Society, 15%, 37.5cl) Cracking value here for an outstanding 100% Palomino, single-vineyard fino sherry rarity

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1 2

from the calcium-carbonate-rich, ‘albariza’ white soils of the celebrated Macharnudo vineyard. Light bodied with low acidity, fino sherries have been ‘biologically’ aged in partially filled casks under a film of flor yeast which shields the wine from oxidation, whilst reducing glycerol levels (and thus body). This one’s super-refined, tangy, crisp, texturally delicate but also complex, with an average age of 10 years: think almonds, moss, sea salt, green apples and toasty yeast. A ludicrously low price tag for the wine world’s best-kept secret. Relish as soon as possible. One for white asparagus, griddled/steamed green asparagus with aioli/ hollandaise or grilled asparagus with romesco sauce/poached eggs. Of course, it’s also dreamy with a plate of ambrosial jamón ibérico! An open bottle should be drunk within two to three days. Gently chill and serve at 8°- 9°C (I recommend taking the bottle out of the fridge about ten minutes before serving).

3. An intense New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to sip with the spears Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (£10, Co-op, 13.5%) Echoing its green, herbaceous flavours, Sauvignon Blanc is astounding with asparagus and ideal for spring. New Zealand has many worldclass examples such as this classy offering from Marlborough, the largest producing region at around 30,000 ha (around 70% of the total producing area).

Fresh and bright-fruited with spot-on green pepper, tropical fruit, tomato leaf and passionfruit pizzazz, this starry Sauvignon is a high-class account of a

4

well-loved wine style and the perfect bottle to drink with asparagus and prawns/goat’s cheese or asparagus slathered in butter/a rich hollandaise sauce or with parmesan shavings.

4.Bonjour to this refreshing organically produced dry Bordeaux white Château Rioublanc Bordeaux Blanc 2021, France (£10.99, Vinceremos, 12%) Situated in St Ciers d’Abzac, some 15 km north of Libourne in north-eastern Bordeaux, Château Rioublanc is an organically certified family estate dating back to the nineteenth century.

Inherited from his father Edouard, who began working on the estate in 1963, it’s now run by engineer and oenologist Philippe Carretero and his son, Paul. Grab its delicious medium-bodied, organic, zesty, pear, floral, grassy and citrusspiked Bordeaux Blanc, which is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (70%) and Sémillon (22%), topped up with Colombard. It’s fresh and instantaneously engages all the senses, presenting both decent length and a snappy, crisp finish. One for asparagus with fish, primavera risotto, grilled asparagus salad with lemon and feta or steamed/boiled asparagus served with a slick of melted butter/a lemony dressing. You could easily tuck this bright organic Bordeaux white under your arm and walk into any BYO restaurant (hello again Kitsu Sushi & Noodle Bar) and depart very content. À votre santé!

Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

AND A BEER FOR ASPARAGUS? I’D PLUMP for Belgian tripel having recently enjoyed a saintly swallow of Brussels’ Brasserie de la Senne’s dry and muscular ‘Jambe-de-Bois’ with local asparagus bought from Locality on Tunbridge Wells’ Camden Road (£4, Fuggles Bottle Shop/10% off 12+ units, 8%, 330ml). A treat for asparagus and Pommes Parisienne.

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Property

property news

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Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Pedal power is beginning to push property prices into a higher gear

HOUSES near to cycle lanes and bike routes are now demanding hefty premiums, research has shown, as more people have got on their bike following the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to analysis by property platform Boomin, the cost of buying along one of London’s main cycle routes is as much as £102,204 higher than the wider surrounding area, while some tenants are paying up to £619 more per month in rent.

During the pandemic, public transport restrictions emptied the capital’s tubes, trains and buses. Instead, half of Londoners (52%) looked to greener alternative methods of travel such as walking or cycling.

When workplace restrictions were lifted, they (53%) continued to avoid tubes and buses in favour of walking or cycling and now that Covid restrictions have lifted entirely, 40% have maintained this travel trend, with 39% only using public transport when commuting to and from work.

Demand This has spurred an increase in demand for homes within reaching distance of a cycle route and Boomin’s research found that 73% of London homebuyers and tenants would prioritise this transport link, with just 27% more inclined to choose a property close to a tube station.

Previously coined as cycle superhighways, London has six main cycle routes that provide safer passage for cyclists heading into the city from each corner of the capital. In total, these arterial routes for two-wheeled commuters pass through no less than 14 London boroughs and a total of 43 different postcodes.

Boomin analysed both the average house price and the average rent across all 43 postcodes to find the current cost of living within arm’s reach of a major London cycle route.

Boomin then compared this to the wider average house price and rent for the boroughs that these routes pass through, to see just how much more it costs to live close to a major cycle route.

The research shows that, on average, buying a home along one of London’s main cycle routes will set you back just shy of £700,000. The wider cost of buying within the areas these routes pass through is £653,516, making a cycle route accessible property purchase 7%, or £46,249, more expensive on average.

Those buying along the route from Wandsworth to Westminster face the highest property price premium, with homes along this cycle route selling for £886,846 on average - £102,204 (13%) more than the wider average found

in the areas it passes through.

A property along the routes of Kentish Town to Elephant and Castle (£70,627), Merton to the City (£70,627), Tower Hill to Lancaster Gate (£64,504) and Stratford to Aldgate (£26,337) also carry a sizeable house price premium on average.

However, there is one route that offers relative affordability for those keen to get on their bike. Buying along the cycle route between Tottenham and the City will set you back £643,439 on average, almost £50,000 less than the wider cost of buying along the four areas it passes through (£691,504).

Unfortunately, those looking to rent within arm’s reach of a major cycle route into the city are facing a rental price premium regardless of which route they opt for. On average, the cost of renting close to a cycle superhighway into the city sits at £2,157 per month, £353 (20%) higher than the current London average of £1,804 per month.

The route between Kentish Town and Elephant and Castle is home to the highest rental price premium, with the average rent across postcosts on the route sitting at £2,413

per month - £619 (35%) higher per month.

The route between Tower Hill and Lancaster Gate is home to the next highest rental price premium at £465 per month, followed by Wandsworth to Westminster (£379), Stratford to Aldgate (£246), Merton to the City (£228) and finally Tottenham to the City (£227).

Michael Bruce, CEO and Founder of Boomin, said: “Cycling is perhaps the best way to traverse the capital, particularly for those heading to and from work, as it not only allows them to avoid the dreaded tube, but it’s great exercise and it can save you a considerable amount on public transport costs.

“Of course, the downside is that London’s roads can be perilous, as we are unfortunately all too aware of, so utilising one of the capital’s major cycle routes is a great way to minimise the dangers of commuting by bike.

“However, renting or buying close to one of these major routes will come at a greater cost, but while this may eradicate the money saved on a travel card, you can still reap the other rewards that a more active lifestyle will bring.”

Seaside towns see strongest post Covid house price growth RESEARCH by an online comparison site, has found that when it comes to house price appreciation, seaside towns are outperforming the rest of the market both on an annual basis and throughout the pandemic.

GetAgent analysed house price data across 60 UK towns that fall within six distinctive categories - seaside, new, market, historic, university and manufacturing.

The research shows that seaside towns have posted the strongest performance on all fronts. With a current average of £340,339, they are home to the highest current property values. They’ve also seen the largest annual increase at 13.2%, as well as the largest increase during the pandemic, up by 21.2%.

It’s a far more mixed picture when it comes to the house price performance of other town categories.

On an annual basis, new towns, market towns and historic towns have all performed well with an uplift of 11.4%, 11.2% and 10.9% respectively, while university (8.8%) and manufacturing towns (8.6%) have trailed the rest.

However, when looking at pandemic house price performance, manufacturing towns have seen house prices climb by a notable

20.6%, with only seaside towns posting a better pandemic house price performance.

Impressive Again, market (19.4%) and historic (19.3%) towns have also performed well during the pandemic, while house price growth across university (16.2%) and new towns (15.9%)

has been less impressive.

Founder of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, said: “While the worst of the pandemic is hopefully behind us, its influence on the property market still remains, with seaside and market towns, in particular, remaining incredibly popular amongst homebuyers who have come to value the slower pace of life and benefits associated with more

rural and coastal locations.

“Of course, this popularity has resulted in a sustained level of house price appreciation across these areas of the property market and so those looking to buy in such an area will now pay between £50,000 to £60,000 more on average when compared to pre-pandemic market values.”

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36

Antiques

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

A look at the work of a great Dane...

antiques

This week, Alexander Pushkin talks about Scandinavian designer Arne Jacobsen architect. The buildings he constructed were included in Denmark’s national heritage list and in the Danish cultural canon. There is no surprise that the name of Jacobsen stands in the line with other iconic Danish makers, such as Georg Jensen and Henning Nørgaard. Many of Jacobsen’s ideas received a logical continuation in the design of IKEA products.

Gallery Alexander Pushkin

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RNE EMIL Jacobsen (1902-1971) was an iconic Danish architect and furniture designer. He is remembered for his contribution to the Danish functionalism design philosopy. Together with Alvar Aalto, he is the most famous representative of Scandinavian design. In addition to architectural constructions, he created numerous original chairs designs and other pieces of furniture. He received several international diplomas and medals for his splendid design solutions and remains the most recognizable.

Gifted child, Arne Jacobsen had always had a talent for art. Jacobsen's first profession was a bricklayer. Then in 1924 he entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Still a student, in 1925 Jacobsen took part in the World's Fair, The International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, where he won a silver medal for the design

of the chair. When World War II broke out, because of his jewish heritage, had to flee from Denmark to Sweden, where he was forbidden to work as an architect, becoming a textile artist instead. In addition to elegant geometric ornaments, Jacobsen created picturesque floral motifs that reflected his passion for botany. Today, the Swedish factory Boras Tapeter produces wallpaper based on some of the sketches created during the exile years. It was only after World War II that Arne Jacobsen decided to take up furniture design.

Many of Jacobsen's works have become classics, among which such iconic pieces as Drop, Egg and Swan chairs, as well as the Ant chair and the Giraffe chair can be mentioned. The famous chairs look like sculptures because they initially were

created as such: Jacobsen sculpted numerous prototypes from clay, and only after the ideal shape was found, the Fritz Hansen factory recreated them from fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

Arne Jacobsen never limited himself only to the architecture of buildings: he considered his buildings as a single piece of art, indivisible into disparate components, in which the creator was responsible for everything: from small details in the interior decor to the materials with which the facades would be covered.

He carefully chose textiles, designed furniture and lamps, as well as elaborated the decoration of walls, floors and ceilings.

Highly prolific, Jacobsen received countless prizes and awards during his long-lasting career, both as a furniture designer and an

Jacobsen's remarkable inventions are still in incredible demand today: a typographic font specially designed by Jacobsen for signs in the municipality of Aarhus, is used

by Danish studio ”Design Letters” to decorate tableware, bed linen and all kinds of interior items. In addition, Louis Poulsen now produces lamps, beautiful in their laconicism, under the name AJ. As for the unique silver-plated cutlery, that looks more like art objects than eating utensils, the original pieces are now a part of the collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art MoMA. The replica is produced by the Danish company Georg Jensen.

Nowadays splendid pieces designed by Jacobsen are in unprecedented demand and have not lost their relevance. Antique vintage models are especially popular at auctions: they keep the spirit of the era and are therefore of the greatest value.

Such luxury pieces can be found in our extensive collection of Luxury Interior and can be viewed on our website pushkinantiques.com or viewed in our High street gallery.

A suprising find is a pick of the lot Auctioneer Joseph Trinder discusses his latest interesting and sublime discoveries...

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URING a routine valuation visit to a rather beautiful home in rural Kent recently, a client and I examined all manor of objects they had inherited to include a collection of decorative glassware, Chinese porcelain and apothecary jars, as we busily unwrapped each from the newspaper they had been safely stored in likely for decades.

It was towards the end of my visit, around 5pm on a Friday afternoon when I spotted the unmistakable dots of a micro mosaic shining through from the bottom of a box of mixed silver and ceramics.

Humbling Removing the paper, I revealed this sublime 19th century box, lined in gold and pressed horn externally, the cover painstaking capturing a finely detailed scene from thousands of hand-cut and placed tesserae - in a sublime range of colours and tones. Rather humbling to think of this being completed painstakingly by hand and naked eye.

As new to my client as myself, I explained that this, the last piece unearthed on a Friday was my favourite find of the week not because it was necessarily the most valuable, but because of the beauty and skill it represents. A souvenir of exceptional quality retrieved from a Grand Tour of Italy the early 19th century.

Estimated at £800 - £1,200, it is likely to surpass this (as the last piece of micro mosaic work featured in a previous article went on to do) as collectors from the world

over will compete to own this fabulous little object in our upcoming June 28th summer fine sale at Gorringe’s.

Yet this wasn’t the only surprise this property would have for me. Included in the mixed contents, we found a collection of individually wrapped modern Halcyon

Days enamel boxes. I valued the group at £100-150.

Yet unwrapping each from its cocoon of paper and tape back at the saleroom, I was surprised and rather delighted to find a gorgeous and rather valuable hitchhiker amongst their number…

A beautifully enamelled early 19th century French gold box, an object of sheer opulence and quality - vivid in its colour and sublimely detailed.

I later called my vendor to let them know of the discovery to their delight. This single piece will likely make over £1,000 - over ten times the value placed on the group of other enamels!

Finally - during a visit to a charming apartment in Tunbridge Wells which yielded amongst other finds bronzes and

Joseph Trinder

Second World War daggers - it wasn’t until I was leaving that I enquired as to the image of a trio of charismatic cats hanging above the door in the kitchen - unmistakably the work of Louis Wain (1860-1939) I remarked “I don’t suppose that’s an original?” As so often one sees prints or works completed in the ever-popular style of Wain. To which, my client replied “Oh yes, it’s certainly a genuine Wain” and proceeded to present a historic invoice and statement of authenticity from the leading gallery specialising in Wain’s work, from several decades ago.

Delighted at its originality, I estimated the feline trio (wonderfully titled ‘All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go) at £2,000 - £3,000 - this too will be featured in our June 28th summer Fine sale at Gorringe’s.

Could your items at home be my next exciting find? Contact me today for a valuation visit and advice, free of charge or obligation - via josepht@gorringes.co.uk or call me directly on 07789979396.

Antiques

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

37

Dancing cows and demure milkmaids

Eric Knowles on the cheeky antiques inspired by workers from the 18th century dairy industry

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delicious dichotomy of a fascination with everything earthy, libidinous and licentious alongside the absolute necessity to remain outwardly seemly and proper at all times. It was perfectly ok – in song and verse, in theatres or in the decorative arts – to infer all manner of lewdness, as long as you did so indirectly.

Step forward the milkmaid who – alongside her constant companion, the ploughman – were used

ELLO everyone. I saw a marvellous article last week about how the Danes – for the first time since their Covid restrictions were loosened – were celebrating Dancing Cow Day ! This, it transpires, is a national event – albeit of somewhat recent vintage – marking the day on which the nation’s cows are ‘turned out’ in to the lush, verdant spring fields after a winter of confinement in their stalls and barns.

Unlike this country, where this happens on different days, varying from farm to farm, it’s part of the Danish organic dairy licensing procedure that the period of outdoor liberation for the bovine horde must conform to a regulated length, and hence they are all released on a specific date.

The Danes have embraced this new regulation, and – in their droves – go to watch the turn-out.

It’s a splendid occasion – the cows are overjoyed to find their feet on soft earth rather than

"These images, laden with innuendo, appeared most often on porcelain dinner services" concrete and to have access to fresh fodder and room to roam; they do quite literally run and gambol about in glee – it’s quite a sight.

In the UK of course we have a long history of dairy farming which has long since made numerous contributions to our folklore by way of allusory foibles and tropes. These were particularly popular in Georgian times (essentially, the 18th century) when there was a

constantly as a means of referring to the general fecundity and ribaldry of rural life, and all acts pertaining thereto. These characters appeared in many places, and really came to my attention on Worcester porcelain pieces – several of which we have for sale down at The Pantiles Arcade.

They were often pictured, on either side of a tankard or pitcher or jug, in close proximity and

Eric Knowles

inhabiting the same environment – but never actually in any sort of contact which could be deemed too intimate. They danced and feasted and worked together – but that was as much as the common decency of the day would allow. Of course, it was all about the none too deeplyhidden meanings, which were pretty near the knuckle; the milkmaid – young, fresh, engaging with engorged udders, expressing milk; the ploughman – vigorous, lusty, engaged very physically in the sowing of seed. It hardly required a paradigm shift in understanding to know what these outwardly simplistic characters were really supposed to infer !

It amuses me greatly that these images, laden with innuendo, appeared so often on porcelain dinner services, tea sets and other pieces which were all intended for the more well-to-do folk of polite Georgian society, who perhaps had a yearning for the less-restrictive theatre of country life – there’s something to consider over your next cuppa, while you’re dunking your digestive, and no mistake !

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38

Motoring

Wednesday April 20 | 2022

Motoring News Mercedes adds new entrylevel engine to its SL range

This week…

Mercedes’ 2.0 litre SL

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Transit EV n Range of tunes

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The first electric Ford Transits have rolled off the production line

FORD has begun shipping the first production versions of the E-Transit, the fully electric version of the firm’s popular cargo van.

At a celebratory event at the firm’s Gölcük plant in Kocaeli, Turkey, where the vehicle is being built, the first models rolled off the production ahead of delivery to European customers.

Production

POWERTRAIN The SL now has a 2.0 litre engine option MERCEDES has expanded its SL range with a new 2.0-litre petrol option.

Sitting alongside two V8-powered variants, the SL 43 is said to use turbocharger technology taken directly from Formula 1. This electric exhaust gas turbocharger is a world-first for a production car, according to Mercedes.

Overall, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit produces 375bhp and 480Nm of torque, while a 48-volt electrical system with a belt-driven starter-generator brings a 12bhp boost in certain circumstances, too.

Essentially, the technology sees an electric motor integrated into the turbocharger shaft between the turbine wheel on the exhaust side and the compressor wheel on the intake side.

By electronically controlling this motor, the response from idle speed is improved, as is the response across the ‘entire speed range’,

according to Mercedes. The firm says that the

By electronically controlling this motor, the response from idle speed is improved, as is the response across the ‘entire speed range’ engine responds ‘even more spontaneously to the accelerator pedal’, in fact.

Linked to a nine-speed automatic gearbox sending drive to the rear wheels, the SL 43 can manage the 0-60mph sprint in 4.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 170mph.

Philipp Schiemer, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-AMG, said: “With this

technology, the SL also has an outstanding performance range in its entry-level version.

This means that our seemingly smallest SL combines the typical AMG Driving Performance with luxury and comfort at the absolute top level. What’s more, with this innovative engine we are undoubtedly also appealing to a wider clientèle.”

The SL 43 gets a series of details to distinguish it from the other models in the line-up, including round tailpipes – different to the angular ones fitted to V8-powered versions – and differentiated front and rear aprons. All cars get 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, though these can be upgraded to 20 or 21-inch versions as optional extras. The same fabric folding soft top is used on this model, too.

Prices for the SL 43 have yet to be announced but are likely to be revealed soon.

The firm says it has already received more than 5,000 orders for the electric van, despite production only just beginning.

Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro, Europe, said: “Ford Otosan’s Kocaeli plant is the heart of Transit production in Europe, and this celebration of E-Transit manufacturing starts the electrified next chapter in our already strong partnership.

“This is the first step in a transformation of the Kocaeli site which will see it become a major centre for electric commercial vehicle manufacturing in Europe.”

The E-Transit is the first of two electric commercial vehicles coming from Ford this year, and falls under the Ford Pro ecosystem of end-to-end charging, telematics, service and financing.

It is the only mainstream electric van available in eight configurations, with three roof heights and three body lengths available, as well as cutaway and chassis cab versions.

In August last year, Ford began trials of the E-Transit in Germany, Norway and the UK, with various partners in industries such as postal, utilities and grocery delivery. Ten prototype vehicles with different configurations were put to the test in real world conditions, helping to inform the final development of the vehicle.

Listening to relaxing music can make you go further in your electric vehicle THE TYPE of music you listen to can affect how far your electric vehicle travels between charges, according to new research.

A study found that drivers who listened to ambient classical pieces and famous symphonicform compositions from the likes of Beethoven would see their EV battery go further between charges than those who listened to artists such as The Weeknd, Kanye West and Adele.

Genre Kia teamed up with Dr Duncan Williams, a leading authority in acoustics, noise, psychoacoustics and sounds science to see if the type of music being played to the driver could have an effect on real-world range.

The test was carried out in the Kia EV6, which has a real-world range of 328 miles.

Participants were put behind the wheel of the EV – with none having driven an electric vehicle before – and asked to drive a long a predetermined route.

On the 18-mile route, different types of music

were played through the car’s sound system, with a wearable biometric measuring device recording information such as shifting skin temperature.

Dr Williams said: “What we found from only two days of testing was that music really can have a dramatic influence on the real-world driving range of an electric vehicle.

“Different songs resulted in varying electrodermal activity and blood volume increase for each of the participants.

“This had a knock-on effect on driving style, and ultimately influenced the real-world driving range of the EV6.”

Classical music created a calm, focused environment for the driver, which resulted in a more relaxed driving style. This had a knock-on effect of making the vehicle’s range go further because speeds were lower and acceleration/ deceleration was less severe.

Meanwhile, up-tempo pop songs had the opposite effect, inspiring more spirited driving that made them twice as inefficient as when listening to the classical genre.

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