24 � LETTERS
And another thing… The Times of Tunbridge Wells and the Times of Tonbridge always want to hear your feedback, whether on reports we have printed or any other issues you think we should know about. Email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU carnival relied upon its authorisation to close the High Street to traffic by invoking powers in an Act of Parliament nearly 170 years old. As the notice attached to the lamp-post on the corner of Avebury Avenue stated, the closure was pursuant to powers under ‘The Towns Police Clauses Act of 1847’! We therefore have to be very careful not to sweep away our historic legislation too readily, which comes in very handy on such occasions. Philip Hurling Hadlow
Town hits the headlines four times – big yawn
I’m intrigued that Tunbridge Wells has been mentioned regularly in a popular national newspaper [the Mail] over the past few weeks. Firstly, it featured in an article entitled ‘Drug Lords of Middle England – drug dealers target town’. Secondly, ‘Rail workers are
being investigated for “wolfwhistling” at a PR executive, 34, as she waited on her own for a late night train’. Thirdly, Gyles Brandreth’s article on ‘Mind your Modern Manners’ mentioning ‘a huge man pushing a loaded supermarket trolley past an elderly lady in the doorway of Tesco, swearing at her for being
Travellers: Counting the cost
THE Council, and indirectly the area’s residents, are counting the cost of the latest illegal occupations by travellers of various sites in the area. In your article [June 15], Gypsy Council spokesman Joseph Jones was quoted as saying: ‘If someone has got nowhere to stop they are just going to look for a place that’s least likely to attract attention’. Really? The Lower Cricket Ground in Tunbridge Wells [where a group of them stayed recently] is one of the most visible sites in the area. It’s also just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, where black bin bags are readily available. If travellers did not damage property, moved on when asked politely to do so, and took their rubbish away with them, their visits might be viewed more sympathetically. Alison Howard Tunbridge Wells
Parking: Car park concessions
Residents living close to the centre of Tunbridge Wells are fed up with their streets being used as ‘car parks’! Many have some form of restricted parking, but others have to face vehicles being parked from 7 am until 6 pm, thereby denying a short-term parking opportunity to others. I realise that with more spectacular matters on the agenda – notably the Referendum – this may seem a minor aggravation, but smaller important issues should be easier to fix, n’est ce pas ? Could I suggest that ALL roads within a half mile of the town centre are provided with some
in his way. (Yes, in Tunbridge Wells). Lastly, ‘Tunbridge Wells is snubbed by Waitrose again!’ Never did I realise our town was that interesting, and I am just bracing myself while I await the next article to hit the headlines. (Yawn!) Judith Pryke Via email
form of restricted parking regime, and those persons who may well work in town and facilitate the services we all require, and who currently use our congested roads, are provided with concessions to park in our (often half empty) multi-storey car parks? Surely this is a small challenge for TWBC, and perhaps the employers of these valuable members of our community? Martin Dawes Via email
Council: Leader should get bus
Following recent figures published in Times of Tunbridge Wells showing how much Council Leader David Jukes claims from local taxpayers in driving expenses from Crowborough each year, I didn’t find it remotely funny to read this week [June 15] that he was fined for not having the correct parking permit in his Land Rover – not transferred over from his Jaguar. What exactly is wrong with the 729 bus that stops hourly near where he lives, and that he could use daily with a free bus pass for pensioners? Alan Bullion Tunbridge Wells
Carnival: Historic legislation
Many people have suggested that a lot of our old legislation should be repealed, e.g. local authority power to round up stray cattle in Tonbridge High Street and to impound them; the prohibition of householders beating their carpets in the High Street after 8am, and being able to exact a 40-shilling fine for drunk drivers in charge of steamrollers: All very amusing. However, the closure of Tonbridge High Street on Sunday June 19 in connection with the annual
Theatre: Constructive comments
May I make some constructive comments following the letter from Catriona Robb [June 15] regarding the Civic Centre and a Tunbridge Wells University Campus? Firstly, Catriona raises some important points regarding the relocation of our town’s theatre and the provision of additional car park spaces. Let us look at the additional spaces required in relation to the proposed developments in the town. Using Kent’s Vehicle Parking Standards, and not the more stringent Department of Environment’s requirements, the new RVP extension of 120,000 sq ft of retail and 22,000 sq ft of food and restaurant space will generate a further 600 car spaces. In addition to this, there are eight planned screens for the multiplex cinema.Accommodating say 150 people per screen would generate further parking for approximately another 240 cars. We assume that RVP will accommodate these additional car parking spaces, plus further goods vehicle numbers within its own footprint and additional floor plates? Relocating the theatre and the council offices to Mount Pleasant Avenue will obviously present a different aspect for parking in our town. A theatre accommodating 1,200 seats would require 240 car spaces, and TWBC have said that 300 car park spaces will be provided for the new £30m council offices, and replacing the spaces within the existing car park. When the old cinema site is eventually redeveloped it will have to accommodate cars and goods vehicle numbers relative to the land use classes on site. If you are already frustrated about driving into our town centre, just think what it’s going to be like in the future! Locating any university accommodation on the Civic Centre site is simply a way of getting over a property problem instead of realising the benefits of a proper campus within a Centre of Excellence in West Kent. With our excellent schools forming a Common Operating Platform, we could have a new symbiotic and coordinated pathway for education through A-levels, universities, degrees and the workplace instead of the present cellular structure. John Albiston Tunbridge Wells
We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words.
Wednesday 29th June 2016
Calverley TO THE opening night of the magnificent One Warwick Park Hotel. The good and the great gathered to mark the occasion, including Polly Taylor of Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre. She was much taken with the gold-coloured statue of a young Roman, and was heard to say: “I could take him home with me.” Where upon the ‘statue’ moved. She jumped back, screamed, and champagne went all over the place. It was a mime artist. HAPPILY Calverley managed to race back from Le Mans in time to attend the Warwick Park opening. He was at the 24-hour race to keep an eye on the Jota Sport Race team that hails from Frant. They came a memorable second in their category – well done chaps. Himself was intrigued at the name ‘Jota’ and enquired about its origin, to be told: “It stands for Jammy Old Tarts Association.” Not a lot of people know that. REGULARS at this particular watering hole were much impressed when the new chef sauntered out of his lair and plonked a plate of quiches on the bar, telling one and all: “Thought you might enjoy these.” As hands reached out to grab the goodies the chef added: “We were going to bin them but then thought of you lot.” Needs a bit of work on his marketing skills. GEOGRAPHY has never been Calverley’s strong point, but even Himself was taken aback by the following conversation overheard in a local restaurant. Woman One to bride-to-be: “So where are you going on your honeymoon?” Woman Two: “We have booked a week in Santorini.” Woman One, trying to impress: “Oh, that’s one of our favourite places – we just love Italy.” Santorini is in Greece. REFERENDUM over and repercussions setting in. Kind friends invite Himself to their annual garden party, which is normally such a fun day filled with much bonhomie. Not quite so at the weekend. At one end of the manicured lawn the Remainers gathered. At the other end were the Brexiteers. The only movement between the two was that of the waiters ferrying trays of champagne. At one end sorrows were drowned; at the other end glasses were raised in a toast. Come on guys, we’re all in the same boat. It might be a lifeboat, but we all need to pull together. Chin, chin readers