Times of Tunbridge Wells 19th May 2021

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

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PUBS and restaurants across Tunbridge Wells have reopened their doors to allow customers inside for the first time since last year.

With the various lockdowns and tier restrictions, most venues in the town have not had people inside since November.

Following the easing of the rules on Monday [May 17], publicans and restaurateurs said they were ‘ecstatic’ to welcome customers back inside.

Solomon Preece at The Bedford on the corner of Tunbridge Wells High Street, told the Times: “We’re ecstatic to be back.

“It has been very difficult as we do not have any outdoor space so have

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Teenager’s park death prompts police changes to avoid any similar tragedies Open Day

By Richard Williams

AN inquest into the death of a schoolboy who killed himself in Dunorlan Park after a phone call plea to police for help, is due to end today [Wednesday].

Police did not conduct a search of the Tunbridge Wells grounds because it was thought too large an area to cover.

The body of Matthew Mackell, a 17-year-old pupil at Skinners’ Kent Academy, was discovered in Dunorlan Park in the early hours of May 7 last year.

At Matthew’s inquest at Maidstone County Hall, which began last week, the coroner heard how the teenager had dialled 999 on the night he died and said to call handlers: “Can you send someone to pick me up, I’m about to kill myself.”

Despite this plea for help and there being officers available in the area,

police did not turn up to look for Matthew because they couldn’t pinpoint his phone’s exact location in the Dunorlan Park area.

This was despite police staff believing the teenager was ‘likely’ to be in the 78-acre [31 hectare] grounds.

The inquest had already heard from

‘Inquest hears how schoolboy asked 999 call handlers for help’ Matthew’s father Michael Bond who had shown in a video that his son’s body had been found near the car park at the entrance to the park.

Mr Bond had told the coroner: “This is where Matthew went to sleep.

“And that [pointing to the path] is where they would have been if they had

come down to look for Matthew.”

The inquest heard that Matthew called 999 at around 10.18pm on May 6 and made his plea for help to a call handler.

The call was relayed to PSE [Police Staff Employee] Amy Hopper at the Maidstone control room who called Matthew back, but the Year-12 pupil had told her he was now ‘fine’.

A number of other calls were made to Matthew’s phone including from the control room’s team leader PSE James Gregson, who phoned the teenager to offer help, only to be told by Matthew: “What do you mean help me?”

The teenager hung up again.

The hearing heard how PSE Gregson escalated the call as ‘immediate action required’ and traced Matthew’s phone as

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Life is ‘bouncing back’ as businesses reopen Continued from front page

BAKER’S DOZEN: How a local father and son baking business inspired by lockdown queues have had a rising success P8

only been able to provide takeaways during lockdown and our kitchen has been incredible,” he said.

“But it is wonderful to see our regulars back who are now able to sit down and enjoy a pint indoors for the first time in so long.”

At the Mount Edgcumbe, diners at lunchtime raised a glass following a month of just al fresco dining.

Manager, Valentin Ostafi said: “Customers have been great and supported us a lot, which is wonderful as we are not part of a big chain.

‘It’s great the way life is getting back to normal, and the town is bouncing back’

JUMPING FOR JOY: Fusion Fitness’ gyms in Tunbridge Wells opened again on Monday with a celebratory early morning class P11 VALUABLE LESSONS: We discover how St Gregory’s Catholic school provides specialist support to its pupils who have hearing loss P16

“We are fully booked all week, and customers are still enjoying our marquee, but it is nice to be back.”

The town’s newest restaurant STEAK also opened its doors yesterday, Martin Garner Operations Director said “It was great to finally welcome guests, after months of hard work and planning it’s fantastic to see diners enjoying themselves and the feedback has been very positive.”

The popular Jazz on The Pantiles has also made a return after a three-month hiatus last Thursday, although revellers do need to book a table.

Organiser, Julian Leefe-Griffiths, from The Tunbridge Wells Hotel said: “We’ve been so pleased with the way we have been supported by

CHEERS Co-founder of Jazz on The Pantiles Lionel Shell [right] enjoys its return with friends THE BEDFORD PUB

the folks of Tunbridge Wells! It’s been great to get back to work, open the hotel and start serving customers again.

“We have also had the most fabulous time restarting Jazz on The Pantiles.

“It’s great the way life is getting back to normal, and The Pantiles is bouncing back.”

The Assembly Hall Theatre is also staging the return of live performances this week.

Police to make changes after teenager’s death Tory factions set to

fight over new leader after election losses

INQUEST Matthew Mackell [below] was found dead in Dunorlan Park where tributes were laid

LOCAL PRODUCE: Which of our local foodie companies have had their products showcased in the Taste of Kent Awards? P34 CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard.moore@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER RICHARD WILLIAMS richard.williams@onemediauk.co.uk |01892 240626 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lee.smith@onemediauk.co.uk.co.uk ADVERTISING 01892 779580 advertising@onemediauk.co.uk FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews www.timeslocalnews.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews

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The council-owned theatre will lift the curtain on Thursday (May 20) – the first time since it closed in December due to Tier 4 rules followed by the third national lockdown – with Queen tribute act, Radio GaGa. During its hiatus, the theatre acted as a Covid testing centre and was also where the count for the local election on May 6 took place.

The theatre’s opening season also includes a celebration of David Bowie’s work, and aptly for the easing of Covid restrictions the world premiere of The Language of Kindness.

Assembly Hall Theatre Director, JJ Almond, said: “Front line workers like those portrayed in the show have worked tirelessly throughout this extremely worrying period – looking after those unwell, keeping our communities afloat and now providing a solution to bring normality back.

“This show is a celebration of those people while also serving as a reminder of how lucky we are to be back on stage again.”

Continued from front page coming from an area in or near Dunorlan Park.

He recorded in the log that the 17-year-old was ‘likely to be in Dunorlan Park’ based on the coordinates from Matthew’s phone provider.

PSE Gregson said he then ‘fully expected’ a patrol to be sent out to search for the teenager.

Downgraded But the call was downgraded from ‘immediate’ to ‘high priority’ by the dispatch office, also based in Maidstone, as they deemed the search area too large to successfully locate the teenager.

Instead, a dispatch officer told call handlers to keep ‘contacting the phone for updates and information to identify the caller’.

While several police officers testified to it being a ‘busy night’, Michael Spencer, counsel for the family, pointed to evidence that patrol teams were available at the time of the calls.

The hearing heard how a system known as ‘Enhanced mapping service’ could also have pinpointed Matthew’s phone location to within

ten metres, but no members of staff in the control room knew it existed.

Had it been in use, Police Sergeant Mark Sankey who was the Force Intelligence Manager in the control room on the night Matthew died, said he believed the teenager’s call would have remained ‘immediate’.

Guess This failing was identified in an Independent Office of Police Conduct [IOPC] report conducted after the boy’s death, which is scheduled to be published after the inquest.

Kent Police has since confirmed that the system has been added as a default setting to prevent similar tragedies from repeating itself.

Yesterday [Tuesday] the dispatch team leader, PSE Underwood, and the dispatch team member who downgraded the call, PSE Blackwell, gave evidence.

The dispatchers said that the location of Matthew’s call was reliant on the nearest mast and could have spanned a ‘three-kilometre radius’ and that the location of Dunorlan Park was ‘essentially a guess’ made by PSE Gregson.

The inquest concludes today [Wednesday].

A LEADERSHIP battle is expected today [Wednesday] as Conservative councillors on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] hold their annual general meeting. And it’s a complex issue.

The current Tory group head and Council Leader, Cllr Alan McDermott, may face a challenge for his position following the local party’s election results that saw them lose their overall majority.

The beleaguered party is holding its AGM in lieu of the first Full Council meeting scheduled for next week.

Former cabinet member David Scott has said he is ‘likely’ to stand against Cllr McDermott.

The current Tory group leader may also face a challenge from the Conservative Association Chairman, county and Borough councillor, Paul Barrington-King.

Majority Cllr Barrington-King has twice challenged Alan McDermott at previous AGMs. However, Cllr McDermott’s position may be secured by his current tenure as Leader of the Council.

He was elected as Leader of TWBC in 2019. The election by a majority of councillors secured his tenure for four years.

If the Conservatives do decide to replace him as leader of their group, it will mean a new Leader of the Council will have to be elected by the Full Council by majority vote.

The chamber is currently split 24 Conservatives and 24 opposition, so any abstentions or an absenteeism by the Conservative group could hand leadership of the Council to the opposition.

If Cllr McDermott remains the Conservative group following the AGM, any challenge to his leadership of the Borough Council will require a two-thirds majority vote of councillors.

The Times will be following the Conservative AGM today [Wednesday] and will report on any leadership challenge at timeslocalnews.co.uk

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF

Fly tipping incidents second lowest in Kent TUNBRIDGE WELLS has the second lowest recorded number of incidents of fly tipping in the county, government statistics show.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the Borough saw 659 cases of illegal dumping of waste in 2019/20.

Across Kent there were 25,183 cases for the same period, with the highest numbers being recorded in Medway (5,713) and Dartford (2,700).

Only 151 fines were handed out in Kent for fly tipping over that period – only 12 of which were for offences in Tunbridge Wells.

Tonbridge & Malling has the lowest rates in the county with just 581 incidents.

Head of sustainability at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Cllr Matt Bailey, said: “It’s good news that we have one of the lowest fly-tipping rates in Kent, but we will never be complacent.”

County Hall cabinet THE Leader of Kent County Council [KCC], Roger Gough, has announced the appointment of his new top team following the local elections on May 6.

Tunbridge Wells councillor Peter Oakford remains Deputy Leader as well as Cabinet Member for Finance.

But changes include Clair Bell [Ashford] who moves to Adult Social Care and Public Health, while Shellina Prendergast [Maidstone] takes over at Education and Skills.

Bryan Sweetland [Gravesham] is also now Cabinet Member for Communications, Engagement, People and Partnerships.

Mr Gough said: “I am confident that the cabinet I have appointed today has the right people, with the right expertise and experience, to ensure this administration can continue to move positively towards economic, environmental and social recovery across Kent.”

Grant for advice centre THE Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre has received a share of a new £360,000 grant.

The sum is provided by the Kent Community Foundation to give core funding to thirteen charitable organisations in each of Kent’s districts. The centre in Paddock Wood was chosen to represent Tunbridge Wells.

The centre will receive £12,000 in April, £9,600 next year and £6,000 in 2023.

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By Richard Williams COUPLES hoping to get married in the summer may find they have to tie the knot during the week or at odd times as registrars are booked up during peak periods until autumn.

The news has alarmed wedding venues in the area that have had to endure more than a year of restrictions that have even seen them either unable to conduct ceremonies or limit numbers to just 15 or 30 people.

Now Covid restrictions are easing, with rules expected to be relaxed even further next month removing the limits on how many people can go to a wedding, venues have seen a flurry of demand to book marriages.

Recruited However, in a letter sent to license holders for ceremonies, Jane Collins, the Superintendent Registrar for Kent said they had no registrars available for weddings taking place during peak times at the weekends for the rest of the summer.

Registrars are not only legally authorised to conduct weddings but also are tasked with recording births, deaths and marriages.

The Superintendent said: “As a registration service we have seen an increase in demand for ceremonies in excess of 50 per cent in some months over this summer.

“After a lot of consideration, we have had to make the decision that we are not going to be

SAY I DO? Registrars are in short supply able to accept any more ceremony bookings on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday between the hours of 12pm – 3pm during the months of July, August and September 2021.”

She added: “Please be assured that this decision was not made lightly. We have recruited additional staff and are currently training them, but we need to be realistic with what we will be able to deliver.”

A spokesman for Salomons Country Estate, one of the leading wedding venues in the area, said

couples rarely wish to get married outside of peaks times.

He commented: “After 14 months with no weddings, during the busiest summer period when we can maximise wedding income as demand is at its highest, the Kent Registrars are now fully booked for the most popular times.

“Surely they should have seen this coming and been better placed to help support local venues after one of the toughest economic periods in history?”

Possible Indian variant cases detected in town TWO cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus may have been found in Tunbridge Wells.

The variant is causing concern among health chiefs due to its prevalence in northern towns such as Bolton and Blackburn.

Scientists believe the Indian variant, formerly known as B1.617.2, could be 50 per cent more transmissible than even the Kent strain of the virus, which has now become one of the most dominant types of coronavirus in England and has spread worldwide.

Bolton in Greater Manchester has the highest Covid rates in the country, with 657 new cases in the seven days to May 10 – the equivalent of 228.5 cases per 100,000 people, with the new variant being blamed for the spike in cases.

Rates of the virus are falling in Tunbridge Wells where in the seven days to May 13, just nine cases were reported, or 7.6 per 100,000 people.

This was down from 12 cases [10.1] for the

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previous seven days. The average rate per 100,000 in England is 22.6.

Public Health England [PHE] have been using these positive samples to look for what they call the S gene, which is a quicker way of detecting new strains such as the Indian variant compared to complete gene sequencing.

Positives So far 20 cases of coronavirus containing the S gene have been detected in Kent, including nine in Canterbury, four in Dartford, two in Ashford, two in Tunbridge Wells, and one each in Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Folkestone & Hythe.

While S genes are not found in the Kent variant they are found in a number of other strains, not just the Indian variant - scientists have identified more than 20 different strains of Covid-19.

Four Covid tests were analysed for the S gene in

Tunbridge Wells and two positives were found.

In Tonbridge, three were analysed, and none were found. No positive cases were tested in Wealden.

Health officials have said it will be another week before complete gene sequencing is done to confirm whether the strain is indeed the Indian variant or some other new strain.

The Deputy Director for Health Provision for the South East at PHE, Trish Mannes, said new variant cases found in the region were ‘relatively low’.

She added: “We are seeing lots of small separate clusters across the region, the vast majority of which are linked to international travel or household transmission.

“In response, we are working closely with local public health teams and local authority partners to increase targeted and community testing where needed and implement whole genome sequencing and enhanced contact tracing where cases have been identified.”

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

With council control deadlocked we asked the political parties just where they stand

By Richard Williams

THE local elections mean that no single political party has overall control of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The 48-seat chamber is evenly split: 24 Tories and 24 of the rest, Lib Dems (13), Labour (5), Alliance (5) and one independent.

So what does each of the parties now stand for?

What are their top five priorities, the specific things they would like to achieve?

And how do they see the council working its way out of deadlock?

We put the same questions to each of the parties. The responses were mixed with some answering all the questions and others not quite so forthcoming, as you can see from the feedback below which is unedited.

LIB DEM “As the opposition on TWBC, we Liberal Democrats we have ruled out a coalition with the Conservatives.

“That is why I have asked other opposition parties to meet to BEN CHAPELARD explore options to form (Lib Dem) an alternative administration to the Conservatives in Tunbridge Wells.

“These cross-party discussions have started positively. We are at an advanced stage and conversations are ongoing.

“It is too early to predict the result of these discussions, at this stage. The Liberal Democrats are working to provide a stable administration for the good of our residents, town and borough.

“If we are able to form a new administration our two priorities will be: one, to find out the true extent of the financial black hole in the council’s finances, and two, to work hard to restore residents’ trust with their council,” Ben Chapelard, Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition.

ALLIANCE “In an ideal world The Alliances priorities would be exactly the same as the others will tell you, with all the usual platitudes regarding the environment, listening to residents, sustainability DAVID HAYWARD etc.

(Alliance) “The Alliance believe we should start with proper Transparency and Scrutiny.

“National parties yah-boo attitudes, caring more for their parties than the Borough has delivered what we now have. Residents need to feel ownership to engage and proper transparency and scrutiny are key to that.

“Such simple things as any contractor to TWBC having to agree to having their names published would be a start.

“With no overall control perhaps now, at last, comes the opportunity for a pragmatic consensus administration, devoid of national politics, solely in the interests of the residents of the Borough,” David Hayward, Tunbridge Wells Alliance group leader.

Current Council makeup

2021 TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL CONSERVATIVE PARTY 24

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 13

LABOUR PARTY 5 ALLIANCE 5

INDEPENDENT 1

LABOUR “A ‘No Overall Control’ Council means councillors having to work more collaboratively and at a faster pace to help us move on from Covid and deal with the other big HUGO POUND issues facing our (Labour) Borough.

“The dominance of one party, whose actions have been inept, mistaken and costly over recent years, is over.

“We now have an opportunity to work cross-party for the benefit of all residents in the Borough and to make Tunbridge Wells the thriving and prosperous place it should be.

Labour’s priorities will be resolutely focused on its 5 manifesto priorities,” Cllr Hugo Pound, Leader Labour Group.

CONSERVATIVE “Having a hung council is not a good outcome for anyone and it’s left our borough in a precarious position.

“But I can assure residents that the Conservatives will ALAN MCDERMOTT continue to do what we (Conservative) have always done. We will work hard to provide the best possible services at the lowest possible cost for local taxpayers.

“It’s not always easy and, as the party in power, you sometimes get punished or blamed for factors outside your control.

“But we will always remember who we work for and will continue to do all we can to move the borough forward,” Alan McDermott, Leader of the Council and Conservative Group.

Tories say no need for social media THE Deputy Chairman of the Tunbridge Wells Conservative Association has defended the party’s election campaign that saw the Tories lose their majority on the Borough Council amid a backdrop of successes across the country.

The party had been criticised during the run up to the election for an absence of social media campaigning and for not taking part in any of the virtual hustings organised in the area.

Andrew Hobart said the association does ‘take full responsibility for the overall campaign’ but added: “Most of the criticism of our campaign has been by opposition supporters who devote lot of their time to social media and the internet.”

He went on: “As an Association run by volunteers, we decided that our time and energy was better spent putting the message directly to residents rather than engaging in debates with our opponents in the artificial setting of a

hustings or on Twitter and Facebook.

“As Conservatives we believe in personal responsibility and so each of our candidates was free to develop their own message specific to their local area.

Disappointed “Whilst we are obviously very disappointed to lose five borough council seats that were previously Conservative held, we are very pleased with the many successes we had in these local elections.”

Mr Hobart, who is deputy to the party’s chairman – current Borough and County Councillor, Paul Barrington-King – pointed out that all six Conservative County Council candidates were elected and that the party won more seats than any other party in the Borough election.

LABOUR: ‘OUR TOP FIVE PRIORITIES’ We need to develop a borough-wide vision and plan to move us beyond the pandemic. This must include supporting local businesses to encourage high-quality jobs and apprenticeships, particularly for young people, at the Real Living Wage or above.

We must work to make Tunbridge Wells the ‘go to’ place to live, work, eat, drink, socialise, learn, play and grow up. This will involve reviving our town centres including pro-actively supporting our local

entertainment, arts, heritage and food and drinks scene – all of which are our greatest assets.

We need the council to ensure there are enough genuinely affordable houses to buy and social homes to rent. Young single people, families, key workers, and the elderly need local homes they can afford to live in.

We need a ‘green’ council that works with greater pace and purpose to meet its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030. This means providing more reliable and

affordable public transport and hundreds of electric car charging points as well as incentivising walking and cycling to improve health and the air quality we breathe.

We must have a council that puts listening and engaging with local people front and centre of the way it works.

The failed Calverley Square project cost £90+ for every person living in the borough.

Urgently needed plans to repurpose the Town and Assembly Hall must be affordable and command public support.

CONSERVATIVES: ‘OUR TOP FIVE PRIORITIES’ The Council has distributed £50million in Covid-19 grants to firms around the borough. This has been funded by the Conservative government but TWBC has been praised for the speed and efficiency with which the funds have been distributed.

This crucial assistance must continue.

While funds are tight, we must help our town centres and local economy recover from the pandemic. We have successfully applied for grants for our high streets, cultural venues and sports facilities to keep them afloat

and fund their recovery going forward. This must continue to a priority.

We pledged to make the Council carbon neutral by 2030 and, under our stewardship, it cut its carbon footprint by 43% in 5 years.

The Council must continue to reduce its own emissions and work with local schools and the wider public to encourage residents to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

During the pandemic we moved 80 rough sleepers into temporary accommodation. We are now moving them into long-term

housing, including newly refurbished flats on Crescent Road that have been funded by government grants and payments from developers.

We must continue to provide shelter for our most vulnerable residents.

Several 20mph zones have been introduced around the town, particularly in areas used by school children. We will continue to work with our Conservative county councillors to introduce road safety improvements and will bring in other measures to cut harmful emissions and improve air quality.

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Waiting list reaches highest level at hospital Trust since records began

told the Times that staff were ‘working hard’ to ensure patients were seen as quickly as possible and the Trust was making ‘good progress’.

He said: “Throughout the pandemic we have continued to provide urgent and cancer treatments and at the beginning of April we reopened all our theatres and resumed routine planned care.

“Our staff are working hard to ensure we treat patients as quickly as possible and in the past six weeks we have already made some good progress.

“We are also increasing the number of patients seen in outpatient clinics, staggering appointment times and maximising the use of virtual clinics where appropriate, to ensure that

‘Staff are working hard to ensure we treat patients as quickly as possible and in the past six weeks we have already made some good progress’

TARGETS Tunbridge Wells Hospital has more people are on waiting lists than ever before

By Richard Williams THE number of people waiting to start hospital treatment at the Trust that runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital has risen to a record high.

A total of 32,918 people registered at either the Pembury hospital or the one in Maidstone were waiting to start hospital treatment at the end of March – the highest number since records began in August 2007.

This is an increase of nearly 700 people from last month when 32,233 were on a waiting list.

The figures, released last week by NHS

England show that in March just 61.7 per cent of patients waiting to see a consultant or have a routine operation were seen within 18 weeks at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW].

Last month 65.3 per cent were recorded seen by the Trust within 18 weeks.

Backlog The NHS target is 92 per cent.

Around 295 people have also been waiting more than a year [52 weeks] for routine

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treatment, or 1 in every 20 patients.

Despite the backlog and suspension of some procedures during the pandemic, the Trust says cancer treatments and urgent care have continued throughout.

Indeed, in September 2020, MTW hit its government target for seeing cancer patients within eight weeks of diagnosis for the twelfth month in a row.

In 2019 it had been branded the ‘worst in the country’ after it failed to hit the cancer target for five consecutive years.

Chief Operating Officer for MTW, Sean Briggs,

those patients who need to be seen face-to-face by a clinician are able to do so safely.”

It is not just the Tunbridge Wells or Maidstone Hospitals that have seen record waiting lists. The same picture is playing out in hospital Trusts across the country, where the impact of Covid has resulted in a record 4.95 million people in England being on lists awaiting treatment.

Tim Mitchell, vice president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: “In recent months we’ve become accustomed to seeing the record broken each month for the number of people waiting for NHS hospital treatment, but we must not forget that behind these stomachchurning numbers are ordinary people who have been forced to put their lives on hold.”

He continued: “The task ahead is vast and many of the staff that support surgeons to operate, anaesthetists and nurses, are running on fumes after an unimaginably difficult year helping out on Covid-19 wards.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

Licensing Act 2003 BRINGING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BACK TO TUNBRIDGE WELLS

5th-18th JULY 2021

An application has been made by Greenwich Spirits Company Limited for the premises Anno Distillers Ltd, Unit 4, Crest Industrial Estate, Pattenden Lane, Marden, Kent TN12 9QJ. On the date of: 14/05/2021

Summary of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours of opening: SUPPLY OF ALCOHOL DAILY 08:00 TO 23:00.

Any person wishing to view details of an application may contact the Licensing Partnership on 01732 227004 Any person wishing to make representation about the application should make them in writing on or before the 11/06/2021 Licensing Partnership, PO BOX 182, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1GP licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk http://pa.sevenoaks.gov.uk/online-licensing

w w w.twfringe.com GO TO THE WEBSITE TO BOOK

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary of conviction for the offence is £5000.

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

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Disability campaigner wins a major Re-elected PCC gets domestic victory over Tesco’s toilet facilities abuse windfall

By Robert Forrester A CAMPAIGNER for disabled rights has forced Tesco to install a more secure locking system on a disabled toilet at one of their stores after an 18-month battle with the supermarket giant.

Now he wants every supermarket to take up the idea.

Chris Jeffery, who was Trustee for Shopmobility in Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells before the charity was forced to close due to lack of funds, says he campaigned against Tesco following an incident at the Riverhead store in Sevenoaks.

UNSECURE Chris Jeffrey [inset] wants supermarkets to improve disabled toilet faciltities

By Richard Williams KENT’s Police and Crime Commissioner [PCC] has been awarded more than £1.3million to distribute to domestic abuse charities.

The government money comes after rates of domestic violence across the UK have increased by nearly ten percent during the pandemic.

Local charities, such as Tunbridge Wells based DAVSS [Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service] that work with victims have previously said that lockdowns had created a ‘colossal increase’ in cases.

Cases

‘Disabled people like myself deserve dignity, respect and privacy when having to use such facilities’ He told the Times: “Around 18 months ago I was using the disabled toilet undertaking a medical procedure that I have to do, when somebody used a coin to unlock the door and burst in.

“I was angry to say the least. It was a complete invasion of my privacy and dignity.”

He added that disabled toilets in supermarkets were often in a poor condition, vandalised or are used by people that are not disabled.

“People need to understand, disabled toilets are not the easy option when other toilets are in use. We rely on these facilities. The medical procedure I have to do keeps me alive.”

He continued: “I’ve been into a disabled toilet and found an entire family in there cleaning

their cycle helmets.”

He said the store manager at Tesco in Riverhead was ‘brilliant’ following the incident, but it took 18 months to convince head office to install a secure radar lock – which entitles disabled people to carry a ‘radar key’ to access more than 10,000 disabled facilities across the UK. “Just over a week ago I received a phone call from a lady at Tesco Head Office and they have finally agreed to this happening.

“She herself uses a disabled toilet and was fully appreciative of what we were asking for,” continued Mr Jeffery.

A spokesman for Tesco confirmed that they have now fitted the lock on the Riverhead store.

He said: “We were sorry to hear about this

incident and after listening to customers we’re pleased to confirm that a radar lock has now been installed on our disabled toilet.”

Now Mr Jeffery wants all supermarkets chains to follow suit in all their branches.

He said: “We disabled people live with our conditions, so why can’t other supermarkets understand this?

“Disabled people like myself deserve dignity, respect and privacy when having to use such facilities.”

Across the county, Kent Police dealt with 3,233 more victims of domestic abuse than in 2019 – an increase of 9 per cent, and the force handled nearly 36,000 reports last year.

The Government has now agreed to give more than £1.38million for domestic abuse charities, which are specially designed to help people who’ve suffered either abuse or sexual violence.

The money is in addition to the £275,000 already being spent helping victims.

Kent’s PCC Matthew Scott, who was re-elected following the local elections last week, said: “I am delighted these vital services are receiving extra funding. The work they do is invaluable and without them some of the most vulnerable people in our community would simply be unable to cope.

“They help children and adults alike and despite very real challenges, they make a huge difference to so many. “I am committed to working to reduce the pain caused by domestic abuse and sexual violence and it remains a priority for my second term in post.”

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8

BUSINESS

Local News

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Rising success of a father and son bakery business

By Richard Williams

BAKE OFF Terry Goh with Jo Jeffries from Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market

A BAKERY business that rose out of lockdown has become an online hub for local independent food producers to also sell their wares.

Former BT engineer, Terry Goh, came up with the idea of the Doorstep Baker after having to wait in a queue for 40 minutes to buy fresh bread at his local bakery during the first lockdown.

Along with son Edward, the bakery duo began delivering freshly baked

Carluccio’s site taken over by London bar and restaurant THE Mount Pleasant Road unit formerly occupied by Carluccio’s has been taken over by another Italianinspired restaurant and bar.

Bekenham-based Bocca Social has expanded out of London to open their second branch in Tunbridge Wells.

The company has applied for its licensing application at Sevenoaks District Council, which considers applications for West Kent licensable premises.

Carluccio’s closed in Tunbridge Wells during the first lockdown last year after the nationwide chain fell into administration.

Around 30 of the Italian bistros were saved by Boparan Restaurant Group [BRG] in a deal thought to be worth around £3million but the Tunbridge Wells site was not among them.

Bocca Social describes itself as offering ‘Italian inspired seasonal menu and expertly crafted cocktails’.

Chamber head predicts economy will rebound

“The people of Tunbridge Wells have taken our service to heart and we are really grateful for their support” goods door to door in Tunbridge Wells.

The business has proved such a success they have teamed up with a number of local suppliers to sell produce from other independent food producers such as Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market and even Longtooth Gin and craft beer from the Good Things Brewing Company.

To cope with the success, the pair have had to hire three more people to assist with packing and delivery.

Mr Goh said: “We are really pleased with how it has turned out. What started as a toe in the water has grown in terms of customers, products we

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

A LEADING business figure in the county has said the economy will recover but warns it may be ‘slower than many predict’.

The comments come after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 1.5% between January and March.

Resilient provide, and local businesses that we are interacting with.

Pleasure “The people of Tunbridge Wells have taken our service to heart and we are really grateful for their support.

“What gives me the greatest pleasure

from our venture are the kind comments from our customers and knowing that they are happy with our products and service.

“And we also have so much support and great fun working with our lovely independent local producers.”

You can find Doorstep Baker on www. doorstepbaker.com

Jo James OBE, the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “While the UK economy contracted in the first quarter, the downbeat headline figure masks a renewed momentum through the quarter from January’s drop in output to an exceptionally strong March outturn as lockdown

measures started to ease.

“The decline in economic output in the first quarter largely reflected the squeeze on activity from coronavirus restrictions, which was partly offset by growing business resilience to those restrictions and a boost from the reopening of schools in March.

“The first quarter decline should be followed by a robust rebound in the second quarter as the effects of the release of pent-up demand, as restrictions ease and the strong vaccine rollout, are fully felt.

“However, with the longer-term economic damage caused by Covid likely to increasingly weigh on activity as government support winds down, the recovery maybe slower than many, including the Bank of England, currently predict.”

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Community News

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Queen urges residents to plant a tree to mark jubilee

By Robert Forrester COMMUNITIES, schools, gardeners and companies are being encouraged to plant trees in an initiative to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The Queen’s Green Canopy scheme has been launched to encourage people to plant trees from the start of the tree-planting season in October 2021 through to the end of 2022, to mark her 70 years on the throne.

Saplings The scheme will also highlight 70 irreplaceable ancient woodlands across the UK and identify 70 ancient trees, and create a pilot training programme for unemployed young people to plant and manage trees.

The Queen’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, has asked Christopher Nevill, the Marquess of Abergavenny, whose family’s seat is Eridge Park, near Tunbridge Wells, to lead the project of planting trees in East Sussex.

Lord Nevill told the Times: “We already have some exciting potential projects in the South of the County and we would love to find some in the North.

“Although we are working together, Kent and West Sussex will be organising their response separately.

“It’s really important that everyone in the community is involved. It is not very often that we get the opportunity to

plant trees for a good cause to help the environment, nor is it often that we get to celebrate a Monarch’s Platinum Jubilee.”

Schools and community groups will be able to apply for three million free saplings from the Woodland Trust as part of the project.

The Prince of Wales was joined by the Queen for the first jubilee tree-planting in the grounds of Windsor earlier this year, during the tree-planting season.

In a video message to launch the initiative, Charles urged people to join him to “plant a tree for the jubilee – in other words a ‘tree-bilee’”.

He said: “It is absolutely vital that

26— 27 JUNE

more of the right species of trees are planted, in the right places, and that more woodlands, avenues, hedgerows and hedgerow trees and urban planting schemes are established, whilst ensuring that we also protect and sustain what we already have.

“Whether you are an individual hoping to plant a single sapling in your garden, a school or community group planting a tree, a council, charity or business intending to plant a whole avenue of trees or a farmer looking to create new hedgerows, everyone across the country can get involved.”

Charles described planting a tree as a ‘statement of hope and faith in the future’ and said planting trees and hedgerows and protecting existing woodlands and forests were simple, cost-effective ways to protect the planet.

The scheme is being launched as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘virtual’ Chelsea Flower Show this week, running from Monday (May 17) to Friday (May 21).

Interested parties can email: www. eastsussexlieutenancy@brightonhove.gov.uk

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Time to visit Cranbrook The Times is supporting Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in their campaign to spotlight local high streets.

This weekend, ‘Say Hi! to your High Street’ comes to Cranbrook.

Known as the ‘Capital of the Weald’, Cranbrook is the ideal destination for exploring British heritage and rolling countryside views.

Mill With its famous Union Mill – one of the UK’s tallest, working smock mills – visitors can plan a sightseeing trip through Cranbrook’s medieval streets, exploring the area’s cloth-weaving heritage in Cranbrook Museum and the prototype clock for Big Ben in St Dunstan’s, known as the ‘Cathedral of the Weald’, or venture further into the Weald HIVE OF for an invigorating walk.

ACTIVITY Curious shoppers can Emma further explore over 60 Smith independent shops for gifts, jewellery, kitchenware, home boutiques and vintage designer clothing, including renowned Bell House Fabrics, independent cook shop County Cookshops and Bentleys Antiques & Fine Art Auctioneers – where

you might even spot TV presenter and its co-founder Raj Bisram.

After being closed for more than a year, Cranbrook Museum is reopening today [Wednesday, May 19]. Opening times are Wed & Sat afternoons only, 2-4.30pm, from May 19 until June 21.

The traders of Cranbrook are also looking forward to saying ‘Hi!’ to you, this weekend. Here are a few who are keen on welcoming you to their town.

Among them is Emma Smith, who set up The Hive, an open hub for anyone to work, collaborate and socialise.

She said: “The Hive is an environment that stimulates enterprise, allows local businesspeople to take a break from home-working and a place to interact with like-minded individuals.”

A celebration of

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10

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

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Early morning start for fitness fans as indoor exercise returns

By Millie Sanderson

JUMP FOR JOY Fusion Lifestyle reopened with a special 5:45am class

TO MARK the return of indoor group exercise, Tunbridge Wells Sport Centre opened at 5:45am on Monday with a special keep fit class.

The class from the retired New Zealand Olympian Les Mills’ ‘Bodyattack’ programme kicked off the post-Covid schedule for Fusion Lifestyle, which runs the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, Putlands Sports & Leisure Centre and The Weald Sports Centre for the Council.

The move of classes indoors is the latest change in lockdown exercise restrictions since group outdoor exercise was authorised on March 8.

KEEP PUSHING ON David Butterworth pictured in 2017

Enjoy a leisurely cycle ride to raise money for charity

Choice Anthony Cawley, Director of Operations at Fusion said, “It’s a really positive step to be able to restart indoor group exercise classes. We know how popular group exercise is and we’re excited to offer this one-off early class to celebrate the full return of our classes.

“Our instructors can’t wait to get back to offering the full timetable of classes.

We are really pleased that we will be able to continue to offer some outdoor classes too, making sure we’re giving our members as much choice as possible.”

Councillor Jane March, the Head of Culture, Leisure and Economic Development of Tunbridge Wells

Borough Council said: “Bringing indoor group exercise back is a really positive step for the leisure industry and for the wellbeing of our local community and we’re looking forward to hearing music pumping from centres again as indoor fitness studios burst back to life. We are delighted that we can play our part in supporting health and fitness in our area.”

In England before Covid restrictions came into place, 4.86 million people took part in group exercise each week as a way to keep fit, boost their mental health and to socialise.

Classes including the rest of the Les Mills programmes, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, indoor cycle and many others.

Fusion Lifestyle and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils’ sports and leisure centres are continuing to operate in line with government safety guidelines and those planning to visit are book and pay online and will allow the track and trace process to be implemented.

People joining the gym classes are asked to arrive ready to work out and swimmers are asked to wear their swimming gear under their clothes.

The gyms are also subject to meticulous cleaning regimes to ensure Covid safety and customer confidence in the facilities.

For opening hours and bookings, visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com

CYCLISTS looking for their next challenge are invited to take part in a three-day ride past stately historic landmarks in the Kent and Sussex countryside in aid of a hospice charity.

The ‘Stately Cycle Ride’ will take place from July 9 to July 11 and the route will run from Otford in Kent to Arundel in West Sussex.

It will raise funds for Hospices of Hope, the Otford based charity which offers hospice care, home visits and other medical services to those who are terminally ill in Romania, Serbia, Moldova and Albania.

The challenge will be led by experienced cyclist, David Butterworth for a three-day trip and will cover 100 miles at a leisurely place.

Anna Perolls, Managing Director at Hospices of Hope, said: “We are very excited that we will be holding such a fantastic, fun event to help us fund our vital work for sick children and

‘AuSome’ art competition judges have been ‘blown away’ by submissions

By Lottie Bulmer THE judges of a local charity’s art competition to celebrate World Autism Awareness Week have spoken of the ‘agonising job’ to pick a winner.

The contest, ‘My AuSome Art’ was held by Aspens, which is based in Tunbridge Wells and supports people with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs.

The entries were judged by Aspens’ Chair of Trustees Gill Marcus and Trustee Peter Green. Gill Marcus shared her struggle to choose winners.

She said: “I was blown away by the quality of all the art works - from traditional drawing and painting through to pieces of performance art, songwriting and model painting.

“It was an agonising job trying to

GLAM ROCK: Isabella Willett’s David Bowie inspired makeup piece

Shocked Hospices of Hope is celebrating its 30th anniversary next year and was founded by Graham Perolls CMG OBE after visiting a cancer ward in Brasov, Romania and was shocked by the low standard of care that he saw there.

Hospices of Hope has now established two purpose built hospices in Romania and has four palliative care training centres that have trained more than 20,000 health care professionals from Central and Eastern Europe.

For more information and to speak to the events team call 01959 525110 or email events@hospicesofhope.co.uk if it’s any less than our goal and we’ve raised more, the money will go on good causes for veterans.”

He added that land had been secured for the project: “The land has been donated by Adam and we are now planning to build a training and reactive walk-in centre which is somewhere veterans can come and relax and talk to like-minded people who have been through the same thing, while getting support for their mental health, housing, and food.

“According to the charity Veterans Against Suicide, this year there have

pick winners in each age category because every piece was a winner in its own right and I’m delighted that we have been able to recognise every single entrant in some way.

Winners included Miranda Davis, 43 and Robert Brannen, 22 in the over 18 category, Isabella Willet, 16 who received highly commended in the 12-18 years category and Hannah Cross, 11 who received highly commended in the 5–11 years category.

“It only takes one person to save a life” MILITARY MEN Adam Francis and Twiggy Roberts with one of their project vehicles

Passion Isabella Willett, the highly commended winner from East Grinstead explained her art piece. She said: “Makeup has been my passion since I was 11 years old and this look is one of my favourites I have ever done. It is inspired by David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust. I wanted to pay tribute to him as an artist as he was a role model to many, including me, and preached about celebrating each other’s differences and being true to who you are.”

Being creative has been a lifeline for many of the people Aspens supports, particularly following a recent report by the National Autistic Society which found that 9 in 10 autistic people worried about their mental health during lockdown and 85% said their anxiety levels got worse.

For further information and to support Aspens, visit www.aspens.org.uk

adults across the region. Money raised from the event will enable families with a seriously ill family member to make the most of the precious time they have together.

Donations needed for new veteran support hub A PAIR of Kent war veterans are calling for donations to build a support hub for ex-service people across Kent and East Sussex who need help returning to civilian life.

Twiggy Roberts and Adam Francis both served in the Afghanistan from which Twiggy developed PTSD from and Adam became a double amputee.

They now run a garage repairing and restoring specialist vehicles and are embarking on a new mission to build a centre in their home town of Headcorn which will aid veterans in the return back into civilian life, training them with skills and qualifications, as well as offering mental health and housing support.

Twiggy told the Times about how the idea for the hub came to be. He said: “We were approached by a charity called Veterans of War who asked us if we could take on veterans at the garage to train them up as mechanics in a type of apprenticeship scheme.

Donated “At the time we just didn’t have the space, so we had to turn them down.

“Then, Veteran Lifeline which is another charity then approached us with a similar idea and we saw how needed it was.

“We’re trying to raise £350,000. We don’t know if it’s the right amount, but

been 26 veterans who have taken their own life – and they’re only the ones we know about.

“We want to build a space that if someone is struggling, they can walk in and get help straight away – it only takes one person to save a life.

“We have partnered with The Bridge, a charity who provides specialist psychotherapeutic services to those who have served in the armed forces, their family and dependents.

“A large percentage of homeless people are also veterans, which is why we’re offering housing support through a partnership with Help the Wounded, a charity who help with accommodation for veterans.

“Currently, we have 27 people who come and visit us, and we know that there will be so many more when we can go public with the hub.”

To donate, visit Crowdfunder.co.uk, click ‘explore’ and search ‘Kent Veteran’s Garage & Support Hub’.

12

NEWS

National News

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

No evidence Indian variant will lead to a deviation from the road map says PM THERE is no ‘conclusive’ evidence to deviate from the road map out of lockdown despite concerns over the Indian coronavirus variant, Boris Johnson said.

The Prime Minister has previously warned the rise in cases of the highly transmissible variant of concern could risk the next stage of England’s road map out of lockdown, currently pencilled in for June 21, being delayed.

If outbreaks are limited, ministers could opt instead to push ahead with the reopening while keeping some areas under restrictions in an echo of the controversial tiers system introduced in 2020.

The Prime Minister said the “wall of defences” built up by the vaccination programme meant “I don’t see anything conclusive at the moment to say that we need to deviate from the road map”.

But, he added: “We’ve got to be cautious and we are keeping everything under very close observation.

QUEUES People in Bolton yesterday as the town ramps up its vaccination programme

Vaccine “We’ll know a lot more in a few days’ time.”

Mr Johnson said data from hotspots including Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford and Sefton were being examined to find out more about the impact of the variant.

Asked whether local lockdowns could be used, Mr Johnson said: “We’ve just got to be cautious about the way we approach it and we will be letting people know as much as we can, as soon as we can.

“But at the moment we don’t see anything conclusive that makes us think we have to deviate from the road map.”

Earlier, Cabinet minister George Eustice had said local lockdowns “would be an option and we cannot rule anything out”.

Environment Secretary Mr Eustice told Sky

NO U-TURN The PM at a testing centre in Islington yesterday [Tuesday]

News efforts were being stepped up to increase vaccine uptake, particularly among minority groups.

He said that in “pockets where uptake is low” efforts were being made with “community leaders, faith leaders in some of those BAME (black and minority ethnic) communities to really encourage people to come forward and have the vaccine”.

On LBC Radio he suggested that younger people needed to also show enthusiasm for the jabs.

“We just need all those other, younger cohorts to also embrace the vaccine,” he said.

The possible return of tiered restrictions would be

fiercely resisted, particularly in areas of north-west England which have endured longer lockdowns than most other parts of the country.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the focus should instead be on accelerating the vaccine programme in hotspots.

He said: “Last year, tiers did not work – they did not stop the spread of the virus.

“It would be hard for me to put out a message of caution in Greater Manchester when nationally the messaging is very different, that the road map is proceeding.”

Unemployment falls as firms look to new hires BRITAIN’S jobless rate has fallen further and payroll numbers surged higher as employers began hiring again thanks to the easing of lockdown measures, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) cheered “early signs of recovery” in the jobs market as the rate of unemployment fell once more, to 4.8% in January to March – the largest quarterly decrease since September to November 2015, and down from 4.9% in December to February.

More real-time figures showed UK workers on payrolls surged for the fifth month in a row in April as Britain’s economy began to spring back to life thanks to easing lockdown restrictions.

The ONS said the number of payroll workers rose by 97,000 between March and April, while it added that job vacancies also continued to increase as shops and outdoor dining reopened last month.

Pandemic The latest figures show that vacancies hit the highest level since before the pandemic struck, at 657,000 between February and April.

Estimates showed vacancies recovering close to pre-pandemic levels in early April as firms began rehiring ahead of an expected surge in pent-up consumer demand, the ONS said.

The fall in the unemployment rate came despite the country being in tight lockdown in the first three months of 2021, with the ONS saying many unemployed were no longer looking for work.

But the data also showed the toll taken by the crisis on the jobs market, with 772,000 fewer UK workers on payrolls than before the pandemic struck last spring.

Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: “The number of employees on payroll rose strongly in April as the economy began to reopen, continuing the improvement from its November trough.

“There remains, however, three quarters of a million people fewer on the payroll compared with the pre-pandemic peak.”

There were 1.6 million Britons unemployed in January to March, down 121,000 on the previous three months, according to the ONS. And there were 32.5 million in employment, up 84,000 on the previous three months in a sign of resilience in the face of lockdown.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Protecting and creating jobs continues to be my top priority.

“While sadly not every job can be saved, nearly two million fewer people are now expected to be out of work than initially expected – showing our Plan for Jobs is working.”

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Police admit West was suspect in girl’s disappearance as they excavate cafe SERIAL KILLER Fred West would be interviewed by police investigating the disappearance of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in 1968 if he was still alive, a senior detective has said.

Police are due to begin excavating the cellar of a cafe in Gloucester after finding “possible evidence” suggesting the body Mary Bastholm might be buried there.

Forensic archaeologists have been undertaking exploratory work at the Clean Plate cafe in Southgate Street in connection with the disappearance of the teenager who was last seen alive in January 1968.

Gloucestershire Police had received possible evidence from a TV production company to suggest the body of the missing girl could be buried at the location.

One of the findings presented to police was a photo taken by the production company of what appeared to be blue material buried in one area of the cellar. Mary was wearing a blue coat when she went missing.

Forensic archaeologists have confirmed that there are a number of structural anomalies within the cellar that warrant further exploration.

Detective Chief Inspector John Turner, who is leading the investigation, said West was a regular at the cafe – then called the Pop-In – and knew Mary as she worked there as a waitress.

Forensic “Fred West was always indicated as being involved in Mary’s disappearance and possibly her death,” Mr Turner said.

“We will be searching the basement to find out what, if anything, is there. If anything is found we will carry out a forensic review and we will look to seek people within the investigation that we need to

interview.

“If Fred were alive, undoubtedly he would be interviewed around the disappearance of Mary.”

On Tuesday, police were seen carrying objects including a number of wooden doors out of the cafe.

The force has confirmed that excavation work will not begin until at least Wednesday.

Serial killer West, who died in prison in 1995 aged 53, was previously suspected over Mary’s disappearance.

Along with his wife Rose, West tortured, raped and murdered an unknown number of women over a 20-year period. He eventually killed himself in prison.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Investigation after officer’s Palestine chant

Trial date for Half a million nurse accused payout for bang of killing babies on the head

A METROPOLITAN Police officer is being investigated by a professional standards team after being filmed chanting “Free Palestine” during a demonstration.

Clips of the female officer were posted on Twitter, with users questioning whether she should have been expressing political views while on duty.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said that the force’s internal Directorate of Professional Standards is investigating what happened.

They said: “We are aware of a video that has been posted on social media which shows an officer joining in with chanting while on duty at a demonstration.

“While officers are encouraged to positively engage with those attending demonstrations, they know they are not to actively participate or adopt political positions. This is vital to ensuring the public have confidence in our officers.

“The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and are investigating the full circumstances of this incident and to determine what further action is appropriate.”

A TRIAL date has been set next year for a nurse accused of the murder of eight babies in an alleged year-long killing spree on a hospital neonatal unit.

Lucy Letby, 31, will go on trial on July 4 2022, after Mr Justice Dove set the date at a case management hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

The estimated length of the trial, to be held at Manchester Crown Court, is six months.

Letby appeared by videolink from HMP Peterborough and spoke only to confirm she could hear proceedings from Liverpool during the hearing.

Letby is alleged to have murdered five baby boys and three baby girls while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

She is also accused of the attempted murder of five baby boys and five baby girls, all between June 2015 and June 2016.

Letby, of Arran Avenue, Hereford, was arrested in 2018 and 2019 as part of the police investigation at the hospital, which began in 2017.

A further pre-trial hearing will be held in October.

The defendant remains in custody.

A FORMER IT boss has been awarded more than £500,000 in damages after banging his head on a doorframe while at work.

Stephen Long, 48, from Norwich, sued his ex-employers Elegant Resorts Ltd after sustaining what he described as a “traumatic brain injury” while on site at the company offices at Old Palace in Chester in March 2015.

Mr Long said he went to help a colleague lift a large and awkward item when he struck his head against a dome-shaped doorframe in the cellar.

He continued working but said he felt unusually sleepy in the following days, and was later admitted to hospital.

Mr Long attempted to return to work in April 2015 but only lasted a few hours and was subsequently told he was to be made redundant from his £50,000-a-year job the following month.

His Honour Judge Pearce, said he was satisfied that Mr Long suffered significant injuries, and that he had not been guilty of dishonesty.

He awarded Mr Long total damages of £509,957, including £298,379 for future loss of earnings.

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In the UK people over the age of 65 now have a 1 in 14 chance of developing it and for those over 80, it is 1 in 6. In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 3 people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime.

Becoming mentally unwell and unable to make decisions is hugely emotional and stressful for the person concerned and those around them. It also places the practical and legal considerations front and foremost: who takes care of this person’s affairs now that he or she cannot?

The answer depends on whether the person has put in place a Lasting Power of Attorney – a legal document specifying who should make important decisions on their behalf.

Without this, an application to become deputy would need to be made to a specialist court – the Court of Protection.

The Court of Protection then decide as to whether the person making the application for deputyship is suitable to take over the management of the person in questions affairs. The process of becoming deputy is timely and costly.

Too few people consider Lasting Powers of Attorney. When life is good and there is

no reason to believe that mental illness is on the cards, it is easy to side-line things that do not seem relevant or necessary at the time. But that is the point. A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be made while a person is considered mentally capable. Once capacity is lost, it is too late.

WHAT IS A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA)?

There are two types of lasting powers of attorney that can be made: 1. LPA for Property and Finances 2. LPA for Health and Welfare They each put in place mechanisms for having important decisions made in the event of incapacity. Remember that the legal right to deal with another person’s property and finances and/or health and welfare does not arise automatically. Access to bank accounts, for example, will not be granted without legal authority even if the account holder has become mentally incapacitated.

Where an LPA has been made, the ‘attorney’ takes over the decision-making and the more general handling of affairs. The same principal applies for the Health and Welfare LPA. An LPA is made with the possibility of future mental incapacity in mind. Having said this an LPA can be used even when the person still has mental capacity but just requires an extra helping hand, but in all instances an LPA provides peace of mind.

An attorney can be given responsibility for

decisions about the person’s property and finances (whether to sell their house, for example), or their health and welfare (such as medical treatment). It is common for more than one attorney to be appointed, so it is important they can work together with the shared aim of making the best possible decisions in the circumstances.

It is also important to choose attorneys whose values and judgement you trust.

They do not necessarily have to be experts in the task they could be given (you do not

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA)

need to have an accountant for the finances, and a doctor for the medical side of things) but it really helps to have people who will work diligently and sensibly in their role. In fact, most people choose a close friend or family member because of the close connection and level of trust that that generates.

Despite their many benefits, LPAs remain underused. At Thomas Mansfield we want this to change. We see every day the difficulties that can be caused when mental illness or mental incapacity caused by the dementia or an accident takes hold of people and families. So our advice is always to plan ahead. Put in place the things that could help you and those you love. The relatively straightforward step of making an LPA could be the best thing you do today.

16

NEWS

Education News

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

EDUCATION Times “Our deaf pupils have risen to the challenges the pandemic has thrown at them and we celebrate with them every day” St Gregory’s Catholic School recently celebrated Deaf Awareness Week (May 3-9). Here Gary Callahan-Ferris, a qualified British Sign Language interpreter and leader of the school’s Deaf Resource Base talks to the Times about how students with hearing loss across the school are supported to achieve their potential...

MY JOB is to provide specialist support to seven profoundly Deaf students as well as several other students in the school with mild to moderate hearing loss. It’s quite staggering how many young people are affected by some sort of hearing loss and that can pose quite a problem for their learning and social development. We use a ‘total communication’ approach, using speech, sign language and lip reading and provide specialist in-classroom support for those students who need it.

“We use a ‘total communication’ approach, using speech, sign language and lip reading and provide specialist in-classroom support for those students who need it” It is essential for us to be inclusive throughout the school and so we encourage all staff and students at St Gregory’s to learn at least a few basics of sign language. We now have nine staff members who have a BSL qualification and all staff in the school have had Deaf awareness training. Last Christmas the whole of Year 7 learned to sign and sing ‘Little Donkey’ and over the next few weeks I will be delivering Deaf awareness training for all Year 7 students.

Support To celebrate Deaf Awareness Week, students across the school have been revisiting signing and fingerspelling and there has been some new and exciting information on display for all. We also looked at what lockdown was like for our Deaf students and here’s what they told us: Ben, 17, who is studying A Levels and worked remotely during the lockdown found it difficult

TOTAL COMMUNICATION St Gregory’s students have adpted to the challenges the pandemic has brought

not being with people. He said life was simpler with not having to communicate so much but then the communication by video was not ideal as speech was unclear. Asked what he’d like people to be more aware of, Ben said, “Don’t be afraid of talking with someone who is Deaf, don’t avoid me.” He also wants people to understand that whilst being Deaf can be a limiting factor, it doesn’t mean a Deaf person is not intelligent and very capable of achieving good exam results and going on to being highly successful.

Positive

DID YOU KNOW?

Completing her GCSEs this summer, Mollie aged 15, found lockdown difficult with not being able to see her friends. She said going back to school was quite scary, particularly because her friends wore masks and it was difficult to talk with them.

Asked what she would like others to be more aware of, Mollie said people assume every Deaf person can’t hear but she can hear people and can speak well – so she wants people to assume Deaf people can hear and can talk and therefore can join in with what’s going on.

Mason, 15, enjoyed the quietness at home which helped him focus on his learning, although it was sometimes boring and he missed his friends and wider family. He enjoyed going into school and getting support from the specialist staff who he said made learning fun.

Bailey, 13, also enjoyed being at school in lockdown, especially playing table tennis, the free lunches and the support he got from staff to help him focus on his learning.

Amongst the Deaf students there was a resounding dislike of face masks. Lillyellen, 14, said, “I don’t understand what they’re saying and I don’t like it because I can’t see the lips and it’s weird because I don’t understand what

n Hearing loss and deafness is defined as a hidden disability n The national hearing loss charity RNID states that one in five adults in the UK is deaf or has hearing loss with 12 million people in the UK who face communication challenges that can lead to frustration and loneliness n As well as British Sign Language (BSL), there are international sign languages including American Sign Language and French Sign Language. Within the UK, there are regional variations of BSL just like there are with spoken language. n Lip-reading helps deaf people to understand what others are saying, but even the best lip-readers still miss up to 40% of what has been said. n The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists highlighted that the rise in the use of face masks due to the Covid-19 pandemic makes it harder for people with hearing loss to communicate. Face coverings with a transparent panel over the mouth have now been created so that people can still lip-read.

For further information visit www.rnid.org.uk

people in shops are saying.” The students much prefer it when people don’t wear a mask at all so are very much looking forward to a time when we don’t have to wear them!

“Students much prefer it when people don’t wear a mask at all so are very much looking forward to not wearing them!”

The Deaf pupils and Deaf staff have had to adjust to everyone wearing face masks. This is very isolating for them as they rely heavily on being able to lip read. On a positive though, they are all rising to the challenges the pandemic has thrown at them - along with the wider school - and we are very proud of each of them and we do attempt to celebrate their achievements with them each day.

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GREG CLARK MP ADVICE SURGERIES

If you have an individual problem which you think I can help with or you would like to have a chat about a more general issue, please do get in touch.

I am holding regular advice surgeries – by zoom or telephone. To make an appointment, please call:

01892 519854 or email:

greg.clark.mp @parliament.uk

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

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Letters

NEWS

17

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 Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG

Political stalemate is bad for Tunbridge Wells

elected officials should wish to behave in such a petulant way.

Such belligerent self-interest is not only corrosive but will lead to inevitable paralysis causing great & lasting harm to our fine Town.

That said the Conservatives have only themselves to blame. Their abject failure to unite on significant and innovative policies such as the Calverley Square Civic Centre illustrates fundamental flaws in their administration.

Might I suggest that any of the elected councillors not prepared to put aside their personal politics for the good of Tunbridge Wells and its residents, resign in favour of those that are willing to work in a collaborative manner for the long-term health & wellbeing of the whole community they collectively represent.

The good people of Tunbridge Wells deserve better.

Mark Casady Tunbridge Wells

Put the needs of Borough first

BID CHIEF Ross Feeney WHILST remaining apolitical, our remit at Tunbridge Wells Together is to advocate on behalf of the business community in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Therefore, I read with disappointment, last week, the headline that our opposition parties will not work collaboratively with the Conservative group on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Following an incredibly challenging Covid-dominated twelve months, our business community needs, and deserves, clear and decisive leadership to help rebuild our local

You are all to blame for the Council stalemate including this newspaper Great headline ‘Council Leader not to blame’.

Truth is that everyone is to blame.

The Council Leader and the rest of the local Tories are to blame for their dire government of the Borough, presiding for 20 years over its steady decline.

The opposition parties are to blame for failing to get their act together and win more seats. Only in two wards did the Tories win with a majority of the votes cast, and in three wards if the third placed opposition party’s votes had gone to the second placed, three more Tories would not have been elected.

The voters of Tunbridge Wells are also to blame. Only 43 per cent bothered to vote and of those, many voted in line with national political allegiances and without sufficient thought to the tactical voting necessary to oust this disastrous Tory administration.

The Times of Tunbridge Wells is also to blame for its uncritical reporting bias in favour of the Tories and its childish marginalisation of Tunbridge Wells Alliance.

Having lost 19 seats since 2017, the Tories have now lost control of the Council, holding exactly half the seats.

They may try to keep themselves in power by using the current Mayor’s casting vote to appoint a new Tory mayor, who will then use his or her casting vote as necessary. This will be a fragile arrangement as it will require all councillors to show up at every meeting – that would be a first!

economy.

I have written to all the political group leaders to emphasise that now is not the time to be point-scoring.

I urge all parties on the Council to sit down and sensibly agree a process for working together to ensure the Council is not blighted by deadlock and can continue to operate effectively for the benefit of businesses and local residents.

Ross Feeney, Tunbridge Wells Together Chief Executive A stalemate is better than continued Tory control, but what this borough really needs is new blood, new ideas, new energy. Might this be resolved, one way or another, by an early by-election?

Robert Chris Tunbridge Wells Editor’s Note: Robert Chris was the chair of the Alliance Party and one of its founders. He led the fight against the Calverley Square theatre complex that was scrapped at a cost to local residents [taxpayers] of £12million.He lives on the edge of the planned site.

The Alliance and its supporters launched aggressive social media attacks on any individual or councillor who did not share their views. It was this action and the ongoing failure of the Alliance to try and curb or even condemn such attacks that led to it being marginalised as a serious political entity.

Robert Chris has also seen his neighbours vote against the Alliance councillor for the ward which went to the Tories at this month’s elections.

The Alliance now has the opportunity to demonstrate that as a party it has evolved and matured and fully deserves a seat at the table. It is not known what role, if any, Robert Chris now has with the Alliance.

It would be so good if the elected Cllrs could put national party politics aside and put the needs of the borough electorate to the fore.

While many of us do ‘love where we live’ in recent years it seems that elected Cllrs have followed their own personal agendas rather than represent those that put them in power.

Come on Cllrs why can’t you put your heads together and finally do what’s right for the borough...it really isn’t flourishing despite the posters!

Suzanne Callander Pembury

Election a great escape for PM In my experience, few people rejoice when the bad guy wins. Yet despite the mismanagement of Covid, leading to thousands of avoidable deaths, the mismanagement of PPE, cronyism and ‘wallpapergate’, Boris and the Tories have reaped unjust rewards during the recent elections. It is clear that a vaccine bounce has distorted memories and produced another

Thank you Times

Thank you very much from everyone at West Kent Radio to all for the article in May 12 Times of Tunbridge Wells – much appreciated!

West Kent Radio Tunbridge Wells

Brexit to blame for staff shortages In your front page article of May 5, you described the staff shortages at our pubs and restaurants and the fears of their desperate owners that, having survived the pandemic, they may go under now unless the staffing situation improves.

The number of staff vacancies advertised in the town centre fully corroborates this.

You referred in particular to those who have returned to Europe. Some, no doubt, were sped on their way by charming Brexiteers asking them why they had not already left Britain.

They will not be in a hurry to return. If they do so, they are liable to be subjected to abusive treatment on arrival, where some have been detained and summarily deported despite rules allowing non-Visa holders to attend job interviews.

This is clear indication that the Government Is pursuing a repulsive anti-European immigration policy, to the detriment of the pressing needs of our hospitality industry.

This cannot be allowed to continue if we want friendly relations with our European neighbours.

It is particularly so for those of us who intend to holiday in Europe again when conditions permit, and hope to receive a warm welcome. I hope others will join me in raising this with our MPs. Adrian Ekins-Daukes Tunbridge Wells

‘Staff shortages mean some pubs and restaurants may not reopen’

PEPPY SAYS...

Cllrs should not be petulant With reference to your headline ‘Opposition refuses to work with Tories’ [May 12].

Whilst not surprised given the individuals concerned, I am nevertheless despondent that

‘greatest escape’ for our Prime Minister and Labour has suffered a Corbyn legacy. However, the fractures in this ‘United’ Kingdom continue to grow!

Martin Dawes Tunbridge Wells

Follow Peppry on Twitter @Peppyscott

18

NEWS

Recruitment

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Recruit

with the Times...

Largest circulated newspaper in the area Out every Wednesday Total weekly reach 57,000+

Times of Tunbridge Wells 01892 779 580 or email advertising@onemediauk.co.uk

LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

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SATURDAY OFFICE PERSON We are looking for a Saturday Office Person to work in Residential Sales. Experience of working in estate agents would be preferable, but not essential. Local knowledge would be important as well as a full clean driving licence. The ideal candidate will be well- presented, have a good telephone manner and be able to provide excellent customer service.

The successful candidate will be required to meet and greet customers, register applicants, arrange viewings, book market appraisals along with general office duties.

The person will also need to be available during the week to go on Previews.

If you are interested and would like to apply please drop in your C.V. or email it to ssiddall@savills.com CLOSING DATE: Saturday, 22nd May 2021

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ts, ubs, restauran p s, fe ca s, p o The sh and llbeing venues health and we the nesses across other local busi pen ge Wells are o d ri b n Tu f o h g borou to they’d love you d n a – in a g a once ‘Hi!’. come and say k, ts of Cranbroo The high stree nd uthborough a Hawkhurst, So ing ve got someth a h d o o W ck o Padd for everybody.

for a oking for a gift You might be lo a treat ert DIY advice, loved one, exp orts by, specialist sp for your fur ba n hool uniform, a equipment, sc ome or righten your h accessory to b e end t to celebrate th just a new outfi of lockdown. with nt to catch up Or you may wa um out coffee, take m friends over a do ething new to m so d n fi r o for lunch

with the kids. ackdrop of the And with the b igh eald, all four h W sh ti n e K s u o glori nd ificent views a n g a m ve a h ts stree ps. on their doorste glorious walks drking and covi a p f o ty n le p h Wit , res, Cranbrook secure measu d uthborough an Hawkhurst, So say d are ready to Paddock Woo et oYourHighStre iT H y a S # . u yo ‘Hi!’ to

20

NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats Each week we invite a representative from one of the major political parties to share their views and thoughts. This week, it is the turn of the official opposition at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council who introduce their new councillors

Our new candidates stood on a platform of fresh ideas community both within the church and Capel Cricket Club.

Hugh was first elected to Capel Parish Council in 2000 and has been Chairman of CPC since 2018. He helped set up the parish council working party that led to the Save Capel organisation, and represents the parish council in its executive.

Hugh has twice been the Borough Councillor for Capel between 2000 and 2008 and 2012 to 2016.

THE people of Tunbridge Wells delivered us a clear message in the borough elections at the start of May; they want change.

The Conservatives lost control of the borough council for the first time in over 20 years. The Lib Dems stand as the largest opposition, with over a quarter of all councillors.

We stood on a platform of fresh ideas, getting the basics right and engaging properly with residents, gaining four seats and defending three. So who are the four new faces who will be representing you in the council chamber?

Chris Hall (Broadwater) Chris has lived in Tunbridge Wells for the last twenty years and been a resident in Broadwater for the last five, moving to Ramslye in 2016.

He works locally at AXA Health as a Senior Sales Manager. He is also a trustee for the Number One Community Trust in Showfields where he has been helping the Trust to support social, educational, health and wellbeing facilities since 2017.

Chris is committed to preserving our community centres and building decent homes that people can afford.

Wendy Fitzsimmons (Pantiles & St Marks) Wendy stood for election because she believes our area needs councillors who will put the interests of our community before party politics.

A retired barrister with two grown up children, she lives in the Warwick Park area and has lived in Tunbridge Wells for the past 35 years.

She is an active community campaigner and has served on committees such as the campaign against the development of Broadwater Forest as a rubbish dump.

Hugh Patterson (Capel) Hugh Patterson has lived with his wife Sandra and family in Five Oak Green since 1998.

Hugh is active in the

Rob Wormington (St James’) Rob lives in St James’ with his wife. Like many people, he moved from London after spending time here and feeling a real connection with the town and the community.

He loves spending his weekends trying the many different cafes and shops the town has to offer, as well as walking through the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Rob works with volunteers in the charity sector, currently with an armed forces charity.

He is passionate about addressing the climate emergency we face, fixing the housing crisis and supporting and celebrating local businesses.

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Homes & Interiors

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Interiors

Do your homework How to create the perfect office space in your home Page 24

Royal approval

21

Monarch confirms new leasehold legislation

Page 22

Homes & Interiors

Property Focus NEW S

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Government grants and furlough are waving ‘red flag’ to lenders SELF-EMPLOYED people who have used government grants or who furloughed employees ‘signal a red flag’ to mortgage lenders.

Some banks are not accepting applications from anyone who received a grant under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme after July 2020 as it suggests that a business is ‘in trouble’ financially.

Many banks have changed the way that they process loan applications from self-employed people by automatically referring their applications to a manual underwriting scheme.

HELP Mortgages are being refused to people taking Covid grants

Employees This is different to the process which banks would use with employed borrowers, where an algorithm would review whether the borrower can repay the mortgage.

Matt Coulson of Heron Financial, a mortgage broker, told national newspapers how lenders were establishing who is eligible for a mortgage.

He said: “Mortgage providers have introduced questions around government support schemes, local authority grants, and whether employees have been furloughed. Answering yes to any of these questions is taken by the lender to mean

that a business is ‘in trouble’ and the application may not proceed.

“Some businesses had no choice but to cease trading during lockdown. But from a lender’s perspective, ticking yes to receiving some of this government support categorises you as someone potentially in trouble.”

Jane King, Mortgage and Equity Release Advisor at Ash-Ridge, said lenders were specifically avoiding certain industries which have struggled during the

pandemic including hospitality and retail.

She said: “As it is very difficult to predict future income based on the last year, the self-employed are not really being encouraged to apply, unless they are high earners or professionals such as teachers or doctors.

“Lenders are being much more forensic with the self-employed, and so it is proving more difficult to get applications accepted.”

The financial challenges facing

self-employed are here to stay, according to Paul Cobb from The Mortgage Hub. He said: “Most lenders use average earnings from the latest two years of accounts or tax returns. The impact of the pandemic on tax year 2020/21 could be a one-off for some, otherwise successful, businesses.

“But with current assessment methods, this would still hamper self-employed mortgage applications until 2023 unless lenders adopt an alternative approach.”

Queen’s Speech gives confirmation that leaseholders have been hoping for THE Queen’s Speech to Parliament gave welcome news which could help many more people to own their own homes.

The monarch confirmed the introduction of leasehold reform as announced by Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Robert Jenrick in January which stated that all new leaseholds – including retirement properties – would not be subject to ground rents and there will be a statutory entitlement to a 990-year extension for zero ground rent for existing leaseholders.

Trapping Ground rents are annual payments made to the freeholder of the land which originally were so low they were referred to as ‘peppercorn’ rates and sometimes were not even collected.

However, in recent years, the rates have risen dramatically, trapping residents in houses which they cannot sell.

In her speech, the Queen said: “My Government will help more people to own

their own home whilst enhancing the rights of those who rent.

“Laws to modernise the planning system, so that more homes can be built, will be brought forward, along with measures to

end the practice of ground rents for new leasehold properties.”

Beth Rudolf, Director of Delivery at The Conveyancing Association welcomed the news.

She said: “Such practices as doubling of ground rents every 10 years and other onerous leasehold terms which put leaseholders under considerable financial pressure and have effectively acted as a huge drag on the ability of existing leaseholders to sell and mortgage their homes, should now be outlawed.

“This will undoubtedly make the existing leasehold property market far more open and transparent and will get rid of the temptation to create a financial asset out of the freehold of people’s homes and all the bad behaviour that comes with that when they are acquired by flagrantly commercial organisations looking to make a fast buck.

UK’s property prices peak again THE rapidly climbing UK house prices are showing no signs of slowing down.

According to the property website Rightmove, the average asking price for a property is £333,564 – an increase of 1.8 per cent or £5,767 over the past month.

In the Tunbridge Wells postcode of TN1, the average house price now stands at £515,935 over the past year, which is an 18 per cent increase on the previous year and a 26 per cent increase on the 2018 peak of £408,352 – although online estimates can fluctuate dramatically week by week.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of property data said: “Last year’s unexpected mini-boom is rolling on into 2021, with new price and market activity records again defying many predictions.

“Buyer affordability is increasingly

stretched, but there’s obviously some elasticity left to stretch a bit more as many buyers are squeezing their way into higher price bands.

“This high demand, with both willingness and ability to pay more, has pushed the average price of property coming to market to a new all-time high of a third of a million pounds.

Gold dust “In another twist, it is the regions of Britain further north that are leading the way, with some degree of catching up between average prices in London and the north.

“While the gap remains very large, with average prices in London still 2.9 times higher than those in the north, this ratio

is now at its smallest since 2013.

“The pandemic has given a greater focus on the home, and in 2020 we saw a surge in southern coastal and rural areas. So far 2021 is proving to be the year of the northern mover, not only satisfying their pent-up housing needs, but in doing so also narrowing some of the huge price gap with London.”

He added the largest increases were in three bedroom houses.

“Family homes with three bedrooms or more are like gold dust in many areas of the country, especially in parts of the north,” he said.

House prices have fluctuated throughout the pandemic. According to reports, the number of prospective buyers in 2020 was the highest it has been since 2010 up by 55 per cent.

ON THE RISE: House prices continue to rocket as demand outstrips supply

24

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

11

11 ways

to upgrade your working from home area so it’s truly inspiring

MAKE YOUR SPACE WORK Your home office should be comfortable and practical

If your home office space has been a bit makeshift up until now, it’s time for a revamp, says Sam Wylie-Harris

H

ANDS UP if your home office space is not making your working life easy. With kitchen tables doubling as desks and bedroom side tables spilling over with gadgetry, working from home through the pandemic has often been a bit makeshift and uncomfortable.

But for many of us, home working – either some or all of the time – looks set to become a long-term feature of our lives.

So now seems a good time to take a hard look at your desk set up, and work out what changes could make you a happier, more motivated and more productive home worker.

To help you get one step closer to achieving your home office goals, we’ve picked some inspiring products and the workspace stylists at Made.com – who have recently launched a dedicated styling service – have given their tips on how to upgrade a WFH set up.

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LET’S GET TO WORK… 1. Trestle Dark Oak Desk, £259, Logan Dark Grey Faux Leather Office Chair, £149, both Danetti

Contemporary and comfortable, your fluffy slippers will sit neatly under this trestle desk which offers plenty of leg room. Plus there’s a handy drawer to help you tidy things away at the end of the working day.

Being the chairman of your WFH world, you’ll need to prioritise your seat on the board with a stylish office chair. This one offers comfort, with swivel wheels to allow your body to move freely.

MADE STYLE TIP: Once the desk location is decided, it’s time to measure up. Consider the floor space on offer, how much tech the desk needs to host and the desktop space you tend to use, to work out the best desk size. Also think about how you’ll be moving around and any other functions your ‘home office’ has to cater to – if a desk blocks easy access to a room, or puts a sudden end to your morning yoga flows, chances are your eyes were bigger than your floor plan.

2. Hopkins Compact Desk, Walnut Effect & Grey, £149, Made.com If clutter makes your head spin and you need clean, contemporary lines to concentrate, this Hopkins Compact Desk will help you gather your

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

CLEAN CUT The perfect concentration space is clutter free

25

HIDEAWAY This bureau can hide your work when you’re done with your day

8

2 thoughts. Again, there’s a drawer so your desk surface can be kept satisfyingly clear and you will always know where to find that charger.

5

3. Jacobsen style AJ Desk Lamp – Black, £89 (pre order), Pash-Classics No-one wants to find themselves squinting at a screen or trying to read the small print in light that’s too dim. This striking lamp, designed by Danish designer Arne Jacobson (famous for his minimalist furniture designs), can be adjusted for optimum lighting, and comes with a 2.4 metre cord.

MADE STYLE TIP: If a workspace isn’t blessed with natural light from south facing windows, good lighting is essential for a good mood.

Overhead lights are a must for overall glow across the room, but more directional task lamps are really key on greyer days. White lights tend to be more energising, while switching to diffused lamps and warmer bulbs will help create the cosy vibe you long for at the end of the day.

4. Stained Hardwood Cafe-Style Shutters, priced from £299 per m2, Shutterly Fabulous Much as we crave mood-boosting natural light, you don’t want to have to sit at your desk wearing a pair of sunnies – even though it’s a tempting thought for a chilled-out lunchtime Zoom call. These café-style shutters are perfect for streaming summer sunshine and filtering out too much glare.

5. Object III In Desert Sand, £38, Katie Leamon Chances are you’ll want to steal some space for your favourite pot plant, and we love this sandy coloured one from Katie Leamon’s Objects collection inspired by nature. Not only do plants improve the air we breathe, but green is calming.

6. Pin Board, £165, The White Company Art is often missing in an office and if you’re artistic, surrounding yourself with colourful graphics, prints, or a pin board dotted with mementos and anything close to your heart is the best tool to get the creative juices flowing.

MADE STYLE TIP: Strong ideas come from an inspiring workspace – place photos, art or accessories in your work environment that inspire and motivate. Art is a small investment to add a fresh perspective. Gallery wall sets are a great starting

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point, or alternatively, try decorative vases or planters, with the added bonus of bringing in some greenery too.

want to inject some fun into the humdrum of logging on, check out this peachy pink chair with an air of nonchalance.

7. Bold Monkey Keep It Tidy Side Table, £159, Cuckooland

11. Den Desk, £695 (pre order), Loaf

An extension of your desk space, this goodlooking side table and magazine rack combo can handle the overflow, especially if you are project managing and need your plans within arm’s reach.

8. Marcell Desk, Bureau in Deep Blue, £349, Made

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If you prefer your working day to be an open and shut case, this stylish blue bureau will keep everything just so.

As the saying goes… out of sight, out of mind.

9. Pencil Sharpenings Smelly Wax Candle, £40, Loaf We love a bit of old school cool, especially in the form a smart desk candle. Think cedarwood, patchouli, amber and pencil shavings.

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10. Hewitt Office Chair With Chrome Base, £160, Next If your WFH space is still a grey area but you

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If you are thinking of selling we would be delighted to come and see you

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Located in Tunbridge Wells town centre but tucked away is this spacious one bedroom apartment. Accessed via electric gates and a shared decking area, the property has use of a terrace, perfect for outdoor dining, a private entrance, a large lounge/diner, spacious double bedroom, a kitchen and modern bathroom. In addition, there is an extremely large attic room with additional eves storage space. With the benefit of gas fired central heating and laminate flooring. Leasehold

A 1 bedroom raised ground floor purpose built flat being sold with a share of the freehold located in the St Johns area within easy reach of the town centre and High Brooms mainline station. The property consists of an entrance hall, fitted kitchen, lounge, double bedroom and bathroom. There are 2 areas of communal grounds and parking is on a first come first served basis. There is the benefit of double-glazed windows. This would suit a first-time buyer or somebody looking at downsizing.

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THE BANK OF MUM AND DAD (BOMAD) HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION ON THE PROPERTY LADDER

G

etting onto the property ladder has arguably never been harder nor more expensive.

The average house price has for the first time in history, hit £250,000 according to Halifax so is it any wonder that more and more are turning to The Bank of Mum and Dad for help?

Panoramic Wealth have been advising clients fully through the process for many years. This means we are dealing with both generations, from the parents (or grandparents) gifting the monies down, to advising the next generation with the purchase of their properties. Having multigenerational advisers and being a family owned business ourselves has ensured that advising families is a particularly strong area of ours at Panoramic.

The Bank of Mum and Dad is now the 11th largest lender in the UK with around 1 in 4 property prices being aided by them but why?

Buying a property, is often seen as a must in the UK when it comes the next step in progressing through life. However, often paying high rent, paying off student loans and credit cards can mean it is tricky to save enough for a deposit.

Where BoMaD is making the biggest impact, is when it comes to the deposit. The higher this is, the more availability of loans there are, the lower mortgage payments will be each month. Previously, this could have been as low as 5% of the purchase price but with lenders reacting to Covid-19, this has jumped to at least 10% and even then, the availability of these are few and far between.

This change in requirement for a deposit of 10% or more is where we are seeing parents step in to help out the next generation by way of gifting. There are, however, many implications to this gift but what are they?

Life expectancy is continuing to increase, meaning retirement is often lasting more years

than previously and therefore, the money has to too. The dangers of over gifting could result in those trying to lend a hand now actually running out of money in the future.

How can Panoramic Wealth help?

We can enable you to maximise the impact of this gift without falling into the trap of running out of money in the future. As it is usually it is more of a requirement to make

a gift rather than a loan and such gifts need to be taken into account in relation to potential inheritance tax and other liabilities. What we see with our clients is that when The Bank of Mum and Dad (or grandparents) works, the whole family benefit. Children get onto the property ladder and do not have to continue paying rent and parents are able to gift monies with a warm hand and not a cold one which ensures they are still around to see the benefits of doing so. Panoramic, in conjunction with Weald productions have recorded a series of podcasts, one of which on BoMaD so if that is of interest, head to our website – www. panoramicwealth.co.uk.

It may be that the Bank of Mum and Dad is not needed as there are various other routes to home ownership that few people are aware of:

Mortgages for Professionals are available to recently qualified Accountants, Actuaries, Barristers, Dentists, Medical doctors, Pharmacists, Solicitors and Pilots.

These use a multiple of 6X salary rather than the standard 4.49X. (Engineers, Vets and Optometrists have a ceiling of 5.5X.) n Joint borrower sole proprietor – This allows those moving into the property to combine their income with a supporting family member. Only those moving into the property are put on the property deed which avoids a SDLT surcharge of 3%. n Up to 4 friends can combine their incomes to purchase a property together. This ensures that together, the loan can be much larger and avoids the necessity of renting. n Individuals within the Armed Forces, Firefighters, Police Officers, NHS Nurses and Paramedics along with Teachers are heroes and are recognised by being able to borrow up to 5X. n

The information noted above is not deemed to constitute financial advice and should not be treated as such.

Any advice or recommendation given would be tailored to your own individual circumstances. It should be noted that your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up mortgage payments. Panoramic Wealth Management is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Ross Jefferies & Gary Jefferies

If you would like to know more about how we can help you or your children get onto the property ladder, please call Panoramic Wealth today on 01892 559555 or email – journey@panoramicwealth.co.uk. If you would like to hear more about The Bank of Mum and Dad, please head to our website – www.panoramicwealth. co.uk – where we have recorded a podcast in conjunction with Weald Productions, delving deeper into BoMaD amongst other topics of note.

umme s r at salomons estate

Enjoy the great British Summer at Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells and relax on our heated terrace looking out across 36 acres of gardens. With free parking, socially distanced seating and sanitiser stations our customer comfort and safety is always a priority.

afternoon tea

sunday lunch

Enjoy a quintessentially English traditional Afternoon Tea from just £21.50 pp, including a delicious variety of sandwiches, scones and cakes handmade by our experienced and creative chefs. A large choice of teas available or make it a special occasion with a chilled bottle of champagne or prosecco.

Served Midday – 4pm every Wednesday & Friday.

Our popular Salomons Sunday lunch is continuing throughout the summer! Enjoy a delicious two or three course feast with choices available for each course all using ingredients sourced from local suppliers and producers.

From just £24.50pp Sunday Lunch is available Midday – 4pm 16th May and 20th June.

alfresco pizza evening

live Jazz, bbQ and bottomless bubbles

Unwind at our family pizza evenings with prices from just £7.50 per pizza cooked alfresco style in our wood fired pizza oven.

Children can amuse themselves with table tennis, woodland treasure trail, table football and lawn games while you relax in the sunshine and let us do the cooking.

Served 4pm – 8pm every Tuesday.

Back by popular demand, live music, bottomless prosecco and a mouth-watering two course BBQ all served up alfresco style. Join us on our heated sun terrace as the sun goes down for a relaxing evening on Friday 11th June listening to local Jazz fusion band, Café Society.

Tables from 6pm. Tickets £35pp including, bottomless prosecco or beers (2 hours) and two course menu.

fathers day festival

Have an afternoon out with all the family and celebrate Fathers Day with a family picnic in our 36 acres of gardens and woodlands. Indulge in a delicious picnic lovingly prepared by our chefs ready for you to collect on arrival, along with our fully stocked Terrace bar serving your favourite tipple and craft beers for Dad! With plenty to keep the kids entertained including 5-aside football, bouncy castle, table tennis, woodland treasure trail, table football and lawn games. Sunday 20th June from midday.

Picnics are £17.50pp adults, £9.50pp children. Alternatively, guest can book our traditional three course Sunday lunch instead of the picnic for just £29.50pp.

to book any of our events please go to www.salomons-estate.com, email reception@salomons-estate.com or call 01892 515152

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Food & Culture

NOTEWORTHY EVENT

We discover how a popular Tunbridge Wells music competition still went ahead - despite lockdowns P32

Paddle power...

Why taking up water sports is good for mind, body and spirit Page 37

NEW

& Healthin g e b l l We TURE FEA

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Food & Culture

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

“The lockdowns have made us value our precious community cinema even more” Ahead of the popular Rusthall Community Cinema’s re-opening this Saturday (May 22) one of its trustees and volunteers Anne Goldstein reveals their cinematic comeback plans

F

OR the past few weeks Rusthall Community Cinema has been counting down to the launch of its re-opening season at Sunnyside Hall.

We’ll be blasting off with the crowdpleasing Apollo 13 this Saturday May 22 at 7.30pm. As always, the films we show have been voted for by the local community, who were heartbroken when lockdown again meant a closure.

Invited “I can’t wait to come back,” says volunteer Glyn Balmer. “We enjoy the best that cinema can offer in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”

I’m a trustee and volunteer at Rusthall Community Cinema (RCC) and I know everyone has missed the communal aspect of our cinema club.

Based in Rusthall Road, the volunteerrun cinema is now in its sixth year and its events are described by one member as ‘more of a party than a cinema.’

And although Netflix and Amazon Prime have fed cinephiles’ addiction through

lockdown, Rusthall Community Cinema’s founder Eugene Gardner is looking forward to the immersive experience of seeing films on a huge screen with crisp surround sound. “Sharing reactions and laughing with old friends will be a welcome treat too,” he tells me.

Our new season promises cinematic delights to suit all tastes, including Jojo Rabbit, Out of Africa, Remains of

“Enjoy the best cinema can offer in a welcoming atmosphere” the Day and cult film Withnail and I. Film buff Alain Lewis, who often leads the lively post-film discussions, can’t wait to hear what the Rusthall community makes of the award-winning Korean film Parasite, which is also on the list of future screenings.

Once we re-open, our beer and wine will come out of storage, the teapot will be given a polish and snacks and cakes will be on sale. Treacle Tart may well be on the menu for our screening of Alan Bennett’s History Boys, which was transformed from the National Theatre’s stage version for the big screen in 2006. Members – and also one-off visitors

– can see that in October.

For some, part of the community

cinema experience involves dressing for the occasion! Tanya Griffiths, a volunteer on the door, loves to source an outfit that links with the event.

Unique So, what will she wear for the first film back since lockdown? “Perhaps a bright orange 1970s flared jumpsuit,” she laughs referencing the astronaut suits of Apollo 13.

Ready with her clipboard is Hazel Duncombe, who relishes her Feedback Finder volunteer role: “I like to make people welcome and collect their suggestions on future films and the whole experience of visiting our cinema.”

During the last few months of lockdown we certainly have not been idle while the hall has been dark. Online Rusthall Community Cinema Quiz nights have been a fun way to continue meeting together, although competitors from beyond Tunbridge Wells weren’t sure what the Chalybeate Spring was!

RCC’s Zoom Film Study group analysed Carol Reed’s 1949 film The Third Man. While a discussion on the unique 1946 BACK AT THE PICTURES Rusthall Community Cinema is relaunching on Saturday (May 22)

Food & Culture

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

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“Our new season promises cinematic delights to suit all tastes, including Jojo Rabbit, Out of Africa and cult film Withnail and I”

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE Rusthall Community Cinema Founder Eugene Gardner [centre] Powell/Pressburger movie A Matter of Life and Death attracted superfans from as far as Boston, USA. Gerhard Strassgschwandtner and Karin Höfler, who run the quirky The Third Man Museum in Vienna, were touched about our enthusiasm for the film. They warmly invited everyone from Rusthall to pay a visit to Vienna and take a tour with them when the time was right.

Short films that complement our main film are a popular part of any RCC evening. Some directors have even taken the time to come and talk about their film or record a special message for us. One of these was documentary filmmaker Duncan Cowles. We are rather chuffed he carved out time to tell us the story of his whimsical BAFTA Scotland winning film The Lady With the Lamp.

very seriously and asking people only to book at the moment if they have received their second vaccination at least two weeks before the show, or have a negative test result less than 24 hours before. We even have some free test packs!

So here’s to the new season: perhaps the various lockdowns have made us value our precious community cinema even more...

For more information on screenings and membership visit www. rusthallcinema.club

Value And for our forthcoming screening of Apollo 13 on Saturday, my cousin in New Jersey USA is recording a touching tribute to her late father, Rick Dior – he won an Oscar for Sound for the film.

Both members and one-off visitors can come along to screenings safe in the knowledge that the Rusthall Community Cinema will return again to its Covid-19 Health and Safety plan which was tried and tested before lockdown.

We are taking everyone’s safety

BLOCKBUSTER The cinema is run by passionate volunteers, pictured above

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SYMPHONY The competiton encourages young musical talent

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Celebrating the talents of our musical youth Last month the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition, a biennial event that has been held since 1979, hosted a successful virtual competition for its aspiring young musicians.

The contest’s entries co-ordinator Vivian Widgery tells Eileen Leahy how it went...

Y

OU may have been watching the postponed BBC Young Musician of the Year, but did you know that Tunbridge Wells and East Sussex residents have their own version? The prestigious Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition (TWIMC) aims to encourage youthful musical talent and has been going since 1979. In that time, it has seen many of its winners such, as Paul Lewis and Anne-Sofie von Otter, go on to international careers in music.

Although TWIMC may have been around for nearly 50 years it’s not too old to learn new tricks. This was shown by the first online competition which was held last month. It was a resounding success, as was

a series of online concerts performed by former competitors hosted over the last six months.

The biennial competition, now held in

“Some of our competitors had to go to a great deal of trouble to find recording facilities for our virtual competition!” tandem with the Mayfield Festival, had to be postponed last year due to the Covid pandemic - and then again this year.

In an effort to help young artists facing terrible difficulties, against a background

of the devastating impact that the health crisis has had across not just music but the whole of the artistic world, the TWIMC Council decided that something should be done to help and encourage young musicians.

The Council decided first on the online concerts and then on a virtual competition.

The concerts helped individual musicians and allowed listeners to benefit from a live chat with the artist afterwards. They were such a success that when it was clear that it would be impossible to hold the full competition in 2021, the Council felt ready to try a virtual competition.

Strong encouragement to do so was given by the Competition’s Honorary Patron, George Caird, and President, Levon

Chilingirian OBE, both of whom had seen at first-hand how badly the pandemic was affecting the lives and careers of young musicians.

The Interim Competition was announced in January, and attracted nearly 70 talented performers, aged between 16 and 28, from all over the world. There were three categories: wind, strings and piano.

Competitors had to send a 15-minute video, with at least two differing styles of pieces, and these were drawn together into one virtual programme, which the judges used to assess the recitals.

Talent Some of competitors had to go to a great deal of trouble to find recording facilities.

One potential entrant asked whether it would be all right to perform on an electric piano, as that was all that was available to him up in the Orkneys! He was encouraged to try next year instead. Others were able to submit only solo pieces as they could not find an accompanist, and while some were able to perform in music rooms, others sent recordings from their living rooms. However, all of them showed an astonishing array of talent, and some very interesting music choices. Indeed, one of

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33

What is the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition?

NEW SOUND The 2018 winners of the competition

PIANO MAN Alexander Ullman, overall winner in 2014

the winners, Richard Scholfield, performed the world premiere of a piece written by Jay Capperauld.

It was probably not the prize – £100 each for distinction winners – but the stellar line-up of judges and the promise of feedback from those judges for every competitor that drew so many to enter.

Oustanding In turn, the judges - Sam Hayward and Joanna MacGregor CBE for the piano section; Tasmin Little OBE and Natalie Clien OBE for the strings section and for the wind section, John Wallace CBE and Katherine Bryan - were blown away by the amazing performances produced by the young artists. Such was the talent on offer they found it difficult to choose but on Friday April 30, at the online awards ceremony, another first, 18 merits as well as nine distinctions were awarded. Both the performances and the awards ceremony can still be seen online, at the TWIMC website, together with the full list of the winners.

The distinction winners in the Wind and Brass section were Robert Finegan, Saxophone; Adam Lee, Clarinet; and Richard Scholfield, Saxophone. The distinction winners in the Strings section were Eriko Nagayama, violin;

Matthew Chin, violin; and Mio Takahashi, violin. The distinction winners in the piano section were Richard Zhang, Juliette Richards and Sejin Yoon. Remember those names, as they all have great careers ahead of them.

Both judges and competitors were delighted to have taken part and been given a focus for their artistic abilities at a time when so many are unable to make the music that we all love and appreciate so much. The TWIMC Council was delighted that the online competition was such a success. However, it is much to be hoped that next year it will be possible to go ahead with the full competition, which is due to take place from April 27 to May 1 2022, in the middle weekend of the two weeks of the Mayfield Festival, from Sunday April 24 to Sunday May 8. At least one former competition winner will be giving a concert during the festival, as one of the aims of TWIMC is to offer performance opportunities to its finalists. At least one of the judges will also perform. But, given the success of the online concerts and competition, who knows what else we could offer in addition to the biennial contest?

Lockdown may have been a disaster in many ways, but it has certainly given other avenues to explore as TWIMC continues to support and encourage talented young musicians at the beginning of their careers.

PRESIDENT Levon Chiligirian ACCORDING to its organisers it is a musical event that is recognised around the world as a unique event showcasing the talents of outstanding young musicians as they embark upon their professional careers. It has played an important role in the careers of many internationally celebrated musicians.

It started in 1979, and became part of the Mayfield Festival in 2016, hosted by Mayfield School. The Competition has played an important role in the careers of many internationally celebrated musicians. Past winners include: piano virtuoso Paul Lewis; opera stars Anne Sofie von Otter and Patricia Rozario; great Spanish clarinettist Joan Enric Lluna; Russian pianist Yuri Didenko, and flautist Michael Cox, currently principal flute of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

The aim of the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition is to help and encourage advanced students and young professional musicians on the threshold of their careers, drawing entrants from around the

“The aim of the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition is to encourage advanced students and young professional musicians on the threshold of their careers”

DISTINCTION AWARD WINNERS 2021: Left to right [top row] Wind and Brass section: Robert Finegan, Adam Lee, Richard Scholfield [middle row] Strings section: Eriko Nagayama, Mathew Chin, Mio Takahashi, [bottom row] Piano section: Richard Zhang, Juliette Richards, Sejin Yoon

To discover more about the competition visit www.twimc.org.uk or email info@twimc.org.uk

globe and supporting winners by offering cash prizes and performance opportunities in the early part of their professional careers.

The previous winners of the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition boast a wealth of talent...

Pictured: [Below left] Matthew Higham won wind section and the audience prize in 2016.

[Below middle] Amalia Hall was overall winner and winner of the strings section in 2016 and is New Zealand’s youngest concertmaster.

[Below right] Toby Hughes, winner of the 2018 competition.

[Above] Alexander Ullman was overall winner and winner of the piano section in 2014.

[Bottom image] Emma Halnan was second prize winner in the wind section in 2018.

Food & Culture

food

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

These specialist food and drink producers are rewarded for having the perfect recipe for success The annual Taste of Kent Awards took place virtually for the first time last week.

Eileen Leahy discovers the history of the popular event, how it still went ahead and which of our best local suppliers were awarded a prestigious prize

N

OW in its 17th year, the annual Taste of Kent Awards is always a much-anticipated event for fanatical foodies and specialist producers all over the county.

The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) is organised by Produced in Kent as the annual showcase of the very best products and food and drink businesses across Kent and Medway.

Usually, after weeks of judging and public voting that lasts for the first few months of the year, those shortlisted finalists gather together for a glittering black-tie ceremony to celebrate.

“These annual awards showcase the very best products and food and drink businesses across Kent”

Special

RAISING A GLASS TO SUCCESS Cellar Head Brewing Co won Kent Beer of the Year award at A Taste of Kent

However due to the ongoing pandemic this year’s event was a virtual experience for the very first time.

Held last Tuesday (May 11) at The Coachworks in Ashford, the night’s festivities managed to garner its largest ever audience as thousands tuned in to the live stream ceremony.

“This year’s Taste of Kent Awards also saw a 300% increase in voters compared to last year,” a Taste of Kent spokesperson explained.

“This three-fold increase in people casting their votes and being involved

reflects the significant increase in interest and understanding of local food since the pandemic. The judges had a tough time choosing the winners, with finalists going head-to-head in more than one category.”

Those categories included best Kent Cider, Best Kent Retailer and Best Kent Dairy product. More than double the number of businesses – over 1100 - were nominated for the 16 categories this year with more than 28,000 votes cast by the general public.

Voters can vote for their favourite farm

shop, tipple or local pub but there are also a few self-nominated categories including Kent Food and Drink Business of the Year, Kent Grower of the Year and Kent Sustainable Food and Drink Award. The latter was won this year by the Tunbridge Wells-based specialist chocolate confectioners Goupie who have premises in Ely Court.

On hearing the news the business’s co-founder Grace Simpson said: “We’re so excited to have been awarded the Sustainable Business Award in TOKA

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Food & Culture

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

this year! It means so much to us that the steps we’ve taken to improve our business haven’t gone unnoticed, and we’re now feeling more determined than ever to keep the improvements coming!”

Another winning business from Tunbridge Wells was Cellar Head Brewing Co who won the Kent Beer of the Year award.

World War. This year will throw new challenges our way, but I am confident that the sector will pull through. Judges for this year’s awards included John Farrand of the UK’s Great Taste Awards while the sponsors were Southern Co-op, NFU Mutual, and Southeastern Rail.

“Thanks to our sponsors’ generous contribution we were able to organise a hybrid event at our headquarters The Coachworks in Ashford which was quirky and different but still complied with social distancing regulations,” continued Ms Hoette.

Innovative Its director and owner Chris McKenzie told the Times: “We are super delighted – it’s a pat on the back after what has been a trying year, not just for us but everyone. It’s a real reward for the whole team for the dedication and care we put into what we produce.”

Commenting on the wealth of interest in this year’s TOKA competition Produced in Kent’s Chief Executive Floortje Hoette said: “The fantastic volume of votes received proves to me, more than anything else, the changing attitude towards local food and drink.

“Customers are buying more local products since the start of the pandemic. They have also got to know and appreciate the local businesses behind their foods of choice and understand they need our continued support and custom to survive these very challenging times.

“The last year has shown that our Kent food and drink industry does not just grow, produce, sell and serve the highest quality food, but that the businesses themselves are highly resilient, versatile, eager to be sustainable and incredibly community-focused.

“The local independent food and drink sector kept Kent fed and watered, reached out to the vulnerable and worked incredibly hard in the most challenging trading environment since the second

Emotional LIFE IS SWEET: Specialist chocolate makers Goupie won best sustainable food award

“The last year has shown that our Kent food and drink industry does not just produce the highest quality it is resilient and versatile”

BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, RESTORATIONS AND NEW BUILDS

She went on to say that this year’s competition had been a fairly emotional one, citing the judges’ interviews which took place at the 170-year old Macknade foodhall in Ashford with all finalists as intense. She remarked they certainly highlighted the levels of stress, desperation and financial pain the sector has endured but also demonstrated the industry’s resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and positivity.

“The whole process made for an extraordinary and at times emotional judging experience. It really made everyone realise how incredibly hard businesses have worked to get through the pandemic, and the huge potential for success the sector has going forward.

“Produced in Kent is immensely proud to represent local food and drink and looks forward to continuing to help the sector grow. A special thank you to the sponsors of this year’s event, without which the finalists would not have had their moment in the limelight and the awards would not have been possible.”

35

A Taste of Kent Awards winners for 2021: Kent Ambient Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op KETCHUP SMOKÉ BY BRISKET AND BARREL

Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op SCOTTISH SMOKED SALMON BY TANKERTON SMOKESHED

Kent Bakery and Confectionery Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op CHOCOLATE BROWNIES BY BEARDY BAKER

Kent Spirit of the Year, sponsored

by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield GEORGE BISHOP LONDON DRY GIN BY THE MAIDSTONE DISTILLERY

Kent Beer of the Year, sponsored

by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield SESSION PALE ALE BY CELLAR HEAD BREWING CO

Kent Sustainable Food and Drink

Award BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, CONVERSIONS, GOUPIE RESTORATIONS RESTORATIONS AND NEW AND BUILDS NEW BUILDS Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored Kent Cider of the Year, sponsored

by Southern Co-op DISCO BY DUDDA’S TUN CIDER Kent Dairy Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op FREE RANGE DOUBLE CREAM BY STREET FARM DAIRY Kent Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern FOODARI HOME DELIVERY Kent Hospitality Business of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern CAFE NUCLEUS ROCHESTER Kent Non-Alcoholic Drink of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern MAYPOLE BLEND COFFEE BY GARAGE COFFEE Kent Prepared Food Product of the

by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield HERBERT HALL BRUT SPARKLING WINE BY HERBERT HALL WINERY Kent Food Product of the Year SCOTTISH SMOKED SALMON BY TANKERTON SMOKESHED The Kent Community Award Legends: EMMA BARNES FROM EMMA’S KITCHEN, EAST PECKHAM PAUL & RANI BABRA FROM KARARA, FAVERSHAM/ CANTERBURY ELI AND HEATHER THOMPSON FROM OLBYS SOUL CAFÉ, MARGATE www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, RESTORATIONS AND NEW BUILDS BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, RESTORATIONS AND NEW BUILDS

Get in touch Gettoday in touch to talk today to us to about talk toyour us about project: your project: 01580 857718 01580| 857718 07587 272928 | 07587| 272928 mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk

Food & Culture

health & wellbeing

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Wednesday May 19 | 2021

Tips for keeping the ticker going

Make sure you give your heart some love post-lockdown With our lives beginning to get busier and our diaries filling up with socialising again, it is becoming harder to make time for our physical health. Lottie Bulmer finds out how to keep the balance with our new freedom…

WE ALL enjoy a little indulgence, especially through lockdown – a cheeky glass of wine after a long week, a lunchtime chocolate treat here and there.

While they won’t do much harm, balance is key and as we’re heading back to normality, it is difficult to find the time to counteract your little luxuries, which can lead to bigger problems.

High blood pressure or ‘hypertension’ is the third biggest risk factor for premature death and disability in England, according to Public Health England, and the British Heart Foundation predicts the number of deaths due to heart and circulatory diseases has risen by 5,000 for 2020.

According to the foundation, around 131,000 fewer (28 per cent) heart procedures and operations were performed in England during the first year of the pandemic and there has been a 180-fold increase in the number of people waiting more than a year for heart procedures, including surgery.

Doctor Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK has explained what high blood pressure actually means: “When blood pressure is measured, two numbers are generated.

An ideal blood pressure is below 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mmHg). The first number is the systolic blood pressure (higher number), which is the force at which blood is being pumped around your body. Ideally, this will be below 120.

A systolic blood pressure of 140 or more is regarded as high.

Pressure “The second number is the diastolic blood pressure (lower number) which is the pressure when your heart is at rest, in between beats. Ideally this will be 80 or lower. A diastolic reading of 90 or above is regarded as high. The lower your blood pressure, the lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.”

Known as the ‘Silent Killer’ due to it

often going undetected with no symptoms, Dr Flaherty added how to know if you have high blood pressure: “The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked.

Blood pressure checks are quick and easy, and it could be lifesaving.

“Adults aged 40 years or over should aim to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. You can ask your GP to check your blood pressure, or you may be able to have your blood pressure checked with your local pharmacy.

You could also consider investing in a home blood pressure monitor.”

PUMPED: General Manager of Energie Fitness, Ray Betts has shared his guide to maintaining heart health

Advice from the NHS says that regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your heart and blood vessels in good health. The Times spoke to Ray Betts, General Manager of Energie Fitness gym in Tunbridge Wells about his recommendations for heart health: “Just as exercise strengthens other muscles in your body, it helps your heart become more efficient.

This means that the heart pushes out more blood with each beat, allowing it to beat slower and keep your blood pressure under control.

Risk “The increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in your body. This helps lower your risk of heart diseases such as high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and a heart attack.

“Ideally you should exercise at least 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week.

Examples include brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope.

“You don’t have to suddenly go mad on exercise, it is much better to start with doing a little, even just 10 minutes per day and gradually build it up. Lots of people make the mistake of doing too much too soon, particularly when joining a gym, and they feel they have to spend hours working hard.

“Little and often is what you should be aiming for.

Everybody leads busy lives so just get yourself into the habit of consistent exercise and your heart will certainly feel the benefits.”

AU D L E Y C A R E W I L L I C O M B E PA R K We support you in your own home Our dedicated team of highly trained carers will support you based on your individual needs.

With a Good CQC rating, we will help you with as little or as much as you want. You only pay for the time you use.

We go the extra mile to ensure your needs are met in a safe way with all the correct protections in place.

Personal support | Companionship Housekeeping | Specialist care Contact us to find out more

01892 278 286 info@audleycare.co.uk www.audleycare.co.uk

Food & Culture

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

37

Join the cabin crew…

WITH leisure centres and gyms closed, wild water sports have been the focus of many peoples’ lockdown outings, and Hayley Browning and Jo Taylor from Tonbridge and Maidstone are no exception.

The friends aged 32 and 33 are keen paddle boarders and when travel was allowed last year, they took full advantage of their time and paddled 350km of Kent’s local waterways.

They both hail being on the water as the place they feel happiest, especially with the impact of Covid and their own personal challenges with relationship break-ups, loss and health problems, the sport gave them time to heal and boost their mental health.

For Hayley in particular – who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27 – it triggered

the sense of relief they she had been searching for since her diagnosis.

Community Now, they want to share their love of the sport and its mental health benefits with others.

The friends have taken the plunge by getting their qualification as British Canoeing Stand up Paddle Boarding (SUP) Coaches and built a paddle cabin on the East Peckham banks of the River Medway to provide coaching sessions, wellbeing on the water and a sense of community.

Sessions for members of the cabin – dubbed the ‘Cabin Crew’ – include social campfire paddles, river clean-ups, calming the mind

through SUP meditation or SUP yoga, SUP singles night (paddle dating) and ‘SUP Pups’ which give you the confidence to take your dog out on the water with you.

Happy

PADDLE PARTNERS: Hayley Browning [Left] and Jo Taylor [Right]

Jo Taylor shared her excitement for the new cabin: “We have been overwhelmed by the amazing encouragement and support from local paddle boarders and local people excited to be welcomed into the paddle life and all that we offer. Our cabin door opened on May 1, and we would love you to come and say hello (it is our

Take your first steps to vein free, pain free legs.

The UK’s largest varicose veins clinic is coming to Tunbridge Wells.

To find out more about our proven, effective treatments call us on:

01892 883 920 or visit www.veincentre.com

favourite word after all). We can’t wait to help you feel at home on the water. Trust us, it really will make your soul happy.”

Hayley and Jo are also working with Kent Wildlife Trust to enhance their role to support river ecosystems, West Kent Mind to focus on mental health and wellbeing benefits of paddle boarding. They are also working with Breast Cancer Now, due to he role that paddle boarding can play in the physical and mental health recovery from the diagnosis of breast cancer.

For more information on Paddle Cabin or to book a session, visit www.paddlecabin.co.uk, or @paddlecabin on Facebook and Instagram.

38

Food & Culture

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

out&about Activities in the local area

HISTORIC HOUSE Penshurst Place still has Tudor influences in its gardens

By Lottie Bulmer

HIGH TEA One Warwick Park’s afternoon teas are available again

THE FLICKS The much missed cinema has reopened this week

MONDAY [May 17] has marked the reopening of the country’s indoor venues, meaning that now we don’t have to plan our days based around the Great British Weather.

After many long months, Tunbridge Wells’ indoor attractions are able to welcome visitors back through their doors.

Each venue has its own Covid restrictions to keep you safe on your venture back inside…

TEA UP Missed an important event? One Warwick Park’s afternoon tea is available from May 19 for booking again. Whether it’s a belated birthday, Mother’s Day or even New Year’s celebration, make it special with a sophisticated afternoon at the hotel.

The price for the Classic Afternoon Tea is £21.50 with loose leaf tea or coffee served with sultana home-baked scones, clotted cream, strawberry preserve, a selection of freshly cut finger sandwiches and assorted homemade seasonal sweet treats.

If you fancy a glass of bubbly to give your afternoon a little lift, Prosecco Afternoon Tea costs £26.50 and includes a glass of Amori NV Prosecco, or with the Champagne Afternoon Tea which is priced at £31.50 and includes a glass of Louis Roederer brut Premier champagne.

CURTAIN CALL The Assembly Hall is due to lift the curtain on its shows this week. The grand reopening is kicked off tomorrow [Thursday] by Radio Ga Ga, the Queen tribute concert show performed live. The tribute show brings you to the band’s heyday by performing Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I Want to Break Free, Somebody to Love, We are the Champions, We Will Rock You and of course Bohemian Rhapsody.

Prices for seats in stalls start from £28.00 and the circle costs £18.00. Head over to assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk to see showtimes and what else is on at the theatre.

RAMBLING ROMANTIC The 14th century manor house at Penshurst Place reopened on Monday. Rumoured to be the setting for Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s love affair in the 1500s, the house opened its door to the public again on the 500th anniversary of the king acquiring the estate.

The Tudor influences are maintained throughout the estate, including the historic garden remaining in its original design.

The house has been closed since December last year following lockdown restrictions and it is the first time it has been shut since it was opened to

the general public after the Second World War in 1947.

A limited number of visitors are allowed in the house and tickets must be booked in advance through www.penshurstplace.com THE BIG SCREEN In line with new restrictions lifting, the Odeon cinema branch at Knights Way is open and ready to greet local film fanatics with social distancing measures.

Film fanatics can breathe a sigh of relief with Monday’s return of the big screen and according to a recent survey by MetrixLab, 59 per cent of people say that the cinemas is one of the activities which they have missed the most during lockdown.

Showings this week include Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, Godzilla vs. Kong, and Judas and the Black Messiah.

Visit odeon.co.uk for more information and showtimes.

SPICE IT UP AT HEVER Hever Castle’s Curry Evening starts tonight (May 19) at the Golf and Wellbeing Club’s The Waterside bar and restaurant, a mile away from the castle and gardens.

DINNER WITH A VIEW The Waterside is hosting its Curry Evening tonight

LIFTING THE CURTAIN The Assembly Hall reopens on Thursday

Visitors can enjoy poppadoms with a selection of Indian dips, and a choice of meats or vegetable curries, served with Basmati rice and vegan naan bread.

Dishes will be served to you at your table to ensure Covid safety.

The Waterside hopes to have regular themed nights throughout the year, please check website for details and to book at hevercastle.co.uk ARE YOU HAVING A LAUGH? In need of a giggle after the last few months? The EM Forster Theatre’s comedy night sure to help you with that.

On Friday (May 21), settle in for 120 minutes of pure laughter from acts including headliner Zoe Lyons – who is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4 and LBC, Andy Storey – hailed by The Scotsman as “Enthusiastic, likeable, a razor sharp talent… animated and confident” and Russell Hicks, whose stand up has been described as ‘astonishing’ by Cheeky Monkey Comedy Club.

There is socially distanced seating to ensure Covid safety with an in-seat bar service app to order food and drink.

Tickets are available from emftheatre. ticketsolve.com and cost

CRACK UP EM Forster’s comedy nights have made a return

Food & Culture

Books

Wednesday May 19 | 2021

The bookcase…

With so many lockdowns, more people have had the chance to fall in love with reading again. Here’s our pick of this week’s top reads.

FICTION

How To Kidnap The Rich by Rahul Raina Published in hardback by Little, Brown, priced £14.99 (ebook £8.99). Available now

A satirical crime thriller and profound social commentary rolled into one, How To Kidnap The Rich is an uproarious ride through the caste system of Delhi, new and old. Energetic wit pours out of Rahul Raina’s prose, while an acerbic bite highlights inequalities in race, sex and social class with candid clarity. Clever, impoverished Ramesh and rich, lazy teenager Rudi make an unexpectedly successful double act, careering around the city in high jinks that involve extortion, butchery, kidnap and crossdressing. Veering from ridiculous to heartwrenching, Raina’s exhilarating debut is pure entertainment from start to finish.

(Review by Rebecca Wilcock)

39

Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri Published in hardback by Bloomsbury Publishing, priced £14.99 (ebook £10.49). Available now Whereabouts, by Pulitzer Prize-winning American author Jhumpa Lahiri, is the novelist’s first self-translated work from Italian, a language she learned after relocating to Rome a decade ago, and where she partly lives today. The book is a series of short chapters, mostly located somewhere different. The nameless protagonist, a single university professor, lives a solitary existence in an unnamed Italian city, moving from

place to place and pondering life. Plot is almost non-existent, but there are glimpses into her life beyond the pages of the novel – an almost affair with the husband of a close friend, memories of a past relationship, regrets and jealousies. Evocative descriptions of meals, books and conversations will stay with you long after the train has taken her to another city.

(Review by Jessica Frank-Keyes)

Snowflake by Louise Nealon

Published in hardback by Manilla, priced £12.99 (ebook £9.99). Available May 13 Too many debut authors are being dubbed ‘the new Sally Rooney’, their books lumped in with Normal People. Louise Nealon is one such author, but in content, Snowflake is more spry; it agitates and shifts your sense of certainty.

Debbie’s smart and used to it, but starting university – even just commuting from her family’s dairy farm – means leaving her drunken troubled uncle, Billy, and her unreliable mother who’s caught up in dreams, for too-long stretches of time. But she makes a go of it until family drama gets its claws in and drags her back. Nealon tackles uneasy conversations around trauma and grief, sex and consent, self-delusion and the fear of what you might be capable of, deftly and with humour Mythic elements aren’t quite so distinct, but the rough edges of Debbie, and the descriptions of life in rural Ireland, ground the rest in a story that’s sharp, clever and affecting.

(Review by Ella Walker)

9/10

NON-FICTION

I Belong Here: A Journey Along The Backbone Of Britain by Anita Sethi

Published in hardback by Bloomsbury Wildlife, priced £16.99 (ebook £11.89). Available now Following a train journey where she encountered a traumatic hate crime, Mancunian Anita Sethi takes a stand against racism. She is called to nature by the Pennines – known as the backbone of Britain – and tells her heartfelt story of belonging.

Sethi battles inner anxiety and

9/10

7/10

finds an embracing freedom in her adventures, after being told by her abuser to leave. The writer is not afraid to tackle the big issues and delve into the past as she makes sense of the present, seeking out predestined points of interest and making sure each step is an act of resistance. Nature’s beauty and wilderness provide a welcome escape from Sethi’s city life and kickstart a healing process as she becomes enveloped in the great outdoors, taking us on a emotional journey at the same time. It’s an amazing odyssey: inspiring, powerful, encouraging and incredibly brave.

(Review by Karen Sykes)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION) 1. The Confession

by Jessie Burton 2. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 3. The Road Trip

by Beth O’Leary 4. Rapid French: Volumes 1 & 2 by Earworms Learning 5. Rewild Yourself

by Simon Barnes 6. Agatha Raisin And The Potted Gardener by M. C.

8/10

Beaton 7. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 8. Atomic Habits

by James Clear 9. Why We Eat (Too Much) by Dr Andrew Jenkinson 10. Greenlights

by Matthew McConaughey (Compiled by Audible)

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

Heartstopper Volume Four by Alice Oseman

Published in paperback by Hachette Children’s Group, priced £10.99 (ebook £7.49). Available now Heartstopper is the continuation of a teenage love story: Charlie is gay, and his partner Nick is bisexual and recently came out to his family and friends.

Unlike the previous books in the series, this is less about coming to terms with sexuality and identity, and deals more with mental health and eating disorders. The graphic novel style keeps the pace fast and gives you a window into the characters’ emotions, dealing with mental health from the perspectives of both the sufferer and their loved ones. Alice Oseman makes sure to give all kinds of information that teenagers reading might find helpful – particularly if

8/10

they’re experiencing similar issues. At some points it feels more educational than plot-driven, but nonetheless, it’s a touching tale of teen love and accepting who you are, while also giving a raw perspective on the struggles around mental wellbeing.

(Review by Prudence Wade)