Times of Tonbridge 25th April 2018

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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Grammar school’s sports field opens – but it’s not for community use

TANKS VERY MUCH

Heritage boost for project to mark the end of WWI Page 2

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk A STATE-of-the-art sports ground was opened at Tonbridge Grammar School last week after all local objections had been overcome.

The sloping grass field has been levelled to create three welldrained training spaces, one of which is a floodlit all-weather pitch.

The new facility, seven years in the making, includes a double long jump pit, a sprint track and cricket nets. There will also be a pavilion erected on the site.

VERY SPECIAL BREW Tonbridge firm creates beer for Connor’s charity Page 15

Shortage The project was originally given the green light as far back as 2010 with a view to addressing ‘a particular shortage of facilities available to the community’ as well as boosting the school’s profile.

But wider usage was curtailed because when the application had to be resubmitted on a technicality in 2014, it was rejected because of an increase in traffic.

This was predicted to cause an ‘unacceptable level of disturbance’ to residents of Deakin Leas ‘at times when they could reasonably expect a certain level of peace and quiet’ since there is only one access to the school for vehicles.

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s planners also decided that proposed floodlights for the artificial pitch ‘would be intrusive and harmful to the enjoyment’ of the school’s neighbours.

Continued on page 2

ROYAL FANFARE: The 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band lead the parade at Windsor Castle on St George’s Day. See page 2

Borough suffers as County Hall uses legal loophole on potholes

By Will Mata HUNDREDS of road users in Kent are being denied compensation payments for damage caused by potholes because of a legal loophole.

Kent County Council [KCC] is rejecting the claims on the basis of a system that states you cannot be paid: n If KCC did not know about the hole in the first place and so could not be expected to have repaired it, or n If KCC does know about the hole but has scheduled it for repair.

The revelation comes as bad news for drivers and cyclists across the borough

of Tonbridge & Malling, which has had the second fewest number of potholes filled this year across Kent, 511.

Only the smaller geographical district of Dartford has had less repair work carried out, with fewer than 190.

‘The council is not liable to pay compensation if it is not aware of the problem’ This contrasts with Tunbridge Wells borough, which has more than twice as many filled – 1,182.

A council spokesman admitted to the Times: “Because of the legal defence

available [to KCC] the majority of compensation claims are unsuccessful.”

The latest figures available for a full year in 2016-17, revealed through a Freedom of Information Request, show that a total of 790 motorists made claims but 690 were rejected.

The council paid out just over £20,000 to the 100 successful applicants.

So far for 2017-18 there have been 527 claims, with just 24 being successful.

County Hall has set aside £7.5million for a blitz on potholes, and has tackled 11,279 since March 1, as Kent Highways

Continued on page 2

PAVING THE WAY

Local MP looks at the issues facing High Street Page 26

PERFECT 10 FOR TJS

Tries galore as rugby club get in the party mood Page 86

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‘The foundations of a healthy life’ Continued from page 1 A compromise was reached which stopped the floodlights being illuminated and the field being used after 6.30pm during the school week – it had been proposed to remain open until 9.30pm.

At weekends all activities must cease by 2.30pm on Saturday instead of 6.30pm.

And there will be no sport staged there on Sundays, as had originally been put forward so that local sports clubs could benefit.

This amendment led to an objection by Sport England on the grounds that such a new facility should be made available to the local community.

But Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid chose not to intervene.

Renaissance The second planning application, approved in July 2017 after the changes were made, stipulated the field can only be used by the school.

England hockey players Sophie Bray and Laura Unsworth attended the unveiling hot on the heels of their Commonwealth Games bronze medal.

They were joined by one of the City’s most prominent women, Dame Helena Morrissey, Head of Personal Investing at Legal and General Investment Management.

Headteacher Rosemary Joyce said: “There is growing recognition that an extensive, enriching sports programme for young people develops leadership skills, nurtures resilience, builds confidence and self-esteem, all of which help secure the foundations for a healthy, active life.”

Maria leads the field MARIA HESLOP, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor for the ward of Vauxhall, was the first woman over the age of 50 to finish the London Marathon on Sunday (April 22).

But incredibly she missed out on her personal best time over the 26.2 miles by just one second.

Mrs Heslop was also the 18th woman to reach the line and second among the over-40s.

She finished in a time of 2hr 56min 56sec, and said: “I was aiming for the W50 [women of 50 and over] record 2:53.30 but the heat began to get to me at mile 18 and my splits slowed accordingly.

“I was still happy with the result, considering the weather. The sun brought the spectators out, which made the atmosphere electric.”

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 REPORTER ANDY TONG andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES GHak@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779650 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews

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CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times of Tonbridge 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@timesoftonbridge.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.

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BANG THE DRUM The 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band at Windsor Castle

The 17th leads parade on right royal weekend

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band were chosen to lead the National Scout Service and Parade at Windsor Castle on St George’s Day on Sunday (April 22).

It was to prove a triple celebration, coming a day after the Queen’s 92nd birthday and 24 hours before the arrival of the royal baby.

The event is held every year as a celebration for members of the Scout Association who have achieved the Queen’s Scout Award.

It is the highest accolade for scouts and guides, equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

They marched into the castle’s Quadrangle, where the parade was reviewed by Princess Beatrice of York, representing the Royal Family. The parade then proceeded to St George’s Chapel.

Two bands are invited from across the country

and the 17th Tonbridge shared the honour with the band of the Household Cavalry.

Bandmaster Martin Rapley said: “The Scout bands of a suitable standard are rotated. We last did it nine years ago, meaning that at best there are only nine Scout bands capable of taking part.”

The 17th is a dedicated group, who practise for three and a half hours a week in two sessions.

Renaissance They have previously played at The Menin Gate in Ypres – a memorial for the unknown dead of World War I – the Lord Mayor’s Show, a New Year’s Day parade in London and Disneyland in Paris.

The band has undergone a renaissance in the last three years, as Mr Rapley explains: “Until 2015 we played bugles and fifes and then due to a reducing membership we changed to full chromatic instruments – cornets, horns, euphoniums, clarinets, saxophones and flutes.

Movie star tank rumbles into town to mark centenary of end of World War I A MAJOR exhibition will be held on Castle Lawn on August 18-19 to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. The centrepiece will be a replica WWI tank which featured in the Hollywood movies Wonder Woman and Transformers: The Last Knight.

There will be re-enactments, vehicles, equipment and horses on display, and information about local regiments such as Kent Fortress Royal Engineers and the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent.

Heritage The event has been funded a grant of £8,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to the Tonbridge Historical Society.

The display is also being supported by Kent County Council’s Engagement Fund and by local solicitors Warners. Tonbridge Lions and Clarke Williams Insurance have made contributions towards hosting the massive 21-foot machine.

FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS: The replica tank, known as Frank, still has the capacity to shoot The centenary begins with a free talk on Sunday (April 29), when local historian Pam Mills will tell the stories behind the town’s WWI gravestones.

The event will begin at the chapel in Tonbridge cemetery on Shipbourne Road at 2pm.

The graves include that of Louis Marx, a Belgian soldier who came to Tonbridge after the Siege of Antwerp in October 1914 and died in the

“We have grown the membership from 25 to 60 and got back to the top in only three years, mainly due to a committed adult team who have provided tuition and support to our members of all abilities.”

The band has been playing for almost four decades but members don’t need any prior experience of playing a musical instrument.

“We only have one, you must want to be a member,” said Mr Rapley. “Everything else we teach, and have done so since 1970 when we were formed.

“Some members pick it up quicker than others but as long as they reach a basic ability everyone has the opportunity to perform.

The discipline has proved beneficial to many boys and girls who have not excelled in school.

“Many members have never played an instrument before joining us. A number are not academically strong but thrive with us, which I love to see.”

Tonbridge’s St George’s Day parade has been moved to this Sunday (April 29) so that the 17th Group could lead the Windsor celebration.

Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital on Quarry Hill.

Mrs Mills said: “The project will enable local residents to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of the people who lived through the Great War. “Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos, as well as family tales passed down, to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.

“Stands will show facts about the part schools played, how we helped the Belgian refugees and the parts key people played during the war.”

On the weekend of the exhibition there will be another walk taking in 100 shops and buildings along the High Street from St Stephens Church to the Ivy House pub.

They will be displaying images of what they looked like 100 years ago to enable the community to step back in time.

The funding was collected from HLF’s First World War Then and Now programme.

Mrs Mills said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the National Lottery and this money – along with contributions from other sponsors – have enabled us to execute this historical and poignant project.”

‘It is quite shocking. The big problem is there is not enough funding for the roads from central government’ Continued from page 1 teams responded to damage caused by the Beast from the East storm.

It says claims are dealt with in accordance with sections 41 and 58 of the Highways Act 1980.

A KCC spokesman said: “In simple terms, the county council is not liable to pay compensation if it is not aware of the problem nor liable if the problem is programmed to be fixed.

He added: “We prioritise potholes according to

how unsafe they’re making the road. Not all potholes are a priority but we do aim to fix all that are identified as being dangerous.

“We aim to repair potholes within 28 days, or two hours if it’s an emergency.”

A spokesman from the RAC explained: “All councils are using this legislation and our message to drivers is that as soon as they see a pothole, they should report it.”

Sam Jones, Senior Campaigns Officer at Cycling UK, said Kent research has shown the number of successful claims fell consistently since 2013.

There were 227 in 2013, 198 in 2014, 120 in 2015, 123 in 2016 and 60 in 2017.

“It is quite shocking,” he told the Times. “The big problem is that there is not enough funding for the roads from central government.

“But that does not mean that county councils should be shirking their responsibilities.”

Cycling UK has launched a website dedicated to helping cyclists receive advice on reporting and claiming, at www.fillthathole.org.uk To report a pothole, visit www.kent.gov.uk/ roads-and-travel

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Sergeant sent sexual texts to job applicant A KENT POLICE sergeant has kept his job after he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an applicant he met in Tunbridge Wells.

Ross Shearing, 39, visited the woman at her home for a routine interview.

The applicant complimented the sergeant on his aftershave and the pair exchanged sexual messages over two days. Further messages were also later sent.

Kent Police gave Sgt Shearing, who is married, a final warning at a hearing in Maidstone last week, but decided against dismissing him.

Hospital web defence CYBER security defence is to be boosted at Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone hospitals.

MTW, the managing NHS trust, has responded after reports in the wider media that not one hospital body in the country was sufficiently prepared.

A spokesman said: “We have implemented a number of robust measures to protect our organisation.

“The trust’s security is audited regularly and we have an ongoing plan to deliver new and updated processes to improve our cyber resilience.”

Facelift for library TONBRIDGE Library will reopen on Monday April 30 after a major refurbishment undertaken by Kent County Council.

The £250,000 project included cleaning the external front fascia and replacement of window.

Internal redecoration has seen a full fit-out of the ground floor with new furniture, carpets and blinds.

In addition, the High Street entrance is being re-opened to improve access.

River Lawn dance THE Tonbridge campaign group Keep River Lawn Green are holding a fundraising disco on Friday (April 27) at the New Telegraph Club on Priory Road.

DJ Andrew Hollens will be on the decks after his sell-out show for the Tonbridge Calling Winter Warmer in January.

The event runs from 8-11.45pm, with entry costing £5.

There will also be a raffle, and revellers can visit the group’s Facebook page to choose a ‘floor-filler’ of their choice.

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Popular Thai restaurant reopens after flood

By Andy Tong KAI’S KITCHEN reopened yesterday [Tuesday] after being shut for 10 months because of fall-out from last summer’s flash floods.

The popular Thai restaurant at the bottom of Mount Pleasant, opposite the railway station, had to close in July after torrential rain led to flooding.

The basement kitchen and bathrooms were left under five feet of water.

It is the second time the establishment has been hit. The floods of August 2015 also led to its closure for three months.

This time problems with insurance left owners, Varanya ‘Kai’ King and her daughter Dana Free, despairing about the future of their enterprise.

The contents insurance claim for replacement of equipment and decorations paid out promptly.

But the work under the buildings insurance has been subject to protracted negotiation.

And in the meantime, Mrs King has been told when they renewed their insurance that they would no longer be covered for flooding.

“We are not insured for flood damage at all,” said Mrs King’s husband John.

“We hope they will reinstate us when they see

GOOD FAITH: Kai King (left) and her daughter Dana

what work we’ve done – but at what cost, we don’t know.”

He is concerned there will be more local flooding and blames the condition of the creaking drainage system in place on Mount Pleasant.

He claims the pipes are unable to cope with the flow of surface water on Mt Pleasant and that Kent County Council have not carried out necessary maintenance.

Mr King said: “The old Victorian system is too narrow to take the volume of water coming down the hill. KCC have admitted that they do not maintain the drains on a regular basis.”

There has been considerable loss of earnings but it is the impact on their loyal custom base which has been of greatest concern to Mrs King.

She said: “It’s the good faith that I worry about, the customer relationship that we have built up.

Some people said we had closed permanently.

“When they did finally get to work, they said it would take four to five weeks so we announced that we would open at the end of March.

“It took a month longer, so we have had to let our customers down a second time.

“But if the people that stop me in the street are anything to go by, they will be back.”

Highest ever number of children to start at first-choice primary school

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk NINE out of ten children in Kent will be starting their education at their first choice primary school in September.

Kent County Council said 89.51 per cent of applicants were given their top preference, the highest figure on record.

It is a slight rise from last year’s 89.04 per cent and 87.22 per cent in 2016.

Parents found out on April 16 if their first, second or third choice had been accepted on what is known as National Offer Day. Among the most popular choices in Tunbridge Wells were Claremont Primary School, where all 59 spaces were given to applicants who put it as CLLR ROGER first choice, and St GOUGH James’ Church of Kent County Council England Voluntary portfolio holder for Aided Infant School, Education which saw 88 of its

90 places filled with first choice applicants.

In Tonbridge St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School and Slade Primary School both almost filled their two form entry with applicants who put them as number one choice.

Kent County Councillor Roger Gough, portfolio holder for Education said: “We are pleased to see the continued improvement in figures.

“Officers have continued to work hard to ensure that as many pupils secured one of their preferred primary schools.”

This year’s first choice preference figures of 89.51 per cent also compares favourably to 2015 [when 85.81 per cent got their top choice] and 2014 [84.9 per cent].

The county council also measures the number of applicants who were given a place at any of their top three choice primary schools.

This year 97.74 per cent of applicants received a place at one these, which is also the highest figure.

Cllr Gough continued: “While we are happy to announce that a record low number of pupils needed to be given an alternative school, some families will still be receiving unwelcome news.

Reallocation “These parents can be assured that National Offer Day is just the first stage of offers and many will go on to secure places through waiting lists in the reallocation process and via appeals.

“A specialist county council team is on hand to help parents make the most of the options available to them.”

These results are against a mixed national backdrop.

York was the top ranking nationally, with 94.2 per cent of children granted their first choice. In Kensington and Chelsea, the lowest, it was 68 per cent.

Overall in England there were fewer applications overall, as a population bulge moves into secondary schools.

For information on how to appeal, call the county council’s helpline on 0300 412121 or visit www.kent.gov.uk/primaryadmissions

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Record high employment largely down to vibrant small firms sector The Times Business Awards 2018 take place on June 13 and this year the guest speaker will be Michael Portillo the former politician turned successful TV presenter. Eileen Leahy caught up with the Great Railway Journeys presenter to get the inside track on why it’s so important to champion small businesses This is the third year that Times local newspapers will be hosting our prestigious Business Awards.

Sponsored by Cripps, there are ten categories you can enter which include Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Best Family Business and Employee of the Year. Once the votes have been counted the winners will be revealed at a glittering gala evening at Salmons Estate on June 13.

This year we are delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Michael Portillo as our celebrity speaker for the evening. The 64-year-old former cabinet minister turned TV presenter follows Edwina Currie and Radio 2’s Ken Bruce as the event’s guest speaker and when I catch up with him he tells me he is very much looking forward to visiting Tunbridge Wells.

Passion “I think the last time I was there was about five years ago and we were filming down on the very elegant Pantiles. I seem to recall it was a programme on Victoriana.”

Best known nowadays for presenting his incredibly popular BBC2 series Great Rail Journeys which started in 2009 and has seen the ex-Conservative politician travel all over the world with his trusty Bradshaw and Appleton guides – not to mention his colourful sartorial sense of style in

tow. Michael Portillo seems like a perfect choice of speaker for our awards ceremony.

The reason? Because he is someone who has managed to totally transform his ‘brand’, turning himself from a politician into a much loved and respected TV presenter. He took the risk of leaving politics to pursue a passion and it has paid off handsomely for him.

The former Enfield Southgate MP who was

famously ousted from his safe Tory seat by New Labour’s Stephen Twigg in 1997 but went on to gain the Kensington and Chelsea in 1999 seat could have stayed on in politics. However, after a failed bid for the Conservative Party Leadership in 2001, which saw him come last after Iain Duncan Smith and Ken Clarke, and his party’s defeat at the general election in 2005, Michael decided to quit the Commons for good.

ALL THE RIGHT MOVES: Michael Portillo learns a tradional Indian dance

ON TRACK: Michael on his Great American Railroad J ourney Since then he has enjoyed admirable success on television, firstly as an unlikely commentary cohort to Labour’s Diane Abbot on BBC1’s This Week with Andrew Neil, and then by pursuing his passion for rail journeys which has resulted in several series on the subject matter.

For nearly a decade Michael has journeyed to places as diverse as Kiev and Rotterdam to Los Angeles and Batumi via all types of train and given the impressive TV ratings audiences can’t get enough of them. The format, he recently admitted is simple: ‘a little bit of heavy history… funny clothes and then I do something crazy like Morris dancing. I think the formula is infinitely applicable’.

When I interview Michael, who lives in London with his wife Carolyn, he is just about to pack up his Panama hat and colourful collection of blazers, chinos and shirts and head off to Australia for three weeks to film the next Rail Journeys series.

I think that must be largely because we have a vibrant small firms sector.”

Another important factor to remember he says is that small businesses are ‘very good tax payers’.

“They are contributors to national revenues and are not like global companies who switch their tax liabilities from one jurisdiction to another. So I think on the political scale they have that important significance.”

Although Michael admits he has no personal experience of running his own business, he still maintains he can relate to those who are doing so.

He reveals the first job he did before going into politics was with a big shipping company and then years later he was on the board of an oil company

Celebrate

and also BAE Defence Systems.

“But I have of course, over the past twenty years, been a self-employed person. So every three months or so there I am filling out my VAT

“So although I haven’t set up a small business I am self-employed and I do understand a bit about the uncertainty of things when you are operating on a very small scale and about where the next contract is coming from. Those early days in business can be quite anxious and lonely.”

And that’s why he believes that awards ceremonies which celebrate the great and the good for their risk taking, business acumen and unique expertise are so important.

“People enjoy these occasions as they are a moment for leaders of small businesses to recognise their teams and bask in the recognition the firm is receiving that night and that’s pretty important.

“Everybody likes to be recognised - even if they are pretty gung ho and self-confident. But also it is a tough world out there and the enterprises

LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

forms and I contract out my services to various people like the BBC but mainly to independent production companies and, as I’m doing on this occasion, I also offer my services as a public speaker.

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business awards

that are being applauded are by definition businesses that are growing. As a result they will need to develop and become more sophisticated so will need bigger and better teams, so part of what happens on these types of occasions is vital networking. There are a lot of people there who are interested in congratulating success and being associated with it and therefore want to build on that for the future.”

So, can Michael give me any steer as to what he will talk about at the Times Business Awards?

“Well I won’t tax the audience with anything too profound or difficult – or indeed too controversial.

I don’t think I’ll refer very much to politics. I’d like to make the audience laugh a bit and tell them a story or two. I’d like to make them feel very good about themselves, as everybody there, both the winners and runners up certainly ought to.”

See pages 8 and 9 for full details of The Times Business Awards

TAKE IT EASY Relaxing after a busy day

UNMASKED: Visiting theatre performers in India

PICTURES: Courtesy of the BBC

“I’d like to make the audience laugh a bit and tell them a story or two”

GUIDING HAND Michael always has his guide book with him

Times

“I am going to Adelaide, Darwin, Cairns, Alice Springs and Perth and will be there for three weeks.

That will produce three one hour programmes but they will be on TV a great deal later than our event together in Tunbridge Wells,” he chuckles.

So why did he agree to speak at our awards ceremony? Is it because like the Times he agrees it’s essential to celebrate those who are willing to raise their head above the parapet and take risks in business?

“I’ve always thought small businesses are extremely important. They are the seeds of larger businesses in the future but also in terms of employment, they can be highly significant.

“Nowadays larger corporations may have quite limited workforces but smaller businesses, which cater to more local needs or service industries, can be very rich sources of employment.

“One of the things that is very interesting to me, despite the number of predictions that have been made that we are moving into a jobless future and despite the relentless advance of automation, information technology and artificial intelligence, employment remains at record highs and

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Police and charities ‘encouraged’ by low profile targeting of youths community groups to engage with young people in Tunbridge Wells town centre. newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk PC Charlie Brown said: “There have been a number of concerns raised to us and these sometimes relate to the consumption of cannabis ANTISOCIAL behaviour has fallen in Tunbridge and alcohol in public places as well as incidents Wells by 19 per cent, according to the latest data. of criminal damage.

Reports of this issue dropped last year from “However, we also know that having a visible 2,236 to 1,817, making it one of the few types of policing deterrent is only one part of tackling crime to show a fall; the total number of all antisocial behaviour. crimes has jumped by around 25 per cent, as “We recognise it is important to understand reported in the Times last week. better the needs of individuals who may be attracted to these groups, in order to help us Venture prevent the misuse of alcohol and drugs and related issues.”

Kent Police is trying different approaches to Kent County Council, the Kenward Trust, St Giles’ tackle antisocial behaviour in the town with Trust and the YMCA were among the charities and ‘concern’ raised about large groups of young organisations to join the police for their first people using cannabis and drinking alcohol. venture in the evening of Friday, April 13.

In the latest attempt to reduce antisocial They spoke to 30 young people. behaviour, officers partnered with charities and Among the team was a volunteer from the Kenward Trust who spoke about how A CRIME IN DECLINE There has drugs had blighted his life. been a fall in antisocial PC Brown added: “It was behaviour reports really pleasing and extremely encouraging to see how these young people engaged with us.

“We will continue to work with our partners in this way in the future to hopefully not only reduce antisocial behaviour in Tunbridge Wells but also improve the lives of young people who may be vulnerable and need of help.”

Kent Police confirmed they are looking to repeat the operation in the future, but did not say when.

By Duncan Audsley

YOU MISSED ME: Southeastern was ranked the third from bottom in a national list

Passengers stranded as trains miss out many scheduled stops

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk HUNDREDS of rail journeys in Kent are being disrupted every month because of Southeastern trains choosing to miss some scheduled stops.

On average ten in every 1,000 services missed at least one station between April 1, 2014 and February 23, 2018, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Southeastern, the franchise holder for the line which serves Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, provides 12,802 services a week.

Disruption This means, on average, 128 services on the network will miss a station every week.

Southeastern had the third highest number of stations missed of all the UK networks compared.

Only South Western Railway [with 11 services per 1,000 not stopping] and Govia Thameslink Railway [with 14] fared worse.

A Southeastern spokesman said: “Sometimes during disruption, it is necessary for us to run trains fast.

“This means they will not stop at certain stations, to make sure that we can get those trains to their destinations more quickly and to ensure the train departs on its next journey on time.

“We understand that this can be frustrating for passengers at certain stations, but we always do our utmost to communicate these changes to passengers and provide alternative routing advice.”

Southern, the franchise holder for the Tonbridge to Redhill line, is owed by Govia Thameslink Railway.

John Reynolds, Chairman of pressure group Tonbridge Line Commuters, said: “It is something that we deplore.

“It is almost always the smaller stations that are missed and some of these may not have a frequent service.

“This can mean that a passenger for that station may have a long wait.

“They say the stations are missed because the train is running late and they need to make up time. It would be better if there were no delays at all.

“The figures did not surprise me and I think it is something Southeastern should be concerned about. I could only think it could be justified in extreme circumstances.”

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BUSINESS

Business Awards

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More companies sign up for awards that are so easy to enter – and free ENTRIES are coming in for the Times Business Awards 2018 with just three weeks until the deadline. Documentary presenter and former government minister Michael Portillo will host the social and networking event at Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, June 13. Businesses looking to get involved have until midnight Wednesday, May 16, to enter for free. This week Yoyo Design tells William Mata why they are looking so forward to the awards ceremony

T

HIS week we profile another entry to the Times Business Awards 2018 and next week it could be your company that we highlight.

At the request of local businesses the deadline for returning the entry forms has been extended to Wednesday May 16.

Entering for one of the ten categories could not be easier and it’s completely free. You have three options: 1) Go to www.timesbusinessawards.co.uk, let us have a few background details and we’ll send you an application form that takes a few minutes to complete.

2) Send an email to info@timesbusinessawards. co.uk with your contact details and we’ll send you an application form.

3) Or you can simply call the award’s organiser Lara Milan on 01892 739764.

Documentary presenter and former government minister Michael Portillo will host the social and networking event at Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, June 13.

Businesses looking to get involved have until midnight Wednesday May 16 to enter. Those shortlisted will be emailed in advance of the gala night.

Creative Jenny hopes to emulate her previous success at the awards

EYES ON THE PRIZE Jenny Kitchen, Managing Director of Yoyo Design

digital agency that we were proud of. We wanted to deliver impactful work for our clients, have a diverse and exciting client list and build a brilliant team.

“Seven years later, with 20 people, we are living that dream.”

With her background roles including work as a behavioural therapist and with degrees in linguistics and psychology, she didn’t find her calling in creative work straight away.

Winning the Times Business Award two years ago was proof that she had made the right decision and has proved a springboard as she sets her sights on the future.

“My ambition for the future is to continue growing the agency both in terms of clients and the team,” she adds.

“We are cautious though, as we want to make sure we can maintain the culture and high quality of our work as we grow. This is more important to us than growth, for growth’s sake.”

SAME AGAIN? Jenny collected an award two years ago

COMPANY: Yoyo Design COMPANY TYPE: Website and advertisement design CATEGORY: Best Business 1-25 Employees JENNY KITCHEN has fond memories of the Times Business Awards.

The Managing Director of creative agency Yoyo Design was named Young Business Person of the Year at the event two years ago.

She is now back for the 2018 awards, with her company enjoying growth of 20 per cent to 40 per cent in all but one year since she came on board in 2011.

Jenny plays an integral part in Yoyo, which creates websites, digital campaigns, and builds the visuals behind brands.

This time the 32-year-old mother of two is hoping Yoyo can triumph in the competitive Best

THE AWARD CATEGORIES Start-Up Business Award (sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore) Creative Business of the Year (sponsored

by John Bullock Design) Employee of the Year Young Entrepreneur of the Year Service Excellence Award Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Loch Associates Group) Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Childrensalon) Best Business for 1-25 Employees (sponsored by Ginger Monkeys) Best Business 25+ Employees (sponsored

by Handelsbanken) Outstanding Business of the Year (sponsored by Stiddard Wealth)

Business Awards

Business 1-25 Employees category.

“We love getting involved in local events and of course, we’re always hopeful of winning,” she says.

“We have had an incredible year, won at least ten clients, brought five new people on board and each area of the business is growing more sophisticated each day.

“I’m massively proud of everything that we have achieved.”

It is easy to miss Yoyo’s Calverley Road office from the outside, where it is sandwiched in between two halves of Iceland.

Variety But inside, the modern and creative workplace interior gives a Tunbridge Wells take on Silicon Valley.

“I love the variety of what I do,” continues Jenny.

“On any given day, I could be brainstorming ideas with the team, reviewing our financial data, writing sales proposals, meeting with clients, launching new internal initiatives or buying gin and tonics to keep the team hydrated!”

Yoyo was set up in 2008 by Jan Golding and Gregg Lawrence, who remain the company’s respective Director of Strategy and Creative Director.

Jenny and her husband James Forage came on board in 2011 and the four strong team has been driving the company’s tremendous growth ever since.

In their time, Yoyo has helped develop campaigns for the RSPCA, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and England Athletics.

“I’d love to say we had a focused ten year business strategy, but we didn’t.

“We were just four people that wanted to build a

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Times

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

2018

BUSINESS

business awards

The timeframe…

The closing date for entries to the Times Business Awards 2018 is midnight Wednesday May 16. Each category will be shortlisted to three entries. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by email on Friday May 18, 2018. Winners will be announced at the gala dinner. Tickets are available priced at £95 per person or £850 for a table of ten.

Numbers are limited, and in the previous two years the award ceremonies were a sellout.

To book: www.timesbusinessawards.co.uk or call Lara Milan on 01892 739764

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Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Primary school children pelted with colour dye in fitness drive

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk MORE than 300 children were splattered with colourful dye in an unconventional fun run, which proved exercise doesn’t have to be dull.

Pupils from 13 primary schools in and around Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge completed the wacky race at Dunorlan Park in baking heat on Friday [April 20].

‘The Colour Dash event provides an opportunity for more children to take part in physical activity’ Tonbridge and West Kent School Sports Partnership organised Colour Dash as part of the government’s Active 30:30 campaign, to tackle child obesity.

In total 332 youngsters, aged five to 11, ran age appropriate distance from 700m to 1,700m, as parents and volunteers pelted them with cornflower dye.

Organiser Hannah Jones said: “Schools are tasked to encourage all children to reach their daily active 30 minutes target and to

have fun doing so.

“The Colour Dash event provides an opportunity for more children to take part in physical activity that isn’t your traditional sports, and for these children to experience doing a form of exercise in a fun, safe and different environment.”

Intrinsic Schools in or near Tunbridge Wells that took part were: St John’s Church of England Primary School, Claremont Primary School, St Matthew’s High Brooms Church Of England Controlled Primary School, Pembury Primary School, The Wells Free School and St Barnabas Church of England Primary School.

The Tonbridge schools represented were: Woodlands Primary School, Hadlow Primary School and Penshurst Church of England Primary School.

Alex Weston, Director of Tonbridge and West Kent School Sports Partnership, added: “We, as a not for profit organisation are, in this line of work for the intrinsic benefits, such as the smiles, positive experiences and the enjoyment factor that sport and physical activity can bring to the schools and children we work with.

“We want to inspire, motivate and support every child in our remit to get up and get involved.”

COLOUR ME IN Children get pelted

PINK PERIL Hadlow Primary School

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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11

DAY TO REMEMBER Claremont Primary School

YELLOW IS THE WARMEST COLOUR Temperatures topped 20°C

AND THEY’RE OFF Children race off the startline

WAITING GAME Children prepare for the run

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Community News

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ellenor patients and staff are stars of new TV series LOCAL charity ellenor is to be the star of a groundbreaking TV series called The Hospice.

The TV channel Together will broadcast the documentary series, which focuses on the lives of patients under the care of the Kent hospice, which provides an individualised approach to end-oflife care for people of all ages.

This series was produced by the creators of Channel 5’s long-running series GP: Behind Closed Doors.

The first of 13 hour-long episodes will be shown on Tuesday May 8 at 10pm on Freeview, Sky, Virgin, freesat and on demand services.

The series will follow the stories of adults and children who receive care in their own homes or at the inpatient ward in Gravesend.

It will show the expertise, passion and commitment with which the staff and volunteers support the patients and their families.

In the first episode Dr Nikki Anne Rodwell meets Jill, 60, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. The hospice staff agree a care plan to meet the wishes of Jill and her family.

Jill says: “I knew as soon as I got diagnosed that this was the place I wanted to be. But it is not a service you tend to think about, until you actually need it.”

The series introduces David, aged 35, who has an autoimmune disease that has made him deaf, blind, and unable to swallow solid food.

Viewers will also meet two-yearold Harriet, who suffers from a heart condition and comes in for regular check-ups.

At the hospice, the specialist facilities available in the Fun Club enable her to have respite care and to play together with her twin sister and brother in a safe environment while her parents are given an opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions they may have with the ellenor team.

Alexander Kann, Chief Executive of Together, said: “We are proud to be shining a light on the amazing work of the doctors, nurses, support staff and hundreds of volunteers that make ellenor’s work possible.

Valuable “Providing people with comfort, compassion and dignity in end-of-life and palliative care is one of the most valuable services in our society.

“Hospices are at the heart of community and the public should be more aware of the amazing work hospices like ellenor do every day.”

Claire Cardy, Chief Executive of ellenor, added: “This documentary reminds me why I am so proud of the work that goes on at ellenor, every day, by our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

“While encountering new and unique challenges they never fail to deliver an exceptional standard of care to patients and their families.”

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

TRACKS OF MY TEARS Southeastern staff with Kate Black of StreetKatz

Outpouring of emotion for Sapphie sees £900 donated to rehome cats STAFF AT Tonbridge Station have handed £900 to the local charity StreetKatz in honour of Sapphie, the station cat who died last month.

Sapphire chose the transport hub as her home after her owners moved out of the town. She soon became a favourite of Southeastern staff and passengers alike, sleeping in the station master’s office or basking on the platforms.

She was diagnosed with cancer and a crowdfunding campaign was set up to pay for her vet’s bills, which raised the target within eight hours.

But the illness had advanced to such a stage that the vet said she should be put down. Now a plaque has been erected on platform three, outside the stationmaster’s office where she liked to sleep, to ‘ensure her memory lives on’.

The rest of the funds raised have been

ONE OF A KIND Sapphie naps on her favourite photocopier

sent to StreetKatz, which helps to rescue and find new homes for cats who are found on the streets.

A Southeastern spokesman said: “Sapphie the cat adopted Tonbridge Station as her final home after being left homeless through no fault of her own.

“The cat became a regular sight both for passengers and staff alike from greeting passengers along the platform to ‘helping’ in the station ticket office.

He added: “An incredible £900 was raised to help treat her but sadly, she was too poorly to survive.

“Kate Black, the owner of the charity, was in awe of the generosity of everyone as they are only a small business and funding it is very hard for them.

“We are delighted to have been able to help Kate at Streetkatz to rehome cats – just like Sapphie rehomed to us at Tonbridge station.”

To find out more about the charity, visit www.streetkatzrescue.com

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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At last: A chance to drink Clothing range designed to improve beer for a worthy cause... understanding of people with autism It will eventually attack the lungs and heart, with life expectancy limited to the late 20’s. At present there is no cure.

Brewers Paul Bournazian, Mark Gardner and Tim Gunner prepared an amber summer ale that will be made available in pubs next month.

Made from local products and four varieties of hops, and using a special water treatment, it will be similar to the beers for which Tonbridge Brewery has become renowned since it began in 2013.

“At 4.0 per cent ABV it is a little less alcoholic than some of our other brews,” said Paul. “But it will be a fresh beer and certainly full of flavour.”

“It’s a tried and tested recipe from a few years ago – with a bit of tweaking,” added Mark.

Matt was on hand to witness the first ‘mash’, and said: “We are very grateful to Tonbridge Brewery for supporting Chasing Connor’s Cure.

“The brew will be available from early May. From each pint sold, 50 pence will go directly to the charity to help fund the valuable research that is underway in an effort to find a cure for this devastating, fatal disease.”

For more information ROLL OUT THE BARREL: (L-R) Paul Bournazian, about the charity, visit www.

Matt Crawford and Mark Gardner chasingconnorscure.co.uk TONBRIDGE BREWERY has brought out a special beer to raise awareness and funds for Chasing Connor’s Cure.

Fifty pence from each pint sold in pubs will go straight to the Hildenborough-based charity, which supports research to find a remedy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

It was set up by Matt and Emma Crawford after their son Connor was diagnosed with the condition in February 2016.

Duchenne effects one in 3,500 boys in the UK. It attacks the muscles and in most cases mobility is lost by the age of 10.

A RANGE of clothing and accessories designed to raise awareness about autism is being launched next month by Tunbridge Wells mum Trish O’Dwyer.

Her seven-year-old son Henry has non-verbal autism and Trish knows that he is often judged by people who do not have a clear understanding of the condition when they go out together.

Trish explains: “Autism is not visually recognisable so how would anyone know that someone was autistic in the first place?

“If they did know, how could they tell if that autistic person doesn;t like to talk, or doesn’t like to be touched – or loves to talk at length about his or her special interest?”

This is what gave her the idea behind Autism Threads, a subtle yet recognisable brand with discreet messaging that will provide a cue to observers about how best to interact with the wearer. # Trish hopes that as people recognise the brand and understand autism a little more, they will become more comfortable around autistic children and adults, and their carers, which will in turn help to make them feel more accepted.

Trish’s son will need care for

HELP AT HAND: Henry sits on Trish’s knee, with (l-r) his sister Abi, dad Paul and brother Ben the rest of his life, and she has set up the business in part to raise awareness about autism and in part to fund her son’s ongoing needs.

She is also keen to support the valuable work of the National Autistic Society by pledging a proportion of her profits to the charity once Autism Threads is up and running.

Autism Threads products will be available to purchase from www.autismthreads.co.uk from May 15.

You can find out more about Trish’s experiences with her son by following Autism Threads’ social media feed @autismthreads on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information about autism, go to the National Autistic Society’s website www.autism.org.uk GOT YOUR BACK: One of Trish’s T-shirt designs

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IN THE KNOW:

Local playwright Ian Tucker-Bell tells us about his new play Trans Pennine

Hat trick for babies to help hospital nurses

B

ABIES are wearing bobble hats in Tunbridge Wells Hospital to help nurses identify if they need extra care.

Former paediatric nurse Pippa Middleton, from Leybourne, has been knitting the colourful and useful hats every evening to aid staff in the Maternity Unit.

The red, yellow and green headgear indicate if the baby is at high, intermediate or low risk respectively of having to be transferred to the Neonatal Unit for advanced care.

Hats are given to newborns in the Transitional Care section, where they are under close monitoring but can still stay with their mothers.

Pippa said: “After I qualified in the late 1960s, I worked in both Paediatrics and Special Care for babies for many years, collectively.

“These are both areas which I have always loved, so being able to knit the bobble hats now, for babies at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, is hugely rewarding and something I feel very passionate about.”

Reassured Justine Hales, Transitional Care Lead Midwife for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: “This project has been very well received by staff and parents alike.

“It is helping staff to identify babies who require additional care or observation, and helps parents to feel reassured that staff are fully aware at all times of their baby’s needs.

“We are so grateful to Pippa for her tireless support and amazing knitting skills – we couldn’t have introduced this initiative without her.”

love that it balances the rural with the city - I’m never too far from trees and fields and hills, and yet I can be in the West End in no time. Both are equally important to me.

Where can we find you when you’re not performing?

I teach drama, I write, I compose as well as write and record songs (find me on Soundcloud and Facebook). I read, go to the theatre and cinema, play video games, go walking, explore different gins, share life with friends – especially my husband, Philip, and our bouncy Labrador, Baxter.

Ian Tucker-Bell is a prominent figure in local theatre circles, known as a songwriter, playwright, actor and director. Along with friends, he has recently established The Orange Works, a theatre company in the process of developing and staging brand new works for both local performance and further afield.

Last year, following successful performances at The Oast Theatre, Tonbridge, the Sevenoaks Festival and the Southern Counties Drama Festival, The Orange Works took their first production to the Edinburgh Fringe. Another Life, a one act play written by Tucker-Bell, portrays a widowed man, Chris, in his mid-sixties, who begins to explore his sexuality for the first time – something he was unable to do in his younger days. With a taste for the Edinburgh experience, Tucker-Bell and the team will be returning to Edinburgh later this year to present Trans Pennine, their latest production.

We caught up with Ian to find out about his love of theatre and what it is about Edinburgh that has enticed him back…

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do…

My name is Ian Tucker-Bell, I’m a forty-something year old playwright, actor and director based in the Tonbridge area. I have written and performed my own work at the Edinburgh Fringe, and am returning there this year with two plays, both with a strong LGBT theme. I have established a theatre company with a few theatre friends entitled The Orange Works and we are enjoying creating and staging new work.

CLOSE KNIT: Former paediatric nurse Pippa Middleton created the helpful hats

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

What is your history with Kent?

I’m a Yorkshireman by birth, but have lived in Kent for nearly twenty years. I moved here to be with my ex-partner, and settled very happily here. I

What is your play Trans Pennine about?

I like to write plays from a starting position of truth, of reality, and Trans Pennine is no exception. It is based upon the journey of my friend Kat who is currently in the process of transitioning from Keith. Her journey has been so brave, so courageous, and so inspiring. She ‘came out’ to me last year as I was working on the premise for the play, and I knew I wanted to weave her story into it.

Trans Pennine is about a journey - physical and metaphorical. It follows a family of three taking their mothers’ ashes to be scattered, and ultimately coming to terms with the discovery that the son/brother of the piece is on the verge of transitioning. It’s quite moving, but it’s also a lot of fun and has a great joke featuring a margarine tub…

You’ll be taking your play to Edinburgh Fringe, what draws you to Edinburgh to perform?

Last year I wanted to see how my work would stack up against the other things there. It was my first go at this, and it went incredibly well. I want to build on that this year. It’s a great experience performing your own work at such an eclectic and diverse festival with such an incredible mix of audience. It’s an adventure! So, yes, it’s the taking part, it’s getting the response of strangers to your work, it’s the dream of where it may lead and what doors it might open.

It’s also a huge barrel of fun!

What have you got lined up next?

Following Edinburgh we may look at touring both pieces, but this is a plan very much in its infancy.

More details will follow, I’m sure.

You can find out more about Ian’s work on his website: http://iantuckerbell.co.uk To read more articles like this visit theknow.guide

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MP heads campaign to encourage people into science careers WEALDEN MP Nus Ghani is heading up the Government’s Year of Engineering campaign, aimed at getting young people into science careers.

As part of her duties as a transport minister, she is promoting opportunities for students to get into a field she feels is being overlooked.

Ms Ghani, who earlier this year became the first female Muslim minister to speak from the Commons’ Dispatch Box, is also hoping to address a gender imbalance in science industry.

She said: “There is a significant shortage of young people getting into engineering.

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Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Towns miss out as NHS spends millions to improve services AT YOUR SERVICE Tunbridge Wells Hospital

‘This funding is a huge boost for the county and gives us the green light for several exciting and innovative projects’

Imbalance “It is vital that we get more young people into the field if we are to continue to lead the world on great engineering projects in future.

“There is also a notable gender imbalance in the field, and in the centenary year of women getting the vote it is especially pertinent that we encourage more young girls to get stuck in.”

In this role, the MP will promote programmes, courses and opportunities for people to learn more about engineering.

This includes July’s Big Bang Fair in Haywards Heath, where 9,000 students are expected to take part in interactive science workshops, shows and activities.

She will also make visits to schools, and recently spoke at a girls secondary in East London about the job opportunities which could tie in with the Crossrail project.

Ms Ghani, who has been Wealden MP since 2015 and was born in Kashmir, said: “One of the privileges of being an MP is meeting our bright and intelligent students throughout Wealden and I am delighted to be heading up this campaign.”

Clinical Commissioning Group [CCG], to build the Chatham Health and Wellbeing centre.

The same CCG will also take £6million to develop Strood Health and Wellbeing Centre.

There will be £2.5million to develop a Margate healthcare hub. South Kent Coast CCG will get up to £1.5million for a new primary care service.

By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk HEALTHCARE services in Kent are to benefit from a £19.5million investment.

But the money will not be used to enhance services in Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge.

The grant is Kent and Medway’s share of a wider £760million injection of capital funding for NHS projects nationally.

Several projects in the county will receive a share, but the nearest to Tunbridge Wells is Strood.

The pledge was announced by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the back of last month’s Spring Statement, which promised extra spending money.

Glenn Douglas [pictured], Chief Executive of Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, made the

announcement.

He said: “This is fantastic news for Kent and Medway. This funding is a huge boost for the county and gives us the green light for several exciting and innovative projects to provide new buildings, new services and improved care.”

But the cash will not touch the whole county.

Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, which was recently rated by the Care and Quality Commission to require improvement, will not receive a penny.

Nor will Tonbridge Cottage Hospital or even Maidstone Hospital.

Instead, £8.5million will be given to NHS Medway

Medway NHS Foundation Trust will be given up to £1 million to create an Urgent Treatment Centre at the front entrance of the Medway Maritime hospital.

Mr Douglas added: “This funding will help us in our plans to provide quality care in local communities and builds on the recent announcement of developing a Medical School in the county. It will also help us to continue to meet the needs of the growing and ageing population.”

The Times asked the Foundation Trust why projects in West Kent had been overlooked.

A spokesman said: “Whilst West Kent has not received funding at this time, further schemes will be developed as part of the Local Care programme, including for the West Kent area.”

National News

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

NEWS IN BRIEF

Charles says he will struggle ‘to keep up’ THE Prince of Wales issued a statement following the birth of his latest grandson.

He said: “We are both so pleased at the news. It is a great joy to have another grandchild, the only trouble is I don’t know how I am going to keep up with them.”

The birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby boy was marked by bell ringing at Westminster Abbey.

Gun salutes were also fired in London by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company.

Music for royal wedding PRINCE HARRY and Meghan Markle have revealed details about the musicians that will perform at their wedding on May 19.

Their choices range from classical soloists to a gospel group. Among the performers are acclaimed cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who won the BBC Young Musician 2016, and Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir.

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Rees-Mogg fires off warning in Britain goes three battle of ‘peers against people’ days without coal INTERVENTIONS Jacob ReesMogg was in combative mood

Research Group of Conservatives, said it was now a case of the ‘peers against the people’ after the Government’s Brexit legislation suffered a series of defeats in the upper chamber.

His comments came after a petition calling for a referendum on abolishing the House of Lords passed the 100,000 signature mark, which could trigger a debate in Parliament.

Racist

James catching Arthur AMONG possible names for the royal baby, James and Henry are catching up with the favourite, Arthur, among public punters.

Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: “Arthur might be the favourite with the bookies, but it’s actually James that’s the favourite with punters.

“Over 100,000 bets have placed across the UK betting industry on the baby name.”

The bookmaker has Arthur as 2-1 favourite followed by James 4-1, Albert 5-1, Philip 6-1 and Alexander and Henry both priced at 12-1.

NEWS

THE future of the House of Lords could be in doubt as peers are ‘playing with fire’ by trying to thwart Brexit, Jacob Rees-Mogg has warned.

The Tory MP, leader of the influential European

Mr Rees-Mogg, speaking in Parliament at an event organised by the Open Europe think tank, said peers ‘have to decide whether they love ermine or the EU more’.

In a series of forthright interventions, Mr ReesMogg said giving preferential immigration treatment to EU citizens after Brexit would be a ‘racist’ policy.

He also described Theresa May’s approach to Brexit as ‘enigmatic’, and labelled the Government’s proposal for a customs partnership with the EU ‘completely cretinous’.

‘Divorce bill’ even if there’s no deal THE UK will have to pay its ‘divorce bill’ of up to £39billion to the EU even if no agreement is reached on a future trade deal, Whitehall’s spending watchdog has said.

Auditor General Sir Amyas Morse said that if Parliament approves the withdrawal agreement being negotiated in Brussels in a vote in the autumn, it will become a legally binding treaty regardless of the success of separate trade talks.

Prime Minister Theresa May had told the House of Commons in December the cash offer was made ‘in the context of us agreeing the

partnership for the future’, adding: “If we don’t agree that partnership then this offer is off the table.”

But, asked if he believed the payment was conditional on a trade deal, Sir Amyas told the cross-party Commons Treasury Committee: “No, that’s not my understanding. The treaty - once approved - will pass into law in time for us to leave the EU and then will become legally binding.

“Therefore the payments would fall to be paid no matter what, under international law.”

THE British power grid has seen a new record of more than three days without coal.

In the past few days Britain has seen more than 72 hours without any coal-fired power generation on the system for the first time since the 19th century.

The Government has committed to phasing out energy production using fossil fuels by 2025.

A National Grid spokeswoman said: “The record comes just days after the first ever two-day period where power generated from wind and gas dominated the mix of energy meeting the needs of electricity users across England, Scotland and Wales.”

Coal accounted for less than 7 per cent of the power mix in 2017, official figures show.

Ban on cold callers comes step further MINISTERS have faced fresh pressure for a total ban on cold-calling as they introduced amendments designed to give them powers to target pension scams and others.

Treasury Minister John Glen said he wanted a ban on pensions cold-calling ‘as soon as possible’ because of the ‘profoundly damaging impact that pensions scams can have on people’s lives’.

He said Government changes to the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill would take steps towards this aim.

New clauses gives the Work and Pensions Secretary the power to make regulations to ban unsolicited direct marketing relating to pensions and other consumer financial products.

However, both measures would have to be approved by MPs first.

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Naked ambition of Modigliani auction

A MODIGLIANI painting has a $150million (£107million) price tag, the highest estimate ever placed on a work of art at auction.

Nu Couche (Sur Le Cote Gauche) from 1917 is said by Sotheby’s to be the greatest of Modigliani’s series of nudes.

The record for a work actually sold at auction still stands with Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, which went under the hammer for $450million (£341million) last year.

But the Modigliani breaks the $140million record for an estimate, previously held by Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger in 2015.

Simon Shaw of Sotheby’s said: “This painting reimagines the nude for the modern era.

“Modigliani depicted his models as confident and self-possessed in their sexuality.”

Clark’s green light to GKN sale BUSINESS Secretary Greg Clark has waved through the sale of one Britain’s oldest engineering firms to a controversial investment group.

The MP for Tunbridge Wells dismissed claims of a ‘predatory’ takeover as he confirmed the sale of GKN to Melrose Industries in the House of Commons yesterday [Wednesday].

Labour had called for the sale to be blocked on national security grounds, because the company provides many Ministry of Defence [MoD] contracts, but this was rejected.

Explaining the decision, Mr Clark told MPs of the numerous assurances given

by Melrose as part of the £8.1billion takeover deal.

Undertakings He said: “The MoD has completed its detailed analysis and has agreed with Melrose a series of undertakings specifically to ensure that the Government is informed in advance of any plans to divest a business, a component of the business or assets which engage in

activities that the Ministry of Defence considers to have national security implications.”

Mr Clark said the Government had been given ‘suitable protections’ from any subsequent sale of the business.

He added: “Melrose have also agreed to meet with me and my officials every six months to provide updates on their ownership of GKN. “On the basis of the commitments given relating to national security, the Ministry of Defence concluded that statutory intervention is not required.”

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

First female statue outside Parliament THE first statue of a woman in Parliament Square has been unveiled at a ceremony in Westminster.

Suffragist leader Millicent Fawcett has been immortalised in bronze and now stands 8ft 4in outside Parliament.

Hers is the only female statue, standing alongside 11 historical male figures including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.

STANDING TALL Suffragette Millicent Fawcett

The work was unveiled by her great-great niece, schoolgirls from Millbank Academy and other figures in the campaign.

Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking at the unveiling, said: “I would not be here today as Prime Minister, no female MPs would have taken their seats in Parliament, none of us would have had the rights and protections we now enjoy, were it not for one truly great woman, Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett.”

The statue marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, which gave some women voting rights for the first time.

The statue shows a 50-year-old Fawcett holding a banner which says: “Courage calls to courage everywhere.”

The line is taken from a speech made

by Fawcett after the death of suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, who was killed after she threw herself under King George V’s horse during the 1913 Epsom Derby.

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BUSINESS

National Business News

Santander hit hard

by Carillion fall-out HIGH street giant Santander has revealed a 21 per cent slump in profit after taking another hit from failed construction giant Carillion and suffering ‘competitive pressures’.

The Spanish-owned lender said pre-tax profits fell to £414million in the first three months of 2018, from £525million a year earlier.

It took a £60million impairment charge, including a further writedown on Carillion as well as another firm, understood to be troubled fellow outsourcer Interserve.

Santander added that it would fail to meet its target for 4.7million loyal retail customers this year, with current numbers standing at 4million as it has struggled to attract savings deposits.

Rates on a number of its savings products have not been increased since the rate hike last November, while its everyday and instant deposit accounts remain below the 0.5 per cent base rate.

Consortium buys up British broadband BRITISH broadband company CityFibre has agreed to a £537.8million takeover by a consortium of investors backed by US banking giant Goldman Sachs.

Shares in CityFibre, which floated on the stock market in 2014, jumped 90 per cent higher after the deal was unveiled.

CityFibre is building its own fibre-optic broadband network in areas across the UK where BT’s Openreach engineering division has yet to upgrade.

It announced a tie-up with Vodafone last year that will see the mobile company market its broadband in about 12 towns and cities, aiming to reach up to 20 per cent of the population.

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

First spending surplus for 16 years as borrowing falls CHANCELLOR Philip Hammond has beaten his full-year budget deficit target after borrowing fell sharply in March.

Official figures also revealed the first surplus on day-to-day government spending for 16 years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said overall public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) fell £3.5billion to £42.6billion in the fiscal year after the lowest March borrowing for 14 years.

The full-year figure was the lowest since 200607 and was also below the £45.2billion predicted by the UK’s fiscal watchdog, the Office for Budget TURNING POINT Philip Hammond thanked ‘the British people’

Responsibility (OBR).

It comes after borrowing fell £800million year on year to £1.3billion in March – the lowest borrowing for the month since 2004.

The ONS data also showed a £112million surplus in 2017-18 on the UK’s current budget, which measures day-to-day spending by the Government – the first surplus since 2001-02.

Mr Hammond cheered the lower-than-expected borrowing figures.

He said: “Thanks to the hard work of the British people, borrowing is the lowest in over a decade.

“Our economy is at a turning point with debt starting to fall and people’s wages rising, as we build an economy that truly works for everyone.”

Debt Mr Hammond wants to cut debt as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) each year from 2018-19. The latest ONS figures showed overall public debt stood at 86.3 per cent of GDP, up from 85.3 per cent in the previous financial year.

But it is being pushed higher by the temporary effect of the Bank of England’s lending scheme launched following the Brexit vote.

Stripping this out, net debt as a share of GDP is already falling.

John Hawksworth, chief economist at PwC, said: “For the first time since 2002, the Chancellor is meeting Gordon Brown’s old Golden Rule of borrowing only to invest, albeit only by a wafer thin margin of £0.1billion that could easily be revised away as the ONS refines its preliminary estimates.”

But Samuel Tombs at Pantheon Macroeconomics said: “Rapidly falling public borrowing continues to reflect sharp falls in spending, rather than a reviving economy.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

TSB boss apologises for accounts breach THE Chief Executive of TSB has apologised for IT issues which left online customers unable to access their money and some able to see other people’s accounts.

Paul Pester said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for the problems and added that the systems had been taken offline again to enable further work and promised that no customers would be left ‘out of pocket’.

The Information Commissioner’s Office and banking regulator the Financial Conduct Authority said they were making inquiries into the data breach.

Bookies not favourites SHARES in bookmakers fell sharply following reports that the Government is to cut the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) to £2.

Chancellor Philip Hammond is reported to have accepted the advice of campaigners for the drastic reduction to £2, after a threshold of £30 was proposed – down from £100 every 20 seconds.

Shares in William Hill fell 14 per cent, PaddyPower 5 per cent and Ladbrokes owner GVC 7 per cent.

Pipe leak hits profits ANGLO AMERICAN is set to take a profit hit of up to $400million (£287million) after the mining giant was forced to suspend production at its iron ore mine in Brazil because of a cracked pipe.

The group first halted production at the Minas-Rio mine in March after finding a leak in the pipeline that carries iron ore slurry to the port.

World News

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

SPORT IN BRIEF

SCENE OF CARNAGE A coroner waits to remove a body from the pavement

Inquiry into fixing in tennis to be published THE LONG-awaited initial results of the Independent Review of Integrity in Tennis will finally be made public today (Wednesday).

The panel was set up in February 2016 following allegations of corruption in the sport made by the BBC and BuzzFeed on the eve of that year’s Australian Open.

It was alleged leading players, including grand slam winners, were involved in suspected match-fixing and that evidence had been suppressed. More than 100 people have been interviewed.

Ban for Millwall’s Cahill MILLWALL’S Tim Cahill has been banned for three matches after accepting a charge of violent conduct.

The 38-year-old was charged by the FA retrospectively after the Australian escaped punishment having appeared to elbow Fulham defender Ryan Fredericks during his side’s 3-0 defeat last Friday.

Cahill will miss the last two games of the Sky Bet Championship season as Millwall look to secure a play-off place.

Toronto driver is charged with 1o counts of murder

Kirby ‘honour’ at award

THE driver suspected of killing 10 people and injuring 15 when he ploughed into pedestrians in Toronto appeared in court on a murder charge.

The 25-year-old, named as Alek Minassian, was charged with 10 counts of murder in the first degree and 13 counts of attempted murder.

He was captured in a tense but brief confrontation with officers a few streets away from where his rental van mounted the pavement and continued for a mile, leaving people bloodied and dead.

CHELSEA and England striker Fran Kirby said it was a ‘real honour’ to receive the first Women’s Footballer of the Year award from the Football Writers’ Association.

The 24-year-old has scored 22 goals for the Women’s Super League leaders across all competitions this season.

Two days before, she won the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Women’s Player of the Year award.

Authorities are piecing together witness accounts and surveillance video but have not yet disclosed a possible motive or cause.

But police chief Mark Saunders said: “The incident definitely looked deliberate.”

He revealed that the suspect, who lives in the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill, had not been

Motive

known to police previously. An online social media profile described him as a college student.

Officials would not comment on a possible motive except to play down a possible connection to terrorism and the presence in Toronto this week of cabinet ministers from the G7 nations.

Asked if there was any evidence of a terrorist link, Mr Saunders said: “Based on what we have there’s nothing that has it to compromise the national security at this time.”

The incident occurred as cabinet ministers from the major industrial countries were gathered in Canada to discuss a range of international issues.

The driver was driving down the busy Yonge Street at around 1.30pm, when it was crowded with people enjoying an unseasonably warm day.

Witness Ali Shaker said: “He just went on the sidewalk. He just started hitting everybody, man.

He hit every single person on the sidewalk. Anybody in his way he would hit.”

NEWS

23

Monkeys cannot own rights to their selfies A US appeals court has favoured humans over animals in a copyright lawsuit filed over a series of selfies taken by a monkey.

US copyright law does not allow lawsuits that seek to give animals the rights to photographs or other original work, the ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.

The unanimous, three-judge panel upheld a lower court ruling that dismissed the lawsuit by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) against a UK-based photographer whose camera was used by a crested macaque to take the photos in 2011.

Peta’s 2015 suit against wildlife photographer David Slater sought financial control of the photographs – including a famous selfie of the monkey grinning – for the benefit of the animal named Naruto.

Trump’s praise for North Korean leader US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has said North Korea wants to hold a high-stakes meeting ‘as soon as possible” as he praised Kim Jong Un as ‘very open’ and ‘very honourable’.

Mr Trump spoke of his plans to meet the North Korean leader during discussions at the White House with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Trump’s surprising praise for the North Korean dictator stands in stark contrast to his past comments in which he had referred to Mr Kim as ‘Little Rocket Man’.

The Trump-Kim meeting is expected to take place in May or June.

Meanwhile the South Korean President Moon Jae-in is meeting with Mr Kim on Friday to kick off a new round of high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang.

24

NEWS

Letters

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT thekn w.guide

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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 newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU HIGH OFFICE The original Town Hall was opened in 1941

me is your editorial [April 11] in which you rightly ask: Who decided to spend public money in this way? Who decided on this piece? Where was the consultation? Where’s the transparency?

What is transparent is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s indifference bordering on arrogance, a council which never feels the need to consult about anything, a council which, having spent £4million on [plans for] a new Civic Centre and catching the rough end of public opinion, only then decides to put on a charm offensive by way of exhibitions and a road show.

Ralph Steerpike Tunbridge Wells

We already pay for a town council

Civic Complex is looking like a case of deja vu all over again If it’s possible for a man to wring his hands and, at the same time, sit on them, we had this unedifiying vision in Cllr Jukes’ little piece about the forthcoming elections in Tunbridge Wells (April 11).

On the one hand he wishes a bypass had been built in 1935 – the council built a new

town hall instead; on the other, he does nothing about the thousandfold increase in traffic entering the town – he’s building a new town hall instead.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” said Santayana.

Santayana is not a rock group, Cllr Jukes.

John Ward Moorhouse Tunbridge Wells

Election is a single-issue contest

This is art – or is it a con artist?

Residents are right to be concerned about the Civic Complex. So concerned that they have founded an entirely new political party to fight those excesses.

The fact that has happened exposes the weaknesses and arrogance of the present Cabinet and its Leader and the cabal of councillors who have forgotten and/or neglected their duties under current legislation.

In the case of the Cabinet and Leader, if they had not been so unresponsive to the petition sent to the council for a local referendum on the proposals and rejected that call, because they thought that they – and they alone – had a God-given right to determine the proposal, it is highly likely the new party would have not come into being.

As for the cabal, they have failed significantly to exercise their duties as councillors, who under current legislation have the constitutional power to thoroughly scrutinise every single decision of the Cabinet.

That power was in the legislation precisely for cases like this, where it was anticipated that with a Cabinet system excessive power was placed in the hands of a few.

So the reason for the new Alliance Party coming into being is not as portrayed by the likes of Cllrs Jukes and Moore, it is because they and their colleagues have ignored the wishes of their residents who they are supposed to represent and thus this local election has been turned into a single issue contest: Do you want the council to expend £120million of your money on new offices or not? That is the question.

Roy Bullock Lamberhurst

We like art. Some would describe us as ‘art tarts’ – and we’re flattered; we’ve been known to spend 10 days in Glasgow with a list of 25 buildings to see, from Rennie Mackintosh to Art Deco gems with Gillespie Kidd & Coia’s St Peter’s Seminary and St Bride’s Church thrown in, as well as the municipal art galleries.

We recently spent a couple of days at Houghton Hall looking at the outdoor sculptures and land art. Our second home is Tate Modern. We make an annual pilgrimage to the Goodwood sculpture park.

So we don’t come from the ‘we know what we like’ school, we’re prepared to be challenged.

Abstract expressionism? We’re fine with that.

German expressionism? That too. Russian constructivism and Italian futurism? Bring it on.

Bridget Riley, Rachel Whiteread, Antony Gormley? We love them. We’ll view everything from A to Z, Josef Albers to Karl Zerbe.

So why do we struggle with an unmade bed?

Why do we believe that there’s no art in a coloured neon tube, other than the skill of the glass-blower, and why doesn’t a lump of rock ‘do it’ for us? I suppose it’s because we are not prepared to be conned by the ‘If I say it’s art, then it is art’ school of thinking.

And your editorial raises some interesting points. Who decides? Where’s the transparency?

Where’s the consultation?

Sandra and Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells

Between a rock and a hard place Like Manuel from Fawlty Towers, when it comes to art I know nothing, but a lump of rock doesn’t really get my juices flowing. Of greater interest to

In reply to Cllr Cure and Gordon Court (April 11) I would point out that times have changed.

Tonbridge would now be served by one town council with one town clerk as the legislation allows and councillors would be unpaid.

We are already paying for the town council through the £50.98 Special Expenses charge levied in place of the precept; it is now being spent by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council [TMBC]. This is the amount which would be allocated to the functions of a new council.

Of the 20 councillors sitting on the planning committee dealing with Tonbridge, seven live outside the town, as do both our Kent County Council representatives. If those councillors represent our views, why have they just voted to sell River Lawn against the wishes of 95 per cent of residents?

Our current democracy is a sham. As individuals we get three minutes to object to planning issues and have no input about the Local Plan. A town council would give us a single powerful voice.

The 12 ‘Tonbridge’ councillors are presiding over the sale of TMBC-owned property to stave off bankruptcy. They can only sell off assets in Tonbridge as the plots elsewhere are owned by the relevant parish councils. We are subsidising the rest of the borough by sacrificing our property and open spaces.

If Tonbridge Town Council manages the remaining areas it would also preserve them for the town. Not only that but some areas can be used productively to provide income and keep costs down.

Mark Hood, Tonbridge

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

cupcake

fairy cake

WHAT’S the difference between a cupcake and a fairy cake? It’s not a joke. The question comes after a new political party, TW Alliance, was accused by the Tories of trying to win over potential voters in the council elections by offering them cakes while out canvassing.

It’s illegal to give the electorate ‘treats’.

Much debate ensued over whether the offending bake was a cupcake or fairy cake.

Not that it mattered; the law applies to both.

Calverley has dusted off his cookery books and can state that in his view the Alliance delights are – fairy cakes.

Fairy cakes are smaller and more often drizzled with icing (and sometimes topped with sprinkles) rather than piled high with a frosting of buttercream or cream cheese, for which American-style cupcakes are famous.

Now that’s out of the way, everyone can focus on the election itself. On second thoughts, pass that cookery book.

SOMETIMES you have to chuckle; like last week when Himself was walking along The Pantiles. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and people were out on parade. (Why else go to The Pantiles?)

Anyway, this young lady came trotting along in a pair of those really tight-fitting jeans. The ones that look painted on. She had her hands thrust into her pockets when suddenly she tripped on the paving slabs, couldn’t get her hands out in time to save herself and landed flat on her face right in front of some admiring males, who raced to her aid.

Worry not, only her pride was hurt by the accident, but then again, was it an accident?

Or a way to attract attention?

More thanks from the life-savers The Tunbridge Wells Branch of the RNLI thanks everyone who supported their coffee morning and sale in Sherborne Close hall last month, despite the very snowy weather. A total of £157 was raised.

Thank you also to Lynda and Kate for allowing our event and to everyone who helped set up, man the stalls and clear up afterwards.

The RNLI receives no help from the government and relies entirely on voluntary donations and legacies to raise the £177million needed annually nationwide to keep the Lifeboats afloat.

Joan Hamilton-Smith RNLI Royal Tunbridge Wells branch, RNLI

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

TEACHERS should be a tad more careful about chatting in public. Calverley could not help but overhear a conversation of a group of them on the next table at Fenwicks restaurant.

(Great soup.) Top of their agenda was the burning issue of…genital piercing. Really!

ENTERING the designer kitchen of a family friend (yes, He does actually have friends, as He has informed doubters many times before) Calverley spotted a small plaque that read: “Unattended children will be given espresso coffee then handed a free puppy to take home.” What a thought.

Chin Chin, readers

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT thekn w.guide

EDUCATION Times WITH THE

Don’t turn a blind eye to student stress With exam season just about to get underway it’s more important than ever to ensure your children are not struggling to cope with pressure and anxiety attacks.

The Times looks at one way a local charity, Crossways Community, can help…

Parents are often the last to know when their child is battling with a mental health condition.

Anxiety and stress amongst school children is on the rise but who takes the blame and who gets to fix the problem?

Teenagers find it difficult to talk about feelings, so early signs of mental illness are missed or put down to ‘just being a normal teenager’. Trying the technique of using open-ended questions allows your child to reply with more than a one word answer. ‘What’s the best / worst thing that happened today?’ is a start, but if no response comes from: ‘What are you looking forward to?’ all may not be well.

So whose job is it to monitor your child’s mental wellbeing? Parents? School, your GP? Could you be better prepared for the journey ahead?

Many schools, colleges and universities have counsellors, but not all children can identify there is a problem or articulate feelings to a health professional or parent. Anyone living with a teenager can identify times when the chasm of communication is so great it hurts.

IT’S GOOD TO TALK Discuss any concerns with your children

Priority Being aware of what support services there are around you is the first line of defence. Free mental health awareness training is being offered to schools in West Kent, but they have to ask for it and make it part of the curriculum. Is your child’s school taking all the help being offered? A charity with 50 years’ experience in mental wellbeing, Crossways Community, knows first-hand that support when early symptoms arise can lead to a much better outcome in later life.

Its Chief Executive, Christopher Munday says: “If young people understand that mental illnesses, such as depression, body anxiety or exam-related stress are relatively common and nothing to be afraid or ashamed of, then they are more likely to recognise signs and symptoms in themselves or others and ask for support. Parents and schools need to be having conversations about these common illnesses because we all have a responsibility to ensure things improve.”

Lucie Russell of the Young Minds charity says: “Children and young people are growing up in a toxic climate. They exist in a 24/7 online world where they never switch off, where cyberbullying, consumerism and pornography, sexting and

the pressure to have the perfect body bombard them daily, where any exam grade below a C means failure and employment prospects are bleak.

“We know from our extensive work with young people that the support they so desperately need when they aren’t coping is grossly lacking but we also know from services that they are under huge funding pressures and are overwhelmed with demand.”

Crossways Community, a Christian charity based in Tunbridge Wells set up in the 1960s, is now extending its programmes for businesses, churches and community groups by now also training in primary and secondary schools. They offer tailored sessions to different year groups which can be everything from whole assembly talks to PHSE lessons and coping strategies for exams and bullying.

“Gone are the days of the stiff upper lip and worrying what the neighbours will say,” adds Christopher . “The absolute priority is children’s mental wellbeing and resilience training for their future.”

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING AIMS TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: n Challenge perceptions of reality n See how labels are used to ‘pigeon

hole’people n Understand how listening is important in

valuing people n Look at the ways we communicate which

affects others n How we relate to people to understand

them better n Give students ways in which they can

spot and prevent poor mental health in themselves and others

THE SILENT STIGMA n Every 30 minutes a teenager deliberately

cuts, burns or scalds themselves n Stress has been shown to reduce a

student’s performance from an A* grade to a B grade (grade 9 to grade 6) n 1 in 10 children between the ages of 5

and 16 has a mental health disorder at any one time. (Source: Office of National Statistics)

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: OPEN DAYS Hilden Oaks School & Nursery Thursday, April 26 9-11am www.hildenoaks.co.uk HELPING HAND Christopher Munday

Rose Hill School May 1, 9.30am www.rosehillschool.co.uk

Education News

NEWS

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT thekn w.guide

Tom Tugendhat

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

As a Territorial Army officer, he worked on everything from those ops to establishing the Armed Forces Muslim Association. He also worked for the Foreign Office. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015. He was elected as Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee in July 2017

MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Investment is key to a growing town TONBRIDGE High Street has been changing for generations. The photos from the First World War show a very different set of shops and pubs to those we see today.

But some things are constant. Even then, trains dominated Tonbridge life, for some as commuters and for some as railway workers. But our economy is more than just our transport links.

The past five years have seen new independent coffee shops, bars and restaurants, and many more businesses moving in.

That’s why our High Street has been changing.

The biggest works were done only two years ago.

Many of us remember the disruption at the time that forced me to write to Kent County Council when after eight months the work was still not complete, but even more of us thanked the council for the result. Our High Street is transformed.

Much wider pavements are better for pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities or young children, and the new speed limit of 20mph is safer, but unfortunately there are some problems still, as Kent County Council’s [KCC] recent survey will have shown.

Though I haven’t seen the results, I’m sure many comments will be about the jams caused when traffic can’t get past the buses stopped outside Caffé Nero. Many of us wonder why the stop is there and not in the loading bay or removed

altogether. I’ve written to KCC many times to ask and raise other problems like the crossing points and lack of disabled parking. Usually I am told that the pavements would need to be higher, and it would not be possible or would cost too much.

After the consultation they’ve changed their tune. The latest answer I got said “it may well be that the layby is converted for bus use. This is by no means straight forward as often there are several buses arriving at a time and so the available space is limited”.

Results Although not yet a definite plan, it seems KCC finally acknowledge that something needs to be done to ensure traffic flows more smoothly. This could mean they will look again at how the High Street works for everyone – including cars.

But that’s not the only investment Kent County Council are making in our community. As well as the High Street many of us have seen the scaffolding up around the library. That’s great news. Tonbridge Library is important to many of us, and not only as a resource for learning; the offices round the back are where I registered the birth of my daughter. I’m looking forward to the reopening next Monday, April 30.

Next there’s the station, which so many of us

ON THE RISE Tonbridge High Street depend on. There’s a plan for that to be improved too but we’re all still waiting to hear more.

Together we’re seeing major investment going into Tonbridge. From the station to the High

Jane March Conservative Councillor for Brenchley & Horsmonden ward

Street we’re going to see our town improving and I’m looking forward to the result. Now it’s up to us to make the most of it and support the community that built it.

Cllr Jane March has represented Brenchley & Horsmonden ward since 2011.

She is a Cabinet member of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for Tourism, Leisure and Economic Development. This month she is campaigning for the Conservative Party ahead of the council elections on May 3. The Times also publishes comment from Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat parties.

Engagement makes a better borough for all A STRONG and successful borough is important to the health and wellbeing of our residents. I know this because I have been a resident of the borough for more than 30 years, a parish council chairman, farmer, business woman and ward councillor.

As a Conservative I believe we can encourage vibrancy and sustainable growth, which will deliver the homes and business premises we need throughout the borough, by working in partnership with organisations such as Kent County Council, West Kent Partnership and Mid Kent Services, giving us shared expertise and efficient services and delivering the third lowest council tax in Kent. The partnership between Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and town and parish councils is enabling them to shape the right growth for their areas through their Neighbourhood Plans, respecting the local environment and delivering timely infrastructure. The first to do this is Hawkhurst with other towns and parishes following on closely.

Major infrastructure projects have been achieved through partnership working and the dualling of the A21 and multi-million pound road improvements to North Farm have boosted trade.

The unemployment figure in Tunbridge Wells is 0.9 per cent but we still run Jobs Fairs to help employers and job seekers. These are well-

attended and very successful.

I feel as frustrated as many residents over the state of the local roads especially the congestion, but the positive lobbying for local and regional funds continues with Conservative support.

Imminent The borough-wide Cultural Strategy demonstrates how culture is the driver for regeneration, not just in the creative sector but also for business, including restaurants and retail, who want to invest in Tunbridge Wells knowing the plans for the Cultural and Learning Centre and the Royal Victoria Place upgrade are imminent.

The vibrant, creative workspace, The House, is 100 per cent full and planned food and musical festivals attract visitors increasing the spend in the borough.

Green spaces in the borough offer venues for leisure, relaxation and sport and even in challenging times of a zero government grant we recognise the value our residents place in our parks and gardens but Tunbridge Wells Conservatives voted for the average Council Tax payer to pay just 48p per day for ALL the services.

There is obvious residents’ pride in the Bloom Awards and we appreciate the volunteers who make such a difference to our community, from

SUNNY PERSPECTIVE A still from Tunbridge Wells In Bloom campaign gardening to coaching youth sport.

Working with community groups is given a high level of importance and the innovative launch of the TW Lotto last year has enabled organisations to expand their offer and look at alternative means of funding.

The Assembly Hall Theatre offers the GO card and Pay What You Can schemes so that those

residents who struggle to afford full price tickets are not forgotten.

Another partner is Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, an organisation which understands the positive impact council investment in the town demonstrates, and the clear vision for the future needed to bring long term health to the town.

Conservative vision is aspirational and positive.

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

yourh me INSPIRATION FOR MOVING

31

AND IMPROVING GRAND DESIGNS

AVAILABLE EVER Y WEDNESDAY – A MUST-READ

38

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PROPERTY, IN TERIORS, TOP TRENDS AN D GARDENING

PERIOD LIVING

52

A RARE FIND

56

Colour me beautiful

Interiors expert Sophie Robinson helps you pick your home’s colour palette Page 60

KITCHEN OF DREAMS

58

GET GROWING

28

yourh me

To suit your budget

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Your at-a-glance guide to

SANDHURST ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS GUIDE PRICE

£700,000

UNDER £300,000

n Lounge

UNDER £350,000

n 2 bedrooms

SHRUBLANDS COURT, TONBRIDGE

n 2 bedrooms

DERNIER ROAD, TONBRIDGE

n Rear garden patio area

n Bathroom

GUIDE PRICE

£325,000

n Mature shrubs and plants

n Private garage

£279,000

n Communal parking

n Terraced house

n Fenced front garden

n Communal grounds

n Dining room

n Flat n Central location n Entrance hall n Kitchen/dining room

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

n Kitchen n Sitting room n Cast iron fireplace n First floor bathroom

n Concrete shed unit

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

To suit your budget

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

thekn w

29

great properties by price range…

UNDER £500,000 HAWDEN CLOSE, HILDENBOROUGH

GUIDE PRICE

£400,000-£425,000 n Link detached house n Entrance hall n Kitchen n Lounge/dining room n Cloakroom n 3 bedrooms n Garage n Enclosed rear garden with patio area n Parking for 2 cars n Attached garage CONTACT Bracketts Tonbridge 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

UNDER £600,000 COKERS DOWN COTTAGE, BELLS YEW GREEN

GUIDE PRICE

£595,000 n Sitting room n Dining room n Kitchen n Study n 3 bedrooms n Bathroom n Toilet n Double garage currently being built n Twin brick built stables n Approx 5.25 acres CONTACT Bracketts Tunbridge Wells 01892 533733 www.bracketts.co.uk

UNDER £800,000 UNDER £1MILLION

SANDHURST ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

WELLINGTON GARDENS, SOUTHBOROUGH

GUIDE PRICE

£700,000

n 5 bedrooms

GUIDE PRICE

n 2 bathrooms

£775,000

n Large paved terrace garden

n Sitting room

n French garden doors

n Cinema room

n Detached double garage

n Stylish kitchen/dining room

n Off street parking

n Master bedroom suite with dressing area

n Large kitchen/family room

CONTACT

n Kitchen central island

Flying Fish Properties Tunbridge Wells 01892 514189 www. flyingfishproperties.co.uk

n 3 further double bedrooms (one with en suite)

n Detached house n Entrance hallway n Guest cloakroom n Feature fireplace n 3 reception rooms

n Separate utility room

n West facing rear garden n Underground parking for 2 cars CONTACT Flying Fish Properties Tunbridge Wells 01892 514189 www.flyingfishproperties.co.uk

Architectural Advice

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

John Bullock

Architectural services

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

Working from home has more benefits than you might think Every month award winning architect John Bullock discusses ideas for a design project. This time he shares his advice on creating a home office and how you can make one work for you

WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY Good lighting is essential

I

N 2013 there was a change in the planning law which enabled certain offices to be converted into residential accommodation without planning permission. Granted as a change of use under permitted development rights this has directly resulted in a lack of office space.

Last month the Times Of Tunbridge Wells reported that in the last four years a massive 65,000 sq ft of office has been lost forcing many small businesses to look at alternative options.

This is reflected in the significant increase of enquiries we have received from potential clients wishing to explore options to create small offices in separate outbuildings at their homes.

Working remotely suits many types of business and the advantages are significant. Creating a home office can also add value to your property and provide invaluable occasion overnight accommodation for guests.

Downsides: n Distractions from family and friends n Self discipline to focus on work and not household issues and the lure of daytime TV! n Self discipline to remember to stop and switch off at the end of the day A garden office can become a haven where work can be undertaken in a comfortable environment. Finding the right location with the

best aspect and good natural light is key.

As our example shows, building in a wooded area is an interesting option as the timber framed and clad construction blends into its environment. We have used many timber cladding options for similar projects. Larch is very good, sustainable, stable and cost effective.

Running this vertically to respond to the verticality of surrounding trees sees it blend in beautifully.

The concept of ‘shed architecture’ creates a simple zig-zag pitched roof of corrugated

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galvanised sheet steel. This compliments the larch cladding and with time will weather down to a soft watering can grey colour.

Large panels of glass introduce light and views with the full length window on the side elevation creating a feeling of being in a tree house. Keeping the internal space simple with white walls creates a sense of serenity against the ever changing seasonal colours outside.

Clever lighting is very important to create drama to the space, addressing the requirements of practical lighting during work hours and uplight for evenings.

WOULD PLANNING PERMISSION BE REQUIRED? Creating a home office which sits beautifully within its environment using a holistic approach may not conform to permitted development conditions and will require planning permission.

However an outbuilding can be undertaken under permitted development and doesn’t require planning permission, but is subject to certain limits and conditions.

Limits and conditions of outbuildings built under permitted development:

n No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation. n Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof. n Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse. n No verandas, balconies or raised platforms. n No more than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings. n In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20 metres from house to be limited to 10 square metres. n On designated land* buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission. n Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.

John Bullock Design is an award winning, Tunbridge Wells based, design consultants and proud sponsors of the Times of Tunbridge Wells Creative Business of the Year award.

For further advice please contact us on 01892 525732.

Advantages: n⁃Reduction in commuting time and financial saving on travel costs n⁃Increased productivity and better work/life balance n Cheaper overheads with no office space costs n Flexibility to work the hours that suit you and your lifestyle n Productive environment designed to suit your creative needs n Occasional overnight accommodation for guests n Add value to your property

OUTDOOR OFFICE Working from this space will inspire you

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yourh me

Selby’s Farm

thekn w.guide

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

AT A GLANCE SELBY’S FARM LEIGH ROAD, HILDENBOROUGH n Entrance hall n Drawing room n Dining room n Sitting room n Study n Kitchen/breakfast room n Utility room n Cloakroom n Wine store n Boiler room n Vaulted master suite n Guest bedroom with en suite n 3 further bedrooms (one with en suite) n Family bathroom n Separate toilet Annexe: n Reception room n Bedroom with kitchenette n Shower room Outbuildings: n Studio n Oak frame 3-bay garage n Store room n Stables and tack room n Log store, garden store and summerhouse n Hay barn and 3 field shelters n Tennis court

Superb Grade II listed country property of historic interest

n Gardens including 20 acres of stallion paddock, post and rail paddocks

GUIDE PRICE

£2,750,000

Available for sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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Advertising

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Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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Advertising

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Spilsill Court

Wednesday April 18 | 2018

AVAILABLE AS A WHOLE OR IN TWO LOTS:

A beautifully situated country estate on the market for the first time in 50 years AT A GLANCE SPILSILL COURT FRITTENDEN ROAD, STAPLEHURST n Entrance vestibule n Reception/drawing room n Music room n Dining room n Sitting room n Family room n Study n Bathroom n Kitchen/breakfast room n Scullery, pantry, boot room and flower room n Cellar n Master bedroom with en suite n 12 further bedrooms n 3 further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Private garden with ponds, summerhouse, chapel and sheds n 17th Century barn with various store rooms n Separate 3 bedroom bungalow with private garden (available separately) n Approx. 6 acres

GUIDE PRICE

£2,950,000

Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.co.uk

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yourh me

Chart Mill

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

AT A GLANCE CHART MILL CHART HILL ROAD, KENT Main House: n Entrance hall

Charming period family home with ancillary accommodation and set in delightful gardens

n Drawing room n Sitting room/study n Kitchen/dining room n Conservatory n Utility room n Cloakroom n Cellar n Master bedroom with en suite shower room n 3 further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Landscaped garden n Kitchen garden n Orchard n Spring-fed lake with decking and lake house n Brick store, log store, summerhouse and greenhouse Mill House: n Open-plan first floor sitting room and kitchen n 2 ground floor bedrooms n Shower room Coach House, Gym and Bar: n Open-plan sitting room/kitchen area n First floor bedroom with en suite shower room n Bar/recreation room n Gym, shower room and store room Equestrian Facilities: n Stable slock with 4 stables and tack room n Potential outdoor sand school n Paddock n Off road parking

ÂŁ1,495,000 Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.com

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yourh me

Gardening

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Weird and wonderful worm facts – and how to make your garden a magnet for them Everything you need to know about these wriggly creatures, and why your garden desperately needs them

D

id you know that cutting an earthworm in half doesn’t give you two worms? It just gives you one happy worm or one dead one.

Or that worms breathe through their skin? Or that they are hermaphrodites so each worm has both male and female parts?

Britain has about 16 species of earthworms likely to be found in gardens (and 29 species overall).

With this in mind, this year’s Wild About Gardens

Britain has about 16 species of earthworms likely to be found in gardens campaign, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts, is calling on gardeners to help worms and watch their garden thrive from the ground up.

Described by Charles Darwin as ‘nature’s ploughs’, they turn the soil by tunnelling through it and mixing the earth, enabling air and water to flow easily, providing plant roots with the oxygen and good drainage that healthy plants need.

Worms can also ‘eat’ their own weight in decaying organic matter every day, breaking it down to release nutrients for plants to feed on.

A healthy soil full of worms is a magnet for other wildlife. They are an important part of the food chain and diets of many animals, from blackbirds and robins to frogs, toads and mammals including hedgehogs and badgers.

Gardening

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Here are some tips for welcoming worms into your garden: MAKE YOUR OWN COMPOST You can use a compost bin with a lid to make your own simple compost. Make holes in the base of the bin if it doesn’t have any, then place it on or close to the bare soil to let worms wriggle in.

Start adding compostable ingredients such as veg peelings and grass cuttings, as well as brown materials like straw and cardboard. Then turn with a fork around once a month and in six months or so you’ll have rich, dark compost to nourish the soil.

Let the earth breathe Artificial turf and hard surfaces such as concrete or paving are pushing worms and wildlife out of gardens. Try and reduce the amount of hard surfacing in your garden to provide a habitat for worms and other beneficial creatures.

Small changes can make a big difference – consider lifting up a few paving slabs to make mini flower beds.

GO NATURAL Consider replacing chemical fertilisers with manures, compost and natural fertilisers such as seaweed. These will feed the many microbes and mini-beasts that make soil fertile.

For more information about worms and the Wild About Gardens campaign, go to wildaboutgardens.org.uk.

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Alfresco allure

MULCH YOUR PLOT Keep moisture in the soil and smother annual weeds by mulching borders with peat-free garden compost or composted bark once a year. Spring is an ideal time to apply mulch and will bring masses of worms to the surface to improve the soil structure.

ADD COMPOST WHEN PLANTING When planting a new plant outside in the ground, work in a little peat-free compost into the soil before infilling. This will not only provide food for worms, but will also help your plant establish.

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SITTING PRETTY The Belize round corner set has a height-adjustable table, perfect for dining or can be used as a coffee table. This set will comfortable sit 10 plus persons, with extra thick, comfortable seat and back cushions, and smoked oak-look table.

Available at £1,999 in the sale (normally £2,499) Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge’s Lighting Centres are flexing their furniture muscles with a spectacular array of offerings, just in time for the warmer months.

Whether you’re green-fingered or not, it’s easy to make an outdoor space beautiful with their extensive range of garden, patio and balcony furniture for dining and relaxing. Their collections range from little al fresco sets for two, to tables that can seat anywhere up to eight guests, and are available in a variety of materials including weave, wood and aluminium, adding style and comfort to any garden. As well as dining

options, there’s plenty for the loungers out there, including modular sets, sofas and sun loungers, expertly catering to all budgets, gardens and lifestyles.

The natural colourways and complimentary cushions of the weave sets are the perfect on-trend choice, while the modern shapes and clean lines add elegance as well as versatility. The weather-proof, anti-rust frames are lightweight, durable and easy to maintain, designed to be left outside all year long.

Both locations offer free delivery on all furniture purchases over £150 within a 20-mile radius of the showrooms.

¡ F urniture @ Tonbridge Lighting Centre Vale Road (near the fire station) Tonbridge TN9 1SW 01732 363583 ¡ F urniture @ Tunbridge Wells Lighting Centre North Farm Industrial Estate (near Topps Tiles) TN2 3BF 01892 527647 Both showrooms are open 7 days per week with free parking

www.lighting-centres.co.uk

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Interiors

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Find your perfect match: colour choices for your home

S

ophie Robinson is here to help you paint the town (or should that be house?) red.

Gabrielle Fagan catches up with the interiors designer to discover some style secrets.

Are you stuck in a colour rut - because you’re not brave enough to plunge into the dazzling array of new shades that could transform your home?

Maybe you need some Colour Psychology in your life. Devised by psychologist Angela Wright, the method, which uses seasonal colour palettes found in nature, aims to help identify the colour preferences and styles of each personality group.

“This is a real game-changer if you’ve ever faced painful procrastination over a paint colour, or agonised over an investment buy,” says Sophie Robinson (sophierobinson.co.uk), best known as a judge on BBC Two’s The Great British Interior Design Challenge. “Colour’s fashionable currently, with two strong trends one for jewel, rich shades like teal, forest green and orange, or so-called gelato shades, like mint, lilac and pink.

“Sadly, so many people get overwhelmed by the choices, that they often just chicken out of colour altogether and stick to neutrals like grey or white,” adds interior designer Robinson, who has teamed up with Habitat to launch a campaign using Colour Psychology - which she says gives people “a framework, so they can clarify what they like and confidently pull a scheme together. They’ll be able to combine colours, patterns, textures, furniture and artwork, and create the feel they want for a room.

“What I really love is that this concept is actually very instinctive. It gets us out of our heads and back in touch with our gut, so we can make more emotional and bolder design choices, which I’m all for! Even better, the result will be a home that resonates more deeply with a person’s taste and personality and, more importantly, will be one they won’t tire of.”

Autumn

Spring

Where to start

“Decide which season’s colour palette - spring, summer, autumn or winter - most appeals to you and resonates with your character. You may like another palette as well, which is quite common. For instance, I’m a spring personality in the main, but I also like the strong shades of the autumn look, so that’s my subordinate palette. In terms of design, you can mix any two together quite successfully,” says Robinson. “Once you’ve identified which season you are, or the season you want your room to feel like, the choices you make in terms of colour palette, fabrics, accessories and furniture flows much more easily. The result is a room that feels as good as it looks.”

If spring is your colour personality...

Light and bright sum up the spring palette, and for this colour personality type, Robinson says: “You’re the sort of person who’s energetic, full of life, young at heart and optimistic with a positive outlook. You love anything cute.”

“You favour warm and clear colours, so they have a lightness to them.

You’ll embrace new design, so styling will feel modern yet welcoming, and as a feature, you like busy prints bursting with pattern and energy,” Robinson adds. “Clean lines, pale wood or painted furniture appeal, as does a little sparkle from glass and glossy surfaces, complemented by smooth, shiny textures.”

If summer is your colour personality...Interiors

“If you’re graceful, elegant and reserved in character, then you belong to the summer colour tribe,” says Robinson. “You have a love of nature and your overall look is understated, never showy, with muted, subtle colours and painterly, flowing patterns.

“You can interpret it in a soft, romantic, floaty way - but with a touch of formality and symmetrical arrangements and structure.

Attracted by tradition, you’ll often look to the past for inspiration for your look, and favour aged patinas and distressed finishes.”

Summer

If autumn is your colour personality...

“Autumn types are organic, robust and abundant,” declares Robinson. “They’re passionate people with a strong connection to nature, attracted to rich colours and furniture, with a substantial or textured feel.

“They want their spaces to feel welcoming, cosy and relaxed, so you’ll see lots of collections of sentimental importance, and their love of art and education means they’ll also have a library of books on display.

Authenticity is an important element for them, and they like a rustic style, and anything celebrating craftsmanship and heritage,” she adds.

If winter is your colour personality...

“You love drama and strong design statements,” says Sophie. “You need your home to be a reflection of your selfassurance and are likely to choose pioneering or iconic designs. Your colour palette’s sharp, cool and bright, and you enhance the effect with striking patterns, like geometrics.

“In terms of style, there’s a coolness and attention to detail throughout, and you’re drawn to the latest tech or luxury furnishings. This look can be interpreted in a minimalist way or with a dramatic maximalist scheme.”

Winter

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

thekn w.guide IN PRINT AND ONLINE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

ARTS & CULTURE | LIFE & STYLE |

Great escapes

FOOD & DRINK | MOTORING

64

Read where to go in the world this summer Page 76

Crowning glories

MAKING MUSIC

66

How to treat your stressed tresses Page 78

BLUEBELLS FOR YOU

74

Dedicated follower of fashion

ROSEMARY SHRAGER

82

We showcase the top male trends for summer Page 79

SPORTING HERO

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thekn w.guide

Arts & Culture

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Making merry music for young musicians On Saturday Mayfield’s popular culture festival begins.

The opening event is a day dedicated to children’s classical concerts which, according to organiser Mary Driscoll, aims to encourage young people to do something they wouldn’t do in ordinary life. Here she tells the Times more about it…

THE Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts is a well-known English Arts Festival primarily devoted to classical music. The event takes place biennially in the historic village of Mayfield, and runs for two weeks, from this Saturday [April 28]. The 2018 festival promises to be the most diverse yet with events such as the Frank Sinatra tribute ‘His Way’, big choral concerts featuring pieces by Mendelssohn and Poulenc to the set by Stephen Kovacevich, who is arguably the best pianist in the country at the present time.

But this year also sees the introduction of a whole day specifically devoted to classical music - for children - which will be delivered by Kidenza and is kindly sponsored by Mayfield School.

The reason the festival is starting with this event is simply because we are very keen to encourage younger audience members and help foster a love of music in children from an early age. And given the amount of schools who are cutting their musical budgets this is now more important than ever.

Mayfield School has an exemplary musical history and a

long association with the festival and is therefore delighted to support this exciting new initiative. Antonia Beary, the school’s Headmistress, says: “Music has long been thought to improve mood and expressiveness

‘We are very keen to encourage younger audience members and help foster a love of music in children’ but it can also have a positive impact on our self-esteem, concentration, mental health and general well-being. As our children grow, their minds open to the possibilities of the world and they begin to understand cause and effect. Children have been seen to concentrate better, listen more intently and respond more imaginatively when they are exposed to music, particularly classical music.”

Kidenza provides inspiring opportunities for children to become involved in classical

What’s on when at Mayfield Festival of Music and The Arts: 2018 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

music. Their aim is to dispel the preconception of classical music being stuffy and elitist and introduce fun to their concerts with a view to engaging and inspiring young minds.

This particular show incorporates the BBC Ten Pieces and will be performed by a 14-piece orchestra made up of professional musicians.

We hope children will be captivated by what they hear this brilliant orchestra - complete with energetic conductor – playing. And that they become fully immersed in visual aids and the story which will be narrated to them. The concerts run for one hour, the perfect length of time to keep everyone enthralled.

The Mayfield Festival and Mayfield School are proud to incorporate such an innovative and important day into the usual festival calendar and we hope that parents of primary school age children and under will be inspired to bring their families along for what promises to be a unique, exciting and enjoyable experience.

The Kidenza concerts take place on Saturday April 28 at 11am and will be repeated again at 4pm. There will also be a participative workshop where children aged 6+ will learn, rehearse and perform with the professionals at 2pm.

Kidenza tickets cost £7.50 for children and £15 for adults. To book for these, and any of the other festival concerts, please visit the website www. mayfieldfestival.co.uk or call Ticket Source on 0333 666 3366 and quote Mayfield Festival.

n April 28 - Kidenza: A Recipe for a Musical Feast – A Concert for Families n April 29 - Mendelssohn’s Last Years Sunday n April 30 - Frank Sinatra His Way n May 1 - Mayfield School Lunchtime Concert n May 1 - Armonico & Oz Clarke Drink to Music n May 2- 6 - Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition n May 5 - All The World’s a Stage… n May 5 - Mozart and Brahms n May 6 - May Carols n May 6 - Festival Mass n May 7 - The Tinkers Bubble Ceilidh Band n May 7 - Oxford Camerata n May 8 - James O’Donnell n May 9 - Stephen Kovacevich in Concert n May 10 - Poems of Home and Exile n May 10 - Choral Vespers by Candlelight n May 11 - Film: Tales of Hoffmann [both matinee and evening performances available] n May 12 - Onyx Noir n May 13 - Grand French Farewell n May 13 - The Festival Eucharist For venue details, ticket prices and timings see www.mayfieldfestival.co.uk

Arts & Culture

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Reaching for the sky Trinity Theatre Club start their run of David Hare’s 1995 play Skylight on May 1. Here the show’s director Meg Nutt explains why the troupe decided to take on this challenging piece of classic contemporary theatre What attracted you to Skylight as your next production?

I am a huge admirer of David Hare’s writing. He is one of our most talented playwrights who always chooses to challenge his audiences with real issues.

What is the play about?

Two former lovers, Kyra, a school teacher and Tom an older wealthier restaurateur reunite three years after their six year affair was exposed. The action takes place in Kyra’s tiny, freezing council flat where they wrestle with their past, their present – and each other.

‘Skylight is funny, fierce and achingly truthful and is driven by a stinging mixture of wit and anger’

What appeals to you about the play and why do you think it’s still relevant today over twenty years later?

It is a passionate dissection of the state of the nation as well as the human heart and I feel that this particular subject matter is even more resonant now than when it was first premiered at the National Theatre in London in 1995.

What can audiences expect from your production that may

differ from the award-winning West End one?

Well, we haven’t got Bill Nighy or Carey Mulligan – the two leads when the show was revived in 2014 at the Wyndham Theatre. However, we do have three very dedicated actors who have grabbed this play by the scruff of the neck, worked extremely hard and are aiming to deliver with all the passion and wit that they can muster.

Can you tell us a bit more about them…

The play is a three hander. The part of Kyra is played by Kate Dellow, a beautiful, serene actress, who is playing her biggest role to date.

The part of Tom is played by Gerald Bishop, a long-standing and highly experienced Trinity Theatre Club [TTC] actor and playing his son, Edward, is Harry Wells, who is making his debut with TTC, but he does have nearly 10 years of stage experience under his belt.

What do you think audiences will enjoy most about seeing Skylight?

I think the writing as that’s what attracted me to it in the first place. Hare’s play hits you straight between the eyes with its mixture of private pain

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and public rage at a profoundly polarised society in a post-Thatcherite era. The text is funny, fierce and achingly truthful and is driven by a stinging mixture of wit and anger.

Where there any tricky elements to staging this piece?

Yes, to try and replicate the correct environment. The play is set in a council flat in North West London and I wanted to give the audience the feeling of being surrounded by high rise buildings. With the combined talents of my set designer, Andy Newell and my brilliant lighting designer, Bruce Williams, I hope we’ve achieved this.

How often do you work with the Trinity and why do you enjoy doing so?

I have been a member of Trinity Theatre Club for 35 years. In the past, I was a very active acting member of the company. I have been involved with production management, stage management and other backstage work. Being involved with theatre is one of my passions, inherited from being brought up in a theatrical environment and something that I couldn’t imagine my life being without.

What do you like about directing in general?

I love the whole process – from choosing a play, which in itself is difficult, to casting and then going on this journey of discovery. It’s wonderful to help the actors develop and grow into their roles. A director always has a vision and if that is achieved, it’s like a dream come true.

Skylight is on at Trinity Theatre from May 1 until Saturday May 5.

Tickets cost £15 or £24 for two on the opening night. There will also be a matinee on Wednesday FAMILY AFFAIR and Saturday.

Kate Dellow, Harry For further details see Wells and Gerald www.trinitytheatreclub.co.uk Bishop star in Skylight

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Going Out

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

going ut Seven days of activities at a glance BLUES FOR YOU See bluebells at Hole Park

of David’s art will go to Hospice in the Weald. The gallery is open from 10am until 10pm daily. See www.trinitytheatre.net for more details.

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY Tis the season for tulips and you can see all kinds of colours and varieties in full bloom locally.

Hever Castle is hosting its own Tulip Festival until Friday while Pashley Manor near Ticehurst is also running its annual celebration of this perennial spring flower until May 8.

The Oast Theatre in Tonbridge continues its run of Nell Gwynn all week. On until April 28 the play charts the rise of this unlikely 17th century heroine, who started off selling oranges in a London market place and went on to become Britain’s most celebrated actress – and also King Charles II’s mistress. Tickets cost £10 and £7.50 for members. Visit www.oasttheatre.com Trinity’s latest exhibition is entitled View From My Garden and features the work of Elizabeth Hunt and David Pitcher. Fifty per cent of all sales

By Eileen Leahy

Kent College, Pembury hosts a Sport and Wellbeing exhibition this evening from 6.30pm to 9pm. Free for students from all schools to attend (£5 in cash for adults), the aim is to provide information on how participating in sports can promote not only physical well-being but also your enhance emotional health too. Present on the night will be a variety of sports experts and there will be over 25 different workshops to participate in with the likes of Team GB, Sweaty Betty and Beat Eating Disorders. To reserve your tickets visit www.kent-college.co.uk/app/events/ book.aspx?e=1000150 There is a dramatic reworking of Ibsen’s A Dolls House this evening at Trinity Theatre. Targeted at those aged 12 and over the production uses ‘verbatim and emotive choreography’ to transform the 19th century Norwegian playwright’s original tale of equality and social class into a modern day story setting which the younger audience will be able to identify with.

Tickets cost from £13 and the performance starts at 7.30pm.

The spring production for Bidborough Dramatic Society consists of two one-act plays: The Wasp’s Nest and Interior Designs and is collectively billed as Hell Hath No Fury it starts tonight and runs until Saturday. Performed at Bidborough Village Hall, tickets cost £8 from bidbroughboxoffice@gmail.com or 01892 231974.

FRIDAY

The second Mayfield Art Trail starts today which sees over 30 artists of all mediums exhibiting their work in 15 different venues around Mayfield and Five Ashes. The event coincides with Mayfield’s music festival which officially starts tomorrow and runs for the next three weeks. The artists will be available to talk about their oeuvres, some of which will be for sale with proceeds going to the Hospice of the Weald. The trail will run this weekend and for the next two from 11am until 5pm.

There’s more artistic fun to be had but this time it’s for little ones at the Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery. Starting this morning at 10.30am parents, carers and their children aged 2 to 5 can enjoy an hour’s worth of free crafting and colouring.

The Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, based at Midsomer Norton, is considering setting up a similar rail appreciation group which will cover the Kent and East Sussex area. Therefore an inaugural meeting to gauge local interest will be held at the King Charles the Martyr Church Hall on Warwick Park at 7pm. Trust Secretary John Baxter will give an illustrated talk on Midsomer Norton’s stations ‘rise from the ashes’. So if you’re interested why not pop along? Admission is free to trust members or £2 on the door.

For entertainment of a different kind head on over to Trinity to see acerbic comic Mark Steel

ON TRACK Enjoy a rail appreciation evening

SHAPE UP Visit Kent College’s sport event perform his one man show Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright. Tickets cost £18 and the show starts at 8pm.

SATURDAY The winner of Visit Kent’s Happy Family award, Penshurst Place, will be making children smile even more this spring, as major improvements are being made to its adventure playground. A giant, 30 foot zip wire now takes pride of place in the playground, and a specially-made new obstacle challenge, complete with scramble net, will soon

Going Out

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

be joining it. For ticket prices and opening times please visit www. penshurstplace.com for details.

The Hop Farm plays host to The Mind, Body & Spirit Festival this weekend. This event brings together ‘ancient wisdom, and practices combined with innovative modern ideas, products, services and insights’. The general ethos is for visitors to seek space to relax, unwind and expand their knowledge. Tickets for either Saturday 28 (10am-5pm) or Sunday 29 (10am-4pm) are still available and cost £5. www. kentmindbodyandspirit.co.uk The Mayfield music festival starts today and as part of its programme, which runs until May 13, it will welcome Kidenza, who perform live orchestral concerts for children. Today they will hold two performances at Mayfield School at 11am and 4pm and there will also be a workshop for minor musicians to get involved with at 2pm. For more information see our Kidenza interview on page XX. St Peter’s Upper church in Pembury is putting on a Concert For Lifeboats to raise funds for the RNLI. Expect an evening of sea shanties and nautical tales. There and there will also be a bar and grand raffle.

Entry costs £8 per person and tickets can be bought from Pembury Pharmacy.

SUNDAY In celebration of the centenary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, the Royal Tunbridge

STEEL YOURSELF Comedian Mark Steel performs at Trinity

GLORIOUS GARDEN Pashley Manor

Wells Choral Society will be performing his well-known Chichester Psalms at the Assembly Hall Theatre, today at 3pm. The concert will also feature John Rutter’s Magnificat and Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and the choir will be joined by the Salomon Orchestra, often described as London’s finest non-professional orchestra.

Renowned musical director, Rebecca Miller, will be in charge of the baton in this her final concert for the society. Tickets from £10 available directly by calling 01892 527958 or visiting www. assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk Bewl Water is just perfect for a leisurely walk but make sure you have a camera on you if you pay it a visit as the

reservoir is currently running its Best of Bewl, a nature photography competition. To take part all you have to do is capture a picture perfect moment while you’re in the country park and post it on social media with the hashtag #bestofbewlwater by May 1. You can enter the contest multiple times. See www.bewlwater.co.uk for further information.

If you want to venture further afield this weekend then why not visit the glorious Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden to see their mesmerising bluebell displays? The well-deserved winner of Kent’s Garden of the Year award in 2016, boasts 16 glorious acres of gardens and parkland most of which is carpeted in bluebells right now.

Admission for adults is £7.50, and £1 for children aged five to 16 years old.

MONDAY

Arthritis Action holds a support group meeting every six weeks at St Philip’s Church on Birken Road in Tunbridge Wells for sufferers of this condition, their families and carers. Today’s meeting takes place at 1.45pm and will include a guest speaker and refreshments. They are the only Arthritis Charity which hold these types of help groups in Kent. To find out more visit www.arthritisaction.org.uk

TUESDAY Also part of the Mayfield Music Festival is a talk and tasting session by Oz Clarke and Armonico. Entitled ‘Drink to Music’ it will take place this evening in the village’s Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. Now, not many people know this but the famous wine connoisseur started his professional working life as a classical singer so he is well versed to wax lyrical about wine and song. Tickets cost £20 from www.mayfieldfestival.co.uk

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PICK OF THE WEEK: Weald of Kent Country Craft Show Penhurst Place, May 5 – 7, 10am – 5pm

Once again Penshurst Place will be the glorious backdrop to the popular Weald of Kent Homemade Spring Fair which takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend. As well as plenty of handicraft workshops and over 150 artisan goods including unique paintings and beautiful jewellery to browse and buy, visitors will also enjoy the falconry displays, children’s arts and crafts sessions. There will also be plenty of gourmet treats to enjoy in the special pop up foodie tent and live music from The Haywood Sisters and Crooked Style, a two piece country folk guitar group.

And in an exciting development

for this year, Country Homes & Interiors magazine will be pitching up at the show with a pop-up shopping marquee. The magazine’s editor Rhoda Parry, says, ‘Our aim is to bring together a high-quality curation of our favourite small businesses that we know visitors will love. These include upcoming designers and makers, as well beautifully crafted gifts, home and lifestyle products from our favourite makers and brands”.

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £7 for seniors and are available from www.ichfevents.co.uk and www.thecraftshows.co.uk for more details.

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Going Out

live music With Paul Dunton

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t is starting to feel like summer is finally here and the local music scene really starts to gather pace as we reach the end of April.

For a great rockin’ mid week outing, this Wednesday I highly recommend The Forum’s Stable showcase with Heyzeus, Pity Party, Smythe, Smythe & Smythe and Teal. For fans of acoustic and singer-songwriter music there is a fine quartet of local acts performing at The Grey Lady in John Forrester John Mclane, Paul Monham and Ryan Weeks.

On Thursday the deeply talented Steffan James will be playing a lively mix of originals and covers at The Trading Post.

There are plenty of superb live

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

music events this Friday including Jack Mackey at The Spa Hotel and renowned guitarist and singer Tico Raymar at The Grey Lady alongside The Breretons and Amber Titchener.

Saturday is jam packed with many popular local bands in action including The Jordan Marsh Trio at The Spa Hotel, Spoilage at The Royal Oak Pub, The Varlies at The Beau Nash Tavern and Sean Fennessey & Friends at The Bedford. Headlining Trinity Theatre for the first time will be Harry Whitty who will performing with his six piece band to mark the launch of his new EP. Support on the night comes from two other fantastic local acts in Richard Navarro and Alana Hazzard.

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

THE SUSSEX ARMS BASEMENT

The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady. co.uk Wednesday John Forrester John Mclane, Paul Monham, Ryan Weeks Friday Amber Titchner, Tico Raymar, The Breretons Saturday Sounds of the 70s & 80s Old school vinyl night Sunday Kelly Stanley, The Fufkins, Riff Raff Monday Open Singers Night Tuesday Alex Van + more acts tba

Sussex Mews Open all day, entry charge may apply, music from 8.30pm more information at www.twforum.co.uk Thursday COVE + Parting Gift + Raised

By Raptors

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Church Road All concert details and ticket information at www.trinitytheatre.net Saturday Local & Live Sessions: Harry Whitty Band + Richard Navarro + Alana Hazzard

Event information at www.twforum.co.uk Wednesday The Stable: Heyzeus + Pity Party + Smythe, Smythe & Smythe + TEAL Friday The Daniel Wakeford Experience Sunday Fat Jewels Monday Fat Jewels Harry Whitty

The Varlies

The Assembly Halls Theatre Crescent Road All concert details and ticket information at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Sunday RTW Choral Society: Bernstein & Rutter (3pm start)

TRINITY THEATRE

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday The Varlies

THE BEDFORD PUB 2 Highstreet Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Sean Fennessey & Friends Sunday Fred Clark

THE ROYAL OAK PUB Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Spoilage

THE TRADING POST 5 Culverden Down Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Thursday Steffan James

THE SPA HOTEL Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Friday Local & Live Presents: Jack Mackey Saturday: Scallywag Café presents: The Jordan Marsh Trio

THE PUNCH & JUDY 11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge Open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm Tuesday Fate The Juggler Trio

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Food & Drink Spring Special

Spring food special

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This week The Times celebrates all things fabulously foodie with a six page special. Included in it is a round-up of the key gourmet events coming up over the next few months as well as a fascinating insight into a beekeeper’s life…

We also talk to The Mark Cross Inn a year after a fire forced them to cease trading.

Happily though the popular country pub is open for Excellent Wild business again and the team taste and sweet running it are positively buzzing TASTY TREATS SLOWLY, SLOWLY about their new menus and new big day out look. If you haven’t experienced this gem of a pastoral pub already then what are you “The French have brasseries.

The Spanish have tapas. In Britain, we have the pubs” waiting for? Enjoy our special TOM KERRIDGE gastronomic read in association with Gastro and bon appétit…

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S EE OU FRHE H

N

GASTRO

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GASTRO T H E M A G A Z I N E F R O M T H E A WA R D W I N N I N G P U B A N D R E S TA U R A N T G R O U P

T H E M A G A Z I N E F R O M T H E A W A R D W I N N I N G P U B A N D R E S TA U R A N T G R O U P

Fergus the Forager gets creative with chocolate leaves

Travel to Italy and discover true food appreciation

The Mistress of Wine, Sam Capron, teaches us how to appreciate our glasses

Eight pages of delicious recipes to see you through summer

PIRATE’S LIFE Why rum is finally getting its time in the spotlight

SEE INSID E COMPREH FOR OUR ENSIVE GUIDE

ISSUE 18 SUMMER 2018

The Michelin-starred celebrity chef tells us about pub grub’s evolution

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29/03/2018 09:23

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Turkish Delight Charlie Bond visits Hattusa, the new Turkish restaurant on Camden Road to see why this popular eatery has become a foodie favourite

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YEAR ago, I lamented the lack of Turkish restaurants in Tunbridge Wells, but now we’re spoiled for choice. Hattusa is the latest to appear in the town, and with a branch already in Sevenoaks, it had a strong following before it opened its doors in January.

The cosy eatery is an Instagrammer’s dream - from the blue patterned tiles to the whitewashed walls if you didn’t look outside you could easily be in Turkey.

When we’re handed the menu there’s so much choice so we deliberate for quite some time, but in the end my friend and I share a cold meze platter (£13.95) which is a mix of some classic Turkish favourites including hummus and dolma (stuffed vegetables). On the plate it looks beautiful with vibrant colours, and it tastes pretty good too, very fresh and full of flavour.

For my main, I have the chicken shish (£12.75) which is served with rice and salad, and it’s really tasty.

The chicken is succulent and flavoursome, and the portion size is decent without being overwhelming.

Popular This is a great, buzzy place to visit with an impressive menu to match. Throughout the evening there’s a constant stream of customers picking up takeaway orders too, so clearly Hattusa is the place to go.

The one downside is our table, which is near the door and means we’re hit with a breeze whenever it opens but the workaround is a bottle of Turkish red wine to warm us instead.

I can see why Hattusa is so popular - the cool decor and friendly atmosphere make it a great place to visit with friends or family, but make sure you book as it gets very busy! www.hattusa.co.uk To read more articles like this visit theknow.guide

Food & Drink Spring Special

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Keeping it sweet Matthew Noakes of Wishfield Honey tells us about how the bees keep him buzzing What does your average day look like, Matthew?

There isn’t really an average day.

During the spring, I’m repairing equipment, building frames and cleaning the equipment for the season ahead. In early summer, my time is spent on swarm control; increasing the size of the hive to deter swarming, and giving the bees more room for honey. Autumn is the main harvest, preparing the bees for winter, checking that they have enough stores and are of a good size, so that they can produce enough body heat to survive the cold. And then, in the build-up to Christmas, I visit local shows and fairs. Essentially, the job changes as the seasons do.

How long are your days?

This also changes with the season. My days in springtime are typically seven to nine hours long, which increases to 10 to 12-hour days in the summer. Saying that, if I’m extracting honey, this will increase to 14 or 16 hours. Autumn sees the

return of 10-hour days, and finally it drops back to around eight hours in the winter. I always look forward to the New Year, because that’s when I can switch off for a while and catch up on some much needed relaxation.

How do you spend your weekends?

I usually attend a couple of the local farmers’ markets, and will visit a few fairs during the summer.

But to be honest, my time is taken up mainly with the bees. If someone calls about a swarm, or the bees are increasing at a rapid rate, then I need to be there.

I do like to have Sundays off, as I need some rest, but that doesn’t always happen.

How long have you been keeping bees?

A very long time – about 11 years. It had originally started as a hobby, but by the third year I had 50 hives. At that point, I had to decide whether to keep going with beekeeping, or stick with the other job I had at the time. Obviously, the bees stuck and I’m pleased they did.

How many bees do you keep at the moment?

I’m currently floating around the 80-hive mark, but have, in the past, gone up to over 100. At the moment, I’m looking at growing the number thanks to my increased knowledge and experience of them. With an average of 40,000 bees per hive, you’re looking at about 3.4million bees, so best to exercise a little caution when dealing with them!

How did you come to keep bees?

I originally started beekeeping for health reasons. I suffer from particularly bad hay fever, and found that local honey really does help. It won’t cure you, but it certainly alleviates the symptoms. I was also recovering from shingles, and found that beekeeping was very therapeutic.

What’s the importance of keeping bees?

It’s hugely important. They play a very significant role in putting food on our plates, and are pretty much the foundation for a lot of other wildlife. As the bee population increases, so does the number of flowers; they respond to being properly pollinated, resulting in a natural lushness that’s of benefit to a whole host of other creatures. However, we do need to be aware of over-population, as a single bee can visit 2,000 flowers per day, and ideally would need that for six months of the year. A balance needs to be found somewhere.

Finally, in your opinion, why is it important to support local producers?

We’re fortunate to live in a very fertile part of the UK – Kent is called ‘The Garden of England’ for a reason – and there are a lot of small producers in the area making some outstanding products. By buying local, it helps to keep the local economy going, and reduces the carbon footprint. This looks after the environment and the bees as well.

Look out for Matthew at Kent Farmers’ Markets across the county. For more information, visit kfma.org.uk

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Food & Drink Spring Special

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

From the Ashes…

This month marks 12 months since the fire that led to the closure of the popular Mark Cross Inn for three months. A year on, we catch up with manager Michelle Fairless to talk about the pub’s triumphant return…

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blank canvas, it was certainly the T WAS Saturday April 15 2017 chance to evolve and grow. when Michelle Fairless was What followed was the woken by a call just closure, and with it the before midnight from the relocation of all permanent onsite manager at The staff to other locations run Mark Cross Inn. by its owners Whiting & “He’d been doing his Hammond. final checks when he “We were all noticed smoke devastated to have to coming from the leave The Mark Cross kitchen,” she recalls.

Inn – it was our home “I immediately got from home – but being out of bed and drove able to work on another to the pub. All we site felt like a good could do was stand in BACK IN BUSINESS opportunity,” Michelle says. the car park and watch Michelle Fairless “Watching how the pubs were the pub we loved burn, as run at the other locations was a the fire department worked wonderful learning experience, and to control the blaze. It was lucky I certainly came away from it with a that it was caught as early as it was, million ideas that I wanted to implement when and thankfully no one was hurt.” the pub re-opened.”

For The Mark Cross Inn, this terrible event was turned into a golden opportunity; the chance to The Mark Cross began trading again on August 11 start afresh and look carefully at what changes following a major refurbishment, including a newly they wanted to make. Although perhaps not a fitted kitchen, equipped with an array of new

NEW BEGINNINGS The Mark Cross has been totally refurbished

‘Being aware of new trends in food is so important for keeping things fresh’ appliances, which have opened up a wealth of opportunity for the pub’s head chef, Minerva Jensen.

Whilst the pub classics that have always been favourites can still be seen on the menu, both Michelle and Minerva are keen to spread their creative wings when it comes to the pub’s offerings.

TOP TABLE Enjoy the delicious new dishes

“Being aware of new trends in food is so important for keeping things fresh,” continues Michelle. “I love surfing social media to see what everyone’s talking about. One example is the ‘Yorkshire pudding wrap’ that went viral. We have an excellent new oven that’s ideal for the puddings.

So, having the equipment to be able to offer something unique to our customers is very satisfying.”

But this is only one part of the journey. With an increasing focus on developing a quality breakfast offering, courtesy of South American native Minerva, there are no limits as to what the

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

pub is hoping to achieve.

But the one thing that Michelle is particularly keen to gush about is the new bar, which boasts not only more space and beautiful new décor, but also over 30 types of gin, ready for the summer.

“As a local pub based in a county with so many wonderful and unique suppliers, I feel it’s our duty to have a comprehensive drinks list that includes both small and big names in the industry.”

They are enthusiastic about celebrating great drink and, in Michelle’s case, especially gin.

Following the dramatic rise in popularity of the spirit last year, it seems like it’s almost become a TEAM SPIRIT Minerva Jensen (left) and her kitchen team

Food & Drink Spring Special

necessity to make sure that demand is met.

“It’s the garnish,” Michelle states. “Customers see these beautiful drinks served in gorgeous glasses with fresh fruit, and they want one for themselves.

“Being experimental and creative with what we serve is so freeing, and it means we can listen to what people want from us, and always strive to make it a reality.”

With summer just around the corner, this is the time for the renovated pub to truly shine; especially with the return of its popular Beer and Food Festival, from July 20 to 22, where you can sample a spectacular range of beers, ales and ciders from local producers, and Michelle cannot wait to showcase the true potential of the new Mark Cross Inn. She concludes: “When people think of great drink, delicious food and quality service, I want them to think of us.”

Feature courtesy of Gastro magazine.

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A word from Brian Whiting…

Following the devastating fire, we took the opportunity to make a few changes to The Mark Cross Inn, after our 11 years of trading.

We hope you agree that the alterations have enhanced the look and feel of the pub, and we’re looking forward to having the new bi-folding doors open in the summer months, so that the magnificent view of the East Sussex countryside will no longer be restricted.

There are a few things up our sleeves that we have left to do, but we’re immensely happy with the outcome and strength of the pub’s trading since the reopening.

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food

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STAY CONNECTED 7 DAYS A WEEK…

Food For Thought Here are some top epicurean events, excursions and experiences to immerse yourself in over the coming months…

SHOP… The chocolate industry has undergone a revolution in the UK, and it needn’t be a sin, as Tunbridge Wells-based Chocolatl can attest to. This colourful gem of a café and shop is bursting with a million different ways for you to enjoy top-quality chocolate that demands little guilt. Keen to showcase the work of artisanal crafters, who have selected the finest beans to create a vast range of exciting flavours, you can purchase the outstanding products of bean-tobar producers. You’re not lacking choice either, as you can take your pick from bars, truffles and gifts, and with dairy, gluten and nut-free options available, there’s no one who has to miss out.

chocolatl.co.uk

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Food & Drink Spring Special

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

LEARN… It’s become increasingly important to know what we’re putting into our bodies, and even more so for our children. On June 2, Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery School will be running a summer course for parents who want to learn to cook...with the kids! This one-day course at the celebrity chef’s training haven in Tunbridge Wells is a fun-filled day for

all the family, jam-packed with inspirational recipes that are sure to be loved by children and grown-ups alike. The course runs from 10am to 2pm, and every ticket covers one adult and one junior, aged eight to 16.

The course costs £160, and is inclusive of all necessary ingredients and tools.

rosemaryshrager.com

Food & Drink Spring Special

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

EXPERIENCE… Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, along with his merry band of foodies, is coming to Tunbridge Wells for his celebration of all things tasty – the Pub in the Park festival. Kerridge will be setting up camp in Dunorlan Park (July 6 to 8) with world-class chefs, Michelin-starred pubs, live music and artisan producers, all of which will be at hand to help you not just taste food but experience it. There will be plenty of cooking demonstrations, as well as masterclasses for those who want to get their hands dirty, so this is the perfect opportunity to roll up your sleeves with all the family and get stuck in.

pubintheparkuk.com

TASTE… Squerryes Estate sprawls over 2,500 acres of spectacular countryside within the Kent Downs, where the beautiful house has been home to eight generations of the Warde family. Visit their tasting room and terrace at their winery during all seasons, where you can take your pick from their entire selection of white, red, pink and sparkling wines. You can also tuck into their locally-sourced charcuterie and cheese, which are the perfect match. The winery likes to keep its tasting room informal, so groups under six can just walk in.

You’re welcome to wander the vines, and the staff are always happy to answer any questions about the wines.

squerryes.co.uk

VISIT… The Pantiles Food Markets Every other weekend the famous promenade in Tunbridge Wells hosts some of the area’s best food producers and drinks experts at its foodie market. Attracting thousands of visitors thanks to the high quality of suppliers and specialists who descend on these popular markets you’ll find everything you need to create delicious dishes.

So make sure you pop along to sample what’s on offer and to stock up on all your necessary store cupboard basics and more unusual ingredients to enhance your recipe repetoire.

For more information and dates

www.thepantiles.com LISTEN TO… Jazz on The Pantiles The first of the popular Jazz on The Pantiles events kicks off next week [May 3]. Every Thursday throughout the summer different bands and musicians take to the famous promenade’s

bandstand to play live music to diners and drinkers assembled on Tunbridge Wells’ historic walkways. The group with the honour of performing at the inaugural concert of 2018 is Lipstick and Beatniks. The musical action kicks off at 7.30pm.

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Travel

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Set sail for a water world adventure with a difference

T

o travel takes a certain amount of courage and to travel well takes a sense of adventure. Whether it is exploring the side streets of Paris or making sure you are up at the crack of dawn to be the first to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat or Machu Picchu it will be taking these leaps of faith that pay dividends and make the memories that will last a lifetime.

Some explorers will abandon all their worldly goods, throw on a backpack and get on the next plane but most of us are not at liberty to take off on a whim and our adventures may take a little more planning. We need a strategy to fit as much as possible into our precious holiday time and then embellish it with a few more home comforts, and this is where cruising comes into its own. Take 2 weeks, get 10 or more destinations, a handful of countries, a multitude of excursions and a melting pot of cultures and then there’s the best bit; only unpack once.

#CruiseInspirations To help you plan for your next adventure we have brought together 20+ tour operators and cruise suppliers for our #CruiseInspirations Show so you can pick their brains about the different styles of cruising available and the extended exploration options you can combine them with. Where better to do this than Bewl Water, near Lamberhurst in Kent. We will be open from 10am to 3pm on Sunday 29th April which leaves plenty of time for lunch and a bit of exploration practice around the lake.

IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE THE SHOW HERE IS SOME FURTHER TRAVEL INSPIRATION FROM SOME OF OUR EXHIBITORS….

A common misconception about cruises is 1; its for old people and 2; you’ll be bored. Wrong on both counts. Just this past month the largest Cruise ship afloat; Symphony of the Seas was launched by Royal Caribbean and with countless pools, restaurants, bars, theatres, ice skating rinks, slides, zip wires, flowriders and much, much more you will be entertained from morning through to late in to the night. Royal Caribbean are great for families or groups of friends and their accommodation is fresh, modern and very comfortable – no roughing it here! They even offer cruises from only 2 nights long so they are perfect for a celebration or to tag on to the end of a land-based holiday.

‘We need a strategy to fit as much as possible into our precious holiday time and then embellish it…’

If you prefer to be more hands on with your cruise why not set sail, under sail with Star Clippers who operate three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels. Visiting intimate ports often untouched by larger cruise ships and offering passengers the activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht, they are recognised as one of the premier speciality cruise lines. You can have a go at hoisting the mainsail if you like or just sit back and enjoy a cocktail as you cross the sparkling sea.

Not all cruises head out purely in search of

STAR CLIPPERS Climb onboard a tall ship

sunshine. Some head out for the colours of the night. Hurtigruten have been sailing in polar waters for almost 125 years. Following the Norwegian coastline, they visit many ports along the way dropping off freight, tourists and passengers alike at each stop. They are an excellent way to get adventurous in the snowy scapes of Northern Europe and at sea is an exceptionally good way to see the Northern Lights. For the more adventurous they also offer Expedition cruises to Spitsbergen and Antarctica. Like Hurtigruten, PONANT also offer an exquisite product that allows you to explore in plenty of comfort. Created 30 years ago by a passionate Captain, still in charge of the company, they are the only French cruise line and a world leader in Luxury Expedition.

PONANT, perpetuates the lifestyle “à la française” within a completely bilingual environment featuring intimacy and curiosity, luxury and authenticity. Their newest invention is the world’s first multi-sensorial on board Underwater Lounge – come face to face with sea creatures almost as if you were swimming with them. Incroyable!

Back on dry land for a moment and Great Rail Journeys have long since been taking clients on tours by train, but they are now branching out into the world of River Cruising and have applied their 40 years’ travel industry experience to craft an exciting, comprehensive and tailor-made new product. Their river cruises all travel one-way up or down a river, meaning you will never see the same sights twice and excursions are a real delight, what is more each cruise can be enjoyed in 3 different ways – fly out to your embarkation destination, travel by rail on an Escorted Rail Cruise, or combine your cruise with another Great Rail Journeys tour.

Travel

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

BIONIC BAR Enjoy a drink with a difference

‘A common misconception about cruises is 1; its for old people and 2; you’ll be bored.

Wrong on both counts’

LIGHT FANTASTIC There’s wonderful hospitality to savour

If you are looking to combine an in-depth tour getting right to the heart of a destination with a cruise Latin Routes and G adventures offer a more immersive travel experience. You’ll be accompanied by guides who have the most comprehensive knowledge of their surroundings. You will be easily inspired and totally in awe of the opportunities to get back to nature and come eye to eye with creatures you will have only seen in picture books. Latin Routes specialise in the South American Continent whilst G adventures have a broader portfolio but both have impressive attention to detail and a clear environmental and ecological conscience.

Whilst our show proclaims to be Cruise

orientated we also have operators who perfectly complement a cruise holiday with their exceptional accommodation and attention to detail.

Superbreak have been a short break specialist for over 30 years and can help with land stays at your ports of embarkation and disembarkation along with Eurostar, rail, flights or attraction tickets to further enhance your holiday. We are delighted to also have the Inspiring Travel Company join us at the show. A UK-based tour operator specialising in bespoke, luxury travel. They can combine cruises from the likes of Silversea, Ponant, SeaDream and Regent Seven Seas with the very best resorts and take care of every last detail using their extensive knowledge so you do not have to worry about a thing.

So even if you have never considered a cruise before come along to the show and speak to the people who are passionate about travel. They are ready to share their experiences with you and before you know it you will be embarking on your next adventure.

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FULL STEAM AHEAD For a wonderful holiday

NORTHERN LIGHTS See the Scandi spectacular

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Look Good, Feel Good

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

remove daily environmental grime and product residue, and doing either of these things can tangle your hair or damage the hair cuticle.”

“Don’t use metal-pronged brushes,” Kingsley adds. “These can scratch the scalp and, as they can get very hot when you blow-dry, they can also burn your hair. Instead, use a brush with round plastic prongs.”

Treat your hair with TLC Here, four experts share their advice for getting ahead in the hair game...

HOW CAN LIFESTYLE FACTORS AFFECT MY SCALP AND HAIR?

“A good diet is essential for follicular health, so make sure you eat plenty of foods, like eggs, for the biotin,” recommends GP Dr Unnati Desai.

“Selenium is another must-have – you can get that from oily fish, like mackerel or sardines – and finally zinc. You can find zinc in red and white meat, and spinach. Vitamins B1 and B5 are important too. If you’re buying supplements, these are the main ingredients to look out for.”

Dr Adam Friedmann of the Harley Street Emporium

also advises eating a healthy diet as well as “sleeping well, keeping adequately hydrated and trying to live a relatively stress-free life. That said, genetics play a role and some people will struggle more than others”.

Kingsley points out that you could be inadvertently causing scalp problems with the way you wash your hair: “A common mistake is to simply plop shampoo onto the root area, and quickly move your hands over it. However, being skin, your scalp needs to be cleansed properly. Using a similar method to how you would cleanse the skin on your face, spend around one minute gently massaging your scalp when you shampoo and rinse well.”

It’s also important not to scrub your hair or pile it on top of your scalp.

“It’s not necessary,” she says. “The suds that run down through your lengths will be enough to

PHILLIP KINGSLEY

HOW CAN I FIX A FLAKY SCALP?

What should you do if you’re already noticing the effects of a less than healthy scalp?

“I’d always advise patients suffering with a scaly scalp to wash their hair with medicated dandruff shampoos containing salicylic acid – which dissolves away the skin cells, coal tar – which has a natural anti-fungal agent, or a tea-tree oil,” says Friedmann.

Desai recommends Capasal Therapeutic Shampoo, £7.85, Superdrug: “Lather it on and leave it for about three minutes before rinsing.”

If the problem persists, there may be scalp disease or a fungal infection present.

“If it is troublesome and cannot be treated with over-the-counter remedies, it is worth seeing a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment,”

BRUSH WITH ROUND PLASTIC PRONGS

HAIR MASK

MEDICATED DANDRUFF SHAMPOO

Friedmann says. “Signs of inflammation include redness, itching, weeping or flaking. All of these can be markers of scalp disease.”

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT HAIR LOSS?

Did you know that hair loss isn’t just genetic, you can actually because it by the way you style your hair?

“When you wear your hair up, tie it back loosely.

Tight hairstyles can place a lot of stress on your hair follicles,” Kingsley warns. “Initially, this can give you a sore scalp. Long term, traction can damage hair follicles and cause a type of hair loss called ‘traction alopecia’.”

Stress is also a risk factor, Friedmann says: “Stress-related hair loss is particularly common in people who suppress feelings of stress and anger – those that implode rather than explode. We never switch off and it can result in chronic stress.

“Stress hormones called neuropeptides push hairs out of the growing phase into the resting phase – slowing regrowth to the point thinning hair is more obvious.”

Ultimately, you need a proper diagnosis to discover the underlying cause, he says: “Forget the wonder creams and supposed miracle shampoos, visit a dermatologist to discover the actual cause of your hair loss, and whether it’s treatable.”

Look Good, Feel Good

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

These are the only four menswear trends you need to know about for spring Katie Wright has the key colours, prints and styles for the new season sorted.

Spring has (almost) sprung – so it’s time to look back at the SS18 catwalks and look ahead to the trends that will be defining the season.

And when it comes to menswear, there’s really only a handful of things you need to take note of.

Here are the designer looks that are set to lead the spring style pack, and how to wear them in the real world...

1 Striped shirts An Eighties-inspired short-sleeved open collar shirt is your key buy.

River Island Navy Stripe Short Sleeve Revere Shirt, £25; Joggers, £30 (hat and sunglasses, stylist’s own).

2

Logomania returns The logomania look is best served on sporty separates. Stick to one branded piece per outfit.

Hugo Boss Mirror Logo Nylon Backpack, £159, House of Fraser (currently in store only).

Hawaiian shirts

3

Whatever the hue, these prints are loud and proud; wear a Hawaiian shirt open over a white crew neck tee for a laidback feel.

River Island Black Floral Fish Short Sleeve Revere Shirt, £28.

4 Pastel palette A major trend in both men’s and women’s fashion this season, sherbet shades are taking over.

Tu at Sainsbury’s Pink Suit Jacket, £50; Pink T-Shirt, £5 (available end of March).

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Powered by

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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FIND YOUR INNER ZEN

A FRESH APPROACH

Crafted from solid aluminum this ultra slim all-new ZenBook UX410 brings you elegance, sophistication and superb performance and yet is just a mere 18.95mm thin.

From £599, available from Argos, ASUS and John Lewis.

Awair is a clever device that tracks toxins and chemicals in the air while providing personalised recommendations to help you stay safe and healthy. Plug it in and make a difference to your well being. £159, www.getawair.co.uk

WHAT A PAGE TURNER

tech

The UK’s newest reading app, Bookchoice is a subscription-based reading app for book lovers and those who’d like to read more, enabling them to receive a monthly drop of eight ebooks and eight audiobooks (for busy days where screen-time won’t cut it) to delve into for only £3.99 a month. For more info visit www.bookchoice.com

Must-have gadgets

State of the art technology Theknow brings you the latest tech and clever time-saving gadgets and widgets to make your life easier and more enjoyable. Eileen Leahy picks her top tech essentials

POWERED BY

LISTEN UP

GONE FISHING Fishbrain is the world’s most popular mobile app and social network for people who love fishing and has released a number of new features for its 5 million worldwide users including the ability for keen fishermen to communicate with one another, share their catch of the day and create social groups. Available from itunes and Google Playstore. To access the free app users can can upgrade to a Premium Account, from £6.99/month or £49.99/ year.

If you’re looking for a beautiful set of speakers that provide incredible music for an extremely cost effective price, look no further than the Edifier S880DB. Constructed with the utmost care and consideration, these speakers were built for music appreciation. £259.99, www. amazon.com

TV ON THE GO The Roku Streaming Stick offers 4K streaming and is a portable yet powerful option for those on the move or seeking a player that can be hidden behind the TV. It comes with a remote control and gives you access to 4,000+ streaming channels. £59, www.amazon.com

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Motoring

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

FIRST DRIVE:

Aston Martin

Vantage Could this really be the much-loved British brand’s Porsche 911 beater? Rebecca Chaplin heads to Portugal to see if it lives up to the hype.

WHAT IS IT?

According to Aston Martin, the new Vantage is its most extreme sports car yet - and it’s not wrong. Held up against the Vantage of yesteryear, it’s a completely different beast.

Sharing little more than the characteristic boot flick, now emphasised for this predatory car, with the previous generation, this could be one of the most important cars ever for the brand.

It’s crucial they get it right too - the previous Vantage was its bestselling car, and for the new age of the British carmaker, it needs to continue that way.

WHAT’S NEW?

Although the old Vantage had a slightly sportier air than other cars in the Aston range - largely because of its association with the World Endurance Championship - the new version has accentuated every aspect of the car’s exterior, like elongated muscles on a big cat. It gets the 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine from the DB11 V8, but despite the size reduction from the previous 4.7 V8 its new power output is up to 503bhp matching the thuggish old V12 Vantage S.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

The V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic ZF transmission, although that’s not under the bonnet but in the rear for a perfect 50:50 weight ratio. The Mercedes-manufactured powertrain has come from the DB11, and has been modified for the lighter Vantage - with its dry weight coming in 120kg less than the GT car. It still produces the same power but torque is higher at 685Nm, and some minor exhaust pops and bangs have been engineered in for an even more inspiring drive. The Vantage has two personalities, staying true to its racing car pedigree, and can be set up for both road and track. Track models get minor additions, such as the quad-exhaust for an even more aggressive roar and forged, machined lightweight wheels.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The nature of the car’s look translates to the road, fortunately that’s what happens when your aerodynamics are as functional as they are

stylish. The low riding Vantage draws you closer to the tarmac, making the car great fun to negotiate around curling Portuguese hills at high speed. Though it looks like it should be safe only in the hands of a professional racer, Aston Martin has retained the usability seen in its other cars. It remains composed in most situations, when you want it to at least, and when unleashing its power in the right places it becomes a bit of an animal. The show-off nature of this car calls for that raucousness too, and the V8 growl only complements that.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

While the very-British-brand has built its name on poised and proper motoring, the Vantage has always stood out as the aggressor of the family - but none so much as this. From the front grille with its snout very much to the ground, to the lights that resemble an animal on the hunt, this car will appeal to the boy racer with a little more cash to spend. The near-neon colours available won’t be to everyone’s taste, but fortunately there’s tamer paintwork to choose from too, and those looking for even more racer in their car can choose from several carbon-fibre options.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

Aston has embraced its racing pedigree with the interior of this car too. Compare it to the first of its new generation of cars, the DB11, with its softer set-up and an interior fit for the gentry GT driver. The Vantage is lower to the ground with

an interior that brings the brand into the modern day with cleaner lines and plush, but sporty, seats. The totally modernised design is far more appealing than previous generations, with more usable ergonomics too. Space behind the seats offers practical storage, while the boot is spacious enough for golf clubs at 350 litres.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

While there’s plenty to choose from if you want to personalise your Vantage, the cost, as you’d expect, is a bit rich. For all of that carbon fibre, the exterior body pack will set you back £6,995, while the quad-exhausts are £995 and the forged black wheels you’ll want are £3,495. However, on a car costing more than £120,000, we’re sure you’ll be able to persuade yourself into buying at least a few of those - to help the residual value, of course. It’s also available with a tech pack, for £2,995, featuring blind spot monitoring, keyless entry and touchpad control, while a comfort pack can be specified for £1,795, with heated and 16-way adjustable seats.

VERDICT

The looks alone will have you falling in love with the new Vantage, and driving it will only solidify that. It’s technically leaps and bounds ahead of previous Aston Martins and has a great balance between comfort and sports that some rivals overdo. Passion, comfort, and aggression all rolled into one mega machine.

Motoring News

Study finds superminis are a target for vandals OWNERS of Smart cars are the most likely to have their vehicles vandalised, with one in every 100 falling prey to damage such as door scratches and graffiti each year.

In fact, it’s bad news for small cars in general, as the second most commonly vandalised brand was Mini, with one in 1,000 cars succumbing to vandalism.

Next on the list was Alfa Romeo, followed

by BMW, Mazda, Peugeot, Saab, Fiat, Mercedes and Citroen - showing that vandals don’t appear to be too picky. Remarkably though, it’s not the UK’s bestsellers that suffer. Ford, Volkswagen and Vauxhall make some of the country’s most popular cars, yet do not claim for vandalism as much as less popular brands.

The findings come from an analysis of motor insurance claims by Churchill Car Insurance, who say that, on average, a claim for vandalism is made every 22 minutes. The increasing complexity of modern cars means these claims are more costly than they used to be, too - the value of claims has risen by more than 40 per cent in the past five years.

Hatchback of the future ELECTRIFIED variants of the new Mercedes A Class are in the pipeline, according to one of the chief developers of the car.

Head of powertrain development for the car, Oliver Ebelsheiser, confirmed that the hatchback will soon have a version with some form of battery propulsion.

He said: “We have announced that we will have electrical vehicles in each and every platform in the future. This includes the new compact car platform, meaning it will have an electrified variant.”

Ebelsheiser also suggested both hybrid and all-electric versions of the car were under consideration, with the former more likely to come before the latter.

THE KNOWLEDGE MODEL: Aston Martin Vantage

0-60MPH: 3.5

ENGINE: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

ECONOMY: 26.8mpg

POWER: 503bhp

km

TORQUE: 685Nm

PRICE: £120,900

MAX SPEED: 195mph

seconds

EMISSIONS: 245g/

Zero fatal crashes in car VOLVO’S commitment to having zero occupant fatalities in its cars by the year 2020 appears to be well on track, after new data showed its XC90 SUV had not suffered a single fatal accident in the UK since it was first released in 2002.

The XC90, now in its second generation, has regularly been touted as a super-safe car - both generations achieved five stars in their respective Euro NCAP crash tests, and the most recent was named the organisation’s safest car of 2017.

A spokesman said: “All second-generation Volvo XC90s have had AEB as standard, so they’ve all had collision avoidance systems out of the factory. But before that, none of them had the collision avoidance systems we’re talking about.”

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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Recruitment

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST-READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

2 1

9

9 2

2 6

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To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Codeword:

4

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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DIFFICULTY RATING:★★★I

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★III

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply.

Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.

Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue

P L A S M I D S I R A Q

O P E M A U R S F F L E C K F G I S E R J E U O H T E L I E S T A K E S A O A C E D S H A O U I C K E S

G N A T E S E A O P U F F Y A F A O L T E D T V E X AW L E A R A Z E D X O I T E R N U M S A I T B L U R

Sudoku:

8 5 4 7 6 1 3 9 2

1 9 6 5 2 3 7 4 8

3 2 7 4 9 8 5 6 1

5 8 9 3 7 6 2 1 4

2 6 3 1 4 9 8 7 5

4 7 1 2 8 5 6 3 9

6 4 5 9 3 2 1 8 7

1 2 5 4 8 9 3 6 7

5 6 3 7 4 2 9 1 8

8 9 4 3 2 7 1 5 6

7 1 8 6 5 4 9 2 3

9 3 2 8 1 7 4 5 6

Jigsaw Sudoku:

9 5 8 1 6 4 7 2 3

7 4 2 6 3 8 5 9 1

2 7 6 5 9 1 8 3 4

3 8 1 9 7 5 6 4 2

6 1 7 2 5 3 4 8 9

4 3 9 8 1 6 2 7 5

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

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Puzzles

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

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Sport

Please send sports stories to: newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Yarnold celebrates gold medal and inspires next generation OLYMPICS: THOUSANDS lined the streets and lanes of Sevenoaks district to see Winter Olympic double gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold on her open top bus ride on April 18.

The tour covered 33 miles, taking in Sevenoaks, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford, Swanley, Horton Kirby and Lizzy’s home town of West Kingsdown.

At least 25 schools were involved in the event, which was laid on by Sevenoaks District Council.

The skeleton champion received a rapturous reception when she stopped at Weald of Kent Grammar School and Trinity School in Sevenoaks, Orchards Academy in Swanley and schools in Horton Kirby and West Kingsdown.

Lizzy made history in February when she became the first British athlete to defend a Winter Olympic title – the only gold medal won by Team GB in Pyeongchang – after she first won the event at the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.

SHOW STOPPER Lizzy Yarnold is cheered by pupils at the Weald of Kent Annexe

She said: “It’s so much fun that people have come out to wave and cheer along the way.

“It’s real fun stuff and that’s what sports are all about really – having a good time.

“I go to some horrible places, you’re pushing yourself to the limits physically and mentally.

“And now, to come back to Kent where I grew up, it really is the icing on the cake.”

One enthusiastic schoolboy said: “She gives us hope that we can achieve what we want.”

Council Leader Peter Fleming said: “Having backed Lizzy from her early days through to the Sochi Olympics with three grants from the Sevenoaks District Sport Council, we were honoured to be able to celebrate the achievements of one of our greatest sporting heroes.

“It’s fitting that thousands of people turned out to see Lizzy, our local Olympic hero, who is such an inspiration to young people.”

Ten tries as TJs make giant strides in debut campaign scrum the left wing came in on the angle to score.

But this was just a momentary blip as excellent play from TJs saw Coxon-Smith smash through for a converted try before Tout added his second.

TJs were stifling their hosts’ every effort to escape their own half and their line speed and general quickness of thought shone through.

Hooker Ryan Jackson, who has made a massive impact on TJs this season, showed a deft touch on the left to send Rory McHugh in at the corner.

By Adam Hookway RUGBY: TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS left their Taunton hosts stunned as they ran in 10 tries against the team placed two berths higher than them in fourth place in National Two South.

Early skirmishes were ferocious but TJs found themselves camped in the Titans half as Finlay Coxon-Smith made two line breaks in midfield within the first five minutes.

That set up a field position on the right and from a TJ scrum Charlie Edwards fed George Lawson coming on the angle from the right to crash over.

Straight from the restart TJs outjumped the Titans full-back and broke through down the left, allowing Hugo Watson to race in for his first try; Nathan Holmes added the extras.

TJs went right from the next kick-off and Duncan Tout found the gap and forced his way through to race clear. TJs had registered three tries inside the first 12 minutes.

As TJs failed to gather a high ball, Taunton moved the ball downfield and from their own

Scintillating Charlie Edwards took advantage from 20 metres out when Taunton overthrew a lineout and he just made it to the line on the right.

Holmes converted from the other side this time and scintillating TJs ended the half 45-7 ahead after a haul of seven tries and five conversions.

The second half began with the home side penned in again but they managed to escape and scamper 60 metres to score.

But TJs were soon adding an eighth try as Tom Nicoll charged down a clearance from a scrum to

PHOTO: Adam Hookway

Taunton Titans 26 Tonbridge Juddians 66

DOMINATION George Lawson runs in another score go in under the sticks, Holmes adding the extras.

Taunton pulled out an excellent cross kick to their right winger, catching the defence out of position, and he ran it in from halfway.

Replacement Jack Mutch added some energy which resulted in an offload to Watson who scored his second after Lawson had crashed through from his wing.

Taunton hit back straight from the kick-off but TJs rightly had the final say, a galloping Rory

McHugh gathering a loose ball to trot in under the posts; olmes converted again.

In the penultimate game of their first campaign at this level, it was probably TJs’ best performance of the season as everything went to hand and the passing was accurate.

They conclude their impressive debut season in National Two South when they entertain Bury St Edmunds at The Slade on Saturday (April 28, kick-off 3pm).

Defeat fails to take gloss off superb season Shelford 27 Tunbridge Wells 10

By Roger Clarke

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

NEED A HAND Mac Popham looks for support

RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS signed off their first campaign in London & South East Premier Division with a defeat by the Cambridgeshire team they beat in their first game at this level back in September.

However, after a run of five straight wins they had already secured fifth place in what has been a highly impressive season at the highest level they have ever competed.

Shelford fly-half Josh Simmons opened the scoring with a penalty.

But Wells hit back on the counter-attack down the right, moving the ball inside for Mike

Hathaway to touch down, with Frank Reynolds converting.

On 23 minutes Wells hooker Luke Hawkins and opposing No 8 Aki Lea were both shown yellow cards, which opened the game up.

Five minutes later Shelford’s left wing Anzelu Tuitavuki scored from the halfway line, Simmons missing the conversion.

Bombardment Reynolds slotted a simple penalty on 33 minutes to restore the Wells lead and they went into half-time narrowly in the lead 10-8.

After the restart Wells held up the Shelford pack over the line but they soon went behind to a Simmons try and conversion on 52 minutes.

The game was still in the balance but opportunities were not so frequent as Simmons put Wells under aerial bombardment.

Then the hosts’ right wing Charlie Parkhouse intercepted 10 metres from his own try line to score under the posts, Simmons converting on 62 minutes to make the score 22-10.

Wells picked up another yellow card for impeding as they tried to get back in the game, and conceded a final try which brought Shelford their bonus point in the final minute.

The coaching team of Simon Whatling, Dave Allen and Mike Whatman deserve huge credit for masterminding a fine showing after their promotion last year, alongside the work of Chairman John Crees and team manager Michelle Greenall.

Sport

Wednesday April 25 | 2018

Gibb doubles up to ensure second place

GIBB AND GO Maisie Gibb celebrates her first goal

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 3 Castle Colts 1

By Dan Couldridge

PHOTO: David Couldridge

FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS

Ladies made sure of a top-two finish by defeating Castle Colts in their penultimate league game.

Angels had been beaten in the reverse fixture the previous week but grabbed the opportunity to exact immediate revenge.

The hosts made one of their trademark flying starts and went ahead within six minutes for the eighth time this season.

Charlotte Coulter and Becky Janes combined to set up Maisie Gibb, whose run on goal was timed perfectly and she finished coolly.

Gibb returned the favour for Janes on 17 minutes and the prolific striker

finished with ease with only the keeper to beat.

Four minutes before half-time Colts reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a goal from Keeley Ashworth.

The midfielder repeated her trick of the previous week with a long shot from distance that beat Sam Wright in the Angels’ goal.

But Gibb restored the two-goal advantage 11 minutes into the second half to settle the nerves of the home side.

Tonbridge host champions Thamesview at Tonbridge Farm next Sunday (April 29, kick-off 2pm) before the two sides meet again in the Kent Divisional Cup Final on Thursday May 17 at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium.

Superb Rusthall recover from humiliating loss

By Richard Smith

Rusthall 2 Lordswood 2

FOOTBALL: RUSTHALL now look certain to finish in the bottom two, with just two games remaining they are three points adrift of 18th-placed Hollands & Blair in the relegation zone in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.

The Rustics suffered a dispiriting 3-0 defeat to their rivals for the drop last weekend, but they could still manage to avoid going down.

The Football Association are reorganising levels four and five in the pyramid and it is believed just one side might suffer the fall, which would be bottom-of-the-table Rochester United.

Rusthall bounced back from their humiliation at Hollands & Blair with a fine display against Lordswood on Monday evening.

However, as has happened many times in this difficult season, they went behind to a soft goal.

On 17 minutes Lordswood capitalised on a mistake in the home defence, Jordan Wells taking

his chance well to give the visitors the lead.

And seven minutes later, Carl Harold doubled the visitors’ lead when he was allowed space in the penalty area at a corner.

But Rusthall showed great character and took the game to Lordswood.

On 27 minutes, midfielder Matt Hathway unleashed a superb drive from 20 yards that keeper Ryan Chandler did well to push over the bar diving to his left.

Drive Paul Butler and Dan Mitchell went close with headers from set-pieces, and despite going in at half-time 2-0 down Rusthall were still in the game.

In the second half the hosts pinned Lordswood back and on the hour Harper stung the keeper’s hands with a firm drive from 25 yards.

Rusthall deservedly got a goal back on 65 minutes. After great work by Yaniche Tchoendjin, Dan Mitchell fired home from close range.

Just two minutes later the home side equalised when striker Dan Powell forced the ball over the line from a corner.

With teenager Jack Humphrey on the right and Tchoendjin on the left causing Lordswood problems Rusthall went in search of a winner.

They peppered the Lordswood goal time and time again but were unable to force the ball over the line and Lordswood frantically hung on.

This performance was in stark contrast to Saturday’s dismal display at Hollands & Blair, where they conceded three goals in the opening 30 minutes and never recovered.

Rusthall now travel to AFC Croydon Athletic this evening (Wednesday April 25) before welcoming Croydon to the Jockey Farm Stadium for their final game of a troubled season on Saturday (April 28, kick-off 3pm).

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Kwayie steals victory in dying moments as Parkinson returns Lowestoft 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

By James Rowe FOOTBALL: A LATE strike by Tashi-Jay Kwayie secured three points for Tonbridge Angels after they had let the Trawlermen back into the contest at a crucial time midway through the second half.

A first start for Angels captain Tom Parkinson in over a year saw him connect with an early goalbound header a minute later.

Sam Bantick had a good opportunity in the 26th minute from a Smith cross but his effort rolled agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

The Angels were playing fluid football and the breakthrough finally came in the 38th minute after the referee awarded a cheap free kick.

Turner’s delivery was pinpoint and Alex Akrofi made enough space for himself to get the header past Lowestoft goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins.

Saves In the second half Angels carried on where they had left off but Lowestoft equalised from a free kick in the 68th minute, Rory McAuley converting the cross with a neat header.

It looked as if the Angels would have to settle for the draw but with just a minute left, substitute Nathan Elder headed down a cross into the path of Kwayie, who thumped the ball past Putnins.

Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “We deserved the win today – and a special mention to Jonny [Henly, the goalkeeper] who played with suspected tonsilitis and has pulled off a couple of great saves to help us secure the points.”

He added: “It was great to see Parky [Tom Parkinson] back in action, showing us what we have been missing through the season.”

The captain broke his ankle at the start of the season and then the bones failed to fuse together properly, which meant that he had to undergo further surgery to have a plate inserted.

The victory leaves Tonbridge in 10th place in the Bostik League Premier with only the final game of the season left, against Leatherhead on Saturday (April 28, kick-off 3pm).