Times of Tonbridge 24th August 2016 by One Media

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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

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Bumper A-level results boost for town schools By Neill Barston

newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk SCHOOLS and colleges in Tonbridge have been celebrating after their students posted some of the area’s strongest ever A-level results. While nationally the level of those gaining top A* and A grades stood at 25.8 per cent, down by 0.1 per cent on last year, Tonbridge pupils achieved above average results, which was welcome news for those nervously awaiting to see if they had the right grades to get into their chosen universities. The Weald of Kent Grammar School attained its most successful set of A-levels. With 132 students taking courses, 76 per cent of grades were between A*-B. Another high performance was recorded at Tonbridge School, with results from its 156 boys showing almost three quarters of grades were either A* or A. Headmaster Tim Haynes said: “Congratulations to all the boys, we wish them every success and look forward to hearing about their future achievements.” Robert Masters, Headmaster at The Judd School, described its latest set of results as ‘outstanding’. This included a record of all 171 students passing three A-levels, with 40 per cent gaining three A grades or better, and 13 pupils achieving places at Oxford or Cambridge. Results at Hillview School for Girls were also strong, with nearly 50 per cent of the 100 taking courses achieving A*-B grades, and 75 per cent managing A*-C results. Students’ achievements were reported

to be especially impressive for visual and performing arts, as well as in science and social sciences. Headteacher Hilary Burkett said: “Our students have shown incredibly high levels of commitment to their studies and to the school as a whole. Today they are receiving the rewards for their hard work and dedication. It is a real pleasure to see so many students succeed.” Hugh Christie Technology College,

INSIDE TARGET PRACTICE Tonbridge firm helps archer on her way to Rio. Page 4

ROAD CLOSED

Access to hospital shut for eight months. Page 6

‘I’m hoping to get a job in Whitehall’ recorded a 100 per cent pass rate for its 50 students, with the number achieving A* A and B grades increasing by ten per cent over last year. Hayesbrook School students also gained a 100 per cent pass rate, with many gaining the necessary grades for their university studies. Principal Daniel Hatley said: ‘This year’s outcomes are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the students and staff at The Hayesbrook School, as well as the support of their families.” A total of 80 students sat A-levels at West Kent College, which recorded a pass rate of 96.8 per cent, with eight of 13 subjects achieving a 100 per cent

ROLE CALL: (Clockwise): The Hayesbrook School, Weald of Kent, West Kent College and Hugh Christie Technology College

pass rate. One student, Hugo Woollam, 19, who gained a B in Politics, C in History and C in Law, and is set to study Politics and Economics at Hull,

found the college a refreshing change from his former private school. He said: “I felt I would thrive in the more adult, fluid, environment here – much more open, with potential to meet a wider range of people. It gave me a great insight into the wider world. “I’m hoping to get a graduate job in Whitehall, or to take a commission with the Royal Navy.” Jim Mawby, Head of Faculty for Academic Studies, said staff were ‘very proud of students’.

ACTION STATIONS

MP airs his views on future of railways. Page 24

MONEY MATTERS

Exclusive: Bank of England talks to the Times. Page 9

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4 ■ LOCAL NEWS

Weather Wednesday Any mist soon clearing, then mainly dry with bright or sunny spells.

August 24, 2016

29 C

By Neill Barston newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

Visibility: Good

Pollution: Low

Humidity: 58%

Sunrise: 06.01am

Sunset: 20.00pm

Wind: 5mph

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At last! Some sun over the fields around Tonbridge

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QUOTE UNQUOTE ‘I don’t like looking back. I’m constantly looking forward. I’m not the sort of person who will cry over spilt milk. I’m too busy looking for the next cow’ Gordon Ramsay

Wednesday 24th August 2016

Town gym helps Paralympic archer set her sights on Rio A PARALYMPIC archer has praised a Tonbridge gym for providing sponsorship and equipment that will see her travel to the 2016 Games in Rio next month. Tania Nadarajah, who only took up the sport full-time two years ago and is representing Team GB, thanked the Strength and Conditioning Institute for its assistance – which she says has proved vital in her preparations. As part of its sponsorship, the company in Crabapple Road is providing £500 towards bow equipment for the archer known as ‘Lady T’, who is ranked within the world’s top 25 after being fast-tracked into the British squad. She said: “One of my teammates where I have been training at Cedak (Centre of Excellence for Disability Archery in Kent), at Westerham, put me in touch with the Tonbridge company. “Alex Shoebridge and Martin Shyvers at the Strength and Conditioning Institute have been wonderful. I went down to their gym and had a really good chat with them and they have been so supportive. “They have a really good space there and it’s a beautiful location, and if I lived a bit nearer

‘This really is a dream come true for me, as two and a half years ago I wasn’t even doing the sport’ then I would want to use the place regularly, but I’ll be back to visit them once I am back from the Olympics,” added the 35 year old, who lives in Banstead, Surrey, and is now in the final stages of training for Rio. Having suffered a spinal injury seven years ago following a motorbike accident that she says was not her fault, Tania says she has

TIME TO CARE Pilot project has taken off

AIMING HIGH Tania with Alex and Martin trained immensely hard to overcome the injury she sustained. She tried out a number of potential sports as part of her recovery plan, including rowing at the specialist spinal injury centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury. She finally found that archery could potentially offer a rewarding focus to aid her recovery. A Paralympic trial a couple of years ago led to an appearance in the World Championships last year in Germany. “The injuries I had from my accident included five broken ribs, a broken collar bone and spinal injuries, which was really traumatic at the time. But my mum helped me get through, and I have some really good friends, too,” added Tania, who has no regrets in giving up her former work in PR to switch her focus to Rio.

“This really is a dream come true for me, as two and a half years ago I wasn’t even doing the sport, which just seems crazy as I’m now going to the Games,” Martin Shyvers, who is Director and Head Coach at the Strength and Conditioning Institute, explained he was glad they could be of assistance. He said: “What is most impressive about Tania is that she only really took up archery a few years ago. “And now she is going to the Paralympics, which is amazing. “We have high hopes for her at the Games,” added Martin, who said that like many Paralympic athletes, Tania had to work extremely hard to fund her ambition of representing Team GB.

Friendly service helps overcome loneliness A BEFRIENDING service which helps combat loneliness among older people has been given a £500 grant by Bluebird Care at a tea party in Tonbridge. The money will help finance the service, which is managed by a team from Age UK West Kent and Maidstone Mind. Cllr Mark Rhodes, the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, was one of 30 guests at the event in the Town Lock Day Centre earlier this month.

‘As of today we have supported over 500 people, which is evident to the value of the service’ Wendy Pfieffer, the Service Manager, said: “The West Kent Befriending Service was originally

set up as a pilot project. As of today we have supported over 500 people, which is evident to the value of the service. “The pilot has now ended and we are very grateful to Bluebird Care for their support to help us maintain the work we do.” Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells is a family-owned business based at the Pipers Business Centre, Tonbridge, which opened in 2012. Claire Stanley, Care Manager at the company, said: “The work that the befriending service do is fantastic, and from working with our local carers organisations we know the value of the work that the service does. “Our Community Grant Scheme is a positive way for us to support and recognise the great work of our local charities.”

LOCAL NEWS 

NEWS IN BRIEF

Man arrested after superstore robbery POLICE investigating a robbery inside a Sainsbury’s Local store have charged a Tonbridge man. Thomas Henderson, 22, of Cromer Street, was arrested in connection with the incident and for allegedly being in possession of an offensive weapon, as well as possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply. According to police, on Monday August 14 a man robbed two people within the Shipbourne Road store, having threatened them with a knife. A quantity of cash was taken but no-one sustained injuries. The alleged drug offences relate to reports that had been made separately on August 4.

Driver gets road ban A TONBRIDGE man has been banned for driving for 20 months after being found to be nearly twice the legal alcohol limit when stopped by police. Jeremy John Foster was sentenced on August 9 at West Kent Magistrates’ Court for the offence on July 22, 2016, in which the 53 year old, of Pembury Road, Tonbridge, drove a Renault Kangoo in Tudeley Road. He gave a breath test of 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. Foster pleaded guilty to drink driving and was ordered to pay a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Inquest adjourned AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a man who was reported as being on fire in Estridge Way, Tonbridge earlier this month. Coroner Roger Hatch confirmed the person’s identity as being Raymond Wareham, a 61-year-old builder. Proceedings have now been adjourned. Mr Wareham had been taken to hospital following the incident on August 7 suffering from burns and multiple organ failure. He died the day after his admission.

Poult Wood is on par A SERIES of improvements to Poult Wood Golf Course, Tonbridge, have helped it to pass one of the UK’s toughest quality assessments. An assessor from Quest, the UK National Quality Scheme for the leisure industry, praised the ‘excellent condition’ of the course, which underwent a £40,000 refurbishment this spring, funded by Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, to improve bunkers and pathways. Poult Wood achieved Quest Entry after a successful one-day assessment of its core areas of operation, as well as a mystery visit.

World class trappers THE Bat & Trap World Cup 2016, played at Five Oak Green on Sunday, was won by Canterbury, after the team narrowly beat Tonbridge Errors 2-1 in the final. Defending champions, Tonbridge Nomads, were knocked-out at the semi-final stage.

Passengers demand action over season ticket wrangle By Neill Barston newsdesk@timesoft0nbridge.co.uk TONBRIDGE commuters are facing potential extra costs of up to £1,152 per year, according to a rail industry user group set up to represent the interests of town travellers. Tonbridge Line Commuters (TLC) is calling on Transport for London (TfL) to review changes to rail routes that are being affected by the London Bridge improvements. According to the group, Southeastern trains has notified customers that works at London Bridge over the next year mean those travelling outside the peak rush hour cannot go directly to Cannon Street with ordinary season tickets or off-peak day returns. The commuter body believes that from September 4, city workers will either be forced to take a longer route or pay extra in order to complete their journey. It also claims the changes will add up to 30 minutes to the travelling times each way. TLC is demanding urgent action is taken following Southeastern’s announcement that passengers will not be able to use their normal tickets on the underground between London Bridge and Bank. If this were permitted,

passengers would then only have a short walk to Cannon Street and the City. TfL claims it has worked hard to create a solution to the problem, but the commuter group believes the impact on passengers has not been fully considered, particularly as mainline rail services between London Bridge and Cannon Street are to be axed during the planned improvement works. John Reynolds, Vice Chairman of Tonbridge Line Commuters, explained that Southeastern

‘We invite TfL and its industry partners to seize the opportunity of doing the right thing for passengers’ had advised passengers unable to take a direct train to Cannon Street to stay on a train to Charing Cross. They should then walk to Embankment underground station and take the District and Circle Line to Cannon Street. This adds 20 minutes to a journey, compared with five minutes on the Northern Line tube to Bank. He said that passengers had also been told by Southeastern that walking or taking buses was another option. Mr Reynolds said: “We invite TfL and its

Matt takes on bike challenge in memory of sister Stephanie COMPLETING a six-hour mountain bike challenge helped Matt Bernau towards raising £1,300 for the care home that looked after his sister. The 28 year old from Tonbridge and his flatmate Ryan Clark, 27, took part in the Brighton Big Dog event and have been amazed by the response to their fundraising. They took on the challenge in memory of Matt’s sister Stephanie, who died earlier this year, and had been a resident at Sobell Lodge Care Home, Staplehurst, for PEDAL POWER eight years. Ryan Clark (left) Her brother’s fundraising and Matt Bernau will go towards providing the facility with a mobile ‘magic carpet’ – which projects videos on an interactive screen to promote movement and independence. Mr Bernau said the home had done ‘an amazing job’ caring for Stephanie, and felt moved to give something back.

He said: “The support we’ve had is incredible, and we’re really grateful to everyone who has donated. “The money raised will pay for multi-sensory equipment that gives sound, touch and visual stimulus to residents at Sobell Lodge, a Leonard Cheshire Disability home for disabled adults with high care needs.” Tracy Haith, the home’s Service Manager added that Stephanie had been a big part of life at Sobell Lodge, and that she had been greatly missed. She said: “What Matt and Ryan have done is tremendous. The whole family are really supportive of the home and still come to visit the residents here. Having lost a daughter and a sister would have been very difficult, but they still want to help others, it’s amazing.” The fundraising campaign is continuing. Anyone who would like to contribute can visit: crowdfunding.justgiving.com/matt-ryan-sobellbigdog –or donate via Stephanie’s Shared Memories page: stephanie.bernau.muchloved.com

industry partners to seize the opportunity of doing the right thing for passengers, who are already paying £4,016 a year for this journey.” The group has called for tickets to be accepted on the Northern line between London Bridge and Bank at least during off-peak hours, when there are no trains between West Kent and Cannon Street. Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat said he had already raised the issue with the Rail Minister and would do so again, adding that the ‘Government must understand the importance of rail connections to London from our area’. A Transport for London spokesperson said: “While Thameslink works are taking place, we’ve worked with the Department for Transport and Network Rail to help ensure that passengers aren’t out of pocket if they need to make extra tube or bus trips to get to their destination. “We’ve agreed and will accept Southeastern customers on certain tube and bus services at no cost to them, even if their Southeastern ticket isn’t valid on those services. “The Tube routes available have been chosen to ensure everyone can get where they need to go, but without bringing hundreds of additional passengers into stations that are already very busy at certain times of day.”

College avoids redundancies after review of its sites AN EVALUATION of West Kent College’s courses at its Tunbridge Wells campus has avoided compulsory redundancies, according to its management. Consultation with 50 staff working at the North Farm site had taken place this summer, with courses being largely transferred to its main Tonbridge site. The University and College Union had voiced concerns over potential job losses as part of the move of the campus – which West Kent College says will be replaced with a multi-million facility planned for its core campus. According to parent company the Hadlow Group, which bought the financially struggling K College in 2014 and returned it back to the original West Kent College name, the Tunbridge Wells site is to remain partially open for practical courses. Jane Salzer, Group Director of HR, said: “The consultation period is now complete and we have been successful in minimising the impact on our staff. It has not been necessary for us to make any compulsory redundancies. Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, Group Deputy Principal & Group Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The Tunbridge Wells site has been repositioned within the business. The majority of our programs have been moved to our £100million state-of-the-art campus at Tonbridge.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

6  LOCAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

A taste of the future at new kitchen showroom TOM Howley is opening a new kitchen showroom on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells this Saturday [August 27]. The handmade bespoke kitchen design company will mark the occasion with a launch party on September 8 from 6-9pm. The exclusive event will include a cookery demonstration and tasting session with chef Bruce Cole. Tom Howley, the company’s Design Director, said: “We have waited a long time to find the perfect property for our showroom and now we have it!

Warning for vigilantes POLICE have issued a warning to people who take the law into their own hands following the charging of a Crowborough man accused of online child grooming. Danny Watson, aged 36, was arrested in Brighton on August 15 after he was lured into a meeting with a vigilante group looking to ensnare paedophiles. A Sussex Police spokesman said: “We do not encourage members of the public to carry out investigations themselves. “They could jeopardise evidence, hinder chances of prosecution, or risk harm to themselves. Such matters should be reported to the police at the outset.”

Nightclub attack appeal POLICE are investigating reports that a teenage girl was attacked in the toilets at a Pokémon-themed A level party at MooMoo nightclub in Newton Road, Tunbridge Wells between 1.30am and 2.30am on Friday.

NO TURNING Traffic will not be able to use the Tonbridge Road for eight months

Warning over delays after hospital access is closed By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk AMBULANCES and hospital visitors are facing a potentially vital delay in treatment times after one of the access roads to Tunbridge Wells Hospital was closed last weekend. The route has been cut off for eight months while a new flyover is constructed as part of the improvements to the A21. Emergency crews and members of the public have been advised this could add up to ten minutes to their journeys to the hospital at Pembury. Tonbridge Road will be closed to drivers using

‘We have achieved a lot so far and now we are ready for the next phase of the work. Once complete, this scheme will increase traffic capacity and improve safety’

the Longfield roundabout until next March. Ambulances and visitors will instead have to continue to the next exit, at the A228 just outside Pembury village, and then queue at the traffic lights – which often become heavily congested, particularly during the rush hour – before turning left into Tonbridge Road to reach the hospital. Arrangements have been put in place, after consultation with the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, to create an emergency route through the works site in the event of the southern end of Tonbridge Road becoming blocked by an accident. The project is part of the ongoing construction of a dual carriageway to replace the 2.5-mile single-lane section of the A21 between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, which began in April 2015. Once built, the new flyover will allow motorists to bypass the Longfield roundabout completely, but for those needing local access, the northern entrance to Tonbridge Road will be accessible from Longfield Road by driving underneath the bridgework. Turning on to the A21 north of Longfield Road will now involve using new slip roads, after the

NEW LOOK The existing roundabout will be closed route of the main artery was moved to the west of the old road. Another new junction will also be created at Fairthorne to permit access to a service station. The road widening scheme, by Balfour Beatty, is costing an estimated £69.7million. The works have involved removing ancient woodland and a Grade II listed building, which will be rebuilt in a museum. Highways England Project Manager Anne-Marie Palmer said: “This scheme will deliver huge benefits to people travelling on this part of the A21 and further afield. “We have achieved a lot so far and now we are ready for the next phase of the work. “Once complete, this scheme will increase traffic capacity and improve safety.”

‘Old Man of Kent’ fir is finally felled OLD MAN DOWN The Grand Fir before it was removed

Wednesday 24th August 2016

THE ‘Old Man of Kent’, the county’s tallest tree, has reached the end of its natural life and been chopped down. The Grand Fir (Abies Grandis) was planted at Bedgebury in 1840 by Viscount Marshall Beresford when he owned the estate. The tree reached 50 metres in height but was damaged by Storm Katie on Easter Monday. The damage revealed that the tree was diseased and further inspection showed that it was severely decayed and had to be felled. However, because of the important conservation work carried out at Bedgebury National Pinetum, a collection of Abies Grandis seeds have been successfully propagated and will replace the ‘Old Man of Kent’. It is hoped that the good timber from the tree can be used to create a lasting piece of art on the estate.

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8  LOCAL NEWS

Wilko store creates 60 much-needed new jobs By Andrew Tong newsdesk@ timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

IN STORE Opening night

Stars pop up for opening CELEBRITIES including former Blue singer Duncan James were in Tunbridge Wells for the opening of the Pantiles pop-up shop Liquiproof on Thursday. The star, now an actor on Hollyoaks, was joined at 4-6 Union Square by ex-Celebrity Big Brother housemate Casey Batchelor and Pascal Craymer, formerly of TOWIE. Liquiproof’s founder, Caner Veli, secured investment from businessman Touker Suleyman after a successful pitch on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den in an edition screened in January. His waterproofing spray helps protect footwear and furnishings by creating an invisible superhydrophobic coating.

FOUNDER Caner Veli (left) with Duncan James of Blue

Wednesday 24th August 2016

WILKO has already delivered a valuable boost to the local economy by creating 60 jobs at its new Tunbridge Wells outlet, just a few days after British Home Stores shut up shop for the last time. The nationwide company opened its doors in Royal Victoria Place for the first time this morning [Wednesday]. The large chain offers a range of WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY products covering homeware and The new Wilko store, which opened today furniture, garden and outdoor goods, DIY and decorating. Until now the nearest Wilko, previously called which closed its doors for the final time on Saturday Wilkinsons, was 18 miles away in Maidstone or 20 – the number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowmiles away in Crawley. ance or Universal Credit is set to rise. It was opened by Mayor David Neve, and the first However, the arrival of The Range on the old Morri50 customers through the door received a Wilko sons site on Vale Road will offer further employment Food Mixer, while the next 50 were given a £5 Wilko opportunities. It is understood that the garden and gift card and a complementary bag of items. leisure store will bring 80 jobs to the town. The latest unemployment figures for Tunbridge It is hoped that another big chain, such as Primark, Wells show a 14 per cent rise on last year – and 29 will move into the premises vacated by BHS. per cent among those between 18 and 24 years old. Mr Holmes insisted: “Despite the small rise in those In contrast, Tonbridge has seen a three per cent claiming benefits in Tunbridge Wells compared to reduction in unemployment, with ten per cent fewer this time last year, the labour market continues to young people out of work. be buoyant. The Tunbridge Wells figures have been affected “The Jobcentre has recently worked with Wilko on by almost 400 redundancies made by Turners Fine the recruitment for their new store, and 16 Jobcentre Foods in Goudhurst. claimants have secured positions with them. Andrew Holmes, Integrated Partnership Manager at “We are also working with The Range and we will Maidstone Jobcentre, said: “The closure of Turners be the only route for recruitment for all the vacanhas resulted in a number of ex-employees claiming cies for their new store.” benefits but the Jobcentre has been able to deploy SHUT UP extra resources to ensure that nobody has to wait any The last remnants have longer than usual to make their claim for benefit.” been removed from BHS He added that many of the company’s former staff had been snapped up by other employers. “All those affected are being offered the full range of Jobcentre support and some have already moved back into work,” he said. “A few of them have been getting jobs within one day. Local employers are asking about them because they are regarded as highly-motivated workers.” With the demise of BHS in Royal Victoria Place –

St John’s ‘eyesore’ car park is reborn THE £2.5million development of the old John Street car park off St John’s Road in Tunbridge Wells is reaching the final stages of completion. The half-acre site, an unmade-up car park on rough ground which Tunbridge Wells Borough Council described as an ‘eyesore’, now consists of new shops and flats as well as a smaller car park. Council Leader David Jukes is pleased with the progress, saying: “That is a project that we said we would do and we have actually done it and completed it.” The scheme was centred round the reinstatement of the shop fronts along St John’s Road because there was a ‘gaping hole’ in the row of small retailers. In recognition of the area’s community feel, the council says the new outlets will be ‘supporting the vitality and viability of St John’s as a retail destination’. The shops are currently undergoing their final internal fittings and they have already attracted interest after being put on the market. Three floors of accommodation have been built above the shops, in keeping in the buildings alongside, which will provide four two-bedroom flats and one with three bedrooms. According to the council, these developments will provide ‘much-needed homes’ for first-time buyers, young families and people sharing accommodation. The project was originally drawn up to include four town houses at the entrance to the car park on John Street, with four bedrooms and small gardens. But following a series of public events, local residents and businesses said they were unhappy with the loss of parking spaces that would result if the housing went ahead. The car park has been properly paved and is now open, with 60 public spaces rather than room for 90 vehicles, as was previously the case. The site was previously known as The Lew, and was a residential area consisting of small cottages which were built during the 1800s. They were demolished during slum clearance in the early 1960s.

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS 

BANK OF ENGLAND AGENT PHIL ECKERSLEY TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO THE TIMES

Interest rates to stay low as unemployment rises Commercial property market flagged as danger area for the local economy By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk PROMINENT business leaders from across Kent gathered in Tunbridge Wells on Thursday to listen to one of the Bank of England’s most senior agents on where he believes the UK economy is heading and the central bank’s next move. Phil Eckersley, who has been the Bank of England’s agent in the south east and East Anglia since 2008, was speaking at an event hosted by the Muesli Mafia business network at the Royal Wells Hotel, in an off-the-record capacity. However, in an exclusive interview with the Times prior to the event, Mr Eckersley gave his thoughts on what is in store for the postreferendum economy. When asked about the possibility of negative interest rates, he explained that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is clear that they see the effective lower bound as a positive number. His comments – which reflect his own opinion – come shortly after the Bank of England announced on August 4 that it would be cutting interest rates to the lowest level in its history, – 0.25 per cent – alongside a raft of other measures to stimulate the post-Brexit economy. “We are entering what is likely to be a period of significant change for our economy, with the vote to leave the European Union ushering in a new era for the UK’s relationship with the rest of the world. Some of the adjustments to this new reality may prove difficult and many will take time.” And, while the Bank of England firmly believes that the UK – one of the most flexible economies in the world – can handle this change, there will inevitably be a period of heightened uncertainty as this process takes place. But although the bank is predicting a slowdown in the economy and a rise in unemployment, Mr Eckersley said the economy would have to deteriorate considerably before the MPC changed its views on negative rates. “When looking at other countries it is also not clear if taking this route has been successful. What we have seen in some jurisdictions is that banks do not pass on the cuts and have even raised rates.” He added that the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, has commented that he is ‘not a particular fan’ of negative rates, although he could be BREAKFAST DONS outvoted by L-R: Ron Roser and members of the John Sayer with MPC on the issue. Phil Eckersley However, for now the central bank will wait to

see the effect of the introduction of a package of measures designed to support the UK economy. The good news is that simply announcing the policy has had a positive impact on confidence, and has already reduced borrowing costs in certain channels. “Market expectations are that the bank rate will stay low for a while,” Mr Eckersley said, with only ‘very gradual’ increases expected in the future. “For the last six years the markets have been expecting rates to go up in the coming months. But as economic news over the period unfolded their expectations have not materialised – starting with their inability to predict the depth of the downturn immediately post crisis, followed by the Euro Area crisis, then broader concerns about the global economy, and more recently the potential impact of Brexit,” he said. When asked about specific concerns, Mr Eckersley said he believes one of the danger areas for the economy is the commercial real estate market (CRE). The sector was already showing signs of ‘vulnerability’, even before the referendum, but the result appears to have affected the market in a particularly negative way. “Existing weaknesses persisted in the retail market before the referendum, reflecting the changing shopping habits of UK consumers,” he explained. “This has resulted in a rise in voids in many town centres in the south east, in particular in coastal areas. Furthermore, investor and occupier demand for industrial space has been weakening as participants face a more uncertain future. “London and the south east are particularly vulnerable, given their significant share of the CRE market. “The bank also remains concerned about the residential property market, especially in London and the south east, where the market has shown signs of overheating in the past. “However, in the bank’s latest Inflation Report, published post the referendum, house prices are projected to decline a little over the near term, while the level of transactions remains broadly flat, reflecting greater uncertainty associated with the referendum outcome.” Mr Eckersley pointed out that cooling house prices can have a knock-on effect on consumer sentiment, while less activity can also directly affect other areas of the economy, such as the retailers of

white and brown goods, kitchens, carpets, home furnishings, etc. He gave the labour market as a further example of an area which could be negatively impacted by the referendum result, particularly agriculture if the recruitment of seasonal labour is limited by scrapping the free movement of people. Looking to the future, Mr Eckersley believes there are a number of uncertainties and that if the downside risks materialise a recession ‘is possible’. But this is not the bank’s central forecast, which assumes growth will moderate in the near term, picking up a little in 2017 and 2018. He added that the point of the latest action taken by the central bank was to ensure a recession was avoided, although unemployment is still expected to hit 5.5 per cent next year.

He also warned of ‘big downside risks’, such as further declines in already weak business investment, which he said was often the first thing companies cut back on in times of uncertainty. “The problem is if everyone cuts back at the same time it may engender a downturn,” he explained. For now, Mr Eckersley believes the Bank of England will monitor the economy closely to see if growth remains positive. “The good thing about monetary policy is it is nimble and can be implemented quickly, but it can’t do all the heavy lifting itself. “The transition [towards a post-Brexit economy] won’t necessarily be smooth; there are some dangers and maybe further downsides. “But we shouldn’t be too pessimistic.”

WHAT DOES AN AGENT DO?

AT THE MUESLI MAFIA

AS AN agent for the Bank of England, Mr Eckersley is tasked with liaising with around 50 to 60 businesses per month throughout the south east and East Anglia. When meeting each company – which range from supermarket giants headquartered in his patch – such as Tesco – to localised retail chains, manufacturers and agricultural firms, he collects data on a variety of metrics. These include revenue streams, investment (both recent and planned), hiring intentions and pay expectations, as well as general sentiment. His findings are then relayed to the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee two days before their monthly meeting to determine policy – partially on the basis of the agents’ findings.

PHIL ECKERSLEY presented the Bank of England’s views of the current state of the economy at a breakfast briefing on August 18 at The Royal Wells Hotel in front of dozens of members of the Muesli Mafia – one of Kent’s best known business networking organisations. Over the past eight years Mr Eckersley has given a number of presentations to the ‘mafia’ in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Bromley. He said: “I always look forward to briefing the audience at these events as the atmosphere is conducive to a lively exchange of views. “The questions are thought provoking and I always come away with a wealth of soundings from participants that provide an opportunity to reconsider our thinking.”

Wednesday 24th August 2016

10 � LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Log on to blog and smell the coffee… Award-winning Tunbridge Wells entrepreneur Henry Wilson spills the beans on his popular coffee blog to Adam Hignett ONE of the most prolific bloggers to come from Tunbridge Wells has won recognition for his work documenting the economics and supply chain of the coffee industry. Henry Wilson, aged just 24, recently became the youngest person to win the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe’s Excellence Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year for his digital media site Perfect Daily Grind.

‘I wanted to explain to people what coffee really is and why it tastes like it does’ Mr Wilson has seen the number visitors to his website – which he set up in 2014 – balloon by 850 per cent to a readership of more than 170,000 monthly views. And his site is more than just a hobby, it is a formal business which relies on the contributions of more than 200 writers from 50 countries to keep up with demand. Collectively, they delve into every aspect of the industry, delivering a comprehensive account of everything from the conditions of the coffee farmers to the supply chain, and how best to serve the final product.

Recent articles have included Is Fairtrade the Answer to Gender Inequality in Java?, How Myanmar’s Coffee Trade is Dictated by Infrastructure and How Micro Mills Help Producers to Have Economic Independence. “I wanted to explain to people what coffee really is and why it tastes like it does. This means you have to retrace the supply chain,” the former Skinners’ pupil said. His first experience of what the industry is all about came during a gap year in Ecuador, where he worked as a trainee barista. However, this was not the reason, initially, why he kept finding himself returning to the South American country. “I met a girl out there and so would go back every summer,” he explained, adding that this led him to see the realities of an industry the average consumer does not think about. “I would meet people on the farms and realised there was a direct relation between the producer and the consumer. I became fascinated with the supply chain.” He started to write about what he saw and continued during his time at Durham University, where he studied Geography and Political Sciences – graduating with a 2:1 following a dissertation about Ecuadorian immigration patterns. Mr Wilson’s rising profile has led him to be

COFFEE MATES Henry Wilson (pictured centre in the grey shirt) with his trophy at the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe’s Excellence Awards invited to give lectures at global coffee conferences across the world, giving him another platform to advocate what he believes is one of the best ways of ensuring everyone benefits from the trade. One of the most effective ways of doing this, he believes, is through a process called direct trade. “There is such an immense risk for the farmers themselves,” explained Mr Wilson, who said they were often left to the mercy of seasonal factors, received little investment and were paid less than they could be because of intermediaries. “Direct trade is supposed to mean the roaster buys directly from the farmer, cutting out the middle man and allowing them to directly

‘Everyone is sick and tired of this pointless, needless and senseless strike’

Wednesday 24th August 2016

negotiate prices. Over time, this also leads to a better working relationship between the two and better communication.” Mr Wilson also believes people should be prepared to spend a tiny amount of extra money on their coffee in order to get the most enjoyment out of it. “You can pay 30p more for a coffee 20 times better – objectively so. “It is telling that it was one of the only industries to continue growing during the last recession as it is a cheap luxury. By paying more it will taste better, there is more transparency about its origins, and far more information.”

BUSINESS NEWS 

Vanda defends the letter of the law in Kent Tunbridge Wells solicitor Vanda James has been elected as President of the Kent Law Society. Here she explains to Adam Hignett the challenges ahead and how the organisation supports junior lawyers WHAT is the Kent Law Society and what function does it serve in the 21st century? Far from being an anachronistic body or the preserve of a few privileged solicitors, the society has an active role in supporting the wellbeing of hundreds of members and people throughout the county. It is led by Tunbridge Wells-based solicitor and partner Vanda James – an expert in family law at Cripps LLP – who was elected to the position of President in May. A separate entity from its England and Wales namesake – which represents all 166,000 solicitors nationwide – the Kent Law Society nonetheless co-operates closely with the national body and, as its name suggests, is local to the profession in the county. As President, Miss James chairs the General Purposes Committee, a group of approximately 20 members and officers who consult and help shape policy and the agenda for the society through quarterly meetings. One of the most important priorities for the committee is ensuring that successive generations of lawyers are well equipped to deal with the future challenges which face the profession. Miss James said: “We have a very active junior lawyers division which we encourage and support both financially and emotionally, and in all other regards. “By reinvesting members’ subscriptions, we are able to provide the junior lawyers with funding to

hold networking events, although we also understanding about the financial side of a encourage them to obtain sponsors and develop business.” their own business networks.” The society has therefore adapted to include Through its limited company, the society also training to meet those needs. And, as with every provides training and professional development for institution, the society – which was founded in its members – an area which has just lately changed. 1818 and has more than 500 members – has been “Until recently, it was compulsory to undertake evolving to reflect both changes in the industry and in society in general. continuing professional development, and every “The profession as a whole is broadening,” she solicitor was required to do a certain amount said, adding that in the last few years the of hours training each year to ensure that everyone keeps up-to-date with changes rules of membership have changed to take to the law in their specific area.” account of this. But, as Miss James also explained, the “Previously, membership of the society training which the society provides has was only available to solicitors, but we been expanded recently, and instead changed our rules so that other of an exclusive focus on providing members of the profession could join. courses on changes to the law, there “The society now includes law is now a broader emphasis on the students, trainee solicitors, legal executives, paralegals and licensed teaching of ‘softer skills’. conveyancers. She added: “As a result, the society offers a variety of courses, “We have had to evolve with which include the importance of what the world looks like and appreciate the different roles the anti-money laundering people play in the profession.” legislation as we have to be very Also on the agenda is how to alert to fraud. When graduating from law school, junior lawyers influence changes to the way are academically very sound, the industry is governed, as but the legal profession requires well as how to engage with so much more than knowing the wider community. about the law. Lawyers have to On the first point, the society PRESIDENT know how to generate new work will be discussing proposed Vanda James and develop business, including changes to the profession. In

particular, it is engaging with members on how they wish to respond to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ‘Looking to the Future’ consultation, before using their collective muscle to try and influence the changes being proposed, which will have huge implications for the profession and the consumer. Engagement with the community at large is mostly done through charity work and, more recently, hosting meetings with Members of Parliament. “In the last 18 months we have been very successful in engaging with local MPs, and that is something we believe is very important for our members,” said Miss James. Miss James has chosen to champion the charities working with guide dogs during her year-long tenure, and has set up a number of initiatives to raise money for the cause – particularly through the Maidstone Mobility Team. “We have around 120 guide dog owners in the county and I would like to do whatever I can to make a difference for those who have impaired or no sight. I see it as my opportunity to give something back.” As well as promoting charity work, she is hoping to leave an expanded membership behind as part of her legacy. “I do believe we are stronger together as a profession, and my hope is to improve engagement and encourage more people to join the society,” she said. www.kentlawsociety.com

Wednesday 24th August 2016

12  LOCAL NEWS

Doctor warns that the NHS funding gap could create a two-tier delivery system Medical services could be split between those who can and cannot afford to pay Neill Barston newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A RETIRED GP and British Medical Association representative has issued a stark warning that patients could face further cuts to NHS treatment amid proposals for major changes to the delivery of services. Paul Hobday claims the national ‘Sustainability and Transformation plans’ (STPs) announced by the Government earlier this year may lead to two-tier health provision, split between those who can afford specific medical procedures and those who cannot. According to the Horsmonden-based former GP, who retired after three decades working in Sutton Valence, a £30billion funding gap faced by the NHS over the next five years is placing an unprecedented strain on medical services. Mr Hobday is a local British Medical Association representative and was appointed interim leader of the National Health Action Party, which fielded 12 candidates in last year’s General Election with a campaign on healthcare standards. He believes the Government’s transformation plan is being driven by a desire for full privatisation of NHS services and that there will be a significant reduction in the number of Accident and Emergency facilities in England. He predicts these could be cut from 140 to between 40 and 70, as the Government looks to provide more out-ofhospital treatment. However, Mr Hobday said he did not think services at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Pembury would be under threat, as the hospital had been built with major private finance support. Despite WARNING this, he Paul Hobday remains

Wednesday 24th August 2016

UNDER PRESSURE A vital part of the doctorpatient relationship is at risk, said Mr Hobday alarmed by the state of NHS services and the fact that Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has been placed in financial special measures with a forecast deficit of £23million. Mr Hobday said: “This has made me incredibly angry, as what is happening is being done in a very subtle way without explanation. “If services are to be reduced and privatised, then there should be honesty about that. We are going to end up with a two-tier service where if you want anything done reasonably well you will have to pay for it.” Under the transformation plans, he claimed doctors working within the region’s newly created West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group area will be asked to provide a list of what treatments may be considered financially viable. Mr Hobday believes there is no case for GPs to be rationing care: “Patients have to be confident their doctor has their best interests at heart, and makes decisions based on what is best clinically, not financially. “A vital part of the doctor-patient relationship

is at risk when the patient doesn’t know whether a service is denied because it isn’t necessary, or because the doctor is being forced to save money.” The financial challenges facing NHS services in Kent has been revealed in a letter from the West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (that is now responsible for NHS planning in the area). The Times has seen a copy of the letter. It was addressed to GPs and read: “This year, the Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) financial position is more stressed than ever before. “The CCG office will continue trying to eliminate waste, managing contracts efficiently and holding providers to account but despite our best efforts we still have a £14million gap in our finances (2.3 per cent of our total budget). “In order to make these additional savings and therefore to maximise the chances of making the investments described in the plan, we’d like your views on where we can find savings within the control of GPs. This is mainly in the area of prescribing and referrals.”

WHY CHANGES ARE NEEDED The Chief Executive of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is Glenn Douglas, who is also Chair of the steering group leading development of the Government’s transformation plans. “Health and social care are coming together across the country to create ambitious local blueprints to implement the national NHS Five Year Forward View, addressing three themes: Health and wellbeing; care and quality; and finance and efficiency,” he said. “There is broad agreement that changes are needed to how we live, how we access care, and how care is delivered. This doesn’t mean doing less for patients, or reducing the quality of care provided. It means more preventative care; finding new ways to meet people’s needs; and identifying ways to do things more efficiently. “Our first priority is improving out-of-hospital care, which is key to the future. It is clear that too many people, especially frail older people or people with complex needs, are ending up in hospital when care at home would help many of them to retain their strength and independence for longer. “Local people are really clear they want much more joined-up care which helps them to stay at home if possible. We need to make that work for them. We will need the community to work with us to develop local plans so we can ensure that we get this right for people now, and into the future.” He added that some of the local services within the county had been designed to meet the needs of communities in the 1960s to 1980s, and were in need of updating for 2020 and beyond. Mr Douglas added that along with new evidence about the best way to treat certain conditions, and revised national standards, there are funding challenges. He conceded there were also other priority issues to tackle, including an ageing workforce that is due to retire and a lack of specialists to fill vacancies. Mr Douglas also said there was a need to provide joined-up health and social care services to deliver more effective CHIEF EXECUTIVE treatment. Glenn Douglas

COMMUNITY NEWS 

Two Steves double their money for meningitis charity STEVE CLARK of Chilstone and Steve Bass of Bass Engineering have raised more than double their £1,000 target for Meningitis Now after taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. The 100-mile ride, which features 29,000 cyclists, was made famous as the road race route for the London 2012 Olympics. The course goes through central London and out into Surrey, where they had to take on the infamous Leith and Box Hills. RIDING HIGH Steve Clark (left) and Steve Bass finish the course outside Buckingham Palace

The pair crossed the finish line in 5 hours 11 minutes and met the guest of honour, Mark Webber, the former Formula One driver who completed the course in 4 hours 50 minutes. The two Steves have raised £2,050 for Meningitis Now, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. It is Chilstone’s chosen charity for the year, having worked with them in creating a show garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The Langton Green garden ornament company was asked by Gold Medal winner John Everiss to create a classical temple as the centrepiece of his Meningitis Now garden. To make a donation, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TEAMSASBASS

Walk from Palace in memory of loving mum A CHARITY walk to raise funds for the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre will be held this Sunday (August 28). The nine walkers will undertake the 30-mile trek from Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace Football Club in south London, to the Grove Tavern in Tunbridge Wells in aid of Pickering’s Smile Fund. The participants are all friends of Joanne Filer, who died of cancer last August aged 43. The charity helped Ms Filer to stay with her four-year-old son, Alfie, while she was fighting the disease, and the Smile Fund was set up during that time. The walk will start at the football stadium because Ms Filer was a lifelong Crystal Palace supporter and season-ticket holder. The centre provides support and information for cancer sufferers, their families and carers without the pressure of making appointments or facing time constraints. It also offers a wide range of complementary therapies, such as reflexology, reiki, massage, nutritional advice, yoga and counselling. They are all available free of charge. Pickering’s Director Gaynor Ratcliffe said: “The Pickering Smile Fund was set up after

RAISE A SMILE Joanne Filer with her son Alfie

Volunteer designers are here to help you A LOCAL initiative pairing young graphic designers with charities in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge is seeking more worthy causes to help after the success of the pilot programme. Since last October, students of the University of Kent’s Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design at West Kent College in Tonbridge have been offering their services to charities or not-for-profit groups in the area. Graphic design tutor and organiser of the Design Volunteers, Sancha de Burca, said, “The pilot project was such a success that we hope to run it again and expand it into the next college year. “But many of our participating organisations are so pleased with their current volunteers that they want to continue with them into next year.

a meeting with Jo and her friend asking if there was any way we could help keep her little boy Alfie with her while going through aggressive chemo treatments and operations.” She added: “The help and support we gave was to fund all childcare within the home and to alleviate the stress on Jo and keep her darling little boy at home with her. “The smile which shone through the tears on Jo’s face was amazing. “Hence the Smile Fund was born, and it continues to put smiles on the faces of people like Jo who use the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre.” For more information about the charity’s work, go to www.pickeringcancercentre. org.uk. If you would like to make a donation, visit uk.virginmoneygiving. com/SomeoneSpecial/ JoannesPalaceWalk ON THE WING Alfie with the Crystal Palace mascot, Kayla the eagle

‘We urgently need to recruit lots more charities or not-for-profit groups to pair with our next cohort of designers’ “This means that we urgently need to recruit lots more charities or not-for-profit groups to pair with our next cohort of designers.” The students have benefitted from undertaking a long period of work experience, increasing their understanding of social responsibility and using their skills to help their local community. They have created posters, leaflets, information booklets and logo designs. Suzi Mitchell, founder and Chief Executive of Taylor-Made Dreams in Crowborough, said: “We were delighted to be invited to take part. The high standard of creative work and dedication shown by our volunteer, Joe Williams, during his time here at the charity was incredible.” Jacob Smith, the volunteer at Tunbridge Wells’ Nourish Foodbank, said: “It was an enlightening experience. It was helpful to gain some real-world experience, and it felt good to be doing it for a client that really needed it.” Peter Coates, who volunteered with community group Water in the Wells, said: “It has helped me understand the value of developing a good relationship with your client in order to produce high-quality work that meets their requirement.” If any local charity or not-for-profit organisation would like a graphic design volunteer, contact sanchadeburca@westkent.ac.uk. Examples of the students’ work can be viewed at uk.pinterest.com/graphicskentuni.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

14  NATIONAL NEWS

Heard the one about the, er, organ donor? A joke about a heart transplant by Masai Graham, a care worker from West Bromwich, has won the Funniest Joke of the Fringe award at the Edinburgh Festival. Here are the top 15 jokes told by performers this year.

“Apparently one in three Britons are conceived in an IKEA bed, which is mad because those places are really well lit” Mark Smith

“I went to a pub quiz in Liverpool, had a few drinks so wasn’t much use. Just for a laugh I wrote The Beatles or Steven Gerrard for every answer… came second” Will Duggan

“My dad has suggested that I register for a donor card. He’s a man after my own heart” Masai Graham

“Brexit is a terrible name, sounds like cereal you eat when you are constipated” Tiff Stevenson

“Why is it old people say ‘there’s no place like home’, yet when you put them in one…” Stuart Mitchell

“I often confuse Americans and Canadians. By using long words” Gary Delaney

“I’ve been happily married for four years out of a total of ten” Mark Watson

“Why is Henry’s wife covered in tooth marks? Because he’s Tudor” Adele Cliff

“Don’t you hate it when people assume you’re rich because you sound posh and went to private school and have loads of money?” Annie McGrath

10 11

“Is it possible to mistake schizophrenia for telepathy, I hear you ask” Jordan Brookes

“Hillary Clinton has shown that any woman can be President, as long as your husband did it first” Michelle Wolf

“I spotted a Marmite van on the motorway. It was heading yeastbound” Roger Swift

“Back in the day, Instagram just meant a really efficient drug dealer” Arthur Smith

14 15

“I’ll tell you what’s unnatural in the eyes of God. Contact lenses” Zoe Lyons

“Elton John hates ordering Chinese food. Soya seems to be the hardest word” Phil Nicol

Wednesday 24th August 2016

NATIONAL NEWS �

NEWS IN BRIEF

Golden age TEAM GB arrived back at Heathrow Airport yesterday [Tuesday] after flying home from the Olympic Games in Rio with the greatest medal haul in more than a century. A gold-nosed Boeing 747 bearing the message ‘victoRIOus’ on the side arrived in London just before 10am with 320 athletes and support staff. The aircraft took on board 77 extra champagne bottles and treats for the team, who enjoyed a three-course menu. The British team won 67 medals in total, comprising 27 golds, 23 silvers and 17 bronzes. They finished second in the medal table behind the United States and ahead of China, who came third.

Debts are growing as pay value falls MORE than 1.5 million families are in extreme debt, fuelled by the ‘collapse’ in the value of pay, a new report says. Total unsecured debt, excluding mortgages, for UK households increased by £48billion in the three years to 2015 to £353billion, according to the TUC and Unison. Their report, Britain in the Red, said 3.2 million households are in ‘problem debt’, paying out more than a quarter of income on unsecured debt repayments, while 1.6 million are in ‘extreme problem debt’, shelling out 40 per cent on repayments. The problem is getting worse following a collapse in wages, which fell by over ten per cent between 2007 and 2015, the report warned. TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Families can’t continue relying on credit cards and loans to get by, but with the average wage still worth £40 less than before the 2008 crash, lots of families have little choice. “Higher wages must be at the heart of the Government’s economic plan. We need a return to proper year-on-year pay rises, and a higher national minimum wage. “And we need public investment in major infrastructure projects to create more well-paid jobs and build a stronger economy,” he added. “The Government must also do more to help low-income families struggling with problem debt in getting access to debt restructuring and insolvency support.” Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “Many of those affected by debt will be public service workers who have suffered eight years of zero pay rises, followed by a Government-imposed cap on earnings. “This report rightly draws a link between increased debt and stagnant wage growth at a time when rent and transport costs continue to rise. Many families are having to make choices between paying the rent and feeding their kids.” Peter Tutton, Head of Policy at StepChange Debt Charity, said: “Every week we see thousands of

households struggling to keep up with their essential bills and credit repayments. Sluggish wage growth and the rise in insecure jobs have left households even more financially vulnerable. “Too many households are relying on credit to get by and this massively increases their chances of falling into severe problem debt.” Oxfam’s Head of UK Programmes, Rachael Orr, said: “Wages are simply not keeping pace with the cost of living, putting an unfair burden on people who are struggling to put food on the table and pay essential bills. “The Government needs to ensure that employers offer decent jobs that pay enough to live on, and tackle the inequality that has seen the incomes of the poorest stagnate while those of the richest continue to spiral.” A Government spokesman said: “Since 2010 the UK employment rate has grown more than any other G7 country and more people than ever before have the security of a job and regular pay packet. “Living standards have reached their highest ever level, and for almost two years wages have risen faster than prices. “Thanks to changes in the personal allowance, we have taken millions of the lowest paid out of paying income tax, and workers will also feel the benefits of the new National Living Wage, which has already boosted pay for over a million people since it came into force this April.”

‘Too many households are relying on credit to get by and this massively increases their chances of falling into severe problem debt’

Ofsted chief quits over Isle of Wight comments THE Chairman of education watchdog Ofsted has resigned after causing controversy with his unguarded verbal attack on the Isle of Wight. David Hoare was widely criticised after being caught on tape at a teaching conference making the disparaging remarks about the island. “Most people go there for sailing for two weeks a year. There’s a sailing club that is one of the best in the world, where there’s champagne,” Mr Hoare said in the recording which was obtained by the Times Education Supplement. “But just within inches, there are people who live in a ghetto… They think of it as holiday land. But it is shocking. It’s a ghetto, there has been inbreeding.”

RSPCA attacks cull ANIMAL rights campaigners have condemned reports that a badger cull in England is to be extended to five new areas. David Bowles, the RSPCA’s Head of Public Affairs, said the cull – an attempt by the Government to eradicate bovine tuberculosis – was not necessary. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) refused to confirm or deny reports from the BBC that the cull would be extended. “The RSPCA believes there are better ways to tackle bovine TB,” Mr Bowles said. “It’s more expensive to cull. It’s more inhumane to cull. It doesn’t sort out the problem even if you do it properly.”

Mrs Brown’s Boys best MRS BROWN’S BOYS has beaten The Office and Gavin & Stacey to be named best British sitcom of the 21st century. The BBC One show, starring creator Brendan O’Carroll as foul-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes Brown, attracts millions of viewers and has spawned a successful movie despite being dismissed by many critics. “Lost for words... and that doesn’t happen to me very often,” said O’Carroll, whose wife Jennifer Gibney also stars in the sitcom. “Myself and Jenny are dancing around the living room. I can die happy now... but I’ll take my time...” A live episode last month attracted 8.82 million viewers but Mrs Brown’s Boys has struggled to win over some critics.

Tesco ditches Saltire TESCO has removed the Saltire from packaging on its Scottish-grown fruit products following complaints from its English customers. The supermarket giant had featured a prominent St Andrew’s cross on a range of produce from Scotland sold in the UK. It has now replaced it with the Union flag, including in Scotland, after revealing that English customers complained that similar products grown in England did not carry St George’s cross on packaging.

Lawrence tops rich list JENNIFER LAWRENCE is the world’s highestpaid actress for the second year running, according to Forbes’ latest rich list. The Hunger Games star topped the rankings with her earnings over the past 12 months reportedly coming in at US$46million (£34.9million) before tax.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

16  WORLD NEWS

Mystery over Lying American swimmer left high and dry by sponsors how Prince obtained fake painkillers THE disclosure that some pills found at Prince’s home and studio were counterfeit and contained the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl strongly suggests that the pills came to the superstar musician illegally. But exactly how Prince, aged 57, obtained the drugs is still unknown, four months after he collapsed in a lift at his Paisley Park, Minnesota, home on April 21 and died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Authorities have so far revealed little about their investigation, saying it is active and moving forward, but former prosecutors and defence lawyers who are familiar with drug investigations say it is likely someone will be prosecuted, whether or not Prince knew he was taking illegal drugs. “They will not say it was just Prince’s fault and let it go at that,” said Phil Turner, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago, now in private practice. An official close to the investigation said some of the pills found at Paisley Park were falsely labelled as a common generic painkiller similar to Vicodin, but actually contained fentanyl.

Fatal overdose The official also said that records show Prince did not have a prescription for any controlled substances in Minnesota in the last 12 months. The only way to obtain fentanyl – a synthetic opioid which is 50 times more powerful than heroin – is through a legal prescription, or illegally from the black market, said Joe Tamburino, a Minnesota defence lawyer. Fentanyl has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths in some parts of the country. When made into counterfeit pills, users do not always know they are taking fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdose. Mr Tamburino, who is not connected to the Prince case, said investigators would probably talk to those close to Prince, and also search his and his associates’ computers, phones and communications to see whether the pills were purchased online. Those searches would typically involve examining text messages, Instagram messages and other communications. “This is not to say the people close to him are guilty – we have no idea of that. But that’s where it would start,” Mr Tamburino said. He added that investigators were probably looking at security footage from Paisley Park, if any exists, to see who might have been going to the studio. Gal Pissetzky, a defence lawyer in Chicago, said there were many ways Prince could have obtained the drugs – from a close adviser or friend, a dealer on one of the stops he made as he was on tour, or over the internet himself. He added that investigators might also use mobile phone data to track Prince’s whereabouts. If someone gave Prince the drug that killed him, that person could face a third-degree murder charge, punishable in the state of Minnesota by more than 12 years in prison, Mr Tamburino said. In addition, any illegal operation that involved making and dealing fentanyl could open many people up to a host of drug charges, from trafficking to conspiracy. Because the sale resulted in Prince’s death, it would increase the chances that someone could be handed the maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, Mr Turner said.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

SWIMMER Ryan Lochte has taken a massive financial hit less than 24 hours after the close of the Rio Olympics, following a drunken incident that he tried to pass off as an armed robbery. In quick succession, four sponsors announced they were dumping the American swimmer, who has since apologised and admitted that he embellished what happened during the now infamous stop at a Rio petrol station. Swimsuit company Speedo USA, clothing giant Ralph Lauren and skincare firm Syneron-Candela issued statements less than three hours apart, all with the same message: Lochte is out. And before the day was done, Japanese mattressmaker airweave followed suit, essentially wiping out Lochte’s income away from the pool. In addition, Speedo USA said $50,000 (£38,400) that would have gone to the 12-time Olympic medallist was being donated to Save The Children to benefit needy youngsters in Brazil.

“While we have enjoyed a winning relationship with Ryan for over a decade and he has been an important member of the Speedo team, we cannot condone behaviour that is counter to the values this brand has long stood for,” the company said. “We appreciate his many achievements and hope he moves forward and learns from this experience.” Ralph Lauren, which provided the Polo-branded clothing worn by the US team at the opening and closing ceremonies, said it would not be renewing the contract that provided Lochte with financial support leading up to Rio. The statement from airweave said it had a similar arrangement with the swimmer. Both stressed they would continue their support of the US Olympic and Paralympic teams. Lochte, 32, issued a statement through his public relations company thanking Speedo USA for its support. It said: “I respect Speedo’s decision and am

grateful for the opportunities that our partnership has afforded me over the years.” Initially, Lochte said he and three team mates – Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen – were robbed after their taxi was pulled over by armed men posing as police just hours after the swimming competition ended in Rio de Janeiro. But that version quickly unravelled when police said the swimmers, who had attended a late-night party, never reported the incident to authorities and there was scant evidence of a robbery. Video surveillance emerged showing the athletes becoming involved in a confrontation with armed security guards over alleged vandalism at the petrol station. While there have been conflicting versions over whether the guards pulled their weapons on the swimmers, Lochte has since acknowledged he was highly intoxicated and that his behaviour led to the confrontation.

Turkey continues shelling of Islamic State targets in Syria TURKEY’S artillery has shelled Islamic State group targets across the border in Syria for two consecutive days this week. It comes amid reports that Turkey-backed Syrian rebels were preparing an offensive against an ISheld border town in northern Syria. The latest developments have thrust the town of Jarablus into centre stage in the ongoing Syrian civil war. The Turkish shelling came after mortar rounds, believed to have been fired by the militants from Jarablus, landed on Turkish territory. Turkey has increased security measures at its border opposite the Islamic State-held Jarablus, deploying tanks and armoured personnel carriers in recent days. Syrian activists have said that hundreds of Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters are gathered in the Turkish border area of Karkamis in preparation for an attack on Jarablus. Ankara is concerned about the growing power of US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces, who it says are linked to Kurdish groups waging an insurgency in south-eastern Turkey. In Syria, a Kurdish-led group known as the Syria Democratic Forces earlier this month liberated the nearby town of Manbij from the Islamic State group, triggering concerns in Ankara that they would seize the entire border strip with Turkey. Jarablus is a vital supply line and the last border point that directly connects the Islamic State group with Turkey and the outside world, and separates Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria. An official with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the Syrian side of the border

ON GUARD A Turkish army tank and an armoured vehicle stationed near the border with Syria

claimed the fighters allegedly gathering in Turkey include ‘terrorists’ as well as Turkish special forces operators. “We confirm we are prepared to defend the country against any plans for a direct or indirect occupation,” a statement from the SDF said. The developments put the US’s only clear proxy in Syria, the SDF, and its Nato ally, Turkey, on track for a confrontation over Jarablus, though the SDF official, Nasser Haj Mansour, would not comment on whether the SDF would send fighters to the town. A rebel commander affiliated with the SDF was killed shortly after broadcasting a statement announcing the formation of the so-called Jarablus

Military Council and vowing to protect civilians in Jarablus from Turkish ‘aggression’. Abdel-Sattar al-Jader was shot by unknown gunmen late on Monday, an hour after reading the statement posted online in which he also accused Turkey of mobilising fighters and ‘terrorists’ through the border toward Jarablus. Al-Jader pledged to fight Turkish efforts to take control of the city and warned Ankara against further aggression. The SDF also issued a statement in which it declared its full support for the council. The Jarablus Military Council, in a statement issued after Al-Jader’s death, accused Turkish security agents of being behind the killing.

Child refugees make ‘heart-rending’ journeys to United States THOUSANDS of youngsters trying to escape gang violence and poverty in Central America have made their way to the United States this year and there is no sign that the flow is letting up, according to the United Nations’ children’s agency. A Unicef report said that in the first six months of 2016, nearly 26,000 unaccompanied children were stopped at the US border along with 29,700 people travelling

as a family, mostly mothers and young children. Most are from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, three countries with some of the world’s highest murder and poverty rates, the report said. “It is heart-rending to think of these children – most of them teenagers, but some even younger – making the gruelling and extremely dangerous journey in search of

safety and a better life,” Unicef’s Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth said in the report. According to Mexican government figures quoted by Unicef, more than 16,000 migrant children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras were apprehended in Mexico during the first six months of 2016. But thousands still make it into the United States. Unicef detailed the risks of trying

to reach the US in the report, Broken Dreams: Central American children’s dangerous journey to the United States. They range from being trafficked, kidnapped or targeted by powerful criminal syndicates to dying in the desert heat. Unicef quoted an Amnesty International report saying that as many as six out of 10 women and girls experience sexual violence during their journey.

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18 � BUSINESS NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Summer grocery sales show healthy growth THE warm summer weather has seen British grocery sales accelerate at their fastest pace since March, without any sign of Brexitfuelled inflation. Grocery sales rose 0.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to August 14 as the sunshine encouraged shoppers to spend more. Discounters Lidl and Aldi won market share and sales growth of 12.2 per cent and 10.4 per cent respectively, Kantar Worldpanel has found. There was still no evidence of Brexitfuelled inflation causing food prices to rise, with a representative basket of goods 1.3 per cent cheaper than it was last year.

AA provides mortgages THE Automobile Association is pushing into the mortgage market by offering a range of products to its members. The breakdown recovery company will be offering two, three and five-year fixed-rate mortgages and a best-buy four-year fixedrate product. The range will be fees-assisted and provided through its partnership with the Bank of Ireland, the AA said. The move comes after it teamed up with the Bank of Ireland last year to launch a number of financial products, including credit cards, savings accounts, cash ISAs and personal loans.

Falling pound helps to lift export orders says report BRITAIN’S manufacturers have seen export orders reach a two-year high thanks to the plunge in the value of the pound following the Brexit vote, a report has said. The CBI Industrial Trends Survey said export orders reached their highest since August 2014, hitting minus six this month, a rise from minus 22 in July. Total orders came in above expectations, dropping to minus five in August, down from minus four in July, but above economists’ predictions of a fall of minus ten. The report said the slide in sterling appeared to be fuelling stronger overseas demand, with chemical manufacturers accounting for more than half of the rise in orders. But it added that price expectations for three months ahead rose to the highest level since February 2015, triggered in part by the rising cost of raw material after the fall in the UK currency. Anna Leach, CBI Head of Economic Analysis and Surveys, said the pound’s weakness was

proving a ‘double-edged sword’, helping exports but pushing up costs and prices. She said: “The most significant effects of the vote to leave the EU will flow over the medium to long-term. “Therefore firms need to see ambitious decisions in the Autumn Statement that will secure the UK’s economic future as changes to trade, regulation and access to skills loom on the horizon,” Ms Leach added. The survey of 505 firms found that average price increases in the three months to November hit plus eight in August, up from plus five in July. It said manufacturers producing coke and petroleum had the highest expectation of output price inflation for the next three months, while printers and publishers are expecting prices to fall the most. It added that the measure of output expectations for the three months ahead was plus 11 in August, rising from plus six the month before. Samuel Tombs, Chief UK Economist at

IN THE PIPELINE Petroleum firms have the highest expectation of output price inflation

Night Tube helps shops LONDON’S West End shopping district saw a 14 per cent rise in footfall last Saturday after the introduction of the Night Tube. More than 100,000 passengers took advantage of the new overnight Underground service, with about 6,500 people tapping in at Oxford Circus. The Victoria and Central lines are the first to provide overnight services on Fridays and Saturdays, with the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines set to follow this autumn.

Asda sells photo arm STRUGGLING supermarket Asda has offloaded its photo business to Photo-Me International for £5.35million.

Pantheon Macroeconomics, urged caution over the data but said it suggested that rising export orders were helping to ‘cushion the blow’ from a slump in UK demand. “Official trade data show that previous sterling depreciations have taken at least a year to bear fruit, because it takes time for contracts to be renegotiated and for exporters to invest in extra capacity,” he said.

‘There are some serious dangers lurking for the manufacturing sector’ “Even if the CBI’s export orders balance is right, the total – domestic plus export – orders balance only is consistent on past form with stagnation in manufacturing output. He added: “Domestic demand is fading as manufacturers pass on higher import costs to domestic customers.” The UK manufacturing industry continued to decline in June, falling by 0.3 per cent, but that figure includes an increase from a 0.6 per cent contraction in May, according to the Office for National Statistics. However, the latest puchasing managers’ index survey for the month after the Brexit vote showed that the manufacturing sector slumped to its lowest level in more than three years, putting pressure on UK economic growth. Howard Archer, Chief UK and European Economist for IHS Markit, said the CBI survey provided hope that UK gross domestic product would continue to grow in the third quarter. “Third-quarter growth hopes have been lifted by robust retail sales in July and the CBI survey suggests that manufacturing output could hold up better than had been feared,” he added. “Nevertheless, there are some serious dangers lurking for the manufacturing sector following the Brexit vote. “Much could depend on how much the boost to foreign orders from the substantially weakened pound counters likely increasingly pressurised domestic demand for capital goods and big ticket consumer items.”

Housing market recovers as builders see revenue rising THE UK housing market proved resilient in the first month after the Brexit vote despite a slowdown for commercial property, according to a new report. Data from HM Revenue and Customs showed the number of residential transactions slipped 0.9 per cent month on month to 94,550 in July compared to 95,430 in June. The buying and selling of commercial buildings came under pressure, dropping 7.5 per cent month on month to 9,820 in July, down from 10,620 the month before. Stephen Smith, director of the Legal & General Housing Partnerships, urged caution over pinning the declines on the Brexit vote. He said the fall could also be caused by the ‘seasonal lull’ over the summer months. “What these figures really highlight is the ongoing imbalance in supply and demand that is plaguing our housing market,” he added. Investors have punished housing stocks

Wednesday 24th August 2016

following the EU referendum result amid concerns that Brexit uncertainty could deal a blow to demand. However, housebuilders have bucked the general expectations and recorded rising revenues and profits. Persimmon is the latest to shrug off referendum concerns to book a 29 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £352.3million for the first half of the year. Revenues also increased 12 per cent to £1.49billion. The strong update comes after Bovis Homes notched up a double-digit rise in half-year profits and said the ‘underlying market fundamentals’ for the UK housing market remained positive. Andrew Bridges, managing director of Stirling Ackroyd, said the ‘slight stutter’ in the property markets was not a cause for alarm. He said the barriers caused by stamp duty and the difficulty of saving for a deposit could put off London’s first-time buyers.

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20  SPORT NEWS

Team GB come down to earth (L-R): Team GB swimmer Adam Peaty, who won gold in the 100 metres breaststroke, in the cockpit with rower Will Satch of the men’s coxed eight on the ‘VictoRIOus’ Boeing 747 returning from Rio; Kate Richardson-Walsh, captain of the gold-winning women’s hockey team, celebrates as the champagne flows; trampolinist Bryony Page enjoys a glass of bubbly with judoka Sally Conway; Alistair Brownlee, triathlon champion, shows the ranks of photographers waiting at Heathrow.

Trott slams rivals who question cycling glory

PRECIOUS Laura Trott and Jason Kenny won five gold medals in Rio

LAURA TROTT has said she finds it ‘annoying and frustrating’ to hear Team GB’s cycling success at the Olympics questioned by rivals. GB cyclists claimed six golds, four silvers and one bronze at the velodrome in Rio to follow up a similarly impressive haul on home soil four years ago. Yet Britain’s dominance at the Olympic cycling has been in stark contrast to some of their performances at other major events recently – leading to veiled accusations coming from other countries. The 24-year-old Trott, who won two golds in Rio to match her haul from London 2012, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m not angry as such, it is a little bit annoying and frustrating

because it is a lot of hard work that has gone into that performance. “British Cycling has always been an Olympics-based programme, so for us it wasn’t about clearing up at the World Championships [in March].” She added: “Don’t get me wrong, it would have been nice because they were in London, but it’s always been around the Olympics. “That’s what our funding is pushed towards, that’s where they spent our UK Sport money. “So for us it was about performing there and I think if we’d come away and underperformed at the Olympics, we’d have been gutted if we’d cleaned up at London because it would have meant we’d have peaked at the wrong time. “And I think what a lot of other nations don’t know, and what they don’t see, is the fact that it doesn’t really matter about the World Championships. It’s all about the Olympics.” Trott’s fiancé, Jason Kenny, was also a

member of GB’s all-conquering cycling team this summer and he took his collection of Olympic golds to six, having also won in Beijing and London. Between them, Trott and Kenny won five gold medals in Brazil. Both admit to being stunned by the reception they have received since coming home. Trott said: “It’s just been incredible. Without the public support, we couldn’t have done it without them. It’s been absolutely phenomenal to come back and see how many people there are supporting you. “Being at the Olympics is really weird – it almost feels like a Big Brother house, you’re kind of isolated from the outside world. “You don’t really feel like anybody’s caring, so to land back at Manchester, it was ‘Wow, people really do care about this’.” Looking to the future, Trott says she hopes the couple’s wedding takes place ‘in the near future’, while telling ITV’s

Good Morning Britain she will be changing her name to Laura Kenny once they are married. Starting a family is also something the couple want to do, although Trott says it is not in the plans before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She caused a stir on social media earlier this month when she tweeted: “Our kids have to get some of these genes right?!” She now wishes she had not posted the message. On starting a family, she said: “Not before the next Olympics. I’m sort of regretting tweeting that now. At the time I thought it was funny and now everybody’s like, ‘Are you having kids?’. “We would like kids obviously, but when that happens I don’t know. I think it would be hard to juggle a cycling career with a child, to be totally honest.” Kenny, 28, told the BBC: “Like most things in our relationship, I don’t really have much of say in that. It’s down to Laura, that one!”

Hussain: ‘Don’t go back to Bell’ FORMER England captain Nasser Hussain believes England’s selectors would be taking a backward step if they recalled Ian Bell for the winter Test tours to Bangladesh and India. Bell has not played for England since November, when he won the last of his 118 Test caps against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, but is reportedly under consideration for a return after England’s batting problems this summer. Nick Compton, Gary Ballance, Alex Hales and James Vince have all recently struggled to nail down a position in the side. Coach Trevor Bayliss could be tempted to utilise Bell’s experience of sub-continental conditions. Hussain would prefer to see a younger player given an opportunity to impress rather than hand 34-year-old Bell a comeback. “There is no doubting Ian Bell’s class and his record in the sub-continent – I think he averages over 40,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “But he didn’t have a good time of it in the UAE recently and that is why he was left out. “I would personally like to look to the future, especially with the tour of Bangladesh. I don’t see

Wednesday 24th August 2016

RING THE CHANGES Ian Bell has played 118 Tests for England

the mileage of taking Bell, albeit a fantastic player. “But they have gone for a couple of players like Vince who haven’t done much and might want that consistent solidity that Ian Bell would bring. “I personally would look to – especially in Bangladesh – blood a youngster and give a youngster an opportunity. “Whether that youngster be (Ben) Duckett, who has not just done it in one-day cricket, or other lads like (Tom) Westley, (Daniel) Bell-Drummond, (Scott) Borthwick. There are other lads who have done fine things this summer.”

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22 � LETTERS

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 write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

Parking row Our story last week about the increase in parking charges in Tunbridge Wells generated a massive response from readers who voiced their disapproval by letter, email and on the Times of Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge Facebook page. Here is a selection of the numerous comments we received

Tonbridge called and the town answered

n Absolutely disgraceful. I wonder where the near on £500,000 extra income will go? Very much doubt it will be used to improve the shocking roads in and around Tunbridge Wells. David Bramham

My partner and I would just like to say what an amazing afternoon we spent on Tonbridge racecourse at the Tonbridge Calling music festival [pictured above]. Organised in just six weeks, the event provided a huge audience with fantastic music, wonderful food and plenty of beer! All the stallholders were great people, very friendly and what’s more, local. I hope Tonbridge council had people there to see what a success it was. Let’s make sure it becomes an annual event. Congratulations on a brilliant day. Sarah Pilcher Via email

n Keep on putting the parking charges up until there’s no shops left open. Well done Tunbridge Wells Council. Great example of how to destroy a town slowly but surely. John Ryan

Titanic effort

n I have seen the news that car parking in Tunbridge Wells could increase by up to three times more than we pay now. This not only appears to be a bit greedy as far as the council is concerned, but there is a danger that it will stop people coming into town. Or the only people who will be able to afford to shop in Tunbridge Wells are those who have plenty of money. John Stevenson

I often shop at Royal Victoria Place shopping mall in Tunbridge Wells, and I just wanted to say that the photographic exhibition and tribute to the Titanic was exceptional. Thank you and well done to all who put on the display showing the poor souls who perished and those who were saved. It brought home to me the immensity of this disaster, in which lives of the young and old, rich and poor were lost. A superbly planned and coordinated exhibition. Once again, thanks to all. Mike Chance Via email

Waste of money

Regarding your story in the Times of Tonbridge about ‘Life in the slow lane’ and people’s criticism of the revamp [of Tonbridge High Street], we now shop out of town in places like Sevenoaks and Otford. This is because we can get there much quicker than the other end of Tonbridge. What a waste of £2.65m of our money Peter King Via email

Wednesday 24th August 2016

n Well, that’s the nail in the coffin for me. Very sad to say we shall be taking our money to Bluewater, where I can park for free. We moved to the area last year from Wales and I am still flabbergasted by the parking charges and the horrendous state of the roads. I didn’t think it was possible to have so many potholes. Charlotte Murray

n So exactly how does this help our town? There are too many shops that are empty in RVP and the charges for parking are increasing! How about reducing the ridiculous rents on the commercial stores and maybe introducing a park and ride system for those travelling into Tunbridge Wells to help lower traffic? The greedy b*ggers are at it again. Charging more but not fixing the problem. Lynda Moodey n An increase in parking charges means even more reason to go to Lakeside or Bluewater. I would rather pay the petrol and have better shops than pay loads for parking after driving round and round to find a space, not to mention the traffic to get into Tunbridge Wells anyway. Lisa Copley

n If the council is increasing charges, what is it doing about increasing our chances of parking? Sarah Brown n I hardly go into the town now because of the charges. This angers me, I want to give my money to the local shops. I used to spend time in there and stop for refreshments but I hardly ever do now. It’s killing the town. Nicky Marsh n It seems to me that driving seems to be a punishment not a privilege these days. Vincent Crowley n Will the extra money go into updating the car parks? I got stuck in the lift in a town car park for over an hour with the alarm not working. We were lucky enough a lovely passing couple heard our screams and called the council – who guess what? Did nothing. In the end they called the Fire Brigade. No apology from the council. Not even when I rang them. Ria Salmon n Absolutely ridiculous! Surely the council should be encouraging shoppers into town. This is going to have the opposite effect. I live half way between Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone, looks like I’ll be shopping in Maidstone from now on then. Jeni Fairweather n It will soon be too expensive to shop in Tunbridge Wells. It will become a ghost town! Angela Waters n Our town is no longer Royal Tunbridge Wells. We have very little to offer people as so many shops have closed. Val Gledhill n I wonder how many of the TW councillors actually read these comments and feel they should do something about the problem? June Bruce * For more comments go to the Times of Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge Facebook page

Calverley THE £2.6m upgrade of Tonbridge High Street has brought some big changes – some welcome, others not so welcome! But one thing that hasn’t changed is drivers are still not allowed to make a right turn into Medway Wharf Road just before the bridge. As part of the ‘improvements’, a small raised cobbled area has been installed at the junction to make the ‘no right turn’ even more obvious. Therefore one driver was left a little red-faced when he tried to make this illegal right turn last week. He was waiting for a gap in the traffic when a police car came racing down the middle of the road towards him with blue lights flashing and siren blaring. The patrol car was presumably on its way to some kind of emergency, but this didn’t prevent the occupants stopping briefly alongside the waiting vehicle to point out the error of the driver’s ways. He sheepishly moved on, presumably relieved that the officers were in too much of a hurry to issue him with a ticket. YOU’VE heard of smoke and mirrors, but how about sunshine and mirrors? They were almost a lethal combination for one woman driver when she was following this motor scooter [pictured] in London Road, Tunbridge Wells. There were so many wing mirrors on the bike that she was blinded several times by a brilliant white glare when they caught the sun. Calverley hears that in the end the poor driver was literally seeing stars and had to pull over until her eyes recovered. CALVERLEY was honoured to be invited to a wedding in Tunbridge Wells. It was a lovely day, planned to perfection… until just after the happy couple had been waved off on their honeymoon. The bride and groom’s very posh car had been bedecked with the usual ‘Just Married’ signs, balloons and tins cans, and they drove off laughing and waving, only to grind to a halt a couple of miles down the road. With all the anxiety over his speech, the Best Man had forgotten to fill the car with petrol! The newlyweds put in a quick call to one of the guests back at the reception and an announcement was made asking if anyone had a petrol can. Luckily a can was found, petrol was put in the car and the happy couple drove off into the sunset.

Education in association with:

www.right-tuition.co.uk

EDUCATION ■

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

The new school term can be child’s play if you follow these expert tips With thousands of children about to return to or begin at a new school, this time of year can be testing for both pupils and parents. PTA UK, a national charity based in Tonbridge which supports Parent Teacher Associations nationwide, has devised a new campaign entitled Be School Ready. Here its Policy and Communications Director, Michelle Doyle, who is also a mother of two, offers her advice on how both you and your children can stay calm

Get excited – If your child is about to start reception, prepare them in advance by reading a book about starting school together, or talking to friends with children already there.

2 3

Dress-up – get little ones to practice putting on and taking off their new uniform and school shoes.

Label everything – However you choose to do so, whether it’s sewing, sticking or ironing on names, make sure they’re included on every item. Labels with pictures are great for children who can’t read their names yet.

Uniform – It’s a good idea to stock up on some spare uniform as reception class can be a messy time, but it’s easy to lose track of your items when you step up to secondary school, too.

5 MICHELLE DOYLE “THE first day of school is almost here and families all over the country are anticipating this major event. Some will be feeling excited and some will be nervous. This is understandable – it’s a big step for your child, and for you, too. The great thing is there are plenty of simple things you can do to prepare as a parent and to help your little ones get off to a great start to school life – or support them if they are starting at secondary school. We know parental participation in education is crucially important if our children are to reach their potential. The good news is that as well as following the tips, being positive, calm and enthusiastic about school goes a long way, and can make a big difference to how your child gets on. Good luck!” For more information visit www.pta.org.uk/BeSchoolReady

Be positive and calm – Children pick up on anxiety, so if you seem worried then they’ll know and may even wonder if they should worry, too. The start of school, whether it’s primary or secondary, is an emotional time, but often children are ready to begin the next chapter so go off without a backward glance or long farewell.

CLASS ACT Make going back to school a fun time

They are going to be tired – The first year at school is such a change for young ones, so prepare yourself for meltdowns – they are completely normal. Help by making sure children (of any age) get as much good quality sleep and healthy food as possible to keep their energy levels up.

Anticipate a flexible schedule – Make sure you know the timetable for the start of term for reception year entrants. Most schools have a phased settling-in approach where the children may only go in for half days in the first couple of weeks.

TOP TIPS FOR HEALTHY SNACKS Great British Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain offers some exclusive recipe ideas that can be made in advance or prepared quickly for school children: 

Do your homework – Get to know what the expectations of the school are when it comes to homework. This will help you to establish a routine as well as positively support your child’s learning.



Show your support – Get to know your school and take every opportunity to attend events or parent evenings. For example, school PTAs organise gatherings including fêtes, quiz nights, wine tastings, cake sales and discos.

Get involved – Why not get to know other parents and school staff by getting active in your PTA, or volunteering at school in other ways? Children are more enthusiastic about school life if they see their parents being part of it, too.



Frozen Blueberry Yoghurt Sticks – take a wooden skewer and pierce about ten blueberries through it. Dip the whole stick into yoghurt and place the sticks on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, take them off the sheet and place inside a freezer bag and store in the freezer Apple and Peanut Rings – core and horizontally slice a green apple; spread the tops with smooth peanut butter and eat straight away

Houmous Celery Sticks – cut slices of celery sticks about two inches long. Fill the inside with houmous and serve



Mini Omelettes – whisk up some eggs and add onion, cheese, chives and chopped peppers. Pour the mix into a 12-muffin cupcake tin and bake in the oven. Once cooled these can be stored for a week

With tons of advice to help you #BeSchoolReady, visit PTA UK’s dedicated campaign page www.pta.org.uk/beschoolready. You’ll find tips on preparing healthy snacks, parent blogs, exclusive offers, information on the value of joining your school PTA and much more

Wednesday 24th August 2016

24  COMMENT

Tom Tugendhat MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff. As a Territorial Army ofﬁcer he worked on everything from those ops to establishing the Armed Forces Muslim Association. He also worked for the Foreign Ofﬁce. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in the 2015 General Election. See www.tomtugendhat.org.uk

New ideas needed to put railways back on track DURING the past year I have had the privilege of representing the community in Tonbridge, Edenbridge and Malling. Throughout this time a few things have struck me. First, the innovation and enterprise of so many; second, the dedication to helping each other across all walks of life; and third, the obstacles that too often hinder progress. My job is to support the first two and try to remove as much of the third as I can. The toughest challenge has been the railways. We all rely on them. Our economic prosperity is built on the infrastructure that takes people to work and home again. When it works, we increase the chances of employment, enterprise and family life being in balance. When it fails, all three suffer. Too often they have failed. Delayed or cancelled trains mean people suffer. Some have lost jobs and missed time with their families. This isn’t simply a personal problem but one for our whole society. Our ability to work together and have stable family lives are the building blocks of our nation. So what can we do to fix them? This isn’t just about the old mantras of public or private ownership. We have tried, and are still trying, both. The nationally-owned British Rail was a national joke, Network Rail today is state

Wednesday 24th August 2016

owned but it’s no great success. Southern Rail is privately held but seems incapable of running the services required, and Southeastern, though better than Southern, has its share of difficulties.

IN LINE FOR TROUBLE Delayed or cancelled trains mean people suffer

‘We should explore options like putting staff and travellers on the boards, not just management’ Today we need to look for new ideas, both economic and structural. First, we must recognise that the rail system generates economic benefits much greater than the rail company’s profits. London couldn’t work without trains, so we should think of investment in transport as an enabler to wider economic growth and base investment decisions on those returns, not just the ticket revenue. That would mean public spending more on rail. Second, we need to reconsider ownership models. Rail is not like many other businesses because the ordinary rules of competition don’t apply. We don’t really have a choice because train companies usually have a monopoly on the line and are the only practical way of getting to work – driving simply isn’t an option for most of us –

so we should consider mutual structures to make them accountable. That means we should explore options like putting staff and travellers on the boards, not just management. Third, we should reconsider the decision made to separate the owner of the track from the train company. It is already hard enough to coordinate works in an incredibly complex system like a rail

network, and we need to consider hard whether the division has been a success. The challenge of rail is, like so many problems today, not able to be narrowed to a simple political argument and we would be wrong to do so. We must think innovatively about how we get the best for our community. The prosperity of our nation depends on it.

WEST KENT’S ULTIMATE PROPERTY GUIDE – FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUY, LET OR SELL

The Times is proud to work with:

WITH THE

Available in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

The More the merrier

Saintly Sir Thomas visited 12-bedroom manor

bracketts est. 1828

INSIDE

New Homes

Two great chances to languish in Langton hot spot

Barn pumps out its own cost-saving heat and hot water

Bright, stylish farm building offers rural views galore

Wednesday 24th August 2016

 PROPERTY SECTION

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Your at-a-glance guide to

David Rogers MARLA MNAEA, Managing Director, Martin & Co, Tunbridge Wells

The property market apocalypse predicted by some following the Brexit referendum appears to have been averted. The latest sales figures reported by the Land Registry/ONS suggest a 10% decline in transaction volumes against the same time last year but this could simply be a result of April’s rush to beat the Stamp Duty increase on second homes and buy to let investments. House prices are reported to have risen by 8.7% nationally over the year with the average property now standing at £229,000. The important thing is to look at the snapshot of activity right now. We’re at the tail end of summer, yet demand remains high. Nevertheless, buyers feel they can take advantage of the scaremongering and are confidently offering lower figures, whilst sellers are relying on the “everything’s going to be fine” approach and are in holding firm on prices. Rightmove has reported a 1.2% decline in asking prices of new-to-market properties in July, but this is usual for the time of year and nothing seems to have changed significantly enough for us to expect anything other than the usual Autumn boost due to commence shortly. Indeed, this month’s announcement of a new record low BoE base rate to just 0.25% can only help and this has been followed by announcements of exciting mortgage products that point to the City’s long term optimism (eg 7-year fixed rate at 1.99% by Coventry BS). So borrowing continues to be particularly cheap, with risk being reduced by these long term fixes. It is early days but all the signs are that it’s business as usual for the property market with now probably being as good a time as ever to either buy or sell.

11 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS 01892 543856

UNDER £250,000 HARMONY STREET, RUSTHALL

£240,000–£250,000 newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Wednesday 24th August 2016

A beautifully presented period cottage positioned just under one and a quarter miles from Tunbridge Wells mainline station and situated in the popular area surrounding Rusthall Village’s Toad Rock. The

property comprises a living room with open fire, modern kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, with two good size bedrooms upstairs. To the rear is a private low-maintenance garden with fencing to the boundary. CONTACT Martin & Co 01892 543856 www.martinco.com

UNDER £350,000 PRIME PLACE, LONDON ROAD SEVENOAKS

£324,950

A new luxury penthouse apartment located on the top floor of the Prime Place development in Sevenoaks. The apartment comprises an open-plan kitchen/dining/living

room, a spacious bedroom with fitted wardrobe, separate bathroom and a utility cupboard. The apartment is on the eighth floor, offering excellent views, and comes with a video entry system and lifts serving all floors. CONTACT Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

PROPERTY SECTION 

great properties by price range… DORNDEN DRIVE LANGTON GREEN

£795,000

UNDER £450,000 BEVERLEY CRESCENT, TONBRIDGE

£400,000

A semi-detached family house on the popular Molescroft Development. On the ground floor there is an entrance hall, cloakroom, dining room, kitchen and conservatory, with four bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. To the front of the property there is driveway parking leading to a detached garage, and to the rear is a mature garden with an area of level lawn and a patio for outdoor entertaining. CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Tonbridge 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

UNDER £600,000 PROSPECT ROAD, SEVENOAKS

£575,000

A most appealing detached property with a charming landscaped garden in a popular residential road just over a mile from the High Street, and under a mile from the station. The property has been newly refurbished to create bright, spacious and stylishly presented accommodation, finished to a high specification with character features. Accommodation comprises a sitting room open-plan to a dining room, a family room, kitchen, cloakroom, three bedrooms and a family bathroom. CONTACT Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

UNDER £1MILLION COOPERS CORNER, IDE HILL

£995,000 UNDER £800,000 DORNDEN DRIVE LANGTON GREEN

£795,000 An attractive and substantial chalet bungalow with annexe potential, set in a delightful garden in this popular residential location. Accommodation includes an entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, family bathroom, two ground floor bedrooms (one with en-suite) and a first floor bedroom. To the side

of the house is an annexe with independent access, a bedroom, sitting room and cloakroom. There is an integral garage, an in-andout drive and gardens of around a quarter of an acre. CONTACT Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk

Benefitting from a delightful rural location in between Sevenoaks and Chartwell, this detached bungalow offers enormous potential with ample space surrounding the property and numerous outbuildings. Well presented throughout, the accommodation comprises a sitting room, kitchen/ breakfast room, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en-suite) and a bathroom. Outbuildings include a triple garage, barn, stables and studio. In total, there are 2.40 acres of land. CONTACT Knight Frank Sevenoaks 01732 658856 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Wednesday 24th August 2016

Linton HiH, Kent Offers in excess: ÂŁ1,100,000 Freehold 'This is a very handsome and high[y desiira1b[e oasthouse spanning some 3,055 sq.ft with a wonderfu[ cottage set with in wonderfu[ gardens'

� PROPERTY SECTION

AT A GLANCE DORNDEN DRIVE, LANGTON GREEN n Detached Sussex-style family home n Extended and improved in recent years n Generous accommodation n Reception hall

Refurbished family home in highly prestigious spot

n Drawing room n Dining room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Conservatory n Study n Family room/bedroom n Cloakroom n Master bedroom with en-suite n Guest bedroom with en-suite n Two further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Driveway parking n Attractive mature gardens n Just under half an acre

£1,125,000 For sale through Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

‘This Sussex-style house is set well back from the road, screened by mature hedging and nestling in a plot of just under half an acre’

HIS Sussex-style detached house is set well back from a prestigious road in popular Langton Green, screened by mature hedging and nestling in a plot of just under half an acre. The property has been the subject of much refurbishment by the current vendors, including rewiring and a new gas central heating system, together with aluminium doubleglazed windows and a new, bright showpiece kitchen/breakfast room with a wonderfully large roof light.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

As you enter, the oak front door opens to a spacious reception hall with original parquet floor and oak staircase. On from here is a magnificent drawing room with a triple aspect and fireplace. The new kitchen/breakfast room is openplan to the dining room and features Silestone worktops and matching upstand, together with a large central island feature with an overhang to three sides providing a generous seating and social area. The travertine flooring matches the dining room and there are roof lights round the apex roof window. Double doors open from the dining room to a conservatory, which then gives

access to the garden. Also on the ground floor are a family room/bedroom, a study, a utility room and a cloakroom. Upstairs there is galleried landing and master bedroom with an en-suite shower. A further bedroom also has an en-suite shower room, while two more bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the accommodation. To the front of the house is a driveway providing parking for numerous cars, and to the rear is a superb level garden, well stocked with mature trees, shrubs and perennials, and with two patio areas. In all, this desirable plot measures just under half an acre.

Martin & Co Tunbridge Wells 11 Vale Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN 1 1BS

MARTIN&CO

01892 543856 e: tun bridgewells@martinco.com www.tunbridge-wells-martinco.co.u k

PROPERTIES FOR LET I BED

Letting• Sales • Investment

PROPERTIES FOR SALE I

4 BED

SiliAP.LEHURST I

• Central town location • I bedroom

• Detached 4 bed bungalow• Extensive gardens

• Modern kitchen

• 2 receptions • Large double garage and work stores with power and light

• Modern bathroom

£750 pcm TO LET

Guide price £590,000 FH FOR SALE

• Semi-detached • 2 bedrooms

• 2 double bedroom apartment• Town centre location

• Garden

• Gas central heating

• Gas fired central heating

£875 pcm TO LET

David Rogers, Managing Director As a buyer you are in a powerful position, both in terms of the effect your buying decision will have on your own life, and on that of the person from whom you buy. If buying a property were some form of commodity like petrol or milk, then you would simply buy the cheapest stock available. However, buying a home is much less mercenary, and emotions run high.

• Off road parking

Over the years, homebuyers have become used to the idea of making a "starting offer" below the asking price, but it might be worth considering a few aspects of the implications of making a low offer. Firstly, what does a low offer say about you to the vendor? That you don't have the money and that any subsequent increase might stretch you beyond your ability to complete the purchase? Does it suggest you don't really like their home, risking offence? A low offer can often start off the relationship with the vendor on the wrong foot. And what if your low offer is accepted? Will the vendors experience regret and continue to market the property hoping to find a higher price with someone else? The chances of such a buyer being found are high as people usually want a property that someone else wants. We receive more interest about properties

£250,000 LH FOR SALE

which are "under offer" than we do about those for sale! Ultimately it's about commitment. An offer at, close to, a realistic asking price tells the vendor you are committed to the property. In return the vendor is likely to demonstrate a level of commitment to you that will result in a successful purchase.

■ PROPERTY

DESIGN WITH THE TIMES

John Bullock

Architectural services

Having studied at Edinburgh College of Art and The Royal Academy of The Hague, John Bullock launched John Bullock Design in 2003. With offices in Tunbridge Wells High Street, John has won awards for his work and is committed to delivering the best outcomes for clients. www.johnbullockdesign.com

Designs on your listed building Upgrading or rebuilding a listed building can be a planning nightmare if you don’t know what you are doing. In the latest of his regular columns, architectural designer John Bullock offers advice on how to avoid the pitfalls, and how talking to experts will help save you valuable time and money YOUR QUESTION:

Dear Design with the Times, We are in the process of moving out of London and buying a house that is just outside Tunbridge Wells. The house we are buying has been owned by the same family for over 40 years, and although it has been reasonably well maintained, it needs updating and quite a lot of work to make it into something that would work for us. Upstairs there are five bedrooms and a family bathroom, and we would like to add an en-suite bathroom and dressing room to the master bedroom. We don’t mind losing a bedroom for this. On the ground floor the layout is a little awkward as it doesn’t have a really good family kitchen/dining room. As a family we spend a great deal of time together and enjoy cooking and entertaining, and we would like to create a large, light-filled space that leads out on to the garden. We feel the only way we can create this is to add an extension. The house also needs completely upgrading as the electrics and plumbing are ancient. Outside there is also a small, detached brick outbuilding. We have a lot of friends who would like to visit us in Kent and we would like to create a small annexe with a bedsitting room and bathroom where they can stay and be a little independent. We are also thinking ahead, and ultimately this could be used for elderly parents sometime in the future. The current garage block is a horrible 1950s concrete sectional building comprising three bays, and we would like to replace this with an oak-framed open-bay garage that we feel would be more appropriate. And we would then like to enclose one of the garages with large doors for the safe storage of our garden machinery. In the garden there is also an old swimming pool which we will refurbish, and we would like to build a tennis court. We have just found out that the house is a listed building (Grade II) and wondered if this would cause a problem for us obtaining permission for any of the works? I understand that as a Grade II listed building we can do anything inside without permission. Is this correct? Henry and Jessica, Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday 24th August 2016

OUR ANSWER:

Owning a listed building can be a real pleasure and joy. But owners of historic buildings are also its custodians, and it is important to understand a building to ensure that the brief is fulfilled without damaging the integrity of the listed structure, and maintaining it for future generations to enjoy. There is a very common misconception that with a Grade II listed building it is only the external envelope that is listed and you can make any changes to the interior without obtaining planning or listed building permission. This is incorrect and potentially any alteration will require consent. We asked Mark Stephenson, Principle Conservation Officer at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, to clarify the position. “As a starting point, I would emphasise the following: A building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 for its special architectural or historic interest. “When a building or other structure is placed on the list it is given a description, the content of which is primarily for identification. What the description is not intended to do is identify what parts of a building are listed. “Once a building has been listed, the whole of the building, inside and out, is considered to be listed and therefore protected. “Listing can extend to including some outbuildings,

garden features, walls or enclosures, and where this occurs these structures are also protected. “The Act 1990 also requires that works of demolition or alteration of a listed building that affects its special architectural or historic interest require listed building consent, a process administered by the Local Planning Authority. “It can be argued that the removal of a single brick and its replacement with a brick of a different colour, texture or size is an alteration that could affect the special architectural or historic interest and therefore requires a consent. “In practice, there is a level of ambiguity in determining exactly what does and does not require consent, and in many cases this can come down to the individual building itself. It is therefore difficult

‘We encourage clients to move in and live with the building for a few months before crystalising plans for alterations and extensions’ to give generic guidance on this subject. “Given that unauthorised works to a listed building are a criminal offence, if you are proposing any work to your listed property, it would be prudent to first check with your local planning authority as to the need for consent.”

This might all sound rather onerous, but it isn’t. The key here is to work closely with the local conservation department and engage with them at an early stage to discuss ideas about what might or might not be possible to take on board, and work with their advice. By doing this, the best results will be achieved both to fulfil the brief and also preserve the integrity of the listed building. When clients buying new houses approach us, and when it is possible, we always encourage them to move in and live with the building for a few months before crystalising their plans for alterations and extensions. This offers them the opportunity to understand the spaces, how they relate to one another, how they work or don’t work, and how the light works at different times of the day. This knowledge is important and can then inform the brief, and ultimately the resultant design. On listed buildings, Mr Stephenson recommends: “When considering works of alteration, demolition or extension to your listed building, the starting point is to understand the significance of the many parts of your building and of the building as a whole. “Significance can be derived from the age of the physical parts of the building, the materials used, the sequence of change over time, the level of craftsmanship, the quality of design, its representation of particular architectural fashions,

If you have a question you’d like John Bullock to answer, then please email it to: newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk Please mark the subject as: Design Team You can also write to us at: Design Team Times of Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge, 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1NU

PROPERTY n

representation of society at a particular time (social context), association with famous individuals, innovative technologies, the setting of your building, the architectural form (shape of the building), massing (solidity and relationship of shapes) and scale (relationship with its surroundings), and so on. “Different aspects of your building may have very different levels of significance. All will contribute to the significance of the building as a whole. “Significance, therefore, is far more than simply the appearance of the building, but also derives from its very fabric, its design, its relevance to history and its setting. “Once you understand the various levels of significance of your building, you can then work out where changes you would like can be accommodated, and the impact that will have on the overall significance of your property. “This should be the starting point for all decisions you subsequently take when considering how you wish to change your building. Historic England has good advice on its website if you are interested in learning more. Visit www.historicengland.org.uk/advice/your-home “For your local conservation officer, the appropriateness of your proposals will be determined using the following processes:

‘Once you understand the various levels of significance of your building, you can then work out where changes you would like can be accommodated, and the impact that will have on the overall significance of your property’

Tennis Court: The position of this in context with the listed building has to be carefully considered and I would suggest moving this as far away as possible from the house. Given the size of garden there appears to be sufficient space for it to sit comfortably on a north/south axis within the residential curtilage. It is the court fence which will have the most impact, and this triggers the need for a planning application. It is also worth considering the colour of the court, as a green colour is more likely to blend in with the garden than a blue or red one. Garage: The existing garage is unsightly and sits uncomfortably with the house. A new oak-framed garage structure incorporating a store could have significant benefits, and whilst it will have a pitched roof instead of the existing flat roof, it could significantly improve and enhance the setting of the listed building. It might also be worth considering adding a small ‘cat-slide’ roof area to one side, which will add character, and also can be used as a log store. Outbuilding/Annexe: Although it is set a little way from the house, this structure is potentially curtilagelisted. We would need to seek guidance on this. It is within planning policy to convert outbuildings to ancillary accommodation, and if it is cartilagelisted, the conservation officer would be keen to ensure its conversion is not detrimental to it or the setting of the listed building. With careful design, this could create a really good asset which would preserve the building and put it into use. I would suggest keeping it fairly simple with an open-plan sitting room and bedroom with en-suite. Extension: In principle, an extension should be acceptable, but it is crucial to consider this in context of the existing structure; not only in terms of scale, mass and bulk but also in design. Over the past few years we have undertaken many extensions to listed buildings, some traditional in form and others with a more contemporary approach. A large family kitchen/dining room and entertaining

space is now part of how we all live, and to achieve this the key is to look at what is appropriate, to be flexible in the design, and not to have too many preconceived ideas as any extension should be sitespecific in its design. See Historic Scotland’s advice on extensions at www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-andresearch/ publications Internal Alterations: It looks like there is currently a door between bedrooms one and two; utilising this and creating an en-suite and dressing room in bedroom two would be the most logical solution. Installing new plumbing and electrics does not generally require listed building consent in dwellings, but any alterations to the fabric of the listed building might. Therefore it is prudent to discuss with your electrician and plumber how they intend undertaking the works – in particular, how new cable and pipe runs will be installed and if any new opening in the external walls will be required for flue pipes or externally-run drainage and soil pipes. The best approach is to engage with a professional at an early stage and pull together a master plan for the entire property. This would include an appropriate level of assessment of significance, drawings of the design proposals and layout of the site to show how the whole relates to the existing. Once this has been defined, then an approach to the conservation officer for informal ‘pre-application’ advice can be made. It is likely that the conservation officer would wish to visit the site and assess any potential impact. Although there is a fee payable for this service, it is a worthwhile process as it will give a clear indication at an early stage as to whether the proposal will be acceptable or, if not, what other parameters there might be to fulfil the brief. Once the design approach has been agreed then formal planning and listed building applications can be submitted, and hopefully permissions granted. This process takes around eight weeks, and then discussions with builders can commence. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council provide excellent advice on planning and listed buildings, and our thanks go to Mark Stephenson for his contribution to this month’s article.

John Bullock

n Where does the significance lie for the existing

building? n How has the proposal been developed and how

has it reacted to significance? n What is the impact of the proposal on significance

(beneficial or harmful)? n If there is harm, what is the level of harm? n Is there a good reason for that harm (justification)? n What is the balanced outcome (level of harm

versus level of justification)? n Are there alternatives, or can improvements be

made, to the proposal to reduce harm? “The ambition is to produce proposals that cause no harm to the significance of your building. “Given that this is the process your local conservation officer will generally follow, it would seem logical that when you are considering your proposals you follow the same process, and that your analysis is clearly shown in your application generally through a heritage statement and a design (and access) statement.” So, there is a great deal to consider, but with professional guidance and advice this is in fact all fairly straightforward. Your potential new home has a great deal of character and we have worked on many similar projects. Let’s take the points individually:

Wednesday 24th August 2016

HEATHFIELD,

EAST SUSSEX

CROWBOROUGH,

EAST SUSSEX

6 bedrooms (4 suites) + family bathroom + 4 receptions rooms + study + playroom + cinema room + games room + stabling + manege + Council Tax= H + EPC = D

Well presented country house in rural setting + 7 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms + 5 receptions + heated pool + tennis court + about 2.3 acres + Council Tax=G + EPC Rating=D

£5,500 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£3,500 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

MAYFIELD,

EAST SUSSEX

HAWK.HURST,

KENT

2 bedrooms + 2 en suite bathrooms + drawing room + landscaped grounds + 2 allocated parking spaces + communal grounds and woodlands + Council Tax=G + EPC Exempt

2 bedroom carefully restored apartment + family bathroom plus en suite + character features + modern design + stunning surroundings + Council Tax=TBC + EPC=TBC

£1,950 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£1,295 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/o ccupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check o ut fee - charged at the end of o r early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished / unfurnished. For more details including example inventory fee, visit

www.savills.eo.uk/fees.

SWEETHAWS, CROWBOROUGH,

EAST SUSSEX

LEYSWOOD ESTATE, GROOMBRIDGE,

EAST SUSSEX

1920s family house in idyllic location + detached 2 bed annexe + 3 reception rooms + 5 bedrooms + stunning gardens + 5,334 sq ft + about 4.89 acres + EPC rating= F

Attached coach house conversion + Eridge MLS 1.8 miles + 2 reception rooms + striking kitchen/dining room + 5 bedrooms + 3,283 sq ft + about 0.45 acres + EPC rating = C

Guide £1.89 million Freehold

Guide £1.4 million Freehold

HEATHFIELD,

Contact: Amanda Wyatt

RURAL WADHURST,

EAST SUSSEX

Contact: Liz Devall

EAST SUSSEX

Striking period property close to local amenities + 2 reception rooms + study + kitchen/ breakfast room + games room + 6 bedrooms + about 0.26 acres + 4,074 sq ft + EPC=D

Grade II listed linked house + 3.7 miles Wadhurst MLS + 2 reception rooms + study + kitchen/ breakfast room + 4/5 bedrooms + superb mature gardens + 1,513 sq ft + about 0.58 acres

Offers in excess of £1 million Freehold

Guide £795,000 Freehold

Contact: Liz Devall

Contact: Becky Card

PROPERTY SECTION 

‘Stylish and well-balanced throughout, it has an ideal layout to make the most of its superb rural setting ’

AT A GLANCE

Recently converted barn with gym, sauna, cinema and handy dog run

C CLAYS BARN SPODE LANE, COWDEN

LAYS BARN is a beautifully presented Grade II listed building which was converted in 2013, and includes an economical heating and hot water system. Stylish and well-balanced throughout, it has an ideal layout to make the most of its superb rural setting, including lower ground floor rooms. The front door leads to an elegant galleried entrance hall, with a double height window overlooking the garden and the view beyond. Open plan to the reception area is a dining

space and a snug, and to one side of the house is a pretty sitting room with beams, exposed brickwork, a large fireplace and a triple aspect. To the other side, the bespoke kitchen is fitted with a range of wall and floor units, integrated appliances and a large centre island. The large lower ground floor houses a study area, a cinema room, a shower room, a sauna, a gym and a plant room. Upstairs, an oak staircase leads to the first floor, which comprises the master bedroom suite, two

further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Clays Barn sits centrally in its plot of 2.7 acres and is approached along a gravel drive, leading across a bridge over the pond to a parking area to the side of the house. The property benefits from a detached triple garage and a large purpose-built dog run. The garden is laid mostly to lawn and is surrounded by some magnificent oak trees. Even better, a ground source heat pump provides central heating and hot water at a minimal cost throughout the year.

■ Attractive converted barn ■ Rural setting ■ Character features ■ Stylishly presented ■ Entrance hall/dining hall and snug ■ Sitting room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Basement with cinema room, study, gym, sauna and shower room ■ Master bedroom with bathroom ■ Two further bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Large detached garage and store ■ Dog run ■ Driveway with bridge over pond ■ Gardens and grounds of 2.7 acres

£1,150,000 For sale through Knight Frank Tunbridge Wells 01892 515035 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Wednesday 24th August 2016

Paddock Wood

£740,000

Extended 5 Bedroom, 2 bedroomed Detached Family House giving good accesses into the town, which offers a range of shops and a main line station. EPC D

North Tonbridge

£395,000

Central Tonbridge

£266,500

Purposed built 2 bedroom ( I en-suite) apartment with its own extensive 35ft terrace, overlooking the communal garden. Few minutes High Street. EPC B

Tonbridge

£1,600 pcm

Choice of 2 NEW HOMES offering excellent accommodation, including well fitted kitchens-diners. 3 Bedrooms (en-suites), cloakroom, lounge, parking EPC C

Well-presented Town House within a gated development. 4 Bedrooms ( I en-suite), kitchen-breakfast room, parking, low maintenance garden. EPC C

Tonbridge

£455,000

Popular 3 Bedroom Gough Cooper built 'Cottage Style' Semi-Detached House with extended ground floor accommodation. Extensive Parking. EPC C

£185,000

Purpose built I bedroom 'Retirement Apartment' in Castle Court with its waitress service Restaurant, residents lounge and other facilities. EPC B

Frant

£800,000 - £850,000

A charming character detached cottage with views to the horizon located in prestigious private estate. 2/3 reception rooms, 3/4 bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom & wet room. Feature 1

14 acre garden, detached double garage. EPC: E

Tunbridge Wells

£795,000

Tunbridge Wells

£499,950

An extended semi-detached family home located in popular road in the Parish of St James. Hall, living room, kitchen/dining room, conservatory, cloakroom, laundry room, 4 bedrooms, bathroom. Driveway, car port and extensive rear garden. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells

£250,000 1 /2

A spacious, well maintained, extended, detached residence located in the heart of St James'

A first floor apartment located in modern, exclusive retirement complex situated within

area. Large hall, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, 5 bedrooms ( I en suite), bathroom.Attached double garage, level rear garden. EPC: D

a mile from town centre. Lift/stairs, L-shaped hall, 21 '3 reception room, kitchen, cloakroom, 2 bedrooms ( I en suite). Gated residents' parking, communal gardens. EPC: B

Groombridge

Tunbridge Wells

£625,000

An attractive semi-detached house, offering flexible accommodation, conveniently located in village centre. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, breakfast room, bathroom, 3 bedrooms (2 en suites), dressing room. Driveway parking/turning, large garden workshop. EPC: E

£159,500

A first floor apartment, benefiting from many character features, situated close to popular

pedestrianised shopping precinct. Communal entrance, private hallway, living room, newly fitted kitchen, bedroom, en suite shower room. EPC: E

Your local independent Estate Agent

~MJProperty

...contactable 7 days a week

consider ourselves part of the community. Having lived locally all our lives we immerse ourselves in the community and support local events throughout Tunbridge Wells, whether through advertising them, helping at them, donating to them or our children 'K', 'M' and 'J' being there on duty with St John Ambulance. We are genuinely contactable 7 days a week, we don't tie clients in to a long contract and we always provide realistic market appraisals and advice and offer competitive fees.

Selling property throughout Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages

So if you are thinking of moving now or in the future, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01892 515188 for your free market appraisal.

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01892 507005 www.savills.com tunbridgewellsrds@savills.com

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Estate Agents

Wellback Avenue

£350,000

Family home within walking distance of High Brooms train station. On the ground floor there is a sitting room with attractive bay windows, dining room , kitchen and conservatory. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside, the attractive gardens comprises of different areas; raised patio, lawned area and vegetable patches. There is also a single garage to the rear.

Grosvenor Park

£215,000

Meadow Road

£1,350 pcm

A well-presented, semk:letached family house located in the popular village of Rusthall. The reception room comprises a sitting and a dining area opening onto the garden. The spacious kitchen opens off the dining area. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms with an en-suite shower room to one, plus a modem family bathroom. There is also a downstairs guest cloakroom. Off road parking.

Upper Grosvenor Road

£975 pcm

A recently refurbished, Victorian converted apartment located in the town centre of Tunbridge Wells. This gorgeous property opens into a spacious hallway which in turn leads to the sitting room with feature cast iron fireplace , well integrated kitchen/ breakfast room, double bedroom and newly fitted bathroom. The property has recently been decorated and carpeted throughout.

This property is situated on the first floor. The flat opens into a carpeted hall off which there is a fully integrated kitchen. The reception room has a fireplace with electric coal effect stove. The further end of the hall way also gives access to two bedrooms and a pristine family bathroom. There is parking for one car and there is full access to the communal garden.

Quarry Road

Amherst Road

£230,000

A chance to acquire this refurbished , two bedroom maisonette within walking distance to Tunbridge Wells town centre. Opening into a spacious hallway, on the ground floor is a spacious open plan sitting/kitchen with modern gloss units and open fireplace and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms, a separate cloakroom and newly fitted family bathroom.

Te(: (ettin3s@mcau(eymiffer.com

£1050 pcm

Set in delightful communal grounds is this attractive two good sized double bedroom apartment is offered to let with parking to both front and rear of the building. The accommodation comprises; spacious entrance hallway; large living room with double aspect garden views; kitchen with large larder, dishwasher: bathroom with electric shower over bath.

01892 614777

www.mcaureymiffer.com

sa(es@mcaureymi((er.com

Tunbridge Wells

Andrews >

andrewsonline.co.uk

Bells Yew Green, TN3 9AF

Guide ÂŁ695,000

The best of both worlds - live the village life but have the mainline station and convenience store literally yards away... a detached 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home built in 2008, with established garden, summerhouse and double garage. Energy Efficiency Rating: C

Tunbridge Wells Sales 01892 515 11+1+

LANDLORDS WANTED

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ď Ž PROPERTY SECTION

Historic gem beams with beauty

ATING mainly from the 16th century, fabulous Finchden Manor, near Tenterden, has been Grade II* listed as a property of important architectural interest and historic note. Believed to have gained its name from the de Finch family, the manor was reputedly visited by Sir Thomas More when he was Lord Chancellor of England. Over the many years since then this fascinating property has been a Benedictine Priory, a school and a private family residence. The original timber-framed house now has modern additions to the north west side, which form a separate but attached dwelling. This is also a wonderful family home exuding a wealth of charm and character, having been sympathetically preserved by the current owners. Internally, the accommodation is beautifully presented and arranged over four floors, amounting to in excess of 8,500 sq ft of space, including a cellar. Features include good ceiling heights to the majority of rooms, an abundance of oak timbers and beams, leaded light casement windows, traditional oak panelling to the drawing room, exposed oak flooring, and travertine flooring to the kitchen and utility areas. The internal doorways have carved architraves depicting finches or roses , perfectly matching the house, while outside there are a number of 17th-century grotesques, intricately carved bargeboards and lead hoppers.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

The generous accommodation includes four excellent reception rooms and a welcoming reception hall on the ground floor, along with a stylish and bespoke fitted kitchen/breakfast room with an Aga, an adjoining larder, a pot room, a utility room and a shower room. Plus a study, a cloakroom, and stairs down to a three-room cellar. On the first floor, seven bedrooms are served by three bathrooms (one ensuite) and two en-suite WCs. The second floor has five further bedrooms, a bathroom and a useful storeroom. Both floors can be reached via two separate staircases, and several of the bedrooms are currently utilised as studies/home offices. Finchden Manor is approached via a curved gravel drive culminating in a substantial parking area. There is a quadruple garage with store, a traditional outbuilding and a studio in the grounds. The professionally landscaped gardens include level lawns, paths and terraces as well as rosebeds, a walled garden, orchards and a tennis court. In all there are 2.75 acres.

PROPERTY SECTION 

AT A GLANCE

FINCHDEN MANOR APPLEDORE ROAD, TENTERDEN

£1,695,000

■ Historic Grade II* listed manor house ■ Lovingly maintained ■ Character features ■ Generous accommodation ■ Reception hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Sitting room ■ Family room ■ Study

‘Believed to have gained its name from the de Finch family, the manor was reputedly visited by Sir Thomas More when he was Lord Chancellor of England’

■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Utility room ■ Shower room ■ Cloakroom ■ Three-room cellar ■ Master suite with bathroom and jettied sitting area ■ Six further first floor bedrooms, two with en-suite WCs ■ Two bath/shower rooms ■ Five further bedrooms on second floor ■ Bathroom ■ Storeroom ■ Gardens, grounds and outbuildings ■ Driveway, parking area and garaging ■ Tennis court and pavilion ■ 2.75 acres in all

£1,695,000 For sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday 24th August 2016

It's more than our outstanding knowledge and product range that makes us so attractive.

T: 01732 350911 Unit 4 Orchard Business Centre, Sanderson Way, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1QG

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*Based on a full purchase price of £420,000 and a 20% Help to Buy Equity Loan. Help to Buy is available subject to status, terms and conditions. This scheme is not available in conjunction with any other financial incentives. Written details available on request. YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Image is computer generated.

 PROPERTY SECTION

ROOM TO BREATHE Kitchen-diner combinations can transform your home

Break down the barriers Open-plan living is hugely popular but its best to think before you grab the hammer IF YOU want to demolish a wall, start by establishing what sort of wall it is. Both stud-partition walls (plasterboard over a wooden frame, or lath and plaster) and partition walls (bricks or blocks) are usually straightforward to remove, while main supporting walls, which are made of bricks, blocks or stone, are not. Stud-partition walls are very rarely loadbearing, although they can occasionally become so over time, while partition walls may or may not be. Main supporting walls are load-bearing and tend to be expensive to remove. Load-bearing walls should never be taken down without using adequate supports and inserting a permanent steel beam (or steel frame) to take the weight the wall was supporting – not a job for DIY. This type of work must be checked and signed off by a Building Control officer from the local council, or an approved inspector (who does the same job for a private company), to ensure it complies with building regulations. Even removing non-load-bearing walls can be of concern to Building Control if, for example, it would create a layout that breaks fire regulations. To determine if a wall is holding something up, there are various things to look at, including the

Wednesday 24th August 2016

joists and what’s sitting on the wall, if anything, in the loft. For advice visit www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Wall-is-Load-Bearing Sometimes it’s obvious, but if it’s not then consult a structural engineer. Don’t take a chance, because getting it wrong could make your home liable to collapse. A structural engineer will also be able to calculate what type of steel is needed to replace the wall. In most cases, removing a wall won’t require planning permission. However, if you’re combining wall removal with an extension, as is often the case with kitchen/diners, you may need consent from the local council for that. All the layout changes will need to be drawn on plans for the application. With listed buildings, it’s important to get listed building consent from the local council before removing a wall. Of course, permission may not be granted, which could make creating an openplan layout impossible. With leasehold properties, you usually require the permission of the freeholder for any alternations – knocking down a wall could potentially affect the whole building. If the work affects a shared or party wall or other shared structure, you may need to serve a party wall notice on adjoining neighbours. For more information see www.gov.uk/party-wall-etc-act-1996guidance

PROPERTY SECTION 

Outside influences and exterior motives

Improving the facade of your home will not only make it more attractive, it could also add value – and it’s not hard to do IF YOUR home has a painted exterior, it won’t stay looking good forever because the weather will take its toll. The easiest way to give the exterior a new look is to paint it a different colour, using a highquality masonry paint. Even if you’re happy with the existing colour, repainting it can work wonders. Discoloured, peeling and patchy paint isn’t pretty or practical, and can lead to damage that’s expensive to repair. While you can rarely be as adventurous with the colours you use on the outside of your home as the inside, you don’t necessarily have to stick to white, cream or magnolia. However, you do need to consider what will go with your neighbours’ houses, if there any restrictions (such as planning ones) on the colours you can use, and what suits the style and period of the building. Having the exterior of your home rendered can really smarten it up, even if it’s just the front. Coloured renders are available, so if you find a colour you like, you won’t need to paint the render, saving time, effort and money.

With modern-looking properties, wooden cladding (or faux wooden cladding) can work well, especially on the front. Another good way to improve the front of your home, especially if it’s plain and lacking character, is to add a porch. The porch should, of course, be in keeping with the style of the building and needn’t be elaborate. A small roof and something to hold up the roof may suffice. Changing the windows and front door, or replacing an unsightly porch, can also make a big difference to the look of your home. If it’s a period property with ugly modern windows, for example, fitting period-style windows will transform the exterior, and interior, and probably make it warmer and quieter too. Before you start changing

‘Even if you’re happy with the existing colour, repainting it can work wonders. Discoloured, peeling and patchy paint isn’t pretty or practical’

A LOT OF FRONT You can be adventurous with colour – but consider what suits your home

the exterior, find out if there are any restrictions on what you can and can’t do. Listed buildings usually can’t be altered without obtaining listed building consent from the local council, for example. If you live on ‘designated land’, which includes conservation areas, you may not be able to do what you want with your home’s exterior, or you may need planning permission, especially if your home’s permitted development rights have been removed. For more, visit the Interactive House at www.planningportal.co.uk

TOP TIP A quick way to paint pebbledash is with a (deep-pile) roller, but you’ll also have to go over it with a paintbrush to cover all the bits the roller has missed. You’ll need to work the brush in well, so don’t use a good one. If you just use a brush, you can cover all the pebbledash in one go but, be warned, it will be time-consuming. Painting brickwork is similar; the roller will cover the faces of the bricks, but the mortar between the bricks will usually have to be done with a paintbrush, so it will take a while

Wednesday 24th August 2016

� PROPERTY SECTION

Light, bright Orchard View is true to its name in farm development O RCHARD VIEW is a charming Grade II listed attached property which forms part of an original farm building that dates back to the 1800s. Converted in 2006, it offers light, spacious and versatile accommodation that has since been updated by the current owners to provide an even more modern finish. Lying in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, within a small farm development in Tudeley, near Tonbridge, it also enjoys a wonderful outlook over the surrounding farmland and countryside. Inside, special features include exposed timbers, high ceilings and multi-paned windows. On the ground floor, the open-plan living space is bright and well proportioned. The sitting/dining room has stairs rising to the first floor with a galleried landing and a walk-in utility cupboard. The kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a range of wall and base cupboards and appliances. The master bedroom is on the first floor, enjoying a Juliet balcony with views over adjoining fields, and a contemporary en-suite shower room. A staircase leads up to a mezzanine floor, which is used as a dressing area. There are two further bedrooms, one of which also features a Juliet balcony with views over the fields, and a well-appointed family bathroom completes the accommodation. Outside, there is a shared courtyard, a seating area to the front and two allocated parking spaces.

AT A GLANCE

ORCHARD VIEW PARK FARM, TUDELEY n Grade II attached property n Part of a small farm development n Converted in 2006 n Light and spacious accommodation n Rural views n Sitting/dining room n Utility cupboard n Kitchen/breakfast room n Master bedroom with en-suite and mezzanine dressing area n Two further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Shared courtyard n Two allocated parking spaces

£575,000 For sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday 24th August 2016

‘The property forms part of an original farm building that dates back to the 1800s. Converted in 2006, it has since been updated to provide an even more modern finish’

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WOOD & PILCHER

Lamberhurst

£399,950

Brenchley

Offers Over £425,000

A spacious semi detached family home with 3/4 bedrooms located on the picturesque Old Town Hill at Lamberhurst. Most exciting of all is that the gardens finish some distance below the property with a private bank overlooking the pretty River Teise and the beautiful countryside beyond. EPC: F.

Beautiful cottage in a wonderful village location ... character features including exposed beams and inglenook fireplace with woodburner and bread oven. bespoke kitchen with quartz counters and NEFF appliances. English country garden. Walk to the village or commute from nearby Paddock Wood.

Tunbridge Wells

Tonbridge

£785,000

Offers Over £525,000

A most attractive four bedroom terraced period property arranged over three floors and with the real advantages of a southerly facing courtyard garden. garage en bloc (in Grove Hill Gardens). excellent proximity to the lower town, railway station and well regarded local schools. EPC: F

4 bed semi with garage within a mile of town. Great living and entertaining space. master bedroom with en-suite. 2 further double bedrooms and another the perfect study with views over the Weald. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells

£525,000

This well presented five bedroom detached chalet style family residence is within a quarter of a MLS and situated at the end of an established residential cul de sac. Benefits include a garage with further ORP and rear garden. EPC: C Tunbridge Wells Office I 01892 511211 tun brid ge w e 11 s@ w ood and pi I cher. co. u k Southborough Office I 01892 511311 south bo roug h@ w ooda nd pi lch er. co. u k Tonbridge I 01732 351135 ton brid ge@ w ood and pi I cher. co. u k

A spacious period property arranged over three levels in the preferred 'village· location. offering two double bedrooms and a further large loft room and with excellent access to The Grove Park, the old High Street. main line railway station and excellent local schools. EPC: E

woodandpilcher. co. uk rightmove

Guide Price: £560,000 - £580,000

~ nTheMarkelcom

Other offices in Crowborough , Heathfield & associated London Branch

 PROPERTY SECTION

Lap up the rural life in this truly unique Coach House AT A GLANCE THE COACH HOUSE CORSELEY ROAD, GROOMBRIDGE ■ Unique and attractive family home ■ Once part of the Leyswood Estate ■ Very well presented ■ Sympathetically converted and updated ■ Entrance hall ■ Impressive kitchen/dining room ■ Sitting room ■ Family room

ART of the former Leyswood Estate on the rural fringes of Groombridge, The Coach House and has been sympathetically converted to create an individual country home with a flexible layout. The generously-proportioned accommodation is well appointed, with crisp neutral decor, extensive hardwood flooring and stylish contemporary kitchen and bathroom fittings. An entrance hall leads to a striking kitchen/ dining room crowned by a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams. It has painted wall and base units under Corian worktops. Three sets of bifold doors open on to the garden terrace, which is ideal for inside/outside living and entertaining during the warmer months, and there is a separate utility room fitted to match the kitchen

■ Utility room ■ Study ■ Ground floor shower room ■ Master bedroom with en-suite ■ Second bedroom ■ Family bathroom ■ Three second floor bedrooms ■ Shower room ■ Ample parking ■ Mature gardens

£1,400,000 Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk

‘Part of the former Leyswood Estate on the rural fringes of Groombridge, it has been sympathetically converted to create an individual country home with a flexible layout’ Wednesday 24th August 2016

The sitting room has a very high ceiling, a fireplace with an oak bressumer over and fittings in place for a wood-burning stove. Two sets of double French doors open out to the garden terrace (where access steps are still to be constructed). Also on the ground floor are a family room and a study with potential for use as a ground floor bedroom if required, and a convenient nearby shower room. On the first floor, the dual-aspect master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and there is a further double bedroom with an interconnecting door into a family bathroom. On the second floor, three more double bedrooms and a shower room complete the accommodation. The property is approached from

the shared driveway via a gravel forecourt which provides parking for several cars. This leads round to a turning and parking area in front of the house. The garden wraps around the southern and eastern elevations, with an extensive sheltered sandstone and brick terrace running the length of the kitchen wing. An area of lawn lies to the south, with screening to the boundaries provided by mature trees and shrubs. In all the plot extends to about three quarters of an acre.

Lake View Road, Sevenoaks

£650,000 - £675,000 Vines Lane, Hildenborough

Situated in a sought after road convenient for Sevenoaks town centre and station is this extended four bedroom semi detached family home.

Stocks Green Road, Hildenborough

A charming four bedroom detached chalet bungalow set in this sought after road in Hildenborough. Located on a generous sized plot this property is very well presented throughout.

£575,000 - £600,000 Hazel Shaw, Tonbridge

Occupying a generous sized plot with lawned garden measuring approximately 280' x 105' is this unique three bedroom semi detached bungalow.

£820 ,OOO - £840 ,OOO

£530,000 - £560,000

An attractive four bedroom extended detached house with loft conversion located just off Shipbourne Road easily accessible to Tonbridge High Street and Mainline Station.

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

TO PROMOTE YOUR PROPERTY CONTACT RAJ'SY I<ELLY

PKelly@markerstudy.com I 01892 i74781

~z~ AUGUST 12 GUEST ALES

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BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND

The Abergavenny Arms, Frant Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9DB 01892 750 233 I 750 933 abergavennyarms.co.uk

58 n FOOD AND DRINK

Blue-sky thinking for summer suppers It’s National Caribbean Week, so to celebrate why not give these totally tropical recipes a try and bring a little taste of sunshine and sensational spice into your everyday eating JERK CHICKEN ‘Jerk’ is a style of cooking involving seasoning and grilling meats in a spicy deliciousness originally hailing from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. It’s time to get marinating, people! Serves: 4 What you need: 1 Tablespoon ground allspice 1 Teaspoon dried thyme 11⁄2 Teaspoons cayenne pepper 11⁄2 Teaspoons ground black pepper 11⁄2 Teaspoons dried sage 3⁄4 Teaspoon ground nutmeg 3⁄4 Teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 Tablespoon white sugar 4 Tablespoons olive oil 4 Tablespoons soy sauce 175ml white vinegar 125ml orange juice Fresh juice of 1 lime 1 Habanero or Scotch Bonnet chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 3 Spring onions, finely chopped 120g onion, finely chopped 10 Garlic cloves, crushed 4-6 Chicken breasts, or a whole chicken cut into pieces (skin left on)

SWEET POTATO FRIES Did you know there are more than 6,500 sweet potato varieties in the world? This recipe uses olive oil, but coconut oil can be used instead for a more tropical taste Serves: 4

TOP TIPS FOR COOKING CARIBBEAN STYLE n

Get fired up by barbecuing your meats instead of frying them. Not only will this give them a genuine sunshine flavour, it’s also healthier than frying

Full on flavour comes from coating meat in jerk seasoning or fish in a herby or spicy rub. These are readily available here in the UK

Marinade your meats as this will not only make them taste wonderful, they won’t need any additional seasoning. Zesty lime, grated ginger, pepper, olive oil and salt with a dash of hot Caribbean sauce is a classic combination

Spice things up with a fiery pepper or two. The Scotch Bonnet variety is the most popular one in the West Indies and is easy to source here

Make a salsa sensation. Why buy a processed shop one when you can easily rustle up a tropical version by chopping up some mango, red onion, papaya and pineapple? Add a sliver of chilli if you want a hot hit

Wednesday 24th August 2016

What you need: 4 Sweet potatoes cut to desired size and thickness 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil 1 Tablespoon salt 1 Tablespoon ground black pepper 1⁄4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 2 Large baking sheets, oiled What you do: In a resealable plastic bag, combine the sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Close and shake the bag until the sweet potatoes are evenly coated. Spread them out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are crispy and brown on one side. Turn the fries over using a spatula, and cook for another 30 minutes, or until they are all crispy on the outside and tender inside.

What you do: Combine the first eight ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, orange juice and lime juice in a large measuring cup or small bowl. Slowly add the spice mixture, whisking it in until incorporated. Add the Habanero or Scotch Bonnet chilli, spring onions, onions and garlic and stir in. Spread the marinade all over the chicken. Put in a large resealable plastic bag and seal tightly. Refrigerate overnight, or for at least four hours. When ready to cook, heat up either a barbecue or a charcoal grill. Grill the chicken for about six minutes per side, brushing on more of the marinade while cooking and making sure that the marinade is well cooked, as it will have been in contact with the raw chicken for several hours. Test if the chicken is cooked through by sticking a skewer in the thickest part – if the juices run clear, it is ready. Bring the leftover marinade to a fast boil for at least four minutes and serve as a dipping sauce.

FOOD AND DRINK �

KINGSTON COOLER Jamaica’s most popular rum is Wray & Nephew and it’s 126 proof. At 63 per cent alcohol content, that makes it the world’s most potent rum. Why not use a few nips of it in a Kingston Cooler and see for yourself? Serves: 10 What you need: 500ml dark Jamaican rum 100ml Wray and Nephew overproof rum 250ml fresh lime juice (about 8 limes) 100ml orgeat (almond) syrup 500ml passion fruit juice 500ml pineapple juice Seasonal fresh fruit and fresh mint sprigs to garnish

What you do: Add all the ingredients to a large pitcher or punch bowl filled with ice and stir gently to mix. Serve in ice-filled glasses garnished with the seasonal fruit and mint sprigs.

KEY INGREDIENTS FOR COOKING CARIBBEAN STYLE Junior and Jean run Drum Pan Catering Ltd, a pop-up Caribbean catering company that hosts events all over Kent. They also make their own sauces, chutneys and patties so know how to cook Caribbean style. Here are their store cupboard essentials: All recipes and images extracted from Cuban Cocktails by Katherine Bebo, published by Ryland Peters & Small. If you would like to order a copy for the special price of £7.99 (rrp £9.99), including postage & packaging, telephone Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 quoting the reference GK3)

Allspice seasoning – great for mixing up marinades which help meat soak up all their delicious flavours

Chicken seasoning – sprinkle over your chicken cuts and try to cook them from the ‘outside in’ i.e. in a little water and seasoning in the base of a pan covered with tin foil so the meat steams and cooks well. Near the end take the foil off so it crisps up

Coconut milk – an essential ingredient for aromatic curries like our goat one, which is one of Drum Pan’s most popular sellers

n Scotch Bonnet peppers – these not only add heat and flavour to

food but colour and texture too n A Dutch Pot pan – we use our grandma’s as you can cook

everything in it and it has real history

Wednesday 24th August 2016

60  TRAVEL

Going wild for Alaska

By now, bearanoia has set in, so I join a guided hike through knee-height dwarf spruce and bouncy tundra decorated with the smallest azaleas in the world. We wind up at artists’ hotspot Wonder Lake, a location favoured by photographer Ansel Adams, where placid water presents the perfect mirror image of the Alaskan Range. At 20,310 feet and rising 0.5mm per year, Mount Denali (previously referred to as Mount McKinley, but now officially known by its native name) stands head and shoulders above neighbouring peaks but, characteristically, it’s covered in cloud.

‘Orcas prospect between islands numbed by petrified forests, while an attention-seeking humpback breaches to a raptured audience of tourists’

THE FROZEN NORTH Full of peaks, lakes, glaciers and forests

By Sarah Marshall

ATIVE American Eskimos have an old adage about dealing with bears: Don’t run or blink and they will know you are a wise one. Personally, I’m not convinced. Despite the national park warden’s firm advice to stand our ground, I imagine every sinew in my body stretching to sprint should I cross paths with 450kg of teeth and claws. In Alaska, where bears far outnumber people, heart-pounding encounters of this sort are a real possibility. Dominated by swathes of uninhabited plains and forest, and consciously set apart from the Lower 48s, this state straddling the Arctic Circle is often touted as America’s last true wilderness. Appropriately, I’m visiting in the centennial year of the US National Parks Service, a body set up with the intention to protect and preserve places just like this. On the country’s southwest peninsula, Katmai was originally declared a National Park Monument following the biggest volcanic eruption of the 20th century in 1912. But in recent decades, The Valley of 10,000 Smokes, an eerie plateau of ash sliced by deep gorges, has played second fiddle to the bears. On the beach or along a trail, chances are you will bump into one at Brooks Lodge – a relatively accessible camp (even though it’s still a flight and float plane ride from Anchorage) inland on the banks of Brooks Lake. Tents and wooden cabins are set back from the water, framed by charcoal-tipped birch trees spiralling like mascara wands and brushing the foothills of snow-streaked mountains. I meet my first ursus along a narrow forest trail. A nervous sow stands on hind legs with her cubs and utters a series of teacher tuts to send me scurrying into the thickets. I’m torn between fear and fascination; it’s hard to disassociate the cute, tufty-haired baby bears from their cuddly toy counterparts who used to accompany me on picnics as a child. I’m here early in the season (mid-June) when the sockeye salmon are starting to run, and blearyeyed brown bears – hungry from hibernation – are slowly gathering at Brooks Falls to fill their boots. The elevated viewing platform overlooking the

Wednesday 24th August 2016

popular fishing spot can be packed with queues of 300 people in July, the height of the short season, but right now I have the place to myself. As salmon struggle furiously upstream, catapulting over the weir, bears employ a variety of techniques to make their catch. Some energetically pounce, others snorkel below the surface, and the most successful hunters simply sit in the ‘Jacuzzi’ – a small whirlpool – and wait. A clear hierarchy is quickly set: A big warwounded male takes centre stage, while timid females and juveniles wait in the wings. Entering the picture with a cowboy swagger, a young pretender digs his hind spurs into the soil, clearly demonstrating ‘there ain’t room in this town for the both of us’. Distracted by a bountiful, protein-rich food source, these animals show little concern for humans. But it’s a different story further north in Denali – Alaska’s first national park (designated 1917) and home to North America’s highest peak – where smaller but more dangerous berry-foraging grizzlies have rightly earned their name. Commissioned by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 to open up Alaska’s mineral-rich interior, the Alaska Railroad now operates as a heritage tourist train with a route running from Anchorage to Fairbanks via Denali. Snaking through steep,

climbing forests and sparkling lakes, we pass remote villages unreachable by road and off-radar regions where outlaws might easily hide. Avoiding the Disneyfied, built-up park entrance (nicknamed Glitter Gulch), I head to Denali’s ‘backcountry’, the Kantishna Hills, where the only access is by light aircraft or a six-hour bus ride. Sixty-something New Zealander Kirsty has been driving the same daily route in and out of the park for 30 years, and as we hug hairpin bends and steer through gaping valleys, she shares fond memories of her individually-nicknamed single-deckers as if they were cherished family members. Wearing a broad Stetson and a permanent grin, flamboyant guide Steve welcomes us to Kantishna Roadhouse, one of the few lodges out here in the wilds. He’s one of the many young, seasonal workers who merrily spend days off exploring with just a backpack and sense of adventure. Following a briefing on the appropriate action to take should I encounter one of the park’s dangerous animals, I fail to share the same carefree confidence. “If you see a bear, stand still; for moose, you should break into a zig-zag run,” instructs a guide. What if you bump into a bear and a moose, I wonder? But I decide it’s best not to ask.

BEAR NECESSITIES If you see a bear ‘don’t run or blink and they will know you are a wise one’

“Don’t worry, we can cut through that,” says Greg LaHaie, pilot and owner of Kantishna Air Taxi. Our 45-minute scenic flight takes us within a breath of the peak, above ant lines of brave climbers and the curving trails of glaciers. Flying into the light, pilot Greg loops rainbows into sugary doughnuts, reflected in myriad kettle ponds below. Glacial melt water drizzles through moraine in silvery threads, reaching into the vast, empty Alaskan interior, a realm of incomprehensible nothingness. More ice – and more people – can be found further south in the state’s most accessible national park, Kenai Fjords, a photogenic four-hour coastal train ride on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage. On a full-day boat tour skirting the Harding icefield, mountains rise from rainforest and glaciers tumble into the sea. Salmon-feeding orcas prospect between islands numbed by petrified forests, while an attention-seeking humpback repeatedly breaches to a raptured audience of tourists. But I’m most charmed by the sea otter, a whiskered old man who paddles backstroke in the harbour and has a magpie instinct for collecting items and hoarding them in his pouch. In summer, 30,000 people descend on Kenai’s gateway town, Seward – ten times the actual population. On a trip to Bear Creek Weir, where salmon are rumoured to be running and bald eagles glare from treetops, I meet Nicholas, a 14-year-old native Athabaskan who prefers to steer clear of outsiders. After striking up a conversation, he deems I’m ‘OK’ for a tourist, and enthusiastically tells me about the Inuit Games he hopes to compete in this year. Eskimo One Kick is his favourite discipline, although he also likes Seal Hop, where competitors rest on their knuckles in a press-up position and race by bouncing forward. Given his ancestry and all his local experience, I imagine Nicholas has the perfect escape tactic for dealing with bears. But when I ask, he simply shrugs his shoulders and without blinking replies: “I hope for the best.” Wise words indeed. TRAVEL FACTS Sarah Marshall was a guest of Bridge & Wickers (www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk; 020 3642 8551) who tailor-make a classic tenday Alaska journey staying at Hotel Captain Cook (Anchorage), Kantishna Roadhouse (Denali), Seward Grand Lodge (Kenai Fjords) and Brooks Lodge (Katmai) from £6,900 per person. Includes some meals, transfers, Icelandair flights from London to Anchorage via Reykjavik, domestic flights and Alaska Railroad Gold Service tickets. Icelandair (www.icelandair.co.uk) offer the fastest route from the UK to Alaska (via Reykjavik). For more information about travel to and around Alaska, please visit www.travelalaska.com and www.VisitTheUSA.com

egent Seven Seas Cruises ean I ruises • Hurtigruten • Just You • Saga oyages of Discovery • Wendy Wu Tours ·on Holidays• Cox and Kings• Cunard• Cyplon Holidays erica Line• If Only• ITC Luxury Travel• Kirker Holidays ours • Regent Holidays • Riviera Travel • Silversea • Sunvil ravel • Villa Select • Western & Oriental Travel ds Touring • Corsican Places • Diamond Coach Holidays• Diamond Rail Holidays res • Gold Medal • lnsideBunna Tours • lnsideJapan Tours • lnsideVietnam Tours dais & Beaches • Sanlinian Places • Sicilian Places • The Cape Verde Experience e River Cruise Line • Travel 2 • Viking Cruises • Holiday Exbas • Superbreak

btg_hishow

62 n LIFE AND STYLE NEW BLOCK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT In response to many requests from our Landlords, a dedicated team at Helen Breeze are now offering Block Management services.

THE

PLOTS 6 84-87, 8

TWO BEDR HOUSE* WI

This experienced and professional team we will look after the day-to-day concerns which accompany owning, or being responsible for a block of flats or a large estate. The service will mainly be offered to Resident Management Companies or a RTM (Right to Manage) who require management of a block of flats, grounds or estate.

5 50

Goldin

48 47

46 45

Why choose Helen Breeze for Block Management?

43 42 41

· We are a local company who have been managing properties for over 25 years, within a 20 mile radius of Sevenoaks.

THE VICTOR

· Our locality offers regular site visits as well as being on hand when issues arise.

HELP TO BUY COMES TO KNIGHTS WOOD!

· Wherever possible we use local contractors that are tried, trusted and fully insured. We tender all contracts to ensure the best possible service at a competitive price.

Buyers can now take advantage of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme at Dandara’s award-winning development in Tunbridge Wells

· We ensure properties meet the current property legislation including, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and The Health and Safety Regulations 1999.

For anyone who dreams of owning a new-build property in Tunbridge Wells but only has a small deposit, a home at the stylish Knights Wood development could now be within reach, thanks to the Government’s Help to Buy scheme.

* Plot 76 Terrace COMPUTER GENER ATED IMAGE INDICATIVE ONLY

· Budget forecasting, long term maintenance planning and management of reserve funds are part of the service.

Traditionally, a deposit of around 20% of the purchase price has been necessary to secure a mortgage for a newbuild home. However, the scheme is designed to help buyers who have at least a 5% deposit.

· There is a fully transparent fee structure. · All staff attend regular training courses with ARLA and ARMA to ensure we are up to date with current legislation.

Under the scheme, buyers can borrow 20% of the purchase price interest-free for the first five years, as long as they have a 5% deposit and the property price does not exceed £600,000.

· We are a member of The Property Ombudsman (www.tpos.co.uk) and are fully insured with Professional Indemnity insurance. Julie Heyworth, who is heading up the new team, says “we are so delighted to be able to offer block management which is a natural progression to our other management services. The new service is in direct response to many requests from our Landlords who have used Helen Breeze to help manage their growing property portfolio”. For a free quotation of our new block management service please do contact Julie at Helen Breeze on 01732 740789.

AGE UK WEST KENT BEFRIENDING SERVICE AWARDED BLUEBIRD CARE TONBRIDGE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS COMMUNITY GRANT Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells is pleased to announce that Age UK West Kent Befriending Service was awarded a grant of £500 from Bluebird Care on 4th August 2016. The grant was awarded at a special tea party event that was held at Town Lock Day Centre, Tonbridge that was attended by 30 people including Cllr Mark Rhodes, Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling who has Age UK as one of his designated charities.

This ‘equity loan’ arrangement makes new-build homes affordable to buyers who would have previously been unable to afford the deposit required.

ALBION SIGN SUSSEX’S STAR PLAYER Brighton & Hove Albion’s latest signing comes in the shape of estate agents Mansell McTaggart in a three-year deal. As part of the agreement, a magnificent pitch-side and dual-aspect lounge at the Amex Stadium will be renamed ‘The Mansell McTaggart Lounge’, giving a stunning view of Albion’s home games. This deal follows many years of sponsorship and advertising by Mansell McTaggart. Lee Hubble, director of Mansell McTaggart said: “we’re really excited to be extending our association with a high profile organisation like Brighton & Hove Albion.

West Kent Befriending Service supports individuals right across West Kent with a much valued befriending services that make a big difference to the lives of those supported.

“Their meteoric rise up the league last season reflects our own determination to stay the no.1 estate agent in our market area, and we look forward to our mutual continued success in our respective fields”.

The service is managed by a team from Age UK West Kent and Maidstone Mind who match up volunteers who can spare 1 – 3 hours of their time each week to spend with an individual. Volunteers are given a full induction and fully supported by the West Kent Befriending team.

Paul Rogers, commercial and premium partnerships manager of the Albion said “we’re thrilled to have Mansell McTaggart join our team of corporate partners, and we look forward to providing great entertainment and value for them over the coming three seasons”.

The grant of £500 will go towards the running costs of the service and, as such, help to combat loneliness amongst older people.

Brighton & Hove Albion came third in the EFL Championship League last season – a big jump from 20th place the previous year.

For further information about Bluebird Care’s services or to apply for the next grant to be awarded in July, please contact the team on 01732 373 024

Mansell McTaggart meanwhile are the agency which sells the most property in their area.*

Wednesday 24th August 2016

At Knights Wood, there are a number of stylish house types available below the £600,000 Help to Buy threshold, including the two-bedroom, semi-detached Victoria and the three-bedroom Sunburst, with semi-detached and detached versions currently still available. Buyers of the two-bedroom Victoria house type may be eligible for the Help to Buy scheme. Speaking of the arrival of Help to Buy at Knights Wood, Susie Bennett, Dandara’s UK Sales Director for the South East said, “We are delighted to be able to offer Help to Buy on some of our stunning new homes at Knights Wood. “I really hope that the scheme allows us to welcome some new buyers who may previously have thought a new home at Knights Wood was out of their reach. Availability is limited though, so I would urge anyone interested in Help to Buy to act fast!” Two, three and four-bedroom homes are now available at Knights Wood, with prices from £360,000. For further information or to make an appointment to see the new View Home, visit www.knightswood.co.uk or call 01892 800580. Alternatively, please visit the Marketing Suite at Knights Wood, which is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

WITH THE

THE TOWN’S TOP MOTORING GUIDE – FROM EVERYDAY DRIVES TO LUXURY SUPERCARS

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

By James Fossdyke

FIRST DRIVE

WHAT’S NEW? At first glance, it’s just another i3 electric car, and if you look at the oily bits underneath you’d still be hard-pushed to spot the difference. But this i3 has a secret that’s quite literally been tucked away under the carpet. As ever, there’s a bank of batteries in the car’s floor, but the 94Ah suffix denotes the amount of power those batteries can store. Whereas the standard i3 only holds 60Ah, the 94Ah model holds half that much again, and that means the range has increased by 50 per cent to 195 miles. If you go for the version with the petrol-powered range extender, though, BMW says you’ll be looking at squeezing 276 miles from a single charge. But despite the extra range, the new battery fits in exactly the same box as its predecessor, so there’s no visible difference. In fact, BMW will even let you swap an old 60Ah battery with a 94Ah one. It’s a quick job – BMW say it’s around an hour-and-a-half ’s work – but it is costly. Including tax, the German company estimates it will set you back around €9,000 (£7,600).

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY

‘The i3 never has been a slouch. The sprint from 0-62mph takes 7.3 seconds – much the same as a Mazda MX-5 – and the buckets of torque produced by the electric motor make it feel even faster’ LOOKS AND IMAGE The i3’s looks have always been divisive, but even its biggest critics wouldn’t hesitate to call it striking. Even though it makes very little in the way of noise, it’s a car that people will still turn around to look at. Inside, it continues the left-field look, but it’s strong on its environmental credentials. The plastics on the dashboard and door cards, for example, are made from plant fibres, and there’s any number of recycled bits and bobs lurking in other areas. Whether they love it or hate it, whoever comes along for a ride will certainly have an opinion.

For all the i3’s technology, it isn’t actually that practical a car. Although it’s tall – it’s actually about the size of a high-riding Ford Fiesta – the boot measures just 260 litres, so it’s less space than you’ll find in the back of a VW Polo. There’s plenty of headroom in the rear, though, and even if the legroom is a little limited, access is made simple by the so-called ‘suicide’ rear doors. They can only be opened after the front doors, and they open the other way, meaning there’s no B-pillar to obstruct you as you try to get in or out.

BEHIND THE WHEEL With the extra power capacity, the 94Ah i3 certainly offers an extended range. The quoted 195-mile striking distance is probably a tad ambitious, especially if your right foot becomes leaden or you try keeping up with traffic on a motorway. But you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting 140 or perhaps 150 miles from it. If you do get the urge to bury your right foot in the bulkhead, though, you’ll find there’s no improvement in performance, but then the i3 never has been a slouch. The sprint from 0-62mph takes 7.3 seconds – much the

BMW i3 94Ah

same as a Mazda MX-5 – and the buckets of torque produced by the electric motor make it feel even faster. Through the corners, its height and frontwheel drive layout make it roll and understeer if you get a bit too enthusiastic, but the trade-off is ride quality. It’s a comfortable machine, with suspension that’s firm without being jarring, and soft seats that offer more support than you’d expect just from looking at them.

VALUE FOR MONEY Prices start from £27,830, including the Government’s £4,500 grant, but if you can’t get the money out of Ms May – for whatever reason – you will be looking at a bill for about £32,000. Opt for the range extender and that will rise to more than £35,000. Whichever way you cut it, that’s a lot of money. But considering that the i3’s closest rival, the top-of-the-range Nissan LEAF, is only a couple of thousand pounds more expensive, but is far less of a premium product and has a shorter range, it looks like relatively good value.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? The i3 is a great second car for anyone who regularly drives into the city centre, but even with the extra range it’s of limited use as a tourer. Still, if you want a nippy, environmentally friendly hatchback to complement your main set of wheels, but don’t want to sacrifice the premium feel, BMW has built the car for you.

FACTS AT A GLANCE PRICE: £27,830 (after £4,500 government grant) MODEL: BMW i3 94Ah ENGINE: Electric motor producing 168bhp and 250Nm of torque PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds. Top Speed: 93mph

Wednesday 24th August 2016

64 n ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Wednesday 24th August 2016

MOTORING NEWS ■

BY ACCIDENT Caterham’s Seven 310 was originally an upgraded 270

Caterham races ahead CATERHAM has introduced a new car to its famous Seven range – the 310. Designed to occupy the middle ground between incredible performance and impressive handling, the 310 sits above the popular Seven 270. Priced from £24,995, the Seven 310 features a reworked Sigma engine which is capable of producing 152bhp. The additional performance was added quite by accident, when a 270 was upgraded in order to compete in the Supersport racing category as opposed to the Tracksport. High-performance camshafts were fitted to the engine and the entire unit had its mapping revised, enabling it to produce the extra power. The 310 is also the first car in the Seven range to come fitted with LED headlamps. Existing 270 owners can have their cars upgraded to 310 specification for £1,495.

Simon Lambert, Chief Motorsport and Technical Officer for Caterham Cars, said: “It’s entirely fitting that the Seven 310, which we feel perfectly synchronises power and handling, has come out of the motorsport engineering process. “This car will be genuinely loved by Caterham enthusiasts, but will also convert car fans in general who understand that creating a genuinely fun driving experience is not about simply adding more and more power, that often less is more.” The Caterham Seven 310 is available to order now, with the first cars due to arrive early in 2017. Mr Lambert added: “If Caterham was only going to make one car for the rest of its days, this would be it.”

Tesla unveils plans for minibus and new passenger Model Y TESLA’S Chief Executive, Elon Musk, has confirmed the electric car brand will build a minibus based on the Model X SUV, as well as a fourth passenger car dubbed the Model Y. In response to speculation from American motoring website Jalopnik, he took to Twitter to confirm that the minibus would use the Model X platform. “The Tesla minibus will be built on a Model X chassis,” Mr Musk Tweeted. “People density potential is surprisingly high.” The news comes just two weeks after the electric car manufacturer unveiled the second part of its ‘master plan’, which included the

introduction of a truck and ‘high passengerdensity urban transport’ into the range. The plan also contained reference to a forthcoming compact SUV, which will line up alongside the existing Model S and Model X, as well as the Model 3 and a new pick-up truck. While discussing the naming of future vehicles with his followers, Mr Musk confirmed that Tesla would build a Model Y, which would round off the four-model ‘sexy’ passenger car line-up, so named because of the S, 3, X and Y suffixes. The controversial entrepreneur said: “I think we should be inconsistent in our naming conventions after Model Y.” This has led to speculation that the Model Y will be the new compact SUV, which will sit below the Audi Q7-rivalling Model X. BODY AND SOUL The minibus will be built on a Model X chassis

PLUGGED IN Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk

Wednesday 24th August 2016

66 ■ MOTORING

Don’t be fooled by its size – this Abarth ‘kitten’ is a tiger

FACTS AT A GLANCE PRICE: Starting from £20,290 MODEL: Fiat Abarth 595 Competizione ENGINE: 1368cc turbo producing 180BHP @ 5500rpm, 250 Nm @ 3000rpm (Sports mode) TRANSMISSION: Manual PERFORMANCE: 0-62 in 6.7, top speed 140mph ECONOMY: Combined 47.1mpg

By David Thacker THE current version of the Fiat 500 has been with us for nearly ten years now, and it has appeared in many guises, but none more exciting than the Abarth 595 Competizione. This is not simply a Fiat 500 branding exercise with an Abarth badge on the front, but follows Carlo Abarth’s principles of attention to detail in innovative engine and chassis development, extracting incredible performance from the internal combustion engine. Abarth started in 1949 when Carlo chose his astrological sign of the Scorpio as his company logo. The 60s were a golden age for the Scorpion. As the Abarth name entered popular language as a byword for extracting the last bit of performance for ultimate victory, coffee lovers would ask their

Wednesday 24th August 2016

waiters not for a strong coffee, but for an Abarth coffee. I have to say, knowing so much of the company’s history, I thought that passing on the baton would present too much of a challenge so I was prepared to make allowances. To my mind, the styling of all Fiat 500s carry off the vogue for retro with a modern twist so well (their pastel colours and 60s interiors make one think ‘fluffy kittens in the car world’), whereas the Abarth styling is all about performance – Carlo would be proud. Normally one would talk about rear seats and boot space (which is limited) but this is not the point. This is an Abarth. Every line is purposefully aggressive with a hint of cheekiness in true Italian tradition. With such equipment as Koni suspension, huge Brembo brakes and a performance exhaust system that growls on tick-over, seemingly out of step with its diminutive size, it’s trying to tell me something. The stylish full race Alcantara suede and carbon fibre Sabelt bucket seats are fully supportive and a further hint that this could be a tiger in a kitten suit. On the road is a full-on experience: Press the sports button and it feels as though you have just poked a tiger with a cattle prod. It remaps engine, steering and suspension, making the steering extremely precise and reflexes crisp. With very little body roll, suspension control is reasonably taut and clean, complementing the short chassis that makes for an

‘This is not simply a Fiat 500 branding exercise with an Abarth badge on the front, but follows Carlo Abarth’s principles of attention to detail in innovative engine and chassis development, extracting incredible performance’

incredibly fast change of direction with very little under-steer – and to lift in mid-corner won’t provoke any over-steer. The 0-62 mph in 6.7 sec compares favourably with others in its class. But the manner in which its 1.4-litre four cylinder with 180 bhp achieves this is in true old school turbo tradition that is simply exhilarating, with power winding up and lurching you forwards on waves of boost. It’s like catching the tale of the tiger and desperately trying to tame the wild beast, but still intoxicating! The 595 Competizione ethos is uncompromising on so many levels in this homogenised world of motoring. It brings back fun and excitement and leaves you feeling stimulated and vitalised. But press the sports button again and it will revert back to just a happy high-performance sports hot hatch, still incredibly quick but at least the tiger is back on the leash. Other superminis just cannot compete with the 595’s character – it’s a true enthusiast’s car. I would say this is the Ducati Panigale of the car world, and is ideal for the person who takes their motoring seriously and appreciates that to get the best from the 595 you do need to be precise and not to try and bully it; because, like a tiger, it will bite you back very quickly!

MOTORING n

Models shown are Alfa Milo 875cc

TwinAir 105 hp Progressio n including Alfa Red Specia l Paint at £475,

consumption figures for the Alfa Milo Progression

& Alfa

OTR

£14,535

Alfa Giulietta 1.4

120 hp at £19,225

OTR

incl. Stromboli Grey Specia l Paint at £525. Range of official fuel

Giulietta range: Urban 29.7 - 64.2 mpg (9.5 - 4.4 l/100km); Extra Urban 54.3 - 97.4 mpg (5.2 - 2.9 l/100km) ; Combined 41.5 - 80.7 mpg (6.8 - 3.5 l/100km). C0 2 emissions 157 - 90 g/ km.

Fuel consumption and C0 2 figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance wi th EC directives/ regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving condi tion s. •customer deposit is £999. optional Final Payment is £3,813. contractTerm is 48 months. Promotion available on Alfa MiTo 875cc TB TwinAir 105 hp Progression including Alfa Red Special Paint at £475 between 1st August and 30th September 2016. ACustomer deposit is £1,549. Optional Final Payment is £5,823. ContractTerm is 48 months. Promotion available on Alfa Giulietta 1.4 TB 120 hp at £19,225 OTR registered between 1st August and 30th September 2016. Alfa Deposit Contribution only available in conjunction with Alfa Romeo Preferenza PCP. With Alfa Romeo Preferenza you have the option to return the vehicle and not pay the final payment, subject to the vehicle not having exceeded an agreed annual mileage (a charge of 6p per mile for exceeding 6,000 miles per annum in these examples) and being in good condition. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Terms and Conditions apply. At participating Dealers only. We work with a number of creditors including Alfa Romeo Financial Services. Alfa Romeo Financial Services, PO BOX 4465, Slough, Sll ORW.

DEBODN TO BE WILD

THAMES MOTOR GROUP TUNBRIDGE WELLS, LONGFIELD ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN2 3EY. TEL: 01892 549766 WWW.THAMESMOTORGROUP.CO.UK Fuel consumption figures for the new Fiat 124 Spider in mpg (11100km): Urban 33.2 (8.5); Extra Urban 55.4 (5.1); Combined 44.1 (6.4). C0 2 emissions 148 g/km.

Fu el consumption an d

C0 2 figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving resu lts.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

68 ■ SPECIAL FEATURE

Every dog has its day STOP chasing your tail for a moment, quit sniffing that bush and chewing that stick: This Friday is National Dog Day! It has been held on August 26 every year since 2004, when it was started by behaviourist Colleen Paige to bring attention to the plight of canines and encourage adoption. Colleen has also founded National

Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and National Cat Day. She chose the date because it’s the day that her family adopted her first dog, Sheltie, when Colleen was ten years old. National Dog Day was launched to raise awareness of the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, as well as celebrating the comfort and MAN’S BEST FRIEND For many, nothing beats the company of a furry friend

Dogs Trust comes to Tunbridge Wells and fights for animal welfare DOGS TRUST, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity opened a fantastic new charity shop in Tunbridge Wells in May 2016. Savvy shoppers and their pooches have been able to get a great pick of the stylish goods on offer and wag a bargain thanks to the generous donations the shop has received so far. Elaine Maddison, Dogs Trust Charity

Wednesday 24th August 2016

Shop Manager, said: “We’re really excited to have set up a Dogs Trust shop here in Tunbridge Wells. We have received some very generous donations from members of the public and would be grateful for any extra items that can be spared. We stock everything and anything – from books and clothes to ornaments and household items so come on down and

happiness they bring us selflessly, day after day. It also acknowledges those hounds that work to keep us safe or put their lives on the line every day – from guide dogs to law enforcement, bomb squads, customs searches, drugs raids and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage. Now they’re even detecting cancer in the human body. Additionally, this day of celebration aims to discourage buying dogs from pet shops which are supplied by puppy farms, or from the internet and newspaper advertisements – and to encourage adoption from rescue centres or large chain pet stores which host adoption drives for local shelters. It encourages prospective owners who want to buy from a breeder to check out their licensing, search for any internet reviews and ask for local references, such as from a veterinarian. And it’s vital to educate yourself about the breed you want. National Dog Day is also campaigning against any kind of ‘breed ban’. Dogs see if you can ‘wag’ a bargain!” If you have any items you would like to donate to the shop please drop them into Dogs Trust Tunbridge Wells Charity Shop, open 7 days a week at 38-40 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1LU, 01892 521004. Your generosity can now go one step further as there is now the option to claim

‘National Dog Day was launched to raise awareness of the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, as well as celebrating the comfort and happiness they bring us selflessly, day after day’

Gift Aid on any items donated to the shop, just ask any member of the team to find out how. Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and has a network of 20 rehoming centres across the UK and one in Dublin, which care for

should not have to be put down because of the suffering they have endured from humans. “Millions of dogs are killed each year because they’re simply unwanted,” says Colleen. “They’re unwanted because no-one realised how to properly care for the demands of the breed. “They’re unwanted because they were bought as a Christmas gift for a child who didn’t keep promises about caring for the dog, unwanted because they shed too much, unwanted because they bark too much, unwanted simply because someone changed their mind.” She adds: “All a dog wants to do is love you and be loved by you. Dogs are amazing, courageous, sensitive and sentient beings that deserve compassion and respect.” Recommendations for ways to celebrate National Dog Day range from adopting a dog from a rescue home to giving your dog a holistic spa treatment. Whatever you do, make sure you let your canine friends know how much you love them. nearly 17,000 dogs every year. The shop in Tunbridge Wells supports the rehoming centres in Canterbury and Shoreham.

SPECIAL FEATURE 

Art is not just for humans It’s time to at new London exhibition get mucky

IN FEBRUARY 2014, The Mucky Hound channelled their love for dogs and the great outdoors to found their own company. The team are dedicated to building a fantastic group of dog lovers and offer the best service possible to the hounds of Tunbridge Wells. As doggy parents themselves, they understand the importance of each dog’s need for freedom, companionship and purpose. Alongside this, they undertake breed-specific games and exercises. Whether you have a rescue dog or a puppy, every animal requires adequate exercise. If you have an under-exercised or under-stimulated dog, they will display many types of undesirable behaviour due to boredom and frustration. Many of these traits can be reduced with a suitable exercise and socialisation plan. Playing with canine companions is a fantastic way to reduce anxiety, get exercise and build social skills. For puppies, day care is a great way to bond with dogs that are fully vaccinated and have been temperament tested - providing a safe environment to make new friends! The Mucky Hound is a trusted independent local business.

MOVE OVER PICASSO The colours and shapes can aid sensory development

‘With pets assuming an ever more important role in our lives however, isn’t it about time that the art world catered to them as well?’ THEY say art is for everyone, and while this may be true, the ‘everyone’ mentioned here traditionally refers only to humans. With pets assuming an ever more important role in our lives however, isn’t it about time that the art world catered to them as well? A new exhibition has been created as part of MORE TH>N’s #PlayMore campaign, which encourages owners to spend more time playing with their pet, while also inspiring them to find new ways to ensure they stay emotionally happy and physically healthy. As with many examples of interactive art, the artistic merit of the exhibition stems

from its immersive nature, with the art exhibits only deemed fully ‘complete’ when they are being interacted with by happy dogs. What’s more, all of the exhibits on show have been grounded in animal science, with consultancy from veterinary experts on the type of mental and physical stimuli that are the most beneficial to a dog’s health and wellbeing. Exhibition artist and curator Dominic Wilcox commented: “Contemporary art has long been an important source of inspiration and fascination for humans, but never

If you think your hound could benefit from their services, why not send them on a “Mucky” adventure? www.themuckyhound.co.uk info@themuckyhound.co.uk 01892 671640 - 07809 748574

before has it been created with a view to drawing the same kind of emotions out of animals instead. While it’s certainly one of the more interesting challenges I’ve faced in my career, it feels great to have created such a truly unique collection of interactive artworks for a completely new audience. I’m looking forward to seeing how many tail wags I get in approval!” ■ The MORE TH>N #PlayMore Exhibition is located on Tanner Street in London and opens up to every man and his dog on Friday 19th (11:00-17:00) and Saturday 20th (09:0016:00) August 2016.

Wednesday 24th August 2016

70 n RECRUITMENT

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Wednesday 24th August 2016

72 n MUSIC FESTIVAL

The new festival that’s hoping to This Bank Holiday weekend Castle Street in Tunbridge Wells is hosting a series of concerts put on by local musicians to raise money for the Hospice in the Weald. Here, its organiser, Zoe Rolandsen, tells the Times why the Castle Street Festival has been revived after a hiatus of 20 years, and why it will complement Local & Live – the town’s other key music festival happening this weekend ‘The idea behind the Castle Street Festival originally came from Denny Rowe, who ran the barber’s back in the 1990s – the fastest barber in the world’ We really hope that instead of competing with it, Castle Street Festival will actually complement Local & Live, and if Paul Dunton manages to bring it back bigger and better next year then we’d love to be able to work together again. All the Castle Street Festival concerts happening over the weekend will be free to attend, but as the whole event is a fundraiser for Hospice in the Weald we would really appreciate it if people could pop a contribution into the collection buckets upon entering the street. If it’s a success then we have every intention of bringing Castle Street Festival back next year, and hopefully for many years to come.” “The idea behind the Castle Street Festival originally came from Denny Rowe, who ran the barber’s back in the 1990s and was known as the ‘fastest barber in the world’. Sadly he passed away in 2013. His idea was to bring more life to the bottom end of the town and he certainly succeeded in doing that when he put on the first Castle Street Festival in the mid-90s and booked acts like Suzi Quatro! The last one happened in 1999 and it wasn’t revived until now due, quite simply, to the fact that nobody wanted to take on the organisation of it all. We at Cassidy’s Bar decided to bring it back this year as we were told we could not be a

Wednesday 24th August 2016

LOCAL GOLD Tunbridge Wells’ own Velvet Goldmine fringe venue for Paul Dunton’s Local & Live 2016 series of gigs. When the festival was staged last year it did really well for all the traders on Castle Street so, not surprisingly, quite a lot of the businesses were disappointed when they were told they couldn’t be part of it again this year. My personal role in the Castle Street Festival has been doing all the main organisation, but I’ve also worked closely with Tom Meyritz, who is in charge of booking all the festival’s acts, and Dan Stephens, who is responsible for the sound engineering.

Cassidy’s is the main hub for the festival, so I have been constantly liasing with its manager Anthony Allan and owner John Hoare, who has run the pub for nearly 20 years. Tom has selected a variety of bands to perform over the Bank Holiday weekend and they include every genre from acoustic to punk, so there really will be something for everyone. We have deliberately made sure the majority of our bands are local cover ones – as we always do at Cassidy’s in order not to step on the toes of The Forum and The Grey Lady.

ETHEREAL VIBES From Kharma & the Devil

MUSIC FESTIVAL ď Ž

strike a chord with music fans

LAUGHING BOYS Insane Society close the festival on Monday night

GET THE BEERS IN The Harveys are Monday evening favourites, too For more information on the Castle Street Festival visit www.facebook.com/CassidysSportsBar

Wednesday 24th August 2016

74  WHAT’S ON SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

>> WEDNESDAY The Cinema Under The Stars event continues this week at Hever Castle’s Festival Theatre. Each evening until Friday a different film will be screened at 8pm. Tonight it’s the recent blockbuster Star Wars: The Force Awakens which is then followed by The Full Monty tomorrow and James Bond: Spectre on Friday. Gates open at 6.30pm so bring along a picnic and some blankets to snuggle up in and enjoy the magic of the movies under the stars. Tickets cost £14 each. For more details visit www.heverfestival.co.uk or call the box office on 01732 866114. Wildlife Wednesday happens every week at Scotney Castle during the summer holidays, so if your children are into creepy-crawlies, fish and bugs they’ll enjoy the twice-daily pond-dipping sessions from 11.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-2.30pm. Visit www.nationaltrust.org/scotneycastle This is the penultimate week for children to take part in Bewl Water’s Summer Camp. They can do a half day of activities from 9am-1.30pm for £24.99

or a full one until 4pm for £39.99. As well as nature walks and treasure hunts, other pursuits include mountain biking, football, painting and pedalos. Open to children aged five and over. Pre-booking and payment is essential. For more information visit www.bewlwater.co.uk >> THURSDAY This summer you can experience the beauty of Groombridge Place and also benefit from a little theatrical entertainment at the same time. Theatre troupe Brymack is putting on two productions each day of The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up – a play based on the life of Peter Pan. They will also be AFTERNOON DELIGHTS Experience tea on the Spa Valley Railway train

MULTICOLOURED FUNK Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion play the Rye Jazz Festival

If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages please email info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

holding drama workshops. Tickets cost £10.95 per child and £14.95 per adult. www.groombridgeplace.com If you prefer to indulge in a more relaxing recreational activity, then why not treat your tastebuds to afternoon tea on the picturesque Spa Valley railway line? Running today at 2.30pm, tickets cost £31.95 per person. If you can’t make this one there are others on September 10, October 15 and 27. For more details go to www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Jazz on the Pantiles continues its summer run this evening with a performance by Protect The Beat. See www.facebook.com/JazzOnThePantiles >> FRIDAY Enjoy some forest fun at Bedgebury Pinetum. Children will help set up the school ‘camp’, build dens and fires, explore and play in the forest, and even have a go at wild cooking! For more information please visit www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk Or you could try out the Wilderness Camp taking place in the glorious grounds of Penshurst Place over the Bank Holiday, which is being organised by the Bushcraft Company. For more information have a look at www.penshurstplace.com The fifth Rye Jazz & Blues Festival takes place this weekend, so if you fancy seeing the likes of Mica Paris, Liane Carroll, Joe Stilgoe and Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion in a variety of scenic settings then make sure you pop along to this series of free and ticketed concerts dotted around the pretty town. For further information visit www.ryejazz.com

>> SUNDAY If you’re looking for a fun way to spend a Sunday that will keep all the family amused, then why not try the Forest Way Trail? The whole route runs from East Grinstead to Groombridge but you can easily make a shorter journey of it by starting off at the old Goods Yard House in Hartfield. Popular with horse riders, runners and cyclists, it’s flat, well-shaded, off-road and enjoyable for all levels of ability. For more information visit www.sustrans.org.uk Another good family day out on a Sunday is a visit to Hadlow’s Broadview Gardens, which has something to offer for everyone. Part of the famous agricultural college that is based there, the grounds provide hands-on experience for horticultural students but also plenty of enjoyment for keen gardeners who would like to browse around for inspiration. There are also tea rooms and there’s a farm food shop, too. To find out more visit www.broadviewgardens.co.uk >> MONDAY Before the summer holidays finish, make sure you take the time out to visit the glorious Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. Every day they will be holding Have-a-go Archery sessions as well as how to be a knight or princess workshops, so there really is a lot of fun for everyone to enjoy. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle It’s the final day of the Pashley Manor Craft Show,, so if you want to shop for some unique finds for your home or self then pop along to this picturesque spot in Ticehurst and enjoy a day of browsing the stalls and the beautiful gardens. www.pashleymanorgardens.com Trinity Theatre’s production of Monty Python’s Spamalot continues all this week, so make sure you get a chance to see this classic piece of British comedy. See the Times’ Arts and Culture section on p76-77 for our inclusive interview with the show’s director. For tickets see www.trinitytheatre.net

>> SATURDAY Kicking off today and running until Bank Holiday Monday is the Southborough & District Lions Club Art Show.. Established over 70 years ago, this is one of the organisation’s most popular events and draws a big crowd every year when it’s held on the main common. All proceeds go to charity and the show runs from 10am to 5pm. Mayor of Southborough Cllr David Elliott will officially open the show today. Cascade Dance is hosting two summer dance camps at the Camden Centre from 9am-5.30pm. So whether you want to introduce your children to the wonderful world of dance, brush up on technical steps or try out something new, then these brilliant one-day courses divided into junior and senior levels are for you! lick on www.cascadedance.co.uk Click This evening at the Assembly Hall the Kent County Youth Orchestra will perform their summer concert. Included in it will be Mussorgsky’s musical work of ten pieces: Pictures at an Exhibition, and extracts from the work of three great American composers, including Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and John Adams. The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £15 (£6 concessions). To book visit AHEAD OF THE CURVE www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Get into the groove at or call 01892 530 613. Cascade Dance

Wednesday 24th August 2016

>> TUESDAY To keep little ones amused head along to the Tunbridge Wells Library where there will be another series of Holiday Happenings going on. This week’s theme is the Great Outdoors, so there will be plenty of arts and crafts-related action going on about the wonder of nature. Sessions run from 10.30am12.30pm and 2-4pm. Starting today at Trinity Theatre there will be a series of artistic

WHAT’S ON 

A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Dunton

The Breretons

The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com

Live music

ALL FIRED UP Join in the forest fun at Penshurst workshops hosted by Chinese brush painter Lisa Class. The two-hour sessions will take place over the next fortnight and are aimed at all levels of experience. Lisa will talk a little about the history and the materials of this ancient Asian art form, which dates back thousands of years, and will lead the class with demonstrations and practical work showing you how to create classic Chinese designs such as elegant bamboo and peonies. Recreate the magic of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book by visiting his childhood home at Batemans. Simply follow the special trail that’s been created for this summer in order to find Baloo, Akela and other characters from the book who are hiding in the garden. Usual National Trust entry fees apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans ARTISTIC INSPIRATION See Lisa Class’s Chinese paintings

WORTH THE TRIP:

England’s Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle August 27-29

This Bank Holiday weekend sees the return of the Local & Live Music Festival, which for 2016 is being staged as a four-venue fringe event to help raise funds in order for it to return to its usual home in Calverley Grounds in 2017. There are plenty of other wonderful options for the Bank Holiday weekend, including the Matt Bullard Band at The Cross Keys this Friday evening. Soul Train is also on The Pantiles with the excellent Reuben Richards on August 27 and the Audacity headlining on August 28. Cassidy’s and The Bedford Pub are staging Castle Street Festival over the weekend, too. It’s a fundraising event for charity which will feature an array of local bands and soloists, so see below for details. THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk

THURSDAY Skindred FRIDAY (7pm till late) Local & Live Music Festival: Jack Burns, The Paul Dunton Orchestra, Joey Fat, The Standard Lamps, The Reckostacks, Josh Renton & The Wildfires, The Orange Circus. SATURDAY Local & Live Music Festival: Forum garden stage (1pm till 5pm). Milly McCarron, Paul Monham, Becky Nicholls, James Medhurst, Becky Briggs, Jack Clarke, Sam Firth Local & Live Music Festival: (6.30pm till late) Sean de Burca, The Floodgates, Pure Assassins, The Breretons, Dull Knife, Wake Up Leo, I am Aquitaine, Sarah Tonin SUNDAY Local & Live Music Festival: Forum garden stage 1pm till 5.30pm. Ava Deighton Smythe, Zoe Deighton-Smythe, Lachlan Daly, Ellie Wade, Joanne Louise Parker, Steve Hewitt, Stuart Worsell, Ryan Weeks & Dale Chapman SUNDAY EVENING (6.30pm till late). Cacao, V for Ventura, Higgs & The Bosuns, Steffan James Band, Dead Ceremony, The Varlies, Cyrano, Noble Jacks MONDAY Local & Live Music Festival: (2pm till late) Heyzeus, Hannigan, Quirktronic, Dan Sumner, Rocinia, The Crew, Will B, Black Gabanza, Code: Marla and Spire Cranes, Ed Jones & The Diamond Cuts, Youth

The Good Ship Band MONDAY Singers Night MUSIC ON THE PANTILES BANDSTAND

8pm-10pm live music on The Bandstand, free to attend, donations welcomed

THURSDAY Protect The Beat SATURDAY Soul Train: Reuben Richards SUNDAY Soul Train: The Audacity

St John’s Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, website www.crosskeystw.co.uk

Grovesnor Road, DJ Crew Underground Originals MONDAY Castle Street Festival: Music from 3pm till 9pm Alice Rose, Peter Trott, Ryan Weeks, The Harveys, DJ Crew Underground Originals, Insane Society

WEDNESDAY Sonny’s Jazz: Steve Gable and Bernard Goldman FRIDAY Matt Bullard Blues Band MONDAY TWURPS – Ukulele Beginners Session

Prospect Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm onwards

THE CROSS KEYS

CASSIDY’S BAR

Castle Street, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm onwards

FRIDAY Castle Street Festival: Jem SATURDAY Castle Street Festival: Music from 2pm till close Matt Bridle, The Pulse, Parasol Caravan, The Cortiege, Tunbridge Wells Music School, Cockroach Squad, The Incredible Burt SUNDAY Castle Street Festival: Music from 3pm till close Choir, JEM, Riff Raff, DJ Crew Underground Originals, Kharma & The Devil,

THE ROYAL OAK

SATURDAY Lost Indecision MONDAY Local & Live Music Festival: 2.30pm onwards. Emily Izen Row, Nick Stephens, Eliza Lewis, Peter Taylor, Lindsey Field & Mick Rose, The Alley Devils, The Paul Dunton Orchestra, Mark Morriss, Harley & Woods, David Migden & The Twisted Roots THE BEDFORD PUB

2 High Street, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm

SATURDAY & SUNDAY Castle Street Festival: Go to www.thebedfordtw.co.uk for more information

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk

WEDNESDAY Zeffyr, Eleanor Jessie, Annie Chew, James McMaster FRIDAY Local & Live Festival: Leanie Kaleido, Frampton Sisters, Katy Virgoe, Kyla & Nat, Marie White SATURDAY Local & Live Festival: Duke Lloyd, Zoe Eve, Arcelia, Dave ‘Shep!’ Shepherd, Worry Dolls, Lee Willz SUNDAY Local & Live Festival: Alex Beharrell, Hannah Richards, Chris Pope, Kirsti Robinson, The Violet Jive, Poppy Raine, Charley Blue,

Whether you’re a history buff or just love being in the great outdoors then this festival, which is now in its 24th year, is a must-see. You can either camp for the duration over the Bank Holiday weekend or just visit for the day, but however long you wish to stay you’ll certainly see plenty of action thanks to the jousting, archery, medieval music and falconry displays happening. There’s also a fabulous medieval market to browse around, too. www.englandsmedievalfestival.com

Wednesday 24th August 2016

76 ■ ARTS & CULTURE

A laugh-out-loud production that will Spamalot, one of Monty Python’s most famous works and a surreal retelling of the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, is coming to Trinity Theatre this Friday. Eileen Leahy caught up with its co-director, John Martin, and discovered what it takes to put on a production of this size, and why it will have audiences of all ages looking on the brighter side of life once they’ve seen it ACT OF FAITH The Cast of Spamalot (including John Martin, far right)

Why did you decide to do Spamalot? It was a germ of an idea that came to me when I was working on Oliver! last Christmas. Why did it appeal to you so much? Purely for its sense of fun and anarchy – oh, and just for the fact it gives people a really great time! What do you find amusing about the Pythons’ humour in general? The absolute silliness of it all and the fact it also has a bit of a satirical edge. How long does it take to put a famous show like this one – which Eric Idle wrote – together? It takes a lot of planning and preparation. I started

Wednesday 24th August 2016

negotiating the rights with New York back in February this year. Then of course there are costumes, props and sets to work out and the casting of the musical’s main and ensemble roles. Is it a musical all ages can enjoy? Absolutely – there are lots of classic Monty Python moments throughout the show which will appeal to older children and upwards. And it has to be said, the lunacy and silliness of the Pythons is something which I feel people of all ages will find funny. What are the challenges involved in staging a show like this? For me, it’s simply the sheer size of it. There is a very large, complex set and the cast work their way through an impressive 116 costumes every performance. What’s more, there is the challenge of rehearsing some tricky dance numbers in just a slim two-week period. How many people are in the cast? We have eight principals and an ensemble, or chorus, of eight. This is divided between four boys and four girls. Spamalot is going to be the largest scale production of all my summer shows,

ARTS & CULTURE 

prove why it’s the Holy Grail of comedy and also features the biggest number of professional performers on stage at Trinity. Can you reveal your cast members? I’m thrilled that David Fawcett is going to be playing King Arthur for us. He is well known to audiences for his appearances in Beyond the Barricade as well as appearing in Les Misérables, where he played the lead role of Jean Valjean in both the Manchester and London productions. We also have actors who have appeared with us before. They include Laura Coard, who was in By Jeeves and Oliver!, and Alan Atkins, who also worked on the latter production and starred in the Oliviernominated The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Also, Jamie Lee Morgan, who has just finished a run at The New London Theatre in War Horse, will be playing the Historian and Prince Herbet – as well as other parts.

How do you go about recruiting your actors? Primarily we place notices of our auditions with Spotlight and Casting Call Pro – the industry websites – and contact some of the actors who’ve worked with us before. That way we have a great mix of some familiar faces for our audiences as well as making new connections and finding fresh talent. What advice would you give to any budding actors and directors out there? Just keep going and get involved! A number of our cast members have been to acting school and from there opportunities have opened up for them. It’s also important to have a ‘can do’ attitude, put yourself out there and find your Holy Grail!

What’s next for you at Trinity? I am working on a brand new children’s show based on The Tin Woodman of Oz, which will tell the story of how he came to be. I’m also currently in pre-production planning for our Christmas show, which this year is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Spamalot starts on Friday August 26 and runs until September 3. Tickets are priced from £15. For more details and to book please visit www.trinitytheatre.net

A CHORUS LINE The cast during rehearsals

A CROSS TO BEAR John Martin (left) & David Fawcett (right)

Wednesday 24th August 2016

78 ■ BOOKS TIMES REVIEWS

Why Did You Lie? by Yrsa Sigurdardottir Hardback, Hodder & Stoughton £16.99 (ebook £9.99) A journalist working on a historical child abuse story tries to hang himself. A woman returns from a house-swap holiday in Florida with her family to find their home in disarray and their guests seemingly missing. A technician sent out to do repairs on an old lighthouse on a

The Lauras by Sarah Taylor Hardback, William Heinemann £12.99 (ebook £8.99) The follow-up to Sarah Taylor’s debut novel The Shore, which was he Guardian’s First shortlisted for The listed for the Book Award and long-listed Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, is a coming-of-age novel in the form of a road trip. Alex has been listening to rows between her parents, until Ma takes Alex with

Wednesday 24th August 2016

Book some time off…

The Knives by Richard T Kelly

Time to unwind and relax, and what better way than with a great book. Here are a few suggestions for your summer reading…

Paperback, Faber & Faber £14.99 (ebook £6.99)

windswept rock out in the Atlantic finds himself trapped there by bad weather and high seas. On the face of it, these people have nothing in common, yet each of them has received menacing letters asking, “Why did you lie?” Yrsa Sigurdardottir skilfully weaves these disparate plots together to create an atmosphere so dark and tense it’s claustrophobic. It’s a masterpiece in tight plotting and suspense, and she keeps you guessing right until the end.

8/10

(Review by Catherine Small) her on a journey across the States. Ma’s own growing-up story is revealed. A wanderer, she ended up in foster homes and tells Alex about her first childhood best friend, Laura, and how ““You try to get the new Laura to fit into the hole that the old Laura left”. Alex has to try to fit in to all the new situations she finds herself in, while missing her dad. Meanwhile Ma is fiercely protective of Alex’s desire not to belong to either gender. A very readable novel.

8/10

(Review by Bridie Pritchard)

Backstabbing ministerial staff, threats to national security and journalists desperate for scandal are just some of the metaphorical blades lying in wait for Conservative Home Secretary David Blaylock. In his third novel, Crusaders author Kelly hits his symbolic protagonist – an ex-Army man from

They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel Hardback, Chronicle Books £10.99 (ebook £7.34) Children’s books have always pushed at the boundaries of little perceptions – and we seem to be in something of a golden age of imaginative publishing for kids, with this year’s This Is Not A Book (Jean Jullien and Meagan Bennett, Phaidon) and BJ Novak’s The Book With No

7/10

County Durham – with recognisable problems that compromise Blaylock’s honourable intentions to do the ‘right thing’. Anger management issues and an estranged family complete the potential traps that the MP must avoid in his fight to introduce unpopular identity cards. The psychological drama neatly captures national fears around immigration, terrorism and privacy. It’s also well-paced and filled with enough red herrings to keep you guessing almost to the end. But in the wake of the EU referendum, it regrettably feels a little out of date.

(Review by Natalie Bowen)

Pictures (Dial). They All Saw A Cat is visually in a league of its own, inviting the reader to see a cat from multiple different perspectives: The cute, fluffy pet of the boy; the big-eyed predator of the goldfish; the pixellated, Pollock-esque hunter of the bee; the furry mountainous ride of the flea, as the cat slinks along through the world. New York-based illustrator Brendan Wenzel is an ardent conservationist and it shows in his ability to get inside so many different creatures’ viewpoints. One for cat and animal-lovers everywhere.

8/10

(Review by Kate Whiting)

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