Times of Tunbridge Wells 6th April 2022

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Wednesday April 6 | 2022

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Councillors blasted for boycotting meeting to discuss female violence

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EXCLUSIVE – By Richard Williams A GROUP of councillors have been criticised for refusing to attend a meeting that was to discuss plans to reduce crime in Tunbridge Wells including violence against women and girls following a ‘personal spat’ with another councillor.

Last week (Wednesday, March 30), the Council’s Communities and Economic Development Cabinet Advisory Board (CAB) met to discuss a range of issues related the Community Safety Partnership Plan.

Joining the meeting was an officer from Kent Police, who was to update the committee on the emerging strategy to deal with incidents of violence against women and girls in the borough.

Councillors were also debating

potential curfews and alcohol bans in a number of green spaces due to rising incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Despite the importance of the topics, half of the committee refused to turn up, choosing to boycott the hearing in what has been described as a ‘political stunt’ by the chairman.

Political There were 11 members due at the CAB meeting, but six opposition councillors did not attend over comments previously made in the Times by the Chairman of the committee and Conservative deputy leader Cllr David Scott.

In an interview in January, Cllr Scott had branded the Council’s planning committee ‘political’ when discussing

the new plans for the cinema site.

He had said: “The planning committee used to be able to get things through relatively easily, but it is very political now.”

It is understood that last week’s boycott was arranged by Labour group leader, Cllr Hugo Pound, who sits on the planning committee and who had taken exception to Cllr Scott’s choice of words.

Among the topics to be discussed at the CAB meeting included measures to reduce anti-social behaviour in Sherwood Lakes – which is in the ward represented by Cllr Pound.

Cllr Pound told the Times the boycott was based on Cllr Scott’s refusal to

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SUPPORT NETWORK - The first Ukrainians arrive in Tunbridge Wells and meet the area’s many volunteers P4

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EVENTS GUIDE Let your social life spring back into action with our festival preview P24

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Councillors boycott meeting discussing female violence Continued from front page apologise to the planning committee following his comments.

He added: “His failure to apologise since February smacks of Downing Street behaviour; never admit you're wrong, never apologise, just keep going.

“Labour members, along with all other opposition party members, decided that we will not work with Cllr Scott until he has apologised or been removed from his role as Deputy Leader of the Council.

“He chairs the Committee that was boycotted last week. We still await a proper apology, three months on from when he made his remarks in the press.”

Also boycotting the CAB was Lib Dem Cllr Justine Rutland – an outspoken advocate for more action to prevent violence against women and girls and who had organised a candlelit vigil at the Town Hall last year to raise awareness of the issue.

Her boycott came despite the committee being scheduled to hear from Inspector Ian Jones from Kent Police, who was to update councillors on the Community Safety Partnership Plan, including its emerging strategy for dealing with violence against women and girls.

Attacking

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Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Cllr Rutland denied the boycott was a ‘political stunt’ and said she took her ‘duties very seriously’.

She added: “We are unwilling to work under the chairmanship of Cllr Scott because he has failed to apologise in person to the planning committee, as he was required to do, for breaching the Councillor Code of Conduct.

“Members of this CAB asked that Cllr Fairweather, the deputy chair, conduct the meeting instead, but that request was refused.

“We therefore sent apologies. I have good relations with the Community Safety Unit and asked all my questions beforehand. Some of

COMMENTS: The article in the Times that caused opposition councillors to boycott the CAB meeting these issues were raised by officers at the and independent councillor James Rands. meeting, which I watched live online. I have Other members of the Council have heavily since followed up by email.” criticised the boycott.

Cllr David Scott said he will be making a statement to the Planning Spat Committee on April 6 with regard to his comments in the Times, which Independent Councillor, Matthew was ‘the earliest date’ agreed with Bailey, who quit the Conservative the chairman.

Party earlier this year following the Of the boycott, he added: “This is revelations about Downing Street nothing more than a political stunt. parties, described the boycott as a As they cannot criticise our ‘shame’.

[Conservatives] performance in He said: “Inspector Jones from getting things done during the past Kent Police had taken time out of CLLR DAVID SCOTT 12 months as we climbed out of his diary to attend to answer Covid, they are attacking my questions. It's hard to see how this reputation. ongoing personal spat between the opposition “I set up the Cross-Party Group. They now want and David Scott is in the best interests of local to convey the opposite to my push for greater residents. co-operation on behalf of getting things done for “Councillors get paid an allowance, and the benefit of Tunbridge Wells and our community. residents expect them to attend meetings and “I did not get involved for party politics, but to perform the important function of democratic rejuvenate our town and Borough.” oversight of the Council's operations.”

Also absent from the meeting were Lib Dem Have your say on whether the actions at councillors Mark Ellis and Hugh Patterson, the CAB were a ‘political stunt’ by emailing Labour’s Dianne Hill, Nick Pope of the Alliance newsdesk@thetimesoftunbridegwells.co.uk

Rape a ‘priority’ for Kent Police after it’s ranked among worst in the South East for prosecutions

By Victoria Roberts NEW government figures show Kent Police has among the lowest prosecution rates for rape in the South East with just 2.5 per cent of reported incidents leading to a charge, analysis by the Times shows.

Released last week, the new Criminal Justice System Scorecard (CJSS), covers all crime across England and Wales, and provides a breakdown of adult rape offences at each stage of the process, as part of a pledge in the Government’s Rape Review.

Rates The data shows that just 186 out of approximately 7,440 adult rape incidents reported in the county led to a charge between October 2020 and September 2021.

And of these cases, just 29 ended up with a conviction in court, the figures show.

The county with the lowest for charge rates in the South East is Surrey with a rate of 1.3 per cent, followed by Essex (1.8) and then Kent.

Thames Valley Police – the force that covers Oxford, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire – had the highest rate over this time for the offence in the South East at 3.6 per cent of cases leading to a charge, followed by Sussex (3.4 per cent).

The average for England and Wales is around 3.8 per cent.

Cheshire in the North West has the highest rate in England for prosecuting rape with 7.7 per cent of all cases ending up with a charge.

Caroline Auckland, president of women’s organisation Soroptimist Tunbridge Wells & District – which works to improve the lives of women and girls, said: “The figures quoted for

Kent indicate that this force area has a higher than national average drop-out rate for criminal prosecutions of rape cases. This is worrying and this needs to be looked into.

“The prosecution process is long and exhausting; charges get downgraded or dropped by the prosecution service; victims are not protected and supported adequately through the prosecution process and feel that they are on trial rather than the offender.’

“Some survivors have good experiences of support from the police, court system and other agencies. This should be the norm for all victims/survivors of rape and sexual assault.”

Kent Police say prosecuting rape remains a ‘priority’ for the force.

Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Banks, Head of Protecting Vulnerable People, told the Times: “It goes without saying that we welcome any initiative that improves the process.

“In 2020 we developed a joint initiative with the CPS to strengthen our approach and improved outcomes for victims.

“This is reflected in the number of cases charged in 2021 which increased from 52 in 2019 to 106 in 2021. Part of this initiative is to reduce the amount of time taken to obtain outcomes for victims and we have reduced the time taken from report to charging decision by 21 per cent.”

Horrific She continued: “Rape is a horrific crime which leaves victims traumatised and investigations of this nature can be extremely complex. We take great care to communicate sensitively with victims and make the process as easy as possible for them.

“This includes returning their mobile phones

as quickly as we can. Whilst each case is different, we have introduced new technology which will enable officers where possible to download the evidence they need immediately.”

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, who has widely promoted the importance of protecting women and girls against violence, was approached for comment but did not respond when the Times went to press.

JAIL SENTENCE AFTER TINDER ASSAULT IN 2017 A MAN who sexually assaulted a woman on a night out in Tunbridge Wells five years ago has finally been jailed, following a three-day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

The victim exchanged online messages with Stefan Crocker on dating app Tinder before agreeing to meet him in the Royal town on September 29, 2017, accompanied by one of her friends.

Crocker collected them in his car and the three spent the evening in a number of Tunbridge Wells bars.

By 2am the following morning, the victim started to feel ill from the effects of alcohol and Crocker drove them all back to the victim’s house, where he sexually assaulted her.

Despite arresting Crocker, of Maybourne Place, Staplehurst, several days after the incident on October 2 of the same year, he was not convicted until February 2 this year.

He had been cleared of rape but was sentenced on March 30 to two years and six months in prison for sexual assault.

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SO celebrates 14 years in magazine publishing BUSINESS

FOOD & DRINK

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We celebrate the successful winners of the Times Business Awards for 2022

Experience a taste of the delicious dishes now on offer for the new season

David Baddiel and Jo Brand are on the bill for the town’s first literary festival

Best in show On the menu New chapter

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April 2022

THE Times’ sister publication, SO Tunbridge Wells, is celebrating its 14th anniversary.

The lifestyle magazine by One Media was first published in the town in 2008.

Since then, the monthly publication has gone on to become the most-read magazine of its type in the area.

SO Tunbridge Wells editor, Eileen Leahy, said: “It is wonderful the magazine continues to thrive and be so popular with both our readers and advertisers. Print journalism is clearly still a force to be reckoned with!”

April’s SO is out today.

A26 roadworks begin HEAVY traffic congestion on London Road in Tunbridge Wells is expected for the next fortnight, following a number of works by UK Power Networks on one of the town’s main arterial route.

From last week (March 31), the energy company began conducting works on the A26 near to Mount Ephraim and installed temporary lights.

Mount Ephraim has been closed as has the bottom entrance to Major Yorks Road.

The roadworks are being conducted during the school holidays to minimise disruption, according to Kent County Council, and are set to conclude on April 13.

Wedding cancellations IN THE March 23 edition of the Times, we reported that Kent County Council cannot take bookings for registrars to conduct weddings during the afternoon in the summer due to a surge in demand.

Kent County Council wish to point out that this does not apply to those that have already booked a registrar with the authority and only affects new enquiries.

We are happy to clarify this.

Opera House birthday A PUB chain is celebrating a quarter of a century in Tunbridge Wells after it took over the Opera House 25 years ago.

JD Wetherspoon converted the building in Mount Pleasant Road into pub on April 11, 1987. It had previously been an opera house and a bingo hall before the pub giant took over the premises.

The Opera House, which will be decked out in decorations for the occasion, will be staging a charity raffle, with Easter eggs and goodies up for grabs. The raffle draw will take place on Easter Sunday, April 17.

Pub manager Ross Markwick, who has managed the Opera House since November 2017, said: “We are looking forward to sharing our 25th birthday celebrations – a significant milestone - with our regular customers and visitors alike, as well as raising funds for a great charity.”

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Civic Society ‘encouraged’ as developer reveals eight-storey plan for cinema site

By Richard Williams THE company that is planning to turn a 20-year plus derelict site in Tunbridge Wells into a retirement complex, has revealed the first images of what the project will look like.

Retirement Villages Group (RVG), who are owned by AXA – Tunbridge Wells’ largest employer – announced at the end of last year they were to redevelop the former site of the ABC Cinema on Mount Pleasant Road last year.

RVG plan to build between 150-180 later living apartments on the site, alongside a café, restaurant and wellness facilities available to both residents and the public.

A VISIONARY BUSINESS

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MODEL VILLAGE A 3D plan of the development

Deal The project is a larger version of the plans drawn up by previous developers Elysian Residences, who had wanted to build around 100 apartments but pulled out of the deal during the pandemic.

The developer has been holding consultations at Trinity Theatre, where they have unveiled some artist’s impressions of what the project will look like, as well as further details as to its scale.

This building would deliver around 150 retirement living homes, comprising a mix of one and two bedroom apartments in a range of sizes, all with storage, access to private outdoor space and designed to maximise sunlight throughout.

There will also be 60 basement car parking spaces, as well as a publicly accessible square.

But the most controversial aspect of the development could be its height.

When built, the eight-storey building is set to dwarf the Town Hall opposite as it stands 26.8 metres (85 feet) tall. The Town Hall is just 16.5

‘This building would deliver around 150 retirement living homes, comprising a mix of one and two bedroom apartments in a range of sizes’ metres tall (54 feet) at its highest point.

However, the town’s arbiters of architecture and aesthetics, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society (RTWCS), say they have been ‘encouraged’ by Retirement Village’s approach.

Brian Lippard, Deputy Chairman of the RTWCS, told the Times that the group is set to meet to discuss the proposed development today (Wednesday, April 6) after having a Zoom meeting with RVG last week.

He added: “It is too early to form a considered view, but we are very encouraged by the

VIEW FROM THE TOWN HALL How the building will look from across the street approach the developer is taking.

“RVG has been very transparent, open and willing to talk and most importantly they are listening to what we are saying, which makes a nice change from previous developers that tried to take on the site.”

SOCIETY HOPES TO BUY DECIMUS BURTON COMPLEX THE ROYAL Tunbridge Wells Civic Society is hoping to purchase one of the buildings by the renowned Victorian architect responsible for many of the town’s most aesthetic structures.

Number 9-10 Crescent Road was part of the Calverley Estate created by Decimus Burton, one of England’s foremost architects and urban designers of the 19th century.

Other buildings in the town designed by the architect include Trinity Theatre and Hotel du Vin, which was revamped by Decimus Burton to be more in keeping with the rest of the Calverley Estate in the 1830s.

The society hopes to turn the listed building into a museum.

Brian Lippard, Deputy Chairman told the Times: “It is early days, but we would like to turn it into a museum about Decimus Burton.

“Of course, this has to be viable, but we hope to be able to apply for grants and the National Lottery Heritage fund, especially as we are hoping to do some educational projects within it.”

Matfield man jailed for lying about pilot experience to land BA job

By Robert Forrester A MAN from Matfield has been jailed for a year after lying about his flying experience to get a job with British Airways, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said.

Craig Butfoy, 49, of made false claims to get and retain work with British Airways subsidiary BA CityFlyer – based at London City Airport – and former Irish regional airline Stobart Air, between April 2016 and March 2018.

He entered false details and altered entries in his flight logbook so it appeared he was more experienced than he was.

Butfoy, who used to be a manager at Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club in Nevill Gate, was

handed a 12-month prison sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court, last Monday (March 29) after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to four charges of fraud and two breaches of the Air Navigation Order 2016, according to the CAA.

Discrepancies Jonathan Spence, general counsel at the CAA, said: “The Civil Aviation Authority’s prosecution and the sentence imposed show that offences of this kind are taken very seriously by the Civil Aviation Authority and the courts.

“Pilot integrity is at the heart of aviation safety and we will take all steps necessary to maintain that position.”

Details outlined in court papers included an allegation that Butfoy falsely claimed to have flown 1,610 hours as a captain in a job application submitted to BA CityFlyer.

He was also accused of giving false details on his CV, including that he had held a private pilot’s licence since 1998, and fabricated documents, including a training course certificate.

British Airways said in a statement: “The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority, and the fully-qualified pilot was suspended and an investigation launched as soon as BA CityFlyer became aware of discrepancies in his employment record.

“At no point was there any risk to customers or colleagues.”

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Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Tunbridge Wells welcomes first arrivals from Ukraine as hundreds are expected

By Victoria Roberts THE first families fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine have arrived in Tunbridge Wells, and have been greeted by residents, businesses, the Council and community groups.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) say they are acting as a ‘facilitator’ to connect people who have volunteered to take in refugee families from the stricken eastern European state.

So far, around 59 households have been listed as receiving Ukrainian refugees across the borough of Tunbridge Wells, after hundreds of people put their name down on the government website with offers of accommodation.

The government then launched its official Homes for Ukraine scheme, which went live on Monday, March 21. A household housing a refugee can claim £350 a month, tax-free.

Following the launch of the scheme, TWBC said last week that they were expecting at least

160 people from Ukraine over the next couple of weeks but that the figure was ‘growing by around 10 guests a day’.

It is likely more than 200 Ukrainian refugees will make their home in the borough over the coming months.

Portal A spokesperson for the authority said: “We have, once again, been impressed by the way in which local residents, business and community groups have stepped up to the plate to support the UK ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme.

“Residents can register through the national portal and we have set up a special page on our website (tunbridgewells.gov.uk/Ukraine) where we have posted some information and which we will continue to update.

“We are getting lots of offers of support. It is still early days and we don’t yet know the precise

nature of what support our guests will want but we are actively working to ensure that we have clothes and household goods for them, that there are places where families can meet up, seek support and how we can support them integrate into society through things like English language lessons and translation services.

“At present, we are unable to assist with the matching process. Once residents have successfully made a match and submitted a visa application, we are passed the data and will arrange for hosts to have their safeguarding checks and for their homes to be assessed for safety and comfort.

“We will also work to get guests into schools, registered with GP practices and registered for benefits.

“We are in constant dialogue with a range of community groups, partner agencies and parish and town councils to ensure that we prepare for the arrival of our Ukrainian guests and respond

to any issues that arise.”

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council chief executive, William Benson, has made available a ‘gateway office’ in the town centre, for groups to work together to co-ordinate families and refugees, and the Council’s TN2 Centre is being used to store donations (see opposite page).

FLYING THE FLAG The Ukranian flag flies above the Town Hall

Beauty therapist steps up with translations and cultural advice sister-in-law and Maryna’s two nephews, TUNBRIDGE WELLS resident Maryna she says her efforts are spread across Cole has been working to raise many families, with one the most awareness of the Ukrainian war basic tasks being translation. and provide practical help ever “You know, the people who are since the crisis began on coming are not necessarily the kind February 24. of people who speak good English,” The founder of Retreat she cautioned.

Aesthetics in Warwick Park, “I am writing a Ukrainian cultural Maryna is originally from the MARYNA COLE familiarisation programme for local town of Sumy, near the northeast families who are taking Ukrainians in – border with Russia, one of the first their habits, what they eat for breakfast, towns in the path of the invasion. cultural things.”

Although her mother has now arrived with her

Working with the Ukraine Relief Group (URG), she will deliver the programme as a PowerPoint presentation on Monday, April 11.

Awareness “I have been doing cultural awareness at schools and so on, first at the Yalding Baptist Church and Youth Centre – that was to the Scouts – and also at Beechwood School, and soon also Langton Green School,” she said.

However, though she is helping other Ukrainian refugees, her own family was caught

in what she called a ‘crack in the system’, as she is not eligible for the Homes for Ukraine payments of £350 per month to house and especially feed her family members arriving.

“My sister-in-law has arrived, with my nephews, who are 15 and 16. However, if I host my family, I am not entitled to help. I’m helping the whole town, but can’t help my own family,” she confessed.

Thankfully, a local resident has stepped in to host them, and Maryna said: “It is very stressful, but I am seeing so much solidarity and support from local government and local people as well.”

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Inside the Ukraine Relief Group’s operations HQ at the TN2 Centre THE sports hall at the TN2 Centre in Sherwood is laid out in clearly marked zones, with shoes, clothes, toiletries, baby equipment such as pushchairs, and more, all neatly sorted. Someone has even brought a mobility chair.

They accept men’s clothes, too, as Ukrainian refugees can include men over fighting age or with medical exemptions.

The Ukraine Relief Group (URG) moved into the TN2 Centre, which Tunbridge Wells Borough Council which was made available without charge, on Friday March 25 – a month after the invasion which kick-started the crisis.

Group To process the first donations efficiently, the group set up a ‘stop and drop’ arrangement outside TN2, so donors did not have to ‘spend half their evening waiting in a queue,’ explained organiser Rich Akehurst, who has a background in aid, logistics, law enforcement and the military, and whose wife is Ukrainian.

“By the Sunday [March 27], the first Ukrainians came in the door,” he added.

“One woman who came told us she had to keep her hands over her child’s eyes as they were walking along one road, because they were

Rich Akehurst [2nd left] with a Ukrainian family receiving donations at TN2 stepping over bodies. This will be a safe zone,” he stressed.

The group takes data security seriously, too, with Rich commenting at one point: “We take documents home as there’s nowhere to lock it at night.”

The group currently has two purposes, he said. One focus is local, welcoming refugees. The other is still directing shipments of help outwards toward Ukraine, having linked up with a group based somewhere north of Lviv.

“Women can cross the border into Poland so they are doing the driving. They run shuttle trips from

Poland to the undisclosed location, and from there they distribute to Kyiv,” Mr Akehurst added.

Volunteers come in different ages and at different times of day, with different skills in use at various times of the day, and the URG tries to co-ordinate the work for the workforce.

“The last load we sent out to Ukraine was about four tonnes, and those boxes are quite heavy, so we made sure it was ready when we had people to lift them,” he explained.

“There are retired people, during the day, then in the evenings the 20-40 age range come in and do

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Auction raises over £11,000 for refugees MORE than £11,000 was raised for Ukraine causes last weekend, in an auction which saw a number of bidders re-submit the lot they had just won so it could be re-auctioned.

Organising the event on Saturday evening, Pushkin Antiques handed the hammer to Joseph Trinder of Gorringes Auctions & Valuations, who ‘did an outstanding job and helped to achieve prices we couldn’t have imagined in our wildest dreams.’

“A 007 James Bond poster achieved £800 and then (was) kindly re-offered by the buyer into the sale again and then sold for £900,“ ALEXANDER PUSHKIN added Mr Pushkin.

Meanwhile, another bidder offered a last-minute lot, added Pushkin.

Donated their thing.”

Visiting in the early afternoon, The Times walked in on a ‘sorting party’ of women seated around a group of boxes for baby gros and newborn vests – as they sorted them into age groups for refugees to clothe their babies.

“I’m working wherever I can,” one volunteer, Maggie, said.

Another volunteer, Lizzie Gripper, showed off the Ukraine sunflowers quilt which she and her Quirky Quilters group had pieced together, ready for basting. “Rich is going to put this into one of the raffles,” she said.

“At the end of the auction one of the bidders offered two tickets for his box at Ascot Racecourse.

“This desirable lot (went) galloping away for £1,200,” quipped the antique dealer.

Other notable lots included contributions by The Pantiles Arcade – tea with antiques expert Eric Knowles, two tickets to their forthcoming talk and a fabulous book on art glass – fetching £300.

The Warren Restaurant donated two lunches for two, with aperitifs, earning the charities £140 and £160, respectively.

A Kate Spade lamp, donated by designer lighting shop lumière brought in £120.

“We will personally oversee that the funds go directly to people who need it most and we will keep you updated with stories of families we will be directly helping,” said Mr Pushkin.

The Amelia Scott building will open its doors on Thursday 28th April and we can’t wait to welcome you!

Why not pop in to look around, or plan a visit to experience all that The Amelia has to offer. Cultural events, exhibitions, activities and more, you’ll never run out of things to do.

If you need to talk to an advisor, pay a bill or access Council services, this is the place to go.

Everyone’s welcome to explore the library, pick up their next best read or fall in love with reading all over again! You can also relax and enjoy a treat in our new café, run by local coffee experts, Fine Grind.

There’s so much to discover.

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK For more information and to sign up to our newsletter visit theamelia.co.uk

There’s something for everyone at the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival!

Bank Holiday Weekend | Friday 29 April – Monday 2 May 2022

One of Britain’s most beloved comedians and authors, David Baddiel is headlining the opening night of the Festival where he will be discussing his most recent authorial venture, Jews Don’t Count.

Assembly Hall Theatre Friday 29 April, 8pm

Kate Humble has been a cornerstone of BBC programming for over twenty years, and has been instrumental in fostering her viewers’ relationship with the natural world around them. Kate will introduce her new recipe book, Home Cooked, a stunning collection of simple, seasonal dishes designed to help reinvigorate every meal.

Assembly Hall Theatre Saturday 30 April 2.30pm

A pioneer of UK alternative comedy, Jo Brand has been tickling the country’s collective funny bone for decades! Join us at the Assembly Hall Theatre as the Saturday evening headliner, Jo will be talking about her most recent book, Born Lippy: How to Do Female.

Assembly Hall Theatre Saturday 30 April, 8pm

Coinciding with the opening of The Amelia Scott, this packed programme of events across the whole town will bring together some of the nation’s favourite writers, covering both adult and children’s literature. Fact or fiction, popular or niche, there will be something for everyone!

Tickets available on-line or via the booking hotline 01892 530613.

theamelia.co.uk

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

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‘Vital’ bus service is saved after businesses agree a subsidy

By Victoria Roberts A VILLAGE bus service has been saved from cancellation thanks to ‘intensive discussions’ that have seen local businesses agree to pay a subsidy to the operator of the route.

As the Times reported last week, the 285 was in danger of cancellation after weekday operator Nu-Venture warned it was not attracting enough passengers to cover the cost of the route.

However, Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark has confirmed that the service, due for cancellation on April 1 ‘will now continue’.

Delighted The change followed meetings with the MP, Kent County Council (KCC), bus operators, AXA Health – whose main office is in Hawkenbury – local developer Berkeley Homes and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC).

Hams Travel, which used to only run the Saturday service, has now taken over the weekday route, and will run a six-day service thanks to financial subsidy from AXA Heath and Berkeley Homes.

Tracy Garrad, CEO of AXA Health, confirmed that the company was helping to finance the service.

She said: “We are delighted that through collaboration with local government we’ve been able to continue to provide the 285 bus service.

“Continuing to financially contribute to the service was a high priority for us to support local

ALL CHANGE Nu-Venture is handing the service over to Hams Travel after talks with MP Greg Clark [right]

residents and ensure our employees can travel to our offices in line with our sustainability goals, and our long-term commitment to play a positive role in the local community.”

Thanking AXA Health, Greg Clark also confirmed contribution by housing developer Berkeley Homes, which created the Hollyfields

development in Hawkenbury.

“I am very grateful to AXA and Berkeley Homes for agreeing to increase and bring forward subsidy for the service, and for the hard work of Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council officers as well as the support of local councillors and residents who contacted

Taxi drivers ask Council to raise fares due to fuel hikes

me,” he told the Times.

“The 285 service is a vital link for many people - young and old - and I was determined to do everything possible to save it.

“It was nearly lost because of declining passenger numbers so the clear message is if you value the 285, please use it!”

KCC is to sell off half of county hall

By Robert Forrester

By Sarah Carter RISING fuel and administration costs have prompted cab drivers to request the Council increase their fares.

Last night as the Times went to press, Councillors at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council were meeting to discuss the increase requested by the a representative for the Hackney Carriage taxis in the town.

Clayton Berry of Cleggy’s Taxis has brought the proposal to the Licensing Committee and says he speaks for 70 per cent of the drivers in Tunbridge Wells.

He is asking for fares to rise during the week to match the higher weekend rate, to counter the surging rise in fuel and other costs.

If approved, it would 80 pence to the average cab journey in Tunbridge Wells.

Explaining the proposed rate changes, Mr Clayton said Tariff 1 – in force from 6am to 11:29pm – would see the initial charge increased from £4.00 to £4.80, while Tariff 2 – in force from 11:30pm to 5:59am and on Bank Holidays – would increase from £6,00 to £6.80.

Surcharge There would be no change to Tariff 3, which starts at £8.00, but is only in force on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The weekend surcharge of 80p would be abolished.

“This 80p is the normal weekend surcharge, so it would just be the weekend rate seven days a week. It will be 80p [extra] a job,” he told the Times.

The regulated fares only relate to hackney carriages, which passengers can flag down in the street or board from the taxi rank outside the station, as opposed to private hire taxis, which must be booked.

In his submission, Mr Berry cited the rising cost of living, fuel prices, ‘cost of vehicle insurance going up due to Government

THE Headquarters of Kent County Council (KCC) are set to be split in two with half of the buildings sold off, it has been reported.

Maidstone County Hall has been the authority’s HQ for more than 130 years but has been described as ‘not fit for purpose’ by officials and some blocks of the historic building have been declared surplus to requirements.

According to the BBC’s Local democracy reporting service, proposals have emerged to convert one of the buildings into 80 flats and another block into a flexible co-working space.

Meanwhile, a third block may be demolished and used as extra parking spaces to support the flats.

NOT FARE Clayton Berry has requested a rise in the taxi tariff increasing insurance premium tax’, vehicle licence fees and road tax increasing every year.

“Private hire taxis can charge whatever they like,” he added. “They’re not regulated.”

“It’s not just the fuel prices but all the licensing costs from the Council as well,” he told the Times.

Proposals His other proposals include increasing the maximum ‘spoilage charge’ from £85 to £100, and changing the additional passenger charge.

The additional passenger capacity charge would kick in after four passengers (excluding babies under one) rather than two passengers, but the charge would increase from 20p to 50p.

In its outline of the proposals, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council noted that the suggested proposals equated to a 20 per cent increase on

Scrapped tariffs 1 and 2.

It also included the note: “The Private Hire Monthly magazine publishes a league table which ranks all the Councils in England and Wales in accordance with the cost of a 2-mile hackney fare on Tariff 1. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is currently 22 out of a total of 355 councils.

“Should the proposed increase be approved, TWBC will be 8th out of the 355 councils.

Resulting in this Authority having the most expensive taxi fares in Kent.”

However, TWBC also noted: “The last rise in maximum fares took effect on 1st April 2019.”

The committee meeting started at 6:30pm last night. If Councillors voted to implement the change, they must publish a notice giving at least fourteen days for objections to be made.

If there are no objections, the proposals could be implemented on April 27.

The move comes as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is working on its plans to split the Town Hall in two, with half of the building becoming a ‘coworking space’ for outside companies.

KCC had hoped to leave County Hall altogether before the pandemic and had unveiled £50million plans to move to the former Royal Mail sorting office near Maidstone East railway station.

This plan has now been scrapped as it proved unpopular with councillors.

KCC's deputy leader and Tunbridge Wells representative, Cllr Peter Oakford, said a ‘compromise’ is being reached by the authority to maintain part of County Hall and sell the remainder.

He added that County Hall was ‘no longer fit for purpose’ and that council only used ‘less than 50 per cent of the building."

He continued: "The plumbing is atrocious. Half the bathrooms do not work and there are always blockages somewhere."

8

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Wednesday April 6 | 2022

No need for brides to besiege Leeds Castle – after supposed sale is revealed as a ‘rebrand’

A historic company celebrates 175 years A TIMBER merchant is celebrating 175 years of trade, a year late due to the Covid pandemic.

Greg Clark, the MP for Tunbridge Wells, attended the delayed birthday celebrations at Covers Timber & Builders Merchants earlier this month.

Covers was founded in 1846 in Chichester’s Canal Basin, delivering local wood by horse and cart, and modernising its timber mill as it grew. It has been owned by the Green family since the 1940s.

In August 2012, Tunbridge Wells became the company’s 13th depot, the first one in Kent.

By Victoria Roberts THE supposed sale of a Kent wedding venue as part of an April Fools prank to raise publicity for a rebrand of the heritage site, left some brides failing to see the funny side.

The 900-year-old Leeds Castle near Maidstone, which hosts weddings, offers accommodation, glamping and other events in its landscaped grounds, was on the market for £125million, according to a press release, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and even LinkedIn posts by Leeds Castle PR manager Nicole Moor.

“The reception phone has been ringing,” she admitted. “We kept getting calls from brides who were a bit concerned, so we had to set things straight right away.

Service FOR SALE? The advert for Leeds Castle was an April Fool spoof

Prank “We did do another April Fool, once, that we were changing the name to ‘Kent Castle’ and brides panicked a bit, because they’d printed their invitations,” she added.

The light-hearted joke was something of a marketing pre-launch for Leeds Castle’s new ‘Step into the 1930s’ theme from mid-April, featuring former owner Olive, Lady Baillie, whose sparkling ‘spirit’ played a central part in the prank, Ms Moor told the Times.

According to this year’s press release, Lady Baillie supposedly ‘specified that the Foundation would have a 50-year lease, before passing the baton onto the next owner’ – due to happen in 2024.

“Lady Baillie was a true arbiter of taste, and had a fascination for design and reinvention, which is why she stipulated a change after 50 years,” added the Leeds Castle spokesperson.

Lady Baillie, an Anglo-American heiress,

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transformed the Castle into one of the most desirable country houses of the 20th century.

One of the attractions of the new 1930s theme will be stalking the house staff in character, pretending to gossip about the ‘fun and frolics’ going on during that weekend’s house party.

Calculated Local estate agent Knight Edmonds was also in on this year’s joke, producing a stunning ‘listing’ for the ‘20 bed house for sale in Broomfield Road, Leeds, ME17’.

They even calculated the stamp duty: ‘Based on a sale price of £125,000,000 the total amount of stamp duty payable will be: £11,913,746’.

However, when the Times telephoned the estate agent’s office just after midday on April 1 - when jokers traditionally have to come clean, Leeds Castle admitted the April Fool.

“We had a couple of callers saying ‘well done’ [on the joke], and one call from a company that said it searches for property on behalf of wealthy clients,” said an agent answering the phone.

Noting that Leeds Castle was in the estate agents’ patch, he added: “It’s always good publicity.”

Ms Moor confirmed that wedding guests booking the castle could stay in the rooms pictured in the fake property listing, use the formal dining room, salon and other areas.

See Community, page 10, for another April Fools joke that left people ‘barking mad’.

Covers kept on all the staff of the former Build Centre, with commercial director – now managing director – Henry Green explaining: “Its geographic location now enables us to service customers locally and in the surrounding towns and villages in Kent.”

Visiting the depot, Mr Clark said: “I was impressed with their agile response to the pandemic, where they took advantage of the flexibility that furlough offered to properly implement Covid measures that resulted in a successful trading period for the company.

“Covers clearly values and supports its staff well and I wish them every success for the next 175 years!”

Covers’ store manager Max Dempster showed Mr Clark the depot and explained the business’ community projects and charitable giving.

Mr Dempster said: “We’ve worked hard to become one of the leading businesses in the area. We’ve built a loyal customer base and encourage the local community to use us for their construction and DIY needs. It was a pleasure to welcome Greg as part of our 175th anniversary celebrations and show him around.”

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What changes are being introduced with the new ‘no fault’ divorce law?

2022 sees the introduction of the long awaited no fault divorce system in England and Wales. Currently, the only way for couples to divorce immediately is to attribute blame to one party, either based on adultery or their unreasonable behaviour. If these options do not apply, couples must wait until they have been separated for two years before starting divorce proceedings and in that instance, the couple would need to be in agreement for a divorce to proceed.

The current rules have been criticised for creating unnecessary conflict between couples wanting an immediate divorce, by forcing one to blame the other for the breakdown of the marriage, even where that may not be justified. The current law has also resulted in some people having to wait until they have been separated for five years before being able to get divorced.

The no fault divorce system has been introduced under The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill and will be available to use from 6 April 2022.

Under the new system, the need for one party to evidence the breakdown of the marriage by blaming the other party will be removed. The only fact that couple will be able to rely on when asking the court for a divorce is the fact that their marriage has irretrievably broken down. It will not be possible for the other party to contest that statement.

The new system will update the language that we currently use in divorce proceedings. The ‘petitioner’ will now be the ‘applicant’, a ‘decree nisi’ will now be a ‘conditional order’ and a decree absolute will now be a ‘final order’.

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

A radio station’s April Fool leaves listeners barking mad

By Victoria Roberts

MUSIC MUTT Pip the dog during his West Kent radio shift

LISTENERS to West Kent Radio (WKR) were all agog when the station introduced its newest paw-senter on April 1 – as ‘Pip the golden retriever’ supposedly co-presented a programme with regular DJ Alex Hake.

Senior presenter at West Kent Radio, Nigel Peacock told listeners the four-legged sensation had the ‘bowwow factor’ as the pooch was a social media sensation and was set to be a permanent presenter on the station.

But it was all part of an April Fool by the Camden Road broadcaster – although Pip’s CV is certainly no joke, as the dog actually has 20,000 Twitter followers.

Wonderful In a tongue-in-cheek press release before the programme went out, Pip’s co-presenter for the day, Alex Hake joked: “Having such a big local star on West Kent Radio was wonderful.

“It was marvellous to be able to talk with Pip and watch him play some of his favourite tunes, including Sunny by Bone-y M, Hound Dog from Elvis Presley, and Crazy from Gnarls Bark-ley.

Pip's unique presentation style and his

operating of the controls was a joy to watch.”

The Times has seen Pip’s full playlist of banging chew-ns and can reveal that it also included ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ by Gladys Knight & the Pips and ‘Puppy Love’ by Donny Osmond.

The community radio station ran the traditional media ‘April Fool’ before noon on Friday, in line with the

convention that says the joke is on the prankster after midday.

Twitter was really busy,” said Nigel.

“We had some requests come in while Pip was on air.” @PipTheDog5, and listen to how WKR prank’s unfolded at the On Air – Recently Played section of westkentradio.co.uk, by selecting April 1 at 11am.

Care home residents take a quick step back in time

What does this mean for divorcing couples?

Couples will be able to start divorce proceedings immediately without having to add blame and conflict to what is already a very difficult time in their lives. This will hopefully keep matters more amicable between them and encourage a more harmonious approach to other issues arising from their separation, such as financial matters or the arrangements for children.

A real positive of the new system is the introduction of the option of joint applications, where a couple agree that the marriage has irretrievably broken down and can jointly apply for a divorce.

Couples will have a clearer idea on the timescale for the divorce proceedings. The new system sets a minimum period of 20 weeks from the start of proceedings to when the conditional order can be made and retains the six week minimum period between conditional order and final order. That means that the whole process should be concluded in around six to seven months.

Couples will be able to deal with the proceedings online, simplifying the process.

The changes to the divorce law in England and Wales will not affect the way in which separating couples address financial matters or the arrangements for their children.

If you would like to discuss the issues detailed above, please contact Sarah Keily on 01892 701277 or sarah.keily@ts-p.co.uk.

Alternatively please visit our website www.ts-p.co.uk/family

BLAST FROM THE PAST – Birchwood House team member Suzy Glaysher dressed up for her dance with resident Sylvia Rickwood (Photo by Tess Clements)

By Robert Forrester WHILE everyone was setting their clocks forward for spring, a local care home was setting the time back to the 1940s for a colourful tea-dance, at the residents’ request.

Birchwood House held the tea dance on March 24, with ENSA-style singer ‘Vintage Ruby’ singing top hits from the era.

Meanwhile, the drafted-in corps of care home staff wore pin-curls and dungarees or uniform, to mingle with

the guests.

Under bunting and streamers, residents danced and sang and enjoyed the vintage propaganda papers and posters deployed across the tea-room for the day.

Buffet Meanwhile, care home cook Elisa produced a 1940s-inspired afternoon tea buffet.

This is only the latest themed event, which follows a mediaeval-themed

summer party and Mad Hatter’s tea party, both held during the pandemic.

Claire Tye, deputy manager of Birchwood House, said: “The 1940s Tea Dance afternoon was selected by the residents themselves this year. For many of the residents this was like turning the clocks back to their early, happiest memories.

She said: “Everybody looked absolutely fantastic, and Vintage Ruby was incredible. Most of the residents were up on their feet dancing away to the sounds of the 1940s.”

Local News

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Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Paid leave for working carers on Parliamentary group agenda – thanks to disability campaigner

NEWS

11

Football club tribute to its late president

By Sarah Carter A DISABILITY campaigner is to take his campaign for paid carers’ leave back in front of lawmakers when he appears in front of two All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) after Easter.

The APPG on Disability and the APPG on Health, both chaired by Dr Lisa Cameron (SNP), will be the second and third groups to invite Chris Jeffery to talk about his campaign. He addressed the APPG on Carers nine years ago.

Mr Jeffrey, who used to run the Shop Mobility centre in Royal Victoria Place before it was forced to close due to a lack of funds, has been fighting to get paid leave for people who work and look after disabled family members.

NORMAN SALES

Entitlement Chris’ organisation, Mending The Gap, is campaigning for working carers to be allowed five days’ paid leave to help in cases of emergency, so they do not have to take unpaid leave or use up holiday entitlement.

This would allow them to take the person they care for to appointments, or to be with them in hospital. Otherwise, he said, ‘when your carer is under pressure, you feel like a burden yourself.’

He continued: “And people can’t afford unpaid leave.

“The Government’s current Employment Bill only allows five days’ unpaid leave, but there are 9.5million people in the private sector juggling work with caring for someone. The NHS allows it. Local authorities allow it.

“More and more companies are slowly gaining the initiative. And when they do, carers feel that they are being ‘thought about’, and will go the extra mile.

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS Football Club (TWFC) held a minute’s silence last night [Tuesday, 5 April] to mark the loss of president Norman Sales, who died this month.

CAMPAIGNER Chris and Jenny Jeffreys, at their Silver Wedding anniversary wedding vows renewal in 2019 “But retail is the worst at the moment.”

Chris was diagnosed with major kidney and bladder disorder 37 years ago, but reached a turning point 13 years ago, driven by the pressure on his wife Jenny, who is his carer, although she also suffers from diabetes and arthritis.

Response At that time, in his own workplace, Chris witnessed the plight of a disabled colleague whose wife was also wheelchair-bound, while the management response had been: “‘Work

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your hours. Take unpaid leave.’

“Something has got to change,” said Chris.

“Carers save the economy millions.

“I’ve been campaigning for this for 13 years, and nine years with Mending the Gap. I reach right across the country, and am in touch with organisations around the country, too.

Chris has not yet got a date for his APPG appearances, but confirmed: “It will be after Easter.

“I’m not giving up,” he told the Times. “I’m a fighter.”

Chris’s campaign aims and news can be found at mendingthegap.co.uk

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Elect Mr Sales, 83, had been involved in the Club for decades, holding a variety of roles, official and unofficial, said club secretary Phill Allcorn, telling the Times: “I’ve seen him flipping burgers, too.

He was involved with everything.”

The Club has no plans to elect a new president to replace Mr Sales, confirmed Mr Allcorn, adding: “President is not a required role. He was there for experience and advice. He did plenty, across the years.”

Paying tribute on its social media accounts last week, TWFC said: “Our thoughts are with his wife Carol and his family.”

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Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Fracking could be back as the Government orders a review into likelihood of tremors THE Government has commissioned a review of the latest scientific evidence on fracking, as the debate over UK energy supplies intensifies.

There has been a moratorium on shale gas extraction since November 2019, on the basis of evidence that it was not possible to accurately predict tremors associated with the process that is commonly known as ‘fracking’.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process in which liquid is pumped deep underground at high pressure to fracture shale rock and release gas or oil trapped within it.

Renewables The process has been mired in controversy since it hit the headlines in 2011 for causing two minor earthquakes in Lancashire, prompting a temporary ban on fracking in the UK. Environmentalists have warned that pursuing new sources of gas – a fossil fuel – is not compatible with efforts to tackle climate change, and the focus should be on developing cleaner sources of energy such as renewables.

But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has written to the British Geological Survey asking for a report on the latest science around fracking including new techniques, improvements in geological modelling or areas outside of Lancashire – where fracking has taken place –

and whether there is now less risk of tremors.

He said the Government was and would be guided by the science on shale gas but in the light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine it was ‘absolutely right that we explore all possible domestic energy sources’.

Mr Kwarteng said: “It remains the case that fracking in England would take years of exploration and development before commercial quantities of gas could be produced for the market, and would certainly have no effect on prices in the near term.

“However, there will continue to be an ongoing demand for oil and gas over the coming decades as we transition to cheap renewable energy and new nuclear power.

“In light of Putin’s criminal invasion of Ukraine, it is absolutely right that we explore all possible domestic energy sources.

“However, unless the latest scientific evidence demonstrates that shale gas extraction is safe, sustainable and of minimal disturbance to those living and working nearby, the pause in England will remain in place,” he said.

The announcement comes just two days before the government is to publish its Energy Security Strategy, after nearly a month of delays believed to be because the Treasury was not happy with the long-term costs involved, especially with nuclear.

Satellite images show bodies were lying in streets of Bucha for weeks HIGH-RESOLUTION satellite imagery has shown bodies have been lying in the open for weeks in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, as Russia denied it had committed war crimes.

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, insisted at a news conference that during the time that Bucha was under Russian control “not a single local person has suffered from any violent action”.

But satellite imagery from commercial provider Maxar Technologies proved the bodies had been there for weeks.

Western and Ukrainian leaders have accused Russia of war crimes before, and the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has already opened an investigation. But the latest reports ratcheted up the condemnation.

US president Joe Biden called for a war crimes trial against Russian leader Vladimir Putin and said he will seek more sanctions after the reported atrocities in Ukraine.

Propaganda “You saw what happened in Bucha,” Mr Biden said, describing Mr Putin as a “war criminal”.

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said photographs from Bucha show the “unbelievable brutality of the Russian leadership and those who follow its propaganda”.

French president Emmanuel Macron said there is ‘clear evidence of war crimes’ in Bucha that demand new punitive measures.

The European Commission has now proposed new sanctions against Russia, including an import ban on coal worth 4 billion euros (£3.3 billion) per year.

“I’m in favour of a new round of sanctions and in particular on coal and gasoline. We need to act,” Mr Macron said on France-Inter radio.

While Poland urged Europe to quickly wean itself off Russian energy, Germany said it would stick with a gradual approach of phasing out coal and oil imports over the next few months.

Australian police find the bodies of British father and son after landslide THE bodies of a father and son killed in a landslide while on holiday from the UK to Australia’s Blue Mountains have been recovered by police.

A New South Wales Police spokesperson confirmed that the bodies of the 49-year-old man and his nine-year-old son were winched out by PolAir around 9.30am on Tuesday.

Five members of the same family, on holiday from the UK, were caught in the landslide on Monday. The mother and another son are in a critical condition in hospital.

Advice

Russia had withdrawn many of its forces from the capital area after being thwarted in its bid to swiftly capture Kyiv.

It has instead poured troops and mercenaries into the country’s east in a stepped-up bid to gain control of the Donbas, the largely Russianspeaking industrial region that includes the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, which has seen some of the heaviest fighting and worst suffering of the war.

Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky a called for Nurnberg style trials.

The Ukrainian president accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s forces of creating “mass starvation” and shooting and raping civilians, during a graphic address to the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Tuesday.

During the UK-convened meeting of the UN’s most powerful body, whose membership includes Russia, Mr Zelensky called for those responsible to be “brought to justice” in a tribunal similar to the Nuremberg trials.

He said the world has yet to see what the Kremlin’s troops have done in other regions after evidence of atrocities was unearthed after their withdrawal from Bucha, near Kyiv.

“Today, as a result of Russia’s actions in our

country, in Ukraine, the most terrible war crimes we’ve seen since the end of World War Two are being committed,” he said in the virtual address.

“Russian troops are deliberately destroying Ukrainian cities to ashes with artillery and air strikes. They are deliberately blocking cities, creating mass starvation. They deliberately shoot columns of civilians on the road trying to escape from the hostilities.

“They even deliberately blow up shelters where civilians hide from air strikes.

“The massacre in our city of Bucha is unfortunately only one of many examples of what the occupiers have been doing on our land for the past 41 days.”

Mr Zelensky, in his first address to the council, accused Russia of “wanting to turn Ukraine into silent slaves” and its military of “wide-scale looting”, stealing everything from food to bloodied jewellery.

“The Russian military and those who gave them orders must be brought to justice immediately for war crimes in Ukraine,” he said.

“Anyone who has given criminal orders and carried out them by killing our people will be brought before the tribunal, which should be similar to the Nuremberg tribunals.”

New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet called the incident “tragic” and said he would be seeking advice as to whether the walking track should have been open given recent heavy rain.

“These tragedies occur too often so anything we can do to keep people safe, we will,” Mr Perrottet told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“Obviously, the Blue Mountains is a place where people love to go trekking. It’s one of the wonders of the world but when those tragedies occur it would be remiss of any government not to act.”

Following the removal of the bodies, the New South Wales Department of Environment and Heritage announced that the area was closed to the public until further notice and a “comprehensive review” would be undertaken. “(New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service) has a world class program in place to assess geotechnical risks and maintain the safety of walking tracks and other infrastructure to the greatest extent practicable,” the statement said.

“Unfortunately it is not possible to predict and eliminate all natural risks such as rockslides, which can occasionally occur around the state.”

The Department added that the walking track was inspected in the days before the rockslide as part of a routine track assessment program.

Speaking to radio station 2GB, Blue Mountains Area Command acting superintendent John Nelson said emergency services were focused on caring for the two surviving members of the family who were critically injured in the landslide.

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

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Indie guitarist admits to killing teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod GUILTY Cody Ackland in court

Expert commercial dispute resolution lawyers

MURDERED Bobbi-Anne McLeod A MUSICIAN has pleaded guilty to the murder of 18-year-old student Bobbi-Anne McLeod and will face a life sentence when he is jailed next month, a court heard.

Cody Ackland, 24, entered the plea during a plea and trial preparation hearing at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday).

Ackland spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and admit murdering the teenager on a date between November 19 and 23 last year.

Prosecutor Richard Posner asked for the sentencing hearing to be adjourned due to outstanding pathology reports to be served.

Plea Close family members of the teenager, including her mother, father and brother, sat in the courtroom while friends watched proceedings on a video link from an adjacent court.

The teenager’s mother Donna McLeod was in tears throughout the brief hearing.

Mr Posner told the court the prosecution “would not be seeking a trial” on a count of kidnap following Ackland’s plea to murder.

He said he was awaiting further evidence from a neuropathologist’s report that he hoped to be able to serve on the court before the end of the month.

Once he had received it, he would be ready to set out a full sentencing note detailing the facts of the murder.

Ray Tully QC, for Ackland, said that he would be providing the court with a psychiatric report about the defendant ahead of the sentencing hearing.

Judge Robert Linford adjourned sentencing until May 19 and remanded the defendant, of Radcliffe Close, Southway, Plymouth into custody.

The judge told him: “You have pleaded guilty to murder for which the sentence is fixed by law.

“I shall sentence you on May 19. The sentence will be a sentence of imprisonment for life.

“The only issue will be the minimum term which I must impose pursant to Schedule 21 of the Sentencing Act 2020.

“You will be remanded into custody until that date and you may go down.”

Student Miss McLeod was last seen waiting at a bus stop in Plymouth on the evening of Saturday November 20 last year, as she set off to meet friends.

Her body was found three days later near the beach at Bovisand, about seven miles from where she lived.

During an opening inquest held last year no cause of death for the teenager was given.

A candlelit vigil was also held at the spot where the teenager was last seen alive.

Ackland was lead guitarist in Plymouth-based indy band Rakuda, who released their first EP in August last year.

Alison Hernandez, police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, said: “I can’t even start to imagine the pain that BobbiAnne McLeod’s family and friends have been through over these past few months.

“While there is no justice that can bring Bobbi-Anne back, I’m pleased this case will be concluded swiftly and I truly hope the family will get the answers they need to provide some closure on this terrible incident.”

Our lawyers are experts in every aspect of commercial dispute resolution law, including litigation, arbitration and mediation.

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Motor industry hit with worst March sales in last 24 years THE UK’s automotive industry suffered its worst March for new car sales since 1998, according to new figures.

Just 243,479 new cars were registered last month, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

That is down 14.3 per cent compared with March 2021.

It is the lowest March total since 1998, which was prior to the introduction of new number plates every March and September.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes described the figures as “deeply disappointing”, with March crucial for the industry because it is normally the busiest month of the year as buyers demand the latest number plate.

Robust He said: “While demand remains robust, this decline illustrates the severity of the global semiconductor shortage, as manufacturers strive to deliver the latest, lowest emission vehicles to eagerly awaiting customers.

“Placing orders now will be beneficial for those looking to take advantage of incentives and lower running costs for electric vehicles,

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“With increasing household and business costs, Government must do all it can to support consumers so that the growth of electric vehicles can be sustained and the UK’s ambitious net zero timetable delivered.”

The UK has pledged to reach net zero for carbon emissions by 2050.

The help achieve this, sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned from 2030.

A record 64,165 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered in March.

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EDUCATION Times

Education

NEWS

15

Pupils learn valuable lessons on climate change Year 4 children at Claremont Primary School have created posters and marched in protest to express their frustration at people’s abuse of the environment. The Times discovers more ...

CLAREMONT Primary School in Tunbridge Wells has been teaching its Year 4 classes about the causes and effects of climate change.

As well as learning all about it, the pupils have conducted research, written letters to Greg Clark MP and created their own placards.

At the end of last month the children went on a climate change march through nearby Grove Park and the High Street.

Candi Roberts, headteacher at Claremont said: "The pupils were wonderfully behaved, but not

“We want to show everyone how we feel about climate change and how bad it is” afraid to let their voices be heard! They turned lots of heads and were delighted when members of the public showed their support. Well done, Year 4 for representing both this great cause and our school so well."

Year 4 student Lucas said: "I felt excited to do the march. The reason we did it was to show

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everyone how we feel about climate change and how bad it is.

“I loved hearing the cars beep and seeing people give us a 'thumbs up'. It was great to see that people understood and supported us."

Support Fellow Claremont pupil Nyah added: "I enjoyed the march because it was nice to prove to people that we need to act now. At first I was embarrassed about my drawing but a few people put their thumbs up. When they did that, it gave me confidence and I had lots of fun."

16

NEWS

Weekly Comment

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Hugo Pound Labour Councillor for Sherwood

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Hugo Pound is Labour Councillor for Sherwood Ward and leader of the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Labour group. He is a chartered psychologist specialising in corporate leadership and strategy. He has worked in the NHS, as a qualified social worker in a London borough, in industry, and latterly in consulting.

2022

The Council has already lost its majority and its way ON MAY 5 voters will have the chance to give their verdict on a Conservative Council that has already lost its majority and lost its way. A Council that has wasted nearly £11m on the failed Calverley Square Project, gone over budget by £7m on the Amelia Scott, and left us with a tired and unloved Tunbridge Wells town centre.

With the expectation of new Council leadership, Councillors will need to work more energetically and collaboratively on behalf of residents to make our Borough a place where everyone can prosper and thrive.

Manifesto Labour’s newly published local manifesto has five priorities: making a plan to get us past Covid and the cost of living crisis; creating better and safer towns and villages; building more genuinely affordable houses to buy and rent; being more ambitious locally in tackling the climate crisis; and listening and acting more on what residents say.

Labour Councillors have the drive to address these five priorities and to help give the Council the direction it needs. Although, on our own, we won’t be running the Council after the elections,

we will be more influential in shaping the agenda and pushing for pace and action on those issues that are most important for residents.

We know that many people have not voted Labour before and we are heartened to meet so many who are planning to back us in May for the first time ever. Our values are shared by so many, whatever their backgrounds or

Rt Revd Simon Burton-Jones Bishop of Tonbridge

circumstances.

Most of us want a fairer society, communities where everyone has the chance to flourish and grow, to feel secure, safe and respected. As a Labour Councillor in Tunbridge Wells, for me it’s all about working cross-party, building a consensus and delivering the improvements that residents want, in the places where they live.

On the doorsteps, people have commented on

the appalling lack of genuinely affordable homes in the town for social rent.

And the Council’s lack of action on the climate crisis. Many have said that The Pantiles and High Street in Tunbridge Wells seem to be doing well, but elsewhere, and in many of the Borough’s towns and villages, shops are struggling.

There are also concerns about bin collections, street lighting, antisocial behaviour, safety, speeding traffic, and deep frustration about the lack of real consultation and engagement on the failed theatre project and other key projects in Tunbridge Wells. We can do so much better than this.

Our Borough Council has a very small budget.

Most of the Council Tax we pay goes to Kent County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Only 10% goes to the Borough Council. Most of this is taken up with bin collections, parks, grounds and buildings maintenance and our leisure centres. With these constraints we believe that Labour’s priorities are the right ones to focus on.

On May 5, or before if you are a postal voter, please vote for change in the Borough. Use your vote for your Labour candidate – for the party that’s on your side.

The Rt Revd Simon Burton-Jones is the seventh Bishop of Tonbridge. He has oversight and leadership of the education, youth and children, and community engagement work of churches across the Diocese of Rochester, which includes Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

I can’t imagine giving up the news but I have made adjustments ROLF Dobelli is on a mission: to stop people watching the news. For ten years the Swiss entrepreneur has avoided it and reports ‘clearer thinking, more valuable insights, and vastly more time’. Having been a news junkie, a decade of de-toxification has turned his life around.

His position produces mixed responses – the more so in a time of global crisis. News has been overwhelmed by coverage of the pandemic and now Ukraine.

TV bulletins have little space for anything else.

This makes viewing a profoundly depressing activity. It also makes people wonder what happened to other news. Did it magically go away?

Leaving to one side the existential crises we face, let’s think about less demanding times.

Dobelli argues that most news is irrelevant to people’s daily lives and their desire to live well, however defined.

News editors decide what to put into bulletins and websites, but their notion of relevance may have little bearing on our needs. Journalists confuse ‘absent’ with ‘unimportant’ according to Dobelli in his slim book Stop Reading the News (Sceptre, 2019).

But what’s absent may be most relevant to us.

With telling prescience, he cited long before 2020 the ‘absence of a statistically likely

conclusion as we try to put out huge bush fires that run beyond our control, swooping over them to release water but then flying off at speed. This is not good for spiritual health.

Control

ROLLING NEWS : Coverage is now 24 hours a day seven days a week worldwide pandemic’ from discussion on the news schedules.

Passivity is also a problem. The more we encounter news we can’t do anything about, the more resigned we become, what’s termed learned helplessness.

So, here’s the rub.

The capacity to share news across the world in seconds, and significantly to film it, has somehow turned everyone into a neighbour. But

when Jesus was asked who is our neighbour and responded with the story of the Good Samaritan, it’s a stretch to say he meant people today to live this out for nearly eight billion others. There have to be limits, lest we burn ourselves out. But what are they?

As we follow one crisis upon another around the world, we are left with a permanent sense of vertigo and nausea. Personal prayers especially become disorientated. There is rarely a

Let me confess here: I am a news junkie. I can’t imagine giving up the news like Rolf Dobelli.

I would feel stupid, exposed, easy prey especially for those who think church leaders know nothing about the world around them.

However, I have made adjustments by reading long form article periodicals more than instant news outlets, and books more than social media.

I access NGOs like the International Crisis Group to get a deeper grip on global affairs, not least because all national news outlets are more parochial than we’re prepared to admit. I still use the news for my prayers but try to think about what has been left out as well as what has been put in.

We rarely stop to analyse the trends that have the most impact on us in life. Until we face up to this, we risk becoming helpless before the news’ hourly winds of change. Good citizenship doesn’t allow ethical muscles to atrophy, but also knows their limits amid the endless needs we see.

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Letters

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

NEWS

17

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

Statements from our local politicians are meaningless

I read, twice, your piece on the forthcoming elections and the statements made by the various political parties.

The first thing that struck me was the general sense of airy-fairyness, vagueness; the aspirational but generally vapid meaningless of them.

The Lib Dems want to concentrate on running waste collection and parks and community services, but aren't these tasks for the executive, isn't it for them to get right?

The Greens just epitomise my earlier comments: vague and airy-fairy.

The Conservatives want electric buses, but who's going to pay for them? Accompanied by more aspirational waffle.

Labour want to build more houses - using

whose money? Accompanied by meaningless phrases like: post Covid and the cost of living crisis; a place where everyone can prosper and thrive; create safer towns and villages and, the clincher: tackling the climate crisis prompting me to paraphrase Hermann Goring's ‘When I hear the word culture I reach for my gun’ (quoting Hanns Johst): when I hear the word climate crisis I reach for my wallet.

Finally, in your ‘Times Comment’ which ends the article you state that it is unsustainable for the council to keep plundering its reserves.

This is probably true, but what do you think many of us have been doing for too many years?

Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells

Lib Dem candidate is not credible It is always heartening to see someone like Brendon Le Page, Lib Dem candidate for Southborough North (Times, March 30) becoming enthused by politics and ready to ‘roll up his sleeves’. And much of what he says chimes well with existing Labour Party policy

for Tunbridge Wells, set out in its 2022 manifesto.

But a Borough Councillor is expected to be an advocate for their own patch on the Council, as well as exercising their Boroughwide responsibilities; and Mr Le Page shows little knowledge of local issues.

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He characterises Southborough’s problems as ‘congestion, parking and the bin collection fiasco’. Has he taken the trouble to read any of Southborough Town Council’s minutes over the last two years?

Has he no idea, for example, of the need for social housing in Southborough, and the Town Council’s hopes to create some on Kent County Council’s former library site – recently dashed by the Southborough Conservative politician currently in charge of Kent County Council’s property team?

Or its aspirations to write its own Neighbourhood Development Plan, again something local Conservatives seem determined to stifle in its infancy - fortunately without success?

And his Party’s abstention from voting down the Tory Borough budget demonstrates absolutely zero commitment to ’fresh ideas, vigour and enthusiasm’.

If the Liberal Democrats had a credible leadership or a consistent political aim that sought to reduce inequality and promote social justice, they could become a party worth voting for; good luck with that, Mr Le Page, either locally or nationally.

Mrs Dariel Francis (Labour) Southborough Town Councillor Opera branding was a sign of the times I would just like to add my personal appreciation for the letter (Times, March 30) sent in by Colin Bullen of Tonbridge regarding the ‘Russian’ State Opera.

You are correct, Sir, this is indeed false advertising and the named councillors suggesting that paying customers were at fault for failing to fully research these matters is not only absurd, (as Mr Bullen puts it) but also quite preposterous.

Indeed, it could be argued, that artistic (or other) companies adopting unentitled labels are almost as deceitful as some of our large local supermarkets copying original brand packaging – but let’s face facts; sadly, nothing at all will be done to curb any of these gross inaccuracies – a sign of the times perhaps ?

Phil Norman Tunbridge Wells Does the leader lead by example?

At the end of his article in the Times (March 16, 2022) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council leader Tom Dawlings suggests that people might reflect on whether they really need two cars.

Purely in the public interest would it be possible for our columnist Calverley to ascertain how many vehicles reside on the Dawlings manor?

Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells Rubbish bin service You explain very well in your pages how Urbaser will be paid £14,000 a month by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to collect garden waste.

What residents want to know is why the Conservative administration agreed to pay Urbaser extra to do something it agreed to do, and was paid to do, in the original contract.

Evidently the people behind the daft Calverley theatre idea haven’t learn a thing.

It’s time for a change, but it’s not long until the May 5 elections.

Martin Brice Culverden

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

WHAT A MESS: It comes to something when Labour’s Leader Keir Starmer refuses to answer the question: “Can a woman have a penis?” He was left floundering when asked during a debate on trans gender rights. Meanwhile, Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner thought it was ‘unacceptable’ to even ask a trans woman if they have external male genitalia. The majority do. The issue is about a person feeling their identity does not correspond to their birth certificate. And its’s a worthwhile debate and of huge importance to those who want to self-identify as a man or woman. The problem is that genuine, open debate has been stifled by political correctness and a fear of upsetting some keyboard warriors, a tiny minority of the population, for offering views that might challenge their own. The ‘ruling class’ is terrified of confronting the issue which also opens the door on women’s rights being eroded. Those who set society’s agenda were just as out of touch on Brexit and paid the price. As they risk doing this time round.

Everyone must feel able to express a considered opinion. Just like Calverley always does.

REMEMBER the teacher in Yorkshire who received death threats after showing pupils a cartoon image of Prophet Mohammed during a religious education class? Well, a year later he is still in hiding after fleeing his home even though an investigation cleared the 30-year-old of intending to cause offence. According to a friend he has found it ‘increasingly hard’ to rebuild his life. Freedom of speech?

CAST YOUR MIND BACK to when the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told MPs he could not recall how much he earned. (It’s £575,000 a year.) Well, he did recall how to do expenses and claimed £83 for a keyboard cover and screen protector for his tablet while working from home. Clearly his home is on another planet. Mr Bailey did later repay the money. Too late, damage done.

DO YOU RECALL a few weeks ago when Calverley told of the Ukrainian soldier defending an island shouting ‘Russian warship f+++ off’ when ordered to surrender? The island was then bombed and he was reportedly killed with colleagues. Happily, Roman Gribov survived and has returned to the Ukraine as part of a prisoner swap. See, there can be good news – sometimes.

FINAL THOUGHT: Neighbour spends three hours at hairdressers before bouncing into the kitchen back home to display her new image.

Teenage son takes one look and says: “Did you actually ask them to do that and pay for it?”

Dad suddenly found something to do in the garden. Wise man.

Chin, chin dear reader…

We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words

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Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Life&Times

ARTS • BOOKS • GOING OUT • FOOD • EVENTS • ANTIQUES • TRAVEL • PROPERTY • LIVE MUSIC and MORE...

Arts - Page 20

Events - Page 24

Antiques - Page 32

Recipe for success Chef Will Devlin is a Taste of Kent finalist P28

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Arts

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

arts

“I wanted my new career advice book to be accessible to all people and to ultimately give them confidence” Local author Katie Redfern has recently published her debut book. Entitled ‘Working Meaningfully – Your Fast-Track Guide to a Career That Lights You Up’, its aim is to bring her extensive career expertise to a wider audience. Here she tells Eileen Leahy more about it and reveals a few of her top tips for success

K

ATIE REDFERN, career coach and founder of Meaningful Recruitment, published her debut eBook ‘Working Meaningfully – Your Fast-Track Guide To A Career That Lights You Up’ earlier this year.

She says the book aims to bring her expert career coaching to a new audience, making guidance more affordable and accessible than ever before.

So if you’re seeking career clarity or want to improve your confidence in the work place then this is a good place to start as the reader is guided along a journey of self-exploration through key information and exercises that Katie shares when she career coaches her clients.

Proven tips and advice for how to transform and adapt to a more meaningful work life are shared throughout the book so that each reader can work out what is meaningful to them and create the action and momentum needed to propel their career in the right direction.

Katie is also a highly experienced recruitment consultant, professional coach and CV Writer with over 20 years of experience in these fields. She has helped many clients transition to a happier place

“I wanted to help as many people as I could through these unprecedented times” in their work life using her wealth of knowledge and professional coaching qualifications.

Katie is well known for boosting her client's confidence by providing them with the tools and resources they need to help them during their career journey. She also has a vast network of organisations that she works with who are striving to make a positive social impact in our world including many B Corporations…..

So let’s kick things off with you telling us a bit about yourself Katie….

I’m the Founder of Meaningful Recruitment, a Career Coach and Author. I work with clients all over the UK and have created a name for myself as the ‘go to’ person to contact if you are going through career changes in your life.

I can also help you if you want to work for an organisation making a difference in the world we live in today.

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Arts

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

How long have you lived in Tunbridge Wells and is your work based here?

My business is a national business and I’ve got offices in Tunbridge Wells and London. I’ve lived in Tunbridge Wells ever since I started Meaningful Recruitment in 2016 so it made sense to have an office in this beautiful area.

21

helped me to become the business woman and entrepreneur that I am today.We need to be proud of our unique skills set.

their confidence as they move along the path towards a more meaningful work life. They identify what is meaningful to them and then create the action and momentum needed to propel them in the right direction.

Mothers Day Afternoon Tea at Salomons

When and why did you start specialising in careers – both in terms of recruitment and mentoring?

I've been an expert in my field of professional recruitment and career consultancy for over 20 years now and supported thousands of one to one clients along a journey of transformation in their work life. During Covid-19, I realised there was a huge need to help more people who were stuck in a rut or wanting to change career paths.

How did Covid change things for your business?

I’d already been working via online platforms so was fully set up and jumped into action to focus all my energy on helping those in need.

Many one -to-one clients felt highly stressed, disengaged or disconnected from their workplace and needed support through career changes and other career services that we provide e.g. interview coaching, CV and LinkedIn services.

Is this how the idea for ‘Working Meaningfully’ came about?

Absolutely. The need for help from 1:1 clients was off the scale and I wanted to help as many people as I could through these unprecedented times. So, the idea for the book came up and I wanted it to be

ESTABLISHED

“Working my strengths and developing my creative muscle definitely have helped me to become the business woman and entrepreneur that I am today”

accessible to people from all backgrounds and cultures to support them in an easy to read guide format and inspire them to make some changes and give them confidence.

Why did you decide upon an e-book?

By making it available on online platforms like Amazon I’ve been able to share my top tips and advice in a guide format that is affordable and fits into people's busy schedules easily. Not everyone can spend money on multiple career coaching sessions so I wanted to ensure a lower price point of £9.99 How has it been received by readers?

The reception has been overwhelming with copies selling all over the world including the USA, Europe and of course the UK. I’ve received fantastic book reviews from the public and also journalists such as Sara Darling who included my book in her top 10 books for 2022.

In the book you share that you’re dyslexic and rather than seeing it as a negative you see it as your superpower – why is this?

Being dyslexic taught me from a very young age to persist, to be resilient and think laterally.

Dyslexia is my superpower now, and I'm very proud to have written my first book. I’m not denying that having dyslexia wasn’t a challenge because it was. There were times that other children in my class would do their homework in one hour and I would do it in three but I soon realised how to avoid repeating the same ‘mistakes’ and adapt. Working my strengths and developing my creative muscle definitely have

If you could sum up your book in three words what would they be?

Meaningful. Confidence. Impact. This book will inspire you to develop all three of these things.

‘Working Meaningfully: Your fast-track guide to a career that lights you up’ is available to buy on Amazon for £9.99 - click here to order:https://bit.ly/ WorkingMeaningfullyeBookbyKatieRedfern To find out more about Meaningful Recruitment and the services available go to www.meaningfulrecruitment.co.uk or you can contact Katie directly at katie@ meaningfulrecruitment.co.uk

CAREER COACH KATIE REDFERN SHARES SOME KEY Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea, PIECES OF CAREER ADVICE: overlooking our breath-taking grounds on • Can26th you narrow down your list of problems THERE ARE many exercises in ‘Working Saturday March 2022. into one problem that really motivates you Meaningfully’, including the following one: I or are the problemsand interrelated? often say to my clients in the earlyJust sessions of £22.50 per person, all Mums • What research can you do on the problem or our consultations, ‘What’s the problem you receive a complimentary glass of bubbles. problems you want to fix? want to fix?’ When we fix problems it gives us • What are the causes? List as many as you satisfaction and meaning but it also Tables available midday to 4.30pm can. contributes. This is different to the common • What solutions can you see at this stage to question we ask ourselves when we are Call 01892515152 or email the problem? contemplating our career which is, ‘How can I reception@salomons-estate.com • What solutions are the most feasible and be happy?’ Do you see the difference here? In achievable? one exercise, I encourage the reader to find a to book.

• What organisations, businesses or quiet space, and list the problems that they/ communities are already looking at the you personally want to fix. Don’t limit yourself issues and how can you connect with them? by your current circumstances. I’ve seen people go around and around in circles and on This is just one small example of the exercises career paths that are unsatisfying until they in my guide and starts to help the reader to eventually take the pause and come back to tune into themselves and work out what is this point years later. Once you’ve started to important to them and they identify what’s narrow the problem or problems you want to meaningful to them too. fix I then ask the reader more questions e.g.

01892 51 51 52 | www.salomons-estate.com What’s the key aim of the book in your opinion?

Through the proven tips, advice and exercises provided in my book I help the reader transform, adapt and build

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Books

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Times book reviewer

HANNAH KIRSOP

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

ONE YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Light Perpetual by Francis Spufford

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

(published by Faber & Faber, priced £8.99)

(published by Simons & Schuster, priced £8.99)

In this 2021 Booker longlisted novel, Spufford profiles the lives of five children who are killed by a German bomb in November 1944. By citing their deaths at the very beginning of the novel and then exhibiting their un-lived lives, the deep trauma of their loss is (partially) contained to the start and, whilst it overshadows the narrative as one reflects on the missed lives, the reader is able to appreciate and enjoy their stories. All are ordinary folk but each in their own simple and individual way becomes memorable and unique for who they might have been.

Told in seven chapters with each one charting a particular period in their lives, this isn’t a hugely plot driven novel but an engaging, thought-provoking one which is dedicated in full to illustrating the characters Spufford has chosen. All five of them have their charms and their flaws to different degrees and Spufford uses their stories to address some interesting themes, none more effectively for me than his handling of Ben’s struggle with mental illness. A unique book.

Starting in mid-life when Olive Kitteridge has a husband and teenage son, this novel offers a candid insight into Olive’s life through a series of 13 consecutive vignettes about residents of the small coastal town of Crosby in Maine, and their relationship – to a greater or lesser extent – with Olive. Although she merits nothing more than a passing mention in some chapters, each beautifully constructed and detailed chapter with its focus on human nature – how we build relationships, how we feel and how we behave – contribute to the depiction of her kind, cross, thoughtful, complex, flawed, and real character.

In telling Olive’s story, the book touches upon many common joys, sorrows and tragedies that would befall a small-town community (and one unlikely one!), all through the lens of the raw emotions of the well-drawn characters that live there which offers a wonderful context to Olive, and the way she is, in her natural surroundings.

In many ways, this is a sad book but I loved its simple style and emotional connection.

8/10

Hannah Kirsop grew up in Kent and now lives in Horsmonden with her family. She loves to read and share recommendations and runs Bainden Book Club for a group of local women to discuss interesting fiction and non-fiction in a range of genres. You can find www.baindenbookshelf.com online or on Instagram: @baindenbookshelf

The bookcase…

Here are some more reads to inspire you this week …

Who Are We Now?: Stories Of Modern England

by Jason Cowley Published in hardback by Picador, priced £20 (ebook £9.99) An urgent and timely historical review charting the years between the election of New Labour and the aftermath of the pandemic.

Cowley explores the evolution of ‘Englishness’ through a series of highly politicised stories readers will recognise from the news, though perhaps never considered as having a lasting impact on their idea of English nationality and culture. Stories include the Chinese cockle-pickers who drowned in Morecombe Bay, the Bethnal Green girls who fled to the Islamic State, Gareth Southgate’s transformative influence on British football, and the Lancashire woman who publicly challenged Gordon Brown on his supposedly people-centric policies.

Cowley powerfully demonstrates how these vivid, half-forgotten stories have contributed to a fragmented England, and offers a vision for how we can embrace the lessons learned to build a bright new future.

Review by Scarlett Sangster

9/10

9/10

The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson Published in hardback by Mantle, priced £16.99 (ebook £7.99) Available now An unhappy family brought together for a special occasion isn’t a new scenario for a novel, but Charlotte Mendelson uses it to hugely entertaining effect in The Exhibitionist.

Central to the toxic Hanrahan clan is Ray, patriarch, failed artist and narcissistic monster.

Stuck in his malign orbit is his chronically conflict-avoidant wife Lucia – the true artist of the family – his two neurotic daughters, and a mentally unstable stepson.

It’s Ray’s first exhibition in years, and the family’s job to

make it run smoothly. But what secret is Lucia hiding? Will the kids ever be able to break away?

And, more importantly, where are the pictures? Mendelson’s sharply-observed take on bohemian north London squalor is more grimace-worthy than laugh out loud. But the will-they, won’t-they confront Ray plot keeps you turning the pages, so what the book lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in readability.

Review by Jackie Kingsley

8/10

French Braid by Anne Tyler Published in hardback by Chatto & Windus, priced £16.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now

8/10

A chance meeting at a Philadelphia rail station between distant cousins opens this novel. Then we’re plunged back into 1959, with the Garrett family taking a rare holiday in a cabin on a lake in Maryland. Most of the book is based in Tyler’s usual setting of Baltimore – but it’s not the city viewers of The Wire are familiar with. Pulitzer Prizewinner Anne Tyler writes character-driven novels, and French Braid is multi-faceted – with

different family members coming and going out of focus.

Over the course of the book, we slowly discover how tiny moments reshape families over several generations, until it gets to the point where one cousin barely recognises another.

What’s unspoken but not unnoticed is a recurrent motif. Tyler’s books are full of subtleties, tender compassion and humanity, and French Braid is no exception.

Review by Bridie Pritchard

Going out

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

23

The Times’ Victoria Roberts provides a roundup of local events and activities…

weekend itself.

Arty Farty in Southborough is one of those mainstays of Easter holidays, and this year is no exception. With all of the holiday period covered, the creative collective also has plans for Easter weekend itself. Kicking off the bank holiday on Friday, April 15 at 11am-3pm, its ‘Under the Sea Arts Day’, offers a chance to portray and create creatures from the deep. Ages 8 and older.

Then on Saturday, April 16, Arty Farty moves away from the purely visual towards painting

with words: ‘Creative Writing: Easter, Spring & Hope’, which will tackle plot, structure and presentation for ages 7 and up. Saturday, April 16, 10am-noon. Tickets from Eventbrite.

How often have your children asked for chocolate at breakfast? The Easter Bunny will make that dream come true on Easter weekend, hopping between the tables at One Warwick Park’s breakfast buffet (full English and Continental varieties – and Easter treats).

Saturday, April 16 at 10am-noon. Book at reception@onewarwickpark.co.uk Salomons Estate is hosting traditional Easter roast lunch on April 17, with children’s Easter Egg hunt and chocolate egg rewards at the end of the trail. Book at reception@salomons-estate.com

LOOKING at screens and stages big and small, The Times of Tunbridge Wells presents a selected guide to the week ahead.

Spring may seem like an odd time to celebrate unconsummated attraction, but the repressed, star-crossed couple of ‘In the Mood For Love’ bring out the best in one another, to the point that viewers won’t want to let either of them go, either. At Trinity Theatre, tonight [Wednesday, April 6] at 7pm.

Sometimes characters break away from their own creators and take on a life of their own… though they do not always gain the selfawareness to go COUNT ARTHUR STRONG with that consciousness.

The character of deluded thespian ‘Count Arthur Strong’ breaks the fourth wall to address the Assembly Hall on Thursday, April 7 at 8pm. ‘And This Is Me’.

If you missed the musical ‘Blood Brothers’ in the West End, West End revival or on Broadway, it’s now on at the Assembly Hall for a five-day run, including three matinées. The story of fraternal twins Mickey and Eddie, separated at birth, features hits like ‘Bright New Day’, ‘Marilyn Monroe’, ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ and more. Opens Tuesday, April 6 at 7:30pm.

Rusthall Community Cinema Club is fundraising this weekend, on behalf of ‘Rusthall Stands With Ukraine’. Richard Curtis’ crowd-pleasing ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ (15) is bound to pack them in. Doors open at 7pm. Saturday, April 9. The discussion group afterward can also be accessed by Zoom.

In a related ‘Rusthall Stands With Ukraine’ fundraising event, Claque Theatre BLOOD BROTHERS stages ‘The Chairs’ on Sunday, 10 April at 5pm. Two actors walk onto a stage whose only set is two chairs, and improvise a whole play. The theatre company has produced 50 community plays across the UK, Canada, the US and Europe. The Rusthall, St Paul’s St. Tickets from Eventbrite, suggested donation £10.

WITH one of the best live music scenes in the South East, here is a round-up of some of the best bands and acts performing this week.

Seventeen-year-old East Sussex singer-songwriter Ash Dodd is the headliner at The Forum tomorrow, Thursday, April 7 at 7:30pm. Supported by Sissy Else. Age 16 and over unless accompanied by an adult.

Stars of Spotify, album and stage, the False Heads trio from east London play the Forum Basement (Sussex Arms) with material from their album ‘It’s All There But You’re Dreaming’.

Championed by Iggy Pop and former Ramones manager Danny Field. Support acts are Bsus2 and Shoplifter. Saturday, April 9 at 7:30pm. Age 18 and over.

Strictly Dan comes to the stage of Trinity Theatre with the music of Steely Dan. Ther 12-piece band will play widely from the rock legends’ 40-year repertoire, before being joined onstage

by Band Without Boundaries (BWB), for some Steely Dan, followed by BWB’s own set. Saturday, April 9 at 8pm.

The last karaoke party by Shaun Williamson (‘Barry from Eastenders’) was such a storming success that ‘Barrioke’ just had to be brought back. At The Forum for two nights: JENNY MASLIN Friday-Saturday (April 8-9) at 8pm. The afterparties last until 1am. Age 18 and older.

The Grey Lady has Jenny Maslin and Friends for jazz cabaret fans on Saturday, April 8, from 7:30pm.

Singer-violinist Jenny is joined by jazz pianist John Harriman and double bassist James Sunney.

Soul and Motown fans eager to put their Saturday night to a good cause, check out Chris from LA Sounds and Rock Steady Freddy, DJ-ing the ‘Rusthall Stands with Ukraine’ night with auction, at St Paul’s Church Centre from 7pm. Buffet included with entry, and licensed bar available. Tickets from Eventbrite.

‘The Lovely Eggs’ are full of a rage which drove their sixth album ‘I Am Moron’ straight to number one in the UK Independent Album Charts. The Forum, Sunday, April 10 at 7:30pm. Supported by Rob Auton and Gwenifer Raymond. Age 16 and over unless accompanied by an adult.

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society (RTWCS) return to the Assembly Hall for the first concert of their 119th season, singing Verdi’s ‘Requiem’ under conductor Robyn Sevastos, with soloists Helen Bailey (soprano), Felicity Buckland (mezzosoprano), Jonathan Cooke (tenor) and Louis Hurst (bass).

Sunday, April 10 at 3pm.

WHETHER your family is young or old, big or small, there’s plenty to do both indoors and outdoors over the coming week, along with some active ideas.

The Kent Police Museum, Faversham, has re-opened to the public two days a week, for hands-on nostalgic fun. Play cops‘n’robbers using real-life truncheons or sit on a motorcycle.

There is police uniform for both children and the ‘big kids’ to try on. Open Thursdays and Fridays only, 10am-4pm (last admittance 2:30pm). Entry is free (donations accepted), but booking essential.

Search kent.police.uk for ‘Kent Police Museum’. Parking at Church Rd Faversham is free for 2 hours. Bus X3/X4, or take the train to Faversham station.

On stage tomorrow night [Thursday, April 7, at 2pm], watch the Hogmoor Troll go into hiding under a forest bridge built from reclaimed materials. There is something out there, though… Ages 4 and older. Trinity Theatre Bedgbury Pinetum’s trio of ‘Crack the Code’ events starts next Tuesday [April 12] at 10am-noon, challenging 4-17-year-olds to apply their new knowledge of conifer trees to unlock their Easter chocolate prize. Available until April 14. Activity sheets £1 from the Visitor Centre. Parking payable.

Arty Farty’s activities continue throughout the Easter holiday, with creative production and play from the plastic arts (clay) to dramatic arts. Find the full programme at artyfartyretreat.co.uk.

Tickets from Eventbrite.

Family and children’s activities in this weekend’s Rusthall Stands With Ukraine include the Easter Fayre on Saturday, April 9 at 10:30am-3:30pm (URC Hall), featuring raffle, chocolate tombola, Ukrainian food by Charlie’s Angels, refreshments, Jul’s Falconry, books stall, friendship-bracelet making and more.

Then, on Sunday (April 10), join the Easter-themed arts and crafts afternoon from 1pm at Rusthall Club, St Paul’s Road.

Tickets for most events available from Eventbrite. More events at rusthallvillage.org. All in aid of the British Red Cross Emergency Appeal for Ukraine. photograph: the forestry commission

W

ITH THE holiday still long, and the daylight hours getting longer, there is still plenty to do with the family over Easter, and bookings to be made for the Bank Holiday

BEDGEBURY

24

Events

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Spring and summer festival fun starts here …

With 2022 seeing the welcome return of many popular festivals to Tunbridge Wells, Victoria Roberts looks at some of the events that are set to entertain us all again soon

Food festival and jazz set for a return to The Pantiles

A

FTER the challenges of the last two years, Jazz on the Pantiles is set for a return next, but it is not the only event lined up for the historic promenade this year.

The jazz event has been entertaining the people of Tunbridge Wells every Thursday night in the warmer months for over a decade and sees hundreds flock to the town’s iconic location.

Following two years of reduced numbers and a booking system, Jazz on The Pantiles returns on May 5, but that is just an appetiser.

The Spring Food Festival returns after pandemic disruption, said organiser Julian Leefe-Griffiths, owner of the Tunbridge Wells Hotel.

Buyers The Spring Food Festival, which has also been running around a decade, will fill the entire length of The Pantiles with stalls showcasing produce from across the local countryside. Live cooking demonstrations will also be back!

Taking place on the weekend of May 14 and 15, the food festival would start the spring off by reconnecting buyers with local producers and ‘food heroes’ in the historic centre of the town, he said.

“I reckon we will have about 35 producers’

‘We will run the festival rain or shine, and actually, it’s amazing what weather the plucky Britisher will put up with for some fun’ stalls, all down The Pantiles. It’s going to be packed,” he told the Times. “We’re bringing together producers of Kent and Sussex.”

Meanwhile, all the restaurants and cafés along the pedestrianised area will remain open for the footsore foodies, as the free festival is open all day.

“It will kick off around 10 o’clock and finish around 4:30 or 5pm,” said Julian.

“We will run the festival rain or shine, and actually, it’s amazing what weather the plucky Britisher will put up with for fun. People want to come out and have fun. They’ve been locked up for two years.

“We've got so many great food suppliers and producers attending, and whether you want to buy quality artisan products or watch the cooking demonstrations from the bandstand the festival really does have something for everyone.

'And when the browsing gets too much, you can always sit down and have a lovely breakfast or lunch in one of the many bars and restaurants.”

And the best news of all the festival is free to attend and also lots of fun.

Bandstand At the busiest part of The Pantiles, the historic bandstand will be made over into a

‘demonstration kitchen’, showing off the skills and offerings of producers, especially those of the festival’s headline sponsor Matt Sankey.

“Matt Sankey will be on stage cooking up some lovely fish, in a strong demonstration of the sea food which is available – he’ll be there both Saturday and Sunday. Fullers the butcher will also be there,” said Julian.

The event is also supported by sponsors Fullers the butchers and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts

23 APRIL - 8 MAY 2022

MAGNIFICENT MUSIC in a Beautiful Sussex Village - PLUS -

THEATRE • FILM • ART

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS DATE

EVENT

PERFORMING ARTIST(S)

Sat 23 April - Sun 8 May

Art Exhibition

Tom Hammick

Sat 23 April

A Shakespeare Sonnet Saunter

Wateryard Group

Sun 24 April

Festival Eucharist

St. Dunstan's Parish Church Choir

Sun 24 April

Choral and Orchestral Concert (feat. The Cantata of St. Dunstan)

Mayfield Festival Choir, Chelsea Camerata, Schola Cantorum of Mayfield School et al

Mon 25 April

Mozart, Schubert and Grainger

Primavera Chamber Ensemble

Tue 26 April

A Tribute to Jacques Loussier

Dominic Alldis Trio

Wed 27 - Fri 29 April

Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition Round 1

Various competitors

Wed 27 April

Leveret Folk

Leveret

Fri 29 April

Brahms and Schumann

Sam Haywood and Guy Johnston

Sat 30 April

Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition Semi-Finals

Various competitors

Sat 30 April

Joe Stilgoe

Joe Stilgoe

Sun 1 May

May Carols from the Parvis Tower

St. Dunstan's Parish Church Choir

Sun 1 May

Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition Finals

Various competitors

Mon 2 May

English Choral Masterpieces (feat. Tallis’ Spem in Alium)

Oxford Camerata and Mayfield Consort

Tue 3 May

Mrs Churchill - My Life With Winston

Liz Grand

Tue 3 May

Oz & Armonico Drink Again

Oz Clarke and Armonico Consort

Wed 4 May

Sound of Music sing-a-long

Mayfield Youth Band and Mayzing Community Choir

Thu 5 May

Mayfield School Lunchtime Concert

Music and Choral Scholars of Mayfield School

Thu 5 May

Choral Evensong - Music by Living Composers

Mayfield Consort

Thu 5 May

Russian Soul - The Story of Rachmaninov in Song

Ilona Domnich, Sholto Kynoch, Michael White

Fri 6 May

Metropolis - Film in Concert

Darius Battiwalla

Sat 7 May

Mayfair

Mayfield Band, Ashdown Forest Morris Men et al

Sat 7 May

Piano Recital

Joanna MacGregor

Sun 8 May

Vaughan Williams Orchestral Concert

Southbank Sinfonia

FOR FULL DETAILS OF ALL EVENTS AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO BUY TICKETS GO ONLINE AT MAYFIELDFESTIVAL.CO.UK Mayfield-Festival-2022_340x264-Ad_0322.indd 1

21/03/2022 15:17:30

26

Events

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

TV Chef’s food festival reveals its pub menus PUB in the Park returns to Dunorlan Park in July where celebrity chef, Tom Kerridge along with TV friend Simon Rimmer, are set to wow food lovers with a celebration of the best local and seasonal produce.

The line-up of pubs and restaurants include The Hand & Flowers founded by Tom Kerridge, Atul Kochhar – who is set to open a restaurant on The Pantiles this summer - The Small Holding from Will Devlin; The Kentish Hare from chef brothers Chris and James Tanner and Afghan barbeque eaterie Cue Point by Josh Moroney and Mursal Saiq.

Tom Kerridge’s The Hand & Flowers will be

serving a menu featuring a pork belly and smoked cod’s roe taco, served with apple ketchup, crackling and pickled red onion as well as his rendition of a classic British Steak & Ale Pie. Atul Kochhar will return with his best-selling Murgh Tikka Masala Pie - Tikka Masala, Mash, Berry Chutney alongside Malabar Meen Kari – spiced fish curry with tomato & coconut.

Seafood dishes feature across the show, with Sankey’s Po Boy; Panko King Prawns, Chipotle Mayo, Fresh Lime, Lettuce, Brioche Roll and oysters three ways, diablo verde, champagne and panko and brown butter béarnaise.

‘I think you’ll agree this is the best line-up of music and chefs we’ve ever had. I cannot wait to get on tour and start having some fun’

ORGANISER Tom Kerridge

The Dog at Wingham’s will be serving up soft shell crab, squid ink bun and chilli miso fennel, while The Kentish Hare’s bringing Mexican vibes in the form of Blazing King Prawn Taco, a dish of spice battered King prawns, salsa lime coriander, sour cream.

Slow-cooked meat takes centre stage with Cue Point, who joined the Pub in the Park family last year and are returning due to popular demand with their incredible 16-hour Oak Smoked Brisket Naco and oak-smoked chicken poutine.

London institution, Hoppers, have their famous bone marrow varuval which is beef marrow bones simmered in a rich coconut and coriander curry served with roti to mop up the sauces.

Finally The Small Holding wiill have slow cooked pork ribs, miso glaze and crackling.

If meat is not your thing, Cue Point will also be

PARKLIFE A previous event at Dunorlan Park serving their Banjan Naco, smoked and stewed aubergine in a rich garlic and tomato sauce served on fluffy Afghan naan. Sankey’s are also serving vegan ceviche banana blossom, palm hearts, sweet potato, citrus ‘tiger milk’ with coriander and blue corn tortillas and The Small Holding will have a courgette bhaji with mint yoghurt as a veggie option.

Gorgeous Bourbon whiskey brand, Buffalo Trace has teamed up with James Knappett’s The Cadogan Arms to serve up dishes that pair perfectly with their drinks menu including gorgeous Crispy Boneless Cornish Lamb Ribs with anchovy & sorrel yoghurt and buttermilk fried chicken, blue cheese sauce and Bubbledog’s hot sauce!

The Tunbridge Wells menu has been unveiled

as part of Pub in the Park’s PUB 150.

An incredible menu of 150 dishes that will be served by 39 award-winning pubs and restaurants across the Pub in the Park 2022 tour – making it the largest collection of dishes to be served at any festival in the UK this summer!

The music line-up is better than ever with legends including Melanie C, Sophie EllisBextor, Professor Green, Faithless (DJ set), The Feeling, Supergrass and many more.

Tom Kerridge said “I think you’ll agree this is the best line-up of music and chefs we’ve ever had. I cannot wait to get on tour and start having fun. Tunbridge Wells has got an amazing menu from returning pubs and newcomers this year. I cannot wait for you to get your hands on these dishes!”

Tickets and full menu are available at pubintheparkuk.com

COME and watch 40 karts + 10 school karts hurtle down the hill and help raise money for three amazing local charities EVENT PARTNERS

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SATURDAY 25TH JUNE DUNORLAN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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EARLY BIRD TICKETS: ADULTS £10, CONCESSION £7.50, CHILD £5, FAMILY £26.50 + BOOKING FEES. NO TICKETS ON THE GATE

2

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

NEWS

Events

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: 27timeslo

Local News

Mayfield to make a big song and dance this month THE 2022 Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts is set to begin later this month.

The festival takes place from Saturday April 23 to Sunday, May 8 in the beautiful and historic village of Mayfield in East Sussex.

The Festival incorporates the acclaimed Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition that runs between Wednesday, April 27 and Sunday, May 1 in Mayfield School. The event allows members of the audience to listen to performances by some of the emerging international talent in the world of classical music.

Events of particular note include a concert by Oxford Camerata and the Mayfield Consort that showcases masterful choral works written by English composers over a 500-year period (including Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis), a recital by the renowned pianist Joanna MacGregor

‘Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in East Sussex will be joining the audience’

COMPOSURE A composer at the last Mayfield Festival

of the Mayfield Festival in 2020 but which was unable to be performed in the anniversary year because of the pandemic-enforced cancellation of the 2020 Festival.

It is in recognition of this anniversary that Her Majesty the Queen's representative in East Sussex will be joining the audience.

Steve Swanton, Chairman of the Mayfield Festival, said this year, the festival is offering tickets, which have various costs depending on the specific event, at half price to anyone under the age of 30.

He added: “We are delighted that the Mayfield Festival is returning after the enforced break of 2020 and are honoured that the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex will be attending the opening concert in recognition of the Festival having reached its 50th anniversary.

“The Festival features an eclectic mix of musical genres and art forms and with more than twenty events over the course of the Festival fortnight there is probably something for everyone.

“We have also introduced a new initiative to provide half-price tickets for anyone under the age of 30, and this will apply to all events bar one.”

ASPIRING St Dunstan’s church is playing host to some events

LEVERET

that includes a performance of Beethoven’s Appassionata sonata and a concert given by the singer-pianist Joe Stilgoe.

In addition, the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex will be attending the very first concert of the Festival on Sunday April 24. This concert includes the world premiere of a new work by composer Nicholas O'Neill - Cantata of St. Dunstan - that was commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary

PUBLIC NOTICE

Licensing Act 2003 We ASK HOLDING (SUSSEX) LIMITED Do hereby give notice that we have applied to the Licensing Authority at Wealden District Council for the grant of a Premises Licence.

High Street, Wadhurst, TN5 6AG and known as Hatters The application is to: Sale of alcohol 07:00 to 16:00hrs Monday to Thursday, 07:00 to 23:00hrs Friday & Saturday, 08:00 to 16:00hrs Sunday.

Guiseppe Verdi’s

powerful, emotional & dramatic “An opera in ecclesiastical robes” “a work of genius” - Brahms

SUNDAY, 10 APRIL, 3pm ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, TN1 2LU

Performed by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society with professional soloists and orchestra conducted by Robyn Sevastos

Tickets: Assembly Hall Theatre box office; tel 01892 530613 or visit https://rtwcs.org.uk

Any person wishing to make representations to this application may do so by writing to Licensing Officer, Wealden DC, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX or email licensing@rother.gov.uk not later then 25/04/2022. Representations received after this date cannot be considered.

Details of the above application may be viewed on the Licensing Register at the Council Offices or www.wealden.gov.uk/ licenceregistersearch It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with this application, the maximum fine on summary conviction being £5,000.

28

Food & Drink

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

food & drink

Finalists announced for the 2022 Taste of Kent Awards At the end of last month Produced in Kent revealed the finalists for the Taste of Kent Awards 2022 which features a variety of well-established and fledgling businesses.

Here Eileen Leahy discovers who has made the culinary cut from our local area….

IN JANUARY we announced The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) were back for 2022 and now the event, which is the county’s longest running and most prestigious specialist food and drink awards ceremony, has announced its shortlist of finalists.

They include a number of our favourite places and products including the recently opened Crumbs & Treacle bakery on Camden Road, Cellar Head Brewing Company in Goudhurst, The Bakehouse in Tonbridge, The Small Holding restaurant in Kilndown, and the Lower Ladysden Farmshop near Goudhurst.

Public voting ran from mid-January until the end of February and TOKA organisers told us that once again they had exceeded all expectations.

“Now in its 17th year, TOKA is dedicated to showcasing the tastiest produce the county has to offer” “We had over 30,000 votes cast in the various food and drink categories with hospitality categories seeing an increase in 11% this year, proving that since the start of Covid-19 the public have a new found appreciation for local restaurants and pubs.

“In the self-nominated categories, the Farmer of the Year award had a notable increase in applications, and both new

categories - New Food and Drink Product and Food and Drink Start-up of the Year – saw strong applications.”

Now in its 17th year, TOKA is dedicated to showcasing the tastiest produce the county has to offer while shining a spotlight on the many hard-working businesses behind all our wonderful food, drink and hospitality hubs.

The awards’ headline sponsors are Southeastern Rail and the University of

Easter Weekend...

See Easter through with us and our various events across the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Sample our mouth watering menu whilst sipping on a cocktail, a refreshing G&T or perhaps a bottle of bubbly whilst the kids enjoy the garden. Join us in our award winning country pub based on the outskirts of Crowborough across the whole Easter weekend.

Good Friday: Live Music - ‘Patinas’ - 8:45-11pm.

Easter Sunday: Easter Egg Hunt + Sunday Roasts!

Bank Holiday Monday: Open 12-5. Food 12-4 Reservations recommended.

Get in touch for more information 01892 319299 info@blueanchorcrowborough.co.uk Beacon Road, Crowborough, TN6 1BB *minimum subscription term applies see website for full terms

Food & Drink

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

FINALIST : Goupie

SOME OF THIS YEAR’S FINALISTS: Kent Ambient Product of the Year, sponsored by Crowe Brays Bees’ Honey The Bakehouse at 124’s Greengage & Almond Jam Carringtons’ Chillichup

FINALIST: Will Devlin Greenwic. But there are lots of other individual category sponsors which include local law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore. They are sponsoring three awards including Kent Restaurant of the Year in which The Small Holiding is nominated.

CE of Produced in Kent - who help organise the TOKA event - Floortje Hoette was also delighted with the public outpouring of support: “The Taste of Kent Awards are proof that the general public LOVES local food and drink and wants to support the businesses involved, which gives

FINALIST : Crumbs & Treacle

29

our sector the boost it so deserves in these ongoing challenging times. From the increase in votes in certain categories we can see that support for local pubs and restaurants is at an all-time high after a very challenging period for hospitality.

Proud “There's also a real sense that Kent's entrepreneurial spirit is still going strong with a brilliant response to our new product and start-up categories. I am incredibly proud of the finalists and know the judges will have a hard time choosing who will go home with an award!”

The three finalists in each category will now enter the final stage of the competition.

“They will be scrutinised by a carefully selected group of judges - industry experts and sponsors - who will decide which businesses are to be crowned winners at the awards ceremony on May 12 at the Kent Event Centre.

Tickets for the black-tie dinner ceremony with a three course dinner by The Curious Eatery are now on sale to the general public. Visit www. tasteofkentawards.co.uk for more details on how to order.

Kent Bakery or Confectionery Product of the year, sponsored by A C Goatham & Sons Crumbs & Treacle’s Caramel Cornflake Brownie Square Macie Cakes’ Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread The Breadsmith’s 6 Seeded Sourdough Loaf Kent Beer of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield Session Pale Ale by Cellar Head Brewing Co Gadds’ No.3 by Ramsgate Brewery Bitter - by Iron Pier Kent Cafe of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore Bears Trading Company, Tankerton The Cavendish, Bearsted Aunt Sally’s Kitchen, Maidstone Kent Dairy Product of the year, sponsored by BTF Partnership Ashmore Cheese by The Cheesemakers of Canterbury Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream by Solley’s Ice Cream Kentish Blue Cheese by Kingcott Dairy Kent Dining Pub of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore The Butchers Block, Burham The Black Horse, Thurnham The Tiger Inn, Stowting

Kent Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Barretts Macknade, Faversham Detling Community Store Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst Kent Non Alcoholic Drink of the Year, sponsored by Barretts Biddenden Vineyards Sparkling Apple Juice Dallaways Kentish Cherry Juice Coffee Bean Shop’s Breakfast Blend Kent Prepared Food Product of the Year, sponsored by Macknade Ashmore Cheese & Onion Crisps by Kent Crisps Kentish Pasty by The Bakehouse at 124 Caramelised Onion Sausage Roll by Dine Thyme Kent Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore The Small Holding, Kilndown The Bao Baron, Folkestone The Waterfront, Hythe Kent Spirit of the Year, sponsored by Gullands Solicitors Ranscombe Wild Gin by The Maidstone Distillery Anno Kent Dry Gin by Anno Distillers Damson Gin by Copper Rivet Distillery Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by Furley Page and NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield Chapel Down Bacchus The Mount Vineyard Sparkling Red Balfour Brut Rose www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk

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WednesdayOctober March 30 2022 Wednesday 6 || 2021

Education Food & DrinkNEWS 3117

Raise a glass to help people in Ukraine Times

EDUCATION

This month Alex Greig from Fuggles reveals why he is importing beers from a wellknown brewery based in Kyiv in order to support those affected by the ongoing conflict...

Primary pupils go extra mile and earn thousands in charity sponsorship walk for people of Ukraine

I

T GOES without saying the situation in Ukraine is something that is horrific to watch and hear about and it’s incredibly difficult to imagine what it must be like for those involved.

Whilst there is only so much we can do from here, we can help raise some funds for the people of Ukraine. With this in mind, this month’s beer column from me is to introduce you all to VARVAR Brew - and also a very good cause we’re taking part in.

AWe’ve SPONSORED walk forone Ukraine St John’s teamed up with of ourby importers primary pupils ended up totalling the distance who are bringing over their entire stock of beer, fromthe Tunbridge in western Ukraine, with proceedsWells goingtotoLviv drinkersforukraine. thanks toorganisation the perseverance of staff and over com.

This is raising money for 600 children walking andpart eveninrunning. humanitarian aid. -Our this is to bring Thebeers sponsored weekhelp wasthe the these to youevent – andlast further initiative ofeffort.

British-Slovakian Leon, age 9, fundraising We will havepupil the beers whose concern about theI can’t newsimagine from Ukraine, available (all being well, it’s easy bordering prompted himattack) to suggest getting beerSlovakia, out of a country under fromthe event14toand head teacher Dan Turvey.

April will be making a donation from Leon’s mother Katarina setFor upUkraine. a JustGiving every bottle sold to Drinkers page linking the walk to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Humanitarian Support Appeal and the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

The school then this mobilised pupils The VARVAR team have to say:the “Our ready for action Wednesday, March 23.the brewery has beenon unable to operate since Earlier thewe month, school sent four war beganinand have the stock in ourhad warehouse vehicles donationslooking to Ukraine, in4x4 Kyiv that weworth were of desperately to sell. organised byin a Year The situation Kyiv 6isfamily. unpredictable, and we “Our aimexactly was to walk as far days as wewe could don’t know how many willfrom still the school toour Ukraine,” said head be able to get hands on our beerteacher so it’s Dan Turvey. to be working on a rescue mission. amazing “Starting each at 9am and withbeer the that last walker Hopefully and every leaves the comingcan in just before theenjoyment end of thebut school country provide real alsoday at 3:15pm, wekeeping walkedour 3,434 laps school play a role in fight at of thethe front of – equivalent to Our 1,802beer km,isjust tipping people’s minds. made with into a lotthe of

Samurai’s Daughter: An ‘oriental ale’, this pale ale is brewed with ginger and rice. Light, with subtle ginger spice under the citrus forward hops. One to try with some sushi or noodles!

Ipanema: A hazy IPA, one for the hop heads out there. Tropical fruit notes, apricot, peach and a lingering bitterness.

Midnight Velvet: This is a big, rich imperial stout finished in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels no less which add a lovely touch of vanilla and spice to the beer. town of Lviv near the Ukraine Captain Salt: A german styleborder.

Gose, or sour “The five-year olds were walking as brewed many laps beer.

Tart and citrussy, Gose is a style of thesalt, school as they but years five and with which addscould, a touch of in moreish salinity six, everyone to the beer. was keen to get as many laps as they could, and some even ran it,” he told the Times.

“We were aiming for £5,000, and we have now raised over £11,000.

“It is such a wonderful testament to our community to be happy to raise such a huge amount amidst escalating energy prices and inflation.”

St John’s students and staff celebrate a triumphant feat walking the equivalent distance from Tunbridge Wells to Lviv in Ukraine. Victoria Roberts reveals how they managed it BEST FOOT FORWARD: ST JOHN’S PUPILS

“VARVAR are based in Kyiv and were founded in 2015. They’ve brewed with some of the best breweries around the world” Ukrainian passion and the finest ingredients so we don’t want to see it destroyed and certainly not drunk by the Russian invaders.”

VARVAR are based in Kyiv and were founded in

2015. They’ve brewed with some of the best breweries around the world, including Marble, Pomona Island and North in the UK. Their focus is on producing modern craft beer – spanning anything from pales through to barrel aged stouts and sours. The range is really interesting, creative and quite exciting – something fairly common from breweries in Eastern Europe I find, they really know how to push boundaries of style and flavour and aren’t afraid of experimenting. We should have over a dozen beers arriving with us so here’s 4 to look out for:

Discover our surprising range of courses from wedding themed Floristry and Cake Decorating to Furniture Restoration, Gardening and Woodwork.

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Learn at a time and a place to suit you Join us on our online, real time courses, or at one of the KAE centres across Kent.

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Antiques

antiques

32

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Take a seat for the designer who combined art and practicality...

Alexander Pushkin looks at the career of Hungarian designer Marcel Breuer

of dwelling houses.

Not only are Breuer’s masterpieces exhibited in the world’s greatest museums, but the museum buildings themselves, designed by the iconic master, have become true masterpieces.

One of such projects is The Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan, better known as simply the Whitney.

However, the architect’s legacy is so great and precious that his works are not just exhibited in museums and galleries: whole films are shot based on them.

Alexander Pushkin

T

HS WEEK I would like to put an important designer Marcel Breuer into the spotlight.

A Hungarian-born modernist architect and furniture designer.

One of the most renowned representatives of modernism and brutalism, through-out his extensive carrier he had never stopped experimenting with forms, shapes, and materials. Widely considered as an artisan and a teacher, he preached the doctrine of conceptual understanding of architecture and design.

His name is inextricably connected to the Bauhaus school, where he entered as a student and subsequently became a teacher. In the 1920s, Breuer was mainly

STYLISH The timeless Breuer designed Wassily chairs named after Wassily Kandinsky

‘His name is inextricably connected to the Bauhaus school, which he entered as a student and subsequently became a teacher’ engaged in furniture design. It was then that he created the famous “Wassily” chair (1925), named after and in honor of the artist Wassily Kandinsky. “Wassily” was made of canvas and steel tubes, the use of which was inspired by the image of a bicycle handlebar.

Based on this technology, Breuer created impressive models of console chairs and other pieces of tubular steel furniture. In the late 1920s, Breuer relocated to Berlin to pursue architecture, and later, for political reasons, he was forced to move to London.

Designed Inspired by the work of British modernists, Breuer created the Long Chair from plywood.

The item was designed specifically for Isokon and soon became the company’s bestseller.

In 1941, Breuer established a company of his own, focusing primarily on the design

Recognisable So, the most famous documentary about Marcel Breuer and his legacy, “Breuer’s Bohemia” by James Crump, includes lots of rare footage and interviews with the master.

Marcel Breuer is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable art makers of the century. Together with Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, and Piero Fornasetti, he defined the vector of development of true design and architecture and set the highest bar for subsequent generations all around the globe.

Such luxury pieces can be found in our extensive collection of Luxury Interior and can be viewed on our website: pushkinantiques.com or viewed in our High street gallery.

Antiques

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

33

Happy birthday to the great Rene` Lalique Eric Knowles talks of his favourite designer, as an excuse to crack open the bubbly….

I

T’S NOT taken a great deal of thought for me to come up with a subject for today’s piece, as 6th April is the birthdate of René Lalique, the designer and producer of sumptuous art glass pieces, and my personal favourite from the panoply of great craftsmen who chose glass as their preferred medium.

It’s not my place to recount Lalique’s life story – there are many resources which will provide you with such ‘nuts and bolts’ – but I did think that I’d try to explain quite why it is that I find his works so captivating.

There are two real defining reasons; firstly, his extraordinary vision when it comes to divining what it is that encapsulates the essence of whatever it might be that he is looking to represent, and to then have the acuity to be able to convey this sense of being through his absolute mastery of craftsmanship – breathing life in to inanimate substrates such as metal or glass.

materials, almost defies belief, and any use of the word genius when considering Lalique’s work is in no way out of place. And that’s to say nothing of his pieces that are based on the human form, which are equally breathtaking.

Eric knowles

Diminutive

This is perhaps best illustrated by the pieces he produced based on subjects drawn from nature – be it animal, vegetable or mineral. His appreciation of the animal form must have been akin to the way in which someone like Sir David Attenborough can absorb the nuances of structure and form with an innate understanding. You must have to be, for instance, quite the expert entomologist to be

I’m also awestruck by the breadth of René’s body of work. From starting out with superbly intricate jewellery, then small-scale glass jewels and cabochons to enhance such diminutive pieces, he went on – by way of perfume bottles - to create not only his signature ‘display size’ art glass sculptures, but furniture and even architectural pieces such as full height door panel inserts, what were essentially ‘iron railings’ (although cast in the form of ‘sensually sculpted winged maidens’ as you might expect), and all the way up to moulded ceiling panels and huge pendant light fittings for ocean-going liners. From the absolutely

‘...any use of the word genius when considering Lalique’s work is in no way out of place.’ able to imagine how best to recreate the wings of a dragonfly or the textures on a beetle’s carapace; to also have the technical ability to then effect the recreation with such perfection, starting from such unprepossessing raw

sublime to the not-at-all ridiculous, stopping at all stations en route – what extraordinary versatility!

I’m delighted to say that not only do my colleagues at ScottishAntiques.com share my appreciation of Lalique’s work, but so do our partners down at the Pantiles Arcade – Jeroen Markies and David Hickmet.

We have all been long-term fans of Lalique, and now that we are all under one roof, are able to offer a really quite remarkable collection of pieces for sale. So much so, in fact, that we have attracted the benevolent scrutiny of the current curator of Lalique’s UK interests, the inimitable Mr Frederick Fischer.

I am pleased to say that our efforts have passed muster, and we trade on the great man’s good name with the blessings of those who currently protect this most illustrious of trademarks.

And so I have no hesitation in raising a toast to René Lalique on the anniversary of his birth – I must just go and check if we still have any of his exquisite Phalsbourg or Fontainbleau wine glasses - as I may as well do it properly...

Don’t be jaded by my pick of the lots

Gorringes auctioneer Joseph Trinder tells of the treasures he has going under the hammer / early 19th century Chinese celadon jade crab.

Masterfully carved in this precious and highly coveted material, this piece is just as charismatic as one born of the English potters - nestled in a bespoke carved hardwood stand, we estimate this will fetch well over £1,000 - the same property yielding varied treasures spanning over 90 auction lots, from other jades and Chinese porcelain, to Rolex and Omega wristwatches, silver, jewellery, militaria and more - All market-fresh goods coming from a wonderful local family.

Joseph Trinder

Lovely

O

NE OF THE great joys of my role as an auctioneer and valuer is not knowing what each day will bring - visiting an average of four of five local homes a day, the thrill of never knowing what I will see next, what beautiful, historic and often valuable objects I will find waiting patiently on a wall or bookcase is what gives this job such a rewarding sense of variety and daily excitement.

People Such moments of exciting finds and enjoyable conversations with clients (meeting such an array of interesting people is just as rewarding as any item discovery) are separated by drives to the next home and the next, taking in the beautiful Kent and Sussex countryside, I often tell myself I’m a very lucky chap!

Here, below are a few of my picks of recent finds, all from local private homes and are all pieces still available to purchase in our

‘The property yielding varied treasures from jades and Chinese porcelain, to Rolex and Omega wristwatches’ upcoming sales.

One of several such pieces found in the same property, my first ‘pick of the week’ is a small Martin Brothers studio pottery beaker. What this piece lacks in stature, it certainly makes up for in character! Here we see fishes and sea creatures adorning this tactile work of art with the charisma so akin within works by Martin Bros - a fine hairline crack devalues this piece a tad sadly - our pre-sale estimate is £200-300, which may well be surpassed on sale day.

A few miles away the same morning, I found a piece which shares subject matter with our Martin Bros beaker, but heralds from a very different place and time. Here we see a late 18th

Yet another Tunbridge Wells property unearthed an exciting discovery this week. I was welcomed in by a rather lovely couple who guided me through to the dining room, where an assortment of antiques and curiosities were awaiting my comment – everything from regimental silver to military field telephones and Georgian knife boxes – all of which are now awaiting sale at Gorringe’s. Yet it wasn’t until I was taken through to the living room to inspect a chair, that I noticed a gloriously original early 20th century Louis Vuitton travelling trunk positioned neatly in the hallway. With a back-story as illustrious as the object itself, the trunk having been to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and back by our vendor’s forbears in the 1930’s.

In totally original condition, still bearing original paper travel stickers and labels, this case is estimated at £3,000 - £5,000 in our June 28th summer fine sale.

Could a family heirloom of yours be the next piece I write about? Find out today by enquiring via josepht@gorringes.co.uk

PLOT OR NOT?

If you think your land or property has development potential. Why not give us a call without obligation and in confidence.

We are always on the lookout for land and property with development potential.

Commercial buildings for residential conversion, former public houses, redundant buildings for redevelopment, buildings for conversion or replacement, houses for improvement, large sites on the edge of town, barn conversions, large gardens in residential areas and major regeneration projects.

For more information contact Stephen Donnelly on: 07739 514350 01892 579937

sjd-projects.com steve@sjd-projects.com

Many of our clients retain our services and, in the majority of cases, pay our fees saving property owners significant costs.

Property news

property news

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Nationwide report another record high property hike

By Richard Williams THE average home increased in value by £33,000, reaching a record high of £265,312 in March, according to a national building society’s price index.

Nationwide Building Society recorded a yearly rise in Tunbridge Wells of 11.4 per cent, with the cost of average home bought by one of its customers in the town now standing at £422,428.

The news follows last week’s Price Index from the Office of National Statistics – the government statistical body – that recorded national price rises in the borough of 11.1 per cent – which has put the size of mortgages in Tunbridge Wells to around 16 times the national salary.

Strongest Across the UK, property values grew by 14.3 per cent annually – the strongest pace of increase since 2004.

Nationwide said it is becoming harder for homeowners to trade up, with price gaps between different property types moving to a record high.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said: “March saw a further acceleration in annual house price growth to 14.3 per cent, the strongest pace of increase since November 2004.

“Prices rose by 1.1 per cent month on month, after taking account of seasonal effects, the eighth consecutive monthly increase.

“The price of a typical UK home climbed to a new record high of £265,312, with prices increasing by over £33,000 in the past year. Prices are now 21 per cent higher than before the pandemic struck in early 2020.

“The housing market has retained a surprising amount of momentum given the mounting pressure on household

heverfestival.co.uk

accruing more of the increase.

“Nevertheless, we still think that the housing market is likely to slow in the quarters ahead.

“The squeeze on household incomes is set to intensify, with inflation expected to rise further, perhaps reaching double digits in the quarters ahead if global energy prices remain high.

“Moreover, assuming that labour market conditions remain strong, the Bank of England is likely to raise interest rates further, which will also exert a drag on the market if this feeds through to mortgage rates.”

Nationwide said the average value of a detached home has increased by £68,000 since early 2020, while the average price of a flat has increased by £24,000.

Festival Theatre at HEVER CASTLE The

Luxury apartments open for viewings

We estimate that households accrued an extra (around) £190 billion of deposits over and above the pre-pandemic trend since early 2020, due to the impact of Covid on spending patterns.

“This is equivalent to around £6,500 per household, although it is important to note that these savings were not evenly spread, with older, wealthier households

THROUGH THE ROOF Last week’s front page story in the Times about rocketing prices budgets and the steady rise in borrowing costs.

“The number of mortgages approved for house purchase remained high in February at around 71,000, nearly 10 per cent above pre-pandemic levels. A combination of robust demand and limited stock of homes on the market has kept upward pressure on prices.

“The continued buoyancy of housing demand may in part be explained by strong labour market conditions. The unemployment rate has continued to trend down in recent months from already low levels. Wage growth has accelerated, though it is running below inflation.

“The significant savings accrued during lockdowns is also likely to have helped prospective homebuyers raise a deposit.

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A NEW Tunbridge Wells development of high-end apartments has been launched, with nearly half of the properties receiving reserves already.

Prices at Mirador Place in Forest Road start from £800,000.

Appliances The two and three-bedroom apartments that have been planned with elegant architecture and environments for its residents, say Hamptons, who are marketing the project.

All the apartments have their own private balconies or terraces, and gated underground floor offers two parking spaces per apartment plus a private storage unit.

The specification throughout is to an exacting standard and the fitted kitchens featuring Quartz worktops with integral drainers, together with a range of integrated appliances.

Anybody wishing to view is urged to contact Hamptons 01892 516611.

May - august 07379 488477

‘Why go to London in the summer when you can go to the Festival Theatre at beautiful Hever Castle?’

M u s i c « P l ay s « c o M e d y « o P e r a « F a M i ly « s P e a k e r s « F i l M s « j a z z

Travel

travel

36

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

The historic spa town of Buxton: The Tunbridge Wells of the Peak District

SPA TOWN SPLENDOUR Beautiful Buxton

The luxurious five star Ensana Buxton Crescent hotel in the Peak District now offers a heavenly spa and walking retreat after a £70 million refurbishment...

A

HEAD of me, the road ripples up and down like a wave has washed through the landscape, the white line in the middle of the asphalt pointing precariously at the sky before it literally falls off a cliff.

This surreal sight, which could have come straight out of a disaster movie, is the starting point of my introduction to the timeless beauty of the Peak District.

I am walking around the slopes of 517metre-high Mam Tor in the High Peak area of Derbyshire with grey, troublesome clouds gathering at its top, threatening to give me a good dousing.

I leave the crumpled road behind and step into a scene of classical countryside complete with wild hills, grazing sheep and toy-like farms nestled at the bottom of the valley.

And I soon learn that this is not just about the change in the colours of the landscape, as I am no longer at risk of sliding on the perilous chalky paths as we descend on the grippy gritstone of the Edale Valley.

However, the mud is all too ready to undermine this false sense of security and sends one of our group landing bottom first.

The mud is a reminder of the drizzle which is progressing to a downpour and doing its best to penetrate my waterproofs

and my resolve. But, as Paul points out, without the rain, we would not have the vivid greens that spread to the horizon in all directions over the rolling hills.

And if it was not for the region’s rain, the majestic Buxton Crescent hotel would never have started business 230 years ago.

It was originally built on St Ann’s Well, a source of thermal mineral spring water which has been drawing people to the town for hundreds of years, including Mary Queen of Scots who stayed at the neighbouring Old Hall Hotel while a

ROOM WITH A VIEW A bathroom at Ensana

Bumps My guide, Paul Smith, from MyGuidedWalks, explains the name Mam Tor means “mother hill” because, as well as destroying the old main road, the regular landslides on its slopes have created a number of ‘baby bumps’ on the eastern side.

The former engineer who switched career to follow his passion by setting up his own walking tour company, points out how the Castleton side of the ridge is in the White Peak made up of limestone cliffs, before we cross over into the Dark Peak.

EL YUNQUE Waterfalls

‘Despite the fad for holidaying in spa towns fading, Buxton has remained popular after all these years’ prisoner of Elizabeth the First.

It is also the same spring used for the town’s eponymous bottled water found in supermarkets across the UK. It was William Cavendish, the fifth Duke of Devonshire, who commissioned the Crescent hotel in 1780, reportedly out of suspicion that his wife was playing away while visiting Bath’s own famous crescent.

However, by the time the two hotels and lodgings opened, the peak of the fad for spa towns had passed and although it remained popular, Buxton Crescent’s glory slowly faded over the years until 1989 when it finally shut its doors.

But a determined effort by the local councils to resurrect the site resulted in a £24 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the £70 million refurbishment by the Ensana hotel group, to create the five-star health spa which finally opened in October 2020, only to shut 33 days later because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Six months later, the doors were open again allowing Buxton to claim its place on the list of the country’s exclusive spa towns.

Travel

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Having swapped my drenched waterproofs for a bath robe and flip flops, I head directly to the spa, where mud is on the menu again – this time a Therapeutic Thermal Mud Pack.

Traditionally, spa-goers in Buxton would have peat slapped on their bodies to absorb the goodness, but nowadays the local muck is legally protected, so Buxton Crescent has sourced its mud from the Hungarian town of Heviz, which is renowned for its minerals.

Treatment As I lie in the treatment room, therapist Hannah assures me the mud has been heated to 40 degrees as she applies it to my back and my joints. The gentle application alone makes my muscles relax after our hike.

While the mud cools and the minerals apparently seep in, Hannah gives me a head massage which, with the ripples of relaxation flowing through my skull, almost tips me over the edge into an afternoon nap.

After softly asking if I’m awake – which I promise I am – she helps me shower off the mud. As she leads me to my next treatment, my legs feel surprisingly light, ready even to do another walk.

Next stop is a CO2 Infusion Mineral Bath using Buxton’s famous thermal mineral water enhanced with carbon dioxide to make it ever so slightly bubbly. The aim is to enhance micro circulation within the body and help to lower blood pressure.

Well, I can’t tell you how my micro circulation is after a 25-minute soak, but my relaxation levels are certainly peaking as I semi-slumber away.

Reluctantly leaving my tin bath, I explore the extensive spa, which is spread over three floors. I start with a dip in the fullyrefurbished Victorian Thermal Pool, which has chemically untreated Buxton mineral water flowing into it.

I follow with a burst of heat in one of the saunas, before completing my relaxation in the luxurious indoor-outdoor heated rooftop

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‘The water feels just as warm as the mineral bath and, as I swim, a smile breaks out on my face as I realise it’s raining but I’m delightfully warm’ pool.

Walking down the steps into the water, I’m pleasantly surprised that the water feels just as warm as the mineral bath and, as I swim through the flap into the outdoor section, a smile breaks out on my face as I realise it’s raining but I’m delightfully warm, despite the cold drizzle falling on my hair and shoulders.

I lean back against the warm underwater jets and stare over the balcony as I realise the last of my lingering aches from the walk have been fully washed away.

How to plan your trip The Achieve Peak Health in The Peak District programme is priced from £650 per person based on a three-night stay in an Attic Room for two people on a D,B&B basis. It includes two privately guided hikes and three bespoke spa treatments. Visit ensanahotels.com/buxton

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Motoring

Wednesday April 6 | 2022

Motoring News

This week…

724bhp AMG

n

Hybrid Civic n New mobile rules

n

The 724bhp Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series is the firm’s most powerful customer car ever MERCEDES-AMG has revealed its most powerful customer sports car ever, designed for use on track days.

Called AMG GT Track Series, the supercar has a hardcore focus inspired by the firm’s GT3 and GT4 race cars, making it ineligible for road use.

The familiar 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine has been tuned up to produce 724bhp and 860Nm of torque, with one upgrade including the use of custom motorsport injectors.

Overhauled It uses a Hewland six-speed sequential racing gearbox, while the suspension has ‘comprehensively adjustable’ four-way Bilstein dampers. Meanwhile, the anti-roll bars are individually adjustable too, for further setup customisation.

AMG says it has overhauled the bodywork with performance and aerodynamics in mind. For example, the bonnet, wings, sills, back door and the rear apron are made of carbon fibre, which help to reduce weight.

More downforce comes from louvres in the carbon wing, vertical blades across the body,

and a double diffuser at the rear.

Up front, the large grille optimises cooling for the engine, while the front splitter is a bespoke design for the Track Series.

That massive rear wing is developed from the one on the Black Series, now producing more downforce.

The 18-inch alloy wheels are also Track Series-specific. They’re milled and forged units and can be used with ‘the usual competition tyre types’.

Further technology borrowed from the race cars includes the traction control and ABS systems, with each 12-way adjustable to tune their response to the surface conditions and driver preference.

Safety is naturally key, and as such the Track Series gets a carbon driver safety cell and a steel roll cage. A five-point safety harness and customisable seat foaming are also provided.

Just 55 examples will be built, with the model celebrating 55 years of Mercedes-AMG. Each customer will receive a support and service range, with many features usually reserved for motorsport customers, such as driver training days.

Honda’s latest Civic arrives with Drivers remain unconvinced new rules on hybrid engine and bold new look mobile phone use will make the roads safer NEW RULES were introduced last month (on March 25) that tighten up restrictions on mobile phone use behind the wheel, but a survey indicates that drivers are unconvinced it will improve road safety.

The updated law means drivers face six penalty points and a £200 fine if caught using a mobile phone while driving for almost any reason, closing a previous loophole.

However, research from the RAC found that just 2% think it will be ‘very effective’ in improving driver behaviour.

Changes HONDA HAS unveiled its latest generation of Civic, continuing a line-up of cars that stretches back 50 years.

Aiming to continue the popularity enjoyed by the previous-generation car, the latest model – badged Civic e:HEV – arrives with an efficient new hybrid engine and a more technologyfocused cabin.

Its new powertrain is a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine, which is linked to two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. In total, it produces 181bhp and 315Nm of torque, with the duo of electric motors working together to provide primary drive to the wheels. It means that the setup can offer the kind of instant torque usually associated with fully electric vehicles.

Honda has yet to confirm efficiency figures but has said that it is targeting CO2 emissions of 110g/km and around 50mpg. The fitment of a new hybrid powertrain does see boot space fall, with Honda saying that the new load area is just over 400 litres, down from the 478 litres you’d get in the older car.

However, the new eleventh-generation car benefits from a radically overhauled interior, with a new nine-inch infotainment screen occupying a key location on the dash.

It has also been moved upwards to make it easier to use, while both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems are included as standard. A new metal honeycomb-pattern air vent now runs the full width of the dashboard, while high-spec cars also benefit from a 10.2-inch HD screen in the drivers’ display.

Generation The exterior design of the Civic has been completely updated too, with the bonnet now sitting 25mm lower over the previous generation.

There’s more glass too, which allows more light to enter the cabin while the wing mirrors have been repositioned onto the body in order to help with visibility.

A lower body line also helps to give a better view out for those sitting in the rear of the car, while a wheelbase lengthened by 35mm gives more legroom for rear-seat passengers.

The new Civic will also feature Honda’s latest Sensing range of advanced safety features. This includes a new 100-degree front wide-view camera which works to identify pedestrians, lines in the road and other vehicles such as motorcycles and cyclists.

Perhaps adding further weight to this fact is that the survey also found that 43% of motorists aren’t aware the new rules are in place.

Despite this scepticism, 75% of the 2,000 people surveyed by the RAC said they were in favour of the changes to the law.

While very few thought it would be ‘very effective’, 49% thought it would be ‘partly effective’ with a similar proportion (45%) saying it would not be effective, showing motorists are divided on whether the changes will make a difference.

Of those who are unconvinced by the new rules, 86% said they believe some drivers will continue to use their phone regardless, while 70% said the problem was that drivers don’t feel like they’ll be caught.

When asked what could be done to make the laws more effective, three key areas were identified. Around a quarter of drivers said there needed to be more visible police enforcement, a high-profile advertising campaign, and even stricter laws.

A fifth said they would like to see cameras used to catch offending drivers.

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said it was clear motorists are supportive of the changes to the law, adding: “While we welcome [this] law change and very much hope it will make a difference, it’s arguable that it will only be truly effective if it’s rigorously enforced.

“If some drivers still don’t feel they’re likely to be caught, then simply making the law tougher isn’t going to have the desired effect of making our roads safer.

“That explains why such a tiny proportion of drivers – just two per cent – think the new changes will be very effective in changing behaviour.

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Wednesday November 10 | 2021

H ENGINEERING PROUDLY UNDERTAKE THE RESTORATION OF CLASSIC & VINTAGE VEHICLES.

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