“But it’s very, very difficult to make a real hit [to costs]. The biggest expense is fridges and restaurants can’t start turning off fridges.”
Times OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
National and International
Energy Pal Energy Made Simple Introduces Gin & Jazz Festival 2022 ON THE PANTILES in association with Dark Spirit 11am - 7pm Great Food • Top SATURDAYSounds3RD&SUNDAY4THSEPTEMBER CubaLibre CubaLibre FREE EVENT Continued on page 2 BOOK ONLINE AND SAVE* 8 – 11 CastleHeverSEPT&Gardens TN8 7NG 9.30am –5.30pm Daily *Offer codes valid for adults on dates of craft fair only. Craft Fair entry included in normal Garden admission charges (Garden open until 6pm daily) See website for details Special Offer £12 using CRAFT2022*Code CIF_Hever_Sept_22_194x45.indd 1 15/08/2022 10:05 PhotographyMartinNigel YOURFREE LOCALPAPER Small businesses face closure as energy bills increase by four times Are you happy with your Block Management Company? 01892 530109 blockmanager@tw-blockmanager.co.uk We pride ourselves in our efficient customer service, swift response, attention to detail and local www.tw-property.co.ukknowledge ARMA accredited agents TW Property now offer Block Management services. Contact us today for more information. ‘If we’re looking at bills of £80,000-£100,000 – we’re dead’ FESTIVAL FEVER: Local & Live returned to Calverley Grounds at the weekend drawing thousands of music lovers to the town. Full Story P6-7
Alex Greig, owner of Fuggles Beer Café and vice chair of the RTW Business Improvement District (BID), surveyed local firms and found 95 per cent are unable to afford such hikes. He said: “I fixed my energy prices for three years around two-and-a-half years ago, so will need to renew in April. “I am looking at [paying] a tariff around four to five times higher – and that’s being conservative. “But if we’re looking at bills of £80,000£100,000 – we’re dead,” he said.
All the news that matters Local,
By Victoria Roberts
LOCAL firms are facing energy price rises of more than four times the previous rate and could soon start to fail without government help when bills land this winter, local business leaders say. The Government energy regulator announced last week that it would raise the ‘energy price cap’ for households to £3,549 per year – an increase of 80 per cent – from October 1. But the price cap only covers domestic customers, meaning businesses and other organisations in Tunbridge Wells are facing huge energy price hikes of over four times their previous bills when they renew fixed price contracts.
He added that he had taken measures to reduce energy consumption ‘but there was only so much you can do’. “Over in [Fuggles Beer Café] Tonbridge, I am going to be taking out 20 per cent of the lightbulbs.
Wednesday August 31 | 2022
Speaking to other local hospitality businesses, he says he has found 75 per cent have already had to renew energy contracts or are due to renew in the next 12“Inmonths.many cases the quotes have already risen by three or four times. In monetary terms, this is akin to an increase of over £100,000 per annum,” he said. “It’s not hit that many people so far, but it’s Robinbrutal.”Porter,managing director of Pig & Porter in Chapman Way said he expected numerous businesses to fail due to the price hikes.
A MAN who tortured his baby boy so badly his son had to have both legs amputated has had his automatic release from prison placed on hold under new powers to protect the public from dangerous offenders. Tony Hudgell, now seven, was badly abused by his birth parents Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson. The parents were sentenced in 2018 and ordered to spend 10 years in prison. Smith had been due for release in early September but his case has since been referred to the Parole Board. The referral overrides the automatic conditional release of a prisoner in specific circumstances where public safety is deemed to be at risk. Earlier this month Simpson's release on licence was also put on hold. Sentenced Tougher sentencing for child abusers came into force in June, meaning anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their household can now be sentenced to life in prison, increased from the previous 14-year maximum term. The sentencing changes under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 are known as ‘Tony's Law’, following campaigning by the youngster's adoptive family who have been supported by Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat.Tonywas41 days old when he was assaulted by his birth parents, an attack which caused multiple fractures, dislocations and blunt trauma to the face, leading to organ failure, toxic shock and sepsis.Hewas left untreated and in agony for 10 days, and due to the extent of his injuries both his legs had to be amputated.
Power Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said: "The first duty of government is to protect the most vulnerable and no-one is more vulnerable than a "Ichild.will do everything in my power to prevent another child enduring the abuse inflicted on Tony Hudgell." Tony Hudgell's adoptive mother, Paula, who lives in Kings Hill, previously welcomed the halting of automatic release, saying she was ‘over the moon’. She said: "I'm forever thankful that Dominic Raab has supported Tony's Law and it just shows how much it was needed and actually how important a child cruelty register would be."
A21 (Northbound and Southbound between Vauxhall Lane and Longfield Junction) Carriageway and lane closures for fencing and road repair works. Overnight (8pm-6am) on weekdays, August 31 to September 23 A26 Eridge Road (south of Ramslye Road) Traffic controls (signals) for broadband works (Openreach). September 1-5 A26 Southborough (near junction with Yew Tree Road) Roadworks for broadband works. Signals September 5-9 A264 Pembury Road Traffic signals for emergency gas works until September 2 at 11:59pm. Also traffic signal controls for waterworks, September 3-4
Abusive father is set to stay in prison following the ‘Tony’s Law’ campaign
ON THE RAILS
“We are riding the perfect storm of energy price hikes, food and drink wholesale costs going up and consumers experiencing the same issues and possibly going out less.”
“It is targeted. You’re not offering a VAT cut to any business which doesn’t need it because its fixed-price contract is still running. As for grants, how do you means-test this? It’s very open to fraud – we saw that with Covid measures,” added Mr Greig. However, he said without government help, small businesses would not survive and has written to Tunbridge Wells MP, Greg Clark, to ask what the government can do to help struggling businesses.MrClark,who returned to government as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in July, told the Times he would be raising the issue with the new Prime Minister when he or she is elected next week. He added: “The record level of oil and gas prices is having a big impact on the finances of small“Whilebusinesses.thewarin Ukraine is driving higher prices, I think there is a strong case for helping viable businesses to get through this period, as was done successfully through Covid.
He said: “As everyone is affected by this crisis it seems inevitable that disposable income will collapse and small businesses across all sectors will“Thisfail.needs to be taken as seriously as the first wave of Covid.”
All of his respondents had already raised prices this year, and 68 per cent plan on doing so again before Christmas. However, he warned: “Only one-third of businesses are seeing trade as they’d expect. Over 50 per cent have noticed a dip in trade recently.”
Businesses have already begun to close, with Thai Lemongrass in
cutassmallhelpcallingBusinessesforcrisis.thethisforclosingannouncingSouthboroughitwasitsdoorsthelasttimeweekduetocost-of-livingTheFederationSmall(FSB)isfordirectwithbillsforfirms,aswellaskingforaVATonenergy.TimAker,FSBdevelopment
EDITOR RICHARD richard.williams@onemediauk.co.ukWILLIAMS | 01892 240626 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.ukLEAHY | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER VICTORIA newsdesk@onemediauk.co.uROBERTSk | 01892 779615 DESIGN/PRODUCTION JASON jason.stubbs@onemediauk.co.ukSTUBBS ADVERTISING 07557 robin.singer@onemediauk.co.uk847841 FIND US ONLINE twitter.com/timeslocalnewswww.timeslocalnews.co.ukfacebook.com/timeslocalnews CONTACTS One Media and Creative UK Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 5398960 with registered office at 45 Westerham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB. Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TF PRINTED BY MORTONS PRINT LTD Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times Local News 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. this week… HIGH NOTES The Bank Holiday was a blast thanks to the music LivebestshowcasingfestivaltheofLocal&
“I will make sure that the new Prime Minister is aware of the pressing need for this.”
Mr Greig’s surveys found that 95 per cent of respondents said their businesses would be unviable if their energy went up by four times.
TOP MARKS Year 11 students got their results last week, in a welcome return to normality after two years of pandemic disruption P4
Continued from front page
Local firms fear closure from energy price hikes ALEX GREIG 22° 14° &WEATHERTRAVEL 18° 12° 22° 14° 22° 13° 21° 13° 19° 12° 19° 12°
ON THE ROADS
manager in Kent, said: “Without additional support, we fear large numbers of businesses may close or downsize because of dramatic increases in energy prices. “Our final plea is for consumers to use their local independents, small retailers, and hospitality venues if and when they can.”
Broom Lane, Broadwater Forest (Frant) Road closure for carriageway repairs. Diversion via Langton Road. September 1-2 Forest Road Roadworks for Trooli broadband until Sept 2 at 7pm. Roadworks for Openreach broadband September 6-9
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:2 NEWS Local News Wednesday August 31 | 2022
Frant Road (between no. 79 (Tettenhall) and no 93) Traffic controls for drainage cleansing. August 31-September 1 Holden Road, Southborough (between A26 London Road and Vale Road) Road closure for broadband works September 5-9
Tess and Murat Askin, owners of TN1 Bar & Kitchen in Monson Road added: “It was less than a year ago that our energy bills were around £1,600 a month. It’s now over £2,500 and that’s not even guaranteed or fixed.
P6 HEART HERO Kerrie Kent has been recognised for her fundraising efforts after a promotionlifetime’s of the cause P11 FIRING AMBITION North Kent College’s addresses the chef shortage with industry links and mentor meetings to inspire their catering students P28
However, Mr Greig said offering grants was ‘too broad a stroke’, while a VAT cut on energy for the commercial sector would cost a lot of public money and ‘won’t touch the sides’ for businesses.Hecalledinstead for the government to set a ‘unit cost’ of energy and standing charge at pre-crisis levels, with the difference between that ‘realistic’ price and the market price of energy paid for by the energy company or via government with a rebate to businesses.
Respondents
Speldhurst Road (Southborough) Temporary signals and road closures for gas works. Until October 3 Engineering work between Charing Cross and London Bridge/ New Cross all weekend (September 3-4) Hastings line services will run to/ from London Bridge, and will be diverted between London Bridge and Tonbridge via East Croydon On the Paddock Wood line, the Charing CrossRamsgate line trains (via Tonbridge/ Ashford) will run to/from Victoria
WED 31ST THU 1ST FRI 2ND SAT 3RD SUN 4TH MON 5TH TUE 6TH OfficeMettheofCourtesy
TWO teenagers have appeared in court accused of murdering a 20-year-old Tonbridge man following a fatal stabbing earlier this month.
Operations Manager at the Environment Agency, Ian Nunn, said: “It is very hard to tell if an algal bloom is toxic just by looking at it, so it’s safest to assume it is. “People should keep themselves, children and pets away from the affected stretch of river from Tonbridge to Yalding until further notice and avoid skin contact with the water or algae.”
THE Pantiles is to play host to another celebration of all things jazz- and gin-related as a popular music and drinks festival returns at theTheweekend.Pantiles
Business Rates Holiday: There is a 12-month business rates holiday (April 20 to March 21) for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England.
If you believe your tax liability for 21/22 will be lower than that of 20/21, on which the payments on account are based, you can elect to reduce them. You need to be careful when doing so as reducing them too far will lead to interest and, possibly, penalties if HMRC believe any excessive reduction is deliberate. When you make payment, ensure you use the correct bank details for HMRC and the correct reference. The bank details should be on your latest statement. If you can’t find them, they can be found here: Uniquecharactersbank-details.www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill/Thereferencenumbertouseis11comprisingyourpersonal10-digitTaxpayerReferencefollowedbytheletter ‘K’.
Teenagers charged after fatal stabbing of a Tonbridge man
Local tipples on show include the new Mousehall Gin from Tidebrook, Birch Gin from Wadhurst, Greensand Ridge Gin from Westerham, Pipehouse Gin from Tunbridge Wells and the eponymous Mayfield Gin. Spirit As well as over 40 different gins, organisers say there is also a rum section for those wanting a different spirit, following a surge of interest inAlongrum. with the drinks there will be plenty of food stalls, including Fuller’s burgers, Rascal’s chilli chicken or a tasty dish from Mauritian Coalition.Organiser Julian Leefe-Griffiths from the Tunbridge Wells Hotel said the gin festival ends a summer of events on The Pantiles, but more events are scheduled for the autumn. He added: “It's been a fantastic summer, with great support from the residents and visitors to Tunbridge Wells for all of our festivals. “Numbers at Thursday night’s jazz have been incredible as well as weekends and the spring food“Wefestival.havea really busy September planned, starting with the aforementioned Gin & Jazz Festival on September 3-4, followed by the Harvest Food Festival the weekend after, then on the third weekend (September 16-17), we have the marvellous Pantiles Antiques Festival to round off the season. “So get these dates in your diary and remember to save some energy for partying on the Pantiles.”
By Robert Forrester
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: HMRC will reimburse 80% of wages paid to workers who have be laid off due to the coronavirus crisis. This is capped at £2.5k per employee per month.
The Environment Agency is alerting boaters, river users, dog walkers and residents following the confirmed presence of bluegreen algae at several locations along a 12km-stretch of the Medway between Tonbridge to Yalding in Kent.
THE leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council got a taste of what it’s like to work as a binman in the town as he joined a recycling and waste crew collecting garden waste on one of the hottest days of the year. Ben Chapelard, who was elected Leader just over three months ago, says he wanted to take the opportunity to find out how Council front-line teams operate on a day-to-day basis.
Picture: Sean AidenBy Victoria Roberts
The police had also previously arrested a 16-year-old girl and a 47-year-old woman who have since been released on bail pending further enquiries, police said last week.
AS K Darren Austin at Synergee Darren Austin is a director of Synergee Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants & business advisers based in Tunbridge Wells. If you have any questions you'd like to ask Darren he can be contacted on 01892 772960 | www.synergee.org.uk In place of the usual Q&A, the following are some of the support packages that have been made available to help businesses deal with the Coronavirus:
In order to become a member of the waste collection team, which empty 49,000 bins each week, Cllr Chapelard had to undergo training at the Council’s depot in North Farm before joining a crew working in Tunbridge Wells. He said: “It’s tough work – hot and smelly. I think the shift with the team improved my understanding of how the recycling and waste service operates. I’m hoping to go out again in the rural areas to further understand the challenges of collecting bins over such a large area.”
Tunbridge Wells Council Leader joins waste crew
COUNCIL TIP Cllr Chapelard on his round
Detective Inspector Lee Neiles, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We thank those who have come forward with information so far and we are continuing to appeal for witnesses. It is crucial that we speak to anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious, just after midnight.
Income Tax Deferral: The self-assessment second payment on account, due by 31 July 2020, will be deferred to 31 January 2021. No penalties or interest will be charged.
“The area where the victim was assaulted was close to Tonbridge Park and a large number of residential properties. If you think you may be able to assist the investigation, please don’t hesitate to call us.”
The perfect tonic for September as gin festival returns to The Pantiles
Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have appealed for anyone with information who have not yet contacted police, to contact them on 101, quoting reference 46/YY/13700/22.
Cash Grants: A grant of £10k will automatically be provided to all businesses currently entitled to Small Business Rates Relief. A grant of £25k can be claimed for businesses in the retail, hospitality or leisure industry if their rateable value is between £15k and £51K.
VAT Deferral: The deferral will apply from 20 March to 30 June 2020. There is a lack of clarity on the Gov. uk website and we are interpreting this as payments due by 30 June rather than quarters ended 30 June. This means that May quarter VAT Returns, where payment is due by 7 July, will still be payable as normal. Any payments deferred will become payable by the end of the tax year (31/3/21 Company or 5/4/21 Unincorporated)
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Local News NEWS 3Wednesday August 31 | 2022 NEWS IN BRIEF
VIEWCOUNTER with If you fall under the self-assessment system for income tax, there is a chance that you have a payment on account falling due by 31 July. This predominantly relates to the self-employed (sole traders or partners), property investors or shareholders receiving dividend income. There is only a requirement to make payments on account if your tax liability for the year ended 5 April 2021 was overThis£1,000.isthe second payment on account for 21/22, with the first one falling due by 31 January 2022. Each of the payments is 50% of your tax liability for 20/21. Whilst it may seem that the payment is in advance, the first payment is 10 months into the tax year and the second 4 months after it ended. However, as there is no requirement to submit your Personal Tax Return until 31 January 2023, it may well be in advance of you having calculated the actual overall liability for 21/22.
Gin & Jazz Festival comes to the iconic Tunbridge Wells promenade on Saturday and features gins from around the world.
The two suspects have also been charged with the attempted robbery of Mr Waugh, as well as an additional count of robbery in relation to two men who had been with him before the alleged murder.
VICTIM Thomas Waugh
Time to Pay Arrangements: In addition to the deferral schemes noted above, if you have outstanding tax liabilities (Corporation Tax, VAT or Income Tax) due to coronavirus, you may be able to agree a time to pay arrangement. Arrangements will be agreed on a case by case basis. To discuss your options, contact HMRC on 0800 0159 559. Further info and updates can be found here: www.synergee.org.uk/press-releases/coronavirus-updatehttps://
A 17-year-old boy from Coulsdon and a 16-yearold boy from Tonbridge appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court last week (Wednesday, August 24) charged with murder. Neither can be named due to legal reasons. Presence The victim has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Waugh, who was assaulted during the early hours of Friday, August 19. His family has given permission for his picture to be published. His death led to a large police presence in Tonbridge the day after the attack as officers searched for evidence.
Algae warning DOG walkers in the area are being told to avoid standing water after toxic algae was found in the River Medway.
“This has certainly been a contributing factor in Benenden’s strong performance this year. If only every student in this country had the same access to educational resource to enable them to achieve their potential.”
BEN WILDMAN (TWGSB) “It didn’t quite feel real. The overall experience probably didn’t feel what we expected. It’s been stressful. But we all got in to the sixth form – they lowered the points requirement.”
JUMPING FOR JOY – Girls from Kent College take to the air to celebrate their success
GREGORY’S GIRLS Among the pupils from St Gregory’s in Reynolds Lane was Isabelle Perkin (far left) who achieved 9s and 8s in all subjects. She said: “I was very nervous awaiting the day’s results, but happily, when I tore open the envelope I was delighted to see that I had scored 9s and 8s in every subject and a lot of my friends had too!”
Samantha Price, headmistress of Benenden School in Cranbrook, announced record results, which included 50 per cent of all grades being Level 9. But she added: “Frankly, however, our pride in these results is tinged with disappointment that not every student in the UK was able to benefit from continuity of education throughout the pandemic.“DuringCovid, we were in a position to immediately switch to online learning without students missing a single lesson.
Meanwhile St Gregory’s Catholic School said three-quarters of students achieved five or more ‘standard passes’ – at grade 4 or above. Over 90 per cent of pupils achieved a standard pass in English, with over three quarters gaining a ‘strong pass’ – of grade 5 or above.
SOLIDARITY – Skinners pupils (L-R) Ryan Beckett, Felix Waring, Blake Baker, Bertie Price, Kevan Pussella were all happy with their results
between 2020 and 2021 (when assessment was done directly by schools and colleges) and 2019 (the last year exams took place),” she stressed.
By Victoria Roberts HEAVY rainfall didn’t dampen this year’s GCSE students as 15 and 16-year-olds flooded into schools last Thursday (August 25) to receive their results.Thisyear’s Year 11s were the first cohort to sit exams for the last two years, and lost months of classroom time thanks to school closures and quarantines among both students and school staff during the pandemic. Top grades for GCSEs were down on last year – but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, the proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades surged to an all-time high after exams were cancelled for the second year in a row due to Covid-19 and pupils were given results determined by their teachers. In England, the traditional A* to G grades have been replaced by 9-1 system, where nine is the highest. A ‘4’ is broadly equivalent to a C grade, and a ‘7’ is broadly equivalent to an A. The proportion of entries receiving a 4 –considered a pass – dropped from 77.1 per cent in 2021 to 73.2 per cent this year, a fall of 3.9 percentage points, but higher than 67.3 per cent inGirls2019.continued their lead over boys this year, with 30 per cent of entries achieving a 7, compared with 22.6 per cent for males. The gap has closed slightly from last year, when 33.4 per cent of female entries were awarded 7 or above ,compared with 24.4 per cent for males, a lead of 9.0 percentage points. Every region in England saw a fall in the proportion of pupils getting a 7 or above, although 32.6 per cent of London students achieved that level. In Southeast England, 29.2 per cent of entries were 7 or above, compared to 31.9 per cent in 2021 and 23.5 per cent in 2019. Hannah Knowles, Principal of The Skinners’ Kent Academy, said: “Despite all the challenges the world of the last two years, our Year 11 students have approached their studies with resilience and a determination to make the most of the opportunities while here at the Academy. “This year is very much a ‘transition year’
In maths, 80 per cent achieved a standard pass and more than half achieved a strong pass. Four fifths achieved the standard pass in English and maths combined, and over half achieved a strong pass in the two core subjects.
Every region in England saw a fall in the proportion of pupils getting a 7 or above, although 32.6 per cent of London students achieved that level.
RAINPROOF – Will Benson and Kris Ivanov braved the rain to get their results in person at Skinners’ School
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:4 NEWS Local News Wednesday August 31 | 2022
At Beacon Academy in Crowborough, headteacher Anna Robinson singled out five students who achieved grade 8+ (or equivalent) in all of their subjects, including many grade 9s – Abbie Jones and Hannah Robertson with eight 9s each, Theo Hall with seven 9s, Abi Nowicki with six 9s and Annabelle Bentley with five 9s. Mayfield, an independent Catholic girls’ school reported 44 per cent of those taking Further Maths achieved a grade 9, while almost all of the drama students achieved 8 or 9.
“This means that overall grades will be adjusted to lie between the two [years] nationally.”
Pupils brave the rain on results day as GCSEs are down on previous years
Energy Pal Energy Made Simple in association with CubaLibre CubaLibre Dark Spirit 11am - 7pm Great Food • Top Sounds Chill-Out • Funkster DJ Festival 2022Gin & JazzIntroduces ON THE PANTILES SAT 3RD & SUN 4TH SEPTEMBERFREEENTRY
The popular free festival drew more than 10,000 music lovers to the town from all over the UK and beyond for three days of entertainment, with the weather even bringing sunshine for most of the weekend. While the event the festival returned at the weekend for its seventeenth year, it nearly never happened due to financial woes.
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THE Bank Holiday weekend played host to more than a hundred live music acts as Local & Live returned following financial troubles that threatened to silence the event this year.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:6 NEWS Local News Wednesday August 31 | 2022
In 2019, the event officially became a charity with a remit to support, encourage and nurture local music and culture.
But the festival costs about £60,000 to stage, with the bulk of the money being spent on staging, PA and lighting systems, security and ‘This is the seventeenth year of Local & Live and it’s been the biggest turnout we’ve ever had – I’ve never seen so many people at the event. It was absolutely fantastic’
TIGER TREAT A young music fan keeps cool
Thousands flock to Calverley Grounds as music festival hits all the right notes
Photography,MartinNigelpictures:All
The annual event is designed to showcase the leading original soloists and bands from the local area, but all acts play free of charge, although some made money from royalties and selling their CDs.
HAZZARDALANA GUITAR MAN Taj Mian of Half PicnicMoon
By Richard Williams
Organiser Paul Dunton told the Times: “This significant financial boost, coupled with grants from The BID, numerous sponsorships and donations from the local business community, along with support and assistance from TWBC effectively saved the day and Local & Live 2022 could therefore go ahead as planned.
‘All the bands were incredible – just so many amazing performances – particularly our three headliners’ PAUL
DUNTON ORCHESTRA
“My primary hope was that Local & Live would go on to be a highlight of the summer, something for everyone to look forward to and enjoy, for the musicians involved, the local traders, our sponsors and the local community.”
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Local News NEWS 7Wednesday August 31 | 2022
REFRESHMENTS A volunteer takes a break
marshals, plus insurance. A deficit of £20,000 was finally plugged this year when local business Maxipay Accounting Services signed up to be headline sponsor, ensuring the festival could go ahead.
PAUL DUNTON draws breath and tells us how he feels now it’s all over… That is what Local & Live is all about, showcasing a melting pot of creative grassroots music from seasoned campaigners like the headline acts, to new artists making their first steps. This year’s programme featured acts of all ages. Incredibly, our youngest performers were just 12 years old. In recent years, I feel Local & Live has now developed a more laidback relaxed festival vibe. Calverley Grounds is most definitely its naturalSometimeshome.it is the little details, like having a face painter, arts and crafts, the food and drink quarter, various stalls and stands, all of which help to embellish the event and give it the family-friendly festival vibe. Despite all the difficulties we faced over the past year, I really enjoyed organising Local & Live 2022 and I feel that we now have a solid festival team and format all in place that will enable the event to develop and thrive for years to come. Calverley Grounds once again proved to be a wonderful location as a central point for the event and I know all the musicians involved really enjoyed performing on such a wonderful stage to many thousands ofThankfully,people. the weather gods gently smiled on us, I can’t express how relieved I was to see the sun shining, even if it was in small doses. Roll on 2023!
‘SHOWCASING A MELTING POT OF CREATIVE GRASSROOTS MUSIC’
THE
“Day three of Local & Live came to a climactic finish with Noble Jacks giving an incredible headline performance – what a brilliant way to sign off the three days of gigs in Calverley Grounds,” added Paul Dunton. Atmosphere “This is the seventeenth year of Local & Live and it’s been the biggest turnout we’ve ever had – I’ve never seen so many people at the event. It was absolutely fantastic – the atmosphere, energy and positive vibes were just wonderful and it was just so lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves at Local & Live. “All the bands were incredible – just so many amazing performances – particularly our three headliners. Double Knife on Friday night rocked Calverley to its knees, as did Suncharmer on Saturday night. “Then to have Noble Jacks to bring Sunday to a close was just amazing. I’m so pleased –especially with all the help we had from our volunteers and the sound guys who did a fabulous job,” Paul continued. “Then on day four we saw more live music being performed at The Forum and The Sussex Mews all day. “Hand on heart this year was the best Local & Live ever and that was certainly reflected in the turnout, and the general goodwill and all the lovely messages we’ve had from people and all the positivity on social media. “I’m very tired – and slightly broken – but ultimately absolutely delighted with how everything went over the weekend!”
The bank holiday musical extravaganza was headlined by local bands Noble Jacks, Suncharmer and Dull Knife who performed on the main stage in Calverley Grounds. Other venues, including The Forum, played host to a range of other bands and music acts. While food choices over the weekend ranged from Indian and Thai to vegan and everything in between, there were beer tents and bars nearby to quench the thirst.
TOWN planners in Tunbridge Wells have received an application to divide a former kitchen shop on Grosvenor Road between well-known food outlets – KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) and Taco Bell.
Jobs in Kent will be both full-time and part-time and will be at all levels, the company confirmed.Positioning itself as the UK’s best-paying supermarket, Aldi last month announced a second pay increase this year for its store employees.
The application, lodged with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) earlier this month, called for the 685 square metre premises to be split into two fast food restaurants with takeaway. The KFC restaurant and takeaway will have a proposed 36 covers and employ eight full-time staff and 12 Meanwhile,part-timers.thenewTaco Bell restaurant and takeaway would be able to seat 34 customers, with 10 full-time and 16 part-time employees. TWBC validated the application earlier this month, but it is not on the agenda for the next planning meeting on September 1.
Aldi to boost recruitment in Kent while increasing staff pay rates nationwide
Success From September, in-store employees outside the M25 will earn a minimum hourly rate of £10.50, with paid breaks included.
Takeaway
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“Our finder’s fee is available to anyone who can find Aldi an appropriate site, so we’d encourage people to share any suitable suggestions and get in touch.”
GERMAN retailer Aldi has begun an expansion drive which will see it hire 161 new staff across Kent, including Tunbridge Wells, as well as boosting salaries. Aldi is now the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket, but plans to grow even further by creating 2,000 permanent new jobs across the UK this year.
Planning application to turn kitchen shop into two fast food restaurants
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Kelly Stokes, recruitment director at Aldi UK, said: “As we continue to grow and make Aldi accessible to even more shoppers, we need more amazing colleagues across the country to help make that possible.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Wednesday August 31 | 20228 BUSINESS Local News
Announcing the Kent recruitment, Aldi said it would recruit posts from store assistant and deputy manager all the way up to store manager, with salaries of up to £33,815.
“We look forward to welcoming even more great people in Kent to become a part of our success.”Aldiopened its first supermarket in Tunbridge Wells at the Great Lodge Retail Park on the North Farm industrial estate in November 2019, and had planned to open a second store in EridgeHowever,Road.the supermarket chain was forced to sell the plot in late 2021 when fellow German discounter Lidl opened a shop off Linden Park Road – about 100 yards away. Following that setback, Aldi said this summer that it would pay a ‘finder’s fee’ to anyone – staff or member of the public – who could find it a location to buy or lease. Speaking in July, national property director George Brown said Aldi UK was still in the hunt for a new store location in Tunbridge Wells.
Siobhan Stirling (2nd from right) at a previous MIYB meeting
Insight
WOMEN telling the story of their own businesses can motivate female-led ambition and start-ups, according to organisers of a seminar series on entrepreneurship.‘MakeitYourBusiness’ (MIYB) groups across the country, each with a ‘local champion’, offer aspiring local businesswomen information and opportunities to network with established female entrepreneurs as well as other local peers.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:Wednesday August 31 | 2022 Local News BUSINESS 9
A LOCALLY-BASED technology safety company is to co-sponsor the UK-wide Road Safety Week thisVisionTrack,November.whose UK headquarters is in Chapman Way at High Brooms in Tunbridge Wells, provides vehicle cameras, software and equipment to remotely monitor vehicle safety and driving, and is a long-term supporter of Brake, the road safety charity organising the event.
Magical Tunbridge Wells local champion Siobhan Stirling, the founder of Sharp Minds Communications, said: “The story-sharing element of Make It Your Business is so powerful – I see each member of the audience having at least one lightbulb moment as they connect directly with something one of the panellists hasMsshared.”Stirling will chair the next event, on September 23, introducing keynote speaker
‘Our aim is to use the event to raise awareness of road safety within our workforce, customers, partners, and the communities we operate in’
CEO Simon Marsh said: “Our aim is to use the event to raise awareness of road safety within our workforce, customers, partners, and the communities we operate in, so we can help reduce unnecessary deaths and injuries. “Over the coming weeks we will be engaging with these important stakeholders to get them involved, as well as organising our own fundraising initiatives.”
Make It Your Business Tunbridge Wells is on Friday, September 23, from 10.30am-12.30pm at The Finance Hub, The Pantiles. For tickets, search for the event at: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Female entrepreneurs’ roadshow MIYB returns to Tunbridge WellsNETWORKING
Road Safety Week takes place across the UK from November 14-20, with the theme ‘Safe roads for all’ covering issues including speed, vehicle safety and the design of roads. Cyclists This year’s event will also raise awareness of government proposals last December to change the Highway Code to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. Brake CEO Mary Williams said: “The company is already a long-time supporter of our Fleet Champions Awards, and we’re thrilled they are joining our other key partners, DHL and Arval, to raise awareness of road safety and ensure Road Safety Week continues to be a huge success.”Detailsof the event are can be found on the following website, where you can also sign up to get involved: Brake.org.uk/road-safety-week
Denise Hamilton, chief corporate affairs and communications officer of Tunbridge Wells-based Childrensalon.Alsoonthepanel next month are Pam Loch of employment consultants Loch Associates, Sarah Raine of the Colley Raine & Associates marketing agency, and coach and small business owner DeeMIYBAirey.was founded by Alison Cork, a writer, broadcaster and entrepreneur who is also an ambassador for the Business & IP Centre, a British Library spin-off which supports entrepreneurs. She said: “Creating a space for local businesswomen to network with each other and learn from each others’ successes – and failures – is a magical formula which our audiences tell us time and again gives them valuable insights to apply to their own businesses.”
The company records an average of four million miles of driving a day, and 35 billion data points a month “This gives the company unique insight into vehicle journeys, traffic levels and driver behaviour, supporting its vision to create a world where all road users are kept safe from harm,” said a spokesman. Although Road Safety Week involves schools, organisations and communities across the UK, VisionTrack said it also planned to use its own connections to spread best practice.
Local tech safety company to sponsor UK’s Road Safety Week
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FROM NO WAY TO 5K – The ‘5K Your Way’ group welcomed the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre to the group’s monthly meet-up on August 28
“We thank you for your patience while we worked to overcome technical issues to open the branch this week,” she added. The new Post Office location opened with one counter, but cannot offer passport check and send, Parcelforce Worldwide services, driving licence renewals, vehicle tax, travel money, international driving permits and National Express Services. All of these services are available at Five Ways Post Office in Tunbridge Wells, said the Post Office.
Crowborough’s Kerrie dubbed a Heart Hero
CROWBOROUGH creative Kerry Kent may have been born with a heart defect, but that has not affected her appetite for life, and she has now been nominated as a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Heart Hero this year for her fund-raising efforts.Bornwith a problem that meant repeated surgeries and a serious infection last year which nearly killed her, Kerrie has always worked to raise awareness about heart disease in younger people, and has fundraised for related charities all her life.
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A COMMUNITY group set up to fight cancer through exercise has broken down the task of running or walking five kilometres to make it easier for people to go the distance.
‘5K Your Way’ community group makes exercise more manageable to beat cancer
“We supported 5k Your Way today and met some very lovely people,” a Pickering team member posted on Facebook. “Please come and join us, it is great fun and keeps you fit!” Billing itself as a ‘coffee morning with a difference’, the Tunbridge Wells group meets near the café in Dunorlan Park at 8:45am before the official Parkrun starts at 9am. But it is the extra support of the group which makes the distance more manageable, according to the volunteers.“Thereare people who run or walk half the distance, or walk just one loop round the lake. You don’t have to complete the full 5K distance to take part,” said the group. “Our ambassadors Lindsay, Richard, Alyson and Vikki will be there to support you, and we meet for a coffee afterwards, which is why it’s called ‘a coffee morning with a difference’!”
Emily Clive, Post Office Network Provision Lead, said: “We are delighted to have a temporary Post Office in central Tonbridge again as we know how important a Post Office is to a community. Solution “We sincerely thank Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for working with us to find this suitable location, in this fantastic setting, while we continue to look for a permanent solution.
Kerrie has even found that her two businesses drive each other forward, as clients find out about the other side of her life.
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Community News NEWS 11Wednesday August 31 | 2022
The Tunbridge Wells ‘5K Your Way’ initiative aims to encourage those living with and beyond cancer – including families, friends, and those working in cancer services – to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at a local Parkrun event on the last Saturday of every month.
Although she had been talking publicly about heart disease in younger people for years, the infection which nearly killed her last year brought her a bigger following as her ‘brave’ message spread while she was fighting for her life and later recovering. “My story started to resonate with people,” she said.“Alot of clients have come back to me since what happened last year, and some clients have become friends. “Work is the focus that keeps me going and drives me forward. Raising money and helping – that’s my passion now.”
Post Office opens in Tonbridge Castle after branch shuts door
A proportion of ‘brave’ sales go to BHF and The Brompton Fountain at the Royal Brompton Hospital, which has been treating her since she was a mean so much to me and I will always keep raising funds for them for the rest of my life,” she said.
Founder Last Saturday (August 28), it was the turn of the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre in Tunbridge Wells to lend support to the initiative. Led by the drop-in centre’s founder Polly Taylor, the team joined in with the bank holiday crowd and urged others to join in, too.
“However, Tonbridge needs a full service available so we will continue our dialogue with the Post Office and do everything we possibly can to support its search for a permanent and easily accessible base.”
By Victoria Roberts
Struck Her testimonial about what it was like to be a heart surgery patient has also been featured as part of a BHF information booklet written for patients waiting for heart surgery. Fund-raising has even become a major strand of her creative career. After a marketing career in London and Tunbridge Wells, Kerrie struck out on her own seven years ago, setting up two businesses –Brand Studio, which helps small creative entrepreneurs with branding and design, and Gold Hearted Club, which raises money for heart charities through selling merchandise she designs.Hermerchandise – featuring a heart, cross and the word ‘brave’ – can be worn by people who are willing to talk about heart disease and the health problems that can come with it. Some people are afraid to ask about health matters, she explained: “I felt that a hard wall was put up – that I couldn’t talk about what was happening with me.” Her pins, t-shirts, bags and keychains ‘give people permission to talk about it’.
Having been recognised as an ‘innovative fundraiser’ by BHF, her story continues to spread.“Iwent back to work in January 2022. I’ve been gaining traction and speed and now I’m going at full speed,” Kerrie added. Her two businesses still fit around family life, meaning that she has been able to do the school run with her son Walter, who has just finished his first year at primary school. “It’s such a blessing,” she said.
TONBRIDGE town centre has a post office again, after Tonbridge & Malling Council offered space at the 13th century medieval castle. When the new ‘pop-up’ location opened last Friday, the town centre had not had a post office since July, when the town’s WHSmith shop closed, leaving the nearest post offices at York Parade and Higham Wood. The new pop-up Post Office will be based at the Council’s Gateway building attached to the castle’s 13th century gatehouse, and information posters will indicate which of the two entrances is best to use at the castle.
The Tunbridge Wells 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer group is on Facebook, or can be contacted through 5kyourway.org
Cllr Vivian Branson, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to step in and provide a temporary home for the services which are essential to so many of our residents rather than see our town centre left without a Post Office.
BRAVE HEART Kerrie Kent CASTLE
Temporary The premises are upstairs, but can be accessed by lift or stairs. The office will be open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, 9am-4:30pm on Friday and 9am12:30pm on Saturdays.
Along with his commercial success, Goldie was also awarded an MBE for his services to music and for the work he does for underprivileged, deprived and vulnerable children, as well as for CALM, a charity for people contemplating suicide. He overcame a difficult and turbulent start in life to get involved with several breakdance crews and become a renowned graffiti artist. He has also made his mark in acting, appearing in the James Bond movie ‘The World Is Not Enough’, Guy Ritchie’s ‘Snatch’ and even the top TV soap ‘EastEnders’.
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The organisers are also keen to encourage more tradespeople to show and share their skills, in order to help them to expand their horizons through the club. Adult volunteers can contact the group by calling 07470 850 028 or ticehurstyouthgroup@gmail.comemailing:
The weekly meetings offer the local secondaryaged children a safe space to socialise, hear from adult visitors and learn life skills in a village which has more social housing than anywhere else in the Rother District, other than the towns of Bexhill and Battle.
‘Contactless’ machine boosts donations in street collection by nearly 30 per cent
SHINING EXAMPLE Goldie gets down with the kids
Pressure Fourteen volunteers took part in the collection for lifeboat funds on the hot Saturday, and raised a total of £930.50 over a 10-hour period.
LIFE skills and guidance are always available to the 10-17 year olds at Ticehurst’s weekly Youth Group, but a special visitor earlier this month brought music to their ears and stars to their Recordeyes.producer, musician and celebrity DJ Goldie is currently on tour in the UK with singer Beverley Knight, but stopped off at Ticehurst’s village hall on August 17 to give the young people the benefit of his life experience.
STREET collectors for the Pembury branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) managed to boost their donations by nearly 30 per cent thanks to a contactless card machine. The collection at Tesco in Pembury on August 13 netted £711.50 in cash donations, but passers-by also donated £211 through the contactless card machine, the branch’s honorary chairman Peter Chartres told the Times.
From standard examination publications to more advanced material and even the latest Disney classics, we hold it all! Come and view our extensive sheet music selection instore or browse our online shop.
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Organiser Annie Alfille said: “Goldie’s visit will be able to raise the profile of the Youth Group and the hope is to encourage people to volunteer at the Wednesday sessions to be able to offer all the attention and support that the young people deserve.”
“This was a massive 76 per cent increase on the same event in August last year – despite the current economic climate, in which personal and family budgets are clearly under pressure,” said Mr“ThisChartres.demonstrates the continuing strong support from our local community for the RNLI, particularly during the current holiday season, when the important work of the RNLI Lifeguards on and around our beaches is being recognised,” he“Westressed.areextremely grateful for the generosity and supportive good wishes expressed by the general public during our collection,” he added, also thanking the volunteer collectors and Tesco staff. This was the second time the branch had used a contactless machine – borrowed from RNLI headquarters, and the change is proving a success, said Mr Chartres. “Approaching a quarter (22.7 per cent) of the money raised was via the 'contactless' card machine,” he confirmed. On the first trial, in the week leading up to Christmas 2021, contactless donations represented 18 per cent of the total. The RNLI receives no government help and relies entirely on donations and legacies to keep it running. www.rnli.org
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The Ticehurst Youth Group was set up in 2017 by Annie Alfille with the support of trained youth workers Matt and Mikala Davies, and can attract as many as 30 participants each week. The group is funded by Limden Vineyard, private individuals, Ticehurst Parish Council and Ticehurst Community Friends.
Musician shows his true heart of Goldie to Ticehurst youth group
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“His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”
“TK was a good kid, a good guy and what has happened breaks my heart…Rest in peace my Friend.”Apolice statement said: “At around 8pm on Monday, August 29 officers became aware of a stabbing in Ladbroke Grove, under the Westway flyover.“Officers provided emergency first aid to the victim – a 21-year-old man – until the arrival of London Ambulance Service paramedics.
“Our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with their terrible loss.
The force said “a number of violent incidents and serious stabbings” prompted a section 60 order to be put in place until 1am on Tuesday within the event’s borders. Police said 209 arrests had been made by early Tuesday, including 46 for assault, 36 for possession of drugs, 33 for possession of an offensive weapon, 27 public order offences and eight sexual assaults. There were 35 arrests the force labelled ‘other’, ten for possession of psychoactive substances, seven for drink/drug driving, five for criminal damage and one each for theft and robbery.
A London Ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.45pm on Sunday August 28 to reports of a person in labour within the footprint of Notting Hill Carnival.
The Met had earlier paid tribute to one of its most experienced and ‘affectionate’ horses that also died after collapsing while on duty at the carnival on Sunday. Police Horse Sandown, a 14-year-old chestnut gelding, had policed ‘all types of events’ across London during his seven years of service since being presented to the force in 2015. There was also a birth at the carnival although it is not known if the mother was a local resident or visiting the spectacle.
On Instagram he later wrote: “2 years ago a young 19 Year old man came from Bristol to meet me at my Studio with his dad, his name was Takayo Nembhard AKA TKorStretch.
Dr Alison Heydari, Commander of Local Policing, said early on Tuesday: “Officers from across the Met have been working tirelessly over the past two days to ensure that all those who came to Notting Hill Carnival could enjoy the experience“Regrettably,safely.on Monday evening we saw a number of violent incidents and a 21-year-old man has lost his life.
Priority “We treated an adult and baby at the scene and took them to hospital as a priority.”
Mr Nembhard was visiting the carnival with his sister and friends, his manager Chris Patrick said. Talented “He went to Carnival with his younger sister and friends to have a good time,” Mr Patrick added. “This is the worst possible ending for a talented kid.”
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MAYOR of London Sadiq Khan said he was ‘sickened’ by the death of a 21-year-old man at Notting Hill Carnival. The victim died after being stabbed at the carnival on Monday night, the Metropolitan Police said, adding that more than 200 arrests were made during the event.
The dead man has been named as Takayo Nembhard, a drill rapper from Bristol who used the stage name 'TKorStretch', his manager confirmed yesterday. The rapper had more than 300,000 plays on one of his songs on Spotify, and nearly 11,000 monthly listeners.
“They were able to extract him through significant crowds in challenging circumstances to a waiting ambulance. “He was taken to a west London hospital where, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead.
Monday New Time From 5th September
“Violence has no place on our streets and we are doing everything in our power to root it out.“Iurge anyone with information to contact the police on 101 or anonymously by @CrimeStoppersUK. There is no honour in staying silent.”
Following the incident on Monday night, Sadiq Khan tweeted on Tuesday morning: “I am sickened by this awful attack.
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“That meeting took us on a journey… we recorded some great music together. His talent was endless and I can tell you guys he was close to“Sogreatness!it’swith a heavy heart that I bring the news that Takayo (TKorStretch) passed away last night. He came from Bristol to simply have a good time at the London carnival and this is the end“Myresult!deepest condolences to TK’s Mother & Father his Brother, 2 Sisters, Girlfriend and child that will never meet his father!
“A murder investigation is under way, led by homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime“TheyCommand.willpursue every possible line of inquiry to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”
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Mayor ‘sickened’ by Notting Hill stabbing that left rapper dead
Truss is accused of avoiding public scrutiny after cancelling BBC debate Edinburgh clean up to begin after two weeks of bin strikes
“As per Public Health Scotland’s advice, any areas that need to be decontaminated will be, as part of street cleansing duties.”
SUPERMARKET giant Asda has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner in the bid to take over the Co-op Group’s petrol stations for £450million.
ASDA to bid for Co-op’s stations
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PM FRONTRUNNER Liz Truss has faced criticism for pulling out of a major television interview. Ms Truss was due to face the BBC’s Nick Robinson for a face-to-face interview scheduled to be broadcast at 7pm but pulled out because she could ‘no longer spare the time’. However, asked what events she was taking part in on Tuesday, her campaign said there was ‘nothing to flag today’. A source from Ms Truss’s campaign said she is not taking part in the interview, which she had agreed to, as she focuses on winning as many votes as possible and preparing for government. Nick Robinson said he is ‘disappointed and frustrated’, while a source in Mr Sunak’s team said avoiding scrutiny ‘suggests either Truss doesn’t have a plan at all or the plan she has falls far short of the challenges we face this winter’.
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Declined Ms Truss had already declined to be interviewed by veteran broadcaster Andrew Neil on Channel 4, while Mr Sunak has faced him and multiple other one-on-one broadcast interviews.Shedidtake questions from a GB News audience in Leigh, Greater Manchester, in an hour-long programme earlier in August –something Mr Sunak has avoided. Labour’s Chris Bryant said: “One sign of an authoritarian regime is when leaders only grant interviews to favoured journalists or simply refuse to be interviewed at all.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused of not submitting to scrutiny when he refused to commit to interviews with Neil and other broadcasters during the 2019 general election campaign. Ms Truss or Mr Sunak will be named as Tory leader on September 5 and the winner is expected to become prime minister the next day.The contest, prompted by the resignation of Mr Johnson as Tory leader on July 7, is taking place as the country faces a cost-of-living crisis, with the energy price cap rising by more than 80% in England, Scotland and Wales, sending the average household’s yearly bill from £1,971 toThe£3,549.inability of Mr Johnson’s administration to make major decisions has led to claims from critics of a ‘zombie government’ being in charge at a time of national crisis. The final hustings of the campaign takes place on Wednesday and voting closes at 5pm on Friday, with Rishi Sunak acknowledging he is the underdog in the race. But his supporter Matt Warman said the former chancellor is ‘still fighting absolutely for every vote’.
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The deal would free up cash for the convenience chain which last month announced it would cut around 400 jobs in the face of tough trading conditions worsened by rising inflation. Co-op Group – which owns supermarket chains and funeral care operations – has offloaded a number of its divisions over the past decade, including its chain of pharmacies and travel shops.Reports of the potential Asda deal also comes just a week after Shirine Khoury-Haq was appointed the group’s first female chief executive officer in its 159-year history.
The chain is in talks to buy the business as it prepares to move further into the UK’s convenience store market, according to Sky News.
A MAJOR clean-up operation has begun in Edinburgh as waste and cleansing services resume after nearly two weeks of strike action by workers.Thecity’s waste workers walked out on August 18 in a dispute over pay, but returned to work on Tuesday in the Scottish capital where huge piles of rubbish have accumulated in many streets. The strike was timed to coincide with Edinburgh’s festival season and spread to around two thirds of other council areas. Strikes in other areas end later this week, however another wave of industrial action in cleansing and education sectors will go ahead in many parts of the country next week after unions on Monday rejected the latest “unacceptable” offer from local authorities.
The deal could be confirmed as soon as this week although it is reported that other businesses are still interested in putting in bids for the assets. Asda – which runs 320 petrol stations across the UK – was taken over by the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital last year. It agreed to sell 27 of its forecourts in order to secure the acquisition following competition concerns by the regulator. But the billionaire brothers behind Issa Brothers abandoned a £750million plan to fold Asda’s petrol forecourts into its filling station empire in October.
Health
“Public Health Scotland previously warned the build-up of waste could become a risk to human health, and told councils that decontamination of public areas where bins have overflowed may be required”.Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day said: “All of our waste and cleansing crews will return to normal service on Tuesday.
Hundreds of schools will close over three days as education staff, including early years, join the strikeUniteaction.industrial officer Wendy Dunsmore warned that a ‘winter of discontent’ lies ahead. The union official told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “We are absolutely resolute that this is going to be a winter of discontent and it will escalate, but we are hoping against all hope that the Scottish Government and Cosla will see sense and get back round the table with a proper rise for the lowest paid within local authorities.
“At first we’ll be focusing street cleansing resources on the worst affected areas of the city and to help with this we will be bringing in additional resources to supplement our in-house crews from Tuesday.
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“While they’ll be working hard to catch up on collections and making every effort to collect litter across the city, we’re expecting things to take a little while to return to normal, and I’d like to thank all those living in, working in or visiting the city for their patience.
Independent Issa Brothers and TDR Capital also own EG Group, one of Europe’s largest independent fuel retailers, but people close to the auction process confirmed that Asda, not EG Group, is leading the talks with Co-op, Sky reported. If the acquisition goes ahead, Co-op’s approximately 130 petrol stations would move into Asda’s hands where it would be more closely tied up with the UK’s food retailing market.
Phil Wheeler Tunbridge Wells Labour Party Chair
There are storms ahead and we need competent leaders to weather them
£100,000pledgedCouncilvulnerable.mosttowillservices,spendwedecisionsinheritedto–spentadministrationpoorlynowwehaveremedythat.ThosebadmeanhavelesstooncriticalbutwealwaysactdefendtheThehasuptoto
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Wells are no longer accepting poor leadership. In fact, since 2015 they have consistently given more votes to other parties at Borough elections. So there’s hope. The new cross-party Borough Partnership is quickly coming to terms with the local economic mess left to us. The decades-old Tory
help support the neediest residents this winter, with a Community Support Fund. In tough days ahead, through an inevitably difficult winter and beyond, we will need to continue showing local solidarity to ensure everyone can access basic food and warmth. Each of us can contribute somehow. Donations are at record low levels at local food banks, schools need volunteers, and our fantastic local businesses need our custom more than ever. We have no alternative but to continue bridging the gaps left by our nationally failing government. We have recently demonstrated we don’t want the Conservatives controlling Tunbridge Wells, so change is possible. Modern In the local Labour Party, we’ll keep making progress. Electing more Labour councillors across the town will bring even greater focus to your priorities. At the national level Labour have short-term and long-term, fully-costed plans to lift us all to a fairer future. It was Labour’s idea to have an oil and gas windfall tax – now Keir Starmer has proposed freezing energy prices for six months and properly investing in a modern green future.There are storms coming, but nationally and locally the Labour Party is ready to offer competent leadership in the interests of all. Why not join us and be part of the change?
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT:16 NEWS Letters Wednesday August 31 | 2022
Join Mr Tom Carradine on the ol' Joanna As he presents an evening of timeless songs With audience participation Friday 30th September Friday 4th November Saturday 10th December Friday 16th December Thursday 22nd December Tickets £20 Per person (This includes an Antipasti board per person) Prebook Online Only Only 24 Tickets each night Enjoy a traditional sing a long while you dine, With a Twist You don't wear any clothes! Neither does the pianist Friday 2nd September £22.50 Prebook Online Only "NAKED" COCKNEY SING A LONG "THE GREATEST SHOWMAN" COURTYARD CINEMA THE GREEN DUCK COFFEE HOUSE & BAR "WHAT'S ON GUIDE" 53 Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells www thegreenduckemporium com Private Party Hire Available Up To 60 people Late Night Licence From as little as £100 per 4 hour event An amazing outdoor cinema experience The Green Duck Coffee House and Bar with a showing of The Greatest Showman Saturday 3rd September £10 00 Prebook Online Only THE HOME OF THE COCKNEY SING A LONG IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS ALL OUR EVENTS ARE PRE BOOKED ONLINE ONLY WWW THEGREENDUCKEMPORIUM COM IdealforyourCOffice hristmas Party!
WE’RE often described as especially fortunate in Tunbridge Wells. We have a thriving community life in many parts of the borough and by many measures, we live in one of the wealthiest parts of one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. So why does it feel like we are heading into a frightening economic storm? Green The cost-of-living crisis is the new reality in our town too – last week’s sickening energy price cap rise won’t be the end of our problems. David Cameron’s decision to ‘cut the green crap’ means we’re far more poorly energy-equipped as a nation – no subsequent Conservative administration has genuinely invested in our future. They’ve wasted twelve years, and the whole country will pay the cost. Sadly for all of us, the Tories appear entirely out of ideas. Even basic services are faltering. Fantasy economics and poor financial decisions seem to run through the entire party, from Truss to Tunbridge Wells. But weak politics has consequences. Voters across the country understand that the Tories have steered us into a storm
Philip Wheeler is Chair of the Tunbridge Wells branch of the Labour Party, and an energy policy professional. He went to school at Bennett Memorial, and holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Oxford.
HARRY HYPOCRITE Taking a break from telling people how to save the planet, eco-man Prince Harry turned out for a polo match last week. He flew 1,000 miles from his Californian home in a private jet churning out tonnes of carbon monoxide. Mind you he did arrive at the local airport in his electric SUV. Hang on though, didn’t his staff use a gas-guzzling SUV to carry his baggage? Yep, they did. Mr and Mrs Sussex (as they are known to some) have launched an eco-travel project. Of course they have.
Dr Alan SouthboroughBullionLabour
RESULTS The Times’ front page picture last week
Chin, chin dear reader… full. However, the Editor reserves
are not new I note another former Conservative councillor claims that the Conservatives left the borough council’s finances in ‘good shape’.Howcan anyone claim that when the council is spending more money to run its day-to-day services than it has coming in to pay for them?
Where exactly are elderly and disabled people like me, or parents with young children supposed to sit instead, especially when the waiting room is locked?
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Letters NEWS 17Wednesday August 31 | 2022 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 you can write to the Editor, Times of Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG
Charlotte TunbridgeSteerpikeWells
FINAL THOUGHT Rail workers say that financially they can afford to stay out on strike for months. Obviously they don’t need a pay rise!
New Tory leader needs to address housing targets Dear sir We do our best to publish letters in
WEIGHTY ISSUE Management (Mrs C) bought new bathroom scales which showed she had gained weight. So she gave them to Calverley and started using the old scales which showed she weighs less. Calverley is saying nothing. Zero. Zilch.
COVID has brought out a new breed of drinker. It used to be when customers walked into a pub they were asked what they wanted. Now days many are first asked for ID to prove they are 18. At least that’s Calverley’s view from his bar stool. According to the landlord the virus has changed the demographics. Older regulars (grown-ups) have not all returned, preferring to stay at home much more, while youngsters can’t wait to hand over £5 for a pint. Calverley quite enjoys being down with the kids. It’s a real education.
As a Conservative Party member, before casting my ballot in the leadership election I have written to the two candidates, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, asking for more detail about a key issue for us here in Tonbridge and Malling – housing targets. Later this week the first draft of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s Local Plan will be published. At the moment, Government targets mean we are having to plan for 16,000 homes until 2040. This is an average of 839 new homes each year. I am concerned at the impact this high housing target will have on our towns and villages, given much of our countryside is protected and the need to improve infrastructure is significant. That’s why I am seeking more detail from both candidates about how they will overcome this key concern for many people across Tonbridge and Malling.
Cllr Matt Boughton Leader Tonbridge & Malling Borough CouncilCouncildeficits
The Borough Partnership, contrary to the Conservatives’ claim, can read a balance sheet. The facts are: we have inherited a £944,000 deficit this financial year rising to £2.6million next year. Over the next five years the total funding gap is £20.8million if leftTheseunmanaged.annualdeficits have not been created in the last 92 days since the Borough Partnership administration started. The deficits were there before. Even the council’s independent auditors commented that the then Conservative-run council should stop plugging the deficits by raiding the council’s savings account. The Borough Partnership is taking urgent and decisive action, unlike the Conservatives, to safeguard the council’s finances so that residents can continue to enjoy the council services they tell us they value.
Observations on life and more important things Calverley DOG KNAPPING Walking the mutt Calverley chatted to another owner (oops, nobody ‘owns’ a dog these days). Anyway, the woman recalled how her Shih Tzu went missing. Days later she received a call saying the dog, with a microchip, had been found. Joy! The caller would be happy to bring it back – after being reimbursed for the vet’s bill of £450. The dog had needed a tetanus injection (they don’t). The owner called the police to say she was being blackmailed. They didn’t want to know. A leading animal welfare society also did not want to get involved. The woman drove 60 miles, on her own, to a street in Surrey where she had been told to park. Eventually a 4x4 pulled up and the driver demanded the cash before handing over a shaking, terrified dog. The 4x4 then followed her for several miles as she headed home. And they wonder why dog knapping is so rife.
Cllr Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Musical chairs at the station Having to change trains at Tonbridge station due to disruptions, I discovered that the seats on the upper part of Platform 3 had recently beenWhenremoved.Ienquired, a member of the station staff informed me without irony that the seats were moved due to young people congregating on them in the evening.
Town Councillor Cycling is an uphill battle Peter Lidstone wrote last week (Times, August 24) that people don’t cycle because they don’t feel safe, the roads are too busy and there are not enough cycle lanes. What may be more of the picture is that those cycle lanes that exist are underused because, most tellingly, Tunbridge Wells and its surrounding areas is too hilly; it’s this that deters many ordinary users, would-be cyclist commuters.Notmanybusinesses have changing and showering facilities so they can get out of sweaty gear. I see more cyclists at the weekend: enthusiasts kitted out in their lycra and very expensive sports bikes – more often than not using the roads rather than the lanes because they can go faster. Ben TunbridgeHardy Wells Jumping for joy over A-levels picture Where on earth would we be without the obligatory picture of young women mid-flight on hearing their A-Level results (last week’s front page), and it’s always young women – where are the lads?
the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words Where music matters Musical BrittensInstrumentSheetinstrumentsmusicrentalsServicing&repairsMusicSchool www.brittensmusic.co.ukTel:(01892)526659@brittensmusic
bewlwater.co.uk | @bewlwater SCAN HERE TO YOURPLANDAY SummerEndofActivitiesSale Up to 20% off activities this September* Aqua Park £21.00 £18.00 Laser Tag £15.00 £12.00 Child Cycle Hire £10.00 £5.00 Camping: 20% off *Bookings must be made by 10/09/2022 but can be booked for any date Septemberduring2022
Wednesday August 31 | 2022 Life&Times ARTS • BOOKS • GOING OUT • FOOD • EVENTS • ANTIQUES • TRAVEL • PROPERTY • LIVE MUSIC and MORE... Going Out P23 Antiques P28 Food – P24 A chance to shine The Talentz auditions young stars P20
20 Wednesday August 31 | 2022Arts arts CONTENT & CALM… From our contemporary club rooms to sumptuous suites One Warwick Park Hotel is the perfect combination of comfort & luxury for the ultimate relaxing getaway Prices from £125pn inc. Breakfast onewarwickpark.co.uk01892520587 @onewarwickpark *applicable on new direct bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers 10%USECODE‘BOOK10’forOFFB&BBOOKINGS*SCANTOBOOK The stage may be paved with gold for young Talentz old and new! This coming weekend (September 3 and 4), local theatre group The Talentz is hosting auditions for its new pantomime, Dick Whittington. Open to all young people aged 4 to 21 years, it promises to be a fun event and a great springboard for talented young performers. Eileen Leahy discovers more…
Ms King founded The Talentz in 2009, and since then the group has won several awards. The company is made up of specialists in the teaching and development of children and
21Wednesday August 31 | 2022 Arts ON SATURDAY and Sunday (September 3 and 4) The Talentz, one of Kent’s leading musical theatre companies, is hosting auditions for its pantomime, Dick Whittington, which it will be staged at the beginning of January 2023.
young adults who tutor them in the skills and attributes of the performing arts. “The Talentz gives students unique opportunities to grow and develop their life skills, creativity and character using performance, singing, dancing and acting,” explained Ms King. “Many of our students have gone on to esteemed specialist colleges, including Mountview, Urdang, Bird, Rose Bruford and many other top musical theatre and drama schools.“Uniquely,
Awards
Potential performers need to bring a prepared song with sheet music for the Musical Director, and scripts will be sent in advance of auditions. She added: “I am so delighted to be bringing Dick Whittington to the beautiful EM Forster Theatre in January 2023.
Debbie King, who runs The Talentz, told the Times: “The reason we are starting the audition process so early is simply because we know that rehearsing for a pantomime in the festive season can be a challenge for performers and parents/ carers alike. “For this reason we’ll be sticking to a Sundayonly rehearsal programme, and perform in January to enable families to be together over the Christmas period,” she said.
The Talentz pantomime only uses youth performers aged 4 to 21 years, giving young people opportunities to take major roles.”
“What makes The Talentz performance so unusual is that we have a professional creative team providing expertise to our cast, from Olivia Zacharia, our hugely talented Musical Director, to Jamie Rickers, our Assistant Director and one of our patrons – who is known as the face of Nickelodeon.“Jamiehasalso worked on many pantomimes across the country as well as multiple shows for children’s television. I love that the entire ensemble, including principals, gives the stage over to emerging talent through our brilliant youth performers.
“We believe passionately in opening these opportunities up to ALL young people, so the cast do not have to be members of The Talentz – anyone can audition.” Those interested in auditioning need to book a slot by emailing: debbie@thetalentz.com For more information, please visit: www.thetalentz.com You can also follow @TheTalentz on Facebook or @thetalentz on Instagram.
‘The Talentz gives students unique opportunities to grow and develop their life skills, creativity and character using performance, singing, dancing and acting’ PANTO FAVOURITE There is nothin’ like a Dame! SUPPORT ALL THE WAY Socanyoungstersrisehigh Free Bible lecture: Saturday 10th September 2022, 7.00 p.m. Hildenborough Village Hall 10 Riding Road, Hildenborough, Tonbridge TN11 9HY Subject: The ProphecyMiddleMessageGospelTodayEastern&InternationalEventsareFulfillingBibleandHeraldTheReturnofJesusChristtoEstablishGod’sKingdomonEarthandRewardThosewhoarePrepared Speaker : Mr. S. Summers The Apostolic Fellowship of Christ, Literature available on request Bethgur, 52a Dartford Rd, Dartford, Kent DA1 3ER
The series of auditions will take place at the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge this weekend, including Babes (4 to 8 years) from 2.15 to Intermediates3pm;(9to 13 years) from 3.15 to 4pm; and Seniors (14 to 21 years) from 4.30 to 5.45pm. Ms King went on to say that ensemble workshop auditions will take place between 3 and 4pm or 4.30 and 5.30pm on Saturday (September 3), with the principal auditions taking place on Sunday between 10am and 5pm.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Review by Prudence Wade
openingfriends,makingstoryout.toPearandjoinsOrange,newwhenchangegamesbuttogether,playingareLittlePearone.relatableinfinitelyBigandPearalwaystheirafriend,inBigstartsfeelleftIt’saaboutnewyourself up to new experiences and navigating jealousy. There’s no doubt that it certainly helps to see illustrations that are as sweet as the fruit, and there’s a message in there for every child.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels have previously followed fictional rock stars and Hollywood royalty, but her latest offering turns away from showbiz to the tennis.cut-throatsurprisinglyworldofCarrieSoto is a 37-year-old retired champion when she decides to return to the sport to claim her winning record back from British player Nicki Chan. Not every woman worries about winning a Grand Slam, but many can likely relate to youIt’squietexpectsspiritfiercelytryingwantinggettingchallengesSoto’switholder,itall,andtomanageacompetitivewhentheworldwomentostayandsmilenicely.forthesereasonsfindyourselfrooting for the star, in spite of an attitude which isn’t about endearing herself to others. Jenkins Reid has written yet another page-turner which will have you hooked – from the first serve to match point. Review by Eleanor Barlow
Parents and children alike will be delighted by the adorable illustrations in ‘A Pair Of Pears And An Orange’. After all, who wouldn’t want to see fruit brought to life, riding on bicycles and playing ping-pong? It might be a story about fruit, but it’s an
Times books editor Victoria Roberts picks out three gems to this week In this week’s bookcase, can former tennis champion Carrie Soto win back her place at the top, and does the world want her to – at her age? Next, a trio of monks in seventhcentury Ireland seek purity in isolation, but the struggle to survive is a true test of their faith. Finally, in this week’s children’s book, fruit is for sharing – or is it?
byHavenEmma Donoghue
7/10 9/10 8/10
A Pair Of Pears And An Orange by Anna McGregor Published in hardback by Scribe, priced £12.99
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Local News NEWS 17Wednesday April 7 | 2021 Times of Tunbridge Wells Largest circulated newspaper in the area Out every Wednesday Total weekly reach – 57,000 + 01892 779 580 or email advertising@onemediauk.co.ukLOCALNEWSPAPERS Advertisewithus...
Published in hardback by Picador, priced £16.99
read
Published in hardback by Hutchinson Heinemann, priced £16.99
As they wait for God to provide, faith and obedience begin to fight against survival. Donoghue’s disconcerting prose thickens the intensity in a slow-burn novel that simmers with passion, devotion and self-preservation. Review by Rebecca Wilcock
22 Books Wednesday August 31 | 2022
The literary repertoire of Emma Donoghue, the best-sellinginternationallyauthor of ‘The Pull Of The Stars’ and ‘Room’, seems to know no bounds. Her latest novel follows three monks in outIrelandseventh-centuryastheysettofoundanewmonastery.AfterPriorArtthas a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind, he sets off down the River Shannon with nothing more than a small boat and two companions –Trian, the younger one, and the older Cormac. Believing isolation will bring them closer to God, the three monks struggle to build a new life on a great piece of rock in the Atlantic.
For those not familiar with RTWAS then, in brief, it runs a full weekly programme of activities, many of which lead members to showcase their work in one or more of the society’s three annual full members’ exhibitions.“Thismeans these events are often the first time a painting will be shown anywhere,” adds Suzy. So why not head down to the RTWAS HQ on The Pantiles to view, and perhaps purchase, a unique piece of work from the artists themselves?Theexhibition is on at Sussex House, 61 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TE until Sunday September 4 from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily, and entry is free. For further details of the exhibition and membership, please email Suzy Phillips, Vice Chair at: info@rtwas.org
Soulstice Festival returns to Colebrook Park this weekend (September 2-3). Established in support of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Young Minds, it has raised over £12,000 for the two charities over the past three years. The festival will host a diverse line-up featuring some of the best emerging talent in the UK. Tickets from: eventbrite.co.uk
23Wednesday August 31 | 2022 Going Out
“THERE is a bit of a watery theme going on at Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society,” smiles artist Suzy Phillips, who’s also Vice Chair of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society (RTWAS).“Memories of summer holidays and days out are currently adorning the gallery walls,” she says, explaining the theme of the society’s current show. “In amongst the portraits you’ll also find images from our season of ‘plein air’ paintings and work produced from each artist’s imagination. Even our Jubilee celebrations will not be forgotten,” laughs Suzy, referencing the talented portrait of HM The Queen. She goes on to say that RTWAS has over 120 members who vary from gifted amateurs to professional artists and ‘everything in between’.
For an amazing outdoor cinema experience, The Green Duck Coffee House and Bar will be screening ‘The Greatest Showman’ this Saturday (September 3). Celebrate the birth of show business, as a visionary rises from nothing to creates a spectacle that becomes a worldwide sensation. Doors open at 8pm, with the film starting shortly after sunset. Bring a blanket or two and get comfortable as you tuck into the delicious snacks available at the bar. If you aren’t ready to pack away your summertime spirit, why not hide away at the Odeon from the rain (or the sun) and enjoy a summer blockbuster. ‘Minions: the Rise of Gru’ (U), ‘The Railway Children Return’ (PG) and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (12A) are all still on at the Odeon…
ROCK GARDEN: by Rosemarie Pilcher
The latest Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society exhibition is up and running and on until this Sunday. Here, its Vice Chair, Suzy Phillips, tells Eileen Leahy all about it
There’s story time for under-fives this Monday (September 5) at the National Trust’s Knole Park (Sevenoaks), where children can enjoy tales and nursery rhymes both new and old. This free event takes place every Monday. Meet in Knole’s bookshop in Green Court at 11am. Make the most of the last few weeks of summer at Bewl Water, where families can enjoy up to 20 per cent off selected activities. Throughout September, the Aqua Park is £18 (was £21), laser challenge £12 (was £15), child cycle hire £5 (was £10), and camping £11.20 per night (adult price, minimum two nights required, was £14). All bookings must be made online by September 10, but sessions can take place on any date throughout the month.
FOR a night of cinematic mystery, thrills and drama, head over to Trinity Theatre next Tuesday (September 6). What begins as a story of young love soon turns into murder in this captivating story from the best-selling novel ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’. For years, rumours of a Marsh Girl have haunted the quiet fishing village of Barkley Cove. Then, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect wild, barefooted Kya Clark…
Celebrating local artistic skills
The Pantiles’ ever-popular annual Gin & Jazz Festival returns this weekend (September 3-4). The sun-soaked event that has previously attracted more than 6,000 visitors will host over 30 producers of some of the world’s best gins, mouth-watering food stalls and toe-tapping jazz tunes on the bandstand each day. The festival will be taking place from 11am to 7pm. Entry is free. Is The Forum the space that launched a thousand hits? Well, it’s certainly launched several music legends! Now all are invited to this Saturday’s (September 3) album release by Kay Hazel, an independent alternative pop solo artist based in Tunbridge Wells. Her ‘sad bop’ sound is already known to regulars, but if not, she will play the whole of her debut EP, ‘What Defines Grief’.
Adult families, join the Spa Valley Railway for a gin-filled afternoon this Saturday (September 3) departing from Tunbridge Wells West at 2.45pm. Hop aboard the 1960s carriages, sit back and relax as you enjoy three different gins from the Anno Distillery, with fruit garnish. A delightful selection of canapés keeps hunger at bay. Tickets cost £35 and booking is highly recommended.
24 Food & Drink Wednesday August 31 | 2022 ONE WARWICK PARK HOTEL For more information please contact sales@onewarwickpark.co.uk I 01892 520 587 I onewarwickpark.co.uk I @onewarwickpark GOLD THIS CHRISTMAS ALL THAT GLITTERS IS Get ready to eat, drink, dance & be merry… Book your Christmas event full of glitz & glamour at One Warwick Park Hotel ✶ Welcome Drink ✶ Three Course Festive Menu ✶ DJ & Dancing ✶ Exclusive hire of our function spaces available
recruiting
£52.50ppFROM crisis in chefs post lockdown has been widely reported, but North Kent College catering department, which has a campus in Tonbridge, is determined to retain inspire its students – courtesy of giving them the opportunity to work with some of the area’s best chefs. Eileen Leahy finds out more about this collaborative scheme… OVER the past couple of years the restaurant trade has seen a huge exodus of staff due to the pandemic – with the majority of vacancies seeking chefs. Earlier this summer Tunbridge Wells saw the closure of Vittle & Swig and Rendez-Vous, as well as the temporary shutting of vegan restaurant The Plant Base, due to the staffing crisis. Job vacancies for chef roles topped more than 100 in one single week earlier this year. But one local college is determined to stem the flow of deserting chefs from the hospitality sector by being involved in a number of incentives which aim to inspire the current crop of catering students. Earlier this summer, North Kent College, which has a thriving campus in Tonbridge, invited some of its Level 2 Professional Chef and Level 3 Front of House students to attend a special workshop to keep their enthusiasm levels topped
Teamwork makes the dream work The
‘We firmly believe in the development of the next generation of staff. Hospitality is a fantastic industry that can teach, develop and nurture so many great key life skills’
and
GOURMETS IN WAITING North Kent College students at The George & Dragon, Speldhurst
25Wednesday August 31 | 2022 Food & Drink Have you seen our new look ? Now available to pick up FREE from even more locations SCAN HERE TO FIND YOURSTOCKISTNEAREST TURNING UP THE HEAT The Curlew’s Matt Broadbent FAMILY FOODIES Brothers Will MatthewDevlinand
“The event also celebrated 10 years of The Chefs’ Forum, which runs similar workshops in Manchester, Wales and the Cotswolds,” heTheadded.North Kent College lunch at The George & Dragon also saw students prepping and cooking a specially selected four-course menu by The Curlew’s Matt Broadbent, Scott Goss from The Beacon, Bobby Brown of host venue The George & Dragon, and Graham Green, chef patron of Chives Caterers. The meal included a leek and potato starter by Scott, a fish dish by Will, pulled pork bao buns with Asian slaw from Bobby, and, to finish, a chargrilled pineapple with rum glaze alongside a lemon posset cup with an Australian Anzac biscuit and apricot purée created by Graham. It was up to the college’s catering students to create and successfully execute each dish, which was then served and enjoyed by the coterie of topBobbychefs.Brown was very impressed with the college’s students, who he said all ‘pitched in’ cooking and serving the various courses. He also commented: “It’s great to see everyone back together after a tough couple of years.
up, and to encourage pupils to go on to work in theTheindustry.eventwas co-organised with The Chef’s Forum, a nationwide organisation headed up by top chefs who want to inspire the next generation. Members include the likes of TV stars James Martin, Ed Baines and Galton Blackiston, alongside a crop of talented stars from some of the country’s most respected kitchens, including The Dorchester in London, The French in Manchester and The Elephant’s Head in Lamberhurst.TheNorthKent College day was hosted at The George & Dragon pub and dining rooms in Speldhurst, and saw Matt Devlin, co-founder of The Small Holding in Kilndown, attend alongside Matt Broadbent, head chef at The Curlew – one of the other restaurants run by Matthew and his brother chef Will Devlin, who also have the Birchwood café at Flimwell Park. “The idea was for our students to work with a number of renowned local chefs and hospitality experts,” explained Duncan Weetman, Head of Curriculum – Hospitality, Catering and Culinary Academy at North Kent College.“Matthew Devlin attended in order to speak to front of house students about expectations in fine dining and wine service.
Duncan Weetman added: “Our students were so excited to be involved. It was brilliant from start to finish. Not only did they get to cook alongside true professionals, but they worked with amazing ingredients and stunning plates.
“I think it is super important to have a close working relationship with North Kent College and its students so the workplace can really back up what North Kent is teaching – and vice“Beingversa.on the younger side, I also hope gives a new insight into the fact that the industry is forever changing and there are so many avenues to go down.”
Matthew then said: “We hope that this is the start of a great relationship with North Kent College, where we can assist in the development of the students and pass on our skills so there is an understanding of the day-to-day processes in a restaurant and what will be expected of them when they finish their qualifications and are looking for a job in the industry.”
Relationship Matthew Devlin was equally pleased with how the day went, telling the Times:
“We firmly believe in the development of the next generation of hospitality staff. It is a fantastic industry that can teach, develop and nurture so many great key life skills.”
“It was fantastic to be invited by North Kent College Tonbridge to spend a day with their students.“Itwasgreat to learn how they are taught and to pass on some of our skills. I loved seeing their enthusiasm to learn, and for us – as a company – to understand how they would like to develop within the industry. It was all very useful.
“The students did a fantastic job working in the kitchen and cooking the lunch for our industry guests. We were blessed with gorgeous weather and it’s been wonderful to see such support for the next generation of chefs.”
“A big thank you to the whole team at The Chefs’ Forum. The work they do makes teaching our students so much easier.”
Matthew’s colleague, Matt Broadbent, who is head chef at the Devlins’ restaurant The Curlew in Bodiam, also said he found the experience enriching – especially as he is a former student of the “Havingcollege:left over 10 years ago, it was a great experience to be back from the other side of the stoves – so to speak – and it definitely gave me a brand new perspective.
26 Food & Drink Wednesday August 31 | 2022 Four tip-top wines to toast Organic September with…
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2. Organic white wine Villa Maria Organic Earth Garden Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Marlborough, New Zealand (£11.50, Tesco, 13.5%) Environmentally-responsible Villa Maria has cultivated Sauvignon Blanc organically since 2010, acquiring BioGro certification in 2012. BioGro is New Zealand’s leading and best-known certifier for organic produce and products. Every grape used to make Villa Maria’s Earth Garden range is grown in pesticide-free vineyards and untreated, pesticide-free soil. Nab this lime, grapefruit, just-mown grass, pea shoot and passionfruit gem. The flavour-packed palate is lively, gently textured and balanced; the finish crisp and long. Would go well with end-of-season summer salads, roasted white meats, fish, shellfish and mild, creamy cheeses. Delicious organic wine. Vegan-friendly, too.
first-class organic wines Designer German &
4. Top-tier organic red fine wine from Tuscany Berry Bros & Rudd Brunello di Montalcino by Fattoria La Màgia di Fabian Schwarz 2017, Tuscany, Italy (£35, Berry Bros & Rudd bbr.com, 14.5%) One of Italy’s grandest and longest-lived wines, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, is made in Tuscany from Sangiovese – like Chianti. But in Brunello’s case it is 100% Sangiovese ‘Brunello’, a local strain or clone of Sangiovese. Fattoria La Màgia is one of the most noteworthy producers in the storied appellation. This is complex and enchanting organic drinking with tangy acidity and savoury tannins shaping black cherry fruit, raspberries, tobacco, violets and cinnamon with a splash of tar and leather. The longer it is open, the more it unfurls (no amazement there), but it does suggest that time in the cellar will be its friend. Otherwise drinking it now will deliver much gratification, if you use your decanter and have something substantial at the table – perfect with bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak), grouse and roast duck with roasted root veggies. Full organic certification since the 2012 vintage. Sensational.
RGANIC wines are on the up. Though tricky and risky in a cool climate such as ours is generally, it’s certainly possible to make organic wines (see my two sparkling picks from East Sussex below). Organic vitiviniculture avoids the use of manmade synthetic chemical fertilisers, fungicides, pesticides and herbicides to promote soil health, wildlife and biodiversity. In the EU, organic wines may contain (naturally-occurring) sulphites but with lower maximums than conventional, non-organic wines. All organic food sold in the EU must be certified by registered certification bodies. Soil Association Certification Limited is the UK’s biggest and oldest organic certification organisation, licensing around 70% of the organic food on sale here. According to its Organic Market Report 2022, the UK organic market has attained its tenth successive year of growth, increasing by 5.2% in 2021 to around £3billion. From a top-flight food-friendly Tuscan red to a fruity Italian Prosecco, here are four of the best wines produced from organically grown grapes. Cheers!
3. Cheers to the first port to be made entirely from fully-certified organically-grown grapes Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve Port, Portugal (£17.45-£20.05, Waitrose, Ocado, Whisky Exchange, Abel & Cole, Champagne Direct, Riverford and elsewhere, 20%) Port lovers can embrace Organic September with a bottle of Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve port. Made by Fonseca, the Fladgate-owned port house founded in 1815, this velvety, organically-grownasfruit.andblueberry,spicedwithreservelip-smacking,opulent,organicportwillwooyoulashingsofsweetlyplum,redcherry,loganberryrosepetal-scentedItisaccreditedbeingderivedfromgrapes by Socert, the Portuguese certifying body which is part of the European Ecocert certification system. As well as making a commitment to creating organic wines, Fonseca is also a founding fellow of the Porto Protocol, which is a mission by all participants to pledge to pursue the next steps to reduce the impact of climate change. Pair with organic Cropwell Bishop blue Stilton. A wonderful drop.
2 4 3 1
This month witnesses a drive Here, Times James Viner raises his glass to Mother Nature with four British O
to spread the word about the many benefits organic food and farming can bring for our climate, nature and our health.
1. Organic Prosecco Castellore Organic Prosecco NV, Italy (£7.99, Aldi, 11%) Not all Prosecco – made in tanks and bottled young – stimulates my taste buds, but this water-white, crowd-pleasing organic one is most elegant, fruity and fairly dry, with an apple orchard and peachy character, and definitely gets my vote. Charmingly frothy and vivacious party pop. It will have many fans and is especially good in a (non-organic) Campari or Aperol spritz. Joyful organic consumption without pretence.
Drinks Editor
Developer of Tunbridge Wells job centre applies to remove glazed front
NEXT UP for Capturing Cranbrook, will be the wildlife art competition which will be launching on Wednesday 7th September – so watch this space!Championing local talent, Berkeley has partnered with Claire Murthy, a Kent-based painter and illustrator, who specialises in capturing the wildlife residing in Kent’s gardens and local countryside. This competition is a great opportunity to get creative and capture Cranbrook’s natural world, landscapes, fauna and flora. Submissions will be judged by Claire Murthy, alongside representatives from both Berkeley and Times of Tunbridge Wells. The winning artworks will be displayed at an art exhibition later this year, which will take place at Farmstead in Tannersbrook. Enter this exciting competition and have the chance to win a fantastic prize – a professional arts materials bundle – alongside receiving expert tips from Claire Murthy herself on how to perfect the art of flawless drawing on a canvas. How to enter Submit your entry via this dedicated website: at-tannersbrook/capturing-cranbrookwww.berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/kent/cranbrook/farmstead-
The 2020 Planning for the Future White Paper has reportedly proved unpopular with Conservative MPs in traditional Tory-voting areas of the country, with constituents worried it would lead to a huge house-building drive. But some Conservatives still raised concerns with the softer reforms set out in the new Bill.
The building was built around 1891 for carriage manufacturers Rock, Hawkins and Thorpe, with ground floor showrooms connected to workshops above by a central lift. The manufacturers moved into the automobile trade in the early 20th century, before motor retailers Caffyns acquired the business in 1945.
Mr Merriman’s call for yearly building targets came as he branded the Government’s planning reform proposals in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill ‘unambitious and modest’. Housing minister Stuart Andrew replied: “The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will improve our planning system and give residents more involvement in local development. The Bill will strengthen and scale up neighbourhood planning and enable the piloting of street votes, supported by new digital tools to give communities more say in the developments that affect them.”
He added: “We have got measures within the Bill that are trying to address build-out rates. This is an important element that we have to tackle… We will do everything we can to ensure that the houses that have got permission are actually built.”
Tory MP calls for housing targets change to ensure homes are built
ANNUAL ‘housing targets’ should be set across England to make sure planned new homes are built said a Tory MP who pointed to unused planning permissions in districts such as Wealden.
Developments
AN APPLICATION to convert a former Tunbridge Wells job centre into flats has taken another step forward with an application by PPR Estates to take down the conservatory concealing the period red-brickPlanningfaçade.permission to turn the Grade II-listed 19th-century building on Grosvenor Road into 14 flats was granted last October, on the condition that the glazed extension was removed. The approved development would create a total of 14 flats – three one-bedroom, eight twobedroom, and three three-bedroom flats.
ARTIST’S IMPRESSION The glazed frontage will be removed at the very least we can have annual housing targets which take into account those houses not yet built out’ –Capturing Cranbrook’s art competition
Conservative MP Henry Smith (Crawley) said: “Homes England are proposing up to 10,000 houses on flood-prone green fields… just outside of my constituency, which would put unacceptable pressure on local infrastructure, and yet local people in my constituency – even though they would be most affected – have no say over“Howit. will these planning proposals allow the people of Crawley to say no?”
‘Surely
“Surely at the very least we can have annual housing targets which take into account those houses not yet built out, so developers build rather than landbank.”
wildlife
timeslocalnews.co.ukFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: Local News NEWS 19Wednesday October 6 | 2021 Advertisement feature Coming soon
He added: “Wealden and Rother district councils have issued 10,000 planning permissions which have not been built out, yet they still have to deliver 2,000 new homes between them each year.
West Kent Technical College occupied the site between the 1950s and 1980s, after which it was converted to office space. The building’s last tenant was Tunbridge Wells Jobcentre Plus, which closed in March 2018. The application was submitted in July and could be heard by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s planning committee as early as next month.
27Wednesday August 31 | 2022 Property newsproperty
Showrooms
Wantage MP David Johnston said: “It’s not simply the sheer number of developments in my constituency and the pressure they place on local infrastructure that constituents object to, it’s also the environmental impact of the way the homes are constructed… I would like to see a requirement that homes are built to the latest environmental standard rather than the one at the time permission was granted.”
Conservative MP Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) told the Commons: “The 2020 White Paper promised us a once-in-ageneration reform to planning policy. These present proposals appear somewhat unambitious and modest in contrast.”
MASTER-PIECE A ceramicPicasso UNUSUAL gemPicassoAnother
Auctioneer Joseph Trinder reveals how a client had no idea of her piece’s value… TrinderJoseph
At Gorringe’s we are fortunate to have often been favoured with consignment in ceramic works by Picasso in recent years –regular readers of my weekly column may recall the other work pictured here – ‘Pablo Picasso (Spanish 1881-1973) for Madoura pottery, a Corrida aux Personnages charger (A.R.104), designed 1950, the rare reverse painted with a faun holding a branch, signed and inscribed ‘Picasso, 1st Septembre 1951’. This example, so unusual due to is reverse/double-sided decoration, went on to achieve a very impressive £41,000 (including fees). This just goes to show the acute buoyancy of this market area, and why I was so excited to welcome another piece from the master’s hand to sale this autumn at Gorringe’s! If you have any such pieces at home and would like to sell them, or simply discuss their current value, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – I am always here to help! Email: josephtrinder@gorringes.co.uk Tel: 07789979396
Tunbridge Wells office – which was initially booked for the examination of a gold watch and a rather charming priest’s travelling silver communion set (also consigned for sale) – yielded a rather unexpected discovery on a recent rainy Thursday morning. As I always encourage clients to do, the owner of this piece explained at the beginning of our appointment that she had brought a few additional items along and very much hoped I wouldn’t mind appraising them, too. I, of course, never do mind, and my eyes then lit up as the plate pictured here was slowly unwrapped from its unassuming tissue paper parcel. Charming
‘At Gorringe’s we are fortunate to have often been favoured with consignment in ceramic works by Picasso in recent years’
It was therefore a wonderful moment when I explained that this little but charming piece (at just 9˝ in diameter) will likely go on to achieve over £2,000 when offered in our September 27 Autumn fine sale at Gorringe’s.PabloPicasso (18811973) became fascinated with ceramics and studio ware towards the end of his life, after his discovery of the Madoura pottery works in 1960, which launched a love affair between the celebrated artist and this new methodology until his death in 1973. In this short but productive burst of just 13 years, he designed over 630 different works in ceramic. One of the wonderful things about Picasso’s works in this material is that they provide a comparatively affordable opportunity to own a piece worked on by one of the most important names in the story of modern art, for a fraction of the £2,000 or so is certainly a large amount of money for most of us, it shrinks beside the values of Picasso’s paintings, which saw a record $179.4million paid for ‘Les femmes d’Alger (Version ‘O’), 1955’ at Christie’s New York in May 2015.
If you want a Picasso, try ceramics
A ROUTINE appointmentvaluationatour
Excited
28 Antiques Wednesday August 31 | 2022 antiques There is NO obligation to sell so let Clive offer you is advice for FREE. He will advise you personally on your items & absolute discretion is guaranteed.Clive Attrell and his experienced team ensures waiting times are kept to a minimum AVERAGE 5-15 MINS WAITING 111 The 1.00pmME13Boughton-under-BleanStreet9BH-4.00pmQueensBOUGHTONHead High 1.00pmCT3CanterburyQueen’s9.00amCT6Herne281.00pmCT9MargateWestwood9.00amCT12RamsgateStreet4BU-12.00pmIndEstate4JX-4.00pmArkleyRoadBay5SL-12.00pmRoad2BG-4.00pmFri 16th Sep (AM) VillageMINSTERHall Wed 14th Sep (PM) Fri 16th Sep (PM) Thu 15th Sep (PM) Thu 15th Sep (AM) TheHERNEWESTWOODBAYHornbyVisitor Centre Arkley Studio VillageASH Hall SEPTEMBER 227 Hereson Road 1.00pmCT9CliftonvilleNorthdown9.00amCT5Whitstable321.00pmCT7BirchingtonGrenham9.00amCT11Ramsgate7EX-12.00pmBayAve9NN-4.00pmChurchStreet1PH-12.00pmParkRd3LN-4.00pmMon 12th Sep (AM) TheRAMSGATERacingGreyhound Tue 13th Sep (PM) TheKearnsWHITSTABLEBIRCHINGTONHallMonument Wed 14th Sep (AM) Tue 13th Sep (AM) Mon 12th Sep (PM) TheTheMARGATEFAVERSHAMWheatsheafElephantPub 31 The 9.00amME13FavershamMall8JN-12.00pm CASH OFFERS WATHCESWANTEDJADE MEDALSWANTED RINGSWANTEDCOINSWANTED SILVERWANTED Keep this advert for future reference by TV’s Clive Attrell from ITV and BBC Television Clive Attrell has a well-established and successful antiques warehouse on the High Street in Hastings Old Town. You may also recognise him from Dickinson’s Real Deal, on which he was an appraiser for over two years, and numerous other television productions. VALUATION ROADSHOW Hastings Antiques Warehouse, 54 High Street Old Town, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EN Clive Attrell is Kent County Council Trading Standards Approved: Reg No 15618 “ I wanted to get around £200 for my items, when Clive gave me £500 cash I was over the moon.” Mrs Kelly from Crowborough “ Clive was very interesting to talk with, he clearly has a genuine passion for antiques which helped him identify my items. He offered me a very good price and I am very happy indeed.” Mr J. Peters from Rye WHAT THE PUBLIC SAY... WANTEDGOLD Remember Clive is always ready to make you a genuine no obligation offer.FREEOFFERS www.freeantiquesvaluations.com For general enquiries call Polly on: 07824 359169 Clive Attrell is always in the area and FREE private/home valuations are also available by appointment. TOP •••••••••PAIDPRICESFOR:•DIAMONDS•PRINTS/BOOKS•TOYS/GAMES•POSTCARDS•OLDCOINS•JADEITEMS•SOVEREIGNSSWORDSMILITARIACLOCKSPAINTINGSBRONZESFIGURINESMEDALSWATCHES(workingornot)SILVER(inanycondition)•GOLD(inanycondition)•OBJECTSOFINTEREST•COSTUMEJEWELLERY•CHINESECERAMICS•KRUGERRANDS
It was a scenario made all the more enjoyable as my client had no idea of its value – a piece she had carefully looked after but knew little about ever since inheriting it many years previously.
See Yourself at Claremont 01580 830396 . admissions@claremontschool.co.uk To register for Open House Week or book a tour, visit the events claremontschool.co.uk/eventspage Open House Week Monday 3 - Saturday 8 October Senior School & Sixth Form , Bodiam TN32 5UJ Nursery & Prep School , St Leonards TN37 7PN 264x340 TOTW OD SENIOR 0722.indd 1 06/07/2022 11:56
The Mistral also uses a modern interpretation of the Grand Raid’s V-shaped windscreen, with its curved windscreen appearing to wrap around the A-pillars.Thescreen itself has been curved just enough to create a visor-style design but without distorting the driver’s vision. Intakes
“Beneath the beautiful exterior lies the most powerful engine we’ve ever developed. Our W12 engine is easily the most successful twelvecylinder automotive engine in history, and as it approaches its retirement to make way for future hybrids and BEVs, we want to mark its accomplishments.”Theexteriordesign of the Batur incorporates a traditionally long bonnet, yet the usual Bentley grille has been positioned lower and more upright while the headlights have been redesigned from usual Bentley models. At the rear, the lights sit on either side of a deployable spoiler.Customers are able to choose from a variety of materials for the Batur’s interior, including leather sourced from Scotland or Dinamica, a suede-like alternative to leather. A new sustainable alternative to carbon fibre can also be used for the fascias inside the car. This natural fibre composite is comprised of a twill weave which is then given a satin lacquer. There are a number of options for the car’s controls, too, with the classic organ stops for the ventilation available in 3D-printed 18-carat gold. Bentley expects deliveries of the Batur to commence in the middle of 2023 after an ‘extensive development programme’.
BENTLEY’S new limited-run Batur has been launched, showcasing how the firm’s electric cars of the future could look.
Polestar to establish new UK head office and test drive hub
Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive of Bicester Motion, said: “Polestar’s committed approach to the future of electric vehicles is truly inspiring. We are looking forward to their unique ethos contributing to the success of Bicester Motion.”
The top of the windscreen and side windows then flow into the side air intakes. To help keep the body section slim, the oil cooler intakes on the sides were separated from the engine air intakes, which have been positioned on the roof section just behind the occupants.Theseroof-mounted scoops also hark back to the Grand Raid, as well as the more modern Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport.
30 Wednesday August 31 | 2022Motoring Motoring News This week… New Bentley Batur n Bugatti W16 Mistral n Polestar’s UK base n
The Mulliner-built model will be limited to just 18 examples, with each costing £1.65million excluding local taxes and options. It arrives as the most powerful Bentley model yet, thanks to its 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine which produces 730bhp and 1,00Nm of torque. The Batur also incorporates Bentley’s ‘most advanced chassis ever’, with air suspension, electric anti-roll control, an electronic limited-slip differential and fourwheel-steering all included.
BUGATTI has created what it believes to be the ‘ultimate roadster’ – the W16 Mistral. Named after the powerful wind that blows from the Rhône River valley right the way through to the Mediterranean, the W16 Mistral will arrive as the final road-going Bugatti to use the firm’s legendary W16 engine. The Mistral uses the W16 engine first utilised in the Chiron Super Sport 300+, which develops 1,578bhp. It propelled the Chiron Super Sport 300+ to a world-record-breaking top speed of 304.773mph, so as a result, Bugatti is expecting the W16 Mistral to become the fastest roadster in theMateworld.Rimac, Bugatti Rimac CEO, said: “For the final roadgoing appearance of Bugatti’s legendary W16 engine, we knew we had to create a roadster. Well over 40% of all Bugatti vehicles ever created have been open-top in design, establishing a long lineage of performance icons that – to this day – are revered the world over.” Bugatti took inspiration for the Mistral’s design from the 1934 Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid. The Mistral uses the Grand Raid’s black and yellow themes, which were also used by Ettore Bugatti in many of his personal cars.
Inside, the W16 Mistral shares some of its design with the Chiron, with high-quality materials and finishes such as titanium, milled aluminium and waxy leathers. The new model is on a strictly limited run, with just 99 examples of the W16 Mistral being built and each costing EUR5million (circa £4.2m).
The entire production run of the new roadster is already sold out, with deliveries expected to commence in 2024.
“As the first large-scale OEM to move to Bicester and as an enthusiast marque, we expect we will fit in well with the other fantastic brands already onBicestersite.”
Future Jonathan Goodman, Head of Polestar UK said: “Establishing a Polestar head office in the UK, demonstrates the importance of the UK market reflecting the rate of pure EV adoption. Bicester has an approach to automotive and future tech that really resonated with Polestar.
Direction Adrian Hallmark, Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “The Batur is a significant car for Bentley. Far more than the heir to the highly successful Bacalar, the Batur showcases the design direction that we’re taking in the future as we develop our range of BEVs. Andi Mindt and his team have reimagined the classic Bentley design cues into a stronger, bolder design that remains both elegant and graceful.
Bugatti W16 Mistral takes aim at fastest roadster title
POLESTAR looks set to create a new UK head office at Bicester Heritage later this year.
The headquarters, located within the Heritage Quarters at Bicester, will include operational staff to support the 8,000 Polestar customers currently in the UK. Sales, marketing, operations and communications will also operate out of the BicesterAlongsidesite.this operational unit will be a new customer test drive hub. Here, potential owners will be able to meet with product experts before test driving a new Polestar model. Staff working here won’t work on a commission basis, either, with customers able to order their vehicles online in their own time. Both sites are expected to open this December.
Heritage is based on the former RAF Bicester site, which was added to Historic England’s ‘At Risk Register’ in 2008. However, since Bicester Heritage’s occupancy, over 95% of the buildings have been reused for business use.
Bentley’s new Batur offers glimpse of firm’s bold new styling direction
H Engineering Ltd, Little Cacketts Farm, Haymans Hill, Horsmonden, Kent, TN12 8BX info@h-engineering.com | 01892 549042 WWW.H-ENGINEERING.COM RESTORING THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC CARS
Primary Schools: Particularly in the case of community primary schools, it is all about location, location, location.Let’s take Claremont Primary School (Ofsted rating ‘Outstanding’). It is located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells and is so popular that, in some years, its catchment area has been as small as 300m to 500m, with nearest-to-the-door winning those limited places. However, get one child in and siblings can follow, as long as you stay within 2 miles from the school. Houses go for a premium on all the surrounding roads to Claremont, and, although you will be buying at a high price point, you will be in an envious position when it is time to sell. Other thriving areas for families wanting proximity to schools include St John’s, Frant Road, Bishops Down and the premium villages of Langton Green, Speldhurst, Bidborough and Wadhurst. New build areas out of town also have fantastic primary schools, such as in Hollyfields in Hawkenbury and Knights Wood. Secondary Schools: There are 17 secondary schools in Tunbridge Wells. 13 are state schools, of which 10 are Ofsted Rating Outstanding. The catchment areas are well defined and much wider for the secondary state and grammar schools, with the emphasis on 11+, known as the ‘Kent Test’.
our Winkworth
• The top ranked girl’s high schools are Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School (TWGGS)and Kent College, Pembury.
Wells office at 65 High Street. Winkworth Tunbridge Wells 01892 519600 Natasha Firman Director 01892 519600 65 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1XX twells@winkworth.co.uk winkworth.co.uk/tunbridge-wells The catchment area game When it comes to schools and property, Tunbridge Wells rules. Advertisement Feature
T
unbridge Wells and its surroundings provide some of the best schooling in the country, with a strong selection of private, state and grammar schools to choose from. The real estate market in Tunbridge Wells is heavily influenced by the location of educational catchment areas. Landing a property in a sought-after and prestigious catchment road requires plenty of strategizing, pre-planning and a little bit of luck.
• The top ranked boy’s high schools are Tonbridge School, The Judd School, The Skinners’ School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys. Independent schools: There is a strong selection of independent schools through the town. Choosing this route has many advantages with smaller class sizes and longer days, with most providing extracurricular activities after school and on Saturdays.Onegreat primary school choice is Rose Hill Primary School. They take children up to 13 and have great results for the Common Entrance exam paving the way for independent secondary education in first class schools in Kent and Sussex such as Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Bede’s, Ardingly and Kent College. We can help you navigate your way through the schools and support on where to buy for all your schooling needs. Although it is a path well-trodden, there is a strategy to this… Please call us on 01892 519600 or pop into Tunbridge
