Times of Tunbridge Wells 31st August 2016

Local, National and International

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Rebel vicar leads call for action over gay-friendly C of E

r ur Yo EE pe a FRwsp

All the news that matters

Ne

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

INSIDE DAILY GRIND

Perk & Pearl closes shop in favour of online trading. Page 7

By Andrew Tong

Photo: Fiona Hanson

REV DR PETER SANLON ‘Upholding traditional Christian teaching’

A CONTROVERSIAL Tunbridge Wells vicar is hosting a meeting of disgruntled clergy this week. They will discuss ‘embryonic’ plans to break away from the modernisation process taking place in the Church of England.

Rev Dr Peter Sanlon of St Mark’s Church on Broadwater Down invited representatives of ten other parishes to discuss their reactions to issues such as blessings for same-sex marriages.

The 11 Parochial Church Councils, which include members from the dioceses of Rochester – of which Tunbridge Wells is a part – Canterbury

GREAT RESULTS

Town’s schools buck the trend with GCSE scores. Page 10

Continued on page 2

Hospital on road to recovery

CHARITY SHOPS

Community spending outweighs fears of rate relief. Pages 12-13

Chartered accountant heads team to pull NHS Trust out of the red

By Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE man charged with giving Tunbridge Wells Hospital a clean bill of health, Simon Worthington, took up his new role as Financial Improvement Director last week in order to oversee the trust’s debt reduction programme.

His appointment on August 22 comes after the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust was put into special financial measures in July when auditors discovered its deficit was forecast to rise to £23million in 2016-17.

Funding for Mr Worthington’s position will come directly from NHS Improvement (NHSI).

He will be working alongside the trust’s Chief Executive, Glenn Douglas, and other board members to come

up with a viable plan to balance the books over ‘the coming months’, with NHSI stating they expect improvement ‘within that time frame’.

A spokesman for the trust said Mr Worthington will be its primary day-to-day

‘He will oversee the trust’s financial recovery plan’ contact for special measures, adding: “He will oversee on behalf of NHSI the actions the trust is taking to develop their financial recovery plan and reduce its financial deficit.”

Mr Worthington has been

Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust since 2013, where he supported a similar financial turnaround.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is now rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission and is in financial surplus.

A chartered accountant by profession, Mr Worthington worked at South London Healthcare NHS Trust as Deputy Director of Finance prior to moving to Bolton.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust was one ßof five NHS organisations to be placed in financial Simon Worthington

Continued on page 2

OLYMPIC SPECIAL

Six members of the GB Rio team fly the flag at Calverley. Page 4

2 ■ LOCAL NEWS

Weather Wednesday Patchy mist or fog quickly clears.

Then cloud, with occasional light rain

August 31, 2016

Continued from page 1

º

21 C

Visibility: Very Good

Pollution: Low

Humidity: 65%

Sunrise: 06.09am

Sunset: 19.48pm

Wind: 10mph

Thursday

Friday

20ºC

18ºC

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

20ºC

19ºC

21ºC

‘My only problem is coping with the number of clergy wanting to join in’

22ºC

PARK LIFE A sunny Grove Park, sent in this week by ‘flukeshot’ via instagram

Send your weather pictures into... newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

CONTACTS

and Chichester, are deciding whether to join a new ‘Anglican synod of churches’ – five of them have already signed up. They are also formulating an alternative creed which will be called the ‘Jerusalem statement’.

The group sees itself as upholding traditional teaching and the authority of the Bible in the face of growing liberalism within the Church of England.

It is not seeking to create a schism within the Anglican movement, but rather to create a church within a church.

However, it is contemplating withholding collections taken at church services and redirecting them towards the breakaway group’s ‘missionary’ work.

Dr Sanlon recently reacted to the news that a church in the diocese of Chichester, St Luke’s Prestonville, was holding a ‘Pride tea party’ to coincide with the Pride festival in Brighton.

He Tweeted: “Diocese Chichester proud to promote gay pride events.

Wonder how much longer orthodox churches willing to pay?”

Dr Sanlon told the Daily Telegraph: “If senior leaders of the Church of England water down the teaching of the Church of England on key issues like homosexuality,

then this synod could easily evolve into a new Anglican jurisdiction in England.

“The Archbishop of Canterbury has signalled that he is aware of the possibility that a significant proportion of the church will not accept a change in the church’s teaching. This could be the beginning of that playing out.”

‘The group is not seeking to create a schism within the Anglican movement’ He added: “I am not leaving the Church of England, but in order to stay I need new partnerships and structures to discharge the mission of the Church of England.

“We have set these structures up in a very small embryonic form across three dioceses. My only problem now is coping with the number of clergy contacting me wanting to know how they can join in.

My overriding concern is to see the mission of ST MARK’S the Church Celebrating its of England 15oth anniversary effectively

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615

DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com

Continued from page 1

SALES GEMMA HAK ghak@markerstudy.com | 01892 779580

IF YOU HAVE A STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Contact details above

16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times of Tunbridge Wells we strive to deliver fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we don’t meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections.

If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU, or email newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Markerstudy Leisure is a trading name of One Media and Creative UK Limited registered in England and Wales under company number 5398960 with registered office at 45 Westerham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB.

PRINTED BY NEWBURY NEWS LTD Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2DW

QUOTE UNQUOTE ‘The biggest job we have is to teach a newly hired employee how to fail intelligently. We have to train him to experiment over and over and to keep on trying and failing until he learns what will work’ Charles Kettering

Wednesday 31st August 2016

discussion is part of the life and tradition of the Church of England, and there are many formal and informal networks and groups within which this takes place.

“These discussions often reflect the wide range of theological and spiritual perspectives within the Church of England. In relation to discussion around human sexuality, there is a continuing national process involving the General Synod as well as the College and House of Bishops.”

St Mark’s Church is celebrating its 150th anniversary this September. Dr Sanlon has been preaching there since 2013, and within 18 months he caused controversy by axing the church choir. Churchgoer Richard Heritage said at the time: “I, of course, am very sad to be leaving St Mark’s after nearly 38 years but many of us feel that we cannot continue to worship there after everything that’s gone on recently.”

And Neil Townsend commented: “There are many who attended the church for many years (or all their lives so far) who were effectively given the choice between: ‘Enjoy the changes’ or ‘Go away’.”

Improvement expected in matter of months with robust recovery plan

CHIEF REPORTER ADAM HIGNETT adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576051

FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews

discharged: The partnerships to do that are not possible between churches which promote ambiguity about teaching on sexuality.”

Last weekend the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Justin Welby, told the Greenbelt Christian festival that he was ‘constantly consumed with horror’ about the Church of England’s treatment of gay and lesbian people.

The General Synod met in July to discuss the issue of homosexuality and the church in order to seek a reconciliation between the two sides in the debate.

The Church of England has recently seen ‘services of blessing’ – which are effectively marriages in all but name – being performed in low-profile ceremonies across the country.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Rochester said: “Open and honest debate and

BUDGET DEFICIT Special financial measures are in place at hospital

special measures last month alongside Barts Health in London, Croydon Health Services, Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals and North Bristol.

Fears have been raised that the special measures could lead to a decline in patient care after it emerged that the trusts

will no longer be fined for missing the 62-day target for cancer treatment, the four-hour A&E target or the 18-week goal for routine operations.

To exit special measures, the trust must generally have, as a minimum, a robust recovery plan setting out the key changes needed to remedy the provider’s financial problems, approved by its board and by NHSI.

THE APPOINTMENT OF SIMON WORTHINGTON IS GOOD NEWS: BUT HE HAS A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB FOLLOWING the news that the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust was to be placed in financial special measures, it is comforting to see steps are being taken to remedy the situation with the announcement that Simon Worthington has been parachuted into oversee its recovery.

Based on his previous record of turning around a struggling NHS trust in Bolton and ensuring it now runs a budget surplus, the appointment of Mr Worthington is to be welcomed.

However, according to the Bolton News, the deficit dealt with by the chartered accountant was just in excess of £8million when he took on the task in 2013, a figure dwarfed by the £23million black hole he now faces.

The NHS as a whole is also coming under increasing strain and his room for manoeuvre

may be far more limited than before.

But for now we should give Mr Worthington the benefit of the doubt and hope that he can co-operate with the current board to come up with a viable plan to save our local hospital quickly.

Sometimes, however, what is reported can prove rather more controversial, such as Rev Dr Peter Sanlon’s view that the CoE could split if it continues to ‘water down’ teaching on issues such as homosexuality.

The conservative views of the St Mark’s Church reverend are not unique and he clearly ■ The number of people attending church has the support of many congregations. may be on a long-term decline in this country He is also a man who has a track record of but every now and then a story breaks which speaking his mind, which in itself is not a bad brings the church back under the spotlight. trait if handled with tact.

This is unsurprising, as Christianity – of any Whatever the merits or not of his views, this is denomination – is still woven into the fabric just one of several simultaneous debates going of British society. The Queen is Head of the on right now about what type of society we want Church of England, Bishops sit in the House of to have. Never before has the future direction Lords and many of the charities which do a of the country seemed to be in such flux. great deal of good were established on Christian principles.

Adam Hignett, Chief Reporter

LOCAL NEWS �

Scaled back Local & Live still rocks However, Mr Dunton said they were now getting back on an even footing and estimated Local & Live had raised almost £8,000 of the course of the bank holiday.

“Last year we couldn’t cover our costs and we owe several companies money, but this will go a long way to balancing the books. It was a great event and I am so pleased at how well attended it is. Public support was amazing.

“We had so many good bands playing this year it is hard to name a favourite.”

ON WITH THE SHOW The Orange Circus takes to the stage

Clothing store moves in to replace iconic shop…

THE centre of Tunbridge Wells is bracing itself for serious congestion as a major project looms next month to upgrade gas pipelines.

The work around the town’s main crossroads, to be carried out by gas network company SGN, will last for at least ten weeks.

It will begin on September 12 on Crescent Road – between the police station and the entrance to Mount Pleasant Avenue.

This stage of the development will last three weeks and will see the inside lane of the road heading into the crossroads closed off.

By Andrew Tong

‘Our engineers will be working to finish this work as quickly and safely as possible’ The second phase will then affect Mount Pleasant Avenue for a further three weeks, with the side road being completely shut.

The third and final stage will last for another four weeks, at the end of Mount Pleasant Avenue and into Mount Pleasant Road.

There will be temporary traffic lights set up in Mount Pleasant Road, which will be operated manually to keep up access to the Town Hall, Police Station and Assembly Hall theatre.

The £25,000 modernisation of the gas supply will see modern plastic piping replace the ageing metal structures.

SGN’s Construction Manager, Steve Colvin, said: “We’ve worked closely with the local authorities in planning this work and we will be doing everything we can to limit disruption during our essential project.

“Our engineers will be working to finish this work as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate that roadworks can be frustrating and we’re aware that this area of Tunbridge Wells is particularly busy.”

THE site of one of Tunbridge Wells’ oldest shops is set to become a clothing store.

Seasalt Cornwall is taking over the premises previously occupied by Payne & Son at No 37, High Street.

Payne & Son closed in March after the seventh generation of the family, Michael Payne, experienced a sharp decline in sales.

The town’s oldest jewellers had begun as Payne & Son (Silversmiths) in Kent in 1790 and opened a shop in the town 146 years ago.

The site is famous for its clock overhanging the façade, and was chosen to make the Tunbridge Wells Mayor’s chain.

Frant Road collision leaves five injured

Club Treasurer jailed

Warning as town centre faces tenweek road delays

newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

A CAR crash on Frant Road on the bank holiday Monday in left five people hurt following the collision between a green Citroen and a white Volkswagen Polo.

Seven ambulances attended the site between Forest Road and Bunny Lane shortly after 3pm.

A woman in her late 70s was taken to King’s College Hospital, London, after suffering a cut to her face, while a male driver, also in his late 70s, was taken to Tunbridge Wells hospital for neck pain.

The other vehicle three people were discharged at the scene and two were taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital with potential spinal injuries. A Kent Police spokesman said the injuries to the drivers were not deemed life threatening. The road reopened after 6.30pm.

Photo: Michael Houghton

THE organiser of Local & Live has praised the ‘fantastic support’ for the music festival from the public over the bank holiday.’

Paul Dunton believes money raised at the event, which saw 100 acts perform at four venues over four days, will ‘go a long way’ to clearing Local & Live’s debts.

This year, his organisation was forced to scale back – having previously featured stages in Calverley Grounds – due to losing money from festivals over previous years.

3

But it closed down after experiencing a 25 per cent drop in spend and footfall, largely blamed on a poor Christmas last winter.

Seasalt was launched 35 years ago, when its forebear General Clothing Stores was selling traditional work clothes for sailors, fishermen and farmers.

Based in Penzance, it is now one of the largest employers in Cornwall and supplies a full range of fashionable clothing.

The new branch, one of 37 across the country, is likely to open in October.

Neil Chadwick, one of the three brothers who founded Seasalt, said: “Tunbridge Wells is a brilliant location for us.

“It’s got great charisma and is well-known for offering a more ‘individual’ shopping experience for customers – something that’s always been a large part of our brand.”

NEW TENANT Seasalt Cornwall is moving in

A TERMINALLY ill pensioner who stole more than £58,000 while Treasurer of the Rusthall Working Men’s Club was jailed for three years at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday [August 26].

Roy Weston, 73, of Fremlin Close, received the sentence despite the judge hearing his days were numbered as a cancer sufferer who was receiving palliative care.

Weston had denied siphoning off cash from the club over nearly four years while he was Treasurer.

But a jury decided that he took funds from lottery machines at the club, fiddled the banking of cheques and raided the members’ Christmas fund.

Kent Help to Buy boost THE continued implementation of the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme suggests that confidence in the county’s housing market is still strong, according to developer Bellway’s Kent division.

Recent figures reveal that over 81,000 homes have been purchased with the support of the scheme since its inception in April 2013, while over 500,000 people have officially opened a Help to Buy ISA since it launched in December last year.

Managing Director Chris Moore said: “We only expect the popularity of Help to Buy to increase, and we look forward to continuing to help meet the demand for new homes in Kent.”

More rail disruption COMMUTERS heading to London face inconvenience today and tomorrow with the cancellation of all trains to Cannon Street due to construction work at London Bridge.

Passengers are advised to get off at London Bridge and walk for 15 minutes, take a train to Blackfriars and change to the Circle or District Line to Cannon Street.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

4  LOCAL NEWS

Search for a family link to lost Bible of soldier on the Somme

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS resident Ray Beaumont is trying to find the family of a First World War soldier who lost his Bible during the Battle of the Somme.

Mr Beaumont’s grandfather, Edward, brought the book back from the front after finding it while serving with the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1916.

It was handed down through the family and now, a century later, the 77-year-old retired engineer wants to reunite the tome with the descendants of Private Manners.

The Bible is inscribed with the words ‘Private A. S. Manners, No. 72279, 134th Field Ambulance, Haigh Hutment, Farnham, Surrey (1916)’.

Ray Beaumont

Haig Hutment was a basic training camp for the Royal Army Medical Corps.

The volume was published in 1914 by the British and Foreign Bible Society in Queen Victoria Street, London, and includes the injunction ‘Appointed to be read in churches’.

It was discovered by Edward Beaumont at Thiepval Wood, a crucial battleground during the prolonged conflict, on September 8, 1916.

Mr Ray Beaumont said: “We’ve managed to find out quite a lot about Alfred Sidney Manners, who was only 17 when he was sent to France in March 1916.

“He was serving with a Field Ambulance unit on the front line, presumably picking up the wounded and carrying them to safety.”

But Private Manners was sent home after being shot in the left arm.

‘He was serving with a Field Ambulance unit on the front line, presumably picking up the wounded and carrying them to safety’

INSIDE STORY The inscription at the front of the book

Mr Beaumont added: “We were lucky to find his service records, since most of the collection was destroyed by fire during the war.

“They show that he was small, just 5ft 4in tall, and that he came from Tooting (in south London). He had been a cinematographer before the war.”

Despite his investigations, Mr Beaumont has been unable to find any of his relatives. “It is almost

Paedophile sentenced THE victim of a convicted Tunbridge Wells paedophile, who abused her when she was five years old, has discovered that he had been arrested for assaulting her when she was even younger.

Derek Bridger, who has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, then put the woman through the ordeal of giving evidence in court for the historic sex offence before admitting his guilt after he was convicted.

‘Mystery’ surrounds death of woman in pub car park THE death of a woman outside the Robin Hood pub in Tunbridge Wells ‘remains a mystery’, according to the coroner’s report.

Marion Bond was apparently hit by a vehicle in the car park on February 18 and died of her injuries in King’s College Hospital on March 2.

An inquest, which was opened and adjourned in Gravesend, where Ms Bond’s family live, was closed on August 24 with an open verdict.

The Senior Coroner, Roger Hatch, ruled: “It remains something of a mystery, we do not know how she came to be on the floor of the car park.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

“A specialist post-mortem was constructed with the hope of something coming from it, but in reality it has not.

“Sadly, this has not led us any further forward as to why Marion Bond suffered the head injury that she did.”

CCTV footage was inconclusive because the car park was poorly lit.

There was no sign of an impact with the car involved in the incident.

Coroner Hatch said: “It could have been a simple trip or a stumble, but I cannot entirely exclude that she had been run over by another vehicle.”

Titanic exhibition hailed as an amazing success THE Titanic in Photographs exhibition in Tunbridge Wells attracted more than 232,000 visitors during its month-long run in Royal Victoria Place.

The collection of 100 pictures and artefacts brought a 32 per cent increase in footfall at the shopping centre on the final day of the exhibition, August 21.

The liner, which was the largest ship in the world when it was launched on April 15, 1912, sank after hitting a giant iceberg in the north Atlantic, with the loss of more than 1,500 passengers.

Marc Burchett, Marketing Manager of the Royal Victoria Place shopping mall, said the Titanic in Photographs exhibition, which was sponsored by the Times of Tunbridge Wells and Times of Tonbridge, proved to be ‘hugely popular’.

He added: “The feedback we have received from so many visitors has been amazing, with many commenting that they found it to be both fascinating and very emotive.”

Permit uptake slows exactly 100 years since my grandfather came across Manners’ Bible, and I would dearly love to return it to his descendants.”

The Battle of the Somme began on July 1, 2016 and raged for 141 days. It is estimated that more than a million men were killed or injured in one of the bloodiest conflicts in the history of warfare. Thiepval now houses a Memorial to the Missing which bears the names of 72,194 Allied soldiers.

PURE GOLD Top medal winners were among the Olympians on the bus

Following the trial, the 47 year old also confessed to abusing another child – though the latest admission will not add to the length of his prison term.

Bridger, of Sandhurst Close, will serve at least eight years of his sentence before he will be considered for release.

He will then be on licence for four years, and placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

NEWS IN BRIEF

RESIDENTS and businesses are struggling to buy parking permits and vehicle season tickets online, the council has admitted.

In the first quarter of the year, 56 per cent purchased their tickets online – falling short of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s target of 60 per cent.

A report from the Finance & Governance Cabinet Advisory Board said: “Customers have been experiencing difficulties with their online accounts and we believe this has contributed to the slow-down of online sales.

“We are currently looking at upgrading our version of our online software to overcome these issues.”

Medical centre move ST ANDREW’S Medical Centre in Southborough moved to interim premises on Monday [August 30] at Town and Country’s Pinewood Court.

The centre was forced to move into the former old people’s home, which is less than 100 metres from its base of 29 years, after it was unable to agree a new lease with its former landlords.

The stopgap will enable the practice to continue its services while permissions are sought for a new temporary surgery to be built at Yew Tree Road car park.

The clinic will then relocate to the new Southborough Hub once the project is completed.

Champions visit town SIX Olympic heroes visited Tunbridge Wells last Wednesday [August 24] to rapturous applause as they posed for the crowd of well-wishers who gathered in Calverley Grounds to greet them.

Standing atop a London double decker bus, the Olympians, all of whom live in either Kent or Sussex, waved at the families and inspired youngsters as they went live on BBC South East Today news.

The stars included members of Team

GB’s women’s Gold medal-winning hockey team, Susannah Townsend, Sophie Bray and Laura Unsworth; Tom Ransley, who won gold in the rowing men’s eight; Steve Scott, the winner of a bronze in shooting double trap, and Tom Mitchell, who won silver in the rugby sevens.

The visit came shortly after their return from the Games in Rio, Brazil, where Great Britain won 76 medals, including 27 gold – its highest ever medal score at an away Olympics.

Site set for nursery A NEW nursery school could be established on vacant premises at 107 St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells.

If planning permission is granted, the establishment would set up on the site of former bakery Lillie’s Cakery.

Hundreds speeding SPEEDWATCH volunteers observed 255 motorists breaching the speed limit during two monitoring sessions.

Details were passed on to the police after the sessions in Hawkhurst and Tunbridge Wells which took place on August 9 and 11.

BMW 320d SPORT SALOON.1

£319 ~inth + £319 8

initial rental.

BMW 420d M SPORT COUPE. 2

£389 ~inth + £2,QQQ 8

initial rental.

Available on 48 month personal contract hire agreements.

An exclusive offer for all Times readers; if you purchase a New BMW from Cooper Tunbridge Wells, you will receive a meal for two at One Warwick Park Hotel.*

Cooper Tunbridge Wells Longfield Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3UE 01892 628 120 www.coopertunbridgewellsbmw.co.uk

CALL COOPER TUNBRIDGE WELLS ON 01892 628 120 TO BOOK YOUR TEST DRIVE" TODAY.

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW range: Urban 33.6-72.4 mpg (8.4-3.9 1/100km). Extra Urban 55.4-91.1 mpg (5.1-3.1 1/100km). Combined 44.8-83.1 mpg (6.3-3.4 1/100km). CO, emissions 14 7-89 g/km.

Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

The Cooper Group is a credit broker. *Cooper Tunbridge Wells w ill cover up to £45, the cost of two three course meals from the L'amore lunch and dinner set menu. No cash alternative w ill be given. Terms and conditions apply. Prices shown are for 48 month Personal Contract Hire agreements for 1a BMW 320d Sport Saloon, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 7.12p per mile; 2 a BMW 420d M Sport Coupe, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 7.85p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 July 2016 and 30 September 2016 and registered by 31 December 2016 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. At the end of your agreement you must return the veh icle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Hire available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampsh ire GU14 OFB. Inchcape Retail Limited, trading as The Cooper Group, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including BMW Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. A Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

6  LOCAL NEWS

Hub project moves into next phase as permission sought These buildings would be replaced by a 350-capacity theatre, rooms for community use, offices for Southborough Town Council, a sports pavilion, a library with café and a new two-storey medical centre.

GROUND BREAKING Making the site safe

Preparation begins on old cinema site THE public could see the first rough blueprints on what the future development of the old cinema site may look like by autumn, a leading director of the company which owns the property has said.

Stephen Tillman made the remarks after workmen were seen operating a JCB on part of the site formerly occupied by retail units.

He confirmed Altitude UK, which bought the land from the Carlyle Group in April, were ‘making the site safe’ by clearing rubble and repairing some of the hoardings, adding: “In terms of design we are making progress and hope to be able to table some ideas at the next community event, probably in early October.”

Mr Tillman has often reiterated his firm’s intention to consult the public during the development process, a commitment Altitude has so far honoured by hosting a public event on future plans at Trinity Theatre last month.

It is widely expected that any new development will be a mixed-use scheme, which could include restaurants, retail offices and flats as part of the plans.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

‘It has taken a long time to get this planning application so this is fantastic news’

FUTURE VISION Southborough Hub

Stephen Eighteen newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE long-awaited regeneration of Southborough has moved a step closer after a planning application was submitted to build a community hub.

Following months of preparation, Kent County Council and the town council have lodged a joint proposal for a new development containing a theatre, library, café, retail units, medical centre, sports pavilion and offices.

The Southborough Hub scheme, comprising 4,055 square metres of floorspace, would be funded by the building and selling off 69 flats near London Road. The car park in Yew Tree

Road would also be extended.

The development would require the demolition of Royal Victoria Hall, which was opened in 1900 to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria and is considered the nation’s first civic theatre.

A supporting statement says the building’s heritage value has been compromised by unsympathetic extensions in the 1970s. It was closed by the town council in January 2015 due to dilapidation and associated capital costs. In a consultation exercise last winter, 58 per cent of respondents agreed to its removal.

The proposal also involves the demolition of the former Ridgeway School buildings (currently used by the local football club), along with the medical centre and public toilet.

The existing library in Yew Tree Road is earmarked for housing in the borough council’s local plan.

A supporting statement said of the medical centre: “Their current facilities were built to serve just over 2,000 patients but are currently serving over 8,200 and the facility is no longer fit for purpose.”

The retail units would be sited immediately south and south east of the community hub to form a public square. The housing would be five storeys at its highest point.

David Elliott, the Mayor of Southborough, said: “The majority of people who I speak to say it will be fantastic for Southborough. The football club will have brand new facilities and at the moment the doctors’ surgery and library are spread out, but now they will all be in one spot.

“It has taken a long time to get this planning application so this is fantastic news.”

Comments can be made on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s website.

Should planning permission be gained, it is hoped that the hub will be fully open by 2019.

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS 

Confidence collapses throughout the region BUSINESS leaders throughout the south east recorded the lowest level of optimism since 2012 in the third quarter, new figures reveal.

The Business Confidence Monitor, undertaken by the chartered accountancy organisation ICAEW, found confidence in the region now stands at -11.4 compared to +26.4 a year ago.

On this measure, a score of +100 would indicate all survey respondents were ‘much more confident’ about future prospects, while -100 would mean all respondents felt ‘much less confident’.

Andrea Dunhill, ICAEW Regional Director for the South East, noted the decline had set in long before the referendum vote.

She said: “This is the first negative reading in four years. However, the sustained nature of the decline in confidence indicates that businesses have been concerned about economic conditions for some time, and this is not just a Brexit-related shock.

“Businesses in the south east are resilient and after the political surprise of the referendum result, many are getting on with delivering their business plans and moving forward.

“It is vital that leading businesses continue to work with the Government and promote the region, highlighting the many benefits of doing business in the south east.”

New Perrys partner TUNBRIDGE Wells-based accountancy firm Perrys promoted 26-year-old tax specialist Craig Harman to partner last week, making him the second youngest employee to reach the position – missing the record by just four days. Mr Harman deals with a range of clients and advises on all areas of the UK tax system.

7

The end of the beginning

Perk & Pearl to close as it outgrows traditional retail Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THERE will be another hole in the high street next month after Joe Lloyd, the proprietor of coffee specialists Perk & Pearl, announced his intention to shut up shop after three years on Grove Hill Road.

However, unlike many high street retailers who are battling to stay afloat amidst fierce online competition and soaring rents, the small coffee

shop opposite Hoopers could be considered a victim of its own success.

Despite being hit hard by the collapse of Turners Fine Foods last month, which they supplied, Mr Lloyd is taking advantage of his expiring lease to reinforce his online presence and expand his range through other retailers.

“The business has really turned into a wholesale one over the years. It was always my intention to build a brand and the shop was, in a way, a lateral way of going about it.

MOVING ON Perk & Pearl becomes wholesale

“Most people build the brand before they go into retail, not the other way round, but now these four walls are too constraining.”

Having established a reputation for high quality and specialist coffee through the shop, it was not long before other retailers and cafés, such as Javabean Café, Chegworth Farm Shop and Rustic Café, were stocking Perk & Pearl’s products.

Mr Lloyd is also the official supplier of Dame Kelly Holmes’ coffee range, and even the Italian coffee machine company Gaggia.

This made having a shop of his own increasingly redundant, time consuming, and even detrimental to further growth, Mr Lloyd explained, due to a fear of ‘cannibalising’ his own business.

He added: “I could put someone in the shop and let it tick over, but I would still have to manage it and I feel that by being here I have helped to create the brand and would worry it would no longer be the same.”

But there are personal downsides for Mr Lloyd, who said he would miss featuring local artists in the store’s ‘tiny’ gallery and hosting pop-up restaurants, when the shop finally closes on September 24.

Although the closure of a shop is an unusual sign of success, Mr Lloyd is less optimistic about the general health of the high street, saying he’d seen a ‘notable’ decline in footfall over the years.

“The face of the high street is changing. While cafés are becoming very popular for traditional retailers it is a struggle as they battle high rents, expensive parking and online shopping.”

Wednesday 31st August 2016

8  LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Going flat out for success Tony Higson got fit by running to work but was fed up with ironing his suit that he carried in his backpack. Now he has invented a product for cyclists, bikers and air passengers – and it is about to take off in America. Stephen Eighteen spoke to him THE exhausting process of losing weight – and keeping it lost – helped inspire Tony Higson to invent a product that may well change the business world.

Mr Higson, Assistant Manager at Topps Tiles in Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, is on the verge of clinching a deal that would see his Freefold removable suit-carrier sold in major chain stores throughout the United States – potentially opening the door to untold riches as a bona fide international success story.

‘I have been approached by the military of some countries, so this has army application possibilities, too’ The 38-year-old entrepreneur’s long and tiring journey began in October 1999, when an inspirational talk at his then workplace, Dreams in Horsham, persuaded him to run his first marathon.

Measuring 6ft 2in and weighing 20 stone, this was no mean feat – but Mr Higson demonstrated the relentless work ethic that would eventually propel him to a shot at the big time.

Within six months he had completed the London Marathon of 2000, transforming himself physically and losing six stone in the process.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

“Running the London Marathon was life-changing – when I crossed the line I realised I could do anything,” he said.

One of those ‘anythings’ stemmed from the many hours of pounding the streets to and from jobs – including as a retail branch manager – as part of his training regime.

“Every day I used to iron my suit before I went to work and carried it in my backpack.

But by the time I got to work I used to have to iron it again,” he said.

“I thought to myself, ‘there must be a way that I can run to work without having to iron my suit again when I get there’.”

Mr Higson, who lives near Penshurst, admits that he is not welleducated and reading is not one of his strengths. “But I am highly creative and good with people, with a commercial awareness bought on by all my years in retail sales.”

It was his recognition of a gap in the market for a removable suit carrier to SUITS YOU Tony Higson with his Freehold invention

go inside a backpack, or airline hand luggage, that motivated him for many hard years while holding down full-time jobs.

In 2010 he found a modicum of fame on the online version of Dragons’ Den, a spin-off from the BBC’s entrepreneurs’ show, on which he convinced business people Julie Meyer and Shaf Rasul to each invest £20,000 for a 30 per cent stake in his company, which at the time was selling backpacks containing a luggage piece that could keep suits creasefree. But the deal floundered and ‘not much happened, and after 12 months Julie said she wanted to prioritise her own business,’ he revealed.

“But I don’t mind. At the end of the day it was a PR

PROUD DAD Tony with daughter Hannah and son Callun

stunt and I got another investor from it, which is all that matters.” He will not reveal the identity of his investor, stating only that he works in the financial industry.

Mr Higson said that the design presented to the Dragons had a key flaw. “I sold it as a backpack but people needed something removable.”

He came up with Freefold, containing ethylene vinyl acetate foam – used in swimming floats – which is placed on the inside of the shirt and jacket. Acting as an elaborate coathanger,

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS 

9

WHERE IS THE FUNDING? TONY HIGSON has questioned the British Government’s support for entrepreneurs after being frustrated in his efforts to secure funding for his Freehold venture.

Mr Higson said he has been unable to get a bank loan and grants are almost non-existent.

Instead, he has had to raise finance by doing up run-down properties and selling them on at a profit.

He has only been able to pursue his business dream thanks to the money that he has made from two houses in Crawley and a flat in Horsham, undertaking to do the renovations himself.

What most frustrates him is that he is prepared to create much-needed manufacturing jobs in the UK, but finds himself unable to raise the capital required for his own facilities. Instead, he has to import the products from China.

“I am surprised by how difficult it is to get any sort of finance for a company that could increase exports, manufacturing and employment in the UK,” he said. “I wrote a letter to Boris Johnson, but he didn’t even answer it himself.

“Every bank says I am a start-up and too much of a risk, but you would think that someone who has used their own money and is doing business with a major retailer would get some help.”

If he could manufacture in the UK, Mr Higson said he could produce a suit-carrier that would be ‘carbon neutral and under 150g, made of EPP [expanded polypropylene] foam’.

“This would make it lighter than a mobile phone and the lightest garment-packing system in the world.”

STAR OF THE SHOW Tony Higson won the Innovator Award at a 2013 business show Freefold allows suits to be folded without becoming creased.

“Instead of having a suit carrier that is 3kg, Freefold weighs 560g. Freefold is usable and removable from a businessman’s airline carry-on luggage,” he said.

“This is ten times cheaper, five times smaller and five times lighter than premium airline garment luggage currently available. The business market for those using airports is large.”

As well as plane passengers, Freefold – which is manufactured in China – can be used by runners, walkers, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Since late 2013, Mr Higson has sold more than 3,000 Freefold products, all of them waterproof, to

customers across the world from his online shop – all without advertising.

“I work 20 hours a day, seven days a week; I have to work on it in the evenings, though in some respects this helps because lots of people abroad I need to talk to are awake at that time.”

His efforts won him a prize at the International Design Awards 2014, which may only be the beginning because from next month a leading American retailer is trialling 500 Freefold units in its stores for six weeks.

Should this prove a success, the chain would sell Freefold in all of its 300 branches, where there would be – Mr Higson believes – about 150,000 units stocked per year.

‘I am highly creative and good with people, with a commercial awareness brought on by all my years in retail sales’ Freefold would then be known in many households and Tony would have the money to reinvest and develop the brand further.

“The trial has all been agreed and prepared for, so it’s going ahead. I have been approached by the military of some countries for their soldiers’ uniforms to place on the product, so this has army application possibilities, too.”

Mr Higson has two children, Callun, 13, and Hannah, four. “I am an inspiration to my son,” he said proudly. “He is already talking about wanting to go into business.”

Callun may have a tailor-made opportunity to follow suit in a thriving family firm.

For more information go to www.free-fold.com

Wednesday 31st August 2016

10 ■ LOCAL NEWS

Schools’ GCSE grades soar

Many schools in Tunbridge Wells bucked the national trend and reported improvements in their GCSE results

By Stephen Eighteen newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ACROSS the nation there was the biggest ever year-on-year decline in GCSE exam passes, with those receiving A* to Cs dropping from 69 per cent to 66 per cent.

But schools in Tunbridge Wells told a different story, with the likes of Kent College getting its highest number of A* grades.

Here, the top grade was achieved in 27 per cent of exams, a seven per cent rise from last year.

Fifty-seven per cent of the grades were an A* or A, with some girls achieving the top results in all of their 11 subjects. Additionally, every girl studying Latin achieved an A* or A. Abigail Evans, who joined Kent College when she was three years old, scored 11 A*s and one A. Beth Peachey followed up a second place in the GCSE Young Fashion Designer of the Year competition with eight A*s and three As. Champion swimmer Annabel Guye-Johnson scooped five A*s, five As and one B. While aspiring vet Marie Srotyr, 16, scooped seven A*s, three As and one B. At Skinners’ Kent Academy there was a three-fold rise in students getting three or more A* and As, with 71 per cent achieving an A*-C in mathematics and 66 per cent in English.

Aaron Lennon, Headmaster of Beechwood Sacred Heart, said students ‘achieved significantly higher numbers of A and A* grades’, with a tally of 38.4 per cent.

At St Gregory’s Catholic School, scores were more than a third of a grade higher than

predicted in all of their subjects. Top performers BENNETT MEMORIAL included Scarlet McCarthy, nine A*s and two Plenty to jump for joy about As; Natalia Chlebowska, two A*s and eight As; Clarissa Mondeh, two A*s, eight As and one B; and Gaia Neiman, one A*, seven As and three Bs. Jamie Bingham was a top performer at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, achieving a perfect set of 11 A*s. Overall, 98 per cent of the boys achieved five or more A*-Cs, including English and mathematics.

All 139 girls who sat their GCSEs at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School scored five A*-C grades. The rate of A*-A grades was 78.8 per cent – up on last year – with 41.6 per cent of these A*s.

Team GB sailor Molly Sacker, 16, achieved five A*s, four As and one B, despite doing much of her studying abroad while representing the country in under-18s dinghy sailing, in which she sails alone.

She hopes to appear in the Olympics in the future.

At Benenden School,, 81 per cent of all grades were at A* more A* to Cs. More than 50 or A – up from 78 per cent last students achieved five or more year. A*-B grades were also up A to A*s. to 96 per cent from 94 per cent.

Eight out of ten secured A* Eighteen girls gained at least nine to C grades in both English and A*s, including Stephanie Jat’s mathematics. Overall, more than half incredible haul of 13 A*s. Another of the grades awarded to the large student achieved 12 A*s and four cohort of 227 students were A*s, As others 11 A*s. Overall, 50 per cent and Bs, with a quarter of all entries awarded A* or A grades. were graded Pupils at Bethany School in at A*.

HIGH ACHIEVER Goudhurst made excellent progress, Bennett Memorial had a rate of Scarlet McCarthy according to Francie Healey, the 85 per cent of its students with five or ST GREGORY’S Grades higher than predicted

THE SKINNERS SCHOOL 65 per cent of grades were A* or A

Wednesday 31st August 2016

Headmaster, who said: “Our pupils have achieved excellent outcomes which, as ever, are considerably above the national average.”

More than half of the grades achieved by Year 11s at Cranbrook School were As and above.And the proportion of grades at A* to C remained consistent with previous years, at just less than 98 per cent.

Students at The Skinners’ School celebrated excellent results with 97.8 per cent of the 118 pupils being graded A*-C. Overall, 28.8 per cent of grades were A* and 65.1 per cent were A* or A.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS Here 98 per cent achieved five or more A*-Cs

COMMUNITY NEWS 

Ultra-marathon runner set to tackle Scotland’s top peaks

By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

LOCAL resident Chris Protheroe is to undertake a 100-mile ‘ultra-marathon’ over the two highest mountains in Scotland to raise money for the mental health charity Mind.

On October 30-31, the Tunbridge Wells personal trainer will celebrate his 34th birthday while running up Ben Nevis (4,412ft) and Ben Macdui (4,294ft).

Chris, from High Brooms, is dedicating the endurance challenge to those who suffer from depression, a condition

from which his mother Terry has suffered severely.

He aims to complete the run solo in less than 24 hours; and 13 of those hours will be spent running in total darkness – since there will be a new moon that night.

“Despite the pain I put myself through, I enter this challenge willingly,” Chris said. “No amount of pain could compare to the suffering of depression.

“Many are fighting this disease like my mum did for many years, without BIRTHDAY adequate help or support, CHALLENGE and often in silence because Chris Protheroe of the stigma that our

society still has about depression. We still have a long way to go.”

Chris will warm up for the attempt by taking part in the Cumbria Way Ultra next month – a 73-mile run along the entire length of the Lake District.

The fitness fanatic has run more than 1,500 miles over the last six months.

Two weekends ago he completed back-toback five-hour runs up Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, the highest mountain in South Wales (2,907ft), which has a 33 per cent incline on approaching the summit. It is a training area for special forces personnel.

If you would like to make a donation, please visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/chrisprotheroe For more information about Mind, visit www.mind.org.uk

Bewl rocks to the beat of 19th Dragon Boat Festival HUNDREDS of rowers will be putting their oars in for charity at the 19th annual Dragon Boat Festival on Bewl Water on Saturday September 10.

The colourful event sees each crew nominate the charity they are supporting, with all the proceeds from their team’s efforts going to that cause.

Last year, more than 1,000 people competed, with 57 teams raising in excess of £100,000 for 48 worthy causes. A total of more than £2.5million has been raised for more than 350 charities since the event was launched in 1998.

Crews of 16 paddlers and a drummer race in Chinese-style dragon boats over a 250-metre course. Teamwork and enthusiasm are as important as fitness in order to be a winning crew.

With 55 teams competing this year, racing starts at 9am, building to a ten-boat final – the biggest in the UK. “The Dragon Boat Festival is not just about the crews taking part,” said Charlie Guy, Operations Manager at Bewl Water. “It’s a real family day out, with lots to see and do on shore, and with a race scheduled to start every six minutes there’s going to be plenty of entertainment.”

Teams can still enter, with organisers recommending that a squad of 20 is assembled and a minimum of £2,000 is raised for the crew’s chosen charity.

All boats, buoyancy aids and safety equipment are provided on the day, with registration opening at 8am. Car parking for participants and spectators

is available on site at £2 for the whole day.

“There are bound to be thrills and spills out on the water in what promises to be the most successful festival yet,” said Charlie Guy.

The event, near Lamberhurst, is sponsored by local businesses including The Bespoke Care Company, Tate Fencing, Coppards and the Times of Tunbridge Wells and Times of Tonbridge.

OARSOME! The Dragon Boat racers power on

11

NEWS IN BRIEF

A fair way to raise money through golf TUNBRIDGE WELLS-based charity Tree of Hope is organising a fundraising Golf Day next month to support children with complex needs that are not fully met through the NHS. The event at Poult Wood Golf Club in Higham Lane, Tonbridge includes nine holes on a par-three course (playing Texas Scramble pairs) and an 18-hole round (Stableford pairs with a twist).

Participants will tee off on Thursday September 29.

A full English breakfast will be provided between the two rounds, followed by a light buffet afterwards with prize-giving at the end of the day.

A silent auction and star raffle will add to the fun.

Costs are £200 per team (£50 per person).

For more information or to enter, contact Emma on 01892 535525 ext4.

New home for society AFTER many years meeting at Nutley Village Hall, the Ashdown Forest Decorative and Fine Arts Society will move their 201617 lecture programme to Crowborough Community Centre.

The society works to advance decorative and fine arts education and appreciation, while promoting the conservation of our artistic heritage.

It will host monthly lectures by experts in their field of interest, and this season they will cover topics such as the art at the Lansdowne Club, the cover designs of Faber & Faber and the work of designer Thomas Heatherwick of Olympic cauldron fame.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our society to join the vibrant arts community in Crowborough, and to meet new members who may not have been able to reach us in our previous home,” said Joint Chair Mrs Julia Stitt.

The society is a member of The National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS).

The first meeting in Crowborough will be held on Thursday October 13 at 2pm, when Martin Lloyd will talk about Secret Art in the Passport: How we use it to fox the forger.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

12 � COMMUNITY NEWS

Charity shops help economy as well as the people in need Boost to spending in the community outweighs small business concerns about rate relief Neill Barston newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE rise of the high street charity shop is one of retail’s most remarkable success stories.

Today there are 20 stores operating in ­Tunbridge Wells, attracting thousands of shoppers each week.

Their popularity has been fuelled by a combination of an economic downturn that has seen shoppers become more savvy about bargain hunting, and charities regarding them as a valuable fundraising asset.

Many organisations have suffered funding shortfalls as a result of receiving smaller national grants, and the trend is set to continue as the Government tightens its purse strings still further over the next few years.

Across the UK, charity shops are enjoying an upturn in fortunes and raised a total of £300million during the past year.

The number of these outlets in Tunbridge Wells may represent a modest figure of just four per cent of the total shopping units, yet it has attracted national chains – including

Wednesday 31st August 2016

The British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, Barnardo’s and Oxfam.

With the availability of prime retail space being at a premium, competition is strong when units do come on the market.

Among the key reasons cited for the rise in charity stores is the 80 per cent business rate relief they are eligible to receive – which has vexed some smaller businesses vying for their own piece of the retail market.

Tunbridge Wells businessman Matthew Sankey has in the past raised concerns about the spread of charity shops, having been outbid several times by national charities when potential sites came up in the town centre.

In the opinion of the restaurateur, finding suitable premises is ‘loaded against small firms’ as the business rate relief given to charities makes them a more secure tenant.

His views are not shared by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Cllr Jane March, Cabinet member with responsibility for Economic Development, believes charities make a positive contribution to the retail landscape.

She said: “Charity shops bring something positive to the high street, they bring footfall,

STORE WARS Competition is strong, attracting national as well as local concerns

COMMUNITY NEWS 

they act as informal advice centres for people needing help, and they also provide work placement opportunities.”

According to the Charity Retail Association, for every £1 given to charities in business rate relief, around £4.46 is generated for spending on the community. It has argued that UK retail vacancy rates of around 14 per cent mean there are sufficient properties available to go round.

Matt Kelcher, the association’s Head of Public Affairs and Research, said: “Charity shops raise around £300million for good causes every year.

“This has a direct, beneficial impact on communities across the country because charities use the funds to alleviate poverty, run local

‘Not only does retail allow us to raise our profile within the community, but it also helps us to diversify our income’ Sarah Stookes, Pepenbury Chief Executive

hospices or fund pioneering medical research into diseases like cancer.

He added: “These shops also help to reduce vacancy rates and therefore keep the high street populated and busy, even during the severe economic downturn. This has a clear advantage to local economies.”

Carolyn Perolls, Executive Director of Hospices of Hope, said they have 15 shops across the region, including branches in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells which employ four staff alongside their volunteers.

“Charity shops are a major feature of the high street and help maintain trade in local towns,” she said. “Many of our team develop their skills while volunteering for us, and this gives them the confidence they need to further their careers.”

Though many charities have continued to expand in town centres, some smaller organisations have encountered challenges against a wider backdrop of economic uncertainty.

The Bridge Trust, a homeless charity, has two shops in Tunbridge Wells, yet has come under considerable pressure to sustain its operations.

Director John Handley said financial constraints on the organisation had forced it to sell one of the properties used by its clients across West Kent.

With annual running costs up to £500,000, its most recent annual report showed it made £172,000 from its stores in Tunbridge Wells and a furniture warehouse in Paddock Wood.

While its store sales helped out, the charity’s overall results showed it had struggled to break even with its operations.

Mr Handley, who is based at The Bridge Trust’s offices in Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge, said: “We have found with our charity shops that we are just not getting the level of stock donated to us which is needed to generate sales, so everything is welcome – and we would always encourage more people volunteering.”

Another charity, Pepenbury, employs 250 staff

13

RETAIL THERAPY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS CHARITY SHOPS 

Age UK



Barnardo’s (two branches)

 

‘We have found with our charity shops that we are just not getting the level of stock donated to us which is needed to generate sales, so everything is welcome’ John Handley, Director of The Bridge Trust who support more than 200 adults with learning disabilities. Its retail outlet is particularly valuable for the fulfilment of its ambitions.

Chief Executive Sarah Stookes explained that because Pepenbury operates on small margins, it was imperative that the charity continued to explore innovative means of fundraising.

She said: “We are fairly new to retail but it is an area of focus we are developing. Not only does it allow us to raise our profile within the community, but it also helps us to diversify our income.

“Through our charity shops we provide City & Guilds training opportunities in retail. Only seven per cent of adults with learning disabilities are in paid employment, and our shops are also a way of teaching vocational skills while supporting and enhancing employment opportunities.”

Nick Farthing, Commercial Director of Hospice in the Weald, shared the sentiment about how a



Hospice in the Weald (two branches)

The Bridge Trust



Imago

British Heart Foundation



MIND



Minds Matter

 Cancer Research

 Oxfam



Dogs Trust



Pepenbury



ellenor Lions



Salvation Army



Heart of Kent Hospice



Sue Ryder Care





Hospices of Hope

YMCA furniture warehouse

retail arm has made a difference to the charity.

He explained that the organisation presently employs more than 200 people who help around 1,600 patients a year, which he felt made a strong contribution to the area’s economy.

Mr Farthing said: “We enjoy fantastic support from the community in all of our 27 charity shops, as people really are very generous. As a retailer who used to work for a large high street chain, I have to say that I would always prefer to see shop units occupied and busy.

“Empty shop units are not good for the high street and have an enormously negative impact on local economies,” he added.

“It costs us £7million each year to provide hospice care in West Kent and East Sussex, and our charity shops are a big part of helping us achieve that. We make more from our shops than we receive in Government funding.”

Wednesday 31st August 2016

14  NATIONAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Jail for driver who fell asleep with loaded gun A FATHER-of-two who fell asleep in traffic with a loaded 9mm pistol in his lap after he had been drinking has been jailed for five and a half years.

Nathan Gardier of Walthamstow, London was more than one and a half times over the legal limit when he nodded off at a set of traffic lights in east London.

The 24-year-old claimed, his barrister said, to have found the weapon in a field. But that explanation was ‘utterly implausible’, Recorder Sally Hales QC said during the trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Gardier, who pleaded guilty to having a firearm and ammunition in a public place, and being in charge of a motor vehicle while above the legal alcohol limit, was also disqualified from driving for a year.

Apple fights tax ruling TECH giant Apple has vowed to overturn a record ¤13billion (£11.1billion) bill after European chiefs found it had a ‘sweetheart’ tax deal in Ireland.

In a landmark ruling following a three-year investigation, Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the maker of iPads and iPhones paid one per cent tax on its European profits in 2003 and just 0.005 per cent in 2014.

The Brussels watchdog found the arrangements were illegal under state aid rules.

Precious golden oldies SCIENTISTS have discovered a simple way to extract gold from old mobile phones.

The research team believes the new technique could help safely salvage hundreds of tonnes of the precious metal from electronic scrap.

Armed police arrest pensioner after village siege A PENSIONER who sparked a 40-hour siege has been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and possession of a firearm.

Police were called to a house in West Sussex at 4.10pm on Sunday following reports that the 72-yearold man had a gun and was using threatening behaviour.

Armed police surrounded the property in Harbour Road, Pagham, after he allegedly refused to leave the property.

At 8.42am on Tuesday he left the home and was arrested shortly afterwards on suspicion of threats to kill and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, according to Sussex Police.

COMPLEX NEGOTIATION Police at the scene

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Steve Whitton thanked residents for their patience after officers had cordoned off the property and closed

the road in the quiet seafront village.

He added: “This was a long, complex and challenging negotiation but I am delighted to say that it has

Firefighters support baking queen in deep fat fryer row THE London Fire Brigade has weighed into the spat between Mary Berry and Gregg Wallace over deep-fat fryers, saying that the baking queen was right to say that no home should have one.

Great British Bake Off star Berry, aged 81, provoked controversy when she told a magazine that she didn’t think any household should have a deep-fat fryer.

MasterChef judge Wallace responded by saying that Berry’s opposition to the deep-fat fryer is ‘an attack on our British way of life’.

Now Andy Hearn, a deputy assistant commissioner at London Fire Brigade, has taken issue with Wallace’s remarks.

“The British way of life isn’t about doing something that could potentially place your home and family at risk, and if you’re not careful, using a deep-fat fryer could do just that,” he said.

“Mary Berry is absolutely correct, deep-fat fryers, especially the traditional chip pans, can be dangerous and unfortunately they cause serious fires every week.

“I’m not saying people must stop eating

HEATED EXCHANGE Mary Berry and Gregg Wallace chips,” he added, “but there are far safer ways to enjoy them than preparing them using these fryers. Visiting the chip shop or making oven chips are much safer options.”

The London Fire Brigade posted a video on its Twitter feed of a demonstration by firefighters showing a huge blaze caused by water falling into a pan full of hot fat.

According to the Brigade, more than one fire a week is caused by deep-fat fryers.

It said that deep-fat fryers have caused 630 house fires and 70 injuries in London alone since 2010.

On Monday Berry stuck by her comments, telling the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that deep-fat fryers are dangerous because they cause fires while also being detrimental to the public’s health.

“I have never, on any of my programmes, ever used a deep-fat fryer,” she said.

“Nowadays everybody eats in the kitchen, I know we do, and I certainly don’t want the smell of frying while I’m eating.

“And so we do have oven chips from time to

Wednesday 31st August 2016

ended peacefully and safely as this was always our absolute priority.

“I also pay tribute to all the police officers and staff involved for their professionalism and determination to resolve this safely.

“It has resulted in considerable disruption for residents in the area.

I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding as we have strived to bring this to a safe conclusion for everyone involved.

“I would also like to thank our colleagues from the fire and ambulance services who have waited patiently in support of the operation.”

There were no reports of anyone being injured during the incident.

‘Our nation was built on chips and spam fritters...

I love Mary dearly but this is an attack on our British way of life’ time when the grandchildren come round – just to give them a treat – but I usually do things in the oven rather than frying. I think it’s unhealthy as well.”

Wallace blasted fellow BBC star Berry in The Sun on Saturday, writing: “Our nation was built on chips and spam fritters ... I love Mary dearly but this is an attack on our British way of life.”

The Brigade’s advice to people who use chip pans or traditional fat fryers includes never filling a chip pan over a third full with oil or fat, not leaving the pan alone with the heat on, and not throwing water or using a fire extinguisher on a hot fat fire.

Ford Tonbridge TN91TN 01732 758726

Ford Tunbridge Wells TN48AG 01892 739131

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/lOOkm) for the Ford range shown: Urban 14.183.l (20.1-3.4 ), Extra Urban 28.8-94.2 (9.8-3.0), Combined 20.8-88.3 (13.6-3.2). Official C02 emission figures 306-82g/km.

'The 3 services package includes: Servicing: All scheduled servicing, as detailed in the manufacturer vehicle's service book, will be covered for the first 3 services within the first 3 years (36 months) or 37,500 miles from registration, whichever comes first.

Servicing intervals are due once every 12 months or every 12,500 miles, whichever comes first. The service package is activated from date of registration. Vehicles shown for illustration purposes only. Offer only valid to retail customers from 15th August 2016- 30th September 2016. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the purpose of insurance mediation activity. Firm Reference Number 305672.

16  NATIONAL NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF

Police called to four stabbings at carnival EUROPE’S biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival, which was held over the Bank Holiday weekend, was marred by 440 arrests across the two-day event with many relating to drugs and offensive weapons.

Scotland Yard confirmed that 156 arrests were made on Sunday, while on Monday there were a further 284 arrests. Some people were arrested for more than one offence, and 26 knives were seized in total.

Police dealt with four incidents of people being stabbed, two of which involved teenagers. Ambulance crews and St John Ambulance staff also treated more than 1,000 people, most for alcohol-related illnesses and injuries.

Met officers face probe THE Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed that five Metropolitan Police officers are facing a misconduct investigation in connection with the case of a woman who was found dead in Edinburgh months after going missing from her London home.

The death of Saima Ahmed, aged 36, remains unexplained after her body was discovered 400 miles from her Wembley home in January. She was reported missing in August 2015.

Alzheimer’s prediction A SIMPLE blood test is being developed that can predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in people with poor memory.

British scientists have identified a set of protein biomarkers that appear to show if a person is likely to be diagnosed as suffering from the condition.

They hope further work will lead to a test that can single out high-risk patients who can be targeted with early treatment.

Tidal is about to turn A TIDAL turbine said to be the world’s most powerful is due to begin testing in Orkney.

The Scotrenewables SR2000 turbine is 63 metres (206ft) long and can generate more than 2MW of power.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

Labour leader wants to introduce new passport – for internet users TOUGH new laws are needed to protect people’s online and data privacy, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has insisted.

Launching a Digital Democracy Manifesto as part of his battle to retain the party leadership, Mr Corbyn pledged a ‘bill of rights’ for internet users who would be entitled to a ‘digital citizen passport’ which would provide a secure and portable identity for their on-line and data activities.

“We will protect the human right of individual privacy with strict laws against the unauthorised hacking of digital citizen passports by either public bodies or private individuals,” the policy document stated.

Mr Corbyn, who became embroiled in a public row with Virgin Trains after the company released footage of him walking past unoccupied seats before being filmed sitting on the floor complaining about how ‘ram-packed’ carriages were, joked that he would address the problem of

continuing a pub conversation and deeply patchy railway wifi as part of the process of regret the abuse they have sent people at renationalising the industry.

The ‘digital democracy’ push, which that time, but unfortunately, it’s there for eternity,” he said. was advertised on the street in East Mr Corbyn suggested some MPs lacked London’s hi-tech hub via a traditional the ability to use computers. He said: “It chalk board, was hit by technical is reported some members of Parliament hitches as the live-streaming crashed.

The Labour leader, who has been are reluctant to turn on their computers because they don’t know how to. I attacked by critics for not doing enough don’t know if it’s true to combat cyber-bullying of his opponents, likened or not, but I’ve heard on-line abuse to the it said.” continuation of pub talk Mr Corbyn pledged and insisted he would to bring high-speed not tolerate it. broadband and mobile “Many people connectivity to every use instant household, company DIGITAL AGE access to and organisation in Jeremy Corbyn speaking during Labour’s Twitter, more Britain, no matter Digital Democracy Manifesto or less, like how rural.

Government enlarges badger culling area BADGER culling has been rolled out to more parts of England in a bid to tackle tuberculosis (TB) in cattle, the Government has confirmed.

Seven additional licences have been granted for culls in parts of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, with operations now under way, the Environment Department (Defra) said.

The move, which follows cull STRONG ACTION Controversy over the culls continues

schemes in three areas of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset, is part of the Government’s 25-year strategy to tackle TB in cattle, which can catch the disease from badgers.

The culls will fuel the controversy over the policy, which animal welfare campaigners criticise as inhumane and ineffective for combating TB. But the Government insists ‘proactive’ culling, which aims to remove 70 per cent of the badgers in a given area, is necessary to tackle the disease, which it says costs the taxpayer more £100million every year.

Last year, more than 28,000 cattle were slaughtered

in England to control the disease, with the West Country and counties bordering Wales at the highest risk of TB infections in livestock.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “Our comprehensive strategy to eradicate bovine TB in England is delivering results, with more than half the country on track to be free of the disease by the end of this Parliament.

“Bovine TB has a devastating impact on farms, which is why we are taking strong action to eradicate the disease, including tighter cattle controls, improved biosecurity and badger control measures in areas where the disease is rife.

“The veterinary advice and the experience of other countries is clear, we will not be able to eradicate this disease unless we also tackle the reservoir of the disease in the badger population as well as cattle.”

An updated online tool mapping

outbreaks of TB over the last five years is being published to help farmers with buying cattle, along with a new farm advice pack to help farmers improve their ‘biosecurity measures’ on farms to protect livestock from infection.

Recent research suggests that despite strong evidence badgers transmit TB to cattle, the disease is not passed directly between them, but instead is finding its way between wild animals and herds through the environment.

Chris Pitt, Deputy Director of Campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Instead of shooting badgers, we need to be looking to Wales as an example, where no culling takes place, but instead rigorous TB testing, strict cattle movement control and tight biosecurity has been more successful in preventing the spread of TB in cattle.”

. ,6th September Fr1.daY

Dirty Dancing #feelgoodfridaY

; I Sunday 18th September

I

t

§ Back To The Future •§ 1

01

~:

0

#sundayfunday

I

~

£11 PER TICKET INCLUDES PARKING GATES OPEN 6.30PM WATCH SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE ICONIC FILMS IN A SETTING LIKE NO OTHER! OUR OPEN AIR CINEMA IS SET IN THE STUNNING SURROUNDINGS OF THE RESERVOIR IN OUR 800 ACRE COUNTRY PARK.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: A PRE-CINEMA TWO OR THREE COURSE MENU WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE BOAT HOUSE BISTRO FROM JUST £15.50.

WE ALSO HAVE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FROM JUST £149 PER ROOM INCLUDING A TRADITIONAL BREAKFAST AT TUNBRIDGE WELLS' NEWEST HOTEL, ONE WARWICK PARK. FOOD ANO DRINK WILL BE AVAILABLE TD PURCHASE FROM THE WATERFRONT CAFE ANO THERE WILL BE POPCORN - OF COURSE!

TO BOOK PLEASE VISIT WWW.BEWLWATER.CO.UK

18 � BUSINESS NEWS

Post Office gives itself stamp of approval despite

NEWS IN BRIEF

Croydon is the place to be for tech firms CROYDON has the UK’s fastest-growing economy, attracting growing numbers of technology companies.

A study by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young said the London Borough was now home to more than 1,000 digital, creative and technology companies, dubbing it the ‘Silicon Valley of south London’.

Investment in infrastructure has boosted the economy, with East Croydon railway station now turning into one of the busiest in the country.

threat of strike

THE Post Office is committed to sustaining its 11,600-strong branch network, saying its modernisation plans have added 200,000 extra opening hours in recent years.

Thousands of branches have been ‘transformed’, with 4,000 open seven days a week, leading to shorter queues as people use Post Offices outside office hours, said the organisation.

The claims are in contrast to a statement from the Communication Workers Union that confirmed its members in Post Offices voted in favour of strikes in a dispute over job losses, pensions and the franchising of Crown offices.

Tom Moran, General Manager of the Post Office, said: “Our network of 11,600 branches is bigger than all the banks and building societies combined.

“The extra opening hours we’ve added over the last four years add up to the equivalent of 5,000 new branches – that’s a significant achievement that makes a real difference for our customers.”

He added: “More and more people have a local Post Office open early in the morning, late at night, and on the weekend.

“This sends out the clear message that we are committed to sustaining our branch network at its current size of more than 11,600 Post Offices, and to improving it so we can meet the ever-changing needs of today’s customers.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “The neverending cycle of cuts, closures and franchises is destroying a much-loved British institution.

“It is vital that the Government now urgently intervenes and works with key stakeholders to put together a strategy for the future of the Post Office, in order to protect this publicly owned service from withering away.”

Wednesday 31st August 2016

CAUTIOUS APPROACH Consumer purchasing power is likely to diminish

Uncertainty in property market as mortgage approvals decline THE number of mortgage approvals made to home buyers fell to its lowest level in a year and a half during July.

Some 60,912 mortgages with a total value of £10.4billion were approved for house purchases in July, Bank of England figures showed, marking the lowest monthly total since January 2015.

The growth in non-mortgage borrowing by consumers was also weaker in July than it has been in recent months, suggesting some borrowers may be behaving more cautiously.

The Bank’s figures also showed that consumer credit increased by £1.2billion in July, compared with an average of £1.6billion over the previous six months.

Within consumer credit, credit card lending increased by £479million in July, down from £579million in June.

Other types of loans, including personal loans and overdrafts, increased by £702million, reining back sharply from a £1.3billion increase in June.

Meanwhile, lending to non-financial businesses increased by £2.2billion in July, compared with an average monthly increase of £1.9billion over the previous six months.

Howard Archer, Chief UK and European Economist at IHS Global Insight, said that in early 2016 the housing market had been buoyed by buy-to-let investors rushing to complete property purchases ahead of a stamp duty hike for this sector, which came into force on April 1.

He said: “It is also highly possible that mortgage activity was hit in July by heightened uncertainty following June’s vote for Brexit.

“July’s marked slowdown in mortgage approvals fuels our belief that house prices could ease back by around three per cent over the latter months of 2016 and there could well be a further five per cent drop in 2017.

“We believe housing market activity is likely to be limited over the coming months and prices will weaken as heightened uncertainty following the UK’s vote to leave the EU weighs down on consumer confidence and willingness to engage in major transactions, and also hampers economic activity.”

Mr Archer said that while credit card borrowing held up ‘relatively well’ during July, the much weaker growth in personal loan and overdraft borrowing could be a significant sign that consumers may be looking to cut back their borrowing due to increased uncertainties following the Brexit vote.

He warned of the impact of inflation and the weakened pound on consumers’ wallets, adding: “We suspect that the fundamentals for consumers will become less favourable over the coming months with purchasing power likely diminishing and the labour market softening.

“On the one hand, this may make people more cautious over borrowing, but it may increase the need for some people to borrow.”

Lettings on the up THE typical number of properties on letting agents’ books has reached its strongest level so far this year, a report has found.

Across the UK, there were around 184 properties registered in July per agent, marking the highest number seen so far in 2016, the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) said.

Rental prices also held steady in July, with seven in ten (71 per cent) of agents seeing no change in rents, according to ARLA’s survey of 190 member branches.

Choo hosts virtual AGM THE first virtual AGM by a listed company in the UK was held by the FTSE250 luxury shoe specialist Jimmy Choo PLC. Shareholders across the globe were able to watch presentations and ask questions at the AGM using a system provided by the technology provider EQS Group.

Pinewood takeover A PROPOSED takeover of Pinewood Studios by an international property fund for £323million has been given the green light

by Britain’s financial regulator. Shareholders will now vote on the deal on September 19.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has rubber-stamped the deal by Aermont Capital, which is headed up by French property tycoon Leon Bressler, to acquire the famous home of the James Bond and Star Wars films.

WORLD NEWS 

Lennon’s killer denied parole for ninth time

SPORT IN BRIEF

Rooney to retire from England duty in 2018 WAYNE ROONEY intends to retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The 30-year-old Manchester United forward has retained the England captaincy under new manager Sam Allardyce.

Rooney, who will lead England out in their first World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on Sunday, said: “I have had a fantastic international career so far, played a lot of games and enjoyed every minute but at some point it is going to come to an end.”

Wild card for Westwood EUROPEAN Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has selected Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters as his three wild cards for next month’s defence of the trophy.

There is no place in the team at Hazeltine for Scotland’s world No 20 Russell Knox, who finished 10th in qualifying, just 0.04 points ahead of Pieters.

With rookies filling five of the nine automatic qualifying places – including Masters champion Danny Willett – Clarke had made no secret of the fact he wanted to ‘balance the team’ with experienced players.

Hart on loan to Torino THE England goalkeeper Joe Hart has completed a loan move to Italian Serie A side Torino for the 2016-17 season.

Hart, 29, is now third choice at Manchester City behind new signing Claudio Bravo and his former deputy Willy Caballero.

New manager Pep Guardiola has made clear his preference for a keeper who is better with his feet.

100 Russians appeal MORE than 100 Russian athletes have individually written to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) asking to compete at the Rio Games.

The entire Russian team were banned by the IPC after a report identified evidence of a state-sponsored doping programme.

The decision was upheld last week by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

19

STREET PROTEST Police fire tear gas at supporters of Brazil’s suspended President Dilma Rousseff during a rally in Sao Paulo

‘I did not commit a crime’ claims President of Brazil BRAZIL’S President, Dilma Rousseff, could find out today if she will be removed from her position of leading Latin America’s most populous nation.

Ms Rousseff, who has been suspended since May, delivered a 30-minute address on Monday at her impeachment trial in the Senate, and was then questioned by senators for more than 14 hours.

The Senate was due to begin proceedings on Tuesday for a final vote on whether to remove her permanently from office.

The impeachment measure was introduced in the lower House of Deputies late last year, splitting the nation.

The turmoil continued during the hearing, as police in Sao Paulo fired tear gas against people demonstrating in support of Ms Rousseff.

Two Brazilian social groups called for protests and gathered in the city’s main avenue with signs against Michel Temer, Ms Rousseff’s vice-president, who has been the acting leader since she was suspended.

Protests erupted in several other cities in support of Ms Rousseff, including in the capital, Brasilia, where senators were questioning her on the fourth day of her impeachment trial.

Opposition senators accused her of breaking fiscal responsibility laws to hide holes in the budget, saying that exacerbated a recession which has led to 10 per cent inflation.

She called that nonsense, contending she broke no laws and noting that previous presidents used similar accounting measures.

She claims that she was forced to make tough choices on the budget in the face of declining

revenues and a refusal by opponents in Congress to work with her.

If anything, she said, the impeachment process had hurt the economy, placing the blame on the opposition, which has argued that she has to be removed for the financial climate to improve.

“I know I will be judged, but my conscience is clear. I did not commit a crime,” Ms Rousseff told the senators.

For Ms Rousseff to be removed, at least 54 of the 81 senators need to vote in favour.

Counts by local media say 52 senators have said they plan on voting for removal, while 18 are opposed and 11 have not said one way or another.

In May, the same body voted 55 to 22 to impeach and suspend her.

“I need all of you, regardless of political parties,” Ms Rousseff said in her closing remarks to senators, urging them to keep her in her job.

She reminded them that she was re-elected in 2014 with more than 54 million votes.

Ms Rousseff asserted that impeachment was the price she had paid for refusing to quash a wide-ranging police investigation into the state oil company Petrobras.

She said that corrupt politicians conspired to oust her to derail the investigation into billions of dollars in bribes at the oil giant. The probe has led to the jailing of senior businessmen and politicians, including in her Workers’ Party.

Watchdog groups estimate 60 per cent of the 594 politicians in both chambers are being investigated for wrongdoing, many for corruption related to the Petrobras probe.

JOHN LENNON’S killer will remain behind bars after being denied parole for the ninth time.

The New York State Board of Parole this week announced that it has again denied parole to Mark David Chapman, who on December 8 1980 shot and killed the former Beatle outside his Manhattan apartment.

The 61-year-old Chapman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving a sentence of 20 years to life in Wende Correctional Facility in western New York.

Describing its decision, the parole board noted that Chapman has since described the murder as ‘selfish and evil’. The board concluded that the factors supporting Chapman’s parole were outweighed by the premeditated and ‘celebrity-seeking’ nature of the crime.

“Your release would be incompatible with the welfare of society and would so deprecate that seriousness of the crime as to undermine respect for the law,” the board wrote.

Chapman was last denied parole in 2014, and will be eligible to seek parole again in 2018.

In his 2014 parole hearing, Chapman told the board that he still receives letters about the pain he caused in his pursuit of notoriety.

“I am sorry for causing that type of pain,” he said.

“I am sorry for being such an idiot and choosing the wrong way for glory.”

At a hearing in 2010, Chapman recalled that he had considered shooting Johnny Carson or Elizabeth Taylor instead.

Once again he said that he chose Lennon because the ex-Beatle was more accessible and his century-old apartment building

by Central Park MURDERED ‘wasn’t quite as John Lennon cloistered’.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

20 � 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 Police were fined, but no one answered then and I daresay no one will answer now. However, the public have a right to know who it is that has landed them with these bills.

Maxwell Macfarlane Via email

Train strike: Please don’t put passenger safety on the line With regards to the Southern rail dispute concerning guards and the closing of train doors, from personal experience I have seen the vital importance of having a separate pair of eyes from the driver in his cab.’

Having witnessed a passenger trapped by the elbow, the train moved forward with the terrified woman yanking at her arm, which was stuck fast in the door.

It is absolutely essential to have an alert second pair of eyes that can see the full length of the train before closing the doors.

My point is this: The engine was on a right-hand bend, making it impossible for the driver to see the full length of the train, or that passengers were still alighting.

Tourism: We don’t use information centres Regarding your front page last week, I wonder who drew the conclusion that footfall in the Visitor Information Centre could be extrapolated to a view that tourism in Tunbridge Wells had fallen by 30 per cent?

With so much information now available on the internet, most people now plan their visits ahead and no longer rely on brochures.

So visitor numbers may have doubled, trebled, or halved, without any of them going into the Information Centre.

I do hope that the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council do not rely on this type of information to plan the future…or do they?

Surely there is more reliable and directly related information available to provide meaningful data on the investment the town should be making.

John T Reeves Via email

Tourism: Empty Corn Exchange is a disgrace I am not surprised to see the 30 per cent decrease in visitors to the Visitor Information Centre. I really don’t think the blame should be put down to poor weather and after-effects of European terror attacks.

It is mainly down to the fact that the Information Centre has been allocated tiny premises in an otherwise vacant Corn Exchange. There is nothing else in this wonderful, huge building except the VIC! I wonder how many people even realise it is there. It is a disgrace to the town that the Corn Exchange is still not being utilised.

It is also a sad state of affairs for our royal spa town, when the centre is pushed into the background. I have visited many such facilities around the country, which are usually in prime

NHS: Declare all the PFIs null and void

Thankfully, the woman’s damaged arm was released after a few yards’ terrifying ‘walk’ by another passenger banging on the button.

It is vital that GTR Chief Executive Charles Horton realises the importance of these facts. They should not be ignored.

Mrs June Moore Via email locations to show the town is proud to offer many attractions and advice locally and nationally.

Richard Snow Via email

Tourism: Visitor centre is too hidden away On last week’s front page, you state that tourist numbers are down based on ‘the number of visitors seeking information’. This is very confusing. Surely the number of visitors seeking information is not proof of a decline in people visiting the town.

Anecdotally I was in The Pantiles last week and I overheard a couple say that they couldn’t find the Visitor Information Centre (VIC). So perhaps the problem is that the VIC is not clearly signposted, not that the numbers are down.

My wife and I visited Dover, Sandwich and Canterbury earlier this week. We did not go to a VIC – we did all our research on the internet. But we definitely visited those towns. Perhaps that’s the reality.

David Marshall Via email

NHS: Why do taxpayers have to foot the bill What, may I ask, is the point of fining Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust £40,000 (Trust fined £40K after spying on doctor, August 24) when it has a deficit of £25million and is apparently being sued for £850,000 by one of its doctors, Lorna Hayden? Although one has to wonder why she had no personal insurance to cover her injury.

Who thought of the surveillance? Who ordered it?

Who carried it out? If indeed it was a crime, they are the guilty ones, and ought to be named, shamed, fined and dismissed. Why should the innocent taxpayer have to pay up?

I asked similar questions in April after Kent

Hear hear, for Colin Bullen’s letter on Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury (August 17). Can I add some further comments in endorsement?

PFIs were indeed introduced by a Labour government, but they were greedily developed by subsequent Tories – and they went for them like a drunk in a distillery.

If the reason for the money crisis in this, and many other, hospitals is because of crippling PFI payments, then the government is cynical to let them persist. Patients are being denied treatment.

The government can solve it at a stroke: Abrogate the arrangement, declare them null and void, pay these companies off and be shot of them.

Then get in company restructuring specialists to sort out the infrastructure: cut the dead wood; cut the layers of bureaucrats; cut the bonuses; run the place as though it was a business with paying customers. Take out that ‘you’re getting it for nothing’ mentality that persists in non-medical strata. Give the hospital back to the specialists.

My own experiences with Pembury can be divided neatly into two. Treatment, when we finally get to it, is excellent; professional, caring staff handing out good treatment. But the run-up, oh dear – the tedious, inefficient, bureaucratic process is the stuff of nightmares.

Could these managers and their staffs command their extraordinary salaries in the private sector?

There is no point in governments promising to spend, or claiming to have spent more money on the NHS. Under no circumstances continue to throw money at a model that is not fit for purpose.

Ralph Steerpike Via email

EU: In search of a balanced viewpoint Mr Moorhouse (August 17) says he intends to deprive himself of French cheeses, wines and holidays in response to some alleged action by Mr Jean-Claude Juncker. But since the President of the European Commission is a Luxemburger, it is not very clear why Mr Moorhouse wishes to take his revenge on the French.

In any case, does not the old adage of ‘cutting off one’s nose etc.’ apply? His mention of a balance sheet though does engender a thought about having a bookkeeping account kept on the reactions to Brexit: something on the following lines perhaps: Debit: (a) Prices of all imports including food and fuel up by 10 per cent, representing the devaluation of our currency. Further tariff charges

to be added later if we don’t access the single market with its commitment to observe the rules on free movement of people; (b) Lower pensions since bond yields have fallen due to the Brexit decision; (c) Interest on savings reduced to virtually nothing because of new economic woes due to Brexit; (d) Continuous talk of recession in what was a thriving economy; (e) Startling increase in hate crimes against people with foreign names or accents; (f) A failed Prime Minister whose reckless gamble will have ruinous consequences for the whole country and a possible break-up of the United Kingdom.

Credit: (a) The smug, self-satisfied, smirking visage of Mr Farage as seen on TV and in the papers; (b) Receipt of heartiest congratulations from Mr Putin and Madame Le Pen, both well known for their democratic ideals.

Faced with an account such as the above, any prudent person would reverse gear and back away from Brexit as quickly as possible. Why don’t we follow suit?

Alexander Magnus Via email

EU: It takes time to gauge changes It is absurd for your Olly Barham (August 17) to attempt to make points concerning the immediate economic results of Brexit. Has he not noticed that, as yet, nothing has changed and we are still within the EU? The time to make judgements will be after we have been free of rule from Brussels for at least a few years.

He mentions that a majority of Tunbridge Wells residents voted to remain but he should not forget that the majority of those living in Kent, and indeed in England, voted to leave.

Colin Bullen Via email

Devolution: Another layer of bureaucracy Abraham Hoxley (August 17) asked how the proposed devolved powers will be administered.

The answer’s really very simple: Further layers of officials, busybodies, jobsworths, all-consuming monies that are intended to be spent on services.

We may be sure that this devolution will not have a commensurate slimming-down of the bureaucracy higher up the chain.

If we took £1,000 and simply passed it through the hands of three downward-funnelling departments, how much would be left to be spent on something worthwhile?

John Ward Moorhouse Tunbridge Wells

Calverley

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 31st August 2016

is away this week

Education in association with:

www.right-tuition.co.uk

EDUCATION ■

21

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

All the world’s a stage for budding young actors The Talentz theatre company is holding a series of workshops in September which it hopes will bring students from local primary and secondary schools together to create a cast for its first pantomime, Aladdin, that is truly representative of the community OVER the weekend of September 17 and 18, budding actors and performers of all ages will have the opportunity to enrol in a special panto ‘bootcamp’ which local theatre group The Talentz is putting on.

The aim of it is simple: Talentz wants to create a truly united cast from across the area’s primary and secondary schools in order to stage its pantomime, Aladdin, which will be on at the EM Forster Theatre at Tonbridge School next January.

Leading industry performers, directors, musicians and choreographers will be on hand over the free-to-attend weekend and will coach children in workshops and observe the auditions.

The first of these takes place on the Saturday for the dance troupe, which will run from 1.30pm to 6pm. Split across four age categories – 4-6 years, 7-10 years, 11-14 years and 15-18 plus years – the groups will work with choreographer Jessica Maple to learn specific steps and

build performance confidence.

Running at the same time will be a free schools’ workshop, which will be led by Simon Sladen, one of the UK’s best panto experts.

This event will offer students a unique opportunity to learn all about the history of one of Britain’s most treasured theatrical traditions, with plenty of hands-on practical work included.

‘The show is set to be a real community affair, welcoming a large cast with a mix of ages’ The first part of the Sunday bootcamp is dedicated to the ensemble auditions for Aladdin, which are from 10.30am until 1pm. Working with material from the show, this fantastic workshop-style audition process will be a mix of movement, singing and acting and, according to the people at The Talentz,

is a less daunting way for pupils to put themselves forward for a specific role as it’s a more friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The weekend will finish with a round of auditions for the principal roles, which will take place from 2 until 6pm in the EM Forster studio theatre.

Pupils are encouraged to have a look at and download the full Aladdin cast list, which includes character descriptions and suggested age and vocal ranges, from the Talentz website.

A spokesperson for the theatre group told the Times: “The show is set to be a real community affair, welcoming a large cast with a mix of ages, from ambitious young student performers to adults looking to try something new.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for allowing us to rehearse in the spacious TN2 Community Centre.”

For further information visit www.thetalentz.com

LETTING THE GENIE OUT OF THE BOTTLE The Talentz kids

Wednesday 31st August 2016

22  WEEKLY COMMENT

Peter Lidstone

Tunbridge Wells councillor

The youngest member of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, aged 32, Peter Lidstone is a Liberal Democrat councillor and was the only candidate to successfully dislodge a Conservative opponent at the last local elections. With a full-time job as part of the charity Build Africa, the former law student of the University of the West of England is also fluent in French. His interest in politics came after attending a conference on the subject at Christian Aid about why Christians should get involved.

Only the Liberal Democrats can deliver real local policy LOCALISM. It sounds great from the dispatch box when David Cameron or Theresa May boast about giving power back to local communities to make key decisions. However, promises at Prime Ministers’ Questions must translate into real policy in order for them to have any effect. In reality I too often see the opposite.

Take planning for example. There is a shortage of housing across the country. The Government pledges to ‘get Britain building’. The means chosen by the Conservatives has been to impose top-down housing targets onto local authorities. This places local councils under pressure; development site plans are drawn up, then the government moves the goalposts, and increases targets. This puts private developers in a great position, as it makes it hard for councils to challenge their proposed developments.

Extra households need support services like schools, doctors’ surgeries, hospitals and public transport. Yet piecemeal development rarely

Wednesday 31st August 2016

PROTEST Passions run high delivers these due to lack of space and lower returns. The existing residents have to compete for increasingly scarce resources, especially in

the South East.

It appears that this is being recognised at council level, and support is mounting for a new settlement complete with necessary infrastructure.

This seems to me to be a logical solution.

Then consider fracking. Once again, a promise is made by David Cameron to lead the greenest government ever. Yet the decision has been made to pursue fracking - an energy-intensive means of extracting fossil fuel - in spite of local objections on environmental and safety grounds. When the objections of over

4,300 people in Yorkshire make no difference, you have to ask whether talk of localism and green government is really anything other than hot air.

And these effects are compounded by the withdrawal of local funding by central government.

The Government has pledged to allow local councils to keep their locally generated business rates by 2020. However until this comes into fruition, councils are facing a funding crisis.

Tunbridge Wells’ Revenue Support Grant will have been cut from over £4.5m in 2010 to £0 by 2019. The Council’s only means of survival will be by diligent financial management.

‘You have to ask whether talk of localism and green government is really anything other than hot air’ The Lib Dems believe in localism - partly borne out of necessity, as we do not have the Conservatives’ level of financial backing. But mainly due to a conviction that local people are best placed to make decisions about their interests. Choices are not always straightforward for Councils to make, but we will always try to put the interests of residents at the heart of our policies and hold the Council to account over how they spend your council tax.

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

FORDECOSPORT

Bl66ER OFFERS FROM LIFESTYLE FORD. 3 YEARS' FREE SERVICING, CONTACT US TODAY. Bursting with powerful style and intense refinement, the Ford EcoSport Titanium 1.0 125PS isn't just an SUV, it's a smart SUV. Loaded with all the latest technology, the EcoSport makes everything from off-road driving pleasure to class-leading safety a breeze.

It offers unmatched agility and manoeuvrability as well as incredible visibility, thanks to an elevated driving position and innovative design. Find all the space you need and more in the EcoSport, with options to configure the boot exactly how you want it to give you a truly personal driving experience. From the school-run to adventurous holidays, the EcoSport has everything you need and more.

manoeuvre, providing firmer steering when travelling at higher speeds for a boost of confidence when you need it. The innovative system only operates when you need it, giving you a boost in fuel economy as well as total control wherever you are. The steering wheel is also weighted and ergonomically designed to provide you with the best experience possible, and making the act of driving as seamless as it should be.

Stylish both inside and out, the compact exterior translates into a luxuriously spacious feeling interior, complete with premium touches to round off the quality feel. The raised position commands attention on the roads, giving an exclusive feel and announcing your presence as only a Ford SUV can. To complete the rugged look, you can opt for a spare wheel to be mounted on the rear door, complete with a body-coloured cover, to add an extra touch of style and practicality to the vehicle.

The Ford SYNC infotainment system offers on-road entertainment at its best, allowing you to control your music, make and receive phone calls and more using simple voice commands, and it will even read texts aloud for you, for a completely hands-free experience. Essential information about your journey is provided with ease on the on-board trip computer, providing facts and figures about your mileage, fuel consumption and how many miles you have left before filling up to give you everything you need for a stress-free journey. Parking is a breeze with the plethora of sensors to help you squeeze into even the tightest of spots, the audible warnings intensifying the closer you get to an obstruction.

Electric Power-Assisted Steering offers complete control on any road, adjusting to give you lighter and easier steering when parking or performing a difficult

2

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

The l.0-litre EcoBoost engine offers revolutionary power with unparalleled economy - all the power you'd expect from a 1.6 with none of the fuel-guzzling habits.

The car's design also helps to provide aerodynamic fuel-saving capabilities, such as the rear pillar 'kicker', which works with the car's sculpted shape to deliver an impressively low drag co-efficient. The EcoSport truly lives up to its name, with the EcoBoost engine having been awarded International Engine of the Year for three years running, and proving that true sportiness doesn't have to compromise efficiency.

Enjoy the supremely sporty ride in maximum comfort with a range of luxurious features inside the EcoSport, such as the built-in lumbar support and 6-way adjustable driver's seat, plus an option to heat the driver and

front passenger seats. Sounddeadening materials are also built into the car to provide a truly relaxing driving experience, and 17 different storage compartments mean there is a place for everything, making it the perfect family car. The rear seats are also collapsible using a 'tip and tumble' system as an easy way to create extra space whenever it is needed.

The EcoSport also uses Ford key-free technology, meaning you can enter and start the car without having to find your key in your bag, perfect for those hectic shopping trips.

The Ford EcoSport Titanium 1.0 125PS is the perfect car for busy everyday lives; versatile and ready for anything. Pick up your brand new '66 plate today to begin your very own adventure.

FORD ECOSPORT. PRICES STARTING FROM £13,995 AND AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW 3 Years' Free ServicingThe Ford EcoSport becomes the second member of Ford's growing SUV family. The compact EcoSport will deliver the agility and fuel efficiency of a family car with the flexibility, spaciousness, high driving position and go-anywhere appeal of an SUV. With a choice of four powertrains including the l.0-litre 3-cylinder Ford EcoBoost petrol engine, in recognition of its advanced technology, great refinement and exceptional efficiency has been awarded International Engine of the year for three consecutive years. Combined with advanced transmissions, they deliver the perfect combination of rewarding performance, pulling power when you need it and exceptional fuel-efficiency.

3 Year Ford Options representative example New Ford Ecosport Titanium 5dr Hatchback 1.0 125PS Petrol Manual l monthly payment (including £10 Finance Facility Fee*)

£259.00

35 monthly payments

£249.00

Total amount payable by customer

--------------------------0 eposit Allowance £400 .00

Mileage per annum

--------------------------Amount of credit £15,160.00 --------------------------Tot al charge for credit (excluding £10 purchase fee** ) £969.26

Borrowing rate (fixed)

Cash price

£16,560 .00

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -£1,000 - - -.00 Customer deposit

Excess mileage charge (pence per mile) Representative APR

Contact your local Lifestyle Ford to find out more information today.

Lifestyle Ford Tonbridge Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, KentTN9lTN Tel: 01732 758726

£17,149.26

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -£7,165.26 --Optional final payment

Lifestyle Ford Tunbridge Wells Mount Ephraim,Tunbridge Wells, KentTN4 BAG Tel : 01892 739131

Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/lOOkm) for the EcoSport Titanium 5dr Hatchback 1.0 EcoBoost (125PS) Petrol Manual range shown: Urban 42.8 (6.6), Extra Urban 60.l (4.7), Combined 52.3 (5.4 ).

Official C02 emission figures 125g/km.

Retail only. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Failure to make payments on time may make obtaining credit in the future more difficult. Your vehicle may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments. Subject to availability for new vehicles, contracted and registered before 30/09/2016. *Payable with the first instalment. **Payable with the Optional Final Payment if you wish to own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Further charges may be made subject to the condition of the vehicle, if the vehicle is returned at the end of the finance agreement. Atthe end of the Personal Contract Purchase there are 3 options: (i) Renew: Part-exchange the vehicle, where equity is available, (ii) Retain: Pay the Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) to own the vehicle or (iii) Return the vehicle. 'Ford Options' is a form of finance agreement provided by Ford Credit, Freepost, Ford Credit. We may receive a commission for any introduction to this finance company. We are licenced credit brokers, written details are available on request. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the purpose of insurance mediation activity. Firm reference number 305672. 'Available on selected vehicles, free servicing is subject to manufacturer's recommended service intervals.

6,000 6.00 2.1312% 2.90/oAPR

Boasting immense power and a stylish refinement, the Ford Kuga Titanium AWD 2.0 TDCi offers everything you'd expect from an SUV and so much more. Packed with all the latest technology, the Kuga offers everything from off-roading ease to top-of-the-range safety features to make your driving experience seamlessly enjoyable.

real-time traffic and speed updates to allow easier planning and a stress-free journey. Parking has never been easier with the Ford Kuga, using Active Park Assist to steer you into tight parking spaces less than a metre longer than the car itself. All you have to do is push a button and follow the on-screen instructions while the car 's sensors take care of the rest.

Available with the 2.0-litre TDCi engine, you 'll find both power and economy in spades, even in off-road conditions. The Ford PowerShift gearbox combines the convenience of an automatic with all the control of a manual; the six-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox is able to pre-select the next gear for you to prevent power loss when changing gears. This not only gives you a more dynamic driving experience, but also saves fuel and reduces emissions.

Ready for all of your adventures, the Kuga offers bags of space and top-quality roof rails for the option to add even more. Whether you are taking an epic cross-country adventure or simply making the morning commute, the Kuga offers everything you need to have a relaxing journey.

Stylishly designed both inside and out, the muscular contours and raised position show that this is not a vehicle to be taken lightly, and the inside offers premium comfort with finishing touches to add an extra feel of luxury. Ford is the first to introduce hands-free liftgate to an SUV, making it easier than ever to gain access with your hands full. The Kuga offers more style and technology than ever before, redefining what it means to be an SUV. The Kuga offers instant grip on any terrain, with Ford's intelligent All-Wheel-Drive (iAWD) system,

4

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

sensing changes in terrain and adjusting the power sent to each individual wheel. The system operates on an 'on-demand ' basis, saving fuel on smoother roads and activating only when necessary. You can even check how much power is being sent to each wheel by looking at the iAWD information screen , which continually displays the information on a bar graph.

Enjoy optimum luxury with a number of deluxe features inside the Ford Kuga, like the optional panoramic sunroof that offers a more spacious feel as natural light floods in, and passengers can enjoy beautiful scenery and even open the roof to truly experience the journey. The roof has a solar-reflective coating that will stop you from getting too hot in the sun, and even includes an integral power blind too if you'd like to block out the sun's rays entirely. Ford 's KeyFree System lets you lock, unlock and start

your Kuga without having to take the key out of your pocket, making busy trips to the shops a breeze. You can even open the hands-free tailgate by waving your foot underneath the rear bumper, allowing quick and hassle-free access to your boot.

The state-of-the-art technology included in the Ford Kuga works not only to make your drive more enjoyable, but safer too; systems such as the Intelligent Protection System and Electronic Stability Programme allow you to get from start to finish with complete peace of mind. The Blind Spot Information System alerts you to vehicles in your blind spot with a clear orange light on the side door mirror, keeping you alert and safe even when you can't see the danger. Two innovative systems are also in place to help you stay in your lane, vibrating the steering wheel and flashing a visual warning if you drift outside of your lane, then gently guiding you back in if you don't respond. A warning will also appear if the Driver Alert system detects signs of fatigue, suggesting that you take a break.

The Ford Kuga Titanium AWD 2.0 TDCi is packed with innovative technology to make your driving experience better in every way, and is now available with a brand new '66 plate registration , making you one of the most exclusive drivers on the road.

The Ford SYNC 2 hands-free and touchscreen infotainment system offers on-road entertainment at its finest, letting you wirelessly connect your mobile phone to control music and phone calls. Innovative voice recognition also allows you to search for nearby amenities with simple phrases such as 'I 'm hungry'. The fully integrated navigation system delivers

8166ER OFFERS FROM LIFESTYLE FORD. 3 YEARS' FREE SERVICING, CONTACT US TODAY.

-B166ER V

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

In the pink

bracketts est. 1828

Local property market continues to look cheerful

INSIDE

New Homes

House with a water feature in a lovely Sevenoaks lane

Substantial farm for horses is handy for Cranbrook

Ultimate elegance at the very heart of Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday 31st August 2016

 PROPERTY SECTION

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

In my view…

Your at-a-glance guide to POST OFFICE SQUARE LONDON ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Patsy Kelly Property Manager

£799,000

The Times of Tunbridge Wells and Times of Tonbridge are delighted to announce that we will be holding our first New Homes Exhibition next month. This event has been designed to showcase the newest developments as well as revealing future plans for the Kent and Sussex area.

The exhibition will take place at the Tunbridge Wells hotel, One Warwick Park, on the September 24th 2016 from 10am till 4pm. Entry is free but please reserve your tickets to avoid disappointment on the day.

New homes are springing up across the counties and the demand has never been higher. We hope to keep you ahead of demand by making sure you have access to the people in the know. Feel free to peruse the stands and speak to leaders in the industry including Berkley Homes, Bracketts, Dandara, Savills and Wood & Pilcher.

Attendees can expect to view over 15 new developments all under one roof, organise free valuations for their own property and ask all the questions needed to make an informed decision on purchasing a new home.

You can pick up your free exhibition guide in the September 21st edition of the Times of Tunbridge Wells and the Times of Tonbridge newspapers as well as a followup feature in October’s SO Magazine.

This truly is an exhibition not to be missed and we look forward to seeing you there.

If you are interested in attending the event, please contact Lara Milan to reserve your free ticket at

lmilan@markerstudy.com There are few spaces still available for Developers and Estate Agents to feature in the exhibition. For more information on taking part, please contact me at

pkelly@markerstudy.com

UNDER £250,000 BRETLAND ROAD, RUSTHALL

£245,000

bracketts est. 1828

Wednesday 31st August 2016

A beautifully presented converted apartment located in the popular village of Rusthall. Situated on the lower ground floor, this immaculate property comprises a spacious sitting/dining room, a kitchen with integrated appliances, two double

bedrooms and a stunning bathroom. Outside, there are well-stocked communal gardens and there is one allocated parking space to the rear. For sale leasehold (long lease: 985 years) with a share of the freehold.

CONTACT McAuley Miller 01892 614777 www.mcauleymiller.com

UNDER £350,000 CORSELEY ROAD, GROOMBRIDGE

£345,000

A well-presented Victorian end-ofterrace house set in the heart of the charming village of Groombridge, which is on the Spa Valley Railway line. On the ground floor there is a pretty sitting room with fireplace, a kitchen/dining room with Shaker-

style units and a well-fitted wet room. There are two good size bedrooms to the first floor. Outside, the property has a lovely garden with a paved seating area adjacent to the rear of the house and an area of level lawn.

CONTACT Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

PROPERTY SECTION 

great properties by price range…

UNDER £450,000 PRESTON ROAD, TONBRIDGE

£395,000-£425,000 A Victorian semi-detached house close to the mainline station and High Street.

Arranged over three floors, it is well presented throughout and includes an entrance hall, living room, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor, three bedrooms on the first floor and a bathroom. There is also a large attic bedroom on the second floor. There is a delightful garden with a covered area to the rear and a Koi fish pond.

CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

UNDER £600,000 ELM GROVE, HILDENBOROUGH

£550,000

An immaculate detached family home offering roomy accommodation in this popular village. The ground floor has an entrance hall, a living room with feature bifold doors opening to the garden, a separate dining room, a kitchen/ breakfast room, a conservatory and a cloakroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom has an en-suite shower and there are two further bedrooms, a study/dressing room and a family bathroom. To the front is an integral garage and ample parking. To the rear is an attractive mature garden.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Tonbridge 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

UNDER £1MILLION OLD HADLOW ROAD, TONBRIDGE

£899,950 UNDER £800,000 POST OFFICE SQUARE, LONDON ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

£799,000 A desirable second floor apartment in the prestigious Post Office Square development, ideally located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells. It has a grand, spacious feel, with a generouslyproportioned reception space.

The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, drawing/dining room, kitchen, walk-in pantry, master bedroom with en-suite

bathroom, two further bedrooms, a shower room and a balcony.

The property comes with a secure, covered parking space and a lovely communal garden. Available for sale leasehold (999 years from 2001).

CONTACT Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk

An incredibly spacious detached house with annexe in a highly sought-after area of Tonbridge. The ground floor accommodation features a sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, large office, cloakroom and utility room, with six bedrooms upstairs (one en-suite) and a bathroom. The ground floor annexe has a living room/ kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom.

The property benefits from an attached double garage, plenty of parking space and attractive gardens.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth Tonbridge 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

Wednesday 31st August 2016

Frant - ÂŁ420,000 Freehold eriod home in the heart of this desirable village

Biddenden - ÂŁ525,000 Freehold Exciting potential to remodel on the quaint High Street

Goudhurst - £529,000 Freehold 4 bed country cottage tucked behind Goudhurst High Street

Staplecross - £650, OOO Freehold 3 bed country cottage boasting 10.2 acres ofglorious grounds

Brenchley - £850, OOO Freehold Discreetly positioned, 4 bed country cottage with 4 acres

 PROPERTY SECTION

Give your home a makeover MARY STANLEY, owner and Managing Director of the Country Property Group, prides herself in not only on being one of the longest-standing independent estate agents in Tunbridge Wells and the Weald, but also on having the ability to add value with a ‘makeover’ service she can offer to property vendors.

It is commonly recognised that a property will have a better chance of selling if it is furnished.

For a vendor who has already moved out and left his or her house unfurnished, Mary has the solution hidden away in a vast facility in Tunbridge Wells – a type of ‘furniture warehouse’ – which contains a combination of items that can

transform a blank canvas into a property that will really draw buyers’ attention.

Be it equipping a small study or a magnificent drawing room with anything from luxurious armchairs to cushions or bedspreads to a tenpiece table setting or chest of drawers, Mary has the appropriate furniture to enhance a house, be it a contemporary or period dwelling.

After addressing the interior, the service extends to the outdoor space, and can convert a garden into a warm and welcoming environment for the potential purchaser. This includes creative gardening and turning a sometimes neglected garden into an aesthetically pleasing area.

Country Property Group 01580 211888 sales@countrypropertygroup.com www.countrypropertygroup.com Mallard House, 3 The Plain, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1AD

Le Marche is the longest running French market in the south east HEATHFIELD’S Bank Holiday event, Le Marché, held for the first time on 25 August 1997, proved to be a spectacular success. Thousands of visitors and locals thronged the town, prepared to spend.

Held in Station Road and Station Approach, specially closed to traffic for the day, the AngloFrench market offered a wide range of stalls, street entertainment, the Expedients Jazz Band, Heathfield’s own Silver Band, dual language story-telling, face painting and a petanque challenge.

In the opinion of the Organising Committee, and despite heavy rain in the morning, the event succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

The welcome involvement of the

Wednesday 31st August 2016

French contingent brought an international flavour which added considerable interest. 55 of those from Forges les Eaux were accommodated by local families without cost, with a view to possible links being formed between the two towns.

The original purpose was to organise an Anglo-French event and this has remained the fundamental remit. Wealden District TASTE OF FRANCE Council has an Visitors could informal link sample the very with the Pays de finest foods Bray - an area of the Seine Maritime department in Upper Normandy with similar characteristics i.e. mainly rural with a number of small market towns. It was, therefore, in 1998, proposed that the town of Forge-les Faux, which had no existing twin town in

DRAWING A CROWD The market brings thousands to the Sussex town

England, be invited to send traders to the market and this idea was received enthusiastically by the Maire and Chairman of the Union Commerciale of Forges and by the tourist organisation of the Pays de Bray. As it was feared that, given the popularity of French produce in England, this small number of traders might not be able to satisfy the demand, a group from Dieppe who were already coming to markets in the South East were also invited.

In the euphoria following a highly successful event, the hard-working committee met to discuss how it had all gone, what could have been done better and the 64,000 dollar question: would they do it all over again?

They demonstrated that Heathfield could put on a big event in the town. Even with other competing

events on in the immediate area, Heathfield could still attract people in their thousands with the right mix of stalls and entertainment and it was highly profitable for the participants. The town residents were well-informed about the event, with a leaflet drop to the majority of the people living within walking distance, so there were very few grumbles about the street being closed.

Many visitors, who had never been to Heathfield, discovered it for the first time and, having heard about the event on the radio, came from as far afield as Reigate, Bexhill and Brighton. The event raised the profile of the town through extensive press coverage over several weeks and live reportage on BBC Southern Counties Radio on the day from 6.45am onwards.

Independent Family Estate Agent based in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells - covering Kent & Sussex

FLYINGFISH . properties making a splash in the property market

Vale Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells

Harland Way, Southborough/Bidborough, Tunbridge Wells

Offers in Excess of £700,000

Guide Price: £835,000

Warehouse Mews. Draper Street. Southborough, Tunbridge Wells

Vauxhaul Lane. Southborough, Tunbridge Wells

Guide Price: £450,000 (per unit)

Long Term Let £4,000 PCM (available immediately)

At Flying Fish Properties, we enthusiastically pride ourselves on always delivering a first class property sales and lettings service with a difference: • Fully Independent & Family Run: We are a completely independent estate agent so we don't adopt a one size fits all approach. Instead, we actively listen to your specific needs and create bespoke marketing strategies in response to them. Our service will be based on your wishes and your sale, or let. will be a partnership between you and Flying Fish Properties.

• Entirely Transparent: We have absolutely no hidden costs or tie in periods and openly quote all of our fees on our website.

• Accurate Valuations: Properties valued accurately sell faster and we wil ever over value your home in order to get your business. Instead, II provide you with the most honest. accurate and well informed w pricing advice using credible and comparable sales evidence.

• Personal Approach: Being an estate agent isn't just about property.

.Let's foe soctvil: l(j facebook.com/ftyingfishproperties

CJ

twitter.com/ftyingfishuk

• Highest Quality Service: We provide the highest quality customer service to all of our clients, our approach is to take care of your home as if it was our own.

• Attention to Detail: Your home will most definitely stand out from the crowd with our stunning professional photography and innovative property descriptions.

• Highest Integrity: Fairness, integrity and best practice are guidelines that we actively embody in our service.

• The Extra Mile: Apart from being available for viewings late into the evenings and on Sundays too, we are contactable 24/7 - we will always go the ext u as your satisfaction is what drives us.

Happiness is, FLYING FISH properties

Independent Family Estate Agent 01892 514 189 I flying fish properties.co.uk 55 London Road. South borough. Kent. TN4 OPB

it's about relationship building and effective communication - we are straight talking, personable people who will always have time for you .

~ / \ The Property

~Ombudsman

Selling or letting, let us put a smile on your face

� PROPERTY SECTION

Extended family house which enjoys a superbly leafy setting

Wednesday 31st August 2016

PROPERTY SECTION 

T

HIS immaculately-presented Sevenoaks home has well proportioned rooms arranged over two floors and with five bedrooms would be ideal for a family.

The house dates from the late 1960s, with later extensions, and its picture windows allow natural light to flood in while also providing pretty views of the gardens.

Also of note are the attractive terraced lawns and hedges, which provide a wonderful backdrop to the house.

The principal reception rooms offer generous areas for formal entertaining and comprise a sitting room and dining room, both with views

over the front garden. The sitting room has a sliding door to a terrace, and a stone fireplace with oak mantel shelf and brick hearth.

For less formal living, there is a snug, which is double aspect and has Amtico flooring that continues through to the kitchen/breakfast room.

The kitchen itself is fitted with a comprehensive range of oak units by Poggenpohl and integrated appliances. The adjoining breakfast room has a southerly aspect over the garden.

There is also a utility room with a door opening to a covered area outside where a butler sink and garden store are located.

A cloakroom completes the ground floor.

Upstairs, the master suite has fitted wardrobes and a bathroom. There are four further bedrooms, all served by a family bathroom.

The house is approached over a tarmacadam drive which provides parking and leads to the integral double garage.

The established gardens are a particular feature, with areas of lawn flanked by wellstocked beds and borders, banks of heather, rhododendrons and azaleas, and mature beech hedging to the front perimeter.

To the south side and front of the house is a paved terrace with a water feature, which would be excellent for alfresco entertaining.

AT A GLANCE ■ Spacious 1960s family home ■ Sought-after south side of Sevenoaks ■ Entrance hall ■ Sitting room ■ Dining room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Utility room ■ Snug ■ Cloakroom ■ Master bedroom with en-suite ■ Four further bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Integral double garage and parking ■ Attractive mature gardens and terrace

£1,225,000 For sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

HOPGARDEN LANE SEVENOAKS

£1,225,000

‘The house dates from the late 1960s, and its picture windows allow natural light to flood in while also providing pretty views of the gardens’

Wednesday 31st August 2016

BRENCHLEY,

KENT

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

5 bedrooms + 4 bathrooms + 3 reception rooms + balcony + orangery + terrace + landscaped gardens + double garage + Council Tax=G + EPC Rating=C

Family home close to grammar schools + 5 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + dining room + sitting room + utility room + delightful gardens + double garage + Council Tax=G + EPC=D

£3,850 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£2,695 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

MARDEN,

KENT

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

KENT

New build in commuter village + 5 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms + reception room + kitchen/ breakfast room + utility room + rear garden + double garage + Council Tax=TBC + EPC=B

Town centre location + plenty of natural light + open plan kitchen/reception + two bedrooms + two bathrooms + Council Tax=D + EPC Rating=B

£2,500 pcm + £282 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee. Other charges may apply* Contact: Louise Minifie

£1,100 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.

HUNGERSHALL PARK,

UPPER HARTFIELD'

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

EAST SUSSEX

Stylish period conversion + sought-after private park + 3 reception rooms + 4 bedrooms + detached outbuilding + separate garage + 3,129 sq ft + about 0.32 acres + EPC = D

Traditional-style family home + open plan kitchen/breakfast/family room + 2 reception rooms + 4 bedrooms + garden + woodland + 3,073 sq ft + about 1.75 acres + EPC rating= B

Guide £1.55 million Freehold

Guide £1.2 million Freehold

MARDENS HILL, NR CROWBOROUGH,

Contact: Liz Devall

EAST SUSSEX

TUNBRIDGE WELLS,

Contact: Liz Devall

KENT

Adjoining the Ashdown Forest + 2 reception rooms + kitchen/breakfast room + 4 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + garage + gardens + 2,162 sq ft + about 0.30 acres + EPC=E

Central location + reception room + kitchen/breakfast room + 3 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + balcony + communal garden + secure covered parking space + 1 ,598 sq ft + EPC=C

Guide £850,000 Freehold

Guide £799,000 Leasehold

Contact: Liz Devall

Contact: Becky Card

� PROPERTY SECTION

LOW WOOD MUTTON HALL HILL, HEATHFIELD OFFERS IN EXCESS OF

£1,000,000

Large Edwardian home with annexe potential

D

ATING back to the Edwardian era, and lying at the top end of East Sussex market town Heathfield, Low Wood is a well-presented character family home offering adaptable accommodation arranged over three floors.

The property was originally owned by a local GP who added a dispensary and waiting room to the side, which now forms part of the main house and could be utilised as a self-contained annexe if required.

The light and roomy property retains many period features, including high ceilings, large sash windows and fireplaces.

On the ground floor is an impressive reception hall, a double reception room with big bay windows framing a lovely outlook over the garden, a dining room, utility room, shower room,

study and a kitchen/breakfast room with gas-fired Aga, walk-in larder and access to a cellar storeroom.

On the first floor there is a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and far-reaching views to the South Downs through a large bay window.

A further five double bedrooms, a family bathroom and a separate cloakroom can be found on this floor, with a substantial second floor attic room above – ideal for use as a games and leisure room.

The garden, with its paved terrace, provides a beautiful backdrop to the property and offers a good degree of privacy. Well stocked with a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, year-round colour is assured with herbaceous borders, a bank of azaleas, rhododendrons and a specimen tulip tree.

A gravel driveway to the front provides ample parking, with room for turning, and a useful brick workshop lies to the side.

‘The property was originally owned by a local GP who added a dispensary and waiting room to the side, which now forms part of the main house’ Wednesday 31st August 2016

PROPERTY SECTION �

AT A GLANCE

n Edwardian family home n Generous proportions n Possible ground floor annexe n Period features n Entrance hall n Kitchen/breakfast room n Larder n Utility room n Double drawing room n Study n Dining room n Shower room n Cloakroom n Cellar n Master bedroom with en-suite n Five further bedrooms n Family bathroom plus separate WC n Large attic room n Driveway and parking n Workshop n Gardens Offers in excess of

£1,000,000

For sale through Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday 31st August 2016

Tonbridge

£375,000 - £400,000

New Detached House, about 1.5 miles from the High Street. 3 bedrooms, bathroom, 'L' Shaped lounge with fitted kitchen off, study, parking for 2 cars, garden.

Hilden borough

£595,000 - £650,000

Detached 4 bedroom & 2 bathroom Family Chalet Style bungalow, in sought after Crescent, close to village amenities. 18ft kitchen-diner, garage & parking EPC D

Tonbridge

£295,000

Sought after Slade area in the centre of Town, this 2/3 bedroom End of Terrace house requires modernisation etc., Scope for attic bedroom 3 s.t.planning. EPC E

£260,000 - £275,000 Hadlow Well presented 2 bedroom duplex apartment within a grade I I listed converted Malthouse.

Few minutes' walk village shops. Fitted kitchen, parking.

Tonbridge

£350,000

Situated within a few minutes' walk of the High Street, this modern 2 bedroom end of terrace house is being offered with no forward chain. Parking & enclosed garden. EPC C

South Tonbridge

£425,000 - £450,000

We have many applicants seeking a similar 3 bedroom property, within walking distance of the High Street and schools. For a free market appraisal, call us to-day. EPC D

Langton Green £ I, 125,000 Sussex-style refurbished detached house, offering flexible accommodation, located in prestigious road in Langton Green. 3/4 receptions, showpiece kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, 4/5 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms. Superb mature level gardens. EPC: D

South borough £800,000-£850,000 Spacious detached family home, with a ground floor extension and loft conversion, located in a popular residential road. Superb kitchen/dining/family room, further sitting room, 5 bedroom, 2 bathrooms. Feature rear garden of approx. 137 ft in depth. EPC: C

II

II

Tunbridge Wells £575,000 Extended semi-detached home nestling on a wedge shaped plot in a small cul-de-sac on popular south side of town. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, master bedroom with en suite, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom. Off street parking, large rear garden. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells £370,000 Well presented and spacious ground floor apartment located on popular Mount Ephraim.

Own entrance, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, 2 double bedrooms, bathroom. Enclosed courtyard garden, car parking area. EPC: D

Groombridge £345,000 Occupying a prime central position within the picturesque and popular village of Groombridge, an immaculately presented late Victorian end of terrace house. Sitting room, kitchen/dining room, 2 bedrooms, wet room. Pretty enclosed rear garden. EPC: D

Tunbridge Wells £499,950 Well presented detached family house, in need of updating, located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the popular St John's area. Hall, reception room, kitchen, cloakroom, 3 bedrooms, bathroom.

Delightful south facing rear garden, off road parking and garage. EPC: D

 PROPERTY SECTION

AT A GLANCE HOLLOW TREES DRIVE, LEIGH ■ Detached family bungalow ■ Idyllic private road setting ■ Popular village ■ Well presented throughout ■ Entrance hall ■ Cloakroom ■ Living room ■ Dining room ■ Family room/bedroom ■ Kitchen ■ Conservatory ■ Three bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Integral tandem garage ■ Driveway parking ■ Stunning gardens

Secluded bungalow with conservatory is a rarity

£900,000-£925,000 For sale through Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

‘Nestled at the end of a private road in the picturesque village of Leigh, it occupies a large plot with plenty of space, beautifully maintained gardens and outstanding views over the open countryside’

Wednesday 31st August 2016

A

WELL presented detached bungalow in an idyllic location, nestled at the end of a private road in the picturesque village of Leigh, near Tonbridge, which has its own station on the Redhill line.

This rarely available kind of residence occupies a large plot with plenty of space, beautifully maintained gardens and outstanding views over the open countryside.

The property opens through a porch to an entrance hall

with the bedroom accommodation set to the front and the living space to the rear, making the most of garden views.

The large living room has a fireplace and window and is open plan to the dining room.

A door from the living room opens to an extension at the back of the integral garage, which provides flexible extra space as a family room or bedroom, with a double aspect and sliding doors to the garden.

The bright and well-fitted kitchen features

modern white units and a window, along with a door out to a lovely conservatory – perfect for enjoying the garden.

There are three good size bedrooms, along with a family bathroom, and a separate cloakroom completes the single storey accommodation.

To the front is a drive and turning area, providing plenty of room for parking, and the integral tandem garage.

The stunning gardens wrap around the property creating a delightful and peaceful setting.

we open doors for you ...

BarnesKingsnorth

£525,000 TONBRIDGE SUPERB OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE YOUR PERFECT HOME at this detached bungalow offering potential, subject to the necessary planning permissions, versatile family accommodation with three double bedrooms, open plan kitchen/ family room with ample storage, conservatory, sitting room with separate dining area, cloakroom and family bathroom. Outside offers plenty of driveway parking with its very own turning circle and superb large 165' rear garden perfect for garden enthusiasts or plenty of space for children to let off steam. Being offered for sale with no onward chain. EPC: D

Apply Tonbridge

£630,000 TONBRIDGE BEAUTIFUL VICTORIAN FAMILY HOME with a real sense of space and a modern feel. Two reception rooms with sitting room enjoying bay window to the front and a feature fireplace, contemporary kitchen/breakfast room with double doors to rear garden, separate dining room, downstairs cloakroom, cellar, three double bedrooms to the first floor together with family bathroom and fourth double bedroom to second floor. With the benefit of off road parking and good sized rear garden with patio this family home is ideally located for the town centre, main line station and schools. EPC: C

Apply Tonbridge

OIEO £700,000 PEMBURY STUNNING, UNIQUE FAMILY HOME set on the village green. Deceptively spacious and characterful 4-5 bedroom attached house with sunny and secluded !awned garden with brick cobbled courtyard and magnificent fig tree as well as a large balcony to the principal bedroom. Beautifully presented throughout and comprising 31' sitting room with study area and arched windows, kitchen opening to the dining room, cloakroom, first-floor family room leading to 3 bedrooms, principal bedroom, dressing room/bedroom 5 and family bathroom. Integral garage and driveway parking for several cars. Internal viewing essential to fully appreciate the character features and sense of privacy. EPC: F.

Apply Pembury 'B) Primelocatior

Residential

t f rightmove.co.uk Sales & !Lettings

Pembury: 01892 822880 e.pembury@bkea. co.uk

Tonbridge: 01732 771616 e.tonbridge@bkea .co .uk

Lettings: 01732 771616

e. Lettings@bkea.co.uk

www.bkestatea1ents.com

 PROPERTY SECTION

Thinking of moving to Heathfield?

A charming country lifestyle awaits you in this East Sussex market town lying between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne. With a variety of shops, a Waitrose supermarket, good amenities and outstanding schools, it has plenty to offer Shops & restaurants HEATHFIELD has always been famed for its markets, with the regular ones held on Tuesdays and Saturdays by Watsons auctioneers. The town centre also has a wealth of interesting shops, as well as three supermarkets – Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.

There are a number of independent shops, too, offering everything from antiques to hairdressing. But the markets really add to its appeal.

The annual French Le Marché is a very popular event, with lots of artisans from across the Channel. More than 80 stalls, plus entertainment, fill Station Road every August Bank Holiday.

A regular farmers’ market is also held in the Co-op car park on the third Saturday of each month.

And there’s plenty to eat the rest of the time, too. Popular options for a sit-down meal in the High Street include intimate Greek restaurant Pilio

and modern Indian café Rasoi, while Trip Advisor’s current chart-topper is the Galin Restaurant and Cocktail Bar. In Old Heathfield, the 14th-century Star Inn has a large garden and an excellent food menu, while Maynards Green’s Runt-in-Tun is also a popular venue, even boasting its own campsite.

There are also several fast food outlets. The Community Oven is an excellent wood-fired pizzeria housed in a horsebox open every Friday night.

‘OUTSTANDING’– OFSTED Blackboys CoE School is one of many excellent choices for children VISIT AUNTY A special antique shop in the heart of the town

‘The annual French Le Marché is a very popular event, with lots of artisans from across the Channel.

More than 80 stalls, plus entertainment, fill Station Road every August Bank Holiday’

Wednesday 31st August 2016

Local schools There are ten primary schools located within five miles of the town: � All Saints’ and St Richard’s Church of England Primary School, School Hill, Old Heathfield (Ofsted rated ‘Good’ in November 2011) � Blackboys Church of England Primary School, School Lane, Blackboys (‘Outstanding’, March 2009) Broad Oak Community Primary School, Scotsford Road, Broad Oak (‘Requires improvement’, January 2016) � Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School, Sheepsetting Lane, Cross-in-Hand (‘Good’, March 2015) � Five Ashes Church of England Primary School, Five Ashes, Mayfield (‘Good’, June 2016) � Maynards Green Community Primary School, Maynards Green (‘Good’, September 2013)

PROPERTY SECTION 

THERE’S NO JUNK HERE Give your garden a twist after scouring the shops � Parkside Community Primary School, Beechwood Lane, Heathfield (‘Good’, July 2013) � Mayfield Church of England Primary School, Fletching Street, Mayfield (‘Good’, December 2015) � Punnetts Town Community Primary School, Battle Road, Punnetts Town (‘Good’, November 2014) � St Mark’s Church of England Primary School, School Lane, Hadlow Down (‘Outstanding’, June 2009) The town’s secondary school,

Heathfield Community College, was rated ‘Good’ following its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2016. The school, in Cade Street, Old Heathfield, caters for up to 1,500 students aged between 11 and 18.

‘For outdoor types, The Cuckoo Trail gives walkers and cyclists a flat, easy route through beautiful countryside as far as Eastbourne. Going indoors, Heathfield Leisure Centre in Cade Street offers a gym and facilities for a range of sports, including badminton, five-a-side football, karate and trampolining’

Leisure facilities For outdoor types, The Cuckoo Trail – formerly a railway line – gives walkers and cyclists a flat, easy route through beautiful countryside as far as Eastbourne. Going indoors, Heathfield

KEEPING YOU WARM You don’t have to wander far for anything in Heathfield

Leisure Centre, also in Cade Street, offers a gym and facilities for a range of sports, including badminton, five-a-side football, karate and trampolining, while the surrounding area boasts several other gyms and equestrian centres. There are also three recreational parks, plus a skate park and a youth club.

Public swimming pools are near at hand in Hailsham (5 miles away) and Uckfield (7 miles), with golf courses in Uckfield and Crowborough.

Heathfield & Waldron Rugby Club in nearby Cross-in-Hand, and Heathfield Park Cricket Club are active, friendly, community-based sporting groups.

Heathfield Community Centre in Sheepsetting Lane is the hub for many other activities, including serving as a theatre for Heathfield Youth Drama.

Visitor attractions in the area include Rudyard Kipling’s former home Bateman’s at Burwash (5.5 miles away) and Michelham Priory Gardens at Upper Dicker (7.5 miles).

Council tax brackets Heathfield is in the district of Wealden, East Sussex. The annual council tax charged by Wealden District Council to

owners and occupiers of Band D homes in the town during the 2016/17 financial year is £1,735.77. The national average for such a property is £1,530, with the average for Band D homes in rural districts being £1,601, and £1,306 in London.

Out of this payment, 71.21 per cent goes to East Sussex County Council and 10.09 per cent to Wealden District Council for the provision of services and maintenance and development of infrastructure.

The remainder is divided between the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (8.47 per cent), East Sussex Fire Authority (4.93 per cent) and town or parish councils (5.3 per cent).

Transport links Direct trains to London are available from Buxted (7 miles away), with services operated by Southern taking 76 minutes to reach London Bridge in normal times. Alternatively, Southeastern trains from Stonegate station (8 miles) to London Bridge take 64 minutes, or 71 minutes to Charing Cross. Hastings is a 33-minute journey in the opposite direction.

Heathfield is served by a number of bus routes which connect the town to Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Lewes, Haywards Heath and Brighton.

For motorists, the town is on the A265, halfway between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne.

It’s a ten-mile drive to join the A21 Hastings to London road and 45 minutes to Brighton. The south coast is 17 miles away.

MORE THAN A SHOP The Co-op hosts Farmers’ Markets each month in its car park

Wednesday 31st August 2016

MADDISONS R ES ID ENT I A L

~

Excellence is not a skill. It's an attitude.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

THEillllLTIMES

Rolls-Royce M oto r Ca r ~

£1,195,000

The Oaks Farm - Brenchley

Wonderfully presented spacious, period property situated dmrn a quiet country lane in the ,·illagc of Brenchley. lcabulous and completely rcnorntcd accommodation throughout the 4 reception rooms and 6 bedrooms.

Beautifully crafted Neptune kitchen, with ,·icws m·cr the rear garden.

Set \\ithin an acre of grounds, with heated s\\·imming pool, gazebo , outbuilding and feature duck pond.

Garden Cottage, Bayham Road - Tunbridge Wells

£795,000

Charming former gamekeeper's lodge "·ithin walking distance of Tunbridge \\'ells.

O,·cr 1. 760 square feet of "'Cll-configurcd lh'ing accommodation. including .1/ -! bedrooms. 2 reception rooms and 2 bathrooms arranged m·cr 2 floors.

Bcncfitting from beautiful. mrnrd-\\·inning gardens as well as a drh·c,rny. off-road parking and spacious garage.

Ideally placed for all local amenities. including excellent grammar an<l indcpcn<lcnt schooling options.

Postern Barn - Tudeley

£1,100,000

A beautiful barn com·crsion on a prirntc road in Tudclcy. lcabulous rnultcd main reception room with open , galleried landing abm·c , plus a spacious kitchen/ diner, study and 4 bedrooms, one "·ith its own en suite.

Three quarters of an acre plot \Yith lm·cly gardens to front and rear as well as fabulous rural ,·icws.

Tonbridge mainline sta tion only .l milcs dista nt.

4 Maidstone Road - Pembury

£645,000

\Veil-presented family home in the thri,'ing ,·illagc of Pcmbury.

Bcncfitting from m·cr 1.700 square feet of accommodation ,d1ich includes-! bedrooms. .1 reception rooms. 2 bathrooms. guest cloakroom and a sophisticated. ,Ycll-cquippc<l kitchen and fully integrated appliances.

Secluded location set dmrn a prin1tc drh·c and encased entirely in its mrn plot.

Integrated garage. delightful summerhouse and large garden storage shc<l.

www.maddisonsresidential.co. uk Royal Victoria House, 51-55 The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TE Telephone: 01892 514100 Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk

MADDISONS R ES ID ENT I A L

Excellence is not a skill. It's an attitude.

~

THE SUNDAY TIMES

THEill/LTIMES

Rolls-Royce M otor Cars

"Incredible personal service with attention to detail."

"The best agent I have ever worked with in over 40 years."

"For once - an honest estate agent!"

HIGHCROFT, KIPPINGTON ROAD

£2,950,000

"Outstanding comprehensive service and personalised advice."

LADDINGFORD HOUSE

£2,150,000

"Exceeded all expectations."

"Reliable, thoughtful, friendly and professional - very impressed."

"One of a kind."

HUNTLEYS PARK

£1,200,000

These are just some of the headline comments made by our delighted buyers and sellers. To read more kind words, please visit the leading independent estate agent review site, Rater Agent.

RUSTWICK

£725,000

Nothing gives us greater pleasure than being a part of your house moving dream, so if you want to experience a different type of estate agent, please get in touch today.

MOLYNEUX PLACE

KENTISH MANSIONS

£695,000

£445,000

www.maddisonsresidential.co. uk Royal Victoria House, 51-55 The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TE Telephone: 01892 514100 Email: info@maddisonsresidential.co.uk

� PROPERTY SECTION

Large equestrian spread with two extra flats is horse lover’s dream

AT A GLANCE TURNDEN HARTLEY ROAD, CRANBROOK n Interesting country residence n Large amount of land and equestrian facilities n Entrance hall n Sitting room n Dining room n Study n Games room n Conservatory n Cellar n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Cloakroom n Master bedroom with en-suite n Four further bedrooms n Family bathroom n First floor sitting room and kitchen n Ground floor apartment with sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms, shower room, bathroom and garden n First floor apartment with sitting room, kitchen, three bedrooms, shower room and garden n Gardens and many outbuildings n Extensive stabling and paddocks n In all about 68.38 acres

£2,750,000 For sale through Knight Frank Tunbridge Wells 01892 515035 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Wednesday 31st August 2016

T

URNDEN is an attractive Grade II listed farmhouse located close to the pretty town of Cranbrook, with an impressive amount of land and equestrian facilities as well as two very useful attached apartments.

The property boasts more than 68 acres, extensive stabling, paddocks, a manège, various outbuildings – including two large commercial barns – a tractor shed and a Dutch barn.

Turnden is currently arranged as one main dwelling with the two flats – one on the ground floor and one on the first floor.

The main house has many period features, including magnificent exposed timbers, some oak mullioned windows, wide oak floorboards and inglenook fireplaces.

It has a sitting room, dining room, games room, study, kitchen, cloakroom and utility room on the ground floor, with five bedrooms upstairs, as well as two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a second sitting room.

The house is approached off the A229 with a gated driveway leading to the property.

The drive then splits, with one spur leading to the farm buildings, manège (silica sand) and extensive stabling – including 17 main stables, wash bay, tack room, hay barn, pony yard and dog kennels. The other spur leads down to the various outbuildings and two recently installed large commercial barns.

To the immediate rear of the house there is a pretty garden with terraces, mature trees, shrubs, plants and a tree-lined pond.

The land is predominantly split into various fully-fenced paddocks, all of which have mains water. In addition to the grazing

land there are small pockets of light woodland and a number of natural ponds.

The flats are more recent additions, offering good accommodation with their own gardens.

The ground floor flat has a sitting room with a kitchen, a shower room and two bedrooms, one with en-suite bathroom.

The first floor flat comprises a sitting room, a kitchen, a shower room and three bedrooms.

‘The property boasts more than 68 acres, extensive stabling, paddocks, a manège and outbuildings – including two commercial barns’

� PROPERTY SECTION

All mod cons enhanced by deliberate nods to the past AT A GLANCE ROWAN HOUSE WEST END, KEMSING n Attractive detached family house n Built 2002 n Close to centre of village n Very well presented n Entrance hall n Cloakroom n Drawing room n Sitting room n Conservatory n Study n Superb open-plan kitchen/ dining/family room n Utility room n Master bedroom with en-suite n Guest bedroom with en-suite n Three further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Parking n Attractive gardens with terrace

£950,000 For sale through Knight Frank Sevenoaks 01732 658856 www.knightfrank.co.uk

‘A double-aspect drawing room has an inglenookstyle fireplace, gas stove and French doors to the garden’

Wednesday 31st August 2016

R

OWAN HOUSE is an attractive, modern family home built in 2002 and situated close to the heart of Kemsing village, near Sevenoaks.

The accommodation is extremely spacious, with appealing features and generous gardens.

The front door opens to an entrance hall giving access to a double-aspect drawing room which has an inglenook-style fireplace, gas stove and French doors to the garden. The sitting room has French doors to the conservatory, as well as a cloakroom and study.

The vendors have created an excellent open-plan kitchen/ dining/family room with a

further set of French doors to the side garden.

The kitchen offers a range of attractive oak units with granite work surfaces, allowing space for a range cooker, an integrated dishwasher and a freestanding fridge-freezer.

A door then opens to a large utility room which has space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer, a boiler cupboard and a water softener. More double doors open to the garden.

From the entrance hall, a staircase rises to the first floor landing. Here, the master bedroom has a window to the front and a large double wardrobe cupboard. There is an ample en-suite bathroom with a separate shower cubicle and power shower.

There is a guest bedroom to the rear, also ensuite, and there are three further bedrooms – two with fitted wardrobe cupboards. There is also a family bathroom with another separate shower cubicle and power shower.

Rowan House is approached via an electric gate and private driveway and has space for three or four cars.

The house is well screened from the road by mature shrubs and trees and there is an area of garden to the side, laid to lawn, where a gate leads to the garden behind the property.

Immediately to the rear of the house is a paved terrace, and the remainder of the garden is also laid to lawn with shrub borders.

ELLIS&CO

01732 770077 tonbridge@ellisandco.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells

Andrews >

andrewsonline.co.uk NEW PRICE

0

Albion Road, TN1 2LE

ÂŁ265,000

Pretty Victorian terraced cottage in the popular St James area on the outskirts of the town centre with feature fireplaces. Two bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, upstairs bathroom and enclosed rear garden.

Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Tunbridge Wells Sales 01892 515 11+1+

LANDLORDS WANTED

To view more properties available from all 85 of our offices, visit andrewsonline.co.uk

Andrews

REQUIRED FOR PROPERTIES IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Contact us on: 01892 51511.tlt

lettings@andrewsonline.co.uk

1-kMJProperty

Your local independent Estate Agent

...contactable 7 days a week

2 bed terrace house in the town centre 1/ 2 mile walk from the MLS. Lounge, dining room/ extra bedroom, kitchen, basement cinema room, plus further useful storage room, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.

C/ yard garden, DG and GFH. Some work required .

EPC D. NO CHAIN

3 bedroom semi-detached house; Lounge , dining room , kitchen, upstairs bathroom and 3 bedrooms .

Tastefully decorated throughout, double glazing and gas fired heating. Rear garden with block paved patio and Lawn area. EPC tbc.

2 bed terrace cottage, which would benefit from some further updating and development. Lounge, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and an upstairs bathroom, some original features, gas fired heating and rear garden. NO CHAIN, EPC E

Modern 2 bed " back to back" house, just over 1/ 2 mile from a MLS . Open plan Lounge/ dining room with underfloor heating, modern fitted kitchen , 2 bedrooms and an upstairs bathroom . Double glazing and a parking space. Electric heating .

EPC D. No Chain

www.kmjproperty.co.uk ar::I Find us on â&#x20AC;˘ 111 Facebook

01892 515188

<i)nTheMarketcom

sales@kmjproperty.co.uk

ď Ž PROPERTY SECTION

LONDON ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

ÂŁ950,000

Opulent apartment in prime position by the Common T HIS large, superbly sited apartment comprises just over 2,400 sq ft of accommodation, arranged across two floors within a grand Grade II listed townhouse overlooking Tunbridge Wells Common.

Within a short walk of the town centre and mainline station, this elegant apartment also benefits from a private rear terrace, two parking spaces and a covered balcony.

A ground floor entrance lobby opens into a spacious inner hall. There is a study that could be used as a third bedroom with an en-suite shower room, as well as a dining room, a cloakroom, a utility room and an excellent kitchen/breakfast room.

The kitchen has Marmoleum floor tiles, a bay window overlooking the terrace, a good range of painted wall and floor units and granite work surfaces, along with a central island, Smeg gas range and integral appliances.

In the hall, steps down provide access to the rear terrace and a staircase leads up to a large half landing with a

Wednesday 31st August 2016

storage cupboard and window to the rear.

Moving on up to the main landing, the first floor drawing room has two sets of double doors to the covered balcony, which spans the property, and looks out towards the Common.

The master bedroom also has doors leading out on to the balcony, as well as a fitted dressing area and en-suite bathroom.

The guest suite has a bedroom with a bay window to the rear, fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room.

Externally, electric entrance gates lead to a communal front garden and the two allocated parking spaces for this apartment.

To the rear, steps lead up from the back door to a paved private terrace which provides an excellent entertaining area. There is also a garden shed and gate offering useful side access to Dudley Road.

PROPERTY SECTION 

AT A GLANCE

■ Excellent apartment within Grade II listed townhouse ■ Arranged over two floors ■ Overlooking Tunbridge Wells Common ■ Period features ■ Entrance hall

‘Within a short walk of the town centre and mainline station, this elegant apartment also benefits from a private rear terrace, two parking spaces and a balcony’

■ Dining room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Study/bedroom 3 with en-suite shower room ■ Cloakroom ■ Utility room ■ First floor drawing room with balcony ■ Master bedroom with balcony, dressing room and bathroom ■ Guest bedroom with en-suite ■ Private terrace to rear ■ Communal gardens to front ■ Two allocated parking spaces

£950,000 For sale through Jackson-Stops & Staff Tunbridge Wells 01892 521700 www.jackson-stops.co.uk

Wednesday 31st August 2016

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

MARTIN&CO

01892 543856

Letting• Sales • Investment

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

PROPERTIES FOR LET 2 BED

PROPERTIES FOR SALE I

I Bed

BROOMS I

• Close to BR station

• 2 double bedrooms• 2 bathrooms • Great for sharers

• Separate kitchen

• Lake views

• Private parking

£965 pcm TO LET

Guide price£ 168,995 LH FOR SALE

• 5 bedrooms • Detached house

• New build • No chain

• Double garage

• Off road parking

• Well appointed kitchen

£2300 pcm TO LET

David Rogers, Managing Director When considering the value of a property prior to putting it on the market, many vendors understandably look at the asking price of other properties currently on the market locally, and draw pricing conclusions based on this research.

Whilst this is not an unreasonable way of determining value, there are some traps for which to look out.

Firstly, an important observation is that if a

GUIDE PRICE £325,000 - £350,000 FH FOR SALE

property is on the market, it is by definition "unsold". An unsold property is invariably one that is overpriced. If it had been priced correctly then it would have sold, but in the event the market has rejected it and it will probably only sell if the price is reduced. So if you have a similar property and you price it at about the same level as the unsold property, then the chances are that yours will remain unsold as well.

We know that purchasers buy by comparison. So your property has to compare favourably when seen alongside others on the market. If your property is similar to another on the market nearby, then yours only becomes readily saleable when it is priced favourably and offers better value for money.

Additionally, if you feel that your property is slightly better than a neighbouring property for sale (as you are bound to, as you chose the decor and it has your own possessions in it) then surely it makes sense to quote a similar price, rather than attempting to offset the extra features with a higher price.

Ultimately, correct pricing is all about seeing the world through the eyes of the buyer and making responsible and effective pricing decisions which always point to offering better value than that offered by competing properties available locally.

If you'd like to know how your own property compares to others currently available, then please feel free to contact us on O 1892 543856 for a free consultation without obligation.

••

~~

•

iJl1iFLY PROPERTIES

BY CAROL PRIER

Awell presented detached family home with south west facing rear garden and ve rsatile accommodation comprising cloakroom, three large reception rooms, fitted kitchen, utility, large garage, four bedrooms (three doubles) with wa rdrobes, family bathroom and love ly views from the first floor across Horsmonden and open countryside. EPC: G

Fabulous 4 bedroom detached famil y home with 1.5 garage. Accommodation comprising spacious entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room, large dining room which leads through to conservatory, well fitted kitchen, 4 bedrooms and shower room; currently being converted by the present owner into a bathroom. Viewing highly recommended. EPC: D

Grade II listed 3 bedroom maiso nette situated in the heart of Horsmonden village, offering private garden and car parking.

Accommodation is set out over two floors comprising large sitting room with open fireplace, kitchen/dining room, spacious and attractive bathroom, large bedroom and cloak/utility room to the first floor and a further two attic rooms to the second floor.

Beautiful 1950s family home offering in excess of 1 acre of grounds plus an additional 2.2 acres of communal land. 4 bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms, 3 receptions to include conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, utility and cloakroom. Detached annex building with services and triple bay garage. EPC: E

SPACIOUS DETACHED RESIDENCE PLUS ONE BED SELF CONTAINED ANNEX. Convenient for shops, schools, main line railway station. This property has 4 double bedrooms, 2 large reception rooms plus a study, kitchen and utility room; cloakroom, en-suite shower room and family bathroom plus a self-contained one bedroom annexe. Outside is a mature garden plus parking for at least 3 cars. This property offers all the accommodation a large family needs plus the space to work from home. EPC: DEPC: C

Beautifully presented , extended 4 bedroom family home situated in a popular location within walking distance of main line station and town amenities. Accommodation comprising stylish entrance hall, ground floor showe r/ cloakroom, we ll fitted kitchen, 21'6" x 20'3" Sitting/dining room and contemporary family bathroom to first floor.

Garage and south facing garden. EPC: C

If yo u are looking for a Grade II listed character cottage in an idyllic semi-rural village location, then Horse & Groom Cottage is for you. Offering ve rsatile accommodation over three floors to provide 4 double bedrooms, 3 receptions, the most fabulous gardens to the rear with heated swimming pool, pool hou se with bar and separate seating area with built-in pizza oven.

STAPLEHURST

Stable Cottage is perfectly located within the Parish of Brenchley for country livi ng, yet only 1.9 miles distant to Paddock Wood mainline station. Accommodation comprising 3/4 bedrooms, study/bedroom 4, large drawing room which is 22'5" x 18'7".

Ground floor bathroom with first floor cloakroom. Farmhouse kitchen (extension) with bespoke fitted units, 2 double bedrooms to the first floor. Garage with utility area which leads off from the kitchen. South facing rear garden. EPC: E

CHAIN FREE-This individual detached family size residence offers 2281sq ft of flexible accommodation, standing in mature garden grounds adjoining fields. Approached by it's own private drive with a double garage and useful outbuildings. This property is realistically priced for a quick sale and is chain free. Buyers looking for a home of character in a semi-rural location yet within approx half a mile of Staplehurst main line station should book an appointment to view. Rear photo shown. EPC: E

3 bedroom semi detached family home situated in the heart of Pembury vi llage with accommodation comprising entrance lobby, sitting room with open fire, separate dining room, fitted kitchen and utility lobby. Bathroom to first floor. The property boasts lots of storage and pretty garden to the rear of good size with sunny aspect. Viewing essential! Awaiting EPC

� PROPERTY SECTION

~

orDit

HOMES

*Based on a fu ll 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 w ith any other financial incentives. Written details available on request.

YOUR HOME ISAT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ONA MORTGAGEOR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Image is computer generated.

Description: Good use of underdeveloped land Type:

Any size and number of units

Location:

Anywhere in the South East

If you have been refused planning permission for what on the face of it would seem a reasonable application , SJD Projects may be able to assist.

Through our network of developers and investors, we have been instrumental in achieving planning on sites that otherwise have not achieved their full potential.

For a no obligation assessment please contact our offices on our freephone number 0845 456 8969.

Mobile: 0773 951 4350 Website: sjd-projects.com

Wednesday 31st August 2016

LAND & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Freephone: 0845 456 8969 Email: steve@sjd-projects.com

C

Q

':)

_______________________________ [ff] ....______________________________ ___..

.......

...

WOOD & PILCHER

Tunbridge Wells

£725,000

An impressive four bedroom detached town house arranged over three floors within a development of just three detached homes on the popular south side of town. EPC: C

Tunbridge Wells

£799,995

Wadhurst

£385,000

Newly built in 2007 is this three bedroom apartment. set within well presented grounds in the ever popular village of Wadhurst. Beautifully presented and finished to a high standard including quality built-in wardrobes. a modern bathroom and en-suite and granite worktops in the kitchen. EPC: C

Matfield

Offers Over £425,000

A particularly attractive conversion of an 1860's built former coach house and stables. now providing a character four bedroom detached home. set within a prestigious tree lined road on the desirable south side of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Semi-detached house situated in the sought-after village of Matfield, a wonderful rural spot yet commutable from nearby Paddock Wood. Extended to provide capacious accommodation with off road parking and beautifully maintained gardens. EPC: D

Bidborough

Tonbridge

£630,000

A delightful cottage style three bedroom end of terrace house which is situated in a private close located in sought after village of Bidborough with garage, garden and views. Viewing highly recommended. EPC: D 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

Two bedroom detached bungalow in a prime location. good size garden. driveway parking, wonderful scope for improvement. Extensive local amenities at York Parade within half a mile and Tonbridge just a bus ride away, no chain. EPC: D

woodandpilcher. co. uk rightmove

Guide Price £400,000

~ nTheMarkelcom

Other offices in Crowborough , Heathfield & associated London Branch

NEWHOMES

e

Show2016

SATURDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 10AM - 4PM at One Warwick Park Hotel ~--------To register for your free tickets simply email property@timesoftunbridgewells.co. uk with your name and the number of tickets required

FEATURING: • Wood & Pilcher • Berkeley Homes • Savills • Dandara • Bracketts

WF.ST KENT'S

TY GUIDE - FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY SELL

u~:i~~:;i;::

LOOKING TO BUY, LET

on

MOVE"'1ifrt~es Pretty country paradise With views over the Beul! valley and bluebells!

Pickup your FREEshow guide in TOTW 21 st September

Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge

ÂŁ1,800,000

Offering a wealth of accommodation combined with much charm and character is this seven bedroom detached house which was built in approximately 1890 and extended in later years.

Dry Hill Park Road is one of Tonbridge's premier roads, ideal for nearby Hilden Grange School and Tonbridge mainline station.

A PRESTIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT BY 0

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

SIMON PATIENCE

savills

NEW HOMES 0

~

www.simonpatiencenewhomes.com

www.gillsgreencourtyard.co.uk

II

C

New Homes

01732 363633 www.rpclandandnewhomes.co. uk westkent@rpcnewhomes.co.uk

FORD KUGA. PRICES STARTING FROM £19,995 AND AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW 3 Years' Free ServicingThe Kuga is the crossover vehicle that offers excellent on-road performance and reassuring stability in more challenging terrains. Intelligent All-wheel drive technology means the Kuga is ready to adapt to any situation life may throw at you. Packed full of many more innovative features, the Kuga takes SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) styling and technology to a whole new level. The Kuga delivers brilliant performance under the bonnet too with a choice of fuel-efficient engines. A fantastic all round car that delivers on every level.

3 Year Ford Options representative example New Ford Kuga Titanium Sdr Estate 2.0 lBOPS Diesel Manual l monthly payment (including £10 Finance Facility Fee*)

£309.00

35 monthly payments

£299.00

Cash price

£23,920.00

---------------------------Deposit Allowance £1,700.00

---------------------------Customer deposit £2,000.00

---------------------------Amount of credit £20,220.00

---------------------------Tot al charge for credit (excluding £10 purchase fee ** ) £1,345.71

Total amount payable by customer Mileage per annum

Excess mileage charge (pence per mile) Borrowing rate (fixed) Representative APR

Contact your Local Lifestyle Ford to find out more information today.

Lifestyle Ford Tonbridge Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, KentTN9 lTN Tel: 01732 758726

£23,585.71

---------------------------Optional final payment £10,801.71

Lifestyle Ford Tunbridge Wells Mount Ephraim.Tunbridge Wells, KentTN48AG Tel: 01892 739131

Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/lOOkm) for the Ford Kuga Titanium 5dr Estate 2.0 lBOPS Diesel Manual range shown: Urban 46.3-47.l ( 6.0-5.5 }, Extra Urban 56.5-60.l (4.9-4.7), Combined 52.3-54.3 (5.2-5.2). Official C02 emission figures l35-l34g/km.

Retail only. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Failure to make payments on time may make obtaining credit in the future more difficult. Your vehicle may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments. Subject to availability for new vehicles, contracted and registered before 30/09/2016. *Payable with the first instalment. **Payable with the Optional Final Payment if you wish to own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Further charges may be made subject to the condition of the vehicle, if the vehicle is returned at the end of the finance agreement. At the end of the Personal Contract Purchase there are 3 options: (i) Renew: Part-exchange the vehicle, where equity is available, (ii) Retain: Pay the Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) to own the vehicle or (iii) Return the vehicle. 'Ford Options' is a form of finance agreement provided by Ford Credit, Freepost, Ford Credit. We may receive a commission for any introduction to this finance company. We are licenced credit brokers, written details are available on request. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the purpose of insurance mediation activity. Firm reference number 305672. • Available on selected vehicles, free servicing is subject to manufacturer's recommended service intervals.

6,000 8.00 2.2184% 2.90/oAPR

FORDEDGE The new Ford Edge is the peak of modern refinement, boasting power and economy in equal measure. Brimming with the latest technology, the Edge offers everything from off-roading perfection to top-of-the-range safety features for the most accomplished drive you'll ever have.

Ready for anything, the Edge is equipped with plenty of baggage space, with adjustable seating options to expand your possibilities even further. Whether you 're taking your car to the edge of the wilderness or simply driving to work, the Edge is perfect for any journey.

accordingly. The system also operates on an 'on-demand' basis, allowing you to save on fuel as you drive by activating only when necessary.

Improved safety on even icy conditions allows you complete peace of mind, so you can simply relax and enjoy the powerful drive.

Designed with style in mind, the Edge offers smooth contours and muscular lines to show this is a force to be reckoned with, inside offering only the best in comfort and luxury. Adaptive lighting with Ford Dynamic LED headlamps offer innovative technology that can follow the road, helping you to see clearer around bends and improve your visibility to other drivers. Paired with technology that lets you see vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from either side, you get an intelligent SUV that offers a supremely relaxed ride.

The Ford SYNC 2 hands-free and touchscreen infotainment system offers on-road entertainment at its finest, letting you wirelessly connect your mobile phone to control music and phone calls. Innovative voice recognition also allows you to search for nearby amenities with simple phrases such as 'I 'm hungry'. The fully integrated navigation system delivers real-time traffic and speed updates to allow easier planning and a stress-free journey. Wi-Fi connectivity is even available via hotspots with a USB modem, and the system can call Emergency Services for you if the airbags are deployed during an accident, giving details of your location and literally saving lives.

The Edge is able to provide instant grip on any terrain , thanks to Ford's intelligent All-Wheel-Drive (iAWD) system, which is able to detect changes in environment and adjust the power sent to each wheel

6

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

The 2.0-litre TDCi engine offers both power and economy, even when driving off-road. You can even opt for Automatic Paddle Shift Controls, normally only found on high-end sports cars for that extra touch of sportiness. This allows you to change gears almost effortlessly and increases efficiency while cornering. Auto Start-Stop technology goes one step further in efficiency, by automatically switching off the engine when idling in queues or at traffic lights. Simply put your foot down on the clutch and move into first gear as normal, and the car is ready to go without a fuss.

A number of luxurious features await inside the Edge, offering an unparalleled ride for you and your passengers, like Active Noise Control, designed to silence unwanted cabin noise so you can truly be alone with your thoughts. Microphones can detect and measure specific sound waves, while you can separate the sounds you

want to hear from those you don't via a control unit. The system can then create inaudible 'white noise' to block out any of the sounds you don't want, offering a complete haven from the driver 's seat.

The new Ford Edge also offers a hands-free liftgate for easy access to the boot when your hands are full. All you need to do is simply wave your foot underneath the rear bumper and the tailgate will lift for you . There are separate controls inside the car for maximum convenience, allowing you to even pause the lifting action at the touch of a button.

The new Ford Edge Titanium AWD 2.0 TDCi is the perfect mix of muscle and sport, providing you with a supremely high-end drive that is ready to go wherever you do. Pick up your brand new '66 plate now from Lifestyle Ford.

8166ER OFFERS FROM LIFESTYLE FORD. 3 YEARS' FREE SERVICING, CONTACT US TODAY.

"B166ER

V

FORD EDGE. PRICES STARTING FROM £29,995 AND AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW At Lifestyle Ford you will now receive 3 Years' Free Servicing- with every new Ford Edge.

Sitting at the pinnacle of our SUV range, the New Ford Edge is the epitome of modern refinement.

Potent performance, cutting-edge styling and state-of-the-art technologies put this car ahead of the crowd.

With a bold and impressive road presence, this vehicle is more than just an SUV, it's a confident statement of intent.

3 Year Ford Options representative example New Ford Edge Titanium AWD 5dr Estate 2.0 180PS Diesel Manual l monthly payment (including £10 Finance Facility Fee*)

£389.00

35 monthly payments

£379.00

Cash price

£31,855.00

---------------------------Deposit Allowance £500.00

---------------------------Customer deposit £3,000.00 ---------------------------Amount of credit £28,355.00 ---------------------------Tot al charge for credit (excluding £10 purchase fee** ) £549.68

Total amount payable by customer Mileage per annum

Excess mileage charge (pence per mile) Borrowing rate (fixed) Representative APR

Contact your local Lifestyle Ford to find out more information today.

Lifestyle Ford Tonbridge Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, KentTN9 lTN Tel: 01732 758726

£31,924.68

---------------------------Optional final payment £15,260.68

Lifestyle Ford Tunbridge Wells Mount Ephraim.Tunbridge Wells, KentTN48AG Tel : 01892 739131

Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/lOOkm) for the Ford Edge Titanium AWD 5dr Estate 2.0180PS Diesel Manual range shownt: Urban 43.5-44.l (6.5-6.4), Extra Urban 51.4-52.3 (5.5-5.4), Combined 47.9-48.7 (5.9-5.8) . Official C02emission figures 152-149g/km. tVariation shows 19 or 20 inch alloy wheels.

Retail only. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Failure to make payments on time may make obtaining credit in the future more difficult. Your vehicle may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments. Subject to availability for new vehicles, contracted and registered before 30/09/2016. *Payable with the first Instalment. **Payable with the Optional Final Payment if you wish to own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Further charges may be made subject to the condition of the vehicle, if the vehicle is returned at the end of the finance agreement. At the end of the Personal Contract Purchase there are 3 options: ( i) Renew: Part-exchange the vehicle, where equity is available, (ii) Retain: Pay the Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) to own the vehicle or (iii) Return the vehicle. 'Ford Options' is a form of finance agreement provided by Ford Credit, Freepost, Ford Credit. We may receive a commission for any introduction to this finance company.

We are licenced credit brokers, written details are available on request. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the purpose of insurance mediation activity. Firm reference number 305672. • Available on selected vehicles, free servicing is subject to manufacturer's recommended service intervals.

6,000 8.00 0.6462% 0.80/oAPR

LIFESTYLE FORD. WHERE TO FIND US ...

Our Lifestyle Ford dealerships are manned by a dedicated and highly professional team of sales, servicing, parts and accessories specialists, who have all been trained to the highest level to ensure your complete satisfaction when visiting us.

If you are looking to purchase a new or used car, require aftersales support or are looking to replace parts or accessories for your car then please contact us, or visit us at one of the locations below.

Lifestyle Ford Tonbridge Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 lTN Tel: 01732 758726 Opening Hours Monday 08:30 Tuesday 08:30 Wednesday 08:30 Thursday 08:30 Friday 08:30 Saturday 08:30 Sunday 10:00

- 19:00 - 19:00 - 19:00 - 19:00 - 19:00 - 18:00 -16:00

Lifestyle Ford Tunbridge Wells Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN48AG Tel: 01892 739131 Opening Hours Monday 08:30 Tuesday 08:30 Wednesday 08:30 Thursday 08:30 Friday 08:30 Saturday 08:30 Sunday 10:00

- 19:00 - 19:00 - 19:00 - 19:00 - 19:00 - 18:00 -16:00

Lifestybe Bord Your journey starts here

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

THURSDAY NIGHT IS STEAK NIGHT Choose from, Rib Eye, Fillet, Rump or Sirloin

@

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

@

68 � FOOD AND DRINK

Everything’s looking ship shape at the newly refurbished Blue Anchor in Crowborough He might have only been landlord there for a few months but former customer Stuart Nicholson is already making waves at this classic country pub that’s got a great new lease of life So tell us Stuart, how long have you been running the Blue Anchor?

I took it over last November so it’s not even been a year yet!

Have you always been in the hospitality industry?

No, this is a first for me so it’s very much a learning curve.

What do you enjoy most about running the pub?

I would say probably the people. We have all sorts of characters coming in and plenty of locals with interesting lives and stories to tell.

What attracted you to it in the first place?

The Blue Anchor was my local for many years. It’s like that old Victor Kiam Remington advert where he says: “I loved it so much I bought the company!”

Do you have any other businesses?

If so, what are they?

Yes I do. I run my own mobile mechanic business so I’m always on the go.

ENJOY THE SUNSHINE Plenty of space to relax and unwind

There’s a lot of competition with country pubs in this area so what is your unique selling point?

At The Blue Anchor we pride ourselves

‘We’re famous for our fish and chips but our customers like the fact our menu changes frequently so we don’t really have a signature dish’

on serving quality food. There is a very large garden that’s covered by a free and open WIFI network . We regularly hold parties and barbeques.

How important is sourcing locally produced and seasonal food to you?

It’s vitally important to us: It’s part of the pub’s ethos to source and support regional produce and suppliers.

Can you name some of them?

We use C.L Leppard Butchers in Mayfield and Penshurst Fine Foods for various goods. We also buy our pork from Lynne’s Organic farm in Eridge.

Are your customers mainly from Crowborough or do you have people coming from all over the area?

It varies to be honest. We have our very loyal locals but we also get a lot of passing trade for lunch and dinner thanks to being located on the A26.

Do you try to keep up with foodie trends or does your chef prefer to cook the classics?

Our head chef Chris likes to experiment with a mixture of

Wednesday 31st August 2016

Eton mess

Fanned galia with cantaloupe melon

FOOD AND DRINK �

Roasted duck breast, dauphinoise potatoes and french beans in a wild berry, orange and pineapple jus

69

things. He’ll do tradtional dishes but also introduce a gourmet twist here and there.

What is your most popular dish on the menu and why?

We’re famous for our fish and chips but our customers like the fact our menu changes frequently so we don’t really have a signature dish.

What is the most important consideration for you when running a business?

I would have to say that it is our customers. We want them to enjoy the whole experience of dining here at The Blue Anchor.

If you could sum up the appeal of your pub in three words what would they be?

Friendly, warm and inviting.

BLUE ANCHOR Beacon Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1BB 01892 654519 www.blueanchorcrowborough.co.uk

FULL OF CHARACTER Just one part of the impressive dining area

GREAT LOCATION Conveniently sited on the A26 in Crowborough

Wednesday 31st August 2016

70 ■ FOOD AND DRINK

A cool new venture from one of the most committed of our local organic farmers Based on the outskirts of Eridge, Lynne’s Organic Farm is renowned for producing excellent soft fruit, pork and eggs. Now they have branched out into making their own ice cream, too. Eileen Leahy caught up with Lynne Curtis, who runs the farm with her partner Jeremy Davis, and got the scoop on their latest organic offering Why did you decide to start making ice cream?

We came up with the idea this spring. We usually have plenty of spare fruit, and we hate waste, so we were trying to think of other ways of using the fruit. We’ve made ice cream for ourselves for a number of years and thought it may be a popular sideline for our shop.

When did you launch it and how are you promoting it?

As soon as we had some spare soft fruit! This started in June, when our gooseberries were prolific. We started slowly with a few tastings for some of our regular customers and luckily the feedback was very good so we moved forward with producing as much as we could.

Are most of the fruit ingredients you use sourced from your own orchards?

Yes, and all of it is organic. The majority of the soft fruit is no longer in season, but we managed to pick and process a lot for the freezer, so we can

continue to make ice cream even though the fruit has finished for this year. We are about to start picking plums and pears, but we need to do some experimenting with those because we have not made ice cream with these two flavours before.

What flavours are in the range – any unusual ones?

We sell strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry, blackcurrant, cherry and blueberry. Even though some of the flavours are very familiar, we believe the taste is different because we’re using fresh fruit rather than flavourings.

Gooseberry and blackcurrant are slightly unusual but they tend to be the most popular.

In the winter, I’ll probably experiment with additional flavours.

How did you decide upon the different flavours?

Simple: We’ll experiment with any spare fruit to see if it makes good ice cream!

KEEPING IT NATURAL Lynne’s ice cream is totally organic

Wednesday 31st August 2016

FOOD AND DRINK ■

71

RICH PICKINGS Cherry is a popular ice cream flavour

Where do you source the other ingredients from?

The eggs are from our hens, but unfortunately we don’t produce our own milk or cream so these need to be sourced from commercial organic suppliers – and we are always on the lookout for a local organic one…

Are there any downsides to running a farm and your own business?

Not really. The summers are always very, very busy so it’s impossible to take a break, but when you can do something you enjoy it’s not the end of the world. You just have to take advantage of the shorter days during the winter.

As well as ice cream, what else do you sell in your farm shop?

Everything we stock, including the fruit, vegetables, pork and eggs, is produced on our land – we won’t sell anything that isn’t. We often make honey-roast ham for the farm shop, too, and I also make carrot cake to order, which is made with our own carrots. I am actually expanding our range of cakes when we get into the autumn, and some of these will include wheat-free ones, such as a ground

almond chocolate cake. I get plenty of practice experimenting as my partner Jeremy is allergic to all grain flours. I am also hoping we will have our own honey to sell in the shop next year, which will probably mean honey ice cream will follow!

You’re now working on the farm full time, so how does this differ from your previous career in healthcare?

It is very different. I was previously a clinical project manager in charge of running trials, and I also have a background in nursing. But I have always enjoyed cooking and baking, so it’s now great to be doing this and to be outside – and not sitting at a desk.

Lynne’s Organic Farm’s ice creams are priced at £2.50 a pot, and are made from totally organic ingredients sourced mainly from the farm.

For more information visit www.lynnesorganicfarm.org

Do you find that you are busier than ever these days because you are your own boss?

Farming is more than a full-time job, there is always something to do. We have never-ending lists of jobs to sort out!

If you could sum up your new ice creams in three words, what would they be?

Naturally indulgent treat.

HARVEST FESTIVAL There’s plenty of soft fruits to choose from

Wednesday 31st August 2016

72  ADVERTISING FEATURE FESTIVE FRANKFURT Germany knows how to celebrate the season

C

It’s never too early to plan a winter getaway

HRISTMAS is a magical time to enjoy a break in the snow or catch some seasonal holiday fun – the ideal opportunity to escape and indulge. Just relax and let someone else worry about getting the turkey and trimmings ready on Christmas Day. So wrap up warm and enjoy a picture-perfect Yuletide getaway at home or abroad with these dream destinations.

And there’s often no need to pack your passport. You can discover plenty of cultural and historical highlights on our very own shores in the UK. Perhaps a cosy Edinburgh Christmas full of seasonal cheer and spirit could do the trick? Scotland’s capital is certainly a great location for the festive break. Based in the heart of Edinburgh, you are perfectly positioned to explore the city and everything it is renowned for –

Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Princes Street.

And you can enjoy a typical Christmas with a Scottish twist!

The festive markets in the city centre are a popular highlight of Edinburgh’s Christmas. Enjoy delicious food and drink and traditional crafts at the Scottish Market in St Andrew Square, pick up unique gifts and goods at the European Market in the Mound Precinct, or choose presents for the little ones in the Children’s Market, part of Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens,

where they even have reindeer rides.

Winter is also a wonderful time to visit the most beautiful and historic Christmas markets in Europe.

Held in cities, towns and villages throughout the continent, they are becoming increasingly popular due, no doubt, to the enchanting atmosphere they evoke.

Germany’s Christmas Fairs and Markets are quite unique. If you’re tired of

‘Perhaps a cosy

Edinburgh Christmas full of seasonal cheer and spirit could do the trick? Scotland’s capital is certainly a great location for the festive break’

commercialism taking over this holiday period and would like to shop in a more traditional and romantic way, you will find that in Germany Christmas gifts are not mass-produced but are craftwork of real quality.

So, if you are looking for presents and dream of the lovely smell of a Christmas tree, or the sound of carols, let the scent of baked apples, chestnuts, gingerbread and mulled wine draw you towards the country’s world-renowned markets as fairytales and Christmas traditions come to life in each of the beautiful ancient towns along the Rhine, and in the city of Strasbourg – the Capital of Christmas.

If you haven’t been before, prepare to enjoy the season in full swing and remember to leave room in your luggage to bring presents home!

Many dream of a white Christmas, but have you ever dreamed of celebrating it while enjoying EDINBURGH ROCKS! Covered in winter snow, its castle towers above the city

Wednesday 31st August 2016

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

the spectacular northern lights? In winter, Norway treats its visitors to the dazzling celestial displays of the Aurora Borealis.

Enjoy a cruise along its beautiful fjord-indented coastline, and spend time in its thriving towns and cities, including the capital, Oslo, with its array of museums and galleries and innovative contemporary architecture.

Christmas in Norway lasts more than a few days: It’s a whole season with specific rituals and preparations. And the dark nights and snow that covers most of the country add a magical touch to the holiday spirit.

You’ll discover a coastline of extraordinary beauty, where northern Europe’s highest mountains overlook dramatic fjords that are the scenic envy of the world.

73

BEAUTIFUL BERGEN Norway also adds magic to Christmas

SANTA’S HELPERS We all love reindeer

Wednesday 31st August 2016

the bewl water

BOAT HOUSE BISTRO The Boat House Bistro Set Menu 2 courses £15.50 3 courses £20.50 Available: Wednesday & Thursday - 12pm to 9pm Friday - 12pm to 5pm

WITH THE

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

By James Fossdyke WHAT’S NEW? There’s something familiar about the Niro, but it’s an all-new car. Sitting perilously close to the Sportage, but nevertheless at the foot of Kia’s SUV range, the jacked-up hatchback is the first car Kia has designed solely to be a hybrid.

As a result, almost every single thing about the Niro is new. There’s a new chassis supporting a new powertrain, and the whole lot is covered by a completely new body. Only a few interior trimmings have come straight from the Kia parts bin.

At launch, the only engine option is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol unit assisted by an electric motor, although Kia is promising a plug-in hybrid for 2017.

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

FIRST DRIVE

KIA NIRO

LOOKS AND IMAGE At first glance, the Niro is unmistakably a Kia – that tiger-nose grille and the slanting lights ensure it sticks to the brand’s signature ‘face’ – but placing it is a little more difficult. Is it a jacked-up, beefed-up Cee’d? Or is it a shrunken Sportage?

Either way, it’s reasonably good-looking, but the fact that it appears like so many cars rolled into one somehow takes away any personality that was lurking in there.

Inside, it has that same familiar-yet-new look, which has come as a result of pinching important parts, such as the infotainment system, from the Sportage, yet adding its own bespoke panels.

However, despite the fact it has lifted so much from its stablemates it’s remarkably well built, although when you search lower down the cabin you’ll find quite a few cheap, hard plastics lurking.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY The Niro is marginally larger than the Fiat 500X it competes with, but only by a few centimetres.

Nonetheless, that difference, combined with the Kia’s less wantonly stylish body and better packaging, means the Niro is the roomier car.

The most obvious sign of this comes when you open the tailgate. There’s a 373-litre boot back there, which is 23 litres larger than the Fiat’s.

Take the underfloor tray out and you can up that to 421 litres.

You’ll find a tad more room in the rear, too, where two reasonably tall adults could sit in relative comfort thanks to a more generous helping of rear headroom than you’ll find in many crossovers.

BEHIND THE WHEEL Hybrid cars are often associated with refinement, but oddly enough, the Niro doesn’t actually major on quietness.

In fact, despite its nearsilence on inner-city

roads, there’s a lot of tyre roar on the motorway, not to mention the drone of the engine.

Of course, this isn’t helped by the fact the Niro’s combination of electric and petrol power only affords it 139bhp, which means you have to work it quite hard just to achieve a sensible cruising speed. But even if you do push it, it’ll take a while to gather pace. The sprint (if you can call it that) from 0-62mph takes 11.1 seconds, and it feels every bit as laborious as it sounds.

There is one surprising silver lining, however, and it’s the handling. The Niro’s steering is vague and light, but it grips well and the way it contains its body roll is a match for any of its rivals.

It’s reasonably comfortable, too, although it does fidget a little bit on pitted road surfaces, and the plush leather chairs of higher-spec variants make it seem comfier than the more utilitarian seating found on less generously equipped models, such as our ‘2’-spec test car.

‘There is one surprising silver lining, however, and it’s the handling. The Niro’s steering is vague and light, but it grips well’ The Niro’s biggest selling point is efficiency. The basic ‘1’ and mid-range ‘2’ models will both return more than 74mpg and emit just 88g/km of carbon dioxide – figures which put the Kia ahead of rivals with even the latest diesel engines.

VALUE FOR MONEY At £21,295, the basic Niro is exactly £7,000 more expensive than the cheapest Fiat 500X, and that’s a big old price difference for two cars that are separated in size by just a few centimetres.

The Niro is slightly more practical and there’s a big efficiency benefit.

Both are powered predominantly by 1.6-litre petrol engines, but the Niro’s electric motor allows it to return 74.3mpg and 88g/km CO2 emissions, while the Fiat’s unassisted engine only manages 44.1mpg and 147g/km CO2 emissions.

That’ll make a big difference when it comes to running costs, but beware – the Niro’s economy is drastically reduced by the big wheels of top-of-therange variants.

Mind you, going for the top-spec cars isn’t essential because Kia’s new offering is well equipped. The hybrid drive means an automatic gearbox is fitted as a necessity, while 16-inch alloys, two-zone climate control and DAB radio are all standard. Satellite navigation is included on all but the basic ‘1’ model, too.

Even so, the Niro isn’t cheap. Admittedly, speccing a 500X up to the same level of equipment and efficiency as the mid-range Niro ‘2’ will cost more than £21,000, but that’s still a good £1,500 cheaper than the Kia.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? The Niro is slightly too pricey to make sense for the average private motorist, but the low CO2 emissions and the equally low tax rates they permit mean that quite a few company car drivers may be tempted.

FACTS AT A GLANCE PRICE: £22,795 MODEL: Kia Niro ‘2’ 1.6 GDi HEV ENGINE: 1.6-litre petrol and electric motor TRANSMISSION: Six-speed automatic PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds, 101mph top speed ECONOMY: 74.3mpg EMISSIONS: 88g/km

Wednesday 31st August 2016

76 n MOTORING

ff ADlOW STAIR GARAGE

t:01732 352 476 A family run independant garage offering MOTs, Service and Repair to all makes and models of cars and light commercial vehicles.

MOT ÂŁ39.95 MOT & Oil Service ÂŁ105 (available for cars holiding up to eight litres of standard oil)

MOTs Service Repairs Clutches Exhausts Tyres Air Conditioning

OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday: 8am-6pm Saturday: 8am-1pm Sunday: Closed Car storage & Transportation can be arranged

0Bl66ER 0

Ford Tonbridge TN91TN 01732 758726

Ford Tunbridge Wells TN48AG 01892 739131

www.lifestyleford.co.uk

Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/lOOkm) for the Ford range shown: Urban 14.183.l (20.1-3.4 ), Extra Urban 28.8-94.2 (9.8-3.0), Combined 20.8-88.3 (13.6-3.2). Official C02 emission figures 306-82g/km.

-The 3 services package includes: Servicing: All scheduled servicing, as detailed in the manufacturer vehicle's service book, will be covered for the first 3 services within the first 3 years (36 months) or 37,500 miles from registration, whichever comes first. Servicing intervals are due once every 12 months or every 12,500 miles. whichever comes first. The service package is activated from date of registration. Vehicles shown for illustration purposes only. Offer only valid to retail customers from 15th August 2016 - 30th September 2016. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the purpose of insurance mediation activity. Firm Reference Number 305672.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

MOTORING n

77

..

CITROEN C4 CACTUS RIP CURL WITH GRIP CONTROL MADE FOR ADVENTURE. CITROEn

I

I

CITROEN C4 CACTUS RIP CURL FROM ONLY £99 PER MONTH ON PERSONAL LEASE' The critics' hatchback of the year, Citroen C4 Cactus, is now available in this exciting new edition. Merging its fluid lines and audacious personality with the thrill of board sports and spirit of freedom of Rip Curl it's going to make a splash, wherever it's seen. Bold graphics and body details are standard, as is the new and unique Grip Control function which adapts to all weather and surface conditions for you.

ll Wi£!i citroen.co.uk

CReATiVe TeCHNOLOGie CITROEN prefers TOTAl.

0

~

RIPCURL

Prices & offers apply to retail sales of qualifying models ordered 0 1-31/07/16 & registered

DJ 30/09/16 or until such time as offers/prices may be withdrawn by Citroen at its complete discretion & include VAT, de~very to dealer & number plates, Government Registration Fee & 12 months' graduated vehicle excise duty. Optional paint available at

extra cost. Elect 4 Personal Lease rental shown applies to Citroen C4 Cactus PureTech 110 S&S manual Rip Curl. An advance rental of approx 20-30% of the cash price of the vehicle will be required, followed by 34 monthly rentals at the rates shown & a significant optional final rental. You will not own the vehicle. Excess mileage charges may apply if the agreed annual mileage is exceeded. Payment of the optional final rental extends the rental term !this does not transfer title of the vehicle) & requires an annual rental equivalent to one months' rental. Personal Lease finance subject to status. Finance provided by and written quotations available on request from PSA Finance UK Limited !company registration number 01024322) t/a Citroen Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1QA, UK. CltroE!n Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Over 18s only. A guarantee may be required . THAMES MOTOR GROUP (TUNBRIDGE WELLS) LTD IS ACTING AS A CRED IT BROKER AND NOT A LENDER. TO FINANCE YOUR VEHICLE WE MAY INTRODUCE YOU TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF LENDERS. Offers & specification correct at time of going to press from participating Dealers. Terms & conditions apply. Please ask us for details. Subject to stock availabi~ty.

Official Government fuel consumption figures (Range): Urban cycle, Extra urban, Combined (litres per 100km/mpg) & C0 2 emissions (g/km); Highest: Citroen C4 Cactus PureTech 82 manual Flair 5.6/50.4 , 4/70.6, 4 .6/61 .4 , 107. Lowest: Citroen C4 Cactus BlueHDi 100 S&S ETG6 Feel 3.9/72 .4 , 3.2/88 .3, 3.4/ 83.1, 89. MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions.

THAMES MOTOR GROUP 01892 549766 NORTH FARM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT, TN2 3EY www.thamestunbridgewells.citroen .co.uk

REBORN 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.

Fuel co nsumption and

C0 2 figures based on st andard EU t est s for comparative purp oses and may not refl ect real driving results.

Wednesday 31st August 2016

78 ■ CARE FEATURE

Keeping the community mobile Mobility aids are medical devices used by all ages, for a range of disabilities, so they require a lot of consideration when choosing the perfect model. John Payne, the Managing Director of Kent Mobility, tells us what is involved in a trade like his…

Tell us about the origins of Kent Mobility and the company ethos…

I inherited an attitude to business from my old employer when I first started out in the trade many years ago. He had a very simple but effective philosophy when it came to how a company should be run, especially one of our nature – build the product for the customer.

When my wife and I began Kent Mobility 29 years ago, we took the same approach. We believe in treating people how you wish to be treated yourself, and we build the product as close as we can to what we call their ‘wish list’.

That’s how we’ve gone forward over the years and continue to this day. The company now

GETTING OUT AND ABOUT Mobility scooters are just one way to improve lives

Wednesday 31st August 2016

employees 12 members of staff and you can meet all of them on our website.

Do you work closely with the Kent and Sussex communities?

Yes, we do. We get a lot of referrals from the NHS, occupational therapists and various charities, particularly those who deal with people suffering from muscular dystrophy. We work closely with Age Concern and various disability organisations, including multiple sclerosis societies. We receive a lot of sling assessment referrals for individuals who need assistance when getting out of bed or using the bathroom. We have a team of specialists, including an Occupational Therapist,

to carry out these assessments for the client.

These are strong relationships we have built up over the many years we have been in business.

Disabled access is expected of businesses and new builds. Do you work with local professionals and companies to make sure the requirements are met?

Yes. We help with access. This includes hoists, slings and ramps – anything that makes life accessible for our clients.

We have a representative who works with architects. He will visit the sites and organise the installation of hoists or ramps when necessary. Our rep will work closely with the builders to insure that every requirement and standard is met.

How do your products and services differ from your competitors?

We are completely different from any regular supplier of mobility aids or goods for disabled and elderly clients.

Commonly, what you find in these shops is what we refer to in the

trade as ‘box products’, predominantly manufactured abroad.

We differ from this as we adapt the product for the customer by offering an assessment service.

Our staff not only take into account our client’s ‘wish-list’ and their disability, but their transport and how they live their lives.

The weight of their product is also a huge consideration and whether their transport has the capability to take it. Then there’s the care staff, or relations, who have to handle it on a daily basis – is it suitable for them as well? When it comes to children, we also look at which school they attend, what the student has to do while there, and which product will work with the facilities they have for disabled students. There’s a million and one things that need to be taken into account when choosing or amending a product for a client. There is no standard model for all.

Most companies just want to sell a basic chair – a client comes in, they purchase a standard product and then they leave. We don’t. If the customer wants that, then we can, but we believe any purchase requires careful thought and consideration. High-level clients, like those who suffer from

‘We are completely different from any regular supplier of mobility aids or goods for disabled and elderly clients’ John Payne

CARE FEATURE 

79

muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis, need something that’s adaptive. We’ve had a lot of customers who have bought something online and found it ineffective, but unfortunately those products can’t be adapted. I can’t think of anyone a box chair would work perfectly for. Products that have been ordered online would need tweaking to fit a client well. I’ve been with customers for half an hour and up to four hours to assess their needs. You have to get the product right first time.

Choosing a mobility aid is probably an emotional experience for someone whose health is deteriorating, is living with a disability or has been in a serious accident…

There are families who have been in tears and all you can do is be an ear for them when they need it. We are here to be supportive in any way we can be. All our staff have experience in working with clients with disabilities, and most of them have been occupational therapists for many years. It’s an emotional journey.

The children, in particular, have an effect on me. It’s important that if you know a child will be coming off their legs, they need to get moving as quickly as possible with whichever product they choose to use.

We were approached by the charity Children in Distress regarding Romanian orphans who did not have access to any mobility aids and so would have to stay in their beds or cots. We were asked if there was anything we could do to help.

When chairs are returned to us, they are now donated to the charity. An occupational therapist in Romania sends us the images and measurement of children in need of mobility aids and we send over the most suitable chairs.

One orphan was two years old when we sent him his first chair and we recently got a photo of him outside his college in another one of our products - it was a great sight to see.

The sooner a child can be mobile, the better.

We get photo updates of the children in the chairs and we put them up on the wall.

What do you offer in terms of aftercare?

We support everything we sell and we support an awful lot of products that we don’t. Clients just need to contact us if their product needs a service. We have our own workshop and engineers who are trained in dealing specifically with mobility aids. Servicing is complex and you need a professional to carry it out.

Describe Kent Mobility in five words Tailored, Lifestyle, Solutions, Professional and Experienced.

Kent Mobility Ltd Unit 6 Orchard Business Centre, Sanderson Way, Tonbridge TN9 1QG TAILOR-MADE FOR MOBILITY John Payne and colleague Heather Seaman with the products in the shop

01732 770998 www.kentmobility.co.uk

Wednesday 31st August 2016

80 n RECRUITMENT

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

Fill your vacancy now in print or online.

For more information contact Jordanne Reville on 01892 576049

Wednesday 31st August 2016

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Summer Activities at Bewl Water* When?

Monday 25th July to Friday 2nd September (inclusive)

Who?

For all children aged 5+

Time?

Full Day: 9.00-16.00 I Half Day: 9.00-13.30 Or join us for breakfast club 8.00-9.00am!

Price:

Full day camps £39.99 or £24.99 for a half day camp £5.00 extra for breakfast club

Join us for a fun filled day including: Rounders or Ultimate Frisbee, Cricket/Football or Painting, Bewl Treasure Hunt, Active Fun Games or Cheerleading, Bewl Mountain Bikes Experience, Bewl Water Nature Walk, Kids Academy Ranger Car Experience, Bewl Water Pedalos, Bewl Water Safari and more!

Please note: booking is essential.

Payment must be made in advance to secure your child's place.

bewl water

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

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

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

Jazz On The Pantiles continues its summer run this evening, so if you like this musical genre and enjoy dining alfresco then pop along to the bandstand at 7.30pm. www. thepantiles.com

>> WEDNESDAY This is the final week for a number of special summer holiday activities, including the Winnie The Pooh Trail, which is on at both Chartwell and Emmetts Gardens. So if you’re stuck for something to do then why not visit one of these National Trust properties and join in the treasure hunting fun! www.nationaltrust.org It’s also the final day you can catch theatre troupe Brymack’s production of The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up – a play based on the life of Peter Pan at beautiful Groombridge Place. So if you haven’t seen it then today is your last chance.

Tickets cost £10.95 per child and £14.95 per adult.

To book visit www.groombridgeplace.com Monty Python’s Spamalot continues every day at Trinity Theatre until Saturday, so if you want a dose of surreal, side-splitting comedy then make sure you catch one of the anarchic performances happening this week. David Fawcett and Director John Martin lead the talented cast. For further information and to book tickets visit www.trinitytheatre.net >> THURSDAY This is also the final week you can experience Penshurst Place’s Maize Maze. This fun activity will keep children – and their parents – amused and you also get to visit the stately home’s glorious gardens and brilliant adventure playground. For tickets visit www.penshurstplace.com Today Ightham Mote will be hosting a Colouring Book fun day.

Artist Amy Jane Adams will be in residence to coincide with the launch of the National Trust’s new colouring book, for which she has created a stunning picture of this medieval moated manor house. Visitors will be able to buy the book and gain artistic advice from Ms Adams. www.nationaltrust.org/ ighthammote

Wednesday 31st August

>> FRIDAY Another school holiday event that’s coming to an end is the Tall Tales and Tiny Tavern exhibition at the Tunbridge Wells Museum. If you haven’t already seen it then make sure you visit as the gallery space cleverly presents an intriguing story told through the installation of dolls’ houses and furniture. www.tunbridgewellsmuseum.org If you’re looking for great family day out then head to Ashdown Forest. Not only is it a wonderful area for walks, its connection with AA Milne’s Winnie The Pooh makes this corner of East Sussex a must visit for children of all ages. When you’re there make sure you pop into the Pooh Corner café in Hartfield. See pooh-country.co.uk Scotney Castle is hosting a series of Hop Walks over the next few weeks until September 25. It is one of the last places to grow, pick and dry hops in the area, so if you’re a beer fan or history buff then this is the perfect activity. There will be two daily sessions – from 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm – which will take in the hop gardens, picking shed and drying oast, with a sample of Scotney Ale available at the end of the tour. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle >> SATURDAY The Ramblers’ Walk About event starts today and runs until September 11. Its aim is to get people out walking. There are over 1,000 different walks in Britain, with 270 in the south east alone, so there really is a route for everyone to enjoy. During the festival there will be a number of group-led walks. These include one tomorrow which takes in Frant, Eridge Rocks and the Tunbridge Wells circular. It starts at 10.30am and is a distance of 11 miles. To take part please visit www.ramblers.org.uk MusicStation in Bank Street, Tonbridge is hosting an open day from 10am this

SPAMALOT A few more knights

morning. Whether you’re already into music, or fancy the idea of learning how to play an instrument, then why not pop along and take the opportunity to have a chat with one of the school’s experts, or pick up a guitar and have a strum. www.musicstation.pro Mental health charity Crossways Community is holding a late summer picnic for residents, families and supporters at their premises located at 8 Culverden Park Road in Tunbridge Wells. Running from midday until 3pm, there will be a selection of drinks and snacks, a bric-a-brac stall and live music by Jonah’s Wail. The event is free, but to reserve a ticket call 01892 529 321. www.crosswayscommunity.co.uk This weekend Crowborough will be hosting its third Open Studios event. No fewer than 41 artists and four creative collectives will be showing their work around 18 different venues in the town and Jarvis Brook. As well as painters and sculptors, there will be ceramicists, jewellery-makers and textile artists showing their work from 11am to 5pm. For more information please visit www.crowborough-arts.org.uk >> SUNDAY If you can’t get away this summer then fear not as Tonbridge’s heated outdoor pool, located behind the town’s historic castle, will make you feel like you’re on your holidays. There’s also an appealing alfresco dining area where you can enjoy light snacks or lunch. Tickets cost from £3.80 for non-members. For more information visit www.tmactive.co.uk Bowles is a popular outdoor activity centre based just outside Tunbridge Wells and it’s got a wealth of interesting activities on over the summer holidays. Children aged over eight can enjoy participating in the balance challenges, which also promote good teamwork. All course prices vary so to find out more visit www.bowles.ac If you really want to have a go at swinging through the trees and navigating wobbly wooden bridges but are too small for Go Ape at Bedgebury, then try out the excellent junior version in Cranbrook. Tickets are priced from £18. www.goape.co.uk THE GREAT OUTDOORS Get walking with your family

HANGING TOUGH Little ones will enjoy Go Ape! Junior

>> MONDAY Bedgebury Pinetum is the perfect place to spend a sunny soj0urn, so if you’re looking to fill the last day of the school holidays with some enjoyable activities and plenty of fresh air then head over to this wonderful forest. As well as plenty of great cycling action and walks you can browse through an art exhibition about the pinetum’s vital conservation work. For more see www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk Alternatively, you could visit Haysden Country Park, just outside Tonbridge, and see its newly refurbished play area or indulge in a spot of fishing. Day tickets are available from the bailiff at Barden Lake. For information visit www.tmbc.gov.uk The Tonbridge Folk Club meets at the Chequers Inn at 8pm. Tonight’s guest is Jed Grimes. All singers and musicians welcome. >> TUESDAY Lisa Class’s returning Chinese Brush Painting Exhibition continues at Trinity Theatre Gallery this week. The artist is inspired by the classic paintings and studied under one of China’s leading specialists in this area: Xiao Bai Li. Class’s work, which is both beautiful and timeless, is on until September 11. www.trinitytheatre.net Chiddingstone Castle is a great day out for all the family. As well as its interesting historical artefacts, curated by former owner and antiquarian Denys Bower, this summer there is an interesting Egyptian Experience to enjoy too. For details visit www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

ARTISTIC INSPIRATION Visit Crowborough’s Open Studios event

WHAT’S ON 

83

THE ROYAL OAK

A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Paul Dunton

Keen cyclists will love Explore Kent’s On The Trail of The Tudors six-mile bike ride. This takes you on a traffic-free route via Tonbridge Castle and the magnificent Penshurst Place for a brilliant day out. For more information and maps visit www.explorekent.org

WORTH THE TRIP: The Continental Circus of Berlin, Dunorlan Park, Thursday September 1 until Sunday September 4

Live music The Cross Keys has plenty of excellent live music this week. For jazz enthusiasts I highly recommend June Beckles this Wednesday night, and for blues lovers the superb duo Dave Peabody & Alan Glen will be performing Friday night.

The Forum has a great weekend ahead with Goldie Lookin’ Chain headlining on Friday, and if you fancy donning your dancing shoes Boogie Nights on Saturday offers a brilliant disco extravaganza with retro vibes and funky tunes.

For fans of acoustic and pop/rock, the excellent Woodface are at The Beau Nash Inn on Saturday night, while local singer-songwriter Ashley Evans will be performing at The Bedford Pub. Tom Carradine’s Cockney Singalong next Wednesday at Scallywag café is always great fun – and a wonderful opportunity to exercise those vocal chords!

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Roll up, roll up! Dunorlan will be home to the Continental Circus of Berlin from Thursday until Sunday. With two performances being put on daily, visitors can expect to see a variety of classic turns, such as acrobatic and aerial acts, and plenty of additional entertainment, including comedy and music. For timings and tickets visit www.circusberlin.co.uk

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

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

FRIDAY Degenerate Disco Presents: Legends Of GLC – Goldie Lookin’ Chain SATURDAY Boogie Nights THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

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

SATURDAY Soul Train after party

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

SATURDAY The Harveys MONDAY Open Mic Night THE BEDFORD PUB

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

SATURDAY Ashley Evans

THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE

Crescent Road, information on times and tickets at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

FRIDAY Queens of Country MUSIC ON THE PANTILES BANDSTAND

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

THURSDAY Jazz series SATURDAY Soul Train

THE BEAU NASH INN

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

SATURDAY Woodface SCALLYWAG CAFE

45 Mount Ephraim

WEDNESDAY Carradine’s Cockney Singalong TONBRIDGE FOLK CLUB

MASONIC CENTRE

St John’s Road, information on times and tickets at www.twjazzclub.co.uk

FRIDAY TW Jazz Club: Bob Dwyer’s Bix & Pieces

Ye Olde Chequers Inn, 122 High Street, Tonbridge Free entry, music 8-11pm, hat collection (£7 recommended) Details at www.tonbridgefolkclub.org

MONDAY Jed Grimes

THE CROSS KEYS

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

WEDNESDAY Sonny’s Jazz: June Beckles FRIDAY Blues with Bottle: Dave Peabody & Alan Glen MONDAY TWUNT – Ukulele Jam WEDNESDAY Sonny’s Jazz: Paul & The Nocasters with guests

Goldie Lookin’ Chain

Wednesday 31st August 2016

84 ■ ARTS & CULTURE

Meet the big band conjuring up a little magic in the name of charity

On Sunday September 11 at the Assembly Hall there will be an afternoon of fabulous music and fundraising for the Royal British Legion courtesy of the Astor Big Band. Here, its leader, Terry Steel, chats about the history of his big band and why he has come out of retirement to help our soldiers…

“I left school in 1955, got myself a couple of classical music qualifications and then worked as a bass clarinettist at the Royal Opera House.

I’d been playing some jazz on baritone sax during my college years, and one day I received a phone call from the band leader, Jack Parnell, to say he needed a baritone player for a world tour.

I was young, the money was good, and all of a sudden classical music was left behind.

After touring with Jack in the 60s I was back in London and working in the West End, doing a few recording sessions and the odd tour with the likes of Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow. My agent, Vincent Shaw, told me that the Astor Club were interested in having a Glenn Miller-style band, so I went to see them and agreed a four-week trial in 1970. I actually ended up staying there for nine years!

After the Astor club was pulled down we continued playing, but mainly doing ballroom dancing sessions rather than concerts.

I toured with several well-known big bands fronted by the likes of Jack Parnell and Ken Mackintosh, then I went on to work as musical director for some of the UK’s biggest stars, including Dana, Roy Castle, Norman Wisdom, Peters & Lee and the giant of comedy – Mr Tommy Cooper!

After musically directing several theatre shows, such as West Side Story, Chess, Sweet Charity, Chicago, Grease and Guys & Dolls, I then worked as a session musician playing on a few No. 1 records before taking up the Astor Big Band again

‘I decided to take the band back on the road to support the Royal British Legion’ a few years ago. We now have 17 musicians and six singers, plus our Strictly Miller Dancers. We perform a host of Glenn Miller’s hits, including In The Mood, Tuxedo Junction, At Last and Moonlight

IN THE MOOD The Astor singers perform on stage

The

And

rews

Siste

rs

sby

ro gC

Bin

er Tommy Coop

atra Frank Sin

Norman Wisdom

Wednesday 31st August 2016

ALL THE LATE GREATS Just some of the stars Terry has worked with and been inspired by

ARTS & CULTURE ■

BIG BAND SOUND Terry Steel and his band in full swing

85

ALL IN THE NAME OF CHARITY PICTURE: CLIVE CHILVERS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The Astor Big Band have been appointed as the official touring show by the Royal British Legion to raise money for their Poppy Appeal, which this year has a special focus on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

There are some 6,000 modern-day veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq who will – if they do not already – suffer from Post Traumatic Stress. The Royal British Legion need to raise an extra £250,000 a year to provide care for those who are so badly affected that they have to live in sheltered accommodation. For more information visit www.britishlegion.org.uk All profits from the Astor Big Band shows will go to this charity. There will also be a collection from the audience during the interval.

To book tickets, which are priced at £21 (£18 concessions) for the concert, visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

BLOWN AWAY Terry Steel still enjoys playing and touring

Serenade – as well as hits by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and The Andrew Andrews Sisters. We also do songs from musicals musicals, including West Side Story and Les Misérables – all in unmistakable Glenn Miller style.

I decided to take the band back on the road to support the Royal British Legion for a year. I went along to their offices in Ashford to arrange to do a few concerts, and they suggested I sign a contract for four years to take in the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. I told them it would be too long a stint as I’d be 80 by then. One of them answered: “Well, I’ll be 84, so just sign!” I couldn’t think of a suitable answer to that so here we are!

Everybody has been told about the numbers of our soldiers killed or injured in recent conflicts conflicts, but very few people are aware of the 8,000-plus who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (PTSD), which is a totally debilitating condition and renders the sufferer incapable of undertaking a job or, in some cases, even managing to live in the community.

These young men and women get little or no support from the state other than a pitifully small payment on discharge discharge, so they are totall totally dependent on the Royal British Legion for support.

The seating capacity of the Assembly Hall theatre is roughly 1,000, so if we sold out we would raise nearly £8,000 £8,000.

But sadly big bands are not as popular as they were – unless you are Jools Holland – so anything over £1,500 profit for a concert these days is good.”

Wednesday 31st August 2016

86 � THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Kent Barker Country matters

After taking a leap from London, the plan was to start a new life in the countryside and a career as a famous author. Instead I acquired a dog and part-time work managing a community orchard. You can read these experiences on my blog: www.kentcountrymatters.blogspot.co.uk

Pagan ritual is a bit of a boar ‘It’s the start of the hunting season and it can be a bit like the Wild West up here’

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE Villages in the Orb valley have their own hunting territories

T

HE French seem to have a somewhat schizophrenic approach to dogs. Even the most macho of men can carry around the smallest and fluffiest of lapdogs without embarrassment. Canines of all sizes are welcomed in restaurants where adults who should know better fawn over them and call them by the childish term ‘toutou’. Waiters rush to bring them bowls of water along with coffee and croissants – the latter for the owners, obviously, not the dogs.

Myrtle thinks this is all excellent and wishes she was treated with such respect in the UK. Yet on a morning walk round the village that we’ve adopted in the hills of the Haut-Languedoc we came across a very different situation.

As we rounded a bend a howling started,

Wednesday 31st August 2016

followed by angry barking. A little way down in the valley were a few rudimentary shelters with low corrugated roofs. The area was enclosed by a high wire fence, against which a dozen or so large dogs were jumping, apparently in a desperate attempt to escape. Who could blame them? It was baking hot and their ‘kennels’ must have exacerbated the heat rather than provide shade.

I think Myrtle picked up their distress and started moving swiftly away. I was shocked that anyone would keep dogs in such conditions and decided to ask around the village whose they were. But in fact it was a washing machine that ultimately provided the answer – well indirectly, anyway.

The house we acquired was, by most definitions, a bit of a wreck. Stucco was falling from the

facade, cracked plaster tumbled in large lumps from ceilings, while wallpaper peeled off under its own weight. The entire electrical installation (if you can call it such) was carried by a pair of lighting cables without any thought of an earth.

Amazingly, though, there was running water and the water heater didn’t fuse the entire system when switched on (though I was careful to unplug it before using the kettle). An ancient fridge coughed into action – even if it was powered from a light socket – and, once we’d replaced the gas bottle, the cooker functioned in an idiosyncratic sort of way. So we were able actually to live rather than merely camp there for the month.

What we desperately needed, however, was a washing machine. With all the heat and dust we were soon running out of even vaguely clean T-shirts and it was a 20km run to the nearest laverie automatique. So we asked our new friends in the village if they knew of a second-hand

machine for sale and, lo and behold, they said yes, another English couple had just bought one only to find it wouldn’t run off the solar panels that provided their only source of power.

Their invitation to view the machine came with an ominous warning. “It’s the start of the hunting season and it can be a bit like the Wild West up here,” Neil said. “I’d better meet you halfway up the hill.” As I gingerly drove up the dirt track behind his Land Rover we were forced to pull over to let a stream of pick-up trucks and battered Peugeots pass. Now I’m used to the French habit of popping away at small birds during ‘la chasse’. But this was clearly hunting on a different scale. Two of the vehicles towed trailers. Inside a big cage on one was a pack of dogs. In the other were three very large – and very dead – wild boar.

It turned out that Neil knew a bit about it all, having become pally with one of the hunters and been taken out at the end of the previous season.

The extensive wooded hills around the Orb valley are divided up between various villages with the territory jealously guarded by individual hunting clubs. There are tales of food being left out to ensure there are sufficient animals to kill.

Some in the village who are not so keen on the ‘sport’ say the animals have become so tame that they occasionally wander into remote houses in search of sustenance – which could give you a bit of a turn if you found a large, betusked porcine standing there with a metaphorical begging bowl.

Anyway, it all made sense of the dogs we’d seen down the valley.

And of a curious sign I’d come across, ‘Diane De Berlou, Mercredi, Samedi, Dimanche et Jours Feries’. Not some local girl made good, but Diana – Roman goddess of hunting!

Though what the local priest saying Sunday mass makes of this pagan ritual is anybody’s guess.

Wine, Dine, Relax & Sunshine

L'AMORE

SUMMER DINING IS HERE! Set Lunch or Dinner Menu Available Monday to Sunday

RESTAURANT

2 courses £ 15.50

I 3 courses £20.50

To make a reservation please call O1892 520587 or email reservations@onewarwickpark.co.uk WWW.ONEWARWICKPARK.CO.UK

TUNBRIDGE WELLS TN2

5TA