Times of Tunbridge Wells 7th August 2019

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Paralympian takes to dance floor in new Strictly line up

By Holly Stafford and Adam McGroarty

IN STEP Gold medallist Will Bayley

PARALYMPIAN gold medallist Will Bayley is temporarily hanging up his table tennis paddle and putting on his dance shoes after it was announced this week that he is to be a contestant on the hit BBC TV show, Strictly Come Dancing.

The Tunbridge Wells’ table tennis champion, who won gold at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, has been selected as one of 15 celebrities for the seventeenth series of the show.

The 31-year-old will be competing for the famous glitterball, appearing alongside hosts, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, and dancing legend Anton du Beke, who earlier this year hosted The

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Times 2019 Business Awards.

The series begins on Monday August 26 where Mr Bayley will join former Coronation Street actress, Catherine Tyldesley, BBC presenter, Mike Busell, Comedian, Chris Ramsey and former England goalkeeper, David James.

Mr Bayley, whose family live in Groombridge, was born with arthrogryposis, a condition caused by severe joint contractures and muscle weakness that affects all four of his limbs, began playing at Byng Hall Table Tennis Club in Tunbridge Wells at the age of eleven.

The former pupil from Beacon Academy in Crowborough is now ranked the world’s number one Paralympian table tennis player and is currently undergoing training for the Tokyo 2020 games.

He said: “I’m so proud to be on the show – it’s my family’s favourite.

“I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well, I want to inspire people with a disability – that would mean a lot to me.”

Police station sale falls through as site gets caught up in dispute over theatre

By Richard Williams THE town’s police station was taken off the market yesterday [Tuesday] after a deal with the council over its purchase fell through.

It’s understood no other buyers have showed an interest, fearing the site could not be developed while the future of the next door Assembly Hall Theatre and council offices remain in doubt.

Plans to relocate both the theatre and offices to Calverley Square are the subject of an ongoing political battle within the council.

The council first approached Kent Police and Crime Commissioner [PCC] Matthew Scott about buying the station following his 2016 election win.

The council has been interested in purchasing the property as it would have made any future sale of the Town Hall and Assembly Hall Theatre much easier as the buildings will no longer be needed if the new civic offices and theatre open on the edge of Calverley Grounds.

Leader, Alan McDermott, told councillors only this week that they had commissioned a feasibility study into the selling of the existing civic complex and how it could be ‘released to the market’.

He said: “As part of a decision on Calverley Square in September 2019 this will include the results of the civic complex feasibility, and whether or not the police station should be acquired for a

redevelopment, and whether this is in the interests of the council and the wider economic benefits to the town centre.”

However, as reported in the Times last month, the council had placed a bid of £500,000 on the 1930s art deco police station and former courthouse.

It is believed Matthew Scott wanted £2million for the building, four times its worth according to the Valuation Office Agency and far more than the council can possibly pay.

The council is restricted on what it can spend public money on by the agency’s valuation.

Negotiations have been ongoing, but the deal has finally fallen through with Matthew Scott’s office announcing yes-

terday the PCC had put an end to the discussions after an ‘inability of the council and Kent Police to reach a figure’.

Mr Scott said in a statement: “Having carefully considered all the information available, and the impact on local residents and businesses, I have decided against selling Tunbridge Wells Police Station.

“A sale would not be a good enough deal for the taxpayer at this time and would leave Tunbridge Wells without a police station, which is unacceptable to me.”

He added that he believed ‘a strong local policing presence’ was important

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WH Smith accused of not playing by the book in targeting local retailer

By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

HISTORY LESSONS: How you can discover some of the hidden gems of Tunbridge Wells p4 OZ CLARKE COMES TO TOWN: Wine buff invited to law firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish p8

RACE FOR SUCCESS: Hospice in the Weald launches new 5k version of run p11

AN INDEPENDENT bookseller is crying foul over the tactics of retail chain WH Smith.

Phil Holden, who owns Mr Books on Tonbridge High Street, has objected to a poster that the nationwide company has displayed in its window.

It said: “We won’t be beaten on price. If you find a book cheaper in town we’ll refund the difference and give you 10 per cent off your next book purchase.”

Mr Holden tweeted: “Seems like our WH Smith doesn’t like the competition in Tonbridge – basically us. So is this corporate responsibility and how would you recommend we respond?”

He posted a link to the firm’s website, where he quoted its ‘community engagement policy’ which said: “In line with our Code of Business Conduct, we aim to make the communities in which we work better places to live and do business.”

It added that it would ‘seek to be sensitive to the local community’s culture and social and economic needs and encourage our employees to be involved with local communities to their mutual benefit’.

Mr Books has been open since 2005 and was taken over by Mr Holden two years ago.

He is an academic at the University of Brighton where he teaches social marketing.

Mr Holden, whose store was named the best bookshop in Kent in last year’s Muddy Stiletto awards, told the Times: “I have an interest in ethical and social enterprise. It’s just good business for companies to be good neighbours.

“Smiths would, I suspect, be quick to assert their rights, but they (and many other large companies) seem slower to recognise their responsibilities.”

He added: “The vast majority of businesses in the UK are SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises].

“As consumers, many of us try to avoid those we don’t warm to, but sometimes we don’t have any choice. Like if the Post Office is based there.”

The Post Office was relocated the WH Smith premises when the old branch on Angel Walk closed in March 2017.

He said: “I think this promotional idea from WH Smith is misguided. If we had a branch of Waterstones, you might think reasonable, but there is only one bookshop – Mr Books.

“It essentially costs Smiths nothing to make this price promise, but it sends out a signal that they don’t want to support diversity of local enterprise on the high street.”

But he was realistic about the competitive nature of retail. “I’ve been boosted by the positive response from people on Twitter,” he said.

“But they need to vote with their feet and their wallets if they are to keep the small and more interesting retailers in the town.”

Sarah Spence, the new chair of Tonbridge Town Team which promotes local businesses, said: “I guess this is a blanket policy by Smiths not taking the local impact in account.

“We at the Tonbridge Town Team support our local independent retailers that give Tonbridge High Street its identity.

“Anything that might have a negative impact on our independent retailers is something that we at

POLICE STATION SALE FALLS THROUGH: Continued from page 1 PERFECTLY PITCHED: Oakley School throws a party for its new 3G pitch p15

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

to local to communities.

“I am therefore not prepared to sell Tunbridge Wells Police Station at this time and am committed to keeping a police station in the town,” he concluded.

However, he announced no plans to bring officers back to Tunbridge Wells after their relocation to Tonbridge last year, a move police said was to better ‘pool resources’.

Purchase of the police station has been cited by opponents to Calverley Square as a possible

alternative to the council’s proposed theatre and civic centre development on the edge of Calverley Grounds.

All spending on the Calverley development has been paused while the council seeks alternatives to replace the ailing Town Hall and Assembly Hall Theatre, but with the council now unable to buy the police station, any alternative to Calverley Square would not be able to include the police-owned property.

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Phil Holden wants diversity the Town Team couldn’t support.”

But she acknowledged the power of commercial giants and their deals to entice customers.

“Mr Books has every right to feel angry but this is how large national retail chains work.

“Special offers, deals and Bogofs [buy one, get one free] are just what they do.

“It’s all about quantity versus quality, although in the case of books and encouraging reading, Smiths can take the moral high ground as books are seen as sacrosanct.

“In the eyes of most they should be accessible price-wise in the retail sales market, and the cheaper the better. This naturally is at a detrimental cost to smaller retailers.”

WH Smith were approached for a comment.

STATION WOULD BE A CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPERS The Grade 2 listed police station would be a challenge for any developer to purchase.

Any project would need to preserve the architectural and historic interest of both the building and its setting.

The art deco external façade would have to stay in its current form and inside the station sits a 1930s courtroom, complete with staircase leading from the dock to the jail cells, as well as an

exercise yard.

This would makes it a tricky proposal for any developer and may be the reason why Matthew Scott has taken it off the market after the deal with the council has fell through.

Developers would find it far more appealing if it were sold as a package with the Assembly Hall Theatre and Town Hall – if all these buildings eventually came on to the market together.

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER RICHARD WILLIAMS richardwilliams@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 240626 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES GHak@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779650 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews

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CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times of Tonbridge we strive to deliver fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we don’t meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections.

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Alliance claim about police station ownership is kicked out of court

By Richard Williams CLAIMS that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council own a share of the town centre police station have been dismissed as untrue.

Last week, the chairman of the Alliance political party set up to oppose Calverley Square theatre and civic centre development, falsely accused the council of covering up the fact that it owns a part share in the site.

Dr Robert Chris based his allegations on a 72-year-old document he unearthed at the Land Registry that suggested the council owned part of the 1930s art deco building after it was handed over to Kent Police in the late 40s.

He said: “This unpopular and secretive Council has been caught out once again. Now that we’ve uncovered this evidence, the Tories should halt its planned sale in its tracks and for once think about the

people of this borough.”

The Police Station, which Kent PCC Matthew Scott has just confirmed is no longer up for sale, sits next to the council-owned Assembly Hall Theatre, which Dr Chris suggests could be used as an alternative to the council £90million Calverley Square project.

Title Absolute He claimed: “Clearly, by including the police station, there is greater scope for more imaginative and probably cheaper solutions to the problems presented by the Town Hall and Assembly Hall Theatre. These solutions were not previously considered in depth because the police station was not then available.”

However, when asked by the Times for evidence of his claim, Dr Chris’ allegations did not stand up to scrutiny.

While the historical records he uncovered show the council did hold rights over the police station around 70 years ago, current Land Registry documents show only the Police and Crime Commissioner has ‘Title

CALVERLEY CRITIC Dr Robert Chris

Absolute’ to the building, meaning the council has no share in the police station.

A spokesperson for HM Land Registry said: “Title Absolute is the best class of title. If only one person is registered as Title Absolute then they solely own the building and nobody else can challenge that ownership.”

Matthew Scott’s office has also confirmed that that the building was ‘100 per cent’ owned by the PCC. And Leader Alan McDermott added that council lawyers confirmed more than a decade ago the council’s position on the property.

He said: “The Council reviewed its legal position in relation to the police station as long ago as 2006. Accordingly, the legal position is absolutely clear that TWBC has no entitlement to share in the freehold interest and no user rights.”

Dr Chris said yesterday [Tuesday] that he stood by his allegations.

“It is entirely possible that there could have been an historical error that has unwittingly been replicated over an extended period and is only now coming to light because after decades the police station is back in play,” he said.

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

RVP Spudulike closes after chain collapses A BAKED potato takeaway chain, first popularised in the 1970s, has fallen into administration, closing all of its UK’s 37 stores, including the Tunbridge Wells branch.

Spudulike in Royal Victoria Place closed with immediate effect after the company collapsed last Friday, with around a dozen staff losing their job.

Nationally, around 300 jobs will go following the collapse of the 45-year-old restaurant chain.

Goudhurst stabbing A TEENAGER has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was stabbed in a Tunbridge Wells village.

Police say they are appealing for witnesses after a group assaulted a man in his 40s in Lurkins Rise, Goudhurst, on Monday evening. He was airlifted to a London hospital suffering from stab wounds.

Police say an 18-year-old in Crowhurst Lane, West Kingsdown, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Mat Scott, from Kent Police’s Crime Investigation Department, said: “Although we have made an arrest, and spoken with a number of people at the scene, we are keen to hear from anyone who has information that is yet to speak with us.”

Man found hanged A CROWBOROUGH man was found hanged in woods close to one of Tunbridge Wells’ most expensive neighbourhoods after being missing for two weeks, a coroner has heard.

Salesman, Colin Smithers, 38, went missing from his home in Crowborough on June 17, but his body was found by a police officer investigating an unrelated incident in the woods off Hungershall Park two weeks later on Tuesday July 2.

A post-mortem revealed the cause of death as hanging.

An inquest was opened and adjourned until a full hearing at Maidstone’s Archbishop Palace on Wednesday, September 11.

County rural crime worst RURAL crime is costing Kent more than £2.5million a year, making the county the most affected by the crime in the UK, a new study has revealed.

The National Farmers Union Mutual says rural crime in the county has seen a 74.3 per cent increase, costing the area £2,659,000 in 2018.

Insp Dave Smith from Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, said they work closely with rural organisations such as the NFU. He said: “We take rural crime very seriously and our dedicated Rural Task Force focuses solely on tackling people who do these communities harm.”

Tonbridge calls the tune THE free one-day music festival Tonbridge Calling returns on Saturday [August 10] at the town’s Racecourse Sportsground.

The not-for-profit event is designed to bring the community together while raising money for worthy causes – this year’s beneficiary is Nourish Community Foodbank.

Alongside an array of local bands, there will be a Voices Spoken Word Tent, yoga classes, hula hooping and belly dance workshops, and a Craft’d Bus children’s art feature.

Fuggles cafe will be attending for the first time, providing a full bar including a specially brewed Tonbridge Calling pilsner lager. For more see page 35.

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Administrators get ‘no co-operation’ in tracing missing horses for LCF lenders THE administrators looking into the collapse of Tunbridge Wells’ based London Capital & Finance [LCF] have warned those involved in the equestrian industry against buying horses from a stud farm connected with the scandal-hit investment firm.

Smith & Williamson, who are looking to retrieve as much as possible of the £237million lost to 11,500 investors, say horses belonging to an equestrian company that took out millions in loans from LCF are ‘secured’ and should not be bought.

FS Equestrian, formerly known as Home Farm Equestrian Centre and based in Eridge, was run by Spencer Golding, a Crowborough businessman and associate of former Tunbridge Wells Conservative Association Chairman, Simon Hume-Kendall.

Administrators say businesses connected to the two men borrowed millions from LCF before

it went into administration, and they suspect valuable horses are being sold in the equine market, despite the animals having been secured against LCF’s debts.

Smith & Williamson said in a statement: “LCF has loaned very substantial funds to FS Equestrian and the administrators are getting no co-operation whatsoever in understanding where that value has gone.

“We would now put the equestrian world on notice that we will seek out all of the FS Equestrian horses which we have security over, irrespective of whose property they are on or whose possession they are in.”

Five men have been arrested by the Serious Fraud Office in relation to the collapse of LCF, but as yet nobody has been charged with any criminal activity.

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LESS THAN £700 LEFT FROM MISSING MILLIONS A company that borrowed more than £100million from LCF before it too went into administration, closed with less than £700 in its bank accounts.

London Oil & Gas, which was controlled and run by Tunbridge Wells’ businessman Simon HumeKendall [pictured], borrowed £124million from the failed investment firm. But according to a statement of affairs, it collapsed with just £685 in its bank account.

The company was the largest borrower from LCF, but administrators say they have no idea where the money went.

Hub gets green light after MP intervenes to break deadlock

By Richard Williams A DEAL has finally been struck between town councillors and the NHS over funding for the £10million Southborough Hub. As reported in last week’s Times, NHS bosses had been threatening to withdraw £4.2million of funding for a new medical centre to be based at the mixed-use development.

Southborough Town Council [STC] had been pushing the health service to pay a ground rent on the proposed medical facility, something the NHS said was ‘flawed’, ‘inappropriate’ and not ‘value for money for the public purse’.

Following last week’s news, Tunbridge Wells MP, Greg Clark, called all stakeholders together for a meeting on Wednesday night [July 31].

The former Business Secretary managed to broker a deal that saw town councillors finally accept the NHS’ offer.

Tonight [Wednesday] an Extraordinary Full Council meeting will ratify the deal and the Southborough Hub project will get the go-ahead, four years after the original plans were drafted.

Since it was first proposed, the Hub has been subject to a number of controversies and delays, not least the scaling down of the project from the original £30million design.

Town Councillor and Labour lead on the project, Neil Blackwell, said: “Greg Clark has been fantastic. He facilitated a meeting with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Kent County Council [KCC] and we went through our concerns, which were around the lack of ground rent from NHS England.”

He said that the biggest issue for STC was the external maintenance liability that would have seen the council responsible for any work on the medical centre through the NHS’ 63-year lease.

“In 30 years’ time if that medical centre needed a new roof, for instance, we as a town council would have been liable for a bill that could be as much £1million. For a council whose annual precept is only £500,000, it could have bankrupted us,” he explained.

He said that KCC has promised to ‘step-in’ if the

HUB-BUB: Last week’s Times town council faced such a hefty maintenance bill in the future.

He continued: “We will now write to the NHS and confirm we will be accepting their offer.”

MP Greg Clark, who only last month moved to the back benches after nearly ten years in government, said he was ‘alarmed’ when he heard the news that the replacement medical centre for St Andrews Surgery, which is set to close in 2021, could be lost along with the football pavilion, library and hall. If the deal fell through.

Relief He said: “I was pleased to be able to bring people together to broker a solution in time for the deadline and I am pleased we were able to break the deadlock.

“The whole community wants these facilities to be built without delay and I hope that it will now be full steam ahead.”

He added that he would now write to NHS England and the Secretary of State for Health drawing their attention to the agreement.

Tanya Shaw, Business Manager at St Andrews Medical Centre, said she was ‘delighted’ on behalf of the surgery’s 9,000 patients.

She added: “I feel immense relief that it is now going ahead. It has given us restored vigour and we are very much looking forward to developing new services we can put out to our patients.”

Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Club who had feared the end of the team if the clubhouse failed to materialise, said it ‘welcomed the good news’.

Opposition councillors were also pleased.

Cllr Ian Kinghorn [Conservative], who until the last local election had been the lead on the project, thanked the Times for its coverage of the stalemate between the NHS and STC. He said: “There is no doubt your story in Wednesday’s edition broke the news to the public by drawing attention to what was actually going on in Southborough regarding the Hub. This led to lots of people voicing their concerns and opposition to what was happening.”

He continued: “With acceptance of the NHS grant, the project to build a new community facility, including the medical centre and football pavilion can move forward, albeit two months later than the originally agreed Conservative plan which would have had seen work begin in July.”

Cllr Alan Bullion from the Southborough Liberal Democrats also welcomed the deal, he said: “We are pleased that a solution can be reached to ensure that Southborough will have its medical centre as part of the Hub. “These health services are vital for all local people and patients. This is why the Lib Dems voted against any further delay and for the building work to commence as soon as possible.”

Parking firm ticketing cars in wrong car park RESIDENTS in an area of Tunbridge Wells town centre were up in arms this week after a parking enforcement company appears to have begun operating in the wrong car park.

The local motorists all use a private car park in Warwick Park and have leases allowing them to leave their vehicles in allocated bays.

However, signs appeared stating that unless

users have permits issued by CPM UK Car Park Management they face fines up to £100, and residents found their cars ticketed.

Hundreds of pounds worth of fines have been issued to residents at the car park, and yet bosses at the enforcement agency have admitted they are unsure if they are meant to be working in the car park at all.

Despite signs clearly stating the company was operating there, James Randall, managing director of CPM, who operate in 15 private car parks in the town, said: “I cannot find any reference to Warwick Park being somewhere where we are contracted.”

He added that they were investigating the matter but he was unable to comment further.

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

Rejuvenated country estate celebrates 190 years of being ‘Mansion of Marvels’

Floral tribute to 190 years PHOTOS: Rose Bainbridge

Lake view It was designed by acclaimed British architect Decimus Burton, who also built the Holy Trinity MORE than 20 local historic sites are to become Church, which is now the Trinity Theatre.

Among the key features of the Grade II listed accessible to the public for an annual celebration property and estate, which sits in 36 acres of of local culture and architecture.

Heritage Open Days returns to Tunbridge Wells grounds, include a 100ft water tower, an historic this September for its 25th year of offering guided motor stable and a science theatre, which is home to a unique Welte organ – the only one of walks and tours.

Venues will be open to the public between Fri- its kind in the world.

It also houses its own Salomons Estate Museum. day September 13 and Sunday September 22, with Mr Moore said over the past 12 no entrance fee required. months, the estate has underBuildings opening their doors ‘The history of this gone its largest restoration and include The Assembly Hall Theaplace is incredible refurbishment programme in tre, The Opera House, The Forum, and Rose Hill School, yet largely unknown recent years, bringing the Victorian country house back to its and there will be cultural tours to many people. former glory. and walks, including an InfluenHe said: “The team at Salomons tial Women of Tunbridge Wells Over the years it has have worked hard to bring the tour by local author, Anne Carplayed a significant period property back to life and I wardine.

Also participating is one of role in the life of the am proud to say that it is looking Tunbridge Wells’ oldest historic local community’ absolutely fantastic, just in time for the 190th anniversary.” buildings, which is about to celNick Moore, Operations He added that in November ebrate its 190th birthday.

Director Salomons Estate 2018 the estate opened its Pub The Salomons Country Estate in and Dining Rooms, overlooking Broomhill Road, which is now owned and run by Markerstudy the country estate’s gardens, Leisure, was once the stately home of Sir David which serves traditional British and locally sourced dishes.

Salomon, the first Jewish Lord Mayor of London.

To celebrate its 190 years of history, the ‘ManSalomons Estate is already a popusion of Marvels’ is hosting free guided tours dur- lar venue for special events such as ing the annual Heritage Open Days on Sunday, weddings, christenings and birthSeptember 15. days as well as corporate functions Nick Moore, Operations Director at the country including, conferences and Christestate, said: “The history of this place is incredi- mas parties. ble yet largely unknown to many people. Over the Guests visiting the grounds during years it has played a significant role in the life of the 190th celebrations will receive 25 the local community and we look forward to per cent off Sunday lunch. introducing visitors to the delights of the estate.”

If you would like to book a tour The former home of Sir David Salomons, with the curator at Salomons founder of the London and Westminster Bank museum, please call 01892 [NatWest], and the first Jewish person to speak in 515152 or to book a table, visit Parliament, was one of the first buildings in Brit- www.salomons-estate.com/ pub-dining-rooms ain to be lit with electricity.

By Adam McGroarty

Salomons Estate Museum

Dick Whittington - the most celebrated Lord Mayor of London

The Welte organ

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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New bus routes and times for school year

By Adam McGroarty KENT County Council has introduced an updated bus timetable for the start of the new academic year in September. The revised timings have been adjusted in accordance with school start and finish times.

Some services have been renumbered to make it easier to identify buses offering shorter journeys to schools with specialised school service routes numbered between 771-776.

The new timetable and routes come into effect on September 1.

Girls attending Weald of Kent and Tonbridge Girls’ Grammar School can catch the fast bus service (77X) which will run in each peak period via Cannon Lane, bypassing Tonbridge town centre. The 771 morning bus will no longer serve Cage Green.

Access Pupils at Hillview School also have access to the 77X fast bus route. Monday-Thursday afternoons will see an earlier 771 service operate at 15.30 in line with the school finishing times.

The direct morning bus to Hayesbrook School will be renumbered as the 773. Boys can catch the 15.37 771 service which pulls into Tonbridge Station bus stop on Mondays-Wednesdays.

Thursday and Friday afternoon services will continue to be provided.

The 06.49 service to Tunbridge Wells will instead start from Hadlow, and the faster 06.51 service will continue unchanged, but numbered as 774.

The full timetable changes can be read at: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/kent-and-surrey/ updates/new-times-for-buses-between-kingshill-and-tonbridge-schools-from-1stseptember-2019

Garden scheme finishes MORE than 17,000 residents have signed up to the council’s new opt-in garden waste contract – nearly half of all households in the borough with a garden, raising more than £720,000.

The controversial £52-a-year service begins in September and is part of £2.3million savings announced by the council in its budget.

The council has been offering a £10 early bird discount which ended on Friday, and say 17,368 people have now paid for the service, 4,000 more than the targeted 13,000 households. Residents can still sign up to the scheme throughout the year.

CARE PLAN An artist’s impression of how the Owlsnest Wood care home will look

Rejected care home developer tries again

By Richard Williams DEVELOPERS of a new care home that was rejected by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council over fears to ancient woodland have submitted a new planning application.

Quantum Group last year applied to build a 76-bed care home along with 19 care houses in Owlsnest Wood, Pembury, across a five hectare site opposite Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

At the time, council planners rejected the application on the grounds it was an ‘inappropriate development within the Metropolitan Green Belt’.

Villagers concerned about the damage to Owlsnest Wood caused by the development had contested the planning application despite Quantum saying the care home would bring a number of benefits to the local community including 36 part time and 30 full time jobs.

They also estimated it would generate an estimated £400,000 in additional spending in the local economy per annum.

Planning officers rejected the applications, saying: “The harm to the landscape, and character of the area, by virtue of the scale of the development, amount, layout and site coverage, would not be outweighed by the identified benefits of the scheme.”

Now, more than twelve months on, the developers have submitted a revised planning application with a number of ‘significant changes’.

A spokesperson for the group, said: “We have reduced the original number of units, and are now only building a care home and not the extra care houses and there will be no development on any ancient woodland.”

The plans also include opening up the grounds for the public to enjoy a lake that up until now has been private.

Burden Quantum says the lake will be a place for local people, schoolchildren and staff and visitors from Pembury hospital to relax and enjoy the natural wildlife in a tranquil woodland setting.

They also claim the scheme has the support of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust as it sees the benefits of having a specialist dementia care home that will provide an allocation of 10 beds for NHS hospital patients for ‘step down’ care – to ease the burden of bed blocking.

A public consultation is now underway, where the residents of Pembury village will have a chance to ask questions and provide feedback on the planning application.

Resident Sue Nuttall, said: “We fought the origi-

nal application and it was rejected. This is just a similar offering.”

Villagers are already campaigning against a planning application put forward by car dealership, Hendy.

The vehicle retailer wants to open a ‘motor village’ on the edge of Pembury and is currently consulting on the proposals.

The local Parish Council has vowed to block the application, citing traffic concerns.

The village has also been earmarked for around 300 houses in the council’s draft Local Plan.

“It is one thing after another,” said Mrs Nuttall.

“We are becoming a suburb of Tunbridge Wells.”

VILLAGE PEOPLE Locals in Pembury are protesting a number of developments

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One year on and EU data protection rules are still stumping businesses

By Grace Lewis MORE than a year since GDPR [General Data Protection Regulation] came into force, businesses are still struggling to wrap their heads round it, according to a Tunbridge Wells solicitor.

The EU act, which was made statute in May last year, sets out rules designed to increase privacy and give citizens more control over their personal data – but many businesses are still confused as to what the regulations mean.

Thomas Newlyn, an Associate Solicitor at Tunbridge Wells’ lawyers CooperBurnett, which is based in Mount Pleasant Road, said one year on his firm is still getting calls from businesses, organisations and charities about it.

“There has been a lot of noise recently about the massive fines handed out for data breaches, and I think that has made people sit up a bit,” he said.

While smaller organisations are not going face the punitive fines handed out to businesses such as British Airways, which last month was forced to pay £183million for GDPR breaches, he added that it could still be costly to local Thomas organisations.

Newlyn “Even if the fine is

just a couple of thousand pounds, that is still significant for some businesses, and while it is a pain to deal with GDPR, a bit of investment now could be invaluable,” added Mr Newlyn.

He explained that the three key documents organisations need to have on their websites are a privacy policy, terms and conditions, as well as a written agreement on data processing.

He said: “A privacy policy sets out the information that the GDPR specifies you need to tell individuals when your business

controller uses a data processor, there must be a written agreement in place, and the GDPR sets out what should be in such an agreement.

“The agreement should include the subject matter of the processing, its nature and purpose, its duration, the controller’s obligations and rights, the types of personal data and the categories of data subject,” he said.

But he added: “Remember, this all counts for very little if you are not following through on your written words and are not actually doing what you say you are in your GDPR documents.”

‘There has been a lot of noise recently about the massive fines handed out for data breaches, and I think that has made people sit up a bit’ is collecting personal data from them. Your business’s standard terms and conditions need regular review to ensure they take account of business changes undertaken or legislative changes.”

And finally, he explained that whenever a data

WHAT IS GDPR? The EU General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR] is the most important change in data privacy regulation in 20 years.

The regulation replaced the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and is designed to reshape the way in which data is handled across all industry sectors, from healthcare to banking and beyond.

The regulation was finally approved by the EU Parliament on April 14, 2016, and came into force in the UK on May 25, 2018.

Business, organisations and charities that are not compliant with the regulation could face heavy fines that can be up to four per cent of their annual turnover.

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

Mark Howard

New probate service offered in Goudhurst A VILLAGE in Tunbridge Wells borough is to get a probate and estate service after an accountancy firm has been granted a licence.

Charter Tax, which has offices in Goudhurst, has recently become licensed to carry out probate and estate administration work, which takes place after someone has died, ensuring all taxes are collected and debts are paid and gathered in from debtors.

While probate and estate administration can be carried out by an individual, the process can be both complex and time-consuming.

Mark Howard, Principal at Charter Tax, said: “Our understanding of financial documents means we can carry out the probate and estate administration work quickly and efficiently.

“Where the deceased was an existing client, we will already know a lot about their financial circumstances and family situation. This knowledge will help to simplify the process, potentially saving time and money”.

He added: “When the deceased was not an existing client, we are happy to work with their existing accountant, if they are not licensed, to provide probate services.”

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Local News

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Lawyers raise their glasses to South East wines

DO IT YOURSELF Wickes to go it alone

Major DIY chain to break free

By Adam McGroarty DIY chain Wickes is splitting with its parent company after a 15-year partnership, in a sale that could be worth £500million.

The home improvement retailer, which has a store in Longfield Road on the Tunbridge Wells industrial estate, has been tied to parent company Travis Perkins since 2004.

But board members of the parent company told shareholders that they intend to ‘demerge’ from Wickes, which will become a standalone business by the first half of 2020.

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

The sale could bring between £400-£500million into the coffers of its parent company.

Previously, the Travis Perkins Group announced it was to sell its Plumbing and Heating Division.

‘There are over 230 Wickes stores spread across the UK’ John Carter, Chief Executive of Travis Perkins, commented: “I am delighted with the progress the group has made.

“The plumbing and heating sales process is well underway, and we are today announcing our intention to demerge Wickes as a separate business.”

He added: “The board believes that Wickes, under a management team led by David Wood [who was named as Wickes’ new CEO last month], is well positioned to thrive as a standalone business.”

The first UK-based Wickes store opened in Manchester in 1972, but now there are over 230 Wickes stores spread across the UK, including the Tunbridge Wells branch.

LAW firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish invited some of the UK’s leading wine producers to its Tunbridge Wells offices last week to celebrate the region’s thriving wine sector and meet TV sommelier Oz Clarke.

Following its sponsorship at the highly competitive WineGB Awards 2019, the firm invited guests to sample award-winning wines from 12 South East producers at an exclusive tasting session with Mr Clarke.

At the event, WineGB South East also gave out two further awards: Best Still Wine to Chapel Down for their Kit’s Coty; and Best Overall Wine to Roebuck Estate’s Classic Cuvée 2014.

Tom Bourne, head of the food and drink team at Cripps Pemberton Greenish, said: “The UK, and the South East in particular, has a thriving wine industry.

“It was a pleasure to attend the awards on Tuesday, and to then host the winners at our offices. Our guests enjoyed meeting the wine producers and sampling their award-winning still and sparkling wines.”

He added: “Congratulations to all those nominated for awards, and our winning producers. A big thank you also to Oz Clarke for hosting an informative, and CHEERS very enjoyable, TV wine expert wine tasting Oz Clarke session.”

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Community News

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

Tonbridge Lions tour countryside in style with array of classic cars TONBRIDGE LIONS CLUB’s annual Classic Car Tour featured more than 50 models spanning eight decades of motoring last month.

Alex Town, Managing Director of one of the event’s sponsors, Towns Heating & Plumbing Supplies, was the official starter for the tour at Tonbridge Castle.

Cross-section The drivers and their passengers then travelled through the countryside before having lunch at Oakwood House in Maidstone.

They returned by a different route to the castle, where they were greeted by Lions President Lofty

Bunyon and his wife Joan. To round off the day, the participants enjoyed a cream tea in the grounds.

The event raised £1,600 for the Lions’ Charitable Trust Fund.

The 53 vehicles that took part represented a varied cross-section of classic cars spanning more than 80 years.

The Chairman of the Lions Committee, Mike Edwards, said: “This was the sixth year we have held the event and a lot of entrants from previous years joined us again. It was a great day.”

The Lions would like to thank estate agents Martin & Co, Hadlow Stair Garage and Towns for their sponsorship and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for the use of the car park.

SCHOOL OF ROCK Headliners Musek close the festival

Local musicians band together to nurture school’s well-being BROADWATER ROCKS, Broadwater Down Primary School’s first music festival, saw an array of top local bands performing to help raise more than £2,000 for the school’s facilities this summer.

An array of musicians took to the professional stage erected in the grounds, including Muse

Local & Live co-organiser Peter Taylor, fresh from appearing at the Black Deer Festival up the road in Eridge Park, also brought his band The River Flows along for a set

STARTER’S ORDERS: Alex Town (left) with Lions President Lofty Bunyon and Geoff Coad’s Panther Lima

Tribute Act Musek, jazz funk artists Shine and Kharma and the Devil.

Local & Live co-organiser Peter Taylor, fresh from appearing at the Black Deer Festival up the road in Eridge Park, also brought his band The River Flows along for a set.

Arranged by the school’s Parent Teacher Association, the show raised £2,010 which will go towards a well-being centre and updating existing facilities.

The centre will provide a nurturing and a relaxing breakout space for staff to spend time with the children to support all their needs, away from the distractions of the busy school day.

Max, a pupil in Year Four, said: “I liked the fair because the music was excellent, and I got to have fun in the sun with my friends.”

Organiser Emma Brooker said: “We can’t thank the fantastic musicians enough for giving us their time and banding together to help raise such a great amount of money for our school.

“Another huge thank you to all our sponsors, for their generous donations. And last, but by no means least, all of our wonderful volunteers – without you we couldn’t run these events.”

To make a donation to the PTA fund, visit wonderful.org/charity/broadwaterdownpta

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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Record numbers expected for new 5k version of Hospice Run

HALFWAY ROUND The new 5km version is shown in green

By Andy Tong THE popular Hospice Run will feature a 5km version for the first time this year to encourage more people to take part.

The event, which raises large sums for the Hospice in the Weald, will take place in and around Tunbridge Wells on Sunday September 22.

The race starts at 10am at the Lower Cricket Ground, with all participants receiving a Hospice in the Weald T-shirt and a chip timing.

Now in its 14th year, the run has previously featured only a 10km race distance.

The shorter version mirrors the highly successful parkrun format, which is held every Saturday morning in Dunorlan Park and Tonbridge’s Racecourse Sportsground.

The organisers hope to encourage 1,000 people to take up the challenges.

Despite torrential rain last year, there were 569 runners pounding the streets, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.

The idea of the 5K route came about

because the hospice wants to make the event more accessible to all types of runner, especially families.

Michelle Winstone, Relationship Fundraising Coordinator at the hospice, said: “The introduction of the 5K run recognises that running has become

EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE Runners arrive at the finish line last year

increasingly popular.

“The shorter route will make sure everyone is welcome. It will appeal to the less experienced runner as well as families, and maybe some of our more mature competitors, too.

“It’s so exciting that even more supporters will join us this year.”

Andy Knight, a hospice supporter from Tunbridge Wells, has completed the hospice 10K every year for the last decade, and is enthusiastic about the prospect of more people signing up.

He said: “For me, taking part in the Hospice Run is about supporting my local community. Adding the new route helps even more people to do that – now there’s an option for everyone.”

The event is being sponsored by three companies, estate agents Savills, insurers CSIS and a new backer, property developer Dandara.

Early bird entry to the race costs £12.50 for the 5km and £20 for 10km (£7.50 and £12.50 respectively for children).

For more details and to enter, go to hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Care home gets wellies out for summer BARNES LODGE CARE HOME in Tonbridge joined forces with West Malling Beavers to create ‘Wellie Corner’ in the grounds.

The Beavers donated their old wellington boots and helped the home’s residents to plant donated flowers in them as garden ornaments.

During the summer term the Beavers have been focusing on planting in the community, which fitted in with the residents’ activities at Barnes Lodge.

Last term, the Beavers focused on cooking, making home-made pizzas to earn their cooking badges.

Barnes Lodge will welcome them back next term to explore a Christmas theme.

Katie Samuels, the home’s activities co-ordinator, said: “Our residents absolutely love seeing the children and working on a different theme each term.

“It was such a lovely evening, the sun was shining, and I could see how much both the children and the residents were loving planting the wellies and spending time together.

“We can’t wait to have them back.”

BOOT CAMP: (L-R) Vicky Nott, David Divall, Peggy Wiltshire, Samuel Wilcox and Katie Samuels in the gardens at Barnes Lodge

Community News

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National News

Gove calls EU’s position on deal ‘wrong and sad’ MICHAEL GOVE has accused the EU of refusing to engage in negotiations on a new Brexit deal.

Mr Gove, who is in charge of no-deal preparations, said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the EU position, which was ‘not in Europe’s interests’.

In Brussels, the European Commission insisted it was open to talks but made clear Theresa May’s Brexit agreement was ‘the best possible deal’ Britain was going to get.

That position was underlined by Irish premier Leo Varadkar, who insisted that the Withdrawal Agreement - including the Northern Ireland backstop - could not be re-opened.

Friendliness The latest exchanges followed reports from Brussels that EU officials had concluded that Boris Johnson’s new Government had no intention of negotiating and that its ‘central scenario’ was a no-deal break on October 31.

Following a meeting of the Government’s Brexit ‘war cabinet’, Mr Gove insisted the Government was ready to engage in talks in a ‘spirit of friendliness’.

However, he stressed the EU side had to accept a new approach was essential after Mrs May’s agreement was rejected three times by Parliament.

He said: “They are simply saying ‘No, we don’t want to talk’. I think that is wrong and sad. It is not in Europe’s interests.”

Speaking on a visit to Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar confirmed: “Our position is that the Withdrawal Agreement including the backstop is closed. But there is always room for talks and negotiations.”

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

TERRIFYING The 10th floor platform at the Tate Modern

Toni Morrison, author of Beloved, dies at 88 TONI MORRISON, a giant of modern American literature and author of Beloved, has died at the age of 88.

The Nobel prize-winner’s family said she had died after a brief illness, adding: “She was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother and aunt who revelled in being with her family and friends.

“The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students’ or others’, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing.”

Boy who fell at gallery suffered fractured spine and brain bleed A SIX-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown from a viewing platform at the Tate Modern art gallery has a fractured spine among multiple injuries, a court heard.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the attempted murder of the child and was remanded at Bromley Youth Court after a short hearing yesterday [Tuesday].

The court heard that the child sustained a bleed on the brain and fractures to his spine, legs and arms.

The young child, a French national, was airlifted to hospital after he was found on a fifthfloor roof at the gallery on Sunday afternoon. He is in a stable but critical condition.

The court heard that he is said to have walked a couple of feet away from his parents.

He was allegedly picked up and thrown over a barrier in an action that was ‘carried out extremely swiftly and in one movement’.

The teenage suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was apprehended by members of the public after the incident.

He was remanded to youth detention accommodation until a hearing at the Old Bailey tomorrow.

No link Scotland Yard has said there is no link between the suspect and the victim.

Officers were called to the gallery at around 2.40pm and the child was treated at the scene before being flown to hospital by London’s Air Ambulance.

Olga Malehevska was on the viewing platform with her four-year-old son when the alleged incident took place and described what happened as ‘absolutely terrifying’.

She said she saw a woman crying, shaking and shouting ‘oh my son, my son’.

BA pilots land in masks TWO British Airways pilots were forced to wear goggles and oxygen masks as they landed a plane while smoke poured into the cockpit.

The pair were praised by pilots’ union Balpa for ‘a job very well done’ after touching down safely in Valencia, Spain, on Monday night.

A statement from British Airways said Flight BA422 from Heathrow ‘experienced a technical issue’.

Anderson misses Lord’s ENGLAND’S bowler James Anderson will miss next week’s second Ashes Test at Lord’s due to the calf injury that curtailed his involvement in the series opener.

The 37-year-old, who was passed fit for the Edgbaston Test, bowled just four overs on the opening morning before aggravating the injury; he did not bowl again.

Pace bowler Jofra Archer could replace him and make his Test debut at Lord’s on August 14.

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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Sports Direct steps in to save out of fashion Jack Wills chain

STORE VALUES Jack Wills has a ‘proud British heritage’ FASHION brand Jack Wills has been saved following a £12million sale to Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct.

As reported in the Times in July, the retailer, which has an outlet in The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, had run into financial difficulties and was seeking a buyer.

The company nearly collapsed earlier this week when advisers KPMG put it into administration, but it was snapped up by the Sports Direct tycoon for £12.75million.

The deal includes all UK and Ireland stores and stock, as well as a distribution centre, along with all employees.

Jack Wills will come under a new division established at Sports Direct which will focus solely on buying and building fashion and sports brands, and report to Michael Murray in his role as head of elevation.

Mr Murray said: “Jack Wills has made a name for itself carving out a unique

place in the minds of consumers since its launch and has grown into one of the most recognised British fashion brands.

“Having taken a personal role in driving the decision to bid for this business, I am absolutely thrilled that Sports Direct was successful.

“Jack Wills will continue to operate as a separate company with its own leadership team. Our role will be to support the business and help elevate the brand and help restore it to its former glory.”

Long-term Directors are considering options for the international business, which includes stores in Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA. Mr Ashley’s bid beat one by Edinburgh Woollen Mill [EMW] Group.

EMW is owned by the retail tycoon Philip Day, who was reported to be trying to avoid a pre-pack

administration for the company.

It comes almost exactly one year after Mr Ashley beat Mr Day to buy department store House of Fraser in a similar pre-pack deal.

Since then both men have acquired chunks of the high street, with Sports Direct picking up Sofa.com and Evans Cycles, while Mr Day’s vehicle Spectre recently took over women’s fashion chain Bonmarché.

Suzanne Harlow, Chief Executive of Jack Wills, said: “For the past year, we have been focused on improving the Jack Wills proposition and the group’s financial performance.

“Despite significant progress, the challenging trading environment led us to conclude that the company’s long-term future would be best served as part of a larger group and Sports Direct will enable us to do this.”

Jack Wills was put up for sale earlier this year by its private equity owner Bluegem Capital.

The brand had been facing cash flow pressure amid tough trading conditions on the high street.

For the year to January 28 2018, Jack Wills made an operating loss of £14.23million.

Will Wright, partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said: “Jack Wills has a strong brand and proud British heritage, so it is pleasing to have been able to secure this agreement with Sports Direct.”

It is expected that the company will need to consider restructuring options, including potential store closures.

Tesco to axe thousands in Metro overhaul SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has announced that around 4,500 staff are facing redundancy.

The majority of the job losses will be at Tesco's Metro stores, such as the one in Tunbridge Wells town centre, with other positions going at some Express and larger stores.

The UK’s biggest supermarket chain wants to overhaul the Metro stores, which are bigger than Express stores but smaller than larger supermarkets, saying that shoppers tend to use them for convenience.

The company said in a statement: “The Metro format was originally designed for larger, weekly shops, but today nearly 70 per cent of customers use them as convenience stores, buying food for that day.”

The changes will include fewer products in the back of the store, with more moving straight to the shop floor when they are delivered.

Staff will also be expected to be more flexible, working across different departments, and there will be greater focus on keeping stock levels high during busy lunchtime rushes.

There will also be a ‘leaner management structure’ and workers will be given headsets to communicate more easily throughout the stores.

In 134 Tesco Express stores – out of 1,750 – there will also be a reduction in opening hours due to low footfall.

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and Ireland’s Chief Executive, said: “In a challenging, evolving retail environment, with increasing cost pressures, we have to continue to review the way we run our stores to ensure we reflect the way our customers are shopping and do so in the most efficient way.

“We do not take any decision which impacts colleagues lightly, but have to make sure we remain relevant for customers and operate a sustainable

business now and in the future.”

Earlier this year Tesco revealed it would be cutting 9,000 staff as it slimmed back its store offerings, shutting deli counters in some outlets and reducing the amount of time they are open in others.

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw, which represents over 160,000 Tesco staff, said it is calling for Government action to tackle the crisis in retail.

Pauline Foulkes, Usdaw National Officer, said: “Our members at Tesco are shocked and dismayed by yet another round of potential job losses, coming just months after 9,000 staff were put at risk in stores.

“This issue is not confined to Tesco, our high streets are in crisis, with jobs being lost due to shops closing, retailers folding and businesses engaging in significant restructuring to survive.

“We need the Government to address the worries and concerns of shopworkers and our members.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

boohoo makes a move

Wild is unable to deliver

Gadhia joins Salesforce

FAST-fashion internet giant boohoo has confirmed it has made an offer to buy the online businesses of Karen Millen and Coast from the Icelandic bank Kaupthing.

But the future of 1,100 staff in 32 stores and 177 concessions across the UK remains in doubt.

The company want to add the brands to its roster, which already includes PrettyLittleThing, Nasty Gal and MissPap.

DAVID WILD has resigned as Chief Executive of Domino’s and revealed that an ongoing feud with franchisees is unlikely to be resolved until next year.

The head of the pizza delivery business has been struggling for several years to win over franchisees, who have been demanding a bigger slice of profits.

Chairman Stephen Hemsley also announced that he will step down once a replacement is found for the role, which the 62-year-old has held for 11 years.

US SOFTWARE giant Salesforce has confirmed the appointment of former Virgin Money boss Jayne-Anne Gadhia as Chief Executive of its business in the UK and Ireland.

Salesforce said she will lead the UK and Ireland arm through its ‘next stage of growth’ after it pledged to plough in £2.1billion over the next five years.

Dame Jayne-Anne will not now take up an agreed appointment on the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee.

National News

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Letters

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor, Times Local News, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG This is a charge on healthy living – perhaps we should just get wasted Like many other retired persons in this area I have to live a moderate lifestyle, and I have recently taken to working in my garden.

This is an environmentally-friendly activity which also helps to keep me physically and mentally fit as well as being relatively cheap.

However, with the introduction of a charge for collecting garden waste, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has now decided to impose a tax on my hobby. I could, of course, incinerate it, but this would not only add to the already polluted atmosphere, it would also aggravate my neighbours.

Had I, upon retiring, become a reclusive alcoholic I would probably not only have wrecked my physical and mental health but would also have become a burden on the already overstretched resources of the NHS. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council would have assisted me by taking away my empty bottles

Lack of planning – and consultation In recent years the centre of the town has become less attractive, mainly because of the ‘cinema site’ being derelict for around 18 years and a general tattiness, except for the Côte brasserie.

Now there is a lack of promotion of the Assembly Hall Theatre – i.e. no advertisement on the ribbon of the forthcoming show, and no readable notices on the adjacent board when passing by. No wonder it costs the taxpayer almost twice the amount of last year.

The demolition of the Royal Victoria Hall theatre in Southborough – a gift to the town – following an incorrect technical assessment is another disaster. Now at least two different plans have been produced at great expense without a replacement in view.

The extremely poor execution of the repaving around the Fiveways clock had to be revisited.

The works going on at the top of the town: Library not able to relocate because of health and safety? No consultation with the shopholders on Monson Road. They are losing money because of loss of footfall.

Last but not least, the ‘vanity project’ Calverley Square, which was never viable, not needed, not wanted, and with many serious risks now declared in the risk register.

Again no proper consultation with the townsfolk that the council are meant to be serving – is this democracy?

All these projects and more demonstrate the inadequacy of the council officials, who have a serious lack of planning and implementation skills. This wastes taxpayers’ money and results in cuts to local services.

Ann Pickering Tunbridge Wells

Theatre’s decline is long-running saga Your paper reported the subsidy of £480,000, paid by local taxpayers, to keep the Assembly Hall Theatre running in the most recent year.

More information was given about taxpayer support at a recent borough council meeting.

Over the last five years, we have, in total, paid £1.6million to keep the Assembly Hall running.

The situation is worsening. After costing nearly half a million pounds in 2018-19, the budgeted cost for this financial year is £670,000.

And the subsidy is likely to rise further as the building ages and the facilities become even more out of date.

The Assembly Hall is also being forced to scale back its programme to keep within the agreed budget. So, as a town, we’re paying more and more for a theatre putting on fewer productions.

free of charge. Am I alone in thinking that they have got their priorities wrong?

Victor Bethell Tunbridge Wells

bedroom Victorian terraces off Camden Road with no off-road parking are advertised at £325,000.

How can the valuer come up with a £500,000 valuation for a very large building in the town centre with a great deal of parking despite the constraints of it being a listed building?

Max Lewis Tunbridge Wells

Green Belt could prove to be a red line

RECLINE AND FALL Charge for glass collection not garden waste The planned new theatre in Calverley Square obviously has its vocal critics. But there is no cost-free option, and the Assembly Hall is clearly on its last legs.

Cllr Matthew Bailey Conservative councillor for Paddock Wood (West)

Not meeting reporter’s responsibilities?

Your correspondent Calverley reports in great critical detail on a meeting [of the borough council] that he did not even attend. Not so much a report, more a character assassination [of Robert Chris]. I am left wondering: 1) Who, for the price of a large brandy, set him up?

2) Why he can be bought so cheaply?

3) Why the supplier of the detailed information was too afraid to make the criticism themselves?

Local politics is really becoming very dirty.

Ian Metcalfe Via email Ed Note: Council debates are relayed live via the internet, so Calverley was probably next door in Wetherspoons listening. Calverley claims he bought his own drink. See also this week’s column on this page.

Do police really own their own station?

I was interested to read that the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner wants to sell off the Tunbridge Wells Police Station for £2million. But why does he think he owns it?

It may be detached, but it is clear from the architecture that all the buildings, including the Library, council offices, theatre and police station were one development.

If it was council taxpayers’ money that paid for the development, then the building belongs to Tunbridge Wells taxpayers and not the police.

It may be that the police were given long-term use of the building, but it does not mean they own it by default. Original documents relating to the original development need to be examined to see who financed the building.

Chris Barmby Tonbridge

Highly desirable town centre location…

You reported that the police station in Tunbridge Wells was valued by the District Valuer at £500,000, and as a consequence this is the maximum that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is allowed to bid for the property.

Three-bedroom Victorian terraced houses in the town are advertised at £500,000, as is a three-bedroom flat in Queens Road. Two-

Tom Tugendhat [MP] is deliberately misleading in his claim that the Green/Independent amendment to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s Climate Emergency Motion would have resulted in a 20 per cent rise in housebuilding [July 17].

In fact, we asked for the text of the Local Plan to be reviewed in light of the declaration so that subsequent documents would consider its requirements. Without listening to our amendments and incorporating them into the final draft, the motion would have been worthless.

The fact is that the inclusion of thousands of houses across the Green Belt, while ignoring alternative sites for 11,700 homes elsewhere, is the biggest threat to the Local Plan being approved by the inspectors. That could result in a 23 per cent increase if the entire plan is rejected.

His column is a fantasy: His Government has halted the roll-out of further onshore wind power; they are responsible for the obscene tax disparity whereby coal is taxed at a fraction of the amount that wind power is.

While Tonbridge councillors offer their support to the excellent Save Capel campaign, as I have, almost every Tory and Lib Dem councillor voted to concrete over acres of our own countryside when they voted for the draft Local Plan in their own borough.

Mark Hood Green Party Councillor for Judd Ward, Tonbridge

Fracking poses a threat to British jobs Sam Goodenough’s back with a letter on fracking.

But I fear that his reason and logic are lacking!

Before he climbs on to his fracking soapbox, Sam writes, somewhat unpatriotically, that we should relocate the wind power industry out of the UK because the Royal Navy can’t protect offshore wind farms [July 17].

Doesn’t he know how many billions the industry is worth to our economy, and doesn’t he care about British jobs or British manufacturing?

He then claims that the fracking industry (which is operated in this country by the Australian/US company Cuadrilla) is safe and cheap and a source of plentiful fuel.

If it is safe, why have so many nations refused to permit it, or – as in the case of the Netherlands – have cancelled their fracking programmes?

Also, isn’t it true that shale oil and gas are fossil fuels, and therefore major contributors to greenhouse emissions and the climate emergency?

If fracking is cheap, how do its costs compare with the falling price of renewables? And has Sam factored into his calculations the money needed to fix the environmental and seismic damage inevitably associated with the process?

Even if this fossil fuel is plentiful, I believe that the risks and costs inherent in extracting and burning it are too high a price to pay.

Sam finishes his letter with a patronising comment about Greta Thunberg not doing her homework. He is wrong: This is a girl who is very bright and hard-working, and who has been hugely successful in raising awareness of the climate emergency throughout the world.

Paul Stepto Tonbridge

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

NOTHING like kicking the beehive. Which is what Calverley apparently did when He took to task the Chair of the Alliance party, Robert Chris, after he hijacked a meeting of the borough council from the public gallery. ‘Dr Bob’, as some know him, doesn’t like those people who are trying to spoil his view by building the Calverley Square theatre on his doorstep.

Being himself a fair-minded person, Calverley prints the following unedited communication: Dear Calverley, Thank you so much. I really enjoyed your ‘Hijacked!’ piece [July 24]. ‘Word reaches Calverley’ and ‘here’s apparently what he did’ tells your ‘dear readers’ that you weren’t actually there, so we can forgive your several departures from fact.

Your focus on me is flattering but your ‘dear readers’ will notice that you didn’t engage with any of the issues discussed at the Council meeting. But why should you, your column is now well established as being about entertainment, not about evidence-based journalism.

Margaret Thatcher noted that those indulging in personal attacks always showed they’d lost the argument, because if they hadn’t, they’d attack the argument not the person. So, keep it coming. The more you do this, the more of your ‘dear readers’ will vote for Tunbridge Wells Alliance next May. I couldn’t be more grateful.

As to ‘not being hindered by self-doubt’, may I remind you of our town motto – ‘Do well, doubt not’. Tunbridge Wells Alliance has come from nowhere in less than two years to have six councillors and 40% of the votes in the wards we recently contested. We’re doing well; maybe those who lost their seats and their supporters should be doing the doubting.

Since I’m writing, I hope you won’t mind if I mention a ‘slipshod use of the English language’ about which you express such deep concern in the same column. Your phrase ‘no less than seven times’ is a good example of slipshod English. And, there’s another in the first paragraph of the paper’s front-page story (I’ll leave you to find that). People in glass houses .…

Perhaps you should promote a ‘grammar quiz’ with a weekly prize for finding the most examples of linguistic slipshodity in your paper.

Regards Robert Chris Chairman Tunbridge Wells Alliance There you go. That’s what free speech is all about, allowing others to have their say without interruption. Calverley would point out you don’t have to be in the council chamber to hear debates – they are relayed live via the internet. Interestingly, Robert Chris did not dispute any of the ‘facts’ about the way he ‘hijacked’ the meeting.

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

EDUCATION

Times

Pupils learn how to reach for the stars Academy students take to the stage for a hands-on learning experience with celebrity performers…

FROM CROWBOROUGH TO CALIFORNIA MCs Starz & Deeza help to build students’ confidence and open up a world of opportunity BEACON ACADEMY students took part in exciting creative and performing arts workshops with a range of industry professionals at the school’s annual Creative Arts Day last month.

The students engaged in tasks which aim to develop resilience, teamwork and confidence while re-enforcing the skills they study in class and the Beacon Academy core values: Inspire, Believe, Achieve, and Succeed.

The school’s Head of Performing Arts,

Education

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Mrs Caroline Thomas, said: “At Beacon Academy we recognise the importance of the Creative Arts – we believe they challenge students to think creatively, build confidence, solve problems, and realise artistic intention – they are good for the soul!”

The students enjoyed trying the different activities, including South Asian Dance with Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists London School of Bollywood; Urban and Hip Hop Dance

with Street Styles 4 All Ltd; Musical Theatre with JK Theatre Arts; and Lyric Writing and Performance with UK Grime artists Starz & Deeza. With the school’s Art and Technology Department, students created and illustrated boxes inspired by abstract artist Sarah Morris, as well as optical art to be displayed en masse in the Art Department.

Drama teacher Miss Annie Wallace said: “We would like to thank all of the excellent external performing arts practitioners that visited our school to run Creative Arts Day workshops with our students. They experienced an array of performance skills, with amazing staff supporting and getting involved in all activities. It was a well-rounded day where students were exposed to new topics and blew us away with their levels of confidence.”

MCs Starz & Deeza commented: “We have performed all over the place, we actually started out performing in very small places like the Crowborough Cross and The Forum in Tunbridge Wells but we have gone on to perform all over the world, from Holland to Spain, and Belgium and France to America, with one of the best places being Hollywood in California.

“So we have actually gone from Crowborough Cross to Hollywood, and as crazy as it sounds it is largely from having the confidence and believing in ourselves and our ability to perform.

“We all have to start somewhere, but once you have started and you believe in yourself, anything is possible.”

NEWS

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Pitch perfect Oakley School opens its new 3G multi-use pitch

AFTER years of fundraising, Oakley School has proudly cut the ribbon on its new 3G pitch facility.

The 200-plus students and staff at the school, which is based in Pembury Road, had tirelessly raised money over the past few years in order to realise their dream of building the all-weather Multi Use Games Area [MUGA], which was also financially supported by the rugby charity Wooden Spoon.

The organisation regularly gives Oakley pupils tag rugby sessions.

Tremendous The event was attended by officials from Wooden Spoon as well as local dignitaries, Oakley’s staff, students and supporters, and also boasted

PHOTO: Amanda Collins

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

FUN AND GAMES Face painting was among the activites on the day an afternoon of pony rides, human fruit machines, face painting, fire and police services.

“It was a tremendous success,” an Oakley spokesperson told the Times. “We all had a ball!”

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Rt Revd Simon Burton-Jones Bishop of Tonbridge

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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.

Data may become a new virtue but it is likely to prove a mixed blessing WHAT to make of all the personal data we now possess?

The units of alcohol we drink, the calories we consume, the steps we take, the spending we make, the screen time we use, the sleep we get.

And that’s just for starters.

Eventually there will be little in our lives which is not measured.

It appeals to our need to control what we can of our lives in an era where everything else seems to be spinning out of control.

The management consultants McKinsey say ‘what can’t be measured, can’t be managed’.

And so data tracking may become a new virtue. An indication for all to see that we have got our life together.

Like all technology, it is likely to prove a mixed blessing. We will learn things that help us to get in better shape.

The denial we indulge around food, alcohol and fitness will be inconveniently challenged.

Early signs of ill-health may be picked up at home, not at the GP’s.

But there are personal, social and corporate reasons to reflect carefully.

Data can become personally addictive.

In looking for validation, we take solace in measurement. It tells us we are improving.

If we are prone to behavioural disorder, data will likely make the trend worse as we try to set new personal bests for whatever we are measuring, irrespective of whether it is good for us.

Cutting down on calories is one sphere wide open to self-abuse.

Data can also drive social competition.

For some, social media has already become an unspoken forum for rivalry.

A culture like ours, which is prone to competition rather than co-operation between individuals, may encourage an unhealthy spirit. In our insecurity, we are constantly measuring ourselves against the lives of others.

Data will give us precise numbers by which to assuage or stoke our self-doubt.

And it will make worse the trend to see life in terms of winning and losing.

The data we will provide in the course of living, breathing, eating and walking is being fed back to the makers of each tracker. This is building up a huge store of information of great use to the corporate world.

Right now, it provides a massive market

‘It appeals to our need to control what we can of our lives in an era where everything else seems to be spinning out of control’

INFORMATION OVERLOAD Nearly everything in our lives is being measured advantage to some big companies who can patent new products based on what they know about us.

This will make it harder for new companies to find innovative space in the marketplace.

Made public and anonymised, the enormous levels of personal data could be used in highly creative ways to enrich and protect our common life. If taking back control means anything at all, this is an area we might want to devote more attention to right now.

Martin Betts

Vice Chair of Tunbridge Wells Constituency Labour Party

Data also skews the way we think about what is important.

Robert Kennedy said of Gross National Product that it measured everything except that which makes life worthwhile.

A materialistic society tends to deny or remainder goods which cannot be measured in numbers.

We must ensure our relationships never fall foul of this law.

The feeling owning stuff gives us does run dry. The joys of friendship and family never do. It’s how we have been created.

Labour Party member Martin Betts lives in Southborough and has long been active in local politics. He retired after a long career in the Civil Service, where his last job at the Department for Work and Pensions was in communications. He qualified at Leicester University in human resources and training and development. The Times also publishes regular opinions from members of other political parties.

No one voted to leave the European Union in an unmanaged way LAST month I argued that tackling the global climate crisis was one issue that should unite us. Since then all parties on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have signed up to a joint Conservative/Labour motion to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.

We should celebrate this rare outbreak of cross-party unity. Working together is the only way to prevent the global catastrophe foreshadowed by the extreme weather events already occurring around the world.

It is unfortunate that we don’t have a similar approach to dealing with the other existential crisis that is facing our country, where it is clear that we have a new Prime Minister who is single-handedly leading the country towards a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

Whether or not you agree with the result of the 2016 Referendum, it is clear that no one voted to leave the European Union without arrangements to do this in a managed way that protects our jobs and industries.

Despite what Prime Minister Boris

Johnson says, that there is a ‘million to one chance’ of not getting a deal from the EU, he has just allocated a further £2.1billion, on top of over £4billion already allocated, to prepare the country for no deal.

Labour calls this spending, including a record £100million-plus on an information campaign, an ‘appalling waste of money’ that could have been spent on schools, hospitals and adult social care.

Where was this money when we needed it to help prevent austerity?

The CBI says that the UK is not ready for Brexit on October 31.

Car manufacturers are warning of the threats to an industry that employs nearly a million people. Farmers are forecasting the mass slaughter of livestock. The value of the pound continues to fall.

A leaked report from the Department for Education warns of school closures, exams being disrupted, school meals running short because of food price rises by up to 20%, and teacher absences caused by traffic and travel disruption – particularly in Kent.

These warnings will be

‘Negotiating a deal when we are out of the EU will be from a position of weakness. We will have antagonised our ex-partners and be pleading from the outside’

NO DEAL A ONE IN A MILLION CHANCE? PM Boris Johnson claims he will get a deal from the EU

dismissed by the government as project fear, but that won’t stop them happening.

And leaving without a deal solves nothing, we will still have to negotiate a free trade deal with the EU. Negotiating a deal when we are out of the EU will be from a position of weakness.

We will have antagonised our ex-partners and be pleading from the outside.

The US Congress has also threatened to block any trade agreement if the Irish peace process is put in jeopardy.

With a government majority of one, the vote of every MP counts. We know that our MP, Greg Clark, knows the real consequences to UK jobs and industry of a no-deal Brexit. We now need to pile on the pressure to persuade him to do all he can to stop it.

If this means him joining principled Tory MPs like Dominic Grieve, who are prepared to vote for the best interests of their country rather than their government, then bring it on.

He will surely have the backing of most of his constituents.

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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Your home really can be your castle… at lovely Lullingstone Page 19

23

Bridge over calming water…

Have fun fishing in the lake at The Granary Page 18

GARDEN FLAT IN THE HEART OF TOWN

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LAST CHANCE FOR GREAT NEW HOMES

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

Best property buys for...

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

The Granary

Possingworth Close Cross in Hand OFFERS IN THE REGION OF

£380,000

CONTACT • Jackson-Stops, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 521700 • jackson-stops.co.uk A recently refurbished duplex apartment at The Granary, part of a charming mews development in the grounds of the prestigious Possingworth Park estate. Believed to date from the late 19th century, the apartment has direct access to over 75 acres of private parkland, including the lake, and comes with the bonus of fishing rights, too.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Private entrance n First floor sitting room with log-burning stove n Dining room/bedroom 3 with period fireplace n Well-fitted kitchen n Main bedroom with en-suite bathroom n Large top floor bedroom with Velux roof lights n Outside is a decked private seating area, plus

The LAKE…

direct access to the estate with over 75 acres of gardens, meadows, woodland and a lake with fishing rights (owner automatically becomes a shareholder in the estate)

n 2 parking spaces and a single garage

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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The PRICE… The HALL…

Dry Hill Park Road Tonbridge

£230,000 (Share of freehold)

CONTACT • Barnes Kingsnorth, Tonbridge • 01732 771616 • bkestateagents.com Garden apartment in a Victorian house with easy access to High Street and station.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Conservation area n Entrance at rear of property n Sitting/dining room with feature brick chimney and original full-height shutters around glazed door n Kitchen with breakfast bar

Moll Cob

Lullingstone Castle Lullingstone Park, Eynsford

n Double bedroom with garden view n Bathroom n Shared drive with allocated parking space n Communal garden

GUIDE PRICE

£1,250,000 CONTACT • Savills, Sevenoaks • 01732 789700 • savills.co.uk A rare chance to buy the east wing of Grade IIlisted Lullingstone Castle, where renowned plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke has his amazing World Garden. The lush grounds also include a 16thcentury church and a 15-acre lake.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Elegant accommodation spread over three floors with features including a stained glass window

n Oak front door opening to impressive stone vestibule and entrance hall with oak staircase

n First-floor drawing room with two fireplaces

Orchard Villa Park Road, Tunbridge Wells GUIDE PRICE

£1,100,000 CONTACT • Fine & Country, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 701900 • fineandcountry.com

n Dining room with fireplace

A contemporary detached home with delightful gardens in an excellent location for state and grammar schools, the town centre and a mainline station.

n Library with fireplace, wood burner and

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Sitting room with panelled walls, fireplace, wood burner and window seat

adjacent study area

n Kitchen/breakfast room with panelled walls,

n 4 reception rooms

oak window seat and Stoves range oven

n Fitted kitchen and separate utility room

n Master bedroom with fireplace and wood-burner

n 5 bedrooms

n 3 further bedrooms (one with feature fireplace)

n 2 en-suites and a family bathroom

n 2 bathrooms and a stylish shower room

n Private gardens with terrace and ornate raised fish pond

n Outside, there is access to a central courtyard and garage, as well as the beautiful gardens

n Driveway and double garage

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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York Road

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AT A GLANCE

GARDEN FLAT YORK ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Town centre location, also close to the Common n Finished to a high standard with many original character features n Private entrance, including carriage lamp with movement sensor n Open-plan living room/kitchen with picture window and door to courtyard n 2 bedrooms n Bathroom n Enclosed, private, south-facing courtyard garden with brick paviour flooring n Within 0.2 of a mile of Tunbridge Wells Mainline Station

GUIDE PRICE

£299,950 (Share of freehold)

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

A superb, affordable garden apartment in one of the prettiest roads in the town

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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Property Focus NEW H OMES

Great chance to go for the traditional country feel – but with all the mod cons COUNTRY life may be slow, but in this case it’s best to move quickly because there are only two of three fabulous new homes remaining at Ashurst Homes’ prestigious Pixie Wood Farm development in Felbridge village.

Located in Rowplatt Lane, these bespoke modern houses are tucked away at the end of a shared drive, literally on the edge of the woods, yet not far from local amenities.

For commuters, Pixie Wood Farm has easy access to the A22, and is only 2.1 miles from the mainline station in nearby East Grinstead – a great medieval market town equally full of character.

Both homes boast three reception rooms, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garden and private parking. The guide prices are £1,250,000 for The Farmhouse and £1,100,000 for The Barn.

THERE is still a chance to buy the second of two new houses in Regalpoint Homes’ tasteful Offham development – the four-bedroom Paddock View house at £845,000 – in time for the autumn.

Offham is known for having a ‘quintain’ (jousting post) on its village green. The medieval post was set up as a mark for tilting with a lance by knights or soldiers. Often such posts had sandbags attached that would swing round and hit an unsuccessful tilter.

Paddock View, transformed from former stables, is one of a pair of detached

homes built in the grounds of the Grade II-listed Old Rectory on the fringe of the village, and enjoys rural views of the glorious Kent countryside all around it.

Yet it is still well located for commuters.

West Malling is just 2.5 miles away, which means quick access to a mainline train station as well as the M20.

Inside the house, which includes energy efficient features, the ground floor has a spacious hallway; a living room with bi-fold doors to a south-facing garden; an open-plan kitchen/diner with a bespoke Krieder kitchen, Caesar stone

worktops and Siemens appliances; a connected utility room; a cloakroom; an en-suite bedroom; and a bedroom which could also be used as a study.

Assist The grand master bedroom on the first floor features a Juliette balcony; a dressing room; and an en-suite bathroom with double basins, a bath and a freestanding shower. The second bedroom on this floor has an en-suite shower room and built-in storage.

The two homes lie behind electronic entrance gates, and the property comes with a double car barn.

Autumn is a great time for a fresh start for many, and is often an unwritten deadline for many buyers.

Tony Porter, Managing Director of Regalpoint Homes, says: “The beauty of a new home is there is no chain above, and this undoubtedly can shave time off the exchange and completion process…

“Regalpoint Homes will assist the buyer of Paddock View to achieve exchange and completion.”

Offham jousting post To make an appointment to see Paddock View, call Regalpoint Homes on 01732 450184 or RPC on 01622 691 911, or register your interest online at regalpoint.co.uk

PHOTO: © Marathon/geograph.org.uk/CC BY-SA 2.0

Joust in time – last chance to buy in village known for jousting post

PHOTOS: Computer generated images

For more information, or to view, call Ross Davies at Knight Frank, Tunbridge Wells, on 01892 515035, or visit knightfrank.co.uk

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

Property Focus

COMM ERCIA L PROPERT Y

WELLINGTON GATE CHURCH ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Broadlands Commercial Property Agents continue to successfully let business space in the town, and also have a number of good quality offices available despite the shortage of space. Acting on behalf of Hermes Investments, we have recently let two floors at Wellington Gate.

Part of the 1st floor [3500 sq ft] and the whole of the 5th floor [4000 sq ft] have been let to local companies for expansion space. New FRI leases were granted at rents of £27.50 psf. Three suites of 1470/1880 and 4000 sqft remain available, together with on-site parking. Acting on behalf of another fund within the Hermes group, we will shortly be offering 5787 sq ft of good quality office space, together with 11 car parking spaces.

Further details on request.

CENTURY PLACE LAMBERTS ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Acting on behalf of Threadneedle Investments, we have 4233 sq ft available at Century Place, Lamberts Road.

The offices have just been completely refurbished to provide open-plan, air-conditioned space – available as a whole or separately. There are also 22 car parking spaces available.

UPPER GROSVENOR ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Acting on behalf of private clients, we have recently let No 10 Upper Grosvenor Road – a self-contained office building of approximately 2000 sq ft at £45,000 pax, together with 14 on-site car parking spaces.

HIGH STREET

TONBRIDGE

At 190 High Street, Tonbridge, we have a refurbished Ground Floor Office suite of 630 sq ft available at £13000 pax on a new lease for a term to be agreed. There are three car parking spaces included.

FURTHER DETAILS ON THESE AND OTHER COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES CAN BE OBTAINED

BY CONTACTING Shane Raggett at Broadlands Commercial Property Agents 01892 512422 shane.raggett@broadlands.co.uk

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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Gravetye Manor’s Tom Coward Page 37

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SWIMMER GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

Summer entertainment gets the royal treatment

The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle is once again up and running for the holidays and this year’s varied bill doesn’t disappoint, as Eileen Leahy discovers…

GARDEN GURU Gravetye Manor’s Head Gardener Tom Coward

HEVER FESTIVAL THEATRE Offers a variety of shows

E

very summer a pop-up theatre space pitches up in the glorious grounds of Hever Castle to showcase some of the UK’s best comedy, music, opera, spoken word and performance art.

Now in its 36th year, the Festival Theatre not only draws a big crowd with the locals but many others from further afield, too.

They happily make the journey along to this historical beauty spot so they can see everything from stand-up comedy to award-winning children’s theatre and topical debates on the bill – which has been carefully created by the festival’s Director, Ailsa Molyneux.

Last year was her first one in charge after the festival’s founder, Ron Palmer, retired after 34 years. And she certainly did a pretty impressive job bringing big names such as historian David Starkey and comedian Tom Allen to the stage, alongside big music hitters The Magic of Motown and acclaimed performances of HG Wells’s The Time Machine and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

This year’s season was officially opened a little earlier than usual, over May’s Spring Bank holiday, when the Festival Theatre teamed

up with the Rye Jazz & Blues Festival to bring Courtney Pine, Miloš Karadaglic and Mica Paris to Hever.

Since then there have been incredible performances, including the Lost Voice Guy (AKA Lee Ridley), Elmer The Patchwork Elephant, HMS Pinafore and La Traviata, as well

AILSA MOLYNEUX Festival Theatre Director

as an intimate chat by West End and Holby City star Lee Mead. This weekend sees The Simon & Garfunkel Story on Friday, with The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars playing on Sunday.

During the rest of August, visitors can enjoy live music from the likes of the Brandenburg Sinfonia and Hever’s very own Last Night of the Proms with Pomp and Circumstance.

There will also be screenings of The Shape of Water, Mamma Mia and Bohemian Rhapsody, plus fascinating talks, including one entitled What the Hell is Going On? by Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine.

He told us exclusively that: “It’s a show where I am trying to answer the question we are all asking! Where did Trump come from, how did Labour go Blair-Corbyn, why Brexit but not Scottish Independence? We are in the craziest times and it is the most exciting moment for any journalist.”

In addition to Jeremy’s one-man show there will also be a talk by Gravetye Manor’s Head Gardener Tom Coward, who’ll be chatting about the legacy of the luxury hotel’s historic gardens, designed by the groundbreaking horticulturalist William Robinson.

The final night of the festival will be dedicated

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Arts & Culture

to an Elvis tribute act [August 30], so it’s fair to say that this year Ailsa has ensured that there really is something to please every palate.

Having worked at the EM Forster in Tonbridge and the Royal College of Music, as well as being a producer for the Chelsea Festival in London, Ailsa certainly knows a thing or two about the arts, and has very much enjoyed the biggest Hever Castle Festival Theatre season to date.

Diversity “Curating for 2019 has been pure joy. The diversity of our programme leads us to work with artists from a great variety of arts backgrounds,” she says.

“Due to demand, the programme this year is larger than ever before with extended family, music and speakers’ programmes, and we are working with many more renowned artists, too.

“Lee Mead fell in love with Hever when he was a boy, and Jeremy Vine is looking forward to bringing his family with him and staying at the stunning Hever Castle Bed and Breakfast.

“Artists love it here as much as our audiences do. Sometimes it is harder to send them home at the end of the night than the audience!”

For information on who’s on the bill this summer, visit heverfestival.co.uk

PHOTO: © Bill Knight

‘There will also be a talk

by Gravetye Manor’s Head Gardener, Tom Coward, who’ll be chatting about the legacy of the luxury hotel’s historic gardens, designed by the groundbreaking horticulturalist William Robinson’

ACTING UP (Pictured clockwise from top) HMS Pinafore, The Simon & Garfunkel Story and Hever Proms

Duncan’s Place is now well versed in history As part of the Tonbridge Calling festival, which is on this weekend, the Roundel poetry group are publishing a special collection of poems entitled Duncan’s Place, inspired by one of the town’s most historic businesses. Roundel’s founder member Margaret Beston tells us more…

Allen’s Garage, located in Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge had been in business for over 100 years before it closed at the end of March.

The Tonbridge-based art collective 4Art held an exhibition at the garage entitled Duncan’s Place just before it was demolished, and our group of Roundel members visited the show.

We were very inspired – not only by the artwork on display, but by the history of the site – and so we set to work writing. The result is our very own work entitled Duncan’s Place.

The collection contains a series of evocative poems and is illustrated with photos of 4Art’s artwork and Allen’s garage and workshop.

We hope it will stand as a lasting

GARAGE ART 4Art held an exhibition at Duncan’s Place in March

tribute to this iconic part of the town’s history.

With its workshops fronting the River Medway, Allen’s Garage was a feature of Tonbridge life for over 100 years – first repairing coaches and wagons and then motor cars.

Memories When the local art group, 4Art, heard that its latest owner, Duncan Welch, was retiring and that the site was to be sold and demolished, they spent two years exploring the historic buildings.

They found an amazing collection of machinery, cogs, wheels and other paraphernalia that had been stored for decades. This provided the

inspiration for their exceptional exhibition.

The Roundel poetry group and 4Art have collaborated previously, each group inspired by the other’s creative works, and this was no exception. Emotions and memories triggered by the artwork and artefacts are reflected in the poems we have produced.

So many people have fond memories of Allen’s Garage. We hope our collection will prove a fitting tribute to this much-loved part of the town’s history.

The official launch of Duncan’s Place will take place in the Spoken Word Tent at Tonbridge Calling at 2pm this Saturday, August 10.

Roundel members will read their poems, and the collection – priced £3 per copy – will be on sale. Copies are also available by emailing: roundeltonbridge@gmail.com

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Going Out

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goingout 7 days of activities

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

By Jerome Bowman

BE A BRICK… Take the children to see The Lego Movie 2 at Dunorlan Park

FEEL THE FLOWER POWER At this year’s Great Comp Garden Summer Show WEDNESDAY Starting with Disney favourite Dumbo at 4pm, today marks the start of five days of children’s open-air movie marvels in Dunorlan Park, courtesy of Luna Kids Cinema. We cover a couple more films here, but for the full programme, visit lunakidscinema.com If you missed it last week at Hever Castle, Immersion Theatre’s production of Alice in Wonderland is coming to Smallhythe Place, near Tenterden, this evening at 6.30pm. The timeless and surreal story of Alice and her encounters with the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the

Cheshire Cat are told in an open-air performance.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and £8.50 for children.

To book, call 01580 762334. For more details, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place Head to the Royal Wells Hotel on Mount Ephraim tonight to test yourself in the Brains Matter Quiz Night. At £15 per participant, including food, each team can have up to eight players. A £5 entry fee will go towards the Brains Matter charity. All players must arrive by 7pm, with the two-course meal being served from 7.15pm. To book, call 01892 619001 or email: info@bainsmatter.org.uk Or find the event on Facebook @brainsmatteruk

THURSDAY Among today’s Luna Kids Cinema outdoor screenings in Dunorlan Park is The Lego Movie 2,, which starts at 1pm.

Continuing where the first film left off, the charming stop-motion animation and high jinks are sure to entertain the youngsters. Americanstyle street food and separate bars for kids and adults will be open, just don’t get them confused!

Tickets cost £13.50 for adults and £8 for children. For more information and to book, go to lunakidscinema.com FRIDAY See musical hit The Greatest Showman at both Dunorlan Park and The Spa Hotel Open Air Cinema. The film

has fast become a classic for musical fans and stars Hugh Jackman as circus king PT Barnum.

The Dunorlan screening is at 7pm, or you can turn up as early as 7pm at The Spa Hotel, too, to grab a seat and some hot food, snacks and drinks, with the film shown after sunset.

Bring your own blankets or camping chairs to The Spa. Ticket prices vary. To book, visit lunakidscinema.com or spahotel.co.uk SATURDAY Now that summer has arrived, there is no better time to give the Tunbridge Wells Park Run a go. The 5k run takes place every Saturday at 9am in Dunorlan Park. After the run, you can join the group for a coffee in the café. This is a volunteer-run event and there are no pace requirements or entry fees, but you will need to register by visiting parkrun. org.uk/royaltunbridgewells The Great Comp Garden’s Summer Show opens EASTERN PROMISE Buddhist arts & activity at Chiddingstone Castle

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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Going Out

no need to bring a ball of string. Entrance to the maze is included in the price of admission.

For more information, or to book, go online to penshurstplace.com

STEAM THROUGH THE AGES This weekend on the Bluebell Railway

TUESDAY To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut is screening at The Picture House

PICK OF THE WEEK: The Combined Ops Military & Air Show Headcorn Aerodrome

10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday August 10 and 11

today at 11am. Located at Platt, near Sevenoaks, the event will be held on the North Lawn in front of the 17th-century manor house for the first time in the 17 years it has been running. The exhibition will involve many of the finest flowersmiths in the area, as well as two local iron-works companies.

The perennial perusing will be accompanied by jazz band Strings and Things and The Old Dairy Tearooms will be serving food and drink thoughout the day. Tickets cost £8.50 for adults, £7.50 for concessions and £3 for children.

Royal Horticulture Society members receive a 20% discount. For more information, visit greatcompgarden.co.uk The Bluebell Railway will take you back in time today and tomorrow without the risk of altering the course of history! Steam Through the Ages will bring different periods to life with themed stations – Sheffield Park will be Victorian and Horsted Keynes the Second World War. See historical re-enactments at both stations, as well

as a market and live music. Tickets, which cost £23 for adults and £11.50 for children, can be booked online at bluebell-railway.com SUNDAY Head to Chiddingstone Castle for a Buddhist Arts and Activity Day. Themed around the castle’s collection of Buddhist objects, some dating back to the 15th century, the day will include talks on Buddhist art and culture, with beginner classes in yoga and meditation. There will also be a mindfulness walk, craft workshops and you can try some traditional matcha tea. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. For more information, visit chiddingstonecastle.org.uk MONDAY You can still visit this year’s amazing Penshurst Place Maize Maze, collecting clues and stamps if you wish as you go. If you get lost, you are provided with an emergency flag, so there is

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in Uckfield tonight at 7pm. Starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall, the hallucinatory and existential war epic has stood the test of time. The horror has been restored in 4K resolution with additional scenes and remastered audio, making this the definitive edition. Truly a rerelease not to be missed.

Tickets cost £12.50 and can be booked online at picturehouseuckfield.com

Propel yourself to Headcorn this weekend to see a huge variety of restored vintage vehicles and vintage and modern planes at this 10th anniversary show, including the iconic World War II Spitfire and a Douglas C-47 ‘Gooney bird’ transport craft. As well as flying shows, there will be number of static living history displays plus a variety of food and drink stalls.

Ticket prices vary and camping is also available, so for more information go to headcornevents.co.uk

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Going Out

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Wednesday August 7 | 2019

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7 Websites: pdag.co.uk & thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday Guy Sharpe, Jacob Norris, Will Grabowski, Matt Falloon Friday Nic Bennett Saturday Disco Odyssey Sunday Kat White, Lucy Jarrett, Sophie Nevill

live music With Paul Dunton

F

OR a great midweek outing tonight [Wednesday], blues fans can catch the highly entertaining Shaw Thing at The Anchor Inn on Sevenoaks High Street, and popular local acts Guy Sharpe, Jacob Norris, Will Grabowski and Matt Falloon will all be performing at The Grey Lady.

On Thursday night, the excellent Dino Baptiste and Darby Todd playing Jazz on The Pantiles.

Friday night has some great shows to go and see, including the Nu Metal extravaganza in The Sussex Arms Basement and The Simon & Garfunkel Story 50th anniversary tour at Hever Festival Theatre.

Saturday night sees Sophie Mullan at The Beau Nash Tavern, Disco Odyssey at The Grey Lady, and

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

The Bedford hosting a fundraiser for both West Kent Mind and Tunbridge Wells Hospital Radio with Maverick Turtles, Sophie Harmsworth, Tia & Elliot, Charlie Dee, Dave & Sophie and Ryan Weeks all performing.

Close out the weekend in style with The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars at the Hever Festival Theatre in The Ronnie Scott’s Story: 60th Anniversary Concert. Elsewhere, G.E.M. will be live at Verdigris in Tonbridge, and Kat White, Lucy Jarrett and Sophie Nevill will all be on the same bill at The Grey Lady.

Looking ahead to next week, on Monday evening, the TWUNT Ukulele Jam session takes place at The George, and The Strangers return to the Punch & Judy in Tonbridge on Tuesday night.

THE ANCHOR INN High Street, Sevenoaks Free entry, music from 8.30pm All welcome Wednesday Blues with Bottle presents: The Shaw Thing JAZZ ON THE PANTILES The Pantiles Bandstand Evening entertainment Donations welcomed Thursday Dino Baptiste & Darby Todd MUSICSTATION Bank Street, Tonbridge Booking essential For information, call 01732 350629 Thursday & Friday 8pm-9.30pm Adult band workshop, all levels welcome THE SUSSEX ARMS BASEMENT Sussex Mews Event information at twforum.co.uk Friday Nu Metal Nights: Part 2!

THE BEDFORD PUB 2 High Street Free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Friday Fundraiser for West Kent Mind and Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells: Live music from Maverick Turtles, Sophie Harmsworth, Tia & Elliot, Charlie Dee, Dave & Sophie and Ryan Weeks

Dino Baptiste

HEVER FESTIVAL THEATRE Hever Castle, Nr Edenbridge Friday The Simon & Garfunkel Story 50th anniversary tour Sunday The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars in The Ronnie Scott’s Story: 60th Anniversary Concert THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim Saturday Sophie Mullan

THE GEORGE PUB Mount Ephraim Free entry, music from 8pm Monday TWUNT: Ukulele Jam Session THE PUNCH & JUDY St Stephens Road, Tonbridge Free entry, music from 8pm Tuesday The Strangers

TONBRIDGE CASTLE LAWN All event information can be found at tonbridgecastle.org Sunday 3-5pm Invicta Jazz Orchestra Concert THE NELSON ARMS Cromer Street, Tonbridge Free entry Music from 8pm till late Sunday MusicStation Jam Night VERDIGRIS High Street, Tonbridge Free entry Music from 8pm Sunday G.E.M.

Sophie Harmsworth

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food

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Why Estro is extra special Estro is one of Tunbridge Wells’ newest restaurants. Eileen Leahy paid it a visit to find out why it’s proving to be such a big hit with the foodies

E

STRO occupies the former Strada restaurant site at the top of Mount Pleasant Road in Tunbridge Wells. It’s the latest venture of Ado Medjedovic, the restaurateur behind the very successful Firezza pizzeria on Mount

Ephraim, part of the chain he founded in 2001 and ran for 15 years. Ado says his passion has always been Italian food, so when the old Strada building came on to the market he was quick to put in an offer on what he describes as a ‘fantastic location’.

Estro opened in February after seeing

a gap in the market for offering foodies the best authentic Neapolitan pizzas and quality burgers in downtown TW. Its slogan is ‘Estro: Pizza and more’ and Ado says he doesn’t want food to be categorised, just good quality.

Visiting early one Thursday evening, we were surprised at how busy the place was. One look around the bustling ground floor restaurant identified the majority of customers as young families having dinner, or commuters fresh off the train.

‘You’d happily want to sit and chat for a few hours over some good food’ The restaurant layout is similar to Strada’s, accommodating 40-plus covers, and the exposed kitchen area is still there.

But the décor is funkier, airier and more considered, with large pendant filament

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

lighting, exposed brick walls and a large iron-style bike fashioned into the word ‘food’ hanging in pride of place.

It feels very relaxed and immediately like somewhere you’d happily want to sit and chat for a few hours over some good food.

Upstairs caters for 66 covers, but it’s mainly used for private parties.

Despite being busy, the staff were very friendly and attentive to us on arrival, and swiftly handed us menus and requested our drinks order: Heaven if you’ve just alighted from a busy train from London and are in need of instant liquid refreshment.

Birrificio’s Angelo Poretti Bock Chiara 5 was the waiter’s recommendation and so we ordered a couple.

Perfectly chilled, golden in colour and refreshingly aromatic and hoppy, this craft beer was a perfect drink to check out the menu with.

Starters are classic Italian fare – buffalo caprese (£6.80), rucola salad (£5.20) and calamari (£6.80) – apart from a token rogue offering of hot and spicy chicken wings (£5.80).

We picked the veggie home-made arancini deep-fried rice balls stuffed with gooey cheese and served with caramelised onions and salad (£5.80).

The portion was very generous and could easily suffice as a lunchtime meal.

We’d been told that Estro’s culinary thrust was all about offering the best handmade pizzas this side of Napoli, with

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

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Food & Drink

offering, any chance of continuing on to a serving of Tiramisu (this is pretty much the extent of the dessert choice, apart from a chocolate and raspberry vegan slice) was thwarted. We were stuffed!

As well as experiencing Estro in its eponymous restaurant, you can also have it delivered if you live in TN1 or TN2. Yes, they use nationwide app delivery services like Deliveroo and Just Eat, but they also have their own apps, Estro pizza (iOS) or Estro Preoday (Google Play), which can be downloaded. That way you get the guys behind Estro cooking AND delivering you your food. Quite a unique idea from a place that’s set to get even more popular once the cinema site opposite has new life breathed into it. A shrewd move but then you’d expect nothing less from Mr Medjedovic.

‘It’s the choice of burgers here that’s really tempting… and each comes with home-made sauces’ an additional selection of great burgers. So it’s no surprise to learn that the mains menu is pretty much split 50:50 between the two, with the odd traditional Italian classic thrown in.

If you don’t fancy a traditional tomato-based pizza then there’s the Bianca range, which

contains no cheese or tomato. Or you can choose dishes of creamy gnocchi, linguine pomodoro or a rich ragu.

But it’s the choice of burgers here that’s really tempting. There’s everything from an 8oz offering (£12.80) – which can be supercharged with Gorgonzola (£13.80) – to a streaky bacon beef burger (£13.40) and a chicken pepperonata burger with goats’ cheese (£12.80). Each one comes served in a toasted brioche bun with home-made sauces and fries.

After sampling the gorgeous Gorgonzola

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Motoring

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Motoring News Porsche introduces entry-level 911 PORSCHE has announced it is adding an the old Carrera S to do the same sprint.

An optional Sport Chrono package entry-level Carrera model to its current will shave around 0.2 seconds off the 911 line-up, with prices starting at Carrera’s 0-60mph time, too. £82,793.

The car is currently only available with Available in either hardtop or cabriolet Porsche’s PDK automatic layouts, with the latter transmission, though a commanding an increased ‘It’s claimed manual option could be base price of £92,438, added along the line. the Carrera can be up to the Carrera Flat-out, it will hit £10,000 cheaper than the will go from 182mph, and Porsche S model.

0-60mph in claims that a return It is powered by the same 3.0-litre turbocharged four seconds’ between 26.2mpg and 28.5mpg is possible, six-cylinder engine as depending on specification. found in the S cars, but Compared to the Carrera S, the base here produces 380bhp rather than the car receives slightly smaller brakes and 444bhp put out by its more powerful wheels, though it still gets the same stablemates. suite of driving modes.

When it comes to performance, Inside, the cabin has been kept the Porsche claims the Carrera will go from same as the Carrera S, meaning 0-60mph in four seconds – just that it retains a host of half a second slower in-car features. than it took

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

This week…  New 911 Carrera  Road death fears  More truck safety

Government must take action on learner drivers to reduce deaths FTA is critical of new truck safety scheme which is 6% lower than in 2017.

THE GOVERNMENT should accelerate the introduction of graduated driving licences for learner drivers to reduce the number of road deaths, say safety campaigners.

IAM RoadSmart has accused the government of ‘brushing the issue under the carpet’ because the number of road deaths has stayed largely the same in recent years.

And the RAC’s Nicholas Lyes said the latest statistics make ‘stark reading’.

The Department for Transport [DFT] says the UK is now in ‘a period when the fatality numbers are stable and most of the changes relate to random variation’.

Figures released by the DFT last month indicate that there were 1,782 reported road deaths in 2018, which ‘is similar to the level seen since 2012’.

The figures also show there were a total of 160,378 people killed or injured in reported road traffic accidents in 2018,

However, it is just a 1% reduction in the number of fatalities per billion vehicle miles.

Young drivers aged 17-24 account for 7% of the UK’s driving licence holders, but are involved in 20% of incidents.

IAM RoadSmart’s Director of Policy and Research, Neil Greig, said the DFT statement was ‘very short on actions’. He added: “These figures underline the critical need to accelerate delivery of policies such as Graduated Driving Licences.”

The charity has called for a 12-month minimum learning period for learner drivers before they can take a practical test, as well as secondary tests to take place after a driver has passed their practical test.

It also suggests putting limitations on new drivers, such as how many passengers they can carry and lower blood alcohol limits.

THE Tunbridge Wells-based Freight Transport Association [FTA] says a new truck safety scheme in London ‘is not the most effective way to achieve zero vehicular harm’.

From October 28, all HGVs over 12 tonnes will need a free safety permit to operate in the city. Transport for London [TFL] has created a five-star rating system determined by how much an HGV driver can see through their cab windows, with those achieving at least one star eligible for a permit.

Cameras Under the system, named the Direct Vision Standard [DVS], vehicles must have safety systems, such as cameras, to be granted a permit. From 2024, vehicles with two stars or fewer will require additional safety systems.

However, the FTA says more comprehensive improvements are required to achieve the government goal of zero vehicular harm by 2041.

Spokesperson Natalie Chapman said: “The FTA is calling for the Mayor of London to realise that other strategies would deliver a far greater outcome. Technological development, along with internationally-agreed design standards and the retiming of deliveries to quieter periods, would provide a more robust and long-term safety solution.”

Permit enforcement will begin in October 2020. HGV drivers caught breaking the rules will receive a £550 charge per day.

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Recruitment

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WITH THE

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

Fill your vacancy now in print or online

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

CODEWORD

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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

4 7

1 6

2 7

3

Codeword:

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

6 6 2 7 1

14

14 20

22

2 5

9 7

6 9 5

4 6

A B C D E F GH I J K L MNO P QR S T U VWX Y Z 3

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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DIFFICULTY RATING:★★★★

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2 3 6 1

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★✩✩✩

CLASSIFIEDS

Life&Times

Puzzles

In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply.

Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.

Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue

S F I T S E L R R J E E R A A C A K I N T Q U I E U R E L I E U D G E N OM S L

O F F E R I

S K S TWE N T A P E N A T I V D I B OO Z E S Y F T F U S I N C A S H F A H O A F R O G E E N O U G N R T Y

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Sudoku:

7 5 4 9 6 1 3 8 2

6 1 3 4 2 8 7 9 5

2 8 9 5 7 3 4 1 6

4 7 5 6 8 9 2 3 1

3 6 1 7 4 2 9 5 8

8 9 2 3 1 5 6 4 7

5 2 7 1 3 4 8 6 9

9 3 6 8 5 7 1 2 4

1 4 8 2 9 6 5 7 3

5 9 6 1 2 3 8 7 4

2 1 3 7 9 6 4 8 5

6 4 8 3 5 1 2 9 7

4 2 7 6 8 9 1 5 3

3 5 1 9 7 8 6 4 2

Jigsaw Sudoku:

7 3 5 4 1 2 9 6 8

9 8 2 5 6 4 7 3 1

1 6 4 8 3 7 5 2 9

8 7 9 2 4 5 3 1 6

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

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Sport

FORsports EVENstories MORE to: NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk Please send newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

Wednesday August 7 | 2019

Williams stands firm to maintain Wells’ hopes of a tilt at title

By Alan Cutts CRICKET: TUNBRIDGE WELLS travelled to the Rectory Field to take on last year’s Kent League Premier Division winners, who are currently enduring a summer to forget.

Wells won the toss and chose to bat, but this misfired when the skipper Chris Williams, who has been in top form, was removed with the third delivery of the innings.

Another wicket fell to Tanweer Sikandar to leave the visitors in trouble at 15 for 2.

Bangladesh Test star Mohammad Ashraful.

The score slid from 127 for 5 to 149 all out as Wells raced to a 44-run win, completing the double over the Londoners.

Smith returned 3 for 28 while Waller snapped up 2 for 5 and Bepey took 2 for 30, though the victory margin was compromised by the high number of wides and byes.

Wells thus consolidated their fourth place in the table, yet they can still give Bexley a run for the title if Sevenoaks and Beckenham slip up in their next two meetings.

The postponed Vice Presidents Day sees the Vine visit the Nevill on Saturday (August 10).

come at a premium in the champions’ home.

Williams struck two fours and two sixes in a highly responsible 57 from 75 balls, and the tail wagged to post a probable par total of 193.

The hosts’ reply also suffered early inroads as Dave Smith and Isaac Bepey took a wicket apiece.

Then Sikandar was joined by George Wells and the third wicket added 50 as the visitors offered a profligate number of extras - 37 in total.

Finally Sikandar was trapped in front of the wicket by Bepey after building a seemingly impregnable 47 from 71 deliveries.

From there on, Wells were in command. Smith repeated his home feat as he again removed

Tunbridge Wells 193 beat Blackheath 149 by 44 runs But Michael Waller stood firm with a watchful innings of 42 from 84 balls.

The home attack was not denied for long, however, as Sikandar collected 4 for 39.

He was ably supported by Dipayan Paul (3 for 16) and Jahid Ahmed (2 for 34).

After 32 overs Wells had been reduced to 103-6 before Alex Williams found an ally in the resolute Ian McLean (31).

They combined to add a crucial partnership of 68 for the seventh wicket, taking their side to relative security during a year when runs have

Red cards and penalties in dramatic return for Angels PHOTO: David Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels 1 Dulwich Hamlet 2

By James Rowe FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS fought hard to grab a point on their return to the Vanarama National South for the first time since 2013-14.

But Dulwich Hamlet, themselves promoted from the Isthmian League Premier Division a year before Tonbridge, achieved their first ever win at Longmead and showed the size of the task that lies ahead.

The first game of the new campaign was packed with incident and produced two red cards and two penalties, but it was not a dirty game. The Angels will need to learn quickly at this level as Dulwich, once they had taken the lead, managed the game well.

The first clear-cut chance saw D’Sean Theobalds set up Joe Turner but the winger’s effort was just wide of the left-hand post.

Significant The home side were handed an early boost when Quade Taylor was shown a straight red card for bringing down Tommie Hession-Harris when he was through on goal.

But it was the visitors who took the lead when Jack Connor’s corner was converted with a downwards header by Hamlet skipper David Ijaha on 22 minutes.

On 36 minutes an attempted header back to his goalkeeper by Angels’ James Folkes had Jonny Henly scrambling to prevent the corner.

The keeper landed awkwardly on his shoulder and needed treatment before carrying on.

Further work was carried out in the dressing room at the half-time interval.

Although he emerged for the second period, Henly’s injury may have had a significant bearing on the result.

On the hour Henly spilled a routine cross and with Danny Mills lurking to pounce on the loose ball Henly brought down the Dulwich striker, with a red card the inevitable result.

ON THE SPOT Joe Turner converts Angels’ penalty “James Folkes was in goal for around 30 minutes and didn’t have anything to do apart from a couple of backpasses, which shows you how we controlled that period.”

Tonbridge face another familiar opponent in Dorking Wanderers on Saturday (August 10).

Folkes took the gloves and but his first action was to pick the ball out of his net as Dulwich converted the penalty through Jeffery Monakana on 62 minutes.

The home side were very much back in the game on 68 minutes when substitute Jared Small’s cross was met by Turner, who was impeded and a penalty was awarded.

Turner himself dispatched the spot-kick successfully and after that the visitors decided to shut up shop.

Play became largely confined to the away half as Angels turned the screw.

Chances fell to Alex Bentley and substitute Chinedu McKenzie but Dulwich held on for the three points.

Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “I was proud of my players. Everyone of them, substitutes and all, put in a terrific shift against a side that’s aiming for the play-offs.

IN MEMORY OF CHARLIE SLOCOMBE Charlie Slocombe’s father Keith has set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for a defibrillator which he can carry with him as part of the equipment that he needs as a football physio.

Charlie died while playing football last month, and his former club Tonbridge Angels said: “It will be a fitting memory for Charlie if just one life can be saved.”

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding and search for Keith Slocombe.

PHOTO: Dean Jacquin

FOOTBALL: RUSTHALL were held to a draw on their return to the Southern Counties East League First Division after relegation.

But with four promotion slots up for grabs this season they are hoping to bounce straight back to the Premier Division.

The Rustics were out of the traps quicker than the visitors, playing out from the back and using the pace of Reuel Powell-Downey to good effect.

He should have put the home team ahead but

his lob went over the crossbar.

After 16 minutes a poor clearance by Holmesdale saw Luke Adams neatly round the keeper to slot the ball into an empty net.

The home side should have increased their lead but were guilty of some slack finishing and at half-time the score was still 1-0.

The second half was a role reversal with the Dalers in the ascendancy,.

They duly equalised on 55 minutes when an unmarked Jordan Eels headed firmly into the net from a corner.

Cowdrey 311-9 beat Leeds & Broomfield 143 by 168 runs

By Stuart Clarke CRICKET: COWDREY knew victory was imperative at Leeds & Broomfield to push away from the relegation zone in Kent League Division Three.

And the Tonbridge side achieved a massive victory at Leeds Castle thanks to an excellent century from Barney Scott.

Max Aitken, the Leeds skipper, won the toss and invited Cowdrey to bat. Wicketkeeper Scott was promoted to open the batting and had a day to remember, scoring 125 off just 107 balls including 20 fours and three sixes.

The momentum provided by Scott ensured that a big total was in the offing, and the arrival of overseas star Minhaj Jalill provided acceleration as he raced to 45 off 28 balls.

But after both were dismissed, two more quick wickets fell and it was left to Ross Pilkington and Ralph Yeats-Brown to steer Cowdrey over the 300mark for a final score of 311 for 9. Aitken was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 43.

Rare

Rusthall pay for slack finishing Rusthall 1 Holmesdale 1

Scott century lifts Cowdrey clear of relegation zone

TRICKY CUSTOMER Reuel Powell-Downey poses problems

In response to this big total Leeds were soon on the back foot. Tall pace bowler Nick Farr extracted pace and bounce from the wicket and took two early scalps, including the dangerous Edward Scrivens well caught by Jalill at slip.

Aitken was always going to be the key wicket and skipper Ryan Addison was the man to dismiss him with a well directed short ball.

The hosts then subsided under impressive spells of spin bowling by Ralph Yeats-Brown (4 for 14) and Jalill, before Farr returned to finish off the tail and return figures of 3 for 30.

A fine catch by Jalill brought the end, and gave him five catches in an innings – a rare feat – as Leeds were all out for 143 to lose by 168 runs.

The victory opened up a gap of 17 points ahead of another relegation candidate, Tonbridge, and 25 above Catford Cyphers after both lost. And only 25 points separate them from third place.

Cowdrey now host the side sitting winless at the bottom, Gore Court, on Saturday [August 10].

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Sport

Fern makes splash in Paralympic bid

By Andy Tong SWIMMING: A PARA-SWIMMER from Pembury has been selected for two national squads at the age of 13 and is aiming for a Paralympic chance.

Fern Sneddon has been picked by the England Development Programme and the British Academy squad.

She has hypochondroplasia, also known as dwarfism, the same condition that swimming legend Ellie Simmonds has.

Competing in the S6 category, she has a prolific record in the sport, and has won six gold medals in the Para-swimming Championships in Manchester this year.

‘We are so proud of Fern’s achievements, she turns up to every training session with a smile – even with an increasing amount of pain’ She also won four golds and a silver at the national junior event, and six golds and a silver at the Kent County Championships.

Most recently, Fern has collected a further three gold medals at the National Summer meeting in Sheffield.

Her crowning achievement also came this summer when she won gold as the country’s top junior 50 metres freestyle swimmer.

She managed this at Glasgow in the British International Para-swimming meet, where she competed in all five finals of her events.

Fern has been with the Monson Swimming Club in Tunbridge Wells since the age of five, having watched her brother Leo in action there.

Then in 2013 she met Ms Simmonds and was inspired to obtain classification two years later.

PRECIOUS MEDALS: Fern Sneddon with her haul from the English National Championships Since then she has gone from strength to strength.

Fern said: “I love swimming, and I have made a lot of friends at the club and with other para-swimmers.

She added: “I feel like I can escape everything in the water.”

Wells trio on the podium at Bewl TRIATHLON: ALL three Tunbridge Wells Triathlon Club members who were competing in the Bewl Water Triathlon achieved podium places in their age categories.

Richard Bysouth (M40-44) and Grant Paling (M35-39) were taking part in the standard distance (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run) while Clare Roche (F60-64) took on the sprint distance (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).

The swim is in the Bewl reservoir and the bike course is a fast one on local roads, finishing with an undulating run within the Bewl estate.

Bysouth finished first M40-44 and 10th overall in 2hr 28 min. Paling and Roche were runners-up in their sections in 2:33 and 1:41 respectively.

Chris Nieuwoudt (M40-44) was competing in his second Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run) of the season in Tallinn, Estonia.

Torrential Due to a low sea temperature of 11C the swim was moved to Lake Harku.

The two-lap bike course took in the capital city and the suburbs, and the marathon run consisted of four laps around the old town area.

Nieuwoudt completed the swim in 1:15, the bike leg in 5:26 and the run in 4:28 with an overall time of 11:22, 63rd out of 158 in his category.

Eight members of Tunbridge Wells Triathlon club travelled to Nottingham to compete in the 10th anniversary edition of the Outlaw Triathlon.

This flagship event attracted more than 1,000 entrants for the Ironman of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon run.

The race starts with a two-lap swim of the boating lake where sighting was affected by torrential rain and choppy waters.

The organisers were forced to cancel the bike leg after persistent downpours resulted in flash flooding and fallen trees along the course.

So the race was officially shortened to a

RESERVOIR OF ENERGY: Richard Bysouth (left) and Grant Paling at the Bewl Triathlon swim-run event with split times.

The run comprised of two out-and-back loops along the River Trent, past the Nottingham Forest football stadium and Trent Bridge cricket ground.

These loops were punctuated by 5km laps of the boating lake, where footpaths were waterlogged.

Ken McSporran was first home for the club, backing up an impressive 1:15 swim by setting a marathon personal best of 3:28.

Chris Dickinson was next to cross the line with a 1:41 swim and 4:06 run, followed shortly by Steve Lindsey, 1:53 and 3:58, Michael Thompson 1:32 and 4:27, and Francis Leary, 1:31 and 5:39.

The other club mates decided to end their race after the swim with Claire Howard recording 1:23, John Fuller 1:25 and Helen Waite 1:37.

Sam Gibbs completed the Olympic Plus distance at the AJ Bell London Triathlon, in which more than 10,000 athletes competed.

Gibbs completed the 1500m swim in 35min, 80km bike in 2:27 and 10km run in 53min to finish in 4:03, 13th in the M35 age group.

Her mother Sharon said: “I feel very proud when I watch Fern compete and see how much she has progressed.

“I also love watching her friendships develop with so many inspiring young people.”

Fern trains up to six times a week and travels around the country at weekends to attend galas and training days for her para-swimming programmes.

But Sharon said: “It has not all been plain sailing for Fern, though.

“She is currently on the waiting list for lumbar decompression surgery and spinal fixation at Great Ormond Street.

“Standing for any length of time and walking short distances cause her lower back to spasm and her legs to go numb.

“The pain has worsened over the last year and although Fern’s coaches have been very supportive with adapting her training, sometimes she has to get out of the pool when it becomes too much.”

The next objective is to gain an International classification – the first step on her journey to reach her ultimate goal, competing at the Paralympics.

Head coach Graham Bassi said: “Fern is a much-loved member of our Monson family and an inspiration to us all.

“She has been working very hard with her coach Della Clout for several years now.

“We will continue to support Fern as best we can to fulfil her dreams and potential.”

Della commented: “We are so proud of Fern’s achievements, she turns up to every training session with a smile, even with an increasing amount of pain and has therefore an increase of stretch and preparation, assisted by the British Programmes’s physio.

“Her commitment and dedication are helped by her supportive family. The programme takes her all over the country to compete and train.”

Life&Times

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Twilight Invitational aims to bring elite track stars to town ATHLETICS: TONBRIDGE Athletic Club is joining forces with Tonbridge School to host its first Twilight Invitational Meeting on the evening of Friday August 30.

The aim is to showcase some of the country’s top athletes to the school’s Sports Centre alongside the best from Tonbridge Athletic Club.

Lizzie Yarnold, the double Olympic gold medallist at the Winter Games who was a member of Tonbridge AC in her teens, will attend help with presentations.

The evening will start at 6.30pm with junior races and ends with the men’s mile at 8.30pm.

It is hoped that one of the competitors will be able to record the first four-minute time on the school track.

Sponsors have been signed up to support each event but there are still opportunities to support the evening.

Entry is free and includes a programme, and the local community is encouraged to come along and enjoy two hours of top-level action.

Hobbs breaks 10k record by a second ATHLETICS: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Harrier Billy Hobbs continued his stellar summer by winning the Rye Summer 10k by nearly three minutes.

In the process, Billy set a time of 31min 55sec to break the club’s 10k record, which had stood since 1989, by just one second.

Younger brother Dillon finished in sixth place in 36:16 and was followed by harriers Hayley Larkin (44:54) Ollie Smeed (45:05) Nicola Morris (45:13) and Amanda Smith (48:48).