Wednesday December 20 | 2017
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OF TONBRIDGE To all our readers & advertisers
Poppy Appeal raises £35,000 after expansion THIS year’s Poppy Appeal has reached record levels, raising more than £35,000 in the town for the Royal British Legion. The head of the appeal, Carl Lewis, said: “It shows the community spirit we have in this town. It has been brilliant to have all the support of the people of Tonbridge. “We extended the areas we covered, taking in north Tonbridge, we went into pubs more, and the retailers have done even better than last year.”
Wicked Productions’ rumbustious Aladdin is dazzling the crowds at the EM Forster theatre this Christmas, starring local panto legend Tom Swift (right) as Wishee Washee and Michael Fenton Stevens as Widow Twanky. The show runs until December 30
Touch of genius
INSIDE ONE LAST BIG PARTY Town’s only club closes doors with Christmas bash Page 2
SHINING EXAMPLE
Jewellers with personal touch if online gifts go wrong Page 8
Support Carl was supported by his wife Jenny and his deputy Pam Mills. This year Jenny also took on the collections in Southborough – and will assume that role full-time in 2018. Mr Lewis added: “Collection day was a bit of a wash-out in terms of the weather but the people and the town councillors came out to support us. “I also want to thank all those who went door to door and helped out with the street collections.” A pub quiz at the Old Fire Station last month and the Busking Beyond the Grounds musical event on River Walk proved to be highly successful fundraising events. Preparations are already under way for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice next year. It is hoped a World War I tank will take part in the celebrations alongside re-enactment teams, horses and pigeons.
Urgent call for more flood wardens By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE town needs more flood wardens to help raise awareness about the dangers to homes and businesses – and they need to be trained with more urgency. Lead flood warden Martin Coulstock, says there are 17 flood wardens for Tonbridge, but only eight of them are trained – and they have to cope with 2,000 properties that are liable to flooding. Over the festive season the thoughts of many Tonbridge residents turn to Christmas Day 2013, when 80 homes were inundated on Barden and Danvers Roads and gifts were seen floating down the street. “We’re waiting for the other nine wardens
to be trained,” says Mr Coulstock. “Some of them have been waiting six months. This is the time of year when things happen.” He adds: “Hildenborough is overloaded with flood wardens because they all live in the flood area and are worried about their properties. It’s not like that in Tonbridge.”
‘Some have been waiting to be trained for six months’ But providing flood wardens with the right know-how in the town is proving too difficult and time-consuming, and it’s a role which can be fraught with danger. “You’re not insured if you’re not trained,” says Mr Coulstock. “We can’t explain to loved ones that we’re sending your family
member out there without the right understanding of the role. The plea for recruits comes after the launch of the Medway Flood Action Plan, which brings together the different stakeholders – parish councils, local authorities, national agencies, landowners and businesses. It was attended by Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat, who said: “The plan provides a clear direction on the works needed to do to improve flood resilience locally. “Recruiting, training and maintaining contact with flood wardens is in the Action Plan and is an ongoing effort, led by the Environment Agency with other partners. He added: “Over the coming months I’ll be making sure this work, along with all
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FOOD AND FESTIVITY The Kentish Hare helps you celebrate in style Page 38
SEASONAL CHEERS
Welcome return to form for Tonbridge Juddians Page 55