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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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PHOTOS: David Couldridge

GP appointments still available in West Malling but ‘only for very few’

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm (left) and club chairman Dave Netherstreet receive the Isthmian League Premier Division trophy and Fair Play award at Brighton’s Metropole to round off a hugely successful 70th anniversary campaign

MP issues warning to Johnson: No 10 job is ‘really not a game’ By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE MP for Tonbridge & Malling, Tom Tugendhat, has warned the next Prime Minister that the job ‘is not a game’ – in an apparent sideswipe at Boris Johnson. Mr Tugendhat had backed Michael Gove in the Conservative Party leadership contest, which will also decide the next occupant of No 10 Downing Street. Mr Johnson polled 160 votes among his fellow MPs last week, while Jeremy Hunt picked up 77, edging out Mr Gove on 75 for the final showdown. In his role as chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Tugendhat had already crossed swords with Mr Johnson in his days as Foreign Secretary.

Mr Tugendhat, who has himself been tipped for the top job, worked as a military assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff before he was elected in the borough in 2015.

‘There is nobody, literally nobody, to second-guess you. The decision stops with you’ A veteran of campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, he was also an intelligence officer attached to the Royal Marines. In a Huffington Post Commons podcast he recalled the decisions he had had to ask the Prime Minister to make. “A number of times we’d go over to

THERE will continue to be GP provision in West Malling despite work having begun to move the practice to Kings Hill. But there are concerns that the service will be limited to a small number of people – with only one doctor and one nurse available. Most of the patients will be seen at the new site unless they are unable to make the journey. The old surgery has 20,300 people on its books. Last year, West Malling Group Practice tried to sell the current site at Milverton on the High Street. It has housed the surgery for more than 70 years, but was deemed to be no longer fit for purpose.

Renovation

No 10 with a brief and it was an urgent decision as to whether or not to launch a helicopter with 12 men in it to go and rescue a hostage,” he said. “If you make the wrong call there, you may not only be leading to the death of a single hostage, you may be killing all those 12 men and the two pilots because you’re not over the detail. “This is not a game, this is really not a game when you take over in No 10. “There is nobody, literally nobody, to second-guess you. The decision stops with you. There isn’t an appeals process, there isn’t a further decision.” In reference to his previous support for the Environment Minister Mr Gove, he said: “That’s why I went for someone

However, residents secured an assurance that face-to-face appointments would still be available for ‘many years’. The practice has now announced that renovation has begun on the Kings Hill surgery, which was described as ‘half-empty’ but in a ‘good state of repair’ with lifts. And a building situated behind Milverton, called The Hollies, will now provide two consulting rooms from Monday to Friday. The old building is partly listed, which means the large amount of repair work required would have cost more money than for an unlisted building. The West Malling Medical Group said: “Renovation work has commenced at Kings Hill surgery as a first step towards the changes at West Malling. It is scheduled to finish towards the end of July.”

Continued on page 2

NEWS

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PRIME MINISTER: Continued from page 1 who I think is a leader and can actually make those decisions.” Mr Gove was eliminated in the final round of voting by Tory MPs last week, leaving only the current Foreign Secretary, Mr Hunt, up against the runaway favourite Mr Johnson. The vote to decide the winner will now be made by 160,000 Conservative Party members, with an announcement to be made on July 23. Mr Tugendhat’s comments refer back to another dig he made at Mr Johnson when the latter was Foreign Secretary in 2017. The leading candidate is prone to making offthe-cuff and inappropriate remarks, and Mr Tugendhat said: “It is really, really hard to do cross-cultural humour.” Mr Johnson resigned last July in protest at Theresa May’s ‘Chequers’ deal to deliver Brexit. A month later, he wrote a column in the Daily Telegraph in which he described Muslim women wearing niqab face veils as looking like ‘letterboxes’ and ‘bank robbers’. The candidate has also been criticised for failing to get his facts right. He was forced to apologise after a gaffe about British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was imprisoned in Iraq on charges of spying while on holiday.

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Outcry over Hugh Christie’s assembly awards By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk HUGH CHRISTIE School has achieved nationwide notoriety after one of its teachers handed out a survey to pupils asking them to name the most attractive classmate. The school on White Cottage Road has apologised for the questionnaire that was sent out to 13 and 14 year olds on June 19. It listed a number of award categories to be filled in by the teenagers ahead of their Year Nine’s ‘Celebration Assembly’. The nominations included: Best looking male/ female, biggest poser, most irritating habit, best couple, biggest strop and biggest ego. It also asked the students to name their favourite teacher and suggested they make up their own categories. The school initially said on Twitter that ‘the member of staff responsible has been spoken to’. The tweet said: “We will inform students to disregard the form. We totally agree this was inappropriate and apologise unreservedly for any offence caused to our students and parents.” The school’s executive principal Jon Barker

subsequently issued a statement announcing an internal investigation. He said: “I wish to apologise unreservedly for the awards nomination form circulated to students and seen by parents that has caused offence. “As soon as Senior Leaders were made aware, the form was withdrawn and replaced with one that correctly reflects the school’s ethos. “We will apologise to all students who received a form today and explain why we believe it was inappropriate to use. We have also emailed parents to apologise.” He added: “Hugh Christie takes issues concerning the mental health and wellbeing of its students very seriously. “Therefore, we have launched an internal investigation as to why and how this happened.” The form caused outrage on social media platforms after it was tweeted by Lucy Hall, an aunt of one of the students. She said: “My nephew’s school just sent them home with this – school is hard enough when you are 14 to create awards over best looking boy and girl. Shocking. @HughChristieSch why would you let this happen? Parents are appalled by this.”

QUESTIONABLE The survey was retweeted by Lucy Hall

Vision He told the Foreign Affairs Committee she had been teaching journalism. Mrs Nazanin ZaghariRatcliffe’s family said the Iranian authorities had seized on the error to build evidence against her. Last week her husband Richard Ratcliffe said: “Johnson’s failure to take responsibility for his own mistakes makes me question his ability to protect our security.” Mr Ratcliffe has gone on hunger strike outside the Iranian embassy in London to protest against his wife’s continued detention. In the Commons yesterday [Tuesday], Mr Hunt called on Iran ‘let her come home’. Mr Tugendhat, who will be at the forefront of dealings with European leaders after Brexit, told the Times: “I voted for Michael Gove in the Parliamentary rounds but unfortunately he didn’t make it to the final two candidates. “I’ll be listening to everything Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson have to say. Of course, I now have just the same vote as every other Conservative Party member and like many members I’ve spoken to, before casting my vote I’m looking forward to hearing more about their vision for the country to address the issues we all face.”

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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 David Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0TF, 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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She added: “We have had a surgery in West Malling High Street for over 100 years, and ease of access to the GP and pharmacy has been an important part in the decision of many families to live in West Malling. “Residents are angry and devastated by the decision of the practice to withdraw most of its activities away from the heart of our market town. “We are anxious to do whatever we can to reverse this decision or assist the practice in keeping more services in West Malling.”

WEST MALLING GPs: Continued from page 1 It added: “Depending on IT infrastructure installation and a final sign-off by the West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group we will move the main activities at West Malling into the upstairs in Kings Hill in August/September. The final date is still fluid. “The main building at West Malling will then close. We will retain two consulting rooms as a satellite clinic in ‘The Hollies’ building on the same site.” She added: “It is important that appointments at West Malling surgery are protected for those who truly can’t get to Kings Hill. “As such there is an expectation that the majority of people will be seen at Kings Hill. “The majority of services will then be provided from our purpose-built facility there.” Trudy Dean, chair of West Malling Parish Council and Liberal Democrat councillor for Larkfield North, told the Times: “The situation at West Malling surgery is far from clear to us. “Though appointments will still be available at The Hollies, we are told they will only be for the ‘very few who truly cannot make it’ to Kings Hill. “Exactly who will ANXIETY Cllr Trudy Dean says residents are ‘devastated’

‘Ease of access to the GP and pharmacy has been an important part in the decision of many families to live in West Malling’ Cllr Trudy Dean

CLEAN BREAK Milverton has housed a GP surgery for 70 years qualify for those limited appointments and how many will be offered is unclear. Only one GP and one nurse will be available. “We are also very concerned for the arrangements regarding regular diabetic and heart patient clinics, and prescriptions as these often mean frequent visits for residents.”

Tom Tugendhat, the MP for Tonbridge & Malling who was instrumental in the campaign to save the surgery, said: “The announcement is, I am assured, not a reversal of the promises made to the community last year. “I am told you will be able to access both a GP and also a nurse here. “It will be fully operational as a GP surgery so if you need to be seen in West Malling, you will be able to.” He continued: “Like many I was concerned that the commitment made last year might not be continued, but am pleased that the practice, through the Patients Participation Group, have confirmed face-to-face appointments will remain in West Malling. “The key issue is that those who need an appointment in the town will be able to access one. I’m pleased our work last year was worth it.”

Woman trapped under Free entry to Castle Barden Jumble Trail to car outside Woodlands for the Armed Forces recycle – and reunite A WOMAN was rescued by the fire service after becoming trapped under a car outside Woodlands Primary School. The Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines to the scene on Lawrence Road after the victim was hit by the car just before 9am on Friday [June 21]. The crews used airbags and hydraulic rescue equipment to lift the vehicle and release the casualty, whose injuries were said to be not life-threatening. Air Ambulance Kent Surrey and Sussex also attended the incident along with the regular ambulance paramedics, and she was airlifted to hospital.

THE Borough Council is offering free entry to the Castle for servicemen and women both past and present and their immediate families to mark Armed Forces Day this Saturday [June 29]. Visitors will gain entry to the tourist attraction on presentation of a military identity document. The Armed Forces Day flag has been raised at the Castle and Nicolas Heslop, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s Leader, said: “That we are still marking this day 101 years after the end of World War I is significant in itself and I am pleased that we are able to help raise awareness of the enormous contribution that our Armed Forces have made and continue to make across the world.”

THE Barden Residents’ Association [BRA] is hosting its first Jumble Trail in front gardens on Saturday [June 29] from 11am to 2pm. Around 60 local families have already signed up. Free maps are available from Barden Stores in Barden Road or follow an online version on bardenresidentsassociation.org BRA secretary Lucy Athey said: “We decided to organise it after seeing how successful Slade’s similar event was last year, and have also been inspired by others around the country. “It is a way for us to recycle and reuse unwanted items but we’re mainly running it as a community day so we can all get to know our neighbours a little better.”

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

KCC asylum shortfall THE county council is facing a £6.1million shortfall in the costs of looking after vulnerable asylum-seeking children. The financial hole covers the last two years. KCC’s Cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Roger Gough said: “This has been a very long-standing issue and we have argued for many years that the support we get from the government for what we fundamentally believe is a national issue has not been adequate.”

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Gin festival is the perfect tonic By Robert Forrester MORE than 7,000 people ventured to The Pantiles’ celebration of all things gin last weekend, as Tunbridge Wells basked in the sun. The second Gin and Jazz Festival saw around 4,500 turn up on Saturday as temperatures reached the high 20s. More than 30 of the best artisan gin producers were at the festival, serving special cocktails as well as classic gin and tonics, all against the backdrop of funky jazz music and live DJs.

Some of the tipples available included gins from the Copper Rivet Distillery, Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin, Audemus Spirits, Britishhoney, Anno Distillers and Greensand Ridge Distillery, along with a range of other drinks to savour including Champagne.

Fantastic More than half of the producers sold out over the weekend due to the high demand. Event organiser, Julian Leefe-Griffiths, said it

was one of the most succesful festivals at The Pantiles. He said: “It was probably the best and busiest event ever put on at The Pantiles. On Saturday, we had around 4,500 people. A few less on Sunday, but the weather was fantastic all weekend. “It was lots of fun. There were no problems and everybody was having such a great time.” He added that the event was a big boost to the traders at the bottom of town. “We have had quite a slow start to the summer so it was just what we all needed,” he said.

Foodbank donations TUNBRIDGE WELLS’ Nourish Foodbank say they are in desperate need of donations before the summer holidays begin. The holidays, which are only four weeks away, see an increase in demand for food bags, and the charity are appealing to residents to help them restock. In particular, they need tinned foods such as spaghetti, tomatoes and vegetables, pasta and sauces, bags of rice, toiletries and household items. A spokesperson said: “Some of our shelves are looking worryingly empty.”

Boy assaulted by teens A BOY was attacked by a group of teenagers after he failed to hand over his wallet while walking in Calverley Grounds. The incident occurred around 10.30pm last Thursday near the exit to Mount Pleasant Avenue when the boy was approached by ‘two to five teenagers’. Detective Constable Hayley Campbell said: “This type of crime remains rare in Tunbridge Wells, however, it is vital that we track down these suspects at the earliest opportunity.”

CHIN CHIN: Thousands of gin lovers visited The Pantiles for the second Gin and Jazz Festival

Trust assures patients of their safety following listeria cases

Rusthall village fête

By Richard Williams

RUSTHALL is holding its tenth annual fête on Saturday on Southwood Road’s playing field. The band Blues Brothers’ Little Brother will perform. There will also be a dog show, marching band, as well as raffles, stalls and activities for children. Rusthall Bonfire and Fête Committee member, Polly Taylor, said: “Rusthall has the best community village there is. The people are so community minded. “We have to raise money for events such as the annual bonfire, which is why fundraising is so important.” Starting at noon, entrance is free for children and costs £1 for adults.

THE NHS Trust that runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury has assured patients that their sandwiches are safe following the deaths of five people elsewhere in the country due to an outbreak of listeria. The food poisoning bug is suspected to have been caused by a range of pre-packed sandwiches and salads linked to The Good Food Chain, which supplied 43 hospital trusts before the items were removed from circulation. But Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, which runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital, was not one of them. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm the Trust does not use the supplier in question at any of our sites, or in any of the outlets on our sites.”

So far, five people have died and eight NHS hospitals have reported listeria outbreaks. As the illness has a 70-day incubation period, fears have been raised that there could be further fatalities, leading to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to vow to ‘take the necessary steps’ to IN THE CLEAR Pembury Hospital does not stock Good Food Chain products

restore trust in hospital food. The deaths linked to the sandwiches inlcude one at the Royal Hospital Derby, two at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, one patient at Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and another at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Three other trusts have had outbreaks but no deaths. Investigations have revealed that meat produced by North Country Cooked Meats and supplied to The Good Food Chain has since tested positive for listeria.

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Kent Police get Chinese ‘organised crime group’ tough on crime jailed for running Lime Hill brothel By Richard Williams

DURING a crackdown on violent crime, Kent police arrested nearly 60 people last week following a succession of dawn raids across the county, including Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. Class A drugs, £27,000 in cash, a variety of bladed instruments—including a samurai sword—as well as designer goods were seized following the issuing of more than 50 warrants across Kent that led to 59 arrests. The joint operation between Kent Police and the Essex Serious Crime Directorate saw more than 100 people arrested across the two counties.

By Holly Stafford TWO MEN and a woman who earnt more than half a million pounds for operating a brothel in Tunbridge Wells have been jailed for a combined total of more than nine years. Maidstone Crown Court heard how Chinese criminals, Kai Shano, Dongnig Zhang and Shuangyan Hu, earnt an average of £10,000 per week, by renting flats in Kent, Essex and London by telling landlords they were employed by technology giant, Huawei. Records uncovered by police established that their business made more than £550,000 over three years.

Controlling Prosecuting, Ryan Richter, said: “The organisation seemingly had a large number of sex workers at its disposal. “The ‘business model’ for the brothels involved a frequent changeover of sex workers at the different locations. “Hu assisted her partner to run the operation from their home address. “It was the HQ of the organisation, the reality is Zhang was running the brothels from here, assisted by his partner, Hu. It was a call centre for the operation.” The court heard how Kai Shano, 62, of Lime Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells was linked to two brothels raided in the town. He was sentenced to one year and eight months after pleading guilty

Targeted GUILTY: [Left-right] Dongning Zhang, Kai Shao and Shuangyan Hu to controlling prostitution and money laundering. Dongning Zhand, 35, of south-west London, led the operation and was jailed for four years and three months after pleading guilty to controlling prostitution and money laundering. His wife, Shuangyan Hu, 37 of Harrow, London pleaded not guilty to the same offences as her husband, but was convicted after a trial and sentenced to three and a half years. Jailing the trio last Friday (21 June), Judge Charles Macdonald QC, said: “These were three-and-a-half year conspiracies to run brothels and launder money. “It was sophisticated crime, there was meticulous record-keeping, and there was

central control.” She added: “There was satellite crime - fraud on landlords, of course tax evasion, and council tax evasion since Zhang favoured students as bogus leases.” After the court hearing, senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Kris Eberlein commented: “Zhang, Hu and Shao were involved in the running of a number of brothels across the country and had no other legitimate explanation for why such large sums of money were recovered by police during the warrants that were executed. “Our priority in tackling such offending is to ensure those who are being exploited are provided with any support they may require.”

Assistant Chief Constable Nicola Faulconbridge said: “The volume of arrests and warrant activity carried out over the past three days sends out an unequivocal message that we have no tolerance for people who choose to become involved in violent or organised crime.” She added: “Members of the public can feel assured that Kent is a safe place and we are doing everything in our power to make the county a hostile environment for those intent on bringing crime to our communities. “We take a proactive approach to tackling knife crime, targeting those with links to other forms of criminality such as county lines drug dealing who are more likely to be involved in committing acts of violence. “Arrests and seizing items at the earliest possible opportunity reduces the chances of violent crime being committed in the first place.”

County’s first electric bus helps local disabled and vulnerable By Robert Forrester FROM next week, disabled and vulnerable people in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge will be able to travel around in Kent’s first electric minibus. Provided by disabled charity, Compaid, the specially adapted all-electric Renault Master ZE will collect passengers from Tunbridge Wells and take them to the charity’s Paddock Wood training centre, to medical appointments, or take them shopping. Compaid Chief Executive Stephen Elsden, said: “Electromobility is a key part of our sustainable transport solution which is now in reach as the cost of electric vehicles falls and battery range improves. “We are delighted to be the first organisation in Kent to put it to the test. We operate door to door, stop-start – it’s the kind of work that will drain a

ROADWORTHY Compaid’s first electric minibus

poor battery fast, so the Master ZE’s proven real world range is fit for the job in hand.” He added that the minibus not only has zero emissions, but also the quietness of the electric motor reduces noise pollution, allowing passengers to take part in conversation while travelling, rather than trying to talk over engine noise. Kent County Council’s [KCC] deputy cabinet member for highways, transportation and the environment, Michael Payne, said: “This is not just a first for Tonbridge and Malling, it is a first for Europe to be using the Master Z.E. “We believe the future is green and the future is electric, and I’m pleased to say the future is here. “It’s not just an electric minibus; however, this vehicle has been converted to be fully accessible for everyone in and around the Paddock Wood area and this trial will help KCC prove the viability of electric vehicles.”

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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Health fears after weed killer is used next to primary school By Richard Williams PLANS to renovate a village recreational field next to a primary school caused a ‘firestorm’ after local parents became concerned over the use of a weed killer linked to cancer cases in America. The Langton Green Community Sports Association [LGCSA] had raised £165,000 for the renovation of the sports field next to the local primary school. Part of plans involved removing the weeds and bare earth and planting new grass seed. But when parents of the primary school pupils found out that contractors would be laying down weed killer, fears were raised for the health of the children.

NEWS

Rebate for Southern Water customers after regulator fine CUSTOMERS of Southern Water, which provides services to the people of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, will receive money off their bills following a record £126million fine imposed by regulator Ofwat. The watchdog says the utility company was hit with the punishment for spills of wastewater into the environment from its sewage plants and for deliberately misreporting its performance during 2010-2017.

Penalty

Firestorm One parent with a child at Langton Green Primary School, who did not want to be named, called the Times to express her concerns. She said: “The field sits next to the primary school. Roundup is a toxic chemical, so we have real concerns about them using it. It has been linked to cancer cases in America. “They say the chemical is safe but how do we know? What they are doing is putting lives at risk.” The company that makes Roundup, Germanybased Monsanto, had been involved in a high profile court case in the US last year, when a gardener who had used the product for nearly three decades won damages from the company following a cancer diagnosis. But Monsanto dispute the cause of the man’s

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FIELDING CONTROVERSY The sprayed field next to Langton Green Primary School cancer and insist the product is harmless to humans. A spokesman for LGCSA said: “It caused a firestorm. It became a big misunderstanding as the parents thought there was some latent danger, when there isn’t.” He added: “Whatever health concerns have been raised in America is from gardeners and professionals that have spent decades using it.” He said the Head of Langton Green Primary School, Alex Cornelius, had to get involved to assuage the parents’ fear, and that finally the

field was sprayed Friday evening, June 14, after the pupils had left school for the weekend. Contractor, Agrifactors, based in Heathfield, who sprayed the field with Roundup Pro insist it is perfectly safe. A spokesman said: “It is completely harmless. It is the most widely used herbicide in the industry. “As soon as it touches the soil it dissipates. There is no toxicity and it has been used widely all over the place, including other areas of Tunbridge Wells.”

Customers of the water company will now receive rebates over the next five years after a deal was struck with Ofwat. Southern Water will refund £123million to customers and pay a fine of £3million. The £123 million includes £91million in penalities the company had previously avoided and a further £32million for its failures. This means customers will get a rebate of at least £61 each. Under the agreement, each customer will receive at least £17 in 2021 and at a further £11 a year for the following four years. “What we found in this case is shocking,” said Rachel Fletcher, the head of the water regulator, while Southern said it was ‘deeply sorry’. Ms Fletcher added that Southern hadn’t made necessary investments, which resulted in equipment failures and spillages of wastewater. “It was not just the poor operational performance, but the co-ordinated efforts to hide and deceive customers of the fact,” she said. Ofwat also found the company had manipulated its sampling process, misreporting the performance of its sewage treatment sites.

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Thousands flock to Black Deer as temperatures rival the Deep South

By Richard Williams MORE than 9,000 music fans and families headed to the second Black Deer Festival at the weekend. Temperatures soared over the three days of the event, rivalling that of the southern states of America, ensuring festival goers could make the most out of the Americana and country music extravaganza at Eridge Park. Festival goers were treated to nearly 80 bands across six stages as well as being able to sample the delights of southern food, drink and cinematic re-imaginings. Ticket sales for the 2019 event doubled those of the year before. Welcomed by beautiful sunshine and a backdrop of rolling hills on Friday, revellers were entertained by country legend Kris Kristofferson. The 83-year-old was joined by his band The Strangers. He was followed by the John Butler Trio delivering an Australian take on roots before Hayseed Dixie and Left Lane Cruiser rounded off the first night. The main stage arena opened up on Saturday, and stand out sets included the youthful rebel spirit of Jessie Buckley, outlaw country punk Justin Townes Earl, The Staves and the day’s headliner, Band of Horses. Elsewhere Ryan Bingham, Fantastic Negrito and

legendary desert rocker Brant Bjork played to entranced audiences. Sunday morning saw the harmonious Gospel Brunch hosted by the Grammy-award winning Mike Farris and the Powerhouse Gospel Choir in the Live Fire arena. Highly anticipated performances from Canadians, The Dead South, followed. Billy Bragg made a rousing main stage appearance ahead of headliner country duo The Shires. They kept revellers entertained with a colourful medley of their chart topping hits, while The Mavericks closed with an all-out Latin rockabilly party. Co-founders of the festival, Gill Tee and Deborah Shiling, said: “After all the hard work we put into the debut of Black Deer Festival, we’re delighted that so many could join us for our second year.”

PHOTOS BY: Georgina Edwards, @jameskaymedia, Louise Roberts, Ania Shrimpton

BUSINESS

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Sparkling success for 2014 Squerryes

New director at Creaseys

the Kent/Surrey border, received a near perfect score of 97 out of 100. Henry Warde, the 8th generation Warde at Squerryes Court, who planted the vineyard on his land in 2006, said: “Achieving a Platinum at the Decanter Awards shows that the top experts in this incredibly tough industry share our belief that the wines we produce are delivering something very special. “Kent is the best fruit-growing county in England, and combined with the diversity of characters here – the amazing spirit, rich heritage and the beautiful terroir – makes Squerryes unique and is something to be very proud of.”

TUNBRIDGE WELLS accountancy practice Creaseys has appointed a new director. Associate Director Matt Neill has been promoted to the new role as part of the Mount Ephraim company’s longestablished policy of progression from within the firm. Mr Neill joined Creaseys in 2006, straight after achieving a BA in History and MA in Holocaust Studies. Matt became an Associate Director ten years later, having qualified as a chartered accountant. He specialises in corporate and business auditing and accountancy.

A WESTERHAM vineyard has won a top accolade for its sparkling wine at a prestigious global competition. Squerryes scooped a Platinum medal at the 2019 international Decanter Awards, one of the highest possible prizes to be given to a wine. The wine estate received the much-prized medal for its 2014 Vintage Reserve after 280 international experts, including some of the world’s top sommeliers, came together at the Decanter World Wine Awards [DWWA] to blindtest 16,500 wines from 57 countries. The champion bottle, the youngest sparkling wine to be produced at the 2,500-acre estate on

ON THE GRAPEVINE The award-winning 2014 vintage

NEWS IN BRIEF

New watch service centre opens in the High Street

TIME LORD Watch specialist David Carpenter

By Richard Williams

A STITCH IN TIME The shop offers repairs to luxury timepieces

A NEW watch specialist has opened up shop in Tunbridge Wells High Street. Situated next door to Caffè Nero, David Carpenter is a new independent retailer offering a range of high quality watches to clients as well as providing complete watch servicing. Mr Carpenter, who has over 12 years’ experience as a watchmaker with Breitling and as a registered Omega and Longines service centre, detailed what his new watch service will provide. He said: “We can offer the convenience of carrying out minor repairs such as battery and reseal on the same day if possible, but also conduct comprehensive repairs and restorations to all luxury timepieces.” He added that their onsite state-of-theart workshop is fully equipped and has received professional certification from several luxury watch brands. Previously based in East Grinstead, Mr Carpenter explained the move: “Due to the combination of a great business model and the hard work and dedication of the staff, the business has grown significantly while in East Grinstead and we needed new premises in which to expand. “The move to the beautiful High Street in Tunbridge Wells is already proving to be a fantastic decision as it has a thriving independent retail community with luxury watches being worn by many local residents.”

The business will also sell some of the latest independent and famous Swiss watch brands. Philip Copping, who manages the retail side of the business said: “Having spoken to many of our High Street neighbours, it has been incredibly encouraging to know that our business model resonates directly with theirs.

Enthusiasts “We are offering a diverse range of very stylish and individual watches for men and women who want the perfect ‘weekend watch’, or a statement piece for a special occasion. “By carefully identifying small upTIMELY OPENING The new shop

and-coming independent brands, we can offer the High Street client something they will not have seen before: Brands such as U-Boat, Mr Jones Watches, Briston and Elliot Brown – unique designs unlike anything else in the watch market today.” He further added that at David Carpenter there is also a wide range of rare and sought-after pre-owned watches, including famous brands Rolex, Omega, IWC and Jaeger Le Coultre. In summing up, David Carpenter said: “We are a hub for watch enthusiasts of all levels – and can offer a service unlike other watch businesses due to our inhouse workshop and unique offering.” dciws.co.uk

BUSINESS

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Best place to work award for agency that gives staff unlimited holiday By Richard Williams A TONBRIDGE digital marketing agency that lets its staff have as much holiday as they like, start when they want, and go home when they choose, has won an award for being one of the best places to work in the UK. Reddico, based in Five Oak Green, has a unique approach to dealing with its staff. Not

‘We had to have faith the team would practise them without negatively impacting each other’ only does it let workers choose their own working hours and have as much holiday as they wish, but also it places no restriction on flexible working, so staff can work from home whenever they want to. This approach saw the company rank ninth in the small business

category of the Great Place To Work survey – the UK’s largest survey of workplace cultures and people practices – and it was recognised as the highest ranked place to work in all of Kent. Speaking after an awards ceremony in London, where they were issued with the honour, Luke

Kyte, Head of Operations at Reddico, said: “In what is a relatively short period of time, we’ve been able to completely revolutionise the way the business runs day-to-day. “Around 18 months ago, we believed the culture box had been ticked – but internal feedback suggested something different. “As such, we set about removing all traditional business rules and practices, instead giving the team trust, freedom and responsibility. “One of the most effective changes has been our work-life balance policies, which let the team have as much annual leave as they need, choose their own hours, and work from home whenever. “We haven’t built a list of rules into how these are used, giving the team an opportunity to self-regulate within their respective teams. “We only hire adults because we need people who can manage themselves responsibly. “To roll these policies out, we had to have faith that the team would practise them without having a negative impact on each other, or their clients.”

Refinance deal paves way for hotel upgrade THE SPA HOTEL in Tunbridge Wells has secured a multi-million refinance deal with Allied Irish Bank as part of the hotel’s continued growth. The investment will help to refurbish the hotel, which was built in 1766, while ‘continuing to grow trade’, according to the 70-bedroom hotel’s owner, Anthony Scragg.

Relationship Mr Scragg said the business moved to Allied Irish Bank due to their strong hotel and leisure sector focus: “We are very excited about this relationship with Allied Irish Bank, embarking on a new chapter in our ownership of The Spa Hotel. “Securing this deal will allow us to continue to refurbish the hotel to the standard we desire while continuing to grow trade. We have big plans for the future, and with the backing of Allied Irish Bank this will allow us to realise these plans sooner.” Colin Ridgway, Deputy Area Director of Allied Irish Bank (GB), added: “Without doubt hotel operators are starting to come under pressure with the concerns around Brexit, but the strong management team at The Spa Hotel are focused on the future and have invested wisely in the development of the hotel.”

NEW DEAL Refinancing will pay for hotel refurbishments

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

A STEP up for Cripps’ private client team LAW firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish, which has offices in Tunbridge Wells, has been recognised for its private client expertise by a leading worldwide professional association. The company has been shortlisted by STEP [The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners] – the global association for practitioners who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning – in its annual Private Client Awards. And associate Hannah Glover, who qualified in 2016 after completing her training contract with the firm, has also been shortlisted in the ‘Young Practitioner of the Year’ category. Myles McIntosh, who heads up the private client practice, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this award. “Since our merger completed in December 2018, our private client practice has grown significantly and continues to go from strength to strength. Client service has always been at the heart of what we do, and recognition such as this reaffirms that we are getting it right.” Now in its 14th year, the STEP awards highlight excellence among private client solicitors and other professional advisers. The winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony on September 25 in London.

A Cheeky partnership TUNBRIDGE WELLS creative agency Cheeky has just signed a £3.5million partnership with East Peckham-based internet provider Trooli. The three-year creative and media deal will include a fully integrated campaign across Out of Home [OOH] digital signage, TV and radio, as well as digital, social and direct marketing. The partnership is a huge boost for the two Kent businesses, and began with Cheeky successfully pitching for the name, brand identity and trial campaign for the new broadband provider. Cheeky Managing Director Max Borsa said: “This is a significant win for us and helps cement our growing reputation as a heavyweight agency. It’s great to be partnering with such a creative thinking client, too – the trial campaign was bold, innovative, and was rewarded as a finalist in two national award schemes. “It confirms our belief that you don’t need to be in London to do challenging, creative and successful work.”

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Giving the people a voice – through political activism and choral singing By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk A LOCAL Labour Party executive and a civil servant from Greg Clark’s government department have spoken of their pride to be included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Andrew Sharp, from Tunbridge Wells, received an OBE for political services, while Sonja Drew, of Staplehurst, was awarded the MBE for public and charitable services. Andrew has worked for Labour at regional and national level for 25 years, and has also carried out Parliamentary work for various charities. His political service in a paid capacity or as a volunteer stretches back 46 years. Andrew was Chair of Tunbridge Wells Constituency Labour Party during the EU Referendum campaign and up to the General Election of 2017. He said: “I am grateful and honoured to receive this and pleased that political service, which is undertaken by so many people up and down the country, is recognised. “I respect those, regardless of political persuasion, who get involved in politics to benefit others who do not have a voice.” He added: “Whether as elected representatives or otherwise, those who are prepared to give up their time and effort to help their local communities by working for the common good benefits the health of our democracy.” Sonja is Deputy Head of Senior Staff Human Resources at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy [BEIS]. She has spent 38 years in the Civil Service, and also worked in the Department of Health and the predecessor to BEIS. Sonja was instrumental in setting up an internal mediation service, helping colleagues to reconcile their differences and put relationships back on track.

RECOGNITION Sonja Drew, MBE, and Andrew Sharp, OBE She has also supported staff through restructuring and redundancy and has trained as a mental health first aider. Sonja runs a departmental choir, which provides relaxation and wellbeing support to her fellow employees. A BEIS spokesperson told the Times: “She set up the choir at our predecessor, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, in 2011 when there was a major restructuring exercise. “Several hundred people were at risk of redundancy, and the choir provided a focus to support employees through this difficult period. “The choir is now routinely viewed as a valuable resource for broader staff events, such as our Armistice Day ceremony last November.

“It helps to illustrate the kind of department it is, with people able to bring their whole selves to work.” He added: “Sonja regularly organises carol singing by the staff choir, raising funds for local charities and providing wellbeing support at what can be a challenging time of year for many.” She is also a Licensed Reader in the Church of England, providing active support to members of her local community. Sonja said: “I am absolutely delighted, I’m feeling humbled and very privileged to have been nominated for this award. “I very much look forward to sharing the special day at the Palace with my family, and to celebrating with my work and village friends.”

Chance to declutter, recycle and reuse everything – including the kitchen sink THE third annual town-wide Yard Sale in Tunbridge Wells proved once again to be very large and successful free community event, which also benefited a variety of charities. The event, which was held on June 15, is like a car boot sale, except vendors sell their unwanted items from their front gardens or driveways. Participants registered their stall and selling address on the website twyardsale.co.uk with some information about what they had on offer. They were then plotted on an interactive map, which visitors to the town could use to plan their route for the day. The event ran from 10am to 4pm.

friendly chats. And there were plenty of those going on.” Imago was the yard sale’s charity partner for the year. Based in Monson Road, it acts as an umbrella organisation for a range of services that promote and facilitate social action and empower communities. Another charity, Soroptimist International, was also an official sponsor of the event, and for the first time stalls were set up in Market Square off Camden Road.

Ingrid described how the running of the event was becoming increasingly well-honed. “We learned last year that the participants really valued the pick-up service at the end of the day, so we organised it again for Saturday,” she said. “We had three vans on the road from the Heart of Kent Hospice and the British Heart Foundation collecting all unsold and unwanted items at the end of the day. They were very grateful for all the donations, which they will be able to sell from their charity shops.”

Connect More than 120 stalls participated in this year’s yard sale, mainly households but also a few shops got involved, and charities set up stalls to help with fundraising. Organiser Ingrid Pope said: “It was another really successful and fun day all around town. “This year we saw a number of stalls in Langton Green and Rusthall get involved too for the first time, so the word is spreading. “Most stallholders took the opportunity to declutter their homes, selling children’s items, household goods, books and DVDs, games, sporting equipment, homemade goodies – and even a kitchen sink!” She added: “The idea behind the event remains to encourage recycling and reusing, as well as engaging the community. “In these uncertain and divided times, people more than ever want to be able to connect with others, neighbours or passers-by, and just have

STREET PARTY There were more than 120 stalls across the town

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Birth Centre reborn with Call the Midwife actress THE Crowborough Birth Centre has opened newly refurbished birthing rooms, with Call the Midwife actress Melody Grove cutting the ribbon. Melody, who played a mother of three with another on the way in the series, gave birth to her real-life second child there this year, and spoke highly about her experiences at the highly rated unit. The Friends of Crowborough Hospital donated more than £120,000 to facilitate the renovation, providing a comfortable and tranquil experience for new mothers. The opening was also attended by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW] Chief Executive Miles Scott, and Dr Kate Stokes, President of the Friends of Crowborough Hospital.

The birthing centre has seen a 16 per cent increase in mothers choosing to have their babies at the unit this year ,with 181 babies delivered in the 12 months up to March. The Birth Centre’s Manager Karen Leeson said: “We provide midwifery-led, women-centred care to all women throughout Kent and East Sussex, giving them choice in their place of birth.” She added: “A huge thank you to the Friends of Crowborough Hospital for their support and generous donation. Everyone has worked really hard to make the rooms as comfortable and uplifting as possible. “Special thanks also to all the midwives and maternity support workers for their ongoing professional and excellent care provided to women and their families.”

CUTTING THE CORD: (L-R) Dr Kate Stokes, Miles Scott, Melody Grove and Karen Leeson open the refurbished centre

PRODUCING THE GOODS: (L-R) Charity champions at the Fresh Produce Centre, Karina Harris, Karolina Zazula, Georgia Pratt and Denise Pantrey

Fresh Produce Centre’s fundraising bears fruit THE Fresh Produce Centre in Paddock Wood have exceeded their target of raising £20,000 over two years for Hospice in the Weald. The company, which has been providing fresh fruit since 1874, is one of the Pembury hospice’s leading business partners. Fundraisers at the firm had set themselves the challenge of raising £10,000 a year by participating in a wide range of activities and events. Staff took part in sky dives, bike rides, marathons and 10k runs, while other events included charity auctions, quiz nights and raffles. One cyclist alone raised £2,220 when he rode from Paddock Wood to Ireland. Denise Pantrey, one of the designated ‘charity champions’ at

the Fresh Produce Centre, said: “We are so pleased that we exceeded our target because we were always aware that every pound raised would go towards such a wonderful cause. “We also enjoyed the activities. And I am sure it was good for teamwork.” The Hospice’s Relationship Fundraising Manager, Ewan Tuohy, said: “This is a phenomenal achievement. “We cannot thank and praise enough all those who took part in the charity activities. “The funds will be so important for our vital service.” Part of Fresca Group, the produce centre has also provided fresh fruit like bananas and strawberries in support of hospice events.

Strictly fever comes to The Dairy THE DAIRY retirement development held a stunning afternoon of Strictly-style ballroom dancing for homeowners and retired people in the local community. The event was organised by the residents and staff at McCarthy & Stone’s Tunbridge Wells Retirement Living Plus site in St John’s Road. There were two impressive performances from professional dancers Richard Still and Morgan Hemphill, from Reading. After dazzling the guests with the waltz and the rumba, they demonstrated some popular moves to help the audience improve their technique. Attendees were also given a tour of The Dairy show complex, and had a chance to meet the McCarthy & Stone team and chat with retirees who are already living at the development.

Fantastic Kevin Sims, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for McCarthy & Stone South East, said: “Our ballroom dancing event was a great success. Richard and Morgan put on a fantastic performance for our homeowners and guests. Everyone loved getting involved. “If people were not up and dancing, then they were certainly tapping their toes. “The event was a good chance for us to showcase the wide variety of activities we host here at The Dairy, and to provide people with an insight into the lives homeowners enjoy at the development.” The Dairy has one and two-bedroom apartments designed for people over the age of 70, offering both independence and companionship.

MOVING PERFORMANCE Barbara Ball dances with Richard Still, while John Shettle puts Morgan Hemphill through her paces

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BID produces a new and updated town centre map A NEW and improved map of Tunbridge Wells town centre has been commissioned by BID, the Business Improvement District. More than 30,000 copies of the new map have been printed, and include new buildings and key areas such as Chapel Place, which have been depicted by local artist, Elaine Gill.

The maps, which are to be given to hotels, tourist centres, shops, businesses, and any individual who would like one, are completely advertisement free. “We wanted a map that was all about the town, not about advertisers – we purposely kept it advertisement free,” explained BID chair and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together town centre manager, Karen Pengelly. She added: “We wanted a map that said quality, so we opted for uncoated paper and a proper hand-drawn appearance. The style of A–Z maps just would not have done justice to the stunning architecture we have. We wanted a map that was individual, interesting and almost a work of art. “They are also free,” she continued. “Having them freely available was very important – some towns charge for maps, but we wanted this map to be free of charge to all visitors.”

Illustration courtesy of Elaine Gill

Quality

Low-energy street light project nears completion By Richard Williams KENT County Council say they have replaced nearly all the streetlights on main roads in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge with new low energy bulbs. The county-wide £40million project to convert existing streetlights to low carbon LED alternatives began in March 2016, but has now reached its original target of converting 118,000 lights across Kent. The company behind the replacement lamps, Bouygues Energies & Services, say the new LED streetlights will save Kent taxpayers up to £5.2 million a year on energy and reduced maintenance costs.

KCC cabinet member for highways and the environment Mike Whiting said: “The conversion to LED has given us a minimum reduction of 67.7% in energy consumption and 71% in carbon emissions. “This is the largest LED conversion project in Europe and KCC alongside Bouygues Energies & Services are proud to be involved in such an important project. “We have also been able to realise several benefits including cost savings for the taxpayer, cuttingedge technology and sustainability for the environment and future generations.” KCC say they hope to have completed the conversion of all remaining county-owned streetlights by this winter.

LIGHTEN UP KCC is investing £40million in LED street lamps

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Boris says Brexit deadline at Halloween is ‘do or die’ BORIS JOHNSON made a ‘do or die’ commitment to pull the UK out of the EU by October 31 as he sought to get his campaign to be the next Prime Minister back on track. He used a series of broadcast interviews to set out his plans for Brexit, insisting that the shock of the European election results would force both the Tories and Labour to acknowledge that the current impasse could not continue. He told TalkRadio the UK would be leaving the EU on the Halloween deadline ‘do or die, come what may’. He said some ‘positive energy’ would help deliver Brexit, hitting out at the ‘pathetic’ efforts of Theresa May’s administration - a government in which he served as Foreign Secretary for two years until July 2018. “I’ve never seen such morosity and gloom from a government,” he said. “For three years we’ve been sitting around wrapped in defeatism telling the British public that they can’t do this or that. It is pathetic, it’s absolutely pathetic.” Mr Johnson said ‘politics has totally changed’ since the previous deadline expired on March 29. “People are looking at this thing and thinking ‘Parliament is just not going to do this’. But, actually, I think they are. “It is vital as a country that we get ready to come out without an agreement if we must.” But he argued that it would be ‘bizarre’ for the

ON THE HOUSE: Boris Johnson on the campaign trail at The Victoria pub in Oxshott, Surrey EU to impose tariffs on trade in that event if the two sides were looking at a future deal. Mr Johnson’s campaign is stepping up a gear after he was called a ‘coward’ by leadership rival Jeremy Hunt for shying away from debates, including a Sky News head-to-head originally scheduled for last night [Tuesday]. Mr Hunt said he would answer questions on Twitter instead, saying: “Sadly, Boris has pulled out – which I don’t believe is fair on you, the public.”

Two arrests for leaked A-level exam TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of theft over the leak of an A-level maths paper. Images of two questions, set by the Edexcel exam board, were circulated online shortly before the test was sat by students on June 14. Two men, aged 32 and 29, were held on suspicion of theft on Monday [June 24], but have since been released under investigation, the Metropolitan Police said. Sharon Hague, senior vice-president of Pearson, Edexcel’s parent company, said: “We understand students are rightfully concerned and want a fair playing field. “The actions we have taken to strengthen our security processes has enabled us, in conjunction with the police, to quickly identify those who we believe were involved in the breach and to take swift and immediate action.

“We are systematically working through all leads and, as we continue to investigate the suspects, this will enable us to further hone in on anyone that has gained an advantage, and take action accordingly. “Our key priority is ensuring no students are disadvantaged in any way.” Pearson replaced another further maths A-level paper, which was due to be sat by 7,000 students, in the wake of the leak because of the actions of the centre concerned. The company said the probe revealed that a package containing the paper had been opened by someone at the centre, although there was no evidence to suggest that the withdrawn test or any of its questions had been leaked. Similar leaks in 2017 and 2018 saw A-level maths papers put up online ahead of the tests.

Flooding causes more train delays FLOODING caused train cancellations across the south-east of England yesterday [Tuesday] at the start of a week in which temperatures are expected to rise above 30C [86F]. Almost half a month’s worth of rain fell in just a few hours in some areas, with Kent and Sussex being the worst hit. Over a three-hour period, 0.8in [20mm] of rain fell in East Malling, according to the Met Office. Localised flooding was reported across the

South East as commuters set off to work. Rail operator Southern reported that all lines from Brighton through Haywards Heath were temporarily blocked due to the heavy rain and flooding on the tracks. The thunderstorms were powered up and brought to UK shores by a plume of warm air coming in from continental Europe. A heatwave could bring record-breaking temperatures to France, Spain and Belgium.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Jeremy Kyle lie detectors ‘irresponsible’ say MPs

Hillsborough match boss Duckenfield to face retrial

JEREMY KYLE ‘strongly believed’ in lie-detector tests as TV chiefs were criticised for not knowing enough about them. MPs who are questioning those linked to the programme said the show was ‘irresponsible’ for using the tests. The broadcaster ITV axed the show following the death of participant Steve Dymond a week after reportedly failing a love-cheat lie-detector test on the programme.

HILLSBOROUGH match commander David Duckenfield will face a retrial over the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans. Judge Sir Peter Openshaw made the ruling at Preston Crown Court yesterday [Tuesday] following a hearing on Monday. The Crown Prosecution Service sought a retrial after a jury was discharged in April following a 10-week trial. It is expected to take place on October 7.

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Lightyear One creates buzz as first long-range solar car A DUTCH start-up company has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first long-distance solar car, boasting a range of 450 miles (725km) on a single charge. The Lightyear One has a bonnet and roof comprised of solar cells and also has a battery which can be electrically charged.

Balance SHINING EXAMPLE Lightyear One’s bonnet and roof are solar panels

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Shoppers seek comfort while rain keeps falling

The car is expected to be delivered in 2021 with a reservation fee of £106,000. Presenting the prototype publicly for the first time, Lightyear’s chief executive Lex Hoefsloot said the creation of the car was influenced by the

Report warns no-deal would be ‘knockout blow’ to car industry

THE wet start to the summer sent ice cream, beer and burger sales plummeting on this time last year as shoppers turned to soup to cope with the unseasonable conditions, supermarket sales show. Ice cream sales over the last month were £15million lower than the same time last year, while beer was down £17million and burgers fell £6million. Shoppers turned to comfort food as the rain fell, with fresh and tinned soup sales up 8 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

De La Rue jobs hit again ABOUT 170 jobs are being axed at De La Rue just over a year after the firm lost the contract to print new British passports. Trade union Unite blamed the losses at the company’s Gateshead factory on the Government’s decision to award the contact to Franco-Dutch company Gemalto. The cuts come on top of the 100 jobs in the passport printing section which are set to go in the autumn.

New Look feels pinch FASHION chain New Look has slumped deeper into the red with annual losses of more than £500million after hefty writedowns and warned over a ‘challenging’ start to its new year. The retailer reported pre-tax losses of £522.2million for the year to March 30, against losses of £190.2million the previous year after writing off £402million of goodwill and brand value.

STEER CLEAR Britain would slip down exporters’ league A NO-DEAL Brexit could cost the UK car industry up to £70million a day, according to a new report. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders [SMMT] has warned that a hard Brexit could deliver a ‘knockout blow’ to the sector’s ability to compete. The trade body’s 2019 UK Automotive Trade Report calculates that delays to production caused by an end to frictionless trade could add up to £50,000 a minute in a worst-case scenario.

Catastrophic It also says World Trade Organisation tariffs would amount to £4.5billion a year for trade in passenger cars alone. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “From an industry point of view, the prospect of a no-deal would be catastrophic.” He insisted: “We have tried to take a reasoned,

fact-based approach.” Mr Hawes warned that the industry faces ‘death by 1,000 cuts’, where a gradual erosion of competitiveness makes it harder to invest. The SMMT said without the automotive industry the UK would lose its status as the world’s 10th biggest exporter of goods, falling to 14th place behind Belgium, Canada, Mexico and Russia. “We need a deal. No deal is not an option,” said Mr Hawes. “Automotive matters to UK trade and to the economy, and this report shows that, if the right choices are made, a bright future is possible. “However, no deal remains the clear and present danger. We are already seeing the consequences of uncertainty, the fear of no-deal. “The next PM’s first job in office must be to secure a deal that maintains frictionless trade because, for our industry, no deal is not an option and we don’t have the luxury of time.”

need to respond to climate change. He said: “Climate change is one of the biggest problems we humans have faced in our history. “It is such a frightening development that it is almost paralysing. “Lightyear One represents a huge opportunity to change mobility for the better. “For centuries, we have lived in balance with nature. With the technologies of today, we have the opportunity to do so again.” The car is propelled by independently driven wheels, which the firm says means no energy is lost in transit from the engine to the wheel. It can also be charged using regular plug sockets as well as at charging stations.

Kerry Foods’ 900 job losses will crush Burton KERRY FOODS’ planned closure of its factory in Burton-on-Trent, with the loss of 900 jobs, has been described as a ‘crushing blow’ for the area. The Unite union’s regional officer Rick Coyle said: “This is a calamity for Burton as Kerry Foods is the town’s biggest employer. “It is heartbreaking for the workforce, their families and, more widely, a crushing blow for the regional economy. This is a very sad day for Burton and the end of an era.” Unite said the closure was a result of Kerry Foods losing its contract to supply supermarket giant Tesco with ready-made meals. Mr Coyle added: “The problem going forward is that there are not that many well-paid jobs in Burton and the vicinity to replace those that will be lost at the end of August.”

Woodford fund chiefs ‘sailing close to wind’ THE head of Britain’s financial watchdog has accused managers of Neil Woodford’s suspended fund of ‘using the rules to the full’, and called for an overhaul of ‘flawed’ EU regulations. Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, told the Treasury Select Committee he believed the Woodford fund was ‘sailing close to the wind’ and potentially using loopholes in European rules. But he believed it was also a failure of the EU rules, which should have ensured the issues with the Woodford fund were uncovered sooner. MPs heard that the fund’s manager Link Fund Solutions and Woodford Investment Management ‘were not required to tell us’ as it was bundling up illiquid investments – which are hard to trade, sell or value – and listing them in Guernsey.

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Wealth management firm mixes the old with the new With a combined experience of 240 years of wealth management in general, and 180 years in the company Charles Stanley itself, some of the investment managers at the Tunbridge Wells-based firm explained to Jerome Bowman how they have maintained their traditional bespoke approach…

MEET THE TEAM (L-R) Jon Curtis, Mark Henderson, Katie Presland, Philip Cook, Alistair Soames and Mike Lilwall How has the wealth management industry changed in the last 20 years? We opened our branch here in Tunbridge Wells 18 years ago in 2001, and times were very different. Since then we’ve had the great financial crisis of 2008/09, leading to tougher regulation of the sector as investors’ protection, quite rightly, remains top of the agenda.

Advances in technology over this time have also meant that we do not have to be in the City to service our clients. In the last year, six of our investment managers moved from our London headquarters to the town. I suppose, to sum this up, there have been three main areas of change: technology, regulation, and the constant raising of professional

standards via ongoing study and qualifications. Despite times changing, we adhere to the principle that the client always comes first, and this has never altered. Looking forward, we hope that we can also change people’s perceptions of wealth management. The word ‘bespoke’ gets used a lot in our industry, but I think a better way to put it is that the portfolios we help to create for our clients are more nuanced. We have nine wealth managers here in our branch, and each of us has a personal relationship with our clients, while also creating and managing these portfolios ourselves.

impersonal and there is no direct relationship between the client and the people making the investments. We do not provide model portfolios for clients seeking to pigeon hole them into distinct and inflexible solutions. Every client is different, and therefore their strategy should be theirs alone.

Has the strategy of investment changed in the industry today? The only strategy that matters is that clients receive a high level of service and that they are content with the returns we deliver for them. There has always been a range of firms offering different financial solutions, but at Charles Stanley we specialise in providing a bespoke personal service to clients. Our clients speak to the manager of their money, not a relationship manager. If we get it wrong then we have to explain to a client why – it tends to focus the mind and hopefully leads to better outcomes for clients. The financial services industry is under cost pressure, leading to some firms creating model portfolios by committee, and then a relationship manager talks to the client about their portfolio. This means that the portfolio is

‘We would never take on a client we did not feel we could help’

How else does your firm differ from others? Although we do have £24billion under administration (as of March 2018), our smaller size means we are able to be more nimble. Our portfolios may have some investments in common, but they are uniquely crafted for each

of our clients based on their preferences and objectives. We invest in a diverse range of direct equities, collectives and structured investments. We can review portfolios frequently and therefore look at market trends and invest accordingly. When markets move, due to our systems and research we are also able to be reactive to threats and opportunities. The relationship you have with your clients is clearly very important. How does this start and develop?

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When a client comes to us we like to establish a good rapport and start to explore the key questions: why are they investing? What are their objectives? And over what time period? The answer to these is sometimes hard to find, but it is always the foundation from which we work. Once the objectives have been established, we look at how to achieve these in the long term, and lastly we look at any preferences a client might have, such as ethical investing or no investments in tobacco. The other key aspect of building the relationship is trust, which really only comes over time. Perhaps the biggest testament to this is the high level of referrals we have from existing clients. Finally, we are discerning in who we agree to work with, because we think it is wrong

JON CURTIS Branch Manager

to offer something that we cannot reasonably expect to deliver. We would never take on a client we did not feel we could help, for example someone looking

‘You become a family member, as we are there in the most difficult and joyous of times’ for a guaranteed return on a very short-term investment. Potential clients we cannot help in these instances will respect us because we take the time to explain our decision and provide suggestions about what the best course of action might be for them. We will always encourage them to come back when they feel ready to start a longerterm portfolio. Once you have agreed on a plan with a client, what can they expect from their wealth manager? We use modern systems and communication but offer a more traditional wealth management style of service. When a client rings the office we know them by voice. If we are not available, there is always another member of staff available to help them. Some of our customers are elderly, or have special requirements. One client of

ours, for example, is deaf, and was told by her bank they could no longer look after her. She is now our client, and we go to see her in person every year. In some ways you become a family member, as we are there in the most difficult and joyous of times in a client’s life. We speak more to our clients when the market is down rather than up, and if they need to take their money out for any reason there are no exit fees. Our clients are often multi-generational because we foster such a reliable and open dialogue. We go to see clients to discuss

their portfolio and can end up talking about their families, work and the cat! To finish, can you tell us about Charles Stanley’s plans for the future in Tunbridge Wells? Working in, and being a part of, Tunbridge Wells has always been a great pleasure for us, and we are now keen to show this in our support of various local events. We were very happy to sponsor the Times Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year category, for example, and we are also excited to be supporting the Kent Cricket at the Nevill Ground this year.

MARKET FORCES Wealth managers are able to react quickly to changes in the market

The value of investments may fall as well as rise. Investors may get back less than invested. Windsor House, 6-10 Mount Ephraim Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1EE charles-stanley.co.uk Charles Stanley is a trading name of Charles Stanley & Co. Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

NEWS

Letters

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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, Times Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG It’s insulting to label us as ‘bullies’ – we have a democratic right to object Your article says that the Tories are urged to stop ‘running scared’, and Sarah Hamilton, Conservative councillor for Paddock Wood East, was the one urging this [June 12]. So, Cllr Hamilton, you think those who are against the Calverley Square project are bullies. Well, bullies we are not, just because we are against the scheme, and your comment is insulting. Surely it is our democratic right to object to what we think is a foolhardy scheme? One definition in the dictionary of a bully is that of a person who intimidates a ‘weaker’ person. Are you a weak Conservative councillor? Surely not, because not only are you a Tunbridge Wells councillor, but you also sit on Kent County Council and Paddock Wood Town Council, and I don’t know how you find time for it all. You said that you went to the Marlowe

Theatre in Canterbury, but you obviously didn’t ask the right questions, because if you did you would have found out that the local council offloaded this theatre to a trust because it was losing money. The simple and cheapest way to generate visitors and money to Tunbridge Wells is to encourage people to come and shop in the town by reducing parking charges and generally clean up. The town centre is an absolute disgrace, with homeless sleeping in shop doorways, cracked paving, Tarmac repairs to slabs and empty shops. So, Cllr Hamilton, please be ‘strong’, listen to your electorate – and don’t call people bullies just because they disagree with you. Lionel Hanmore Tunbridge Wells

NOT ENCOURAGING Town centre has empty shops with homeless outside

There’s enough public consultation Cllr Christian Atwood claims the electorate voted in the Alliance to stop Calverley Square [June 5]. Not only did the Conservatives receive the highest share of the vote in the local elections, but he himself seemed reluctant to mention Calverley Square in his campaign material. He distributed a letter in April that didn’t directly mention the new theatre or Calverley Square. Yet he now claims it was the driving force for his election. He also implies there has been inadequate consultation on Calverley Square. Yet the plans were developed for five years, during which time there was a public consultation, an open planning process and a four-week public inquiry. During those five years, the plans were discussed at 25 open council meetings, over 35 briefings and in over 100 meetings with individuals, businesses and stakeholders. The Planning Inspector in charge of the public inquiry said he considered ‘there has been good public consultation’. He also pointedly said that ‘just because consultation has not led to the scheme being changed in line with objections does not negate the consultation’. So perhaps Cllr Atwood should publicly acknowledge that there was extensive consultation, but that the result was just not what he wanted. Lawrence Heasman Tunbridge Wells

We need to have clarity all round Cllr Matthew Bailey called the linking of the council election results to opposition to the Calverley Square project a ‘gross oversimplification’ [June 5]. Well, no doubt Cllr Bailey likes to look at

things through some sort of complicating prism, but the fact that five candidates were elected as Tunbridge Wells Alliance Party councillors, and the fact that the party’s current primary aim is to halt this ill-thought-out and unaffordable project, must surely somehow cause at least some spark of recognition in his befuddled thinking? Never mind the ‘abysmal national backdrop’ that he refers to in his letter; it is the Tunbridge Wells backdrop that is important, and I share his view that ‘we need to look at the Calverley Square project with clear heads’. Will he now clear his so that we can do so? Bob Atwood Chair, Tunbridge Wells Alliance

Open the door to a brighter future Now that a new theatre seems to be in doubt, it appears that our present theatre will indeed continue to ‘wither away’, as Mr Lippard wrote [May 29]. Performances do still take place, of course, but a more universally lacklustre approach to a place of entertainment I have yet to encounter. The building itself is none too beautiful, but please, oh please, a few pots of flowers, bunting or anything to say ‘welcome, we’re here’. Even the doors are plastered with notes sending you away to look elsewhere – no one cares here. If in any doubt, please see The Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks for an immediate comparison. Tessa Worthington Tunbridge Wells

Flooding shows it’s time for action Cllr Michael Payne’s assertion that the Green Party had failed to support the declaration of a Climate Emergency at Kent County

Council is a fantasy [June 12]. Green Councillor Martin Whybrow actually proposed the motion to deliver zero carbon emissions by 2030. Cllr Payne’s amendment extending this period by 20 years demonstrates his and KCC’s inability to recognise this situation as the emergency it is. Even during the past two weeks we have seen the evidence of extreme weather events bringing flooding to Ryarsh and Snodland. The time for action is now. Cllr Payne’s letter is a piece of spin worthy of Shane Warne. No wonder people have lost faith in our politicians. Tonbridge deserves better. Mark Hood Green councillor for Judd ward, Tonbridge

No deal will mean no farm workers Whilst it’s welcome that Wealden MP Nus Ghani should support our local vineyards and winemakers, she fails in her column [June 5] to acknowledge the severe shortage of seasonal workers there would be from a no-deal Brexit, as favoured by most current Conservative leadership contenders. At present, the British farming sector heavily relies on an estimated 60,000 seasonal farm labourers, especially to pick and process fruit and vegetables, who mostly have come from Eastern Europe in recent years. Unfortunately, there is ample evidence from local farmers that since the 2016 Brexit referendum a significant number of these migrants have stopped coming to Kent and Sussex, feeling no longer welcome on our land. This is a sad situation, with reports of crops left rotting in local fields, while a government scheme announced last year to allow up to 2,500 temporary farm workers, mainly from Ukraine and Moldavia, will hardly compensate. I did hear a scheme floated on the Radio 4 Farming Today programme recently to employ open prisoners to pick apples. While novel schemes such as this are useful, the truth is that the damaging impact of Brexit on our agricultural sector and food supply needs to be both more widely known and urgently addressed, as the National Farmers Union has said. Dr Alan Bullion Lib Dem Town Councillor for Southborough North ward

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

POINT a camera in the direction of a building site and it’s bound to happen. Builders just can’t resist the chance to strike a pose and flex those muscles. And that’s just what happened when this newspaper’s snapper went along to show the progress (or not) on the Premier Inn being created in the middle of Tunbridge Wells. Mind you, the chaps don’t look in bad shape – and they don’t have to pay a gym fee. SHOWBIZ is a funny old thing, with the gap between fame and failure being pretty slim. Take Olly Murs. His career took off when he came second in X Factor in 2009. What people forget, or don’t know, is that it was his third attempt to get on the show. He was in a band called Funk2k when his mates suggested he try another song at the auditions called ‘Superstition’. Olly did and the rest, as they say, is history. “And he wasn’t even the best singer in the band,” one of the guys confided to Calverley at a gig. But Olly has not let fame go to his head. He still pops round for chats.

IN THE PINK Dylan Smith with Steve Davis. Full story P79

Appeal for British Legion organiser The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal Organiser for the greater part of Tunbridge Wells has retired, and there is an immediate need to find a replacement. The role is very important for the town, involving essential planning and organising to enable individuals, community groups, schools and businesses to participate fully in the 2019 Poppy Appeal. The task is a busy one but very rewarding. The person should be a car driver, and able to commit to full-time volunteer work for three or four months of the year. Past or present membership of the UK Armed Forces is not required. Full support will be provided by the Royal British Legion. I hope this appeal will reach someone willing to do the job, and would ask anyone interested to contact Malcolm Blythman on 01892 538218 or Jane Ayers on 07551 138413 or to email: jayers@britishlegion.org.uk John Cohen Chairman Royal British Legion, Tunbridge Wells Branch

YOUNG Dylan Smith whipped through his homework the other night. He had to pop out to play snooker – against six times World Champ Steve Davis. The 11 year old from Paddock Wood, who is rapidly making a name for himself in the game, was taking part in an exhibition match against the legend at Tonbridge Angels Football Club. “He’s got more sponsorship logos on his waistcoat than me,” quipped Davis, who said Dylan had a ‘natural talent’. Calverley is now trying to sign up the prodigy and become his agent. PASSING through sleepy Heathfield, Calverley pulls into Toddington Farm Shop to pick up a few country delights. Regulars will know He enjoys the odd spoon of honey, having once paid almost £17 for a jar of Manuka honey. (Mind you, it was for Management.) This time He picked up a jar of honey and was mortified. It came from China! So much for the myth that farm shops promote local produce. Chin Chin, dear reader

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EDUCATION Times Pupils enter into the spirit of enterprise Local primaries are taught the ethics of entrepreneurship TEAM EFFORT Greg Clark MP with pupils from The Wells Free School

Over 120 Year 5 and 6 students from all over Tunbridge Wells recently visited Salomons Estate in order to compete in the Tunbridge Wells Junior Enterprise Challenge. The event was established at Beechwood Sacred Heart School by its business teacher Rebecca Smith (pictured top right) and through local sponsorship courtesy of Makerstudy Leisure. The event has now been expanded to now include many more primary schools. “It was fantastic to see so many new schools taking part this year; all trying to win the title won by Southborough School last year,” Mrs Smith told the Times. “And there was much excitement on the first day when BBC South East presenter Charlie Rose came to interview and film the children.” Students were given a project brief to work from which asked them to create an educational toy or game. They were treated to numerous presentations over the course of three days from industry experts on topics such as product placement, education through play, product design and branding, promotion, pricing, presenting skills and running a trade fair. The tasks they had to complete included idea mapping, creating a product from junk material, marketing the product (which involved filming an advert), pricing, holding a trade fair and then

giving a short PowerPoint presentation. All their work had to be based on market research and innovation. The final day of the competition was open to parents, teachers and other guests. There was also a panel of judges made up of Cllr James

‘Students were given a project brief to work from which asked them to create an educational toy or game. They were treated to numerous presentations over the course of three days from industry experts’ Scholes (Mayor of Tunbridge Wells), Paul Clements-Hunt (CEO of The Blended Capital Group), Rebecca Randall (Rebecca Randall Colour and Design/Thrive Events), Matt Jenner (manager of Whirlygig Toy Shop) and Clive Evans (retired local teacher and magistrate). “The judges had a hard task deciding an overall winner but, after much deliberation, The Wells Free School pupils were crowned champions with Temple Grove Academy coming a very close second,” continued Ms Smith. The winning design B.A.T.T.L.E. was a logic

and educational game where players have to challenge other players during the course of the game. Their professional trade stand and engaging presentation won the judges over. We were honoured that the Rt Hon Greg Clark came to see the winning designs and presented the prizes to the children. “I have always been passionate about business, innovation and developing entrepreneurs of the future,” said Mrs Smith. “I have taught business for over 15 years in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and to see what these young people developed and created in three days was inspiring. “It was fabulous to see a year of planning and hard work culminate in such a fantastic event and the challenge would not have been possible without the support of our great sponsors: Markerstudy Leisure, ID&C, The Blended Capital Group, Tale Digital, The Dance Studio, Knight Frank Estate Agents, JTS Tennis, Smartbits UK and Beechwood Sacred Heart School.” Mrs Smith is already planning for next year’s event where she hopes to include even more students and schools. If anyone would like any more information or to be involved next year in any capacity please contact her on r.smith@ beechwood.org.uk.

Mead pupils awarded top spots in national engineering competition Two Year 4 pupils at The Mead School have been awarded top places for their entries in a national engineering competition and shortlisted for a public exhibition out of thousands of entries. The pupils, who are members of the prep school’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) Club, were set the challenge of producing a plan for a new product, item or concept to help the world become a better place. The STEAM Club’s designs were entered into the Primary Engineering Leaders Award, a national

annual competition for schools run by global engineering companies and leading universities. It was recently announced that two of the Mead STEAM clubber’s entries were awarded ‘Judges Highly Commended’ in the competition - a huge achievement as there were a staggering 3,361 entries in total this year.

Achievement William and Kazuki’s creative designs, a specially adapted chair with a book-bag peg and

an aeroplane which can fly itself, were displayed along with the other selected shortlisted entries at the first Primary and Secondary Engineer Leaders Award at Canterbury Christ Church University this month. Mrs Gemma Wilson, Head of STEAM at The Mead, commented: “STEAM club were so enthusiastic about this challenge and I’m very proud that two of our pupils’ entries were shortlisted for the exhibition out of so many. It is such a fantastic achievement and they should be enormously proud of themselves too.”

Education

NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Greg Clark

MP for Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Greg Clark was ﬁrst elected to Parliament as a representative of Tunbridge Wells in 2005. The Conservative MP has since held a number of positions in Government and currently sits as a member of the Cabinet in his capacity as Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

We are taking a significant step towards being a zero-carbon nation by being global leaders THIS week is a historic one for the United Kingdom. We are set to become the first major nation in the world to legislate to end our contribution to climate change forever. I was proud, two weeks ago, as the UK’s minister responsible for energy and climate change policy to announce to the House of Commons that we would set a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and to bring forward the necessary legislation in Parliament to do that. For me it was a particularly significant moment, because 11 years ago I was the Opposition Spokesman on energy and climate change and spoke in support of the Climate Change Act 2008, which established Britain’ internationally admired framework for decarbonisation. We have led the world in establishing net zero emissions as our policy goal, which the Government has now brought forward to become law. This decision has been taken following the evidence of the global Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that in order to halt the rise in global warming we need to take decisive action. Britain is ideally placed to lead the world in

doing it, because our experience over the last decade is that by supporting new technology and making use of our scientific and technical prowess, we can not only decarbonise our economy more quickly than we previously thought possible, but we can do so in a way that creates jobs, rather than damages our prosperity. Eleven years ago, when the Climate Change Act was passed, coal accounted for 33 per cent of our electricity production.

Zero-carbon It was impossible to imagine that we could manage without coal, and brand new coal fired power stations – including at Kingsnorth in Kent – were planned. This year the situation is utterly transformed. Coal will account for about three per cent of our annual electricity production, and last month we set a new record for the longest number of days without burning a gram of coal for electricity since the first coal fired power station opened in 1888. This year, for the first time since the Industrial Revolution, zero-carbon energy sources will beat

Mark Hood Co-Chair of the Tonbridge & Malling Green Party

CUTTING EDGE A blade factory in Hull has created 1,000 jobs

fossil fuels, an achievement Greenpeace has described as a “watershed moment”. And as we have decarbonised our economy, we have not become poorer as a result: quite the reverse. The cost of offshore wind has tumbled, falling by half in just two years, and jobs have been created all around Britain’s coasts. Indeed, I had the great honour of opening Siemen’s colossal blade factory in Hull, which has created 1,000 skilled jobs. It is an industry in which we are now the world’s leader and export across the globe. We have been able to deploy more renewables in our electricity grid than was ever thought possible, with our energy resilience described by the International Energy Agency as “exemplary”. That same organisation – the world’s leading authority – has that the UK’s efforts “are an inspiration for many countries who seek to design effective decarbonisation frameworks.” So, at a time when there are many stresses and strains in our country, we should take pride in being a nation that is showing not only ambition to lead the world, but a record of achievement to match.

Mark Hood has established the Barden Residents’ Association, is a founder member of Keep River Lawn Green, and campaigned to save the Barden Boatyard and River Lawn from development. He is also one of the organisers of the Tonbridge Calling festival

Building relationships across party lines THE last few weeks have been a whirlwind! April Clark and I were elected in Judd Ward as the first Green Councillors in West Kent on 2nd May and we are finding our feet and working hard getting to grips with our new roles. We have spoken out against the planning application for 53 homes at West Kent College on grounds of inadequate parking, inappropriate height, increased congestion and worsening air pollution and fortunately the committee rejected the proposal as it stands.

and more attractive environment for everyone. In order to achieve our election pledges we are working with our new colleagues, building relationships across party lines. For example, we are working with the three Independent Councillors representing Borough Green, as we share their commitment to protecting our

countryside from being concreted over and ensuring that the Green Belt is only used for development as a last resort. This plan was approved by almost all Conservative and Lib Dem Councillors yet alternative ‘available and achievable sites’ for 11,700 homes were identified in the early stages

Emergency We have voiced our opposition to closing the public toilets at the Angel Centre without consultation and to proposals to removing concessionary rates for the groups using the Council Chamber at Tonbridge Castle. We look forward to the troublesome bus stop in our High Street being moved to a lay-by in coming weeks and for the replacement of high quality air monitoring equipment in the second worst air pollution hotspot in the borough as soon as possible. We have proposed introducing a one way system for Tonbridge town centre and will be presenting a detailed plan in the coming months to reduce air pollution in the High Street and around the Station to make our town a healthier

GOING GREEN: April Clark [centre] and Mark Hood [front left] are the first Green Councillors in West Kent

of the Local Plan process. The Independent Inspectors have responded with very strongly worded rebukes for the lack of detail in the Local Plan document. The plan concentrates on a small group of sites in the Green Belt. We urge the council to look again and reconsider the use of the Colas site in Vale Road and the huge Aylesford Newsprint site for mixed use to include residential development. It is obscene to take huge bites out of our countryside while acres of concrete lie unused. In the coming weeks we will present a motion for Tonbridge and Malling BC to declare a Climate Change Emergency with our Independent colleagues and an enlarged Lib Dem group of nine councillors, we will be reaching out to Conservative members to recognise the overwhelming need to act now. As Greta Thunberg says ‘the time to panic is now’ - recently Kent County Council amended the motion presented there extending the date to become carbon neutral from 2030 to 2050 and rendering it virtually meaningless. We hope that our borough council realises the challenge facing us and passes our motion un-amended. We are privileged to be able to serve the community in Tonbridge and will do everything we can to represent residents and push for positive change for Tonbridge and the whole borough.

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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ELEGANT APARTMENT FIT FOR A QUEEN

It’s all about the garden room… at Tottingworth Park Page 24

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Best property buys for... We all love to see homes with the ‘wow’ factor – which could apply to the kitchen, reception room, garden, or something else. Sarah Bond homes in on specific aspects that make these properties well worth a look… The GARDEN ROOM…

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Oakhurst

Tottingworth Park Broad Oak Nr Heathfield GUIDE PRICE

£1,195,000 CONTACT • Knight Frank, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 515035 • knightfrank.co.uk A beautiful family home in a gorgeous rural setting two thirds of a mile along a leafy, private lane. A wonderful garden room opens to the gardens and grounds, which have a fantastic outlook over the countryside. MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Large entrance hall n Triple-aspect drawing room with fireplace and wood-burning stove

n Dining room with double doors to garden n Study n Kitchen/breakfast room open to: n Light, vaulted garden room with lovely outlook over the grounds

n Impressive master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and Juliet balcony opening to the country views beyond

n 3 further double bedrooms n Modern family bathroom n Gardens, including raised vegetable garden beds and large greenhouse

n In all about 0.78 acres n Private lane leading to gated entrance and courtyard providing ample parking

n Detached garage, currently housing a studio, plus a single garage with storeroom above

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

The WEALD VIEW…

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The PRICE…

Northcote Road Tonbridge

£335,000 CONTACT • Barnes Kingsnorth, Tonbridge • 01732 771616 • bkestateagents.com

Delightful, updated Victorian semi-detached home convenient for town and station. MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Spacious through sitting/dining room with bay window and period fireplace n Kitchen with two-oven range cooker and direct access to garden n 2 bedrooms n Large luxury bathroom with roll-top slipper bath and double shower n Garden with deck

Beechmont

Gracious Lane, Sevenoaks

GUIDE PRICE

£2,250,000 CONTACT • Savills, Sevenoaks • 01732 789700 • savills.com An architecurally-designed 1960s home on the site of a manor house bombed in the war. Surrounded by about ten acres of landscaped Victorian grounds, it sits high above the Weald with some of the most spectacular views in Kent.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Drawing room with open fireplace n Dining room with picture windows n Kitchen n Garden room with sliding door to terrace

Gromenfield Groombridge

GUIDE PRICE

£499,000 CONTACT • Bracketts, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 533733 • bracketts.co.uk

A remodelled semi-detached house close to paths into the neighbouring countryside.

n Double-aspect study n Conservatory

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Landing with full height window

n Through living room with picture window, Minster-style fireplace and twin double doors to garden

n Master suite with dressing room and balcony n 4 further bedrooms (one en suite) n Family bathroom with separate WC n Observatory with glass door to balcony n Formal Victorian gardens with summerhouse

n Bright kitchen/breakfast room with vaulted ceiling, twin Velux windows and stable door

n Glass pool house with retractable roof and walls

n Dining room open-plan to kitchen with double doors to garden

n Pillared entrance, drive and 2 integral garages

n 3 bedrooms and a family bathroom

n In all, about 10 acres

n Garden with paved area and lawn

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AT A GLANCE WESTWELL HOUSE TENTERDEN n An exceptional apartment spread across whole ground floor of Grade II*-listed mansion dating back to 1711 n Sole use of prinicipal front door n Large entrance/dining hall with fireplace n Elegant drawing room with open fireplace and large windows n Sitting room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Study n Large conservatory n Utility room with door to side n Cloakroom n 3 bedrooms (2 en suite) n Shower room n Lawned private garden with York stone paved terrace n Beautiful communal gardens n 2 private garages n Within walking distance of Tenterden’s pretty high street

Particular features include an impressive entrance hall with a large fireplace and wide staircase leading to a half landing

GUIDE PRICE

£950,000

(With share of freehold)

CONTACT • Knight Frank, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 515035 • knightfrank.co.uk

Stunning apartment in Queen Anne mansion set amid glorious gardens

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Property Focus NEW HOMES

‘We want to enhance the homely feel of the property, so we use a wide range of accessories to bring the scheme to life’

Plenty to crow about in Crowborough… LOCAL housebuilder Millwood Designer Homes has a reputation for delightful properties, so house-hunters will be pleased to hear that the first show home in their new Crowborough development, Coppice End in Jarvis Brook, has opened this month for viewing. And it’s not just the finer touches inside the home that Millwood have focused on – but a healthy outdoor lifestyle, too, in keeping with our modern fitness trends. According to recent research by estate agents Strutt & Parker, homes that offer enough garden space to exercise, enjoy natural light, and offer privacy can contribute to better mental health. Each of these factors is showcased at the Chevening show home, and they all help with physical wellbeing, too. And of course there are good fitness facilities in and around the town, which enjoys the bonus of having Ashdown Forest on its doorstep. Sited in a picturesque woodland setting itself, Coppice End will comprise 18 properties when completed, ranging from three to five bedrooms, and all are available to buy now, whether ready to move into or off-plan. Victoria Kember, Lead Designer at New

I.D., who created the interiors, explained the thinking behind the designs: “The scheme for The Chevening is a perfect combination of contemporary and classic style, similar to the house itself. “We made the show home memorable by using an unusual statement wallpaper in a bedroom in addition to upholstering a headboard in a vivid floral fabric.

Traditional “We worked off a berry colour palette for the scheme so the colours from one room to another flow really well. “We want the show home to enhance the homely feel of the property, so we use a wide range of accessories to bring the scheme to life.” Millwood Sales and Marketing Director Philip Brown said of the show home: “The property is elegant and provides residents with the ideal home to enjoy the peace of the countryside while still benefitting from all that a modern home can offer.” The traditional façades of these new homes complement the character of the local area, and the high-standard Chevening offers flexible living. The open-plan kitchen/breakfast

room has French doors to the garden, while the spacious living room has a brick fireplace, wood-burning stove and further French doors to the garden. There is also a separate dining room. Upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms, with the master en suite, plus a family bathroom. Outside, each home has a garden with a good-sized patio, as well as a garage. Coppice End is also ideally placed for commuters, with Crowborough Station just a short walking distance away.

GUIDE PRICES START FROM

£380,000

for a three-bedroom home (Help to Buy available on selected homes)

CONTACT • Millwood Designer Homes Marketing Suite • 01892 640466 • millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Staging a theatrical revolution Applause Rural Touring are in full swing with their summer theatre season. Last year 30,000 people saw one of their shows, which take place in community centres, pubs and in the open air. Eileen Leahy talks to their outdoor touring Manager Sally Lampitt to find out why this arts company has the edge Tell us a little bit about the history behind Applause Rural Touring? Applause Rural Touring is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation based in Tunbridge Wells. We support communities throughout Kent and Sussex to access professional theatre, music and other performing arts. Working with artists, performing companies and a network of local promoters, Applause takes live performance into the heart of local communities, filling familiar venues such as village halls, community spaces, pubs and outdoor fêtes and festivals with exciting theatre, music, storytelling and dance for everyone to enjoy. Why do you target rural communities? Many of them are isolated and have difficulties in getting access to high quality

arts, with poor transport links and the cost in money and time of travelling to the nearest town. Applause events provide direct access to inspiring performances, galvanising communities to come together, and last year over 30,000 people saw an Applause event in 92 different locations. Tell us a little bit about what you are doing for 2019? In addition to our indoor touring programme to village halls, each year Applause Outdoors commissions several performing companies to create new outdoor shows to tour to fêtes, festivals and outdoor events across the region. The shows are booked by local promoters at highly subsidised costs, and this year we have seven fabulous shows enlivening over 50 events with exciting performances!

Look out for mischievous cavemen, a giant dodo, some cake-baking birds, participatory painting, ping pong-playing dancers, a 17ft tall tree – oh and a shark! All the seven shows this season are interactive, family friendly and will entertain, so audiences can support local events and enjoy superb performances.

Sally Lampitt

What has the audience’s reception to your shows been like so far? Fantastic! Arbor in particular has been drawing lots of attention. Smoking Apples Theatre have created a 17ft-tall part-man, part-tree who tells the story of a tree pushed from his home and his fight to preserve his future. It is beautiful visual storytelling with an environmental message, and he was very popular at Tunbridge Wells’s

Seven amazing shows you can see on tour this summer BOOTWORKS THEATRE: We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat A show for small town communities about small town communities. Step inside and pull up a seat around the hull of the Orca, as we enter the movie world of Jaws! Bootworks

JOE GARBETT DANCE: Doubles Doubles brings bursts of colour in a collision of dance and ping pong. Watch as the dancers spin and slide in this playful pop-up performance that smashes the expectations of dance and advocates the importance of safe, positive and accessible public spaces. Grab a bat and join in! ERIC MACLENNAN: The Open Air Drawing Room A co-commission with Turner Contemporary Margate to celebrate the hosting of the Turner Prize. An exciting art project leading to the creation of hundreds of small watercolours by members of the public, the painting will be exhibited at Turner Contemporary this autumn.

Eric MacLennan

JOE GARBETT DANCE Playing ping-pong ‘Doubles’

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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Unfest festival and Elderflower Fields. Enter Edem’s Comedy Cavemen also spread an environmental message – in a particularly mischievous way – you’ll never look at recycling in the same way again after meeting them!

ticket prices low. We also support performing companies and artists through commissions and grants to develop their work specifically to tour to rural locations, and give them the opportunity to tour their work to new audiences.

How do you decide upon your venues? Local promoters looking for something different for their events contact us. Some we have worked with for years, and others are booking their first shows with us this summer. The events range from very small local fêtes on village greens, such as Rusthall, to larger festivals. This year we will be at outdoor events until October, so there are lots of opportunities to see one of these brilliant performances.

You have a very special collaboration happening with the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate. How did this come about? We are delighted to be working with Turner Contemporary in Margate on an exciting new project. This October they will host the Turner

What’s your USP compared to other touring theatre companies? We are a member of the National Rural Touring Forum, and we provide the link between performing companies and artists and local communities. We simply couldn’t do what we do without the support of a network of committed, enthusiastic and passionate volunteer promoters. They see the value of giving their community access to brilliant performances in their own familiar spaces, whether that is a village hall, field or pub – that otherwise might be inaccessible to many because of distance, time or money. Applause subsides each performance by on average 30 per cent, helping to keep

Rust and Stardust

What will people get from seeing one of your productions? We hope that anyone who sees an Applause show is entertained, surprised, challenged and inspired! Through Applause Outdoors at festivals, Applause Indoors in local village halls, and Inn Crowd, which helps to reinforce pubs as a central community hub with specially created performances that are perfect for pubs, we work with some of the best professional performing companies and artists to take exceptional performances to all corners of Kent and Sussex. ARBOR Part-man, part-tree

SMOKING APPLES: Arbor The Tree Part Man. Part Tree. 17ft tall. Meet Arbor. Follow Arbor as he strides around telling the story of a tree pushed from his home and his fight to preserve his future. Beautiful visual storytelling and stunning puppets with an environmental message. RUST AND STARDUST: Tweethearts A heartwarming interactive adventure with live music, beautiful puppets and an enchanting tea-shop setting. Tweethearts is the perfect relaxed introduction for young children to the magic of theatre. ENTER EDEM: Comedy Cavemen Watch a posse of Palaeolithic cavemen characters causing mischief and spreading an environmental message. This team of toothy troublemakers will have audiences laughing and running to the recycling bin as they tell the tale of their time spent frozen in ice to be awoken into a world of plastic problems! DIZZY O’DARE: The Dodo Rider An interactive walkabout with the giant Dodo Puppet. This dainty rider dazzles audiences around the globe, bounding along on the back of a rare galloping Dodo.

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artists, creating hundreds of small watercolours of stones selected from a mini museum of 31 stones, each one from a different part of the coast of the British Isles and named after the atmospheric areas of the shipping forecast. These small paintings will later be amalgamated into one epic painting entitled A Sea of Faces, which will be exhibited at Turner Contemporary in the autumn, and may even set a new world record for the largest number of artists creating a single painting! The Open Air Drawing Room, which has already visited Mayfield, is one of the seven shows touring fetes and festivals across the region this summer.

‘Look out for mischievous cavemen, a giant dodo, some cake-baking birds, painting, ping pongplaying dancers, a 17ft tall tree – oh and a shark! Prize, and to celebrate we have co-commissioned performer Eric MacLennan to create an outdoor show inspired by JWM Turner [the artist] and the forthcoming exhibition at Turner Contemporary Seaside: Photographed. The Open Air Drawing Room is a live art project where the audience will become the

Arts & Culture

Enter Edem

For more information on Applause and what’s on, head to their website: applause.org.uk

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Going Out

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

goingout 7 days of activities

By Jerome Bowman KINGS OF SWING The Jive Aces are playing Jazz On The Pantiles

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

as the subtleties of human relationships. The exhibition is free and is open every day from 10am until Saturday, and from 4.30pm on Sunday. For more information go to trinitytheatre.net THURSDAY The Fairfax Gallery’s Summer Exhibition, featuring new work from gallery favourites as well as new artists, provides a relaxed environment in which to view and even purchase a wide range of contemporary art. The gallery is free to enter. For more information and opening times, visit fairfaxgallery.com Enjoy a drink or a meal in one of the many pubs, restaurants and cafés along The Pantiles while listening to The Jive Aces at Jazz On The Pantiles. One of the UK’s leading swing bands, you may well have seen them on Britain’s Got Talent, where they were semi-finalists. Seeing the band comes at no cost, though donations are welcomed, so pop down and enjoy the town’s ever-popular summer jazz season. FRIDAY Darkly comic thriller Mind Game, written by crime and children’s author Anthony

WEDNESDAY We’re pleased to see that 1980s pop-rock crooner Paul Young has come back to stay, at least for the evening, at the Assembly Hall Theatre. To celebrate 35 years since its release, Paul will be playing many of his greatest hits from his debut album, No Parlez. The New Wave nostalgia starts at 8pm,

and tickets start at £32.75. You can book them online at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Artist Natalie Bennett’s new exhibition at Trinity Theatre is now open. Titled The Things I Say, The Things you See,, it will show various works by the oil painter with themes of fragmented memory and history, as well

PRETTY IN PINK Hever’s roses are out for the summer

Horowitz, tells the story of Mark Styler, a true crime writer who tries to get an interview with an imprisoned serial killer and quickly discovers that nothing at the asylum where he is kept is what it seems. This is the final performance of the play at The Oast Theatre. Tickets for non-members cost £11. To book seats, visit oasttheatre.com Following a critically-acclaimed sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Flying Elephant bring their play Picasso’s Women to the EM Forster Theatre. Starring Colette Redgrave, Judith Paris and Lucy Hunt, it tells the story of the women in Picasso’s life that influenced his art, while also shedding some light on the iconic Cubist painter. The play starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 or £13 for concessions, and can be booked online at emftheatre.com ART FAN See Picasso’s Women at SATURDAY the EM Forster Theatre As seen in last week’s edition of the

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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Going Out

from 11am till 4.30pm. Tickets cost £6 per adult and £2 per child. For more information, visit chiddingstonecastle.org.uk MONDAY Join the TWUNTS in The George for their relaxed Ukulele Jam at 8pm. All levels of experience, including mistaking the ukelele for a banjo, are welcome. Grab a drink at the bar and join in with the group on a huge variety of songs – their playlist can found online. Attendance is free. For more information, visit twukulele.com

SUMMER SCOOTERS See the rally at The Hop Farm Times, Night Owl Shows are bringing The Dolly Parton Story to Trinity Theatre. Songs from Jolene to Coat of Many Colours will be brought to life by singer Hannah Richards and guitarist Alex Beharrell. The ‘showumentary’ starts at 8pm and tickets cost £19 for adults. For more ticket prices and to book seats, go to trinitytheatre.net OLD IS THE NEW NEW At Chiddingstone Castle

For all things two-wheeled and motorised, you can visit The Hop Farm at Paddock Wood for The Big 7 National Scooter Rally all weekend. There will be a Ridden Custom Show with 13 trophies awarded in various categories, live bands and DJs. Plus the Big 7 Ride-Out on Saturday. There will also, of course, be plenty of food a drink and there are a few options for accommodation, including camping and glamping. For a wheely good deal, ride your scooter to the event and the ticket will be just £20. For more information, visit thebig7scooterrally.com If you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument but never known which one to try, you’re in luck, as today is Brittens Try Out Day. Staff at Brittens music shop in Grove Hill Road will be on hand to help you blow trumpets, strum guitars and tinkle the ivories. No bookings are necessary, just an interest in trying something new. For more information, go to brittensmusic.co.uk SUNDAY For the fifth year running, Chiddingstone Castle’s Vintage Fair is open for the day. Browse the stalls for kitchenalia, decorative items, clothes and jewellery. In between your vintage voyeurism, you can get involved in some workshops with dance troupe Sussex Swing. The fair is open

PICK OF THE WEEK: Run or Dye Penshurst Place Sunday June 30 From 8am

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TUESDAY Hever in Bloom is the annual garden showcase for Hever Castle and its grounds. There will be more than 4,000 roses on display as well as indoor flower arrangements. Overlord of the flowers and Head Gardener Neil Miller will be offering free guided tours each day at 11.30am, and will take you through the newly planted perennial garden. He has also promised to share some of his top tips. Standard admission fees apply, so for more information and to book tickets, visit hevercastle.co.uk

Add some fun to your Sunday run at this colourful event, where you will be sprayed with a rainbow of dyes as you go. Choose from a 5k route, a 3.5k one, or a 1k mini dash for the youngest. Run, jog, walk or dance round the track and prepare to be sprayed (your Sunday best is not recommended!) After the run, there will be a party with more dye-throwing and a DJ. Tickets prices vary, so for more information and to book, go to runordye.co.uk

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Going Out

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road Tickets at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Wednesday Paul Young: 35 Years of No Parlez THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7 Websites pdag.co.uk & thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday Mike Wilton, David Mumford, Biddle Friday Nick Bennett Sunday Infrared, Higgs and The Bosons

live music With Paul Dunton

OP legend Paul Young is live at The Assembly Hall Theatre tonight [Wednesday], and local singer-songwriters Mike Wilton, David Mumford and Biddle will all be performing at The Grey Lady. Thursday sees the excellent Jive Aces play Jazz On The Pantiles, and Folking in the Strawberries at the beautiful Stonepitts Farm, near Sevenoaks, with Ty Watling, The Jay Scott Band, Delaney and James Kirby. Friday night has Opposite Origins at The Bedford Vault, Nic Bennett at The Grey Lady and renowned local guitarist and singer Stuart Evans in Zagotas Bar at The Spa Hotel. Saturday night brings Clare Beckett at The Black Horse, Kelly Bourne at The Bedford and Nigel Bagge at The Beau Nash. Fans of alternative rock/

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

pop can enjoy the cinematic sounds of Evi Vine at The Forum with support from Night Without Sleep and All the Above. If a taste of country music is your thing, then The Dolly Parton Story is at Trinity Theatre, featuring Hannah Richards and Alex Beharrell. My pick at The Sevenoaks Summer Festival is the London Community Gospel Choir at The Oaks Theatre, Knole Academy this Saturday and Harry The Piano at Pamoja Hall, Sevenoaks School on Monday. On Sunday evening, The Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society’s Summer Concert is at The Tunbridge Wells United Reformed Church. The Stuart Jackaman Trio are at Verdigris in Tonbridge and local rockers Infrared and Higgs and The Bosons will be at The Grey Lady.

JAZZ ON THE PANTILES The Bandstand Music from 7.30pm (donations welcome) Thursday The Jive Aces FOLKING IN THE STRAWBERRIES Stonepitts Farm, Seal Music from 6pm-9.30pm. Price is per car Thursday Ty Watling, Jay Scott Band, Delaney, James Kirby MUSICSTATION Bank Street, Tonbridge Booking essential. Call 01732 350629 Thursday & Friday 8pm-9.30pm Adult Band Workshop, all levels welcome.

THE ROYAL OAK PUB Prospect Road Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Glastonbury live screening THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM The Common Event information at twforum.co.uk Saturday Evi Vine, Night Without Sleep, All the Above Tuesday Orchards TRINITY THEATRE Church Road, Tickets at trinitytheatre.net Saturday The Dolly Parton Story SEVENOAKS SUMMER FESTIVAL The Oaks Theatre, Knole Academy See sevenoaksfestival.org.uk Saturday London Community Gospel Choir THE BLACK HORSE PUB Camden Road Free entry, music from 8pm Saturday Clare Beckett THE ANCHOR INN Sevenoaks

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Free entry, music from 3pm-5pm Tickets available at stagsevenoaks.co.uk Saturday Roger Hubbard & Pete Shaw TUNBRIDGE WELLS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Mount Ephraim Tickets at rtwcs.org.uk Sunday The RTWCS Summer Concert VERDIGRIS Tonbridge High Street Event details at verdigris-tonbridge.com Sunday The Stuart Jackaman Trio THE GEORGE PUB Mount Ephraim Free entry, music from 8pm Monday TWUNT: Ukulele Jam session SEVENOAKS SUMMER FESTIVAL Pamoja Hall, Sevenoaks School See sevenoaksfestival.org.uk Monday Harry The Piano TONBRIDGE FOLK CLUB Flying Dutchman, Hildenborough Music from 8pm, see tonbridgefolkclub.org Monday Stone Junction Mike Wilton

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim Friday Soul Night Saturday Nigel Bagge THE BEDFORD PUB 2 High Street Friday Opposite Origins Saturday Kelly Bourne THE SPA HOTEL Mount Ephraim Free entry, live music in Zagotas from 8pm Friday Stuart Evans

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food

Food & Drink FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Savour a classic dining experience The Mount Edgcumbe is one of the oldest establishments in Tunbridge Wells. Eileen Leahy pays this popular restaurant with rooms a visit to discover why it has such a great foodie reputation

HE Mount Edgcumbe occupies a pleasingly tranquil spot on the Lower Common in Tunbridge Wells, and is just a short walk from Wellington Rocks and Mount Ephraim. The Grade II-listed, family-run restaurant, which also boasts six boutique bedrooms,

has undergone a very successful and stylish refurbishment since its current owners, Robert and Sally Hogben, took it over in 2012, and it’s now one of the area’s most popular places to dine – or simply sup a pint. Inside, its bijou dining area sports all the hallmarks of rustic chic – think scrubbed

wooden tables with mismatched chairs, exposed brick walls, squishy leather sofas, and fairy lights festooned about. Its unique sandstone cave, tucked away in the entrance area, is ideal for a cosy date or pre-dinner drinks, while upstairs the private dining space is also intimate and stylish – convivial to good times. Last but not least, there’s the really welcoming al fresco terrace, with tables and private huts, which

‘There’s certainly a good variety of homegrown and more exotic dishes to delight your taste buds’ overlooks the Common. It’s been extended and upgraded over the years and is now the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a glass of something chilled when the sun is shining. The Mount Edgcumbe describes its extensive menu as being ‘British-European Gastro’, and at first glance there’s certainly a good variety of homegrown and more exotic dishes to delight your taste buds.

As well as a variety of Mediterraneaninspired offerings such as homemade hummus and pitta bread (£4.25), marinated chicken skewers with yoghurt dip (£6.50) and halloumi with couscous salad (£13.25), there are many classics, including Harvey’s beerbattered haddock and chips with mushy peas (£13.95) and a 10oz rib-eye steak (£22.95). There’s also an impressive selection of sharing boards – everything from seafood options to vegan ones – so my dinner guest and I feel pleasantly overwhelmed by the culinary choice. When we’re finally ready to order starters, I go for the chilli salted squid with sweet chilli dip (£7.75), while my friend opts for the vegan spiced potato balls with homemade ketchup dip (£5.95). They arrive pretty swiftly – despite the main dining area being packed – and are generous in size. My squid is gorgeously golden and deliciously light with just the right amount of batter. The bitesize portions are pleasingly peppery, and further enhanced by the sweet dipping sauce served alongside. My guest seems equally happy

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

with her choice; describing it as ‘flavoursome and incredibly moreish’. We’ve both ordered a large glass of San Antini Pinot Grigio Blush (£6.75), and the wine’s delicately floral character proves to be a good choice for both our starters, and now for our fish mains, too. My friend has chosen the Shetland Mussels with a tomato and chilli sauce (£13.75), which comes with slices of chargrilled sourdough instead of traditional chips. She describes the plentiful portion as ‘boasting a subtle taste of the sea entwined with fresh, piquant tomato flavours, fragrant basil and tingle of chilli’. And despite the sheer volume served up, the dish itself is surprisingly light.

Hip My choice of swordfish with ratatouille and chilli cucumber salsa (£16.75) is also a tasty triumph, with the fish perfectly grilled on the outside and its inner meaty flesh smooth and salty. The accompanying rich ratatouille vegetables and piquante

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk salsa gives it additional depth of flavour, and if I close my eyes I could be sitting in some hip beachside café in the South of France enjoying it. When our friendly waitress asks if we’d like to see the dessert menu, we both immediately respond ‘Yes!’ Our two first courses have been so enjoyable we know a little sweet treat will be the perfect way to finish our Mount Edgcumbe meal. Again, there’s a good choice of both English and European dishes for hungry diners to savour, including apple tart with vanilla ice cream (£6.75) and vanilla panna cotta with blackberry coulis and shortbread (£6.50). I like the sound of the Speakeasy alcohol infused ice cream with spiced rum, but only have room for a single scoop (£1.75). It’s subtly boozy and creamy, and accompanied by an espresso it’s a perfect palate pleaser. My friend indulges in the espresso chocolate cake with clotted cream and a decadent chocolate sauce (£6.50), but is soon defeated by the sheer size of it. On the way home we’re already planning another visit to this charming establishment. themountedgcumbe.com

Food & Drink

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Top of the pops… Times Drinks Editor James Viner uncorks three sparkling summer wines. Each is dry and made fizzy by the traditional method, the key second fermentation taking place not in tanks, as in Prosecco, but in single bottles, as in Champagne 1) BONE DRY 100% CHARDONNAY CRÉMANT (LOOK AWAY PROSECCO LOVERS!) Crémant du Jura Brut, Domaine de Montbourgeau NV, France (£14.50, The Wine Society, 12% ABV) This is a stunning bargain bottle of bone-dry (zéro dosage) French traditional method fizz from an appellation created in just 1995 that punches gloriously above its price. Orchard and white fruits ring with an urgency across saliva-inducing acidity, combining with wet stone minerality. No room for argument, this is a very good wine to drink with smoked salmon, seafood risotto, fish and chips or ceviche. 2) WEIGHTY 100% PINOT NOIR MUST-TRY QUALITY SUPERMARKET CHAMPAGNE Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Brut NV Champagne, Aube, France (£22.99, but just £17.99 from July 17 to August 13, 12.5% ABV) This 100% Pinot Noir Champagne from the Aube is a steal for the quality, with a complex array of toast, brioche, red

Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine berry and stone fruit flavours. On offer (just £17.99 from July 17) it becomes an unqualified must-buy – my NV Champagne of choice for the summer. Very smart wine that puts many big-name rivals to the sword. A total winner.

3) TEXTBOOK ENGLISH BUBBLY FROM A VINEYARD ON THE NORTH DOWNS OF KENT Chapel Down 2014 Kit’s Coty Blanc de Blancs (£37.95-£40, Whisky Exchange, Chapel Down, The English Wine Collection, 12% ABV) Made by an established and relatively large quality producer, this is a fine example of terrific single-vineyard English fizz, with lovely precision and delicate, fine, toasty notes complementing the polished pink grapefruit, white peach and baked apple fruit. The result is a brilliantly fresh, crisp and food-friendly wine, the dosage spot on. It’s beautifully put together and has the future in its sights, but the intensity of youthful flavours makes for scintillating drinking right now.

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travel

Travel

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

6 of the best reasons to visit the

magical isand of Mallorca… If there’s one place where you can enjoy a mix of great sightseeing, shopping and sunshine – not to mention lots of fabulous food and drink – it’s much-loved Mallorca

HETHER you’re on a holiday with friends, family or both, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Mallorca as it really does offer something for everyone. The largest of the Spanish Balearic islands, which bask happily in the Mediterranean sea, Mallorca is a great destination for lying back and taking things easy thanks to its plethora of beautiful beaches. But, of course, you can do many more adventurous activities there, too… CRYSTAL CLEAR One of the island’s pretty harbours

POLLENTIA A fine example of Roman ruins

THE ROAD TO SA CALOBRA There’s plenty to like about Sa Calobra – a postcard-perfect fishing village snuggled between mountain and sea – but this particular day out really is about the journey, rather than the destination. The only road in winds around a succession of hairpin bends, offering panoramic views both up and down the mountain. Gluttons for punishment can join the hordes of masochistic cyclists straining and sweating up the mountain. It’s a favourite among professionals, and Bradley Wiggins is rumoured to hold the unofficial course record.

BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE If there’s three things Mallorca is famous for, it’s sun, sand, and sea. Ok, we know that’s basically one thing, but the Mallorcan seaside has its reputation for a reason. It has a wonderful mix of cliffs, coves and even a few coral spots dotting the coastline, mixing romantic, secluded bays with bustling beaches obscured by sun umbrellas. With more than 60 blue flag beaches in Mallorca – internationally recognised for ‘superior quality’ – there really aren’t many wrong answers.

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

ARCHITECTURE IN PALMA Unfairly overshadowed by Mallorca’s reputation for parties, beaches and beach parties, the capital city, Palma, quietly boasts a melting pot of intriguing Mediterranean architecture. Top of the list is La Seu: A cathedral built on top of a mosque, built on top a church, and designed by Barcelona’s favoured son, Antoni Gaudi. Remnants of a Moorish past remain in the Banys Arabs (Moorish baths), while the city streets are laced with examples of ‘modernisme’ – the Catalan answer to art nouveau.

THE ROMAN RUINS OF POLLENTIA Go anywhere in Southern Europe, (or indeed Eastern Europe, North Africa and Turkey), and it’s odds on the Romans came, saw, conquered, and covered the land with cultural heritage. Mallorca is no different, and the ancient city of Pollentia – said to have been founded by a Roman consul in 123BC – marks the site of the most complete ruins on the island. Parts of the site are still being excavated, but the public can peruse the theatre, forum, and residential area of La Portella.

Travel

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PEAK VIEWING The road to Sa Calobra

5 GOTHIC MASTERPIECE Palma’s magnificent cathedral, commonly known as La Seu

HIKE THE TRAMUNTANA An unexpectedly grand mountain range dominating Mallorca’s northern reaches, the 90km Serra de Tramuntana became the island’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. There are any number of hiking trails traversing the rugged crags and plunging precipices, though be wary of venturing far in the heat of the mid-summer sun. Hidden among the cliffs lie some of Mallorca’s most Insta-worthy treasures – the Lluc Monastery, the ancient watchtower of La Torre del Verger, and the picturesque village

of Galilea, the highest settlement on the island, with vertiginous views of the ocean.

CLUBBING IN MAGALUF Ok, this one is definitely not for everyone. Its reputation precedes it from shows like Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents, and the always entertaining Ex On The Beach. It’s a premier destination for the school’s out ‘lads’ holiday’. If you can handle the clubbing teenagers and wild drinking habits, Magaluf also has its reputation for a reason, and the half-mile strip is pure carnage night after night.

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Books

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

The bookcase… This week’s bookcase includes reviews of Big Sky by Kate Atkinson, and Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Fleishman Is In Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Published in hardback by Wildfire, priced £18.99 (ebook £7.99) If you’re new to Taffy BrodesserAkner, know that she is quite brilliant. Formerly at American GQ, she now writes major profiles for the New York Times Magazine (find her one on Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop!) This is her debut novel, and it has all the wit, sharpness and perceptive intelligence of her magazine pieces, and yet it is also intense, ferocious and gets inside you like you would not believe. Toby, a liver specialist, and Rachel, an incredibly successful talent agent, are in the midst of divorce following many years of resentment, throwing stuff and hostility over money. Their kids – sweet, thoughtful Solly and exacting tween Hannah – are caught in the middle. Then Rachel goes missing. What ensues is no dark crime thriller, but a powerful examination of marriage, dating apps, suburbia, crushing ennui and parenthood. It also stirs the burden of believing women can have it all. (Review by Ella Walker)

9/10

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Big Sky by Kate Atkinson

Published in hardback by Transworld, priced £20 (ebook £9.99) Hot on the clever heels of Kate Atkinson’s wartime espionage novel Transcription, the prolific York-born writer resurrects Jackson Brodie, last seen in Started Early, Took My Dog. Brodie has relocated to a seaside village in North Yorkshire. He is looking after his sulky teenage son, Nathan, and Dodo the ancient labrador, both temporarily gifted by his ex, Julia. Fans who have missed this tough and tender flawed hero must wait as Atkinson holds him back, instead setting the scene with witty precision and wry observation. Hired to do a spot of husband following, Brodie meets a desperate man on a cliff – an encounter that leads him into a sinister labyrinth of murder, abuse and barbed old sins. The prose flows beautifully, the plot bubbles with incident, and Atkinson presents her story in a challenging, occasionally idiosyncratic way that makes for a compelling read. (Review by Julian Cole)

9/10

8/10

Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman

Published in hardback by Harvill Secker, priced £25 (ebook £14.99) The late Russian author and journalist Vasily Grossman had to fight his own battle of Stalingrad. His powerful account of the Nazi invasion of Russia had to navigate a minefield of censorship amid anti-Jewish, then anti-Stalin campaigns. This first English version of Stalingrad is, then, a triumph on many levels. We are introduced to the Shaposhnikov family and their friends, lives and loves before the relentless German advance engulfs them. From there, war correspondent Grossman takes us on a journey from factory and coal mine to the front line, and everyone is caught up in the horror. Stalingrad honours the dead, including Grossman’s mother, who was murdered in an anti-Jewish mass execution, and delivers an enduring tribute to the power of human spirit. One of the most powerful novels of the 20th century. (Review by Derek Watson)

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk NON-FICTION

Bird Therapy by Joe Harkness

8/10

Published in hardback by Unbound, priced £14.99 (ebook 99p) Joe Harkness is a special needs teacher, author and blogger, and this is an honest account of the author’s struggle with anxiety and OCD. Following a breakdown and an attempted suicide, Harkness rediscovers his childhood love of wildlife. He catalogues how birdwatching helped him recover the will to live, and how it provides him with consistency and security, CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW

No Longer Alone by Joseph Coelho

Published in paperback by Egmont, priced £6.99 Addressing upsetting topics such as grief and bereavement with small children can be difficult, and this tasteful picture book aims to gently reassure readers about the big emotions they may be feeling. The story focuses on a young girl who is feeling lonely and not like her usual self. People think she is quiet or shy, when inside she is bursting to talk or sing. The reason is not explicit, but illustrator Robyn Wilson-Owen’s unobtrusive drawings of a mother, who appears in photos in the family’s home, give an opportunity to explain why she is no longer there. Only by talking to her father does the girl realise she and her siblings don’t have

Books

and he also shows how the five ways to wellbeing – take notice, connect, give, keep learning and be active – can be put into practice through birdwatching. We meet twitchers, rare bird seekers and list keepers, and learn about birdwatchers’ patches, the benefits of feeding birds in your own garden, and citizen science. This book is a heartfelt account of one man’s return to wellbeing with the help of birdwatching, and his love of nature shines through in his beautiful descriptions of the local landscape. (Review by Sue Barraclough) to bottle things up. Coelho, a performance poet, touched on the death of a grandparent in If All The World Were… and employs the same sensitivity here, while the simple illustrations are soothing. (Review by Natalie Bowen)

8/10

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BOOK CHARTS HARDBACKS 1. Pinch Of Nom by Kate Allinson and Kay Featherstone 2. Those Who Are Loved by Victoria Hislop 3. The October Man by Ben Aaronovich 4. Normandy ’44: D-Day and the Battle for France by James Holland 5. Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass by Geddy Lee 6. Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing by Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse 7. Bowl. Sleep. Repeat: Inside the World of England’s Greatest-Ever Bowler by Jimmy Anderson 8. Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read by Philippa Perry 9. Bedlam: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy 10. Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal by Jeff Kinney PAPERBACKS 1. How To Be Right… in a world gone wrong by James O’Brien 2. No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg 3. A Long Night In Paris by Dov Alfron 4. Now We Shall Be Entirely Free by Andrew Miller 5. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones 6. In A House of Lies by Ian Rankin 7. Normal People by Sally Rooney 8. Erebus: The Story of a Ship by Michael Palin 9. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett 10. Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy by Serhii Plokhy (Compiled by Waterstones)

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Motoring

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Motoring News

LEVC reveals plug-in hybrid van based on London taxi

UNVEILED The Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder

Porsche puts on a sprint with 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4 PORSCHE has revealed two new high-performance models – the 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4. Both utilise the same naturallyaspirated six-cylinder engine, and send power to the road through a six-speed manual gearbox. The new 4.0-litre flat-six unit produces 414bhp (44bhp and 35bhp more than the previous-generation cars respectively) as well as 420Nm of torque. It allows both cars to crack the 0-60mph sprint in 4.2 seconds. Top speed-wise, the Spyder goes to 187mph, with the GT4 eclipsing it slightly at 188mph. Despite the performance, Porsche has worked hard to increase the efficiency of the engine. A particulate fil-

This week…  2 Porsche reveals  New electric van  Avoid the road hog

ter has been fitted to reduce NOx emissions, while a new adaptive cylinder control system can allow the engine to shut down two cylinders under light throttle, improving consumption. Porsche says both cars will return 26mpg under the old NEDC test cycle – which would put it at around 22mpg under the latest WLTP tests. CO2 emissions are set at 249g/km. The GT4 has been dealt a wealth of aerodynamic features, and Porsche says it will generate up to 50% more downforce than the car it replaces. The Spyder has a new rear spoiler which automatically rises at 74mph. Both cars can be ordered now, with 718 Spyder prices starting at £73,405 and the Cayman GT4 from £75,348.

LEVC has revealed a light commercial van based on the same plug-in hybrid technology used in its London taxi. The van has an electric-only range of 80 miles, but that increases to 377 miles when taking into account the petrol-powered internal combustion engine that can also charge the batteries. The company says this set-up is advantageous because, unlike pure electric vans, it is not just ideal for ‘last-mile’ deliveries, but is also capable of heading to out-of-town distribution depots. Drivers can use the petrol engine over long distances before switching to electric in town to avoid being charged in low-emission zones. LEVC says it will reveal full details closer to the van’s launch in late 2020, but says it is targeting best-in-class total cost of ownership, high levels of safety equipment and will offer a durability guarantee. Joerg Hofmann, LEVC Chief Executive, said: “We have combined our existing knowledge of the urban

environment with EV technology that can put urban mobility on a sustainable pathway. “Durable, reliable, efficient, cost-effective and high quality – that is our new light commercial vehicle. “London and the UK will be first to market, then we will extend the vehicle to Europe and further afield. “Our goal is to be the leading European electric commercial vehicle provider.” The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who helped launch the vehicle as he announced improvements to the capital’s EV charging infrastructure, said: “I am delighted that LEVC is applying the lessons learnt from designing and building London’s electric black cabs to this new van. “Developing clean, sustainable, electric vehicles is essential in order to tackle our air quality emergency and the climate change crisis. London’s commitment to clean air policies is driving our pursuit of a positive electric future for all.”

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

New hedgehog road sign to help small mammals A NEW road sign has been introduced to alert drivers to small animals on the road and help protect them. The sign, depicting a hedgehog, isn’t just to warn motorists of the presence of the prickly animals alone, but aims to highlight all manner of small wild mammals that could be on the road. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “We have some of the safest roads in the world, but we are always looking at how we can make them safer. “The new small mammal warning sign should help to reduce the number of people killed and injured, as well as helping our precious small wild mammal population to flourish.” Wildlife numbers have been in steady decline for many years now, with the number of hedgehogs in rural areas already halved since 2000. This joins other signs that warn drivers about small animals such as toads and wildfowl, as well as larger animals like deer and livestock. Jill Nelson, Chief Executive of the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, said: “We welcome this focus on road safety and protection for all small mammals.” The signs will be in areas where there are large concentrations of smaller animals, warning drivers of the presence of squirrels, badgers, otters and – of course – hedgehogs.

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Recruitment

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

WITH THE

FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST-READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY

Fill your vacancy now in print or online

From just £99 For more information contact our commercial team on 01892 779650

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

CODEWORD 4

A B C D E F GH I J K L MNO P QR S T U VWX Y Z 17

22 26

2 22

11 2

10 8

8 8

11 22

10 17

15 4

11 16

3 6

15 17

22 6

4 11

2 6

25 22

25 13

13 20

11 18

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 4 2 4

6 7 4 3 2

1 7 9 3

5 5

Codeword:

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

2 15

9 6

9 8

11 17

11 16

3 6

12 2

3 22

25 12

DIFFICULTY RATING:★★✩✩

9 5

4 9

3 8

3 7 5

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★✩

CLASSIFIEDS

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Puzzles

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

B E A V E R A E E Z M E R C A G A R T A N Q U R A D I UM A A J U R I S T A I H A C O N E R K S C R I E H F T I P O F F

H A U R O I L D E R D I B B L E

OW R I A P T OW D A T Y N L E X S T

A R D E L B A I R U I N E S D E R S R N E MO D O Z A T E

Sudoku:

1 9 7 3 5 4 8 6 2

6 2 3 8 9 7 5 1 4

4 8 5 1 6 2 3 7 9

9 6 4 7 3 5 1 2 8

3 7 2 4 8 1 6 9 5

8 5 1 6 2 9 7 4 3

2 3 6 9 7 8 4 5 1

5 1 8 2 4 6 9 3 7

7 4 9 5 1 3 2 8 6

1 8 9 4 5 3 7 6 2

5 2 6 7 8 9 1 4 3

7 3 4 9 1 2 8 5 6

6 5 8 1 3 4 9 2 7

9 4 3 2 7 5 6 1 8

Jigsaw Sudoku:

4 7 5 3 6 8 2 9 1

2 9 1 8 4 6 3 7 5

3 1 2 6 9 7 5 8 4

8 6 7 5 2 1 4 3 9

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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Sport

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Wells quartet dominate England ParaHockey squad for Euro 2019

Pace pair at the double as Kent return to form

By Andy Tong

CRICKET: KENT bounced back to winning ways at the Nevill for Tunbridge Wells Cricket Week with a comprehensive victory over Nottinghamshire. The win by 285 runs lifts them out of the relegation zone in Division One of the County Championship after a tricky start to their first season back in the top flight in nine years. In the previous game at Canterbury Kent had been humiliated by leaders Somerset, losing by 10 wickets after being skittled for just 59 in the second innings. But thanks to centuries from former Tonbridge School pupil ZaK Crawley and Joe Denly, and five-wicket hauls for Matt Milnes and Harry Podmore, they eased to victory on the fourth afternoon in Tunbridge Wells. A burgeoning relationship between pace bowlers Milnes and Podmore is starting to reap results on the field for the young new-ball partners. Milnes, who joined Kent from Nottinghamshire in the close season, and Podmore, now in his second season having switched from Middlesex, have taken almost 70 Championship wickets between them this summer. At the Nevill the 24-year-old Milnes took 5 for 64 against his old club for a maiden first-class five-wicket haul, while Podmore grabbed 5 for 41 in the second innings, including a crucial opening burst of that sparked Kent’s drive for victory. They have already become firm friends off the field and, according to Podmore, they are enjoying each other’s success on it.

HOCKEY: FOUR players from Tunbridge Wells

Hockey Club have been invited to represent England at the Euro ParaHockey Championships in August. Tim Cooney, Skye Macro, Frazer Hare and Seb Brooks have been picked among the 12 players for the event in Antwerp, Belgium. Organised by the European Hockey Federation, the tournament will run alongside the main EuroHockey Championships. The presence of the quartet in the England squad, making up a third of the players, is a testament to the local club’s ground-breaking Flyerz initiative – the first of its kind in Kent. Seb said: “I just can’t believe I got picked. I want change, I want to succeed in life.” And team mate Fraser Hare added: “I’ve been playing Flyerz for 15 months and really enjoy it every time, coming to play with the other teams, defending, using different skills.” Flyerz was set up after the London Olympics in 2012 to provide opportunities for players of all ages with learning and physical disabilities. In 2017, Midland Mencap Flyerz won gold for England in their division at the Euros in Holland. Building upon that success, Access Sport and England Hockey (EH) have announced a multi-club team for the biennial championship. An EH spokesperson said: “Midland Mencap created an opportunity for incredible visibility and showcased the depth of opportunities that Flyerz provides players to play at every level,

HIGH FLYERZ: (L-R) Tim Cooney, Skye Macro, Frazer Hare and Seb Brooks look forward to the Euros from grassroots to international competition. “The team inspired so many individuals and clubs to get involved with Flyerz. This growth has enabled us to enter our first combined team.” Wells men’s captain Francis Bridgeman and Steve Bradley of Midland are coaching them. Francis said: “I am so proud of all these youngsters – it’s amazing for them and way beyond what we could have imagined when we started back in 2017.

“The whole thing about Flyerz is that it’s not really about disability, actually it’s to show the abilities that all these disabled children have, which is what’s so great to see.” Olympic gold medallists Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh are Flyerz ambassadors and said: “Congratulations to all selected for Team England Flyerz. It is great to see the continued growth of Flyerz and therefore the number of clubs being represented.”

Warner’s heroics in vain after Cowdrey drop eight catches By Stuart Clarke COWDREY slipped to a narrow and disappointing defeat to Catford & Cyphers who were sitting in the relegation zone in Kent League Division Three, after a poor performance. Catford won the toss and elected to bat at Swanmead. But Thom Brown (2 for 27) bowled very well with the new ball, accounting for both openers, and unlucky not to pick up more wickets as the batsmen played and missed. Minhaj Jalill’s off-spin slowed the scoring-rate as he picked up 2 for 23 in his 10 overs, while a good piece of fielding by Ralph Yeats-Brown removed the dangerous Tevin Sterling (33). With 15 overs remaining Catford had been restricted to 135 for 6, but then the wheels came off in the field and eight catches were dropped as the visitors reached 212 all out. Skipper Ryan Addison (2 for 53) and paceman

Nick Farr (2 for 33) polished off the last four wickets with an over to spare. After an early wicket Stuart Clarke (40) set about building the reply with Jason Carver. But then three quick wickets pushed the match in Catford’s favour. Veteran Glen Warner had other ideas and at 117 for 6 found an able partner in Brown, putting on 60 runs for the seventh wicket. Following Brown’s demise it was left to Warner and Farr to get the Tonbridge side home, and at 205 for 7 it seemed victory was within their grasp. But then Sterling (4 for 44) showed his all-round prowess, removing Warner for a valiant 66 off just 67 balls with eight fours and a six. Two more wickets fell in quick succession to leave the home side agonisingly short by five runs with seven balls unused. Cowdrey will need to put in a much-improved performance, particularly in the field, as they face what is sure to be a hotly contested derby. They travel to neighbours Tonbridge on Saturday (June 29).

Lowly HSBC inflict shock defeat Tunbridge Wells 115 lost to HSBC 117-7 by 3 wkts By Alan Cutts CRICKET: TUNBRIDGE WELLS suffered the indignity of losing to the Kent League Premier Division’s bottom club HSBC in a low-scoring contest at New Beckenham. Wells caption Chris Williams won the toss and chose to bat, and he soon showed his handsome form, racing to 48 from 38 balls with nine fours. But when Andrew Faulkner (3 for 16) castled him, the innings capitulated with Nick Wheddon (3 for 34) grabbed three wickets in four balls.

The visitors collapsed from 64 for 1 to 80 for 7 until Christian Davis, with a watchful 41 from 77 balls, finally found a partner in veteran wicketkeeper Simon Routh in an eighth-wicket stand. But the damage had been done, and Wells were all out for 115 with more than 10 overs unused. They fought like tigers, and managed to make the home batsmen work hard as they crept past the required total. Paceman Ari Karvelas (2 for 28) and spinner Marcus O’Riordan (2 for 24) caused a wobble. But there were just too few runs to play with and HSBC reached 117 for 7 after 32.1 overs. Wells now face Bickley Park at home on Saturday (June 29).

Complement “Matt came to live with me in the same flat when he arrived at Kent and we’ve got on really well right from the start,” said Podmore. “I’ve obviously not known him for that long but we’re like best mates already,and he’s a top professional in the way he trains and works at his game as well as being a top bloke. “That’s why I was so chuffed for him during Nottinghamshire’s first innings when he got his maiden first-class five-wicket haul. “It was particularly special that he did it against his old county. I knew exactly how he felt when he got that fifth wicket because my own first five-for in Championship cricket was against my old club Middlesex last season. “Matt and me are the same age – there’s only a few days between us actually – and we both turn 25 next month (July) and so I reckon we can be a bowling partnership for a lot of years to come if we keep improving and working hard.” Podmore added: “I think we complement each other in style, and we’re both so happy to see the other succeed. “I think the fact we’re best mates helps to drive us on, because we can support each other both on and off the field.” Kent’s next game is against Warwickshire at Canterbury on Sunday [June 30]. Quotes from Mark Pennell, ECB Reporters Network

UP AND DOWN Glen Warner made 66 but fell at the end

ALL FIRED UP Matt Milnes claims a wicket at the Nevill

LINDEN PARK WIN T20 LOCAL DERBY Tunbridge Wells had already been left licking their wounds following a surprise exit from the Kent Twenty20 Cup to neighbours Linden Park on the Upper Common. The latter won the toss and batted first, raising 142 for 5 thanks to Freddie Hulbert’s unbeaten 62 and Tom Corner (43). Ian Mclean was the pick of the bowlers, returning 3 for 30 in his four overs. Wells’ run-chase fell short on 131 for 7 despite the efforts of Sam Watts, who remained undefeated on 26 at No 8, and Jorge Ehren (13 not out) at No 9. Carlin Tapp caused the principle damage with 3 for 13 while Oliver Bone picked up 2 for 25.

PHOTO: Max Flego

Catford & Cyphers 212 beat Cowdrey 207 by 5 runs

Wednesday June 26 | 2019

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Wednesday June 26 | 2019

Sport

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Dylan has DJ Davis dancing to his tune Alex Higgins in the Eighties.” Dylan broke off to start the frame, straightaway leaving Davis snookered behind the green ball and raising his arms aloft. The 61-year-old has reinvented himself as a DJ named ‘Thundermuscle’ and is playing a set at the Glastonbury festival this weekend. HAVING A BALL Dylan Smith is presented with a signed black ball

LEADER OF THE PACK Vicky Fleetwood with the girls from four schools

England star inspires schools’ festival By Graham Withers RUGBY: TUNBRIDE WELLS Rugby Club welcomed Saracens and England player Vicky Fleetwood for the the town’s secondary schools girls’ tag tournament. The event was part of the two-day Tunbridge Wells schools tag rugby festival at St Marks, and she spent time training the girls before presenting the awards.

The hooker and back rower, who won 69 caps for her country, was part of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad and last year’s Commonwealth Games bronze medal team. Players from Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar (TWGGS), Bennett Memorial, Trinity and St Gregory’s participated in the event. In the Under-13s category there was only one point between the three teams with Bennett topping the group,

TWGGS second and Trinity in third. In the Under-15s, St Gregory’s came out top with TWGGS and Trinity sharing second place. The Town & Country Housing primary schools tag festival kicked off the weekend, with more than 200 players from 14 schools taking part. There were more than 50 matches and the players showed enthusiasm, team spirit and determination despite the wet weather.

Nieuwoudt battles with elements while Brownlee shows his mettle By Adam Dennis TRIATHLON: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Triathlon Club’s Chris Nieuwoudt (M40-44) found himself up against double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee in the inaugural Ironman Ireland at Youghal in County Cork. Brownlee was taking part in his first event at the Ironman distance (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42km run), and the 31-year-old won the race with ease to qualify for the World Championships at the first attempt. However, the format was disrupted when the swim leg had to be abandoned off Claycastle beach because of poor weather conditions. The athletes were left to complete the bike and run legs in driving rain. Windmill Hill posed another considerable obstacle, topping out with a 21 per cent gradient which caused many competitors to dismount and walk. Nieuwoudt completed the 112-mile ride in 6hr 18min 7sec.

Downpour The marathon run was four laps through the historical town, taking in Youghal harbour and the famous Clock Gate Tower, and spectators came out in force despite the downpour. Nieuwoudt completed the marathon in 4:47.21, finishing the overall race in a time of 11:13.44, 79th in his age group out of 319, while Brownlee won in 7:44.16. Club mate Nicola Griffiths (F25-29) competed in the Swim-1st sprint triathlon in Crawley. The event consisted of a 300m pool swim, 19km bike and 5km run and was pitched as ideal for beginners and those wanting a fast time. Griffiths finished third in her age group in a very

FRONT CRAWL: Nicola Griffiths with her bronze medal at Crawley’s Swim-1st sprint triathlon strong field, in a time of 1:22.57, putting together three consistent disciplines. Richard Bysouth(M40-44) took part in Swim the Lake at the stunning Ardingly Reservoir with more than 200 swimmers for company on a midweek evening. There were three distances on offer, 750m, 1.5km or 3km. Bysouth, competing in the latter, practised his energy-saving tactics and drafted a few fellow competitors until the last lap, where he pushed for a fast finish and came 34th in a time of 52.29.

SNOOKER: LOCAL snooker prodigy Dylan Smith took on six-times world champion Steve Davis at an exhibition evening held by Tonbridge Angels FC. The 11-year-old from Paddock Wood played a frame against the snooker legend which was sponsored by Victoria Snooker Centre in Tunbridge Wells. As Dylan took his jacket off, revealing the sponsor patches adorning his waistcoat, Davis (pictured) joked: “He’s got more logos than me.” He added: “I haven’t felt this intimidated since I was playing

Natural But he retains the skills that saw him hold the world No 1 ranking for seven yeas, and he soon sharpened up his game, knocking in a 45 break and leaving Dylan few chances. Dylan responded with a solid 25 break of his own and then left himself snookered behind the pink. Undaunted, he pulled off a superb ‘masse’ shot, where he managed to swerve around it, and then managed to pot the black. Davis advised afterwards: “Well he can play the game, that’s clear. Don’t use too much coaching if he’s a natural talent and always play him against better opponents so he can learn from them.”