Times of Tunbridge Wells 26th May 2021

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across Tunbridge Wells this summer. It is expected to attract thousands of visitors.

The two-week extravaganza is set to run from July 5 to July 18 – several weeks after the government is planning to end all social distancing and Covid www.mspaceoffices.co.uk restrictions.

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‘So far more than 62 acts and 43 venues have signed up to take part’ Called TW Fringe it will see acts and performers appearing at scores of venues in the town ranging from local pubs to community halls, churches, The Forum and The Pantiles. There will be a mixture of free and fee-paying attractions.

So far more than 62 acts and 43 venues have signed up to take part.

Organiser Debbie King says visitors will be treated to a range of acts and performances including music, opera, cabaret, comedy, dance, theatre, film and visual art.

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Wednesday May 26 | 2021

THE STAGE IS SET: TW Fringe organiser Debbie King and two budding performers Scores of venues have already agreed to take part, and a range of businesses and community organisations have teamed up to turn the festival plans into reality.

It is hoped TW Fringe will not only see thousands flock to Tunbridge Wells this summer to join in the fun, but also that it could become an annual mainstay.

The Edinburgh Fringe has been running

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for more than 70 years and attracts more than a million people to the city each year.

TW Fringe will involve both up and coming as well as established performers of all ages and give local artists the opportunity to perform again to live audiences.

See page 5 for full story

Council leader quits as Tories attempt to break stalemate

By Robert Forrester

01246 223 038

www.mspace offices.co.uk

COUNCILLORS will today [Wednesday] attempt to elect a new Council Leader after the current head of the Town Hall stepped down two years into the job.

Cllr Alan McDermott resigned as leader of the Conservative group last week [Wednesday] and on Sunday [May 23] formerly resigned as Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC].

It will mean councillors will have to elect a new leader at today’s Full Council meeting, the first to take place since the May 6 vote.

Disastrous Cllr McDermott’s resignation comes after the party’s heavy losses at the local elections that saw the Tories lose overall control of the Council for the first time in more than 20 years.

While they are the largest party, the Town Hall is currently in deadlock with the Conservatives holding 24 seats and the opposition parties also holding 24 between them.

Tom Dawlings, the current cabinet member in charge of Finance and Governance, will be replacing Cllr

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this week… LCF lent money to firm

linked with fraudsters

By Richard Williams

RIGHT HAND WOMAN: What the Mayor’s secretary is planning to do following her departure from the Council after more than 30 years of service P10

TWO men who worked at a firm that received more than £70million from failed Tunbridge Wells minibond firm London Capital & Finance [LCF] are convicted fraudsters, it has emerged.

LCF collapsed in 2019 owing £237million to more than 11,500 bondholders, many of which are now to be compensated by a Government bailout.

Players The investment firm that was set up by former Tunbridge Wells Conservative party chairman Simon Hume-Kendall.

Mr Hume-Kendall is currently being sued by

LCF’s administrators, along with 12 others connected to LCF. The firm’s collapse is also the subject of a Serious Fraud Office investigation.

Now it has emerged that two senior players at Prime Resort Developments, which invested £70million it received from LCF on holiday resorts in Cornwall, Cape Verde and the Dominican Republic have convictions for fraud.

Paul Seakens was convicted last week over a carbon credit ‘boiler room’ scheme that defrauded vulnerable investors out of £36million. He is due to be sentenced on May 28.

Companies House filings show LCF agreeing a loan to Prime dated 31 October 2018, by which time Seakens had already been disqualified from acting as a director by a court order.

He is understood to have worked as

NEW LESSONS: Tonbridge School and The New Beacon prep school are merging to provide a new educational offering for boys ages 3-18 P14

Disqualified

RESORTS: Simon Hume-Kendall and wife Helen and [background] African island Cape Verde

Council to elect new leader after resignation Continued from front page

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McDermott as head of the Tory group at the Council. But he will not automatically also replace him as Leader of the Council.

The Benenden & Cranbrook member will need a majority vote from all councillors if he is to retain the leadership for the Tories.

The new Leader will be elected for a four-year term, but if Cllr Dawlings does not get enough votes, opposition parties may nominate their own candidates.

Group Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ben Chapelard, has already been trying to formulate an ‘alternative administration’ but would need

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bookkeeper for Prime Resort Developments, and at the time of the ban, he was also at Enviro Associates, the carbon credit firm over which he was convicted last week.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Seakens, 60, was found guilty on charges of running Enviro for fraudulent purposes as part of a marketing scheme that preyed on ‘vulnerable victims’.

It said he and Luke Ryan, 33, were convicted ‘for conning vulnerable victims’ by selling them worthless carbon credits.

Seakens was also convicted of three counts of money laundering and proceeds of crime charges.

The CPS said in a statement: “This was a particularly hideous scam operation, where vulnerable victims lost their life savings on so-called investments that had greatly inflated return claims and no resale market.”

It said victims were generally elderly and inexperienced investors.

“They were cold-called in their homes and pressured into buying these so-called investments by criminals who made them look genuine and trustworthy. They were conned: the products being sold were, in essence, worthless,” the CPS added.

Seakens was disqualified from being a director for 13 years in 2018 while at Enviro. It was one of the toughest sanctions that year from the Insolvency Service, which can only hand out bans up to 15 years.

Meanwhile, Terrence Mitchell, also connected to Prime Resort Developments, was sentenced in December 2018 to two years’ jail for fraud and six months for ‘carrying on regulated activities’ at collapsed savings scheme Anglo Wealth.

His sentences were suspended for two years and he was banned from serving as a director for six years. According to the Evening Standard, Mitchell is believed to have been key to raising funds for Prime Resort Developments.

BEHIND THE HOSPITAL DOORS: The Assembly Hall’s latest show which celebrates the memoirs of a nurse during her 20 years at the NHS P32

GREEN FINGERS: How going on mindfulness walks and spending time in nature can work wonders for your mental health P36

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

LEADERS: New Conservative group leader Tom Dawlings and [right] Alan McDermott

Child poverty among lowest levels in Kent TUNBRIDGE WELLS has one of the lowest rates of child poverty in the county although more than 4,000 children in the Borough are still living below the bread line, according to research.

Of the estimated 24,000 under 16s in the Borough, around a fifth [4,589] are said to be in

votes from all opposition councillors, and at least one abstention from the Tory benches to secure him as Council leader.

The current makeup of the Council sees the Conservatives with 24 councillors, Lib Dems 13, Labour 5, Alliance 5, and one independent.

If the chamber fails to elect a new leader, the current Deputy Leader, Conservative councillor Jane March, will remain in charge until a new leader is voted through.

Difficult Cllr McDermott, who represents Brenchley & Horsmonden, agreed to step down at last Wednesday’s [May 19] AGM of the Conservative group, which sparked a leadership contest.

Speldhurst & Bidborough councillor Julian Stanyer lost out to Cllr Dawlings in what has been described as a ‘positive’ and ‘civilised’ contest.

Cllr McDermott said the last two years had been ‘very, very difficult’, adding: “If you go to any borough council leader, they will say the last year or two years has been the hardest they have had.

“I decided the best thing I could do was to stand aside.” child poverty, research carried out by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition suggests.

Income The researchers say there are 104,951 children in poverty in Kent, an increase of 2,247 since 2015, or around a third of the county’s estimated 300,000 children aged under 16.

Dover has the highest rates in the county with

‘CASTING VOTE’ MAYOR TO BE CHOSEN AS WELL as electing a new leader, the Council will today, also attempt to elect a new mayor.

Outgoing Mayor, Joy Podbury, who stepped down as a councillor before May’s election, is to hand over the chains of office to fellow Conservative Cllr Chris Woodward.

Mayors at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have a casting vote in any deadlocked motion.

Due to the stalemate in the chamber, opposition parties have called for the new Mayor to not be a representative of the Conservative party as the position would hand a casting vote to the Tories.

Outgoing Mayor, Joy Podbury, who had represented Rusthall during her time at the Council – a seat that has now gone to Labour – is likely to be asked by Conservative colleagues to use her final vote to break any deadlock on electing Cllr Woodward as her successor.

If he is elected, Cllr Woodward, who is the current Deputy Mayor and represents Broadwater, could use his casting vote if a vote for a new leader is also tied.

The Times will be reporting live from today’s (May 26) Full Council meeting, which starts at 10am, on our website timeslocalnews.co.uk and on our Twitter and Facebook feeds.

6,545 children living in poverty.

Sevenoaks has the lowest rate [4,416], while Tunbridge Wells has the second lowest rate.

The research classifies a child being in poverty if they are living in a family earning below 60 per cent of the median income once housing costs are taken into account – which is around £18,000 a year, based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

According to the research, three out of four children who live in poverty have at least one working adult in their household.

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF

Covid rates fall to be among lowest in Kent TUNBRIDGE Wells has the second lowest rates of coronavirus in Kent, Public Health England figures show.

Just six positive cases were recorded in the borough for the week ending May 20.

The rate per 100,000 people in Tunbridge Wells now stands at 5.1 . Folkestone & Hythe has the lowest levels in Kent, where there were just 3 cases last week.

The UK average rate of the virus per 100,000 people is 22.5.

Wealden has similarly low rates of Covid-19, with just eight cases reported in the same week, giving the district a rate per 100,000 of 8.0.

Elsewhere, rates of the virus have risen, especially in areas where cases of the Indian variant have been recorded.

Canterbury has seen its rate rise from 24 cases a week to 55 in Kent, and Sevenoaks saw its rates rise from three to 16.

Road closure congestion A NUMBER of road closures caused chaos for commuters this week.

The A267 Frant Road has been closed since May 20 for up to 12 days between the A26 and Rodmell Road due to mainline gas repair works by SGN, causing tailbacks as vehicles follow a diversionary route.

Meanwhile, on Monday, a burst water main on Crescent Road in Tunbridge Wells closed the town centre throughfare to traffic in both directions.

Diversions were still in place yesterday [Tuesday] after the ruptured main caused the road surface to break up forcing emergency repairs by South East Water.

Regional network manager for South East Water, Andy Beeston, said: “I’m really sorry for any disruption caused by a burst water main in Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells.

“We are continuing to fix the broken pipe and will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.

Crowborough chairman WEALDEN District Council has elected Cllr Ron Reed as the authority’s new chairman.

The Crowborough Central Conservative councillor takes over from Cllr Pam Doodes, who stood down after two years in the civic and ceremonial position.

The chairman at Wealden District Council has a similar role as a Borough council Mayor.

Cllr Doodes said: “During the past two years Ron Reed has been a great help and support to me. Always there with a listening ear and always willing to step in should the need arise.

“So I have great pleasure in nominating Ron Reed as chairman of the council for the next year.”

Cllr Reed, who lives on Southridge Rise in Crowborough, was first elected to Wealden District Council in 2015. He was previously Vice Chairman.

Puppetry crowdfunder TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ Puppetry Festival has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £8,000 to meet costs for this year’s show.

The biennial festival is set to return to the town for the fourth time on Fri Oct 15 to Sun Oct 21.

Organisers say they are seeking ‘support for our free outdoor programme which is available for everyone to enjoy and suitable for all ages’.

To donate or for more information see: www.spacehive.com/tunbridge-wellspuppetry-festival-2021

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Police chief calls for a halt to e-scooter trials

By Richard Williams THE newly re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner [PCC] for Kent has said the Government needs to stop the expansion of electric scooter trials, before ‘it loses control of the issue’.

E-scooter pilot schemes are currently being rolled out in many towns and cities, including Canterbury and London, but PCC Matthew Scott says they should be halted and reviewed before more people are hurt.

‘People are using them in places they shouldn’t and we need to stop them being bought for young people’ The use of the scooters has been ruled out by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC], following a ‘fact finding mission’ to an e-scooter trial in Milton Keynes.

Cllr Matt Bailey, head of Sustainability at TWBC, said after his visit, the Council decided e-scooters would not be appropriate in Tunbridge Wells until there were more cycle lanes to ensure they could be used safely and responsibly.

However, e-scooters are becoming popular and there are currently about 50 Government-backed trials running in towns and cities across the UK.

The devices are seen as an eco-friendly way of getting around and have been promoted by the Government’s as part of the ‘green restart of local transport’ scheme.

Mr Scott says there are more than 7500 rental scooters in use, and since their introduction more than 800 incidents have been reported to local authorities and 122 users have been banned from using them.

Figures suggest there have been more than 200 injuries and over 1,000 complaints since the pilots began.

Outside these schemes, it is still illegal to use e-scooters on the roads or pavements, and their use can carry a £300 fine and six penalty points. It’s also an offence to use them at all if you’re under 18.

Despite this, sales have grown, and Mr Scott says they are being used by children and adults alike.

He said: “Inconsiderate riders are becoming a menace on our roads and pavements, ignoring the law and causing dangers for other road users.

“We urgently need decisive action now on their future, as we’re in danger of losing control of the issue and placing additional burdens on policing.

“Too many people are using them in places they shouldn’t and we need to stop them being bought for young people.

“There should be no more rollouts until work is done with retailers, manufacturers and the public to make sure they are safe and people understand the law.”

ON YOUR BIKE: Cllr Matt Bailey who has now ruled out an e-scooter trial

Local TV star in crisis talks to keep BBC job CEREAL OFFENCE Nick Knowles in the Shreddies advert

TUNBRIDGE WELLS TV star Nick Knowles has been holding talks with the BBC in a bid to save his career.

The DIY SOS star, 58, was told he faced the sack after he appeared in an advert for Shreddies cereal.

BBC presenters are forbidden from appearing in advertisements as part of the broadcaster’s commitment to impartiality.

The host, who went to Skinners’ School, is now in ‘crisis talks’ to save his role in future episodes.

Nick Knowles’ representatives and the BBC released a joint statement last week saying: “Both the BBC and Nick are keen to resolve this matter and are working together to seek a solution.”

Career Mr Knowles, who has presented the awardwinning DIY TV show for more than 20 years, has now threatened to sack his management team after they failed to warn him of the BBC rule.

According to the Sun newspaper, a source at the BBC said: “It’s clear a massive error was made and it has jeopardised Nick’s stellar career at the BBC. “He was furious at how this was allowed to happen and said he’s even considered sacking his management team.”

BBC insiders have said the Shreddies adverts breached regulations as it appeared to use Nick’s

‘The BBC and Nick are keen to resolve this matter and are working to seek a solution’ reputation from DIY SOS. The source went on: “Those in the talks are hopeful they can come to a conclusion quickly.

“DIY SOS is a huge part of Nick’s life.

“It’s not just a job to him. He’s devoted to the cause. The idea of possibly leaving is devastating.”

DIY SOS features Nick and a team of renovators who convert people’s homes, often because of a change of circumstances that have left homeowners with unsuitable living conditions.

It has been airing on BBC One since 1999.

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Police ‘sought to learn’ from boy’s park death after his call for help

By Richard Williams A ‘SYSTEMIC FAILURE’ resulted in police not attending a Tunbridge Wells park after a 17-year-old reported that he was going to kill himself, a coroner has ruled.

The body of Matthew Mackell was discovered in Dunorlan Park in the early hours of May 7 last year.

A phone system had been in place for around five months that could have pinpointed the boy’s location, but none of the staff involved in the case that night knew it existed.

At Matthew Mackell’s inquest, which concluded last week at Maidstone’s County Hall, Coroner Alan Blunsdon said the failure of proper training and awareness of the phone ‘mapping system’ that could have located the teenager was ‘clearly a systemic failure’.

He said there had been a ‘missed opportunity’

‘An Independent Office of Police Conduct report concluded that no officers or staff members were guilty of any failings’ to find the Skinners’ Kent Academy student but added it was not possible to establish whether if officers had visited Dunorlan Park on that night, they would have reached Matthew in time.

The inquest had heard how Matthew had been made his plea to help to 999 BT call handlers on the night he died.

He had said: “Can you send someone to pick me up? I’m about to kill myself.” He then hung up.

After police staff at the call handling centre were alerted to the call, a number of attempts

MOURNERS Well wishers laying flowers last year on the spot where Matthew Mackell [inset] died

were made to contact Matthew, who told one of the call staff in Maidstone, that he was ‘fine’.

Despite this, the call handling supervisor on the night, PSE [Police Staff Employee] Gregson, told the coroner he had escalated the call to ‘immediate action required’ and traced Matthew’s phone as ‘likely’ to be calling from Dunorlan Park.

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

But the call was downgraded from ‘immediate’ to ‘high priority’ by the dispatch office, also based in Maidstone, as it was deemed the search area too large to locate the teenager. They also told the inquest the location of Dunorlan Park was ‘essentially a guess’ made by PSE Gregson and the search area could have been several kilometres wide.

But the coroner heard how a system called ‘enhanced mapping service’ could have

pinpointed Matthew’s phone location to within ten metres, although nobody involved in the call knew it existed.

Before recording a verdict of suicide, the coroner said he would write to Kent Police with concerns over the risk of future deaths.

After the inquest, Matthew’s father, Michael Bond, said: “I believe that had they sent someone to Dunorlan Park, they may have found and helped him.

“No family should ever have to suffer the loss of their child, knowing that they called for help and no one came.”

Kent Police have said the force has now ‘sought to learn from the incident’ and that the advanced mapping system had now been made the default setting on all staff computers to prevent ‘further tragedies’.

The force also said policy has been amended, making clear that even in the absence of a

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

TEENAGER SUFFERED FROM EXAM STRESS AND THE VIRUS LOCKDOWN THE family of Matthew Mackell have said the 17-year-old was suffering from stress before he died, caused by the uncertainty over his future due to lockdown.

Speaking shortly after the death, Chris Mackell, the older brother of the Skinners’ Kent Academy pupil, said Matthew had been worried his A-Level grades would be affected by the closure of his school.

He said his brother’s death was ‘probably because of the lockdown’ and added, “Where, obviously he’s not doing his work to the same quality, maybe, or he felt like he wasn’t in the right mindset to do it at home versus at school.”

Father Michael Bond has also said his son worried about his results and he was scared he was going to be in a ‘dead-end job’, although the A-level student achieved an A grade in finance.

Mr Bond said: “It’s a bittersweet feeling because I’m proud and I congratulated him at his grave, but I just wish he was here.”

He added: “He was worried about his results and he was scared he was going to be in a dead-end job, and he didn’t know where to go with lockdown.

“He lost his job too because of the virus and it all had a knock-on effect.” specific location, any phone call that involved a risk to life should never be downgraded from ‘immediate’.

An Independent Office of Police Conduct [IOPC] report conducted after Matthew’s death had concluded that no officers or staff members were guilty of any failings, although the IPOC did say they would be recommending a ‘Practice Requiring Improvement’ process for a police officer and two police staff members.

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Performers and businesses sign up to play their part in new Fringe festival BALANCING ACT A juggler at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which has inspired TW Fringe

A TWO-WEEK festival aimed to showcase the creative talents of Tunbridge Wells is to come to the town this summer.

From July 5 to July 18 artists and acts of all ages will be performing theatre, music, opera, cabaret, dance and visual art in an event which hopes to bring thousands to the town this summer.

So far more than 62 acts and 43 venues have signed up to take part.

TW Fringe is the brainchild of Debbie King, who runs the youth musical theatre company Talentz in the town.

PHOTO: Festival Fringe Society

By Richard Williams

Celebrate Debbie says she got the idea during the third lockdown at the beginning of the year.

She said: “Edinburgh was a massive influence obviously. I have been going there with my kids every year, so began thinking as we were coming out of lockdown ORGANISER this year of getting the Debbie King community together and doing something similar here.”

She said venues and performers have already begun lining up to get involved.

“We have a real, real mix of places and performers so far,” she said.

“It will start on The Pantiles with music, and we have Once Upon a Wish Events, youth theatre, Robert Pearce – the country’s best panto dame, the Three Little Pigs – then there’s the local amateur dramatic groups.

“We also have BBC Radio Kent doing Access All Areas with Stephen Brown at The Forum on the 13th.

“There will be a charity night for our chosen charities: Fegans and Taylor Made Dreams.

There will also be workshops going on in the town with Nell Price from Arty Farty. Tunbridge Wells is such a creative place, and this is aimed at celebrating that.

“There is so just so much going to be

STREET ACTS A tightrope walker at Edinburgh Fringe [Picture: Kim Traynor]

happening, but it is going to be focused on the local community and local performers.”

Jason Dormon, co-founder

‘We have all been unable to enjoy live events for so long now so it’s great to see the town pulling together and getting on with what it does best’ of The Forum, said the venue was ‘delighted’ to be involved with the Fringe.

He said: “It is such an amazing opportunity to shine the light on the region’s exceptional talent and venues ... it’s a very welcome addition to the town’s already vibrant scene of community events and festivals.”

Nell Price from Southborough based Arty Farty,

added: “It is bringing a buzz to the community and bringing creativity back to Tunbridge Wells after everything was closed down over the last 18 months.

“It is about having local performers support local businesses and vice versa – it is so great to see people working together like this.”

Funding for the festival has been supplied by the Town’s BID group, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, who gave a £4,000 grant to kickstart the idea.

BID Chief Executive, Ross Feeney, said: “The TW Fringe is an absolutely brilliant idea, and we are very happy to support it.

“Tunbridge Wells is full of creativity, art and culture and it’s only right that we celebrate it.

“We have all been unable to enjoy live events for so long now so it’s great to see the town pulling together and getting on with what it does best.”

Excited BBC Radio Kent DJ, Stephen Brown, who is hosting Access all Areas at The Forum as part of TW Fringe, added: “To be hosting a gig after such a difficult time seems unreal – I can’t wait to hear the bands and artists doing what they love, as loudly as they can!”

Organisations have lined up to get involved.

Tunbridge Wells based Eventotron, which provides the arts management system for the Edinburgh Fringe is helping out, along with the Times newspaper which is Media Sponsor.

“Local pubs are providing venues, local restaurants are providing food, we have churches, the parks are doing things, PR company Chatty Hatter is helping, as is web company Studio-44, so many people,” Debbie King said, adding: “And it is not too late for any performers or venues to get involved, either.”

Grace Simpson, who runs chocolate confectionery company Goupie said TW Fringe will also be a celebration of local food.

“I’m especially excited to be coordinating the foodie hub around Camden Road. We’ve got all the local independent food outlets hosting events, pop-ups and tastings in-store throughout the two weeks, as well as an artisan market on the 16th and 17th showcasing some of Kent’s finest foodies. Keep your eyes peeled for our food-focused treasure hunt, special collaborations and a whole lot more.”

For those wanting to get involved, more information can be found at twfringe.com

GETTING CRAFTY Arty Farty wil be running workshops PANTO ROYALTY Dame Robert Pearce will be at TW Fringe

CENTRE STAGE Local singer songwriter David Shepherd is taking part

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Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Minister praises MP for his work in ending the ‘ludicrous’ ticket system

CAMPAIGNER Greg Clark has spent seven years asking for flexible tickets

By Robert Forrester GREG Clark MP has ‘warmly welcomed’ plans to introduce flexible rail tickets next month.

It comes after a seven-year campaign by the Tunbridge Wells MP to bring flexible ticketing to the rail network.

The new ticketing system is being introduced as part of the Government’s shake-of the UK’s railways.

It will see the creation of a new state-owned body, Great British Railways (GBR), which will set timetables and prices, sell tickets in England and manage rail infrastructure.

‘It is ludicrous that since the 1950s, the railways have operated on the assumption that commuters go to their place of work five days a week’ The changes will also allow for commuters who need to travel less than five days a week, or whose schedule varies, to buy part-time and flexible tickets for their rail journeys from next month.

The news will be welcomed by the 3,500 season ticket holders in Tunbridge Wells, a number of whom have been working flexibly since the pandemic begun.

It costs around £127 a week to get to London

and back by train in Tunbridge Wells, with annual season tickets costing more than £5,000.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Mr Clark praised the decision to introduce the flexible tickets which will go on sale on June 21 and will be usable from June 28.

The tickets will mean commuters who travel to London just two or three days a week will not have to buy a ticket for the entire week.

Mr Clark said: “I warmly welcome this decisive decision to introduce flexible ticketing.

“It is ludicrous that since the 1950s, the railways have operated on the assumption that commuters go to their place of work five days a week.

“That has not been true for years and it is high time this was brought up to date and my constituents will strongly welcome it.”

However, the Tunbridge Wells MP urged the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, to now press on with rolling out contactless ticketing, which he pointed out has been in operation in London for 20 years.

He added: “It is ridiculous that it is not available beyond London so that people can avoid queuing up for paper tickets to be printed.”

In response the Secretary of State thanked Mr Clark for his ‘phenomenal campaigning’ on this issue, adding: “I notice all the time how hard he is working for the commuters of Tunbridge Wells and Paddock Wood and I think these reforms will be warmly welcomed by his constituents.”

PRAISE Grant Shapps speaking in the House of Commons last week

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Wednesday May 26 | 2021

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Bourne had said: “I know that residents appreciate seeing a police presence in their area and feel reassured to know that officers are still working in the heart of their community.

Vitally “I also believe it is vitally important to keep residents informed of what is happening in their local area.

“So, I’m keen to see how technology could be used where possible to provide information about policing and other local services even during the hours when the station itself is closed.

“The creation of a new police facility gives me a unique opportunity to consult. How would residents like to see the building used? What services do they want it to offer? What do police officers, PCSOs and front office staff think?”

REVAMP Crowborough Town Hall could be a new police station

Crowborough’s new police station moves a step closer per cent] said they would feel safer having a police station in Crowborough.

By Richard Williams A NEW Police Station looks set to get the goahead in Crowborough following the release of a local consultation on the plans.

Newly re-elected Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner [PCC], Katy Bourne, launched a consultation last year to hear the views of Crowborough residents about the need for visible policing in the town.

The results of the survey, which saw around 600 residents take part, have just been published and show an overwhelming majority in the town [79

‘Residents appreciate seeing a police presence and feel reassured to know that officers are in the heart of their community’ The consultation took place after it was revealed the current Police Station on Crowborough Hill, is set to close due to being in pooor condition and

‘no longer fit for purpose.’

A revamp of the former Crowborough Town Hall is taking place as a prospective replacement, although Katy Bourne, who was re-elected as Sussex PCC earlier this month, says plans for the new station will not be released until an internal consultation has been carried out by the force.

Work is currently underway to convert the building, although there will be no alterations to the outside of the former Town Hall, except for a new police sign, while inside the old council chamber is being partitioned.

On the release of her consultation last year, Mrs

RE-ELECTED: Katy Bourne has asked Crowborough residents their views on having a police station

WE’RE ON YOUR DOORSTEP Having a local office means we’re accessible, whether you need to make changes to your policy or make a claim.

Our insurance products and financial services include: • Home • Car • Business

• Farm • Equine • Travel

• Income Protection • Financial Planning • Pensions

NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. When you get in touch we’ll explain the advice services offered and the charges. Financial advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited.

For a real conversation about your insurance call us or pop in 55 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1XU Tel: 01892 884781

M J Webber, P G Bowring & S Joubert is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). And an introducer to NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited, a member of the NFU Mutual group of companies.

BUSINESS

Local News

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Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Town’s unemployment rate falls following the end of lockdown

By Richard Williams JOBLESS figures fell by 100 in Tunbridge Wells after the first easings of lockdown last month, figures show.

The number of people claiming out of work benefits dropped between March and April, according to the office of Office for National Statistics as the economy began to open up.

The number of people unemployed fell from 3,255 in March to 3,155, the largest drop since February’s spike of 3,265 as lockdown measures bit.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it

was ‘early signs of recovery’ across the UK as the rate of unemployment fell 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.

Vacancies Unemployment has tripled in Tunbridge Wells since the pandemic began, going from 1,130 in March 2020 to a peak of 3,325 last summer.

The ONS have said the number of payroll workers has risen at the same time as job

vacancies increased when shops and outdoor dining reopened last month.

They also say the fall in the unemployment rate started while the country was still in tight lockdown, indicating many unemployed were no longer looking for work, the ONS claim.

Restaurants and hospitality have been reporting a shortage of workers since they were allowed to reopen last month and before indoor dining and drinking began again last week.

Across the nation there are still 772,000 fewer UK workers on payrolls than before the pandemic struck last spring.

Law firm no dummies on giving good advice AN INVESTMENT trust has been advised on their sale of a world leading dress form manufacturer

by Tunbridge Wells based law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore.

Dress forms, often referred to as dress makers’ dummies, remain an essential tool for the fashion industry.

Thomson Snell & Passmore advised Electra Private Equity, a London Stock Exchange investment trust on the sale of Adjustoform Products to haberdashery distributor Groves of Thame.

Ashford based Adjustoform has grown to become a world leader in dress form manufacturing over the last 50 years, servicing customers worldwide with products which are widely recognised for their high quality.

“The number of employees on payroll rose strongly in April as the economy began to reopen” 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.

26— 27 JUNE

Disposing

Groves is the UK’s leading supplier of sewing and needlecraft accessories. Its acquisition of Adjustoform will further add to its already portfolio of products, the company says.

Gavin Manson, CFO of Electra Private Equity said: “We are delighted that Adjustoform has become part of Groves.

“Thomson Snell & Passmore guided this transaction with great skill and multidisciplinary teamwork and we thank them for their expertise and the role they played in enabling a seamless transaction.”

Joanne Gallagher, Partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore who led the transaction team, added: “We were able DRESS FORM to harness our expertise in Private One of Equity and M&A as well as draw on our Adjustoform’s wide ranging skillsets from across our products commercial departments to successfully complete this transaction.”

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FINANCIALLY THRIVING IN DIFFICULT TIMES The past year has highlighted how life’s twists and turns can play havoc with your financial situation.

No-one could have foreseen the ongoing impact of Covid19 on people’s health, employment, and the wider economic landscape.

Here are some tips on how to manage future financial pitfalls, whatever your personal circumstances.

SET A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET Take stock of your everyday finances.

Draw up a list of your regular and essential bills by scanning your bank statements and use this as a basis to set a household budget.

You could consider creating a simple spreadsheet, splitting your outgoings into ‘essential’, such as your mortgage and utilities, and ‘non-essential’, including entertainment and holidays, while giving yourself monthly spend and save targets.

BUILD ON YOUR SAVINGS HABIT Consider what you can afford to save each month and stick to this by setting up a direct debit into a savings account.

You might want to try some tactics to

The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. Neither simulated nor actual past performance are reliable indicators of future performance. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue

CONTACT:

avoid unnecessary spending. For example, give yourself 24 hours before buying a new item, and unsubscribe from store emails to avoid temptation.

BOOST YOUR SAFETY NET It’s generally considered wise to have enough cash set aside in an easy access savings account to meet at least six months’ worth of expenditure. This money could provide peace of mind if you suffer a salary cut or a drop in dividend income, and need to meet your essential outgoings.

CHECK YOUR PROTECTION Protecting your family from financial difficulties isn’t just about saving and investing. It’s also about ensuring they are provided for should you suffer a

a particular strategy. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views held throughout Brewin Dolphin Ltd. Brewin Dolphin Limited is a member of the London Stock Exchange, and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct

serious illness or die.

There are various types of financial protection, including income protection, life cover and critical illness cover. An adviser can help you decide the right level of cover and benefits for your personal circumstances.

START – OR CONTINUE – INVESTING Ongoing periods of economic uncertainty are undoubtedly unsettling.

Yet if you’ve no immediate need for your spare cash, and enough set aside for emergencies, investing for the long-term could be wise.

Stock markets go down as well as up, but history shows that, over the long term, shares tend to perform more strongly than

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cash. It doesn’t typically pay to hold off on an investment decision if you’ve got spare money and time on your side, whatever the wider economic circumstances.

SEEK HELP If you are unsure about your next steps and would like some expert help, an adviser can help you plan effectively to financially safeguard against whatever lies ahead.

A good financial plan helps you manage your financial risks, while helping you maximise opportunities to increase your wealth over time.

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Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Mayor’s Secretary steps down after over three decades of council service

By Lottie Bulmer THE Mayor’s right-hand woman is moving from the council after 35 years’ service to the community.

Katie Neve has worked for the council as secretary to the Mayor since she left school.

Mrs Neve has looked after 29 mayors during

“The people at the council all work so hard and do so much for the community and really do make a difference” her time in the position, but is now leaving to become clerk at a local parish council.

Katie told the Times how she first came into the role.

She said: “My first job was at the council and I’ve never moved from it since. I moved up here to do my A Levels from Plymouth as my dad got a job up here. I started at the girl’s grammar school, but I decided it wasn’t for me.

“Then I started looking for jobs, and the Admin and Legal Receptionist job at the council paid slightly more than being an estate agent.

“I started off just doing post runs and the switchboard, which I did for a year until I moved up into another position as Committee Administrator in the council which I did for about four years.

“It was there that I covered the Mayor’s

Secretary while they were on maternity leave and I’ve now looked after 29 mayors.

“Chris May is retiring from his position as clerk at Speldhurst Parish Council and he is gradually handing over the reins to me.”

Katie also shared her highlights of her career and what she would miss the most about the role.

She said: “My colleague and I were part of the National Association of Civic Officers and we put ourselves forward for the award of the best office and we won it in 2018.

“I also helped out in MP Greg Clark’s office for seven months during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Every year I am amazed at the public’s response to the Mayor’s Toy Appeal which has been running for decades and really makes such a difference to many families in the borough.

“Out of everything about the job, I will miss the people the most – which is what everyone who has worked here has said.

They all work so hard and do so much for the community and really do make a difference.”

Katie also told the Times how the role of the Mayor had changed since she started at the council 35 years ago.

She said: “The mayoralty has COMMUNITY shrunk during SERVICE my time at the Katie Neve has council, but worked for the the role is still council for 35 years so valuable.”

GIRL POWER: Players Jonna, Fee, Rosie, Kathy, Emma, Chloe, Bersi and Suzanne who take part in the camp

Local women’s rugby training camp has been praised for its ‘accessability’ A SERIES of women’s fitness training camps at Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club has been praised for its inclusivity by its players.

Inner Warrior is a camp for women and girls aged 11 and over, and the sessions work as an introduction to rugby for those who have never played or want to get back into the sport.

Opportunity The camps are run by rugby clubs across the country and are supported by the Rugby Football Union at Twickenham.

Player, Kathy Kellam said: “As an older woman, rugby always seemed so inaccessible. It’s for men and kids, not for me.

“I couldn’t have been more wrong. Inner

Warrior gave me the opportunity to come along and give rugby a try. I was met with the warmest welcome, at the friendliest club. Not only is it wonderful exercise but a true team sport.”

Simon Parsons, Women and Girls Director of Rugby added: “We have a growing Ladies & Girls section here at TWRFC with over sixty players across all age groups from under 11s to over 18s.

“The Inner Warrior session is about trying rugby, having some fun and hopefully helping us grow our over 18s squad.

“Although the Rugby season finishes at the end of May, we will still be running touch rugby sessions during the summer for all age groups.”

For more information on TWRFC Ladies & Girls section, visit www.twrfc.com/team/ladies/ or contact Simon on ladies@twrfc.com

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Support for disabled charity from insurers THE staff at a local insurers have shared their ‘pride’ in donating more than £6,000 to a charity supporting disabled people.

NFU Mutual, the rural insurance company with an office in Tunbridge Wells, chose Compaid as its local recipient of a share in its £2million ‘Agency Giving Fund’.

Compaid recieved £6,450 which will be spent on a new digital skills training centre in Paddock Wood.

Shaun Joubert, a partner at NFU Mutual in Tunbridge Wells, said: “Covid continues to have a huge impact on everybody, including our customers and their local communities.

“Compaid has been making a wonderful difference to our community during these challenging times, and we feel extremely proud to hear how our support has made an impact.”

Stephen Elsden, Chief Executive of Compaid, said: “We are very grateful to NFU Mutual Tunbridge Wells for supporting the work of Compaid. This generous donation comes in a

week when we are thrilled to be opening the doors again of our digital skills training centre in Paddock Wood after what has been one of the most difficult years any of us have had to face.”

Impact He added: “With society now slowly returning to normal, the legacy of Covid has only highlighted the importance for digital inclusion as online access via our phones, tablets or computers is a given, but sadly for a very high percentage of vulnerable people, access is simply not an option.

“This support will ensure that these people can finally learn the skills to access digital services and provide much needed support to finally leave their homes, opportunities that so many of us simply take for granted.”

For more information about your local NFU Mutual Agent in Tunbridge Wells, visit: www. nfumutual.co.uk/agent-offices/tunbridge-wells/

GENEROUS DONATION: NFU Mutual have donated more than £6000 to Compaid to support the charity

Hunt around your high street this weekend to support local traders

By Lottie Bulmer NOW the shops are reopening, the Times – which has partnered with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council – is supporting ‘Say Hi to your High Street’, a campaign to encourage people to shop locally and support our towns’ businesses.

As part of the campaign, a series of weekly treasure hunts will launch this weekend, with Paddock Wood as the flagship high street.

Budding explorers can search for clues which are hidden in participating local businesses to get the chance to win some fabulous prizes from our local traders.

Treasure hunters could take home

a luxury delicatessen hamper from The Kings of Fine Food worth up to £50, a personalised light from Snobs Gifts, a voucher for Barnsley’s Department Store or entry for four people to the Hop Farm.

To enter, need to visit Paddock Wood this Saturday, find the clues and share a selfie showing your haul.

Use the hashtag #sayhipaddockwood or tag @ VisitTunbridgeWells on Facebook, or tag @ tunbridgewellsvisitor on Instagram.

Alternatively, if your social media accounts are private, you can email your photo to business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

PADDOCK WOOD’S TRADERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO THEIR HIGH STREET. THEY SHARE THEIR PASSION FOR THEIR LOCAL BUSINESSES…

Miguel Fenton

Blooming Marvellous Claire Webb who owns florist The Darling Buds in Paddock Wood explained what she loves about her arrangements.

She said: “Being able to do your own designs is what I love; everything is my own idea, and I can create bouquets that reflect myself as a person.

“We also do a lot of wedding arrangements, from table centrepieces to bridesmaid and bridal bouquets.

Being able to create the perfect floral arrangement for their special day is something I really enjoy!”

GET HUNTING Paddock Wood is the location for the first in a series of treaure hunts

Enjoy the present Martin Stammer from Snobs Gifts which offers a range of personalised products is also participating in the treasure hunt. His family-run shop has served the local community for 21 years.

He said: “We started as a small shoe repairing and key cutting business in 1999. Soon after our engraving venture began, we offered a trophy engraving

service which has since expanded to house signs and memorial benches.

“Over the years the requests increased and, with newer machines and techniques becoming available, we were able to begin making bespoke gifts.

“In 2006 we launched our website and began distributing our gifts

Martin Stammer

worldwide. The business has continued to grow ever since.

“I love the interaction this job brings and it is nice to see customers happy with the finished product. Some of our customers even send us photos of the personalised house signs we’ve made for them hanging up in their homes.”

Hop to it No trip to Paddock Wood would be complete without a visit to the Hop Farm.

Treasure hunters can root around one of Kent’s most historic landmarks, which attracts over 500,000 visitors every year.

Miguel Fenton, Head of Sales and Marketing at the Hop Farm said: “The Hop Farm provides a multitude of leisure and entertainment; we have something for everyone.

“From a farm where you can get up close and personal to animals with children’s rides and soft play areas, to drive-in cinema events and live entertainment.

“We even have Olly Murs and Tom Jones playing here this September.

“We have a large number of venues for hire for weddings and business meetings – and even an award-winning campsite.

“It is great that we are able to provide this for our local community.”

S T E E R T S H YOUR HIG AFE AND S , N E P O E AR ! i H O T READY Say

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

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Pregnant women to now be induced at 41 weeks PREGANANT women should be induced at 41 weeks and not 42 to cut the risks to themselves and their baby, according to new draft guidelines.

Until now, women have been offered induction on the NHS between 41 and 42 weeks, but recent evidence shows that babies are more likely to die if the pregnancy goes to 42 weeks or beyond.

As a result, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has published new draft guidelines saying women should be induced as soon as possible when they hit 41 weeks in a bid to make birth safer for them and their child.

Those women who choose not to be induced at 41 weeks can continue with twice-weekly monitoring, but should be informed that there is no evidence this can prevent poor outcomes for mother or baby.

Infections Experts on the Nice committee looked at a range of evidence to support the shift, including one large study that was stopped early due to the fact more babies were dying or being admitted to intensive care when induction was carried out at 42 weeks compared with 41.

Other possible complications of allowing pregnancies to go beyond 41 weeks include the placenta breaking down and failing to provide the baby with adequate oxygen and nutrients, and the risk of womb infections.

Nice also called for more research on when induction should be offered in the groups of women who may be more likely to experience poor outcomes if their pregnancy continues beyond 41 weeks.

These groups include women of black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, women with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, and those aged over 35.

UK could be home to 850,000 sex predators UP TO 850,000 people in the UK pose a sexual threat to children, according to the latest estimates published by the National Crime Agency.

Law enforcement officials have used a new method to calculate the size of the hidden population of offenders, and estimate it to be between 550,000 and 850,000.

This includes paedophiles who download images of child abuse, as well as those involved in direct physical abuse.

The new calculation method means the number is far higher than previous estimates, which focused on the number of registered sex offenders and those using sites on the dark web to look at images of child abuse, put at a minimum of 300,000 people.

Intensity In its annual National Strategic Assessment, the NCA said plans to introduce end-to-end encryption for Facebook messages may hamper its ability to catch paedophiles.

NCA director general Lynne Owens called on social media companies to shut down all avenues for criminals to use their platforms.

She said: “While the NCA will continue to lead the fight to cut serious and organised crime, it is imperative that technology and social media companies match this intensity, building in safety by design and closing down all avenues for offenders to exploit their platforms.

“In particular, we must move to a place of zero tolerance for the presence of such material online in order to raise the bar to offending and, most importantly, protect children.”

A Facebook spokesman said: “Child exploitation has no place on our platforms and Facebook will continue to lead the industry in developing new ways to prevent, detect and respond to abuse.

“End-to-end encryption is already the leading security technology used by many services to keep people safe from hackers and criminals.”

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Indian variant hotspot restrictions are just ‘lockdowns by stealth’ MINISTERS have been accused of bringing in ‘local lockdowns by stealth’ after quietly slipping out guidance urging people in Indian variant hotspot areas to restrict their socialising and travel.

Labour shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on the Government to withdraw the new advice for eight areas in England, where it is being recommended that people do not meet indoors and that travelling in and out of the localities should be avoided.

Health chiefs in the areas have said they were not consulted or informed about the changes, which were published on the Government’s website on Friday without a formal announcement.

TESTING TIMES Gillian Higginson, 46, and Rebecca Higginson, 15, waiting to be tested at a mobile testing unit in North Shields

Mutation Demanding answers during an urgent question in the House of Commons, Mr Ashworth said many of the areas involved – with almost two million people across Bolton, Leicester, Kirklees, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Bedford, North Tyneside and the London Borough of Hounslow affected – had ‘borne the brunt of the crisis these last 15 months’ and felt ‘abandoned’ by Westminster.

“So can the minister understand how upsetting it is, can he understand how insulting it is, to have new restrictions imposed upon us?” asked the Leicester South MP. “Local lockdowns by stealth, by the back door, and the Secretary of State (Matt Hancock) doesn’t even have the courtesy to come and tell us.”

Mr Ashworth urged second doses of vaccines to be rolled out at a faster rate to protect against the highly transmissible Indian mutation, while calling for ministers to ‘withdraw this guidance now’.

Downing Street and vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, answering the Commons question on behalf of the Government, defended the handling of the battle against the B1617.2

variant, which vaccines being rolled out in the UK have been shown to help guard against.

Argued Mr Zahawi told MPs that the onus was on personal responsibility and that Boris Johnson – who has signalled he does not want to return to locally tiered measures – still intends to take a national approach to lifting restrictions.

“As the Prime Minister said, we want the whole country to move out of these restrictions together and we’re trusting people to be responsible and to act with caution and common sense as they have done throughout this pandemic and to make decisions about how best to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Mr Zahawi said.

The Government has argued that the recommendations to the hotspot areas were first issued on May 14 – with the Prime Minister urging people to be ‘extra cautious’ – before being published online last week.

PM warns Belarus over ‘distressing’ video of captured dissident journalist THE treatment by Belarus of a captured journalist and prominent government critic “will have consequences”, Boris Johnson has warned.

Roman Protasevich was on board a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius on Sunday when it was forced to change course to head for the Belarus capital after a reported bomb scare, escorted by a MiG fighter jet.

He was arrested and, in a video released by Belarusian authorities on Monday evening, appeared to admit he was involved in organising mass protests in Minsk last year.

The UK Prime Minister said the video was “deeply distressing” and called for Mr Protasevich’s release.

He tweeted: “The video of Roman Protasevich makes for deeply distressing viewing.

“As a journalist and a passionate believer in freedom of speech I call for his immediate release.

“Belarus’ actions will have consequences.”

Alexander Lukashenko has been president of Belarus since the post was established in 1994 and won re-election for a sixth time in 2020 with 80% of the vote, in a ballot deemed “neither free nor fair” by the European Union.

Since winning the disputed election last August, Mr Lukashenko has cracked down on dissenting voices, with many opposition figures arrested and others forced into exile.

Mr Johnson’s comments came as a former military chief said Britain needed a long-term plan to tackle ‘criminal outrages by gangster regimes’.

Lord Stirrup made the call at Westminster as he

argued that the ‘egregious act’ of Belarus forcing the diversion of a passenger jet to arrest a journalist and prominent government critic was not an isolated incident.

The independent crossbencher, who led the armed forces as chief of the defence staff from 2006-10, highlighted the ‘murderous attacks with vile poisons’ on UK soil as well as cyber interference in the nation’s political processes, which have been blamed on the Kremlin.

ARRESTED Roman Protasevich

No 10 stressed that the guidance was ‘not statutory’ and that the Government wanted to move away from ‘top-down edicts’ as lockdown restrictions ease.

It comes as Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said the hospital’s emergency department saw one of its busiest ever days on Monday and that it was braced for continued pressure.

Chief operating officer Andy Ennis said ‘more people’ were turning up requiring treatment from the effects of Covid-19, with 41 currently admitted, including eight in critical care.

‘He urged the public only to attend the emergency department if absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement the directors of public health in Burnley, Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Kirklees, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside said: “Following the national coverage of recently revised guidance we have met with national officials and confirmed there are no restrictions on travel in or out of each of our areas: There are no local lockdowns.”

Anti-Muslim sentiment ‘a problem’ in Tory party BORIS Johnson’s controversial comments about burka-wearing women gave the impression the Tories are ‘insensitive to Muslim communities’, according to an independent review into alleged discrimination in the party.

The inquiry found anti-Muslim sentiment was seen at local association and individual levels.

But it dismissed claims of ‘institutional racism’ in the party saying they were not borne out by evidence of the way complaints were handled.

One of the issues highlighted by the report was the Prime Minister’s 2018 Daily Telegraph column in 2018 which described Muslim women who wear the burka as looking like ‘letterboxes’ and ‘bank robbers’.

Sorry The review, led by Professor Swaran Singh, said the leadership of the Conservative Party ‘ought to set a good example for appropriate behaviours and language’.

Mr Johnson said he was ‘sorry for any offence taken’ over his journalism and told Prof Singh’s investigation: “Would I use some of the offending language from my past writings today? Now that I am Prime Minister, I would not.”

The Singh Investigation said several interviewees who spoke to the inquiry considered Mr Johnson’s language ‘discriminatory and unacceptable’.

After the release of the report, Prof Singh told newspapers: “I’m not saying that the party leadership is insensitive to Muslim communities.

I’m saying that the perception is very strong.”

14

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Education News

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Wednesday May 26 | 2021

EDUCATION Times Two leading schools are to become one in order to provide an outstanding education for pupils of all ages NEW BEGINNINGS The New Beacon

SEAT OF LEARNING Tonbridge School is world famous

Tonbridge School and The New Beacon Prep School announce merger LAST WEEK it was announced that Tonbridge School and The New Beacon Preparatory School will join forces this summer to provide a comprehensive educational offering.

Tonbridge is one of the UK’s leading independent boys’ senior schools while The New Beacon, which is based in Sevenoaks, is considered to be one of the country’s top independent preparatory schools.

Individual As the two governing bodies already work together, it is expected that Tonbridge and The New Beacon will become further aligned in terms of overall strategy. A spokesperson told the Times however that each school will retain its own teaching and support staff, its own leadership and management teams, and its own uniform and site.

James Priory, Headmaster of Tonbridge School, which has approximately 800 boys said: “There has always been a strong relationship between our schools and I am

delighted that we will be combining our experience and expertise to provide an educational pathway for boys from 3 to 18. We have a shared ethos and believe that the merger will bring considerable benefits to both schools whilst respecting our separate identities.

connection with Tonbridge and will expand our access to the expertise of its senior school staff and facilities.

Support

“I’m delighted we are combining our experience and expertise to provide an educational pathway for boys from 3 to 18” “Tonbridge is a determinedly selective school. We already welcome some 20 boys from The New Beacon every year. Our rigorous recruitment process will remain the same for New Beacon applicants as it does for boys from every other prep school, all of whom we will continue to welcome and support.”

Tonbridge School is renowned for its world-class, innovative teaching and learning, as well as for its pastoral

“I am also delighted that we will be working with Tonbridge to develop further our intellectually creative academic curriculum to align Years 7 to 9. This will support the boys in preparing for entrance assessments and transition to senior school, not just academically but also in terms of confidence and life skills – benefits which will, of course, apply to all boys, whichever their preferred senior school destination.

“We have always worked closely with individual families in choosing the senior school which is best for their sons – over the last five years we have sent boys to 21 senior schools. We will continue to provide that bespoke service.”

AIMING HIGH Tonbridge and New Beacon pupils excellence, outstanding facilities and strong ethos of community outreach and social impact. Approximately 60 per cent of its students are boarders.

The merger also means that The New Beacon will become part of the group of schools overseen by the Skinners’ Company, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London and a major not-for-profit organisation which supports seven other schools,

including Tonbridge School.

Mike Piercy, Headmaster of The New Beacon, which has around 325 prep pupils as well as a nursery said: “This merger will strengthen our long

GREG CLARK MP Hildenborough Church

Hildenborough Church

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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 26 | 2021

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Letters

15

NEWS

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

The blame game is just sour grapes

That said as we come out of lockdown and society opens up I am concerned that some of the changes we have had to adjust to wont become the new normal.

As humans we like to be spontaneous in our actions and the thought of having to pre book to go to a rubbish dump or pre booking a National Trust visit is like having handcuffs imposed on us.

Let’s not use Covid as an excuse to raise prices, limit movements etc we have the vaccine now and we need to get back to normal pre Covid life.

David Nicholds Tunbridge Wells

Time to stop blaming Brexit

Councillor’s role is being diminished In connection with the borough election your correspondent Martin Dawes refers to ‘elected officials’.

This American term has no meaning in our system.

The councillors we elect are our representatives, and it is they who decide policy and ensure it is carried out. The officials are those employed and paid by us to advise them.

At election time the distinction is more important than ever, and it is disappointing that the Times has still not, I believe, published the names of those elected – and almost as important not elected – in Tunbridge Wells, but only the numbers of seats held by the parties.

This serves to diminish the role of councillors in deciding our future.

Before the election the Town Forum wrote to the parties and the individual candidates pointing out the importance of this election, and the need for all those elected to play a positive part in deciding the way forward.

We also held hustings attended by all parties except one.

After Brexit, the pandemic and the abandonment of Calverley Square, this was if ever the moment for a fresh look at where we are going – a fact well recognised by those who took part in the hustings.

It’s disappointing that in this situation less than half of those eligible cast a vote.

But if the narrowness of the result reminds us all of the important role of councillors and the

was unheard of.

Blaming the electorate for voting as they do is a sign of desperation. As local politicians, we need to put our own houses in order before blaming others – only by engaging people, giving them hope of a better future for the town, and giving them a reason to vote, will we be able to effect change.

Blaming people just smacks of sour grapes.

Peter Lidstone Re-elected Lib Dem councillor for St John’s at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council need for co-operation there could be some benefit from a hung council.

Alastair Tod Tunbridge Wells Editor’s note: A full list of the election results is available at tunbridgewells.gov.uk

MP was patronising With regards Greg Clark MP’s statement in the Times [May 12] was patronising beyond belief in my opinion.

Referring to the Tories loss of control of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the fact is the councils Tories have been dysfunctional for a very long time and out of touch with its constituents.

Internal arguing, and fighting has led to this situation. The people of the Borough deserve better.

If [Mr] Clark can’t control his local party what hope is there.

Our town has been decaying for two decades whilst he and Tory councillors do nothing about it. Time for change and times are changing.

Roger K Walsh Southborough

PEPPY SAYS...

Your acknowledgement appreciated Thank you for the public recognition of my leading role in the fight against the Calverley Square project and, as the costs increased, from preventing the loss from being even greater than the £12m to which you refer.

That is much appreciated.

Robert Chris Tunbridge Wells Editors’ note: You’re very welcome Robert. It’s always nice to hear from our loyal readers.

Thank you Times We are all thrilled today at the wonderful two-page feature about Rusthall Community Cinema.

We are sure it will make a big difference to our publicity as we open up again.

Thanks to the Times of Tunbridge Wells for all it does so well to celebrate the uplifting events in our community.

Rusthall Cinema Club Rusthall

Let’s not use Covid as an excuse No doubt that from last March we have all had to adjust to living a different life.

Follow Peppry on Twitter @Peppyscott

I write in response to Robert Chris’ letter listing people to blame for the local election results.

Dr Chris blamed the 43 per cent turnout in the local election.

This is standard for a local election, and I would guess above the national average.

The leader of the Tunbridge Wells Alliance blamed the ‘vaccine boost’ and ‘gunboat diplomacy’ of the government for boosting Conservative support, as if the government to using the media manipulatively on polling day

In his letter published in the Times [May 19) Mr Ekin-Daukes argues that the shortage of staff being experienced by pubs and restaurants in Tunbridge Wells is all due to Brexit.

No doubt if the problem was not enough vacancies for the number of job seekers looking for work, then he would blame this on Brexit as well. Any bad news is inevitably blamed on Brexit and any good news is either ignored or has occurred ‘despite Brexit’.

He goes on to say that any hostility we might encounter when we travel abroad will be our own fault for deciding to leave the EU. He is not in any hurry to criticise the French government for threatening to cut power supplies to the Channel Islands or the EU Commission for attempting to block Covid 19 vaccines into this country.

He suggests that foreign workers have left and won’t want to come back to work here because they have received abuse from Brexit supporters who clearly don’t like foreigners.

As someone with a Swiss wife, I find his comment ludicrous and offensive. There is a difference between disliking the institution known as the EU and the citizens of other European countries.

My reasons for supporting Brexit were simply that I have no wish to be swallowed up and

become a region of a European superstate and I believe in democracy which means having the ability to appoint and remove those who govern us and make our laws.

I always get the impression that a significant number of Remainers who wanted to overturn the 2016 referendum result are contemptuous of the country they live in and embarrassed by its population who voted to leave.

Some feel the need to make grovelling apologises to foreign nationals they meet for the referendum result, others refer to their fellow citizens as ‘island apes’ and suggesting they didn’t understand the issues involved and were probably too stupid to be allowed to vote anyway.

I am sure Mr Ekin-Daukes and many others sharing his opinions were only too happy to see the UK awarded nil points in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Nearly five years after the referendum I think it is time to move on and talk about other issues and challenges facing our country in the years ahead.

Robert Mayall Tunbridge Wells

16

NEWS

Weekly Comment

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Hugo Pound Labour Councillor for Sherwood

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

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 Labour Party.

Hugo Pound is a Labour Councillor for Sherwood ward and the party’s group leader on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Driving change requires leadership, vision and energy AS A result of last month’s election, we now officially have a ‘No Overall Control’ Council.

But at its meeting today (Wednesday May 26) Tunbridge Wells Council will either continue as a Conservative administration, propped up only by the Conservative mayor’s casting vote or, finally, there will be a new coalition of Liberal Democrats, Labour and Alliance members bringing pace, focus and breadth of talents to the Council.

The election result on May 6 confirms that the public would prefer the political parties to work together to tackle our problems - that is what a coalition offers.

Politics is about taking action on priorities. The new coalition partners have already worked through their priorities for the borough, but they can only be acted upon if we are leading the Council.

At today’s Council meeting the Conservatives want to elect their own Mayor, even though the Council is split 24 Tories / 24 ‘others’.

Labour has proposed that the Council should elect a Mayor from another party. This would require the Conservatives to win over at least some opposition members in order to progress their agenda, which is more democratic, more accountable, and more transparent.

Being clear about priorities is one thing. Action

is the other. Whoever is in charge, the Council needs to develop and quickly progress a post Covid Recovery Plan for the whole Borough and particularly for Tunbridge Wells town.

It needs to move ahead quicker on its action on the climate and biodiversity emergency.

It needs to seriously look at building its own housing to rent to single people and families who are homeless or cannot afford high private rents. It needs to manage the basic Council services it provides more efficiently and to hold contractors to account for poor service. It needs to be open and honest about the shameful waste of over £10m on its failed plans to build new council offices, an underground car park and theatre.

NEW DAWN The Town Hall needs fresh leadership

Experiments If Tunbridge Wells town centre is to thrive again, we need to help those who service all those facilities to live in town.

Retail, hospitality, leisure and culture workers should not have to commute in every day. There should be Council rented housing in the middle of town.

The last residents’ survey in 2015 said that people want more pedestrianisation.

Let’s get radical and run a few experiments:

Close off access to some roads, create temporary pedestrianised areas, ban deliveries during the day. Let’s celebrate our heritage and assets and promote Tunbridge Wells as a place to work, rest and play!

Driving change requires leadership, vision and energy – something this Conservative Council clearly lacks. We will not support them if they

are just propped up by the casting vote of one of their own. That is not democratic and definitely not good for Tunbridge Wells.

We will cooperate with them if they acknowledge they have lost the confidence of residents and agree to work cross party to make the Borough the thriving and prosperous place it should be.

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Homes & Interiors

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Interiors

See the light

How to choose the perfect illumination for your home Page 24

London calling

Why demand for city properties is soaring

Page 20

19

Homes & Interiors

Property Focus NEW S

20

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Number of property transactions in April reaches highest for 14 years

By Lottie Bulmer THE number of homes sold across the UK last month has reached the highest number since April 2007.

In April 2021, residential transactions during the month hit 111,260 which is the highest total in April since 2007, when the number of transactions hit 126,450.

This is a 197.8 per cent rise on the same month in 2020.

restrictions in sight, lenders must now turn their attention to dealing with the challenges of post-pandemic recovery.

“Specialist lenders, in particular, will have a key role to play, ensuring that customers who have been affected financially by the last year are still able to access the advice and products which are suitable for them.”

FOR SALE UK property sales are going through the roof

Buoyant

Adapted Simon Furnell, chief operating officer at London-based Masthaven Bank said: “These figures demonstrate just how far the UK has come in its fight against the coronavirus and how well the property industry has adapted to what is probably the biggest operational challenge it has ever faced.

“At this point last year, activity in the housing market was almost totally suspended and the whole of the UK was in lockdown.

He added that the surge may have been due to the help schemes that the

government has offered to buyers.

He said: “Since then, a combination of government support and industry innovation has allowed the property market to flourish, even through the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

“Despite this, it’s important to

recognise that this government support won’t last forever. When initiatives such as the Stamp Duty tax holiday and the furlough scheme come to an end later this year, it’s vital that borrowers aren’t left in the lurch.

“With the end of many pandemic

‘Accidental’ savings mean first time buyers are more likely to pay their own deposit POTENTIAL first time buyers who have been able to save money during lockdown are more likely able to pay their own mortgage deposit, an online estate agent has said.

Purplebricks has found that 43 per cent of first-time buyers have been able to pay their mortgage deposit, compared to 29 per cent in 2016.

The average deposit for a new home is around 20 per cent.

Save KEY CHANGE Lockdown has meant first time buyers need less help to pay deposits

With average UK property prices now exceeding £330,000, a deposit for first time buyers can exceed £60,000.

Previous to lockdown, first time buyers would often rely on parents to make up the difference for their deposit, but many have been able to save more money during the various lockdowns.

Despite the warnings that the market may slow down when the government help schemes come to an end, some experts say that the market will stay busy.

Sam Mitchell, CEO of online estate agency, Strike said: “Some might be cautious of the stamp duty deadline fast approaching, but there are no signs of this derailing the market.

“In fact, with a tapering-off period until October, low stock levels, rock-bottom interest rates and the introduction of the Government’s high loan-to-value lending scheme, there are more than enough factors to keep things buoyant.”

Divisional sales director at Purplebricks, Susan Gregory said: “It is really encouraging to observe this growing trend for first-time buyers to finance their first property purchases under their own steam.

“There has been a big shift in buyer behaviour over the past 12 months.

“The trend towards agile working has enabled many potential buyers the freedom to look further afield and consider properties in more rural areas as they are not as constrained by their commute.

“Areas that were not on the radar of first-time buyers before are now looking more attractive, leading to much more mobility within the UK housing market as a whole.”

Mike Scott at online estate agent Yopa added the entire market would benefit from being able to save in lockdown: “The aftermath of the pandemic is likely to see sustained housing market strength into 2022, as a result of changed lifestyles, a desire for a fresh start, and tens of billions of ‘accidental savings’ made during the pandemic, much of which is likely to find its way into the housing market.”

City living is slowly making a comeback THE mass exodus of city centre properties during lockdown may be reversing.

New research from Rightmove has found that demand for city centre properties is up by 35 per cent compared to a 32 per cent jump in demand for properties in villages.

According to the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence, 700,000 Londoners moved out of the capital during lockdown, in favour of smaller towns in commutable distance, like Tunbridge Wells to avoid the virus and regional lockdowns.

But with new government incentives like the 95 per cent mortgage and city centre house

prices have remained unchanged since January despite a national increase in property prices of 3.4 per cent in the same period.

Buzz Rightmove’s director of property, Tim Bannister said: “These are early signs, but they certainly point to some good news for city centres across Britain, a number of agents are telling me they’ve seen a marked uptick in demand from first-time buyers, and they’re managing to sell city-centre flats more quickly than in earlier months of the year.”

“Right now, some buyers are able to grab a relative city bargain compared with the heady price growth outside cities, but these early signs of demand could be the start of city prices rising again.

“So, for those home-hunters who have their sights set on a city-centre flat, now is the time to see what’s available.”

He added: “People starting to venture into their local high streets and once again experiencing the buzz of their city centres, along with greater mortgage availability for first-time buyers, means city centres are staging a muchneeded comeback.”

LONDON LIFE The city is welcoming back buyers

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Homes & Interiors

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

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LEGGY LAMPS All available from Graham and Green

How to get summer lighting just right

From lamps and pendants to all-important dimmers, Sam Wylie-Harris talks to interiors author Lisa Dawson about switching things up for summer

W

E MAY be nearing the height of summer, but a flick of a switch is still a sure-fire way to brighten up a room when needed, and change a space from dull to dazzling.

Whether it’s a quirky table lamp or a feather pendant that’s as ethereal as the blossom on the trees, good lighting evokes a mood and the right beam can be a beautiful thing.

“I think lighting is one of the most important things in a room. You can transform the way a room makes you

feel by getting the lighting right. And so often, people get it wrong,” says Lisa Dawson (lisadawsonstyling.com), award-winning interiors blogger and

“I think lighting is one of the most important things in a room.” author of new book, Resourceful Living.

So, how can be sure we’re on the right track? We turned to Dawson for some top tips on mastering lighting, and

rounded up some of our favourite finds.

“Firstly, overhead lighting should always be on a dimmer. Secondly, when you choose an overhead statement light, it needs to look as good off as it does on, because the likelihood is, it’s not going to be on very much. And the whole idea is to mix the lighting up,” says Dawson.

Simple and elegant, the Isla Linear Pendant, £99, Next, is designed with

smoke-plated crackle-effect glass shades.

All of Next’s ceiling and wall lights are dimmable, plus they supply a range of dimmable bulbs and dimmer switches.

Homes & Interiors

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

23

THINK PINK Powder Pink Coolicon Original Shade from Loaf

CLOUD 9 Aurora White Feather Pendant Shades from Graham and Green Dawson says she once heard “years ago” that an average room should have eight light sources, which she thinks is a little excessive.

“You wouldn’t be able to move for lights really, but I never have less than four in a room,” Dawson continues. “One in each corner, to make sure each area is lit. Also, when you’re planning out your lighting, think about what you’re going to be using it for.”

Swinging into summer, Dawson says she still puts her lights on as soon as the sun goes down.

“Lighting brings the cosiness factor. Low lighting will create a welcome ambience and bring a cosy feel to your space.”

Just the ticket if you’re short on sockets, a battery operated table lamp offers the flexibility to stream and focus light depending on the vibe.

Cordless Ribbed Glass Table Lamps, £27.50, Sparkle Lighting.

While you can you achieve a lot in terms of changing the look and feel of a space with soft lighting, pendant style fittings and adjustable spotlights, think about other elements of your styling as the season shifts too. And don’t be afraid to mix things up.

“Some things don’t have to stay the same. Nothing is static, you can change everything around,” suggests Dawson. “Moving into summer, you want light linens and neutrals, so there’s no reason why you can’t do that with your lamp shades as well.

“You may buy a light for one particular room, but if you’re updating or having a change around, it might look just as good in another room, so I often change the shades on my lamps.”

A flash of brass, a pink shade and a funky flamingo can really energise a room.

Gold and Silver Flamingo Table Lamps, £148 each, and Leggy Flamingo Table Lamps, £95 each, Graham & Green.

With our kitchen tables doubling as desks more than ever, spotlights and overhead central lighting is ideal. Particularly popular and of-the-moment, these

Powder Pink Coolicon Original Shades, from

£125, Loaf, are a 1930s industrial classic, still central to our lives. The dual purpose design allows for ambient lighting above and task lighting below. Job done.

Meanwhile, these statement Aurora White Feather Pendant Shades, from £59, Graham & Green, are available in five sizes and suitable for pendant lighting, table lamps or a floor lamp.

Another way to create interest is to play around with different shapes and sizes in contrasting colours and materials. “You want every room to have a focal point, and varying the lights up and down will make it look interesting,” says Dawson.

“In my sitting room for example, I’ve got a standard lamp, a mid-level lamp, and a lower-level reading lamp. It’s varying it up, giving you a really great lighting effect on different levels.”

Bringing the best of both worlds together, this pendant light fitting streams the coastal charm of Soho Beach House, Canouan, while the floor lamp reflects the lighting in

Soho House, Hong Kong, resulting in a relaxed, summery vibe.

Soho Home Acorn Pendant, £425 (£361 members), Amara Floor Lamp, £625 (£531

members; other items from a selection), Soho House Interiors Collection from Soho Home.

At the other end of the spectrum, abstract faces and line drawings are very much in vogue, and this trendy tripod will bring contemporary and monochrome schemes bang up to date. There’s also a co-ordinating pendant shade and floor lamp, to follow

MOOD LIGHTING Dawson says you should have a lamp in each corner of a room Dawson’s tip on varying heights of lighting.

Clipper Black And Chrome Tripod Table Lamp with Face Art Reni Shade, £45, Iconic

Lights. Pictured centre left.

A jewel of a collection, we love Julien Macdonald’s show-stopping crystal light fittings to glam up a bedroom. For maximum impact, place them next to a mirror, which will reflect the light beautifully. Especially an oversized one with a curved shape to add depth and drama to your decor.

STAR by Julien Macdonald Brushed Gold Sophia 2 Layer Crystal Ceiling Light, £179, and Brushed Gold Sophia 2 Layer Crystal Table Lamp £99 (other items from a selection),

Freemans. Pictured bottom middle.

Resourceful Living: Revamp Your Home With Key Pieces, Vintage Finds And Creative Repurposing by Lisa Dawson is published by Kyle Books, priced £20. Photography by Brent Darby. Available now.

VINTAGE CHANDELIER Resourceful Living by Lisa Dawson

ISLA LINEAR PENDANT From Next

NATURAL LIGHT Soho Home Acorn Pendant, Amara Floor Lamp, other items from a selection, Soho Home

STAR BY JULIEN MACDONALD Brushed Gold Sophia 2 Layer Crystal Ceiling Light and Table Lamp

CORDLESS RIBBED GLASS TABLE LAMP From Sparkle Lighting

BRAND NEW PHASE NOW LAUNCHED CALL TODAY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Discover the brand new collection of beautiful 3, 4 & 5 bedroom family homes in the heart of the glorious Kent countryside in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Each home features a private garden with lawn and patio and with countryside views, play areas and a recreational park opposite the development, there’s so much to love about living here.

3 newly created ponds, enchanted wetlands and hedgerows

Excellent local schools St Peter’s CEP School has relocated to the site and is now open†

To book an appointment* or virtual viewing, please call 01892 882 732 or visit hollyfields-hawkenbury.co.uk Prices from £646,000** Homes ready to move into in spring 2021‡

Exclusive shuttle service delivering residents to and from their new home to Tunbridge Wells station††

Super-fast broadband connectivity and home office options†††

Photography depicts Hollyfields and is indicative only. *For everyone’s safety, we will be observing social distancing during viewings. **Prices correct at time of printing. †Details correct at time of print. St Peter’s CEP School built by Kent County Council. Places subject to availability and entry criteria.††Monday to Friday during commuter hours. Service available for residents’ only. ††† BT broadband FTTP High speed Fibre (download speeds may vary). ‡ Selected homes ready to move into spring 2021. Ask our Sales Consultant for more details.

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www.hollyfields-hawkenbury.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

21/05/202

A D V E R TISIN G FEATU R E

Hollyfields homes tick all the boxes for family New school on the doorstep sold Tunbridge Wells development to young couple WITH good schools, great transport links and plenty of parks and open space, Tunbridge Wells continues to be voted among the best places to live in the UK . This year alone, property sales have increased 146% in the first quarter compared to 2020, and 58% of all homes on the market locally are already under offer or sold subject to contract. In response, this spring Berkeley has brought forward a new release of homes at Hollyfields, a popular family neighbourhood in the highly sought-after historic Kentish town.

Hollyfields, just 1.2 miles from the town centre, has become an established community in its own right, with a brand-new primary school now open, as well as much of the new play areas, ponds and extensive natural landscaping now in bloom. And it was this that led Karan and Isha Chadha to set down roots ahead of their son starting school this year.

“It was important for us to find a place with good schools and transport links nearby, and the community element was also key”, said Karan, a 35-year-old management consultant.

“We considered Tunbridge Wells as we knew the town had a great reputation for schools, with Samyak about to start in September.”

The couple were set on buying a new build-home for the ease of maintenance. Having had recommendations from several friends about the quality of Berkeley’s build and its attentive customer service, the couple narrowed their search down to new-build Berkeley homes within commuting distance of the capital, which is how they discovered Hollyfields.

Upon their first visit to the development, they

commuters to Tunbridge Wells Station during peak hours.

“My office is London, whereas Isha can work from both Leatherhead or London, which meant having fast and reliable transport links was a key priority”, said Karan. “It takes 45 minutes to get to London from Tunbridge Wells, so commuting to the office won’t be a problem for either of us once the world returns to some kind of normality”.

“My office is London, whereas Isha can work from both Leatherhead or London, which meant having fast and reliable transport links was a key priority”

were thrilled to learn that the ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated St Peter’s School would be relocating to the site. This, coupled with the high specification of the homes on offer, convinced them it would be the perfect place for their family.

“It’s amazing that the school is less than a five-minute walk from our house, and we’ve already met several parents whose children

attend. What really surprised us was how international the community here is – we’re from India and our neighbours come from all over the world. It’s nice to know that our child will be growing up surrounded by different cultures. Normally, this is something you can only experience in big cities, like London.”

The family will now also be just a short train journey away from the hustle and bustle of London. Like other residents at Hollyfields, they will be able to take advantage of the designated shuttle bus that takes

Mary O’Sullivan, sales and marketing director at Berkeley Eastern Counties, comments: “ Many of our residents have been drawn to Hollyfields thanks to the tranquillity the countryside affords them, while appreciating the modern facilities the homes here provide. The new phase of homes in Tunbridge Wells is perfect for those looking to make the Kent countryside their home, while still enjoying proximity to the town’s amenities and transport links. With a wide range of houses on offer, families like Karan and Isha’s will find their perfect home

at Hollyfields.”

Hollyfields’ new phase offers a range of three, four- and five-bedroom homes designed in a range of styles with spacious interiors. Complete with well-equipped modern kitchens featuring integrated appliances, and high-quality fixtures and fittings throughout, all properties are carefully crafted for busy family lives.

With flexible working expected to become the norm in many companies, it was important for Karan and Isha to buy a spacious and well-zoned property. The Lily house type features a study and has two sitting rooms – on the ground and first floors, which ensures every family member can enjoy an element of privacy while working or relaxing, supported by high-speed broadband connectivity.

Karan and Isha’s new house has a large private garden, which makes it ideal for hosting barbecues and growing their own varied garden: something the family would like to start looking into in the near future, as well as offering sumptuous views of the surrounding countryside.

In addition to Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ St Peter’s Primary School, a range of other primary and secondary schools are available nearby, as well as some of the country’s most highly regarded grammar schools: The Skinner’s School, Fort Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar and Tunbridge Wells Grammar for Boys.

Royal Tunbridge Wells offers many high street and independent boutiques, as well as pubs and restaurants, which are within easy reach from Hollyfields. Green spaces like Hawkenbury Recreation Ground, adjacent to the development, are easily accessible for those who enjoy the great outdoors and there are plenty of leisure amenities on hand.

Prices for three-bedroom houses start from £646,000, four-bedroom homes are from £750,000, while five-bedroom houses are priced from £1,130,000. For more information on the new homes available at Hollyfields or to book a private appointment, visit www.hollyfields-hawkenbury.co.uk

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.

TW Property If you are thinking of selling we would be delighted to come and see you for your personal property valuation

UPPER GROSVENOR ROAD OFFER IN EXCESS OF £1,150,000 A fine example of a double fronted Victorian house offering generous accommodation in easy distance of the town centre and mainline train station. The property is full of period features and comprises of 4 reception rooms, full width conservatory, modern kitchen, downstairs WC, basement room, 4 double bedrooms, en-suite shower room to master bedroom and a family bathroom. The garden is laid to lawn and is well established with trees and bushes, west facing with plenty of room for outside dining and entertaining. Convenient off-road parking with a driveway and a single garage.

U O NDE FF R ER

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

GROVER STREET PRICE £210,000

ST PETERS STREET GUIDE PRICE CHANGE £539,950

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 unique Victorian town house situated within a short walk of the town centre, the mainline train station and Dunorlan Park. Arranged over 3 floors with 2 double bedrooms, recently refitted bathroom, lounge, study, utility room, WC, boot room and lower ground floor spectacular 27ft kitchen/breakfast room with underfloor heating and integrated appliances. Pretty south facing patio garden and gas central heating.

TW Property For Sale

Sales, Lettings, Property Management 34 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1LU • Tel: 01892 530109 • Web: tw-property.co.uk

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Food & Culture

EMERGENCY SERVICE

Former NHS nurse’s book The Language of Kindness is adapted for the stage and on at The Assembly Hall P33

NEW

Pretty perfect...

Don’t miss the Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society’s new show Page 32

& Healthin g e b l l We TURE FEA

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Food & Culture

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Wednesday May 26 | 2021

“I hope the Hever Festival audience will let us take them on a musical journey…”

A

FTER the success of its scaled back ‘bitesize’ season last year the Hever Festival’s organisers confirmed in April they are able to offer another socially distanced series of concerts, gigs and theatre pieces but this year they would take place across four different venues.

“As well as the Two Sisters Theatre, the original theatre where the seating is tiered

“We get so much energy from appreciative crowds, and we give back tenfold what we receive.” and under cover, performances will also take place in The Loggia the tranquil Italian Gardens with the magnificent lake view, Anne Boleyn’s Walk a secluded open-air ancient woodland glade and on The Main Lawn with a superb view of the castle,” a spokesperson told the Times.

STRUNG ALONG Zaid Al-Rikabi (left) and Ben Sutcliffe (right)

Fantastic The popular annual open-air summer Festival, which was first devised by the late Ron Palmer, is now in its 38th year, and will take place from May 29 to August 30. Some of the acts descending on the historic former home of Anne Boleyn throughout the summer include The People’s String Foundation, who will

launch the Hever season, Britain’s Got Talent magician Ben Hart, Radio 2’s Reverend Kate Bottley, the Illyria Theatre troupe, Ronnie Scott’s Allstars as well as a host of tribute acts paying homage to the likes of Amy Winehouse and Adele. There will also be plenty of live theatre including Horrible Histories and performances by

touring music theatre company, Charles Court Opera.

It’s a bill that’s fun and varied and will appeal to all ages. We caught up with this year’s festival launch act The People’s String Foundation, Ben Sutcliffe and Zaid Al-Rikabi to find out what they’ve been up to and what they’re going to bring to the event...

How has the last year been for you? Have you kept yourselves busy?

The last year has been very different, a lot of commissions and time in our home studios, and so many musical ideas crammed in around being full time dads at our separate houses. But altogether a lot more time in one place, less time in tour vans!

WE ARE BACK! SUMMER SEASON HIGHLIGHTS ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY 21ST MAY 7.30PM

TONBRIDGE COMEDY NIGHTS Zoe Lyons headlining.

Over 16s only • Tickets £13

FAMILIES

OUTDOOR

THURSDAY 22ND JULY 2PM & 4PM

THURSDAY 8TH JULY 7.00PM

HANDLEBARDS: MACBETH

SARAH & DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY

Shakespeare’s classic at its funniest!

CBeebies show live.

Tickets: £11 - £20

All ages • Tickets: £14

SUNDAY 1ST AUGUST 7PM

THURSDAY 10TH JUNE 7.00PM

FRIDAY 9TH JULY 7.30PM

42ND STREET - SCREENING

BALLET CENTRAL

THE NOISE NEXT DOOR: OUT AND ABOUT

Filmed live at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

A crowd-pleasing mix of dance pieces.

Laugh the night away in the great outdoors!

Tickets £12

Tickets £16

Tickets: £15

emftheatre.com

01732 304241

emftheatre

emforstertheatre

emforstertheatre

Food & Culture

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

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What have you missed most about performing live to an audience?

Mainly the feeling of the shared experience. We get so much energy from appreciative crowds, and we give back tenfold what we receive. It’s a moment in time that you can never recapture, each show feels different.

For those unfamiliar with your sound, how would you describe it?

Tough one this… eclectic? We fuse classical violin with gypsy and world, but with a melodic and new perspective. A big gypsy orchestra with big beats and heartfelt lyrics.

What are your musical influences and do you write all your own music?

We have so many influences and yes we write all our own music. From classical like Mussorgsky and Puccini to rock, punk and a healthy dose of reggae. I guess we have never felt the need to pigeonhole ourselves.

Narrative You are performing at Hever’s Festival Theatre for the first time, what are you most excited about?

The atmosphere, surroundings and a chance to open the season, it’s a great honour.

What can audience members expect from your Res Publica show?

Well it’s a live concert first and foremost, with virtuoso violin and world guitar. But it’s also a story, a fable if you like about belonging. Searching for where you fit in, but also how you are always drawn back to what makes you ‘you’, and that society has a duty to listen and accept all, no matter who they are. Res Publica, is therefore a public matter.

“We fuse classical violin with gypsy and world, but with a melodic and new perspective.”

Without giving too much of the content away, how will you bring a 32-piece orchestra to life?

Well it’s a live concert with myself (Zaid Al-Rikabi, guitars and backing vocals ) and Ben Sutcliffe, violin, piano and lead vocals. We perform supported by our orchestra recorded live at the hall for Cornwall and project them behind us, with a carefully crafted marionette puppet narrative weaved into the footage to carry our concept through. There are foot stomping moments, and moments of real pathos.

You are well known in the South West and on the folk scene so what do you hope a Hever audience will make of you?

I hope they will let us take them on a musical journey, from our humble beginnings dreaming large and hoping one day to make the sound we always wished to, all the way to the present and keeping the ship afloat in turbulent waters.

If you could perform with one artist/band who would that be and why?

I’m not sure we could choose just one! There are so many! Perhaps we could both agree on Nitin Sawhney. He is a fantastic producer, musician and patron of world music.

Sum up your show in three words . . .

Soul affirming music!

To find out more about the People’s String Foundation visit www. thepeoplesstringfoundation.com To book tickets to the Hever Festival please visit www.heverfestival.co.uk

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY: The Hever Castle Festival line-up has something for everyone. Acts include, (clockwise from top left) Amy Winehouse tribute act – Back to Black, Hever Castle Festival in a previous year, Britain’s Got Talent 2019 finalist and West End star Ben Hart - Electric Light Orchestra tribute act – ELO AGAIN, Beatles tribute act – The Upbeat Beatles, guitarist Craig Ogden will perform Bach’s The Goldberg Variations, The Further Adventures of Doctor Dolittle, Macbeth as staged by The Lord Chamberlains’s Men and in the centre, Bright Buoy’s comedy perfomance of Blue Planet III

“The Hever Festival’s bill for this year is fun, varied and will appeal to all ages”

Food & Culture

arts

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

In celebration of our local creatives’ artistic endeavours

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society’s first post-lockdown show takes place this Saturday (May 29). Here its new vice chair Suzy Phillips tells Eileen Leahy what visual delights visitors can expect to see…

R

OYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS Art Society is delighted to open its doors once again to the public on May 29 to reveal its Late Spring Members’ Exhibition.

Members are excited to have the chance to show the work they have been completing during lockdown and they cannot wait to welcome people to their varied and colourful show, held at The Sussex House Gallery on The Pantiles.

Pathways to the Unknown by Anthea Cove

“The show will illustrate the range of work members undertake – from paintings to woodblock prints and ceramics” The show will illustrate the range of work members undertake – paintings from traditional to contemporary, in oils, acrylics and watercolours, woodblock prints, ceramics and greeting cards.

Artwork is for sale which will enable visitors to purchase a unique piece of art at artists’ prices.

Suzy Phillips, the incoming Vice Chair of

Girls on Parade by Liz Hubbard

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the Royal Tunbridge Wells Arts Society (RTWAS) provides us with some background to the organisation:

Social “The Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society has provided inspiration for artists and would-be artists in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area since 1933. With our Gallery and Workshop space situated on the glorious Georgian Pantiles, the Society is an art hub for members, friends, and visitors to meet and enjoy exhibitions, open days, and other social events.

“During the week we aim to develop and stimulate the talents of our artists through workshops, tutorials, demonstrations, and

practice. There is a vast array of skills amongst our members, including life drawing, urban sketching, abstraction, and painting techniques to create new work. Through demonstration and experiment we explore classical techniques and modern trends. We are now delving into photography and 3D work to include other aspects of art.”

RTWAS offers an opportunity for those who are new to drawing and painting, or returning after a long gap, to develop their individual style alongside more experienced artists. Members can exhibit their work at least three times a year at the Society’s regular exhibitions which provides a chance for work to expand and mature. They say they are delighted to

welcome new members too. In addition, members can hold their own pop-up weekend exhibition in their main gallery space, which enable them to show a full selection of their artwork.

“The last year has provided new challenges for the Art Society with the onset of lockdown,” continues Suzy. “But we are not perturbed, and our Chair, Ros Plumley, has provided us with thought provoking online zoom sessions and various themed art challenges.

“Workshop discussion groups also continued online and during the brief period of relaxation in restrictions, pop-up exhibitions and a members’ autumn exhibition was able to take place albeit with masks and shields. We have adapted and are a growing and changing Art Society.”

Admission to the new RTWAS show is free and it runs daily from 10.30am-4.30pm from May 29 to June 6. See www.rtwas.org

Flowers in Vase by Carmen Page

PICTURE PERFECT The next RTWAS show runs from May 29 to June 6

Food & Culture

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

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“Nurses have become the focus of our daily lives and we want to celebrate them” The curtain goes up on The Language of Kindness, a memoir written by former NHS nurse Christie Watson, at the Assembly Hall tonight (Wednesday). Running until May 29 it is both a powerful and poignant piece for the theatre to reopen with. Here its director Sasha Milavic Davies tells the Times more…

Do you have any live performances booked yourself as culture reopens in-person?

I hope I can see all the gallery shows. I miss museums and galleries. I’d like to see new work being put on live but I think that’ll take a while to appear.

ALL SMILES Director, Sasha Milavic Davies

What’s coming up for you once The Language of Kindness tour finishes?

I’m having a baby, so my lockdown continues!

Do you have any advice for budding young directors who are looking to perfect their craft?

It’s not about who you are but about how you can bring stories to life. Practice your skills and hone your craft. This means directing as much as you can, whatever you can, wherever you can. Don’t trick yourself into thinking that your identity determines what you should work on and silo yourself into one genre or narrative. Explore and create in abundance.

Can you please give us a brief synopsis of The Language of Kindness?

It is based on Christie Watson’s memoir about her 20-year career in nursing. She recounts her years as a nurse in London helping the reader understand the hidden world of nurses behind hospital doors. We’ve taken that memoir and translated it to the stage.

How did you come across Christie Watson’s memoir and decide it would make a good show?

Judith Dimant, founder of Wayward Productions, approached me about three years ago to ask whether I’d like to have a go at adapting and directing The Language of Kindness. I read the book and thought, ‘yeah that’s impossible’ - so I said yes!

Celebrate What has it been like to adapt the work of a living author? Has Christie been involved in the devising process?

It’s been great. Mining into the stories to see what drives the author and her narrative, and at the same time having Christie in the room demonstrating resuscitation techniques. When I first realised that the way to tell the story was with movement, I was worried about what Christie would say. She came in and said that her daughter wanted to be a performer and that our approach was spot on.

The show has been in development and on hold for two years due to the pandemic – what’s the impact been on the show? Does Covid-19 feature in it?

Covid can’t help but feature in it. Nurses have become the focus of our daily lives - they are on the news 24/7. We’ve also had to rehearse the show in a socially distanced way, so no one actually touches on stage and we’re in masks the whole time. It’s a new world and nurses represent the part of society who were at the coalface. We want to celebrate that.

To book tickets, which start from £25, visit www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk There will be a free post-show discussion panel featuring the author of the Language of Kindness, Christie Watson, and members of the cast on Thursday May 27 2021.

The Language of Kindness is co-produced with the Assembly Hall Theatre, Complicité and Warwick Arts Centre in association with Shoreditch Town Hall and Guy Chapman.

“I hope the audience will leave the show with a greater insight into the daily lives of those people who were looking after us this whole year” What are the challenges you’ve faced in rehearsing the piece with the restrictions?

The social distancing on stage and actors having to wear masks when they need to speak to each other has been challenging. But these things have also represented a creative challenge and therefore very exciting new methods of working and staging have come out of the limitations. The more rules, the more creative you can be.

What do you hope the audience will take home with them from the show?

I hope they’ll leave the show with a greater insight into the daily lives of those people who were looking after us this whole year. I hope they leave understanding that empathy and care are the lynchpin of a healthy society, and as Christie says, that nursing is the most important job in the world - that we all do it, and we all need it.

FRONT LINE The Language of Kindness shows what goes on behind the hospital doors

Food & Culture

food

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COMFORT FOOD Ed Smith’s new book is all about cravings

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Food writer Ed Smith doesn’t want ‘cravings’ to be a dirty word Ed Smith’s latest book is about actually listening to what your body wants.

Prudence Wade finds out more...

W

HEN meal planning or deciding what to have for dinner, how often do you stop and actually think: what do I want to eat?

For many of us, listening to our body’s cravings is pretty low down the

list – after more practical considerations, like what you have in the fridge and what will be healthiest/ quickest/easiest to rustle up.

Food writer Ed Smith wants to change this, and it’s at the core of his new cookbook – Crave: Recipes Arranged By Flavour, To Suit Your Mood And Appetite. The book does what it says on the tin with six sections organised into separate flavour profiles: fresh and fragrant, tart and sour, chilli and heat, spiced and curried, rich and savoury, and finally, cheesy and creamy.

Smith wants us to start “cooking to your intuition”, he explains. It’s about putting “desire” back on the menu. “I started thinking, ‘What do I want to eat?’, and I found that what I wanted to eat was sometimes driven by mood, sometimes driven by weather, or sometimes driven by nothing at all.

But every time, I could probably focus on one flavour – like today I really want something hot, or I want something savoury – there’s always a reason behind it.”

Smith admits he “doesn’t have the perfect answer” but this is, for him,

Food & Culture

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

“the most robust and logical way of thinking about it”.

Trying to identify what we’re craving might seem unusual to some, as ‘cravings’ tend to evoke ‘illicit’ images of chocolate, biscuits and sugary snacks, right?

Not necessarily. “So often, when people talk about comfort food, the media depicts it as sitting on the sofa eating a bucket of ice cream,” says Smith. “That’s kind of true – sometimes you do seek solace in sweet, creamy things. But actually, more often than not, that’s a slight underrepresentation of what comfort food can be.

“Comfort food, food that takes you to a happy place, is very often your childhood – which for some people can be beans on toast, roast chicken, chicken soup. But for other people, spicy food is the food of their native

Comfort food, food that takes you to a happy place, is very often your childhood heritage that they were used to eating. So comfort food is different things to different people.”

That’s why Smith shaped the book around all different types of flavours, giving people the power to choose what’s right for them. “I’m not going to prescribe you the recipe because of your mood. It’s not for me to tell you what is comforting. But what I’ve tried to do is offer the reader a solution, or ways to find what will comfort them,” he explains.

“Sometimes we look for food you can sink into, but more often than not, the food that’s going to make you happiest if full of fresh and fragrant things, things that make you feel good,” Smith suggests. “So you will bounce back quicker for having sprightly food, lighter food – dare I say it, healthier food.”

If Crave sounds like it was written by a hyper-organised person, it was – before switching careers and diving into the world of food (he’s already published two previous cookbooks: The Borough Market Cookbook and On The Side), Smith was a lawyer.

“I do think I have quite an analytical and ordered mind,” he muses. “That’s reflected in the use of bullet points, and the whole thematic approach. The extra directories and indexing are probably related to my lawyer background – I know a lot of my lawyer friends always comment on that as their favourite part of my books. The analytical and structuring bits are probably doing too many witness statements and regulatory reviews.” Transferable skills no one saw coming – certainly “no one in law school”, Smith quips.

“I think I realised about five years into law that whatever you want to do in life, if you want to succeed, you’re going to be working hard and for a long time. I started writing a food blog as a creative outlet – a reason to cook something every week and a reason to go to new restaurants. That made me realise that working hard – maybe I wanted to do that in an industry I was really deeply interested in.”

He took himself off to catering college and started writing recipes, many of which are inspired by his original love: going to restaurants and trying new cuisines. This global outlook is reflected in Crave, but Smith doesn’t claim he’s an expert in food from countries like Thailand and Sri Lanka.

“I’m not an authority in them, and I don’t want people to think I am,” he says frankly – which is why he has a directory in the back of Crave signposting you to other cookbooks where you can learn more.

“Last year in particular was an awakening in food media and modern life of understanding heritage and the story of food,” Smith says.

“There’s always more than just a dish, there’s a reason that things came about, and I think it’s good to reflect on that and to point people in the right direction.”

Ultimately, he just wants Crave to be a “framework for thinking about food”.

This week, the Times’ resident wine editor James Viner raises a glass to three refreshing lighter red wine choices OF COURSE, there’s always time for a potent, full-bodied red wine but as spring transitions (very) gradually into summer, it is a good opportunity to welcome lighter reds that provide the pep and brio you want from that first glass.

They are low in tannins and perfect for chilling and enjoying during the warmer days and evenings. All three of these bottles deliver lots of flavour without packing a huge punch – and would be great for picnics. Enjoy!

1. ZINGY RED-BERRY FRUIT BEAUJOLAIS BARGAIN TO SERVE COOL 2018 Pierre Jaurant Beaujolais, France £4.49, Aldi, 13% Aldi has just introduced plenty of new wines and spirits for spring and summer. There’s something delightfully luminous and stirring about a cheerful, easy-sipping glass of Beaujolais that makes it the perfect summer red. For me, it’s certainly one of France’s most charming and drinkable wines.

Inexpensive, unpretentious,

Bun cha recipe Ingredients: (Serves 4)

For the pork patties: n 500g pork mince n 1 clove garlic, minced n 1 small banana shallot, very finely chopped n 1 stick lemongrass, very finely chopped n 3tsp golden caster sugar n 3tbsp fish sauce n 2tbsp cold water n 1 lime, zest finely grated, remainder quartered n 1tbsp neutral cooking oil, for frying For the sauce: n 3tbsp fish sauce n 3tbsp rice vinegar n 1tbsp golden caster sugar n 1 clove garlic, minced

n 1 red bird’s eye chilli, finely

chopped n 150ml water For the noodle salad: n 2 large carrots, peeled n 25g mint n 25g coriander n 25g Thai holy basil n 400g dried rice vermicelli noodles n 1 butterhead lettuce, torn n 2–3tbsp roasted, salted peanuts, crushed n 2tbsp crisp fried shallots or onions n 1 lime, zested and quartered (included above) Method: 1. Combine all the ingredients for the patties into a bowl

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2

(except the oil, which is used for frying), mix well, then use wet hands to shape into eight balls, approximately 80g each.

Set on a plate, lightly press into patty shapes and refrigerate until required.

2. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

Cut the carrots into thin matchstick-like strips, ideally using a julienne peeler if you have one, or with a sharp knife and a bit of patience. Cut away the thickest stems from the herbs but otherwise leave as intact sprigs.

3. Cook the noodles following the packet instructions (usually around three to four minutes), drain and either plunge into iced water or cool under a running tap, then drain again, shuffling them with clean fingers to ensure they don’t clump together.

4. To cook the patties, place a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or griddle pan over a medium heat. Add a tablespoon of neutral cooking oil and, once hot, add the patties. Fry for 90 seconds before flipping them and cooking for the same amount of time, then repeat on both sides. Sear the edges too, then remove from the heat. While the pork patties are cooking, assemble four separate bowls of noodles, adding the carrots, lettuce and fresh herbs.

Add the patties and a good sprinkling of peanuts, shallots or onions, and a lime quarter to each bowl, before pouring the sauce over the top.

Crave: Recipes Arranged By Flavour, To Suit Your Mood And Appetite by Ed Smith is published by Quadrille tomorrow (May 27), priced £25.

Photography by Sam A Harris.

The lighter side

35

jolly and fun, this is one of the very few sub-£5 bottles on British supermarket shelves that are actually worth buying. With a tinge of graphite and some interesting secondary (bottle age) characters, it is a respectable, give-away Bojo to drink sooner rather than later. Fragrant, joyful and sleek, I sipped this energetic, floral-scented, strawberry-stashed, simple, and honest Beaujolais with herby roast chicken the first night and then coq au vin the next. Nab it while you can, chilling for half an hour in the fridge on a sunny day to boost its thirst-quenching fruit. Best served cool at around 12°C14°C. For rapid freshening in the ice bucket, submerge a bottle in a combination of smashed ice, salt, and water. Scoop it up.

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2. LEFTFIELD, CHERRY-FRUITED AUSTRIAN RED 2019 Von der Land Zweigelt, Austria £8.99 mix 6, Majestic, 13% With over 6000 hectares planted, [Blauer] Zweigelt – a crossing of St Laurent and Blaufränkisch – is easily Austria’s most planted dark-skinned grape variety. This is a charming, light-bodied example with a bright black cherry scent and lively wild strawberry notes supported by velvety tannins. The drinkability factor is high and it also has personality. A mouth-watering curl of pepper offers a piquant finish. One to serve very lightly chilled (to emphasize the acidity) with cod and green lentils, a tuna steak, or roast duck.

3. VIOLET-SCENTED, REDCURRANT-LICKED LOIRE CABERNET FRANC 2018 Les Nivières, Saumur, Loire, France £9.99, Waitrose, 12.5%

Supple, cracking Cabernet Franc (CF) from Saumur (the pearl of Anjou), all soft, yet tangy, seductive, fresh blackcurrant fruit, summer pudding and inflorescent redcurrant leaves, from an excellent vintage. Like the quaffable Gamay of the giveaway Aldi Beaujolais, CF has relatively low tannins and a light structure, which makes it well-suited to a short spell in the fridge. This light, fragrant red is perfect with baked trout, lamb chops and roast guinea fowl.

Utterly gluggable. Bravo!

Some more relatively light, fresh, low-tannin reds for summer chilling & sipping •

Bardolino, Veneto, Italy – made with similar grapes as Valpolicella

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Grignolino, Piedmont

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Dolcetto, the third red grape (after Nebbiolo & Barbera) of Italy’s Piedmont in Italy, e.g., Dolcetto d’Alba

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Sicilian Cerasuolo di Vittoria – made from Nero d’Avola & Frappato

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Sicilian Frappato

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The Dornfelder grape

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The Cinsault grape, which is one of the parents of S. Africa’s Pinotage

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Italian Lambrusco

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Marcillac, southwest France

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Regnié & Chiroubles, generally the two lightest Beaujolais ‘crus’

Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

Food & Culture

health & wellbeing

36

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

Explore the Garden of England

The great outdoors

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens Wonder at the beauty of the Weald of Kent at Sissinghurst Castle. Refurbished by and home to poet and writer, Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicholson, Sissinghurst Castle and its gardens have been immortalised in Vita’s work: “The heavy golden sunshine enriched the old brick with a kind of patina, and made the tower cast a long shadow across the grass, like the finger of a gigantic sundial veering slowly with the sun. Everything was hushed and drowsy and silent but for the coo of the white pigeons.”

lakes, scenic views and even cycle routes. Why not go on a mindful bike ride instead? The routes around Penshurst have been noted in VisitEngland Top 10 scenic cycle routes.

According to the NHS, getting back to nature is the tonic to many ills. The great outdoors has a range of health benefits from filling your daily Vitamin D quota from sunlight, to taking a moment to connect with the present through mindfulness walks. Lottie Bulmer finds out how you can improve your mental health while taking advantage of all the green spaces Tunbridge Wells has to offer…

YOU may have heard about mindfulness as a way to boost your mood, but what does it really mean?

Professor Mark Williams, former director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, explains: “It’s easy to stop noticing the world around us.

Sensations “It’s also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living ‘in our heads’ – caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour.

“An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience. This

means waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment.

“That might be something as simple as the feel of a banister as we walk upstairs.

“Another important part of mindfulness is an awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment.

“It’s about allowing ourselves to see the present moment clearly.

When we do that, it can positively change the way we see ourselves and our lives.”

Kent is the Garden of England and boasts a wealth of natural landscapes to allow you to breathe it all in when you take a minute…

PENSHURST PLACE

HEVER CASTLE Hever Castle The childhood home of Anne Boleyn opened up part of its historic site last week. You are now able to wander around the gardens fit for a Tudor Queen and explore the 125 Acres of grounds.

With such a vast estate, you won’t be short of things to focus your mind on and get lost in nature.

Hole Park The winner of Visit Kent’s Garden of the Year 2016, Hole Park is a beautiful backdrop to a mindful walk. Owned by the Barham Family for the past four generations, the gardens are steeped in history. In spring, the gardens boast a cocktail of colour from bluebells, daffodils, camellias, wisteria and magnolia. Set in over 200 acres of parkland and near Rolvenden and Cranbrook, the gardens are open every day until July 4.

SISSINGHURST CASTLE

Penshurst Place The gardens of Penshurst Place are among the oldest privately owned in the country and with such a rich history, including its ownership by King Henry VIII it is certainly food for thought.

There are vast acres of parkland offering

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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.

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Food & Culture

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

37

Nurturing nature…

ONE of the organisations in Tunbridge Wells taking advantage of the mental health benefits nature has to offer is Aspens, a charity which supports people with learning difficulties and those on the autism spectrum.

The charity has launched a new gardening scheme to boost the wellbeing of the people it supports, dubbed ‘Thrive’. It uses an approach called social and therapeutic horticulture, where trained horticulture therapists work with plants and people to boost their mental health at the charity’s Cornford Lane site in Pembury.

Activities which Thrive offers include planning

the layout of planting, clearing beds, potting on, tidying, sowing seeds, planting a wide range of vegetables and flowers, watering and taking care of plants and preparing produce to be sold at farmers markets.

Thrive Christine Gray, Senior Day Service Manager at Acorns Day Services, which provides daytime activities and learning opportunities said: “This is something I feel really passionate about. I’m so pleased we’re now able to offer the Thrive

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS: Some of the plants which have been nutured in the Thrive programme

programme at Aspens as I feel this will really help people who are struggling with their mental health.

“It’s about giving people a purpose and a meaning to every day and helping them build up some confidence.

“When someone is feeling depressed and lost they need a reason to get out of bed in the morning. I believe being involved in the Thrive project will give people back some sense of normality and help them out of a dark place.”

The Thrive project has found the benefits of a sustained and active interest in gardening are extensive. Those participating have better

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physical health through exercise and learning how to use or strengthen muscles to improve mobility. Their mental health improves through a sense of purpose and achievement.

It also gives those taking part the opportunity to connect with others and therefore reducing feelings of isolation or exclusion while benefitting from acquiring new skills to improve the chances of finding employment and just feeling better for being outside, in touch with nature and in the ‘great outdoors’.

For further information on Aspens’ Thrive project contact Christine at Aspens Acorns Day Services by calling 01892 820 342

38

Food & Culture

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

goingout 7 days of activities

By Lottie Bulmer

SONGS OF PRAISE: King Charles the Martyr church offers a beautiful space for music CROSS COUNTRY Staplehurst offers a range of scienic running routes

STEAMING ALONG Train rides at Spa Valley are back

SPECTACLE Amelia Jay’s piece ‘I see you baby’ is among others showcased at the Late Spring Exhibition LIFE is getting back to normal and we’re loving the relaxation of restrictions here at the Times.

Going out doesn’t mean having to wrap up warm anymore and the sun is making its very slow return – better days are well and truly on their way!

With half term just around the corner, we have included a few things which can occupy your children while they’re at home once more – we particularly love Temper Temper’s chocolate making workshop…

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP Sussex House Gallery’s Late Spring Exhibition is taking place from May 29 to June 6.

The gallery is located on The Pantiles and is home to the Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society (RWTAS).

The society was founded in 1933, the society is one of the oldest in Kent and even Winston Churchill displayed at one of its summer exhibitions.

The Late Spring Exhibition will be able to be viewed from 10:30 to 4:30 on the lower Pantiles and will display a mix of paintings using mediums including watercolour, oils and acrylic paints in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary.

The gallery will also be showing a range of ceramics, prints and art cards.

Visit rtwas.org to find out more.

MUSIC AT THE MARTYR Live music has made its return to the King Charles the Martyr in line with the lockdown restrictions. On Thursday (May 27) violinist Miriam Teppich and pianist, Julian Broughton shower guests with symphonies.

Miriam is a former member of the London Mozart Players and has performed in some of world’s finest concert halls.

Julian is a composer and pianist who was conductor and artistic director of Sussex Philharmonic Orchestra for seven years.

To book tickets or for more information, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw BACK ON TRACK Celebrate the Bank Holiday Monday with a view of the local countryside. At the Spa Valley Railway, you can steam along on their selection of locomotives, including the Bulleid Pacific No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ and Class 20 D8188.

High Rocks, Groombridge and Eridge will be closed for passengers to board, however, you can watch the trains pass through from the comfort of Groombridge Station platform whilst enjoying a drink or ice cream from the popular kiosk.

Prices include £45 for a compartment for 6 people, £10 for an Adult Return in an open coach and £5 for a Child Return in an open coach.

For more information visit spavalleyrailway.co.uk

ROCK AND RHONE: Hotel du Vin is hosting a Kent Wine School tasting

FIND YOUR FEET Missed out on the Couch to 5K challenges during lockdown? At Staplehurst Running Club, they aim to get beginners running five kilometres in just ten weeks.

There are a variety of classes for all abilities including powerwalking and advanced runners.

Located a few miles outside of Cranbrook, Staplehurst has a variety of running spaces, making it a great place to find your feet.

For more about joining the club, visit staplehurstrunningclub.com

SWEET TOOTH If you’re looking for a way to keep your children busy this half term, Temper Temper chocolaterie in Southborough is running school holiday workshops on June 1, 2, and 3.

Let your little chef have a go at making chocolates in the chocolaterie’s very own kitchen.

The workshop welcomes children aged five years and older, lasts two hours and costs £25.

Places are limited so book quickly at tempertemperchocolate.co.uk or call 01892 538758.

THE ROAD TO RHONE Avid wine enthusiasts are welcome to join Kent Wine School’s wine tasting ‘The Rhône Revealed’ hosted at Hotel du Vin. During the session, you will have the opportunity to taste wines from the Côte Rôtie and Crozes Hermitage, ‘a barrel matured Viognier white from the famous appellation of Condrieu’ including Condrieu, Côte Rôtie, Crozes Hermitage, White Southern Rhône, Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape.

The tasting will include tasting samples of six wines, light nibbles, full wine notes and handouts, an interactive presentation, and a Q & A led by the wine tutor.

Visit www.localwineschool.com/kent/ the-rhone-revealed/ for more details.

PLAYTIME ISN’T OVER Bewl Water’s soft play at the Waterfront Café opened last week (May 17) in line with government restrictions.

The perfect activity for your children to get rid of all the pent up half term energy, the area is made up of a vast and challenging design of 550 square metres of stimulating children’s soft play and is perfect for children aged up to eightyears-old.

Why not treat yourself to a coffee while you wait at the Waterside Cafe?

It is set over two levels and includes a dual slide and a sky tunnel to keep your little ones entertained.

Each session lasts one hour and to book, visit bewlwater.sports-booker.com/customer/

CHOCOHOLIC: Temper Temper is offering half term sessions

WATERFRONT FUN: Bewl Water’s cafe is home to a soft play area

Books

Wednesday May 26 | 2021

The bookcase…

Over the past year or so more people have had the chance to fall in love with reading again. Here’s our pick of this week’s top reads to enjoy

FICTION

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

Published in hardback by Merky Books, priced £14.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now Dark, magical, and incredibly satisfying, Sorrowland is a fantastical tale that grapples with America’s history of racism and marginalised communities. Vern, a black woman with albinism, rebels against her remote community held in the grip of a religious cult. Still a teenager, she escapes the compound where she grew up and gives birth to twins in the woods. Both hunted and haunted, Vern discovers her body changing as she develops frightening extra-sensory powers. Amid her struggle for survival with two uncanny children in tow, there is a wider mystery looming, threatening to become a matter of life and death. This gripping gender-bending yarn from UK-based American author Rivers Solomon is yet another fine offering from Stormzy’s #Merky Books.

(Review by Emily Pennink)

39

Circus Of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal Published in hardback by Picador,

priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now The kaleidoscopic world of the Victorian circus, at once enchanting and grotesque, is vividly brought to life in Elizabeth Macneal’s second novel. Young flower-picker Nell, ostracised by her village due to a body speckled by birthmarks, is kidnapped by a travelling circus run by fame-hungry ringmaster Jasper and his haunted war photographer brother Toby.

She meets and bonds with a colourful cast of performers – bearded woman Stella, Brunette the giantess, little person Peggy – who are both

exploited and empowered by their circus lives. This intriguing tension is carefully explored amid a gripping tale that tracks the fortunes of the troupe – their loves, hopes and fears. Macneal’s complex characters allow her to question how society treats difference, the price of power and vanity, and the pursuit of selfdetermination. At turns dark, joyous, frightening and heartbreaking, Circus Of Wonders makes for an absorbing read.

(Review by Tom Pilgrim)

NON-FICTION

The Lost Cafe Schindler by Meriel Schindler

Published in hardback by Hodder & Stoughton, priced £20 (ebook £13.99). Available now The story of The Lost Cafe Schindler begins with four coffee cups discovered amongst the belongings of Meriel Schindler’s late father. From there, Schindler sets about the painstaking process of researching and telling her family’s fascinating history – a story of Jewish life in the Tyrol before and during two world wars. There are countless subplots – such as a family doctor in Linz who treated a

8/10

The Perfect Lie

by Jo Spain

Published in hardback by Quercus, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now

Fewer than two years after Erin Kennedy’s husband jumps to his death from their fourth floor apartment – in front of multiple witnesses – she is up in court charged with her husband’s murder. Erin believed Danny was her ideal man, and their life in a sleepy seaside town on Long Island perfect – but it was all built on an untruth.

Gripping and engrossing, The Perfect Lie grabs the reader from the first page. The final twist, although it does not quite live up to the novel’s initial promise, is well thought out and cleverly written.

The Perfect Lie is a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

(Review by Megan Baynes)

9/10

7/10

Food & Culture

7/10

young Adolf Hitler’s mother and earned the Fuhrer’s gratitude – though the coffee cups themselves date from the family-owned cafe in Innsbruck, opened in 1922. The same Tyroleans who feasted there would welcome the Nazis across the border, and stand aside as the business was stolen from the family. The scale of the crimes committed during these years can never be fully comprehended, but through tales like these they become relatable and the sense of loss, shared.

Schindler builds her story patiently, tracking her own journey in unravelling it, taking the reader down the same road of discovery. (Review by Ian Parker)

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

Noah’s Gold by Frank CottrellBoyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton Published in hardback Macmillan Children’s

Books, priced £12.99 (ebook £7.49). Available now

8/10

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION) 1. Orwell Collection by George Orwell 2. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 3. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

6. Little One by Sarah A. Denzil 7. Atomic Habits by James Clear 8. Just My Luck by Adele Parks 9. Yearbook by Seth Rogen

4. Tooth For A Tooth by T. F. Muir

10. Summer At Skylark Farm

by Heidi Swain

5. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

(Compiled by Audible)

Full of mischief and adventure, Noah Moriarty is pretty much like any other young boy – and is based on author Frank Cottrell-Boyce as a child. Noah’s Gold tells of the adventures of being shipwrecked on a remote island. Readers find out what it’s like to be stranded without food and resources, with only a group of fellow schoolchildren and a bunch of ruthless robbers for company.

But, worst of all, the author shows you how desperate it is to be left without modern life’s essential: the internet.

You get to feel how awful life is when you have to resort to writing letters, or, if you can work out how to use them, telephone boxes. With a nod to classics like Lord Of The Flies and Treasure Island this is a rip-roaring tale of buried treasure.

(Review by Roddy Brooks)

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