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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Opposition mounts over new civic complex plans
PHOTO: Lee Smith
By Adam Hignett
PARK LIFE Simon Weatherseed (left) and Chris Gedge have set up Save Our Park
PRESSURE is growing on the Borough Council to rethink its proposal for a new civic complex and theatre next to Calverley Grounds after a petition was launched over the weekend opposing the plans. The organisation behind the petition, ‘Save Our Park’, was set up by residents concerned about both the effect the scheme will have on the aesthetics of the park, the suitability of the site and its £72million cost. They also have misgivings about what will replace the
current Town Hall and the loss of car parking space. Spearheaded by Simon Weatherseed and Chris Gedge, the group is promoting the renovation of the existing Town Hall and theatre as an alternative to the council’s plans. Mr Weatherseed said: “We set up Save Our Park to act as an umbrella group for local residents and businesses who are in opposition to the plans.” The group ‘welcome the idea of a new theatre in the middle of town and the benefits this will bring’,
murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE HEADS of four high-performing schools have revealed how they are having to scale back the number of subjects they can offer students due to cuts from central government. This month, the government is phasing in a new formula which they argue ‘will make funding fair for schools and children’. However, a report from the National Audit Office found that schools would need to find £3billion in efficiency savings by 2019-20.
This equates to a net real-terms reduction in per pupil funding of eight per cent. The formula’s financial rebalancing was billed to favour schools in Kent and grammars in particular who have traditionally received less money per-pupil than comprehensives elsewhere in the country, especially in London. However, according to the Acting Head of Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Simon Marsh, ‘in reality, we will still be facing a real terms cut’. He added: “Although under the new proposed funding formula the school is expecting to see an increase of around £88,000 per year, the total schools budget for the formula doesn’t take into
account increases in teachers’ and support staff salaries, increases in pension contributions, higher National Insurance contributions and the introduction of the apprenticeship levy.
‘In reality, we will still be facing a real terms cut’ “This year we have cut GCSE Statistics from the curriculum, and we have also cut back on the daily newspapers and on lunchtime cover. “We fear that unless something is done soon to address the ongoing failure to adequately fund education, we may have
INSIDE
THE PEOPLE’S TENOR Russell Watson is coming to Tonbridge Castle Page 9
AN EASTER TIPPLE
Wines you can bank on this holiday weekend Page 52
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Schools warn diminishing budgets will threaten standards of education By Murray Jones
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Wednesday April 12 | 2017
to reduce staff numbers and introduce further changes to the curriculum.” His concerns were echoed by the Head of Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School, Linda Wybar. In recent years the school has had to increase class sizes in the Sixth Form to 26 pupils as well as jointly delivering some A-Level subjects with The Skinners’ School as a way to deal with dwindling resources. “This is only a small part of the cost-cutting measures taken; there is now nowhere left to cut,” she warned. A-Level classes seem to be at the fore-
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PLAIN SAILING WIN Wells thrash Dover to keep promotion in sight Page 79
VINTAGE FAIR
Fill your home with treasured trinkets from the past Page 66
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‘There is now nowhere left to cut’ Continued from page 1
fulfil many of the objectives the Council hope to achieve with a brand new theatre, but ‘for a added Mr Gedge, but they do fraction of the price’. not feel the proposed theatre, Although £72million is the on the site of the Great Hall official figure presented by Car Park, is in the right place. the council, the pair say the “Why not try to have someauthority is not ‘coming clean’ thing as part of a ‘cultural with regard to its figures and quarter’ as seen in other believe the true cost could be towns, rather than splitting as high as £85-90million. things apart?” said Mr Gedge, “There are a lot of numbers who points to the planned floating around and they cultural and learning hub as an keep changing, and they keep example of where the council going up,” said Mr Weatheris taking the right approach. seed, adding: “I know we are Members of Save Our Park are not comparing like for like also worried that once the Town but the proposals put forward Hall and Assembly Hall are by Stephen Browning to vacated there will be another upgrade the Assembly Hall ‘dead zone’ in the middle of included a range of options the town and are concerned costing between £10million about the visual impact that the and £25million.” new development will have on Mr Gedge said: “We are Calverley Grounds. trying to put an alternative Mr Weatherseed said: forward because we passion“Visually we think it will be ately believe this is the wrong appalling, and we know the place for the right project.” Council say ‘these are not the In response, Councillor Jane final plans’ but we haven’t March, Cabinet member for seen them develop very much Economic Development, said over the months since they there ‘is no threat to Calverwere first presented.” ley Grounds’ and that the Businesses in the area will launch of a petition ‘might lose out due to the loss of the be a little premature’. She Great Hall Car Park, he added. added: “I understand it was “Will businesses have deep started by a resident whose enough pockets to survive property overlooks the site of three years before that parking the proposed new theatre at is replaced?” asked Mr Gedge. the entrance to the park. I can Research by the group assure him and others that discovered proposals put the park is quite safe.” forward by consultants in 2014 Details of the petition can be to revamp the Assembly Hall. found on the council website They claim these plans would
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schools are set to receive an increase in their funding, with 46 per cent set to lose out – at a maximum of 3 per cent per pupil. However, a report from the National Audit Office found that schools would need to find £3billion in efficiency savings by 2019-20. This equates to a net real-terms reduction in per pupil funding of 8 per cent. In their 2015 manifesto, the Conservatives promised that ‘the amount of money following your child into school will be protected’. The National Union of Teachers estimates that, due to cuts in government funding, £2.2million will be lost from secondary schools in the Tunbridge Wells borough, the equivalent to £362 per pupil or 57 full-time teachers.
front of those who will be losing out from the lack of funds. Despite full-time education becoming compulsory up to the age of 18 since 2015, ‘all schools’ Sixth Forms and post-16 allocation have been losing funding over the past three years’ according to the Head of St Gregory’s Catholic School, Sean McQuillan. “So, even with an increased budget, these [Sixth Form] pupils will suffer,” he added. Head of The Skinners’ School, Edward Wesson, said: “Since 2010, funding for the school has been flat and the school has lost around £650,000 from its budget. This has led to higher class size in the lower school as well as in the Sixth Form. “With respect to the A-Level curriculum, we will constantly have to review it in light of the current situation.” He added that the school has had to ask parents to make voluntary contributions for new Science and Religious Studies textbooks. The concerns of these local head teachers mirror the outcry heard nationwide around inadequate funding to education. In Cheshire, five schools have warned they may bring in four-day weeks because they are having to scale back costs so significantly.
Simon Marsh Head of Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
WHAT THE CUTS COULD MEAN:
What is the new funding formula? THE government is introducing the national funding formula to calculate the amount of core revenue funding that mainstream schools in England will attract. There isn’t currently a national formula like this. Local authority areas receive different amounts of money per pupil. They then draw up their own local funding formulas to share the money out between schools. With the new arrangement, 54 per cent of
Loss of subjects from curriculum,
particularly specialist ones such as Art and Music. Rising class sizes Fewer teachers Diminishing resources (e.g. up to date textbooks, newspapers in the library) More reliance on parents for extracurricular activities
WHAT OUR COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATES SAY ABOUT THE EDUCATION SHORTFALL “Labour opposes cuts in school budgets with the detrimental effect this will have on our children’s futures. We are living in a time of great economic uncertainty and must prepare our children for the future by investing more – not less – in their education. We can’t afford to go back to the days of large class sizes, poorly paid teachers, leaky roofs, and school fundraising by parents like we had under previous Tory governments.”
“Tunbridge Wells is renowned for its great schools, but I believe the ‘gold star’ standard of education is being threatened by changes to the way schools are funded. All of us – residents, parents, councillors and local businesses – need to take these issues seriously and listen to the Heads. What can we do? We can lobby our MP, we can get involved in the schools and provide more support, and we can fundraise. We must not take our schools for granted.”
Martin Betts Labour Party County Council candidate for Tunbridge Wells North
Marguerita Morton Liberal Democrat County Council candidate for Tunbridge Wells North
“The basic problem that the government has is that they are trying to reallocate within a fixed pot without anybody losing too much. Kent County Council do recognise the problem and have been among the authorities pushing for a national formula that would tackle historic under-funding of Kent schools. The government’s proposals provide some response to this and do benefit some Kent schools but KCC have been clear and vocal that what is currently proposed is not good enough and the government needs to think again.” Peter Oakford Conservative Party County Councillor for Tunbridge Wells North
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EDUCATION WILL BE A BATTLE LINE IN THE COUNTY ELECTIONS AS A local journalist, you soon realise there are a few issues which will occur time and time again. Last week it was planning. The NHS and public transport are also staples of most publications, as is the unavoidable issue of crime. Rounding off the top five is education. Every parent has a vested interest in the system, which will play a large role in their lives and those of their children for at least 15 years if not more. So when a local school is forced to axe a GCSE course due to a lack of funding, people are going to take notice. The fact the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is ditching Statistics from its GCSE offering at a time when schools in Kent are supposed to be net beneficiaries of a new funding
formula makes it equally as ominous. Other grammars too are being hit – as one Head put it, ‘there is now nowhere left to cut’. Academies and secondary schools are in the same boat. Naturally there will be recriminations over the state of affairs and these are likely to manifest themselves at the ballot box in the upcoming County Council elections on May 4. All of the main parties will be seeking to convince those who vote that only they know how to fix the system. People should listen to the arguments too as the County Council holds considerable sway over education provision. Regardless of where their political sympathies lie, it is clear that the three candidates featured
above do make some salient points. Conservative Party councillor Peter Oakford is right to acknowledge money is tight but says Kent’s net increase in funding it is ‘not good enough’ – despite his party allegiance. Marguerita Morton for the Liberal Democrats wisely warns people ‘not take our schools for granted’ and encourage people to become more involved in the running of schools. Finally, Martin Betts of Labour hits the nail on the head when he says, to paraphrase, that with Brexit on the horizon, investing in education is the best guarantee we have of making it a success. Chief Reporter, Adam Hignett
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Art exhibition is moved due to lack of funding TUNBRIDGE WELLS will no longer host the International Art Fair at the Assembly Hall after a venue in Sevenoaks was chosen as an alternative for the event in June. When held in Tunbridge Wells last year the exhibition drew hundreds of visitors and featured work by renowned sculptor Tessa Campbell Fraser. The Assembly Hall Theatre’s Director, JJ Almond, defended the ‘difficult decision’ to move it on business grounds. He said: “Unfortunately we could not offer to subsidise the event to the very high levels previously offered when assessed against the direct community benefit delivered to our residents.”
Helpline to get funds FUNDING to help reduce the number of male suicides in Kent will be increased after the number of men seeking support from a specialist helpline increased by 76 per cent. A total of 6,577 men spoke to counsellors through the Release the Pressure helpline last year. There were 140 registered suicides in the county in 2016, of which 104 were men. The rate is higher than the national average. Money will come from a £100,000 grant given to Kent County Council by Health Education England. The helpline number is 0800 107 1060.
Sankey’s heads north FIRST it was Fuggles, and now Sankey’s is looking to Tonbridge for commercial opportunities. Not content with expanding his business offer in Tunbridge Wells, owner Matthew Sankey said he has been planning on opening a new fishmongers in the neighbouring town ‘for a long time’. The store will open next to Ian Chatfield Butchers on the High Street in June, with his unit replacing the sweetshop Candy Inc.
Free diabetic screening SOUTHBOROUGH Lions’ Club have organised a day of free diabetic screenings to passers-by in the town centre. Organised in conjunction with AXA PPP, the stand in Royal Victoria Place will see medical professionals conducting blood glucose level tests in screened-off areas between 10am-3pm on Saturday April 22. Results will be made known immediately.
KCC criticises changes KENT COUNTY COUNCIL has said it does not support the changes being made by Arriva buses and is doing what it can to limit the impact of them. Arriva introduced alterations to its services in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells at the start of April, including axing the 6A service and much of route 6, both via Pembury.
Mother donates £40k on hearing desperate plight of baby Charlie By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A MOTHER from Tunbridge Wells has donated her life savings to a campaign to save a desperately ill baby. However, the High Court in London decreed yesterday (April 11) that eight-month-old Charlie Gard should have his life support withdrawn – against the wishes of his parents. The baby has a disorder called mitochondrial depletion syndrome which affects the genetic building blocks that provide cells with energy. Helen Barnes gave £40,000 to a fund which was trying to raise £1.3million for eight-month-old Charlie Gard’s medical treatment in the United States. By the time the High Court reached its verdict, the campaign had raised £1,264,560 within two months, with 82,541 donations made. After hearing of Charlie’s plight on television, the 45-year-old mother of two initially made a donation of £20,000, which she later doubled. Mrs Barnes, 45, admitted her generosity was a ‘real sacrifice’ but added that she and her husband regularly gave substantial amounts to charity.
“I was moved to tears when I saw Connie and Chris being interviewed,” Mrs Barnes told the Daily Mail. “I couldn’t believe the terrible situation they’ve found themselves in.” Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, were told by doctors at London’s Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital that there is no cure.
‘I am a spontaneous person and immediately it felt right to give them this money’
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you will do anything you can for your child and I just wanted to help them. “So often we, as parents, are fobbed off by professionals saying we don’t know what we’re talking about. But a mother knows her child best and should be respected.” She has since been in contact with Miss Yates, who said: “Helen has since been a tremendous support and we are really grateful to her.” Doctors at Great Ormond Street say he could be given the treatment here in the UK but they believe he is too ill to benefit. They advise moving to a palliative care regime. RARE CONDITION Baby Charlie with parents Connie and Chris
The doctors asked the High Court to agree to end his life support. Justice Nicholas Francis began hearing evidence in the Family Division on April 3. But the parents, from Bedfont in London, are trying to raise the sum in order to take Charlie to the US, where a doctor is prepared to try an experimental treatment. Mrs Barnes added: “It seems wrong that their child isn’t being given the chance of life when there is something that could help him. “I am a spontaneous person and immediately it felt right to give them this money. As a mother,
CCTV issue creates cross-party controversy THE TOWN’S Liberal Democrat days before all members were told councillors have accused the ruling about the proposals. Conservative party of receiving He demanded: “What has ‘secret briefings’ regarding Conservative-run Tunbridge the proposed cuts to CCTV Wells Borough Council [TWBC] provision in the borough. got to hide? Cllr Ben Chapelard, who “The best practice would be for the council to brief all represents St James’ ward, councillors, not just give said a briefing was given by secret briefings to the council staff to the current ruling Conservative Party UNHAPPY Conservative party.” councillors on Cllr Ben Chapelard A spokesperson February 16 – six
for TWBC said: “A briefing was given to the Conservative Group on CCTV upon request.”
Requested “All political groups – no matter how big or small – are entitled to receive briefings from officers who are happy to set out facts and answer questions, but not to get involved in political discussions. “No requests have been received
from the Liberal Democrat Group.” The decision over switching to a passive model of CCTV surveillance will be decided by the TWBC Cabinet tomorrow [April 13] at 10.30am. This would mean the cameras would continue to record, but no one would be watching them live. Currently, personnel monitor 39 cameras in the borough, 77 per cent of the time [129 of 168 hours a week]. The proposals, which would save £100,000 a year, have been criticised by Kent Police.
Local dogs asked to take the lead in opera A TOURING operatic company is appealing for pet owners to put their dog forward to star in their latest production. A performance of Puccini’s La Bohème is coming to the Assembly Hall on April 22 but there is currently a vacancy for the role of Musetta’s dog. Director and Producer Ellen Kent said: “People say ‘never work with children or animals’ but I love to do both. “Many years ago, when we last did La Bohème and asked local people to volunteer their pets, it was a huge success. We even used a rescue dog once and found him dozens of new owners. “We’re a nation of animal lovers after all. I’m sure there is plenty of doggie talent out there.” The director added: “Your pet needs to be well behaved and small, and as their owner you will need to be prepared to go onstage in costume to look after him or her.” To audition your dog, send a photo to Jules Bath at jules@ellenkent.co.uk or call 07791012837. The deadline is Friday April 14.
POOCHINI French Soprano Olga Perrier with her dog Julius Caesar
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Labour launch their local campaign for county hall Party aims to make Royal Victoria Hall its cause célèbre By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk MEMBERS of the local Labour Party launched their county council campaign in Tunbridge Wells last week with the aim of making inroads into the staunchly Conservative borough. Despite membership of the organisation reaching its highest levels ‘in living memory’, party chiefs admitted they were fighting to win votes in the shadow of the Labour’s national ‘challenges’. But Local Campaign Co-ordinator Martin Betts, who is standing in Tunbridge Wells North, is confident their message will resonate with those he says have been negatively affected by ‘Tory austerity’. “Our focus in on showing people that austerity is not working and it is to the detriment of the lower and middle classes,” Mr Betts said, adding: “We have seen the significant destruction of public services and the most vulnerable have been hit.” The party is hoping its large local membership, now totalling 700 people, will give it an edge during this campaign. The elections for Kent County Council will take place on May 4. Andrew Sharp, Chairman of Tunbridge Wells Constituency Labour Party, believes this is the
highest it had been in ‘living memory’ and this will be used to canvas opinion and distribute around 15,000 leaflets in the coming weeks. He said: “We have a large number of new members and we are seeing a significant amount of enthusiasm. But we understand the challenges of fighting in Tunbridge Wells.” It is not made any easier by the negative cover-
‘Labour is facing difficulties nationally, although we have a very resilient membership’ age of the national party’s problems, he admits. “Labour is facing difficulties nationally, although we have a very resilient membership. Issues the party will be focusing on are congestion – particularly along the A26 – ‘poor road maintenance’ and the funding of schools. They also believe they can tap into ‘widespread’ dissatisfaction in Tunbridge Wells North, which encompasses Southborough, caused by plans to demolish the Royal Victoria Hall. “We aim to give the Conservatives a run for their money. The demolition of the hall is symbolic of their destruction of local services,” said Mr Betts.
Helping guide the way for the blind MAYOR David Neve met with local members of the Guide Dogs at Notcutts garden centre in Pembury on Friday (April 7) for their regular monthly coffee meeting. Accompanied by his wife and Mayoress Jill, Cllr Neve talked to the volunteers (pictured) about the work they do on behalf of the blind. He was invited to attend the meeting by Paddock Wood councillor, Bill Hills (pictured far left), in his capacity as fundraiser for its branch of Guide Dogs.
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Wheels in motion for Velo House to move By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
IN PERFECT HARMONY: The Lydian Orchestra
Orchestra performs for the Director of the Wiesbaden Music Academy THE Lydian Orchestra, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last summer, welcomed back Christoph Nielbock, director of the Music Academy in Wiesbaden, twin town of Tunbridge Wells, to conduct their spring course and concert last week. The orchestra’s players, aged 14-23, many of whom come from Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding towns, met for a series of rehearsals which culminated in a special concert at St. Stephen’s Church in Tonbridge on Monday April 3. Herr Nielbock previously hosted the Lydian Orchestra’s two trips to Germany in 2013 and 2015 and also conducted the orchestra on a visit to the UK in 2014. Members of the Lydian Training Orchestra (LTO) also joined the main orchestra to play a combined piece in the programme. For most of them
it was their first chance to play in a full orchestra. The orchestra’s young musicians come from a variety of schools including The Judd, Weald of Kent Grammar, Bennett Memorial and Skinners’ schools. Over the last 40 years, over 1,000 young musicians from the local area have taken part in Lydian courses and concerts, with several players and soloists going on to high profile professional music careers. Several of their current players are involved in national ensembles and have had recent category winners in the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition. A spokesperson for the LTO commented: “It was wonderful to be able to give pupils just starting out on their instruments the opportunity of playing with accomplished older students.”
ST JOHN’S ROAD could be about to lose one of its most recognisable buildings after the owner of the cycle café, the Velo House announced he will be looking to redevelop the premises. Oliver Stephens who, alongside his wife, set up the multi-purpose store in 2013, is seeking to tear down the existing structure and replace it with five storey building that will accommodate five apartments and a commercial unit.
‘We are looking to see if there is a better site for us and we have a couple of ideas’ Mr Stephens said the Velo House, which consists of a licenced café, a cycle workshop and a bike retail section, has ‘struggled’ over the past 34 months in its current location. The store occupies a former Victorian era bank at the intersection of St John’s Road, Grosvenor Road and Mount Ephraim. Increased competition, the devaluation of sterling – which has made many of his
products more expensive – and difficulty getting footfall means the business has not turned a profit since opening. Money from the proceeds of the redevelopment will be used to ‘show a return to investors and the banks who have financed the business’, Mr Stephens explained. An application has been submitted and could be decided by mid-May. ON HIS BIKE Oliver Stephens is hoping to relocate the Velo House
However, to the relief of his regular customers and cycle enthusiasts, the proprietor has not completely given up on the business model and is instead seeking more suitable premises for the Velo House. He said: “We are looking to see if there is a better site for us and we have a couple of ideas. But it is a bit of a chicken and egg situation, as we need to know if it is viable to develop the current site before we can move into somewhere else. “If we move we will concentrate on the areas which have worked well for us, such as incorporating a larger kitchen and workshop. We have had three years of experience now and we know what works and what doesn’t.” Mr Stephens would not be drawn on the future of the business if planning permission was declined. Adrian Berendt of The Tunbridge Wells Bicycle Users Group, believes the difficulties being faced by the Velo House are ‘not indicative’ of a decline in cycling as a mode of transport. But he added: “There are many places which focus on sports biking and perhaps enthusiasm for that has peaked. But in terms of people using a bike simply to get from one place to another that seems to still be increasing.”
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County Hall in top ten for £100k pay KENT County Council has more individuals on the payroll earning £100,000 a year than any other local authority in the South East according to the Tax Payers’ Alliance. Figures released by the organisation revealed 26 staff members at County Hall took home a six-figure salary in the last financial year, the highest in the region and sixth highest in the country. It also marks an increase of one on last year. Eight council chiefs are paid more than £150,000, including the Directors of Governance and Law, families and social care, and human resources.
Plans for the future BUSINESSES are being invited to meet the new head of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together next week. Karen Pengelly, who replaces Rachel Jenman in the role of Town Centre Manager for Tunbridge Wells, is encouraging the local business community to visit her office in Ely Court between 8am and 12pm on April 20. The former Town Centre Manager for Richmond would like to discuss ways in which she can help Tunbridge Wells remain a vibrant place to run a company.
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How Brexit has impacted so far on our Leave and Remain campaigners This time last year those in favour of leaving the European Union and those who wanted to stay part of it were getting their campaigns into full swing. Since the decision was revealed on June 23 that 51.9% of the British population were in favour of departing the EU, despite Tunbridge Wells voting to Remain, we have had a change in Prime Minister and the triggering of Article 50. The Times talks to the key Tunbridge Wells campaigners on both sides of the Brexit debate, who reflect on the fall out so far from the historic vote and give their predictions for the upcoming negotiations
I’m still full of optimism after Britain’s momentous decision PRO-BREXIT:
By Thomas Pritchard ON Thursday June 23 2016, the United Kingdom made the decision to leave a failing, undemocratic and bureaucratic political union. It was a momentous day that presented our nation with an opportunity to finally make her own way in the world and determine her own future. I’m optimistic for the future. The amount of countries that have already expressed wishes of having trade deals is astronomical. Liam Fox has his work cut out communicating with the US, New Zealand, Iceland, Canada, India and many more. Theresa May’s leadership is much welcomed. She is sensible and she is setting out exactly how the UK should make its way in the world. In terms of how we’ve reacted to the vote, to say that I despair of various politicians would be an understatement. We in the Conservative Party accept and celebrate the outcomes of referendums in Scotland in 2014 and the EU referendum last year. It would appear that the SNP accept the result of neither. Additionally, Labour’s Lord Faulkes has also rejected the sensible verdict of the people. He argues that the government should ignore what the people have said as it was technically only
an advisory referendum. It’s rather hypocritical that Nicola Sturgeon wants powers in Holyrood over fishing and farming, when the SNP’s aim is to re-join the EU and give those powers back to Brussels anyway. I simply don’t think they can be trusted. On the prospect of a second referendum, the Prime Minister is quite right to say ‘now is not the time’. I am confident that the Scottish people will vote sensibly and remain part of the United Kingdom if there were a second independence referendum.
‘If I had a pound for every time I heard someone complain about EU regulations, my suits would be from Savile Row and not M&S’ Since the 1980s, various industries have felt the burden of excessive regulation. VAT MOSS, coupled with many other regulations, increases the time taken dealing with unnecessary paperwork and less time with actually dealing with the business. Indeed, over the election campaign, if I had a pound for every time I heard someone complain about EU regulations, my suits would be from Savile Row and not M&S. As a result of such excessive regulation, many businesses are forced to focus on dealing with administration rather than their trade. This
CAMPAIGNERS Out last summer
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drives down profit. For big businesses, they think all of their Christmases have come at once with this onslaught of regulations. Large corporations can of course afford to employ plenty of administrative staff. The small businesses cannot. This means that the small traders go out of business, reducing competition for the big dominant players. Finally, I think the government should take on board what I and the rest of the Leave campaign have said. Have a good deal with Europe, leave the single market and customs union, control immigration and abolish pointless and burdensome regulations.
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Theresa May’s reckless determination for a ‘Hard Brexit’ will set our country backwards PRO-REMAIN:
By Husnara Begum SADLY many Remain supporters have reluctantly resigned themselves to the inevitable. Article 50 was triggered by Prime Minister Theresa May on March 29 2017 and the divorce proceedings, feared by so many, are now well and truly underway. For me personally, the moment Tim Barrow (Britain’s ambassador to the EU) hand delivered Mrs May’s formal notice of the UK’s intention to leave the bloc was a devastating blow. As I entered a period of ‘mourning’ I couldn’t help but feel a horrid sense that, as Mrs May goes in with reckless determination for a hard Brexit, our country is going backwards and rejecting ideas of togetherness and unity at a time of huge global unrest. I also feel sickened that so much money and political time is being needlessly diverted towards undoing 60 years of hard work. And for what? The UK is sleep walking into the unknown because the last time I looked there was still no plan. So almost anything can happen. At best we will emerge from this mess, which could have easily been avoided if the Tories (by the way – I tore up my membership renewal form shortly after Mrs May picked her cabinet) kept their own house in order by shutting up Eurosceptics within their ranks, with a deal that is not too dissimilar to what we currently have. At worst, the UK will be torn into separate nations again, war will be declared against Spain over Gibraltar. Meanwhile, the EU will play hardball and refuse to do a deal meaning we have no choice but to get into bed with certain regimes that have poor track records in protecting human rights. And just in case you think I’m scaremongering I’d like to remind you
that European politicians rejected almost everything the UK has asked for. Consequently, the UK can’t negotiate its divorce deal at the same time as setting up fresh relationships with individual European countries. I don’t want to dedicate too much time to the economic consequences of Brexit because with hindsight I believe the Remain side’s heavy focus on this cost us dearly. But I do want to highlight that a failure to strike a trade deal will have catastrophic effects on everyone’s standard of living – not just the middle classes and City fat cats.
‘I tore up my Tory membership renewal form after Mrs May picked her cabinet’ I do, however, want to talk about immigration and the resurgence of racism. Thankfully, wondering around the streets of Tunbridge Wells as someone who is visibly non-white I don’t feel unwelcome. But I doubt that will be the case in many other parts of the UK, including dare I say it certain quarters of Kent. Indeed, we don’t need to look far to see the effects of Brexit on hate crime. Days after Article 50 was triggered an Iraqi Kurd who had found refuge in the UK was violently attacked in Croydon. Granted, there was no direct connection to Brexit but it follows a horrifying run of racist incidents. Finally, I can’t help but bring up the NHS. Remember the red Brexit bus with the infamous slogan promising more than £350m per week to the NHS? Do those of you who have succumbed to Brexit seriously believe that our separation from the EU will result in proper funding for our precious health service? I thought not. So rather than throwing money away (for those of you who don’t know an eye watering £500m will need to be spent on new passports alone) let’s spend it on areas that will make a real difference. Only then will we have a truly Great Britain.
‘The People’s Tenor’ to headline Tonbridge Castle concert in July ORGANISERS of a new summertime concert taking place this July in the historic grounds of Tonbridge Castle have announced that it will be headlined by opera star Russell Watson. A spokesperson for Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival, the company who are organising The Russell Watson Picnic concert, said they were ‘delighted’ to have secured the star to sing at this one-off concert which will take place on Sunday July 9. Watson, who is known as the ‘People’s Tenor’ and credited with being the ‘UK’s Best Selling Classical Artist’ will perform his favourite music as well as songs from his latest album True Stories. Since launching his debut album The Voice, the 50 year old from Manchester, has enjoyed success all over the world and was the first British male singer to hold the Number
One spot in the charts in both the UK and US. He has released ten studio albums and collaborated with Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie and the late Luciano Pavarotti. Tickets to the event which is being supported by Times newspapers will go on sale from today [Wednesday April 12] at www.ryejazz.com or at www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk
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Times Awards
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Countdown begins for Times Business Awards
Tomorrow, Thursday April 13, is the deadline to apply for the Times Business Awards, which will be presented at a prestigious ceremony at Salomons Estate on the evening of May 18. Here, we profile two more West Kent companies who hope they have what it takes to win in their chosen categories – TN Recruits and Rencraft New Business of the Year: TN Recruits
W
ITH unemployment falling to record lows, it is increasingly clear that employees are starting to get the upper hand over all the companies struggling to hire talent. Businesses are now adapting to the increasing bargaining power of those they seek to employ by offering increased flexibility on working times and higher pay. This in turn has led to an increase in people actively looking for better prospects with different employers. Nowhere is this situation clearer than in West Kent.
‘Candidates and businesses alike are given a truly personal experience’ It is a situation that not only benefits those seeking employment, but those who facilitate their move. TN Recruits, founded in 2014 by Neil Simmons, has already successfully placed over 300 candidates with more than 100 different organisations. This has fed through to impressive growth in the company’s turnover which leapt by 69 per cent from 2015 to 2016. Since setting up the business as a one-man operation based at his home, Mr Simmons now employs six members of staff in his Tunbridge
Wells office in Lonsdale Gardens. He expects to continue growing his staff count this year. The company, which targets the ‘TN’ region, has invested heavily in technology to enable more accurate and efficient matching of candidates to jobs. “Good quality data is critical to the success of the business, and the technology enables TN Recruits to keep in touch more effectively with clients and candidates, and to work proactively,” explained Mr Simmons, who is ‘proud’ to have engaged a local developer to implement their system. He added: “All TN Recruits’ suppliers are from the local area – from front-end technology through to the company’s accountant and solicitor.” However, there is an acknowledgement that technology can only take you so far, and while the jobs market is currently favourable for recruiters, they still have to compete when it comes to offering quality customer service. Mr Simmons said his firm ensures they are always ‘caring, open and honest’ in the assessment of client and candidate needs. He added: “TN Recruits consultants undertake each new assignment with a dedicated and specific approach based on the priorities and attributes of both sides. This methodology involves careful consideration of both ‘absolute’ requirements and ‘desirable’ criteria for all parties, which results in a high rate of successful placements. “I am committed to ensuring that candidates
YOU’RE HIRED! Neil Simmons (third from right) with members of his own valuable staff
and businesses alike are given a truly personal experience that focuses on their needs and core strengths, rather than pigeon-holing.” Mr Simmons said that winning his category at
the business awards would help to ‘raise the company’s profile’, adding: “I am really proud of what we have achieved as a business so far, and it would be great to be recognised for it.”
Times Awards
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
BUSINESS
Service Excellence: Rencraft
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USINESSES are unlikely to survive for very long if they neglect their customers or sell shoddy products. Unfortunately, the course of time often results in once reputable companies going under due to a failure to adapt to changing client demands, or because they lose sight of what matters after a period of growth. But some firms continue to grow and prosper, such as kitchen and furniture designers Rencraft, who have been trading for almost 37 years – in large part due to their commitment to customers.
LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
Last chance to enter the Times Business Awards Enter for FREE
‘We believe the key to our success is our reputation within the local area’ “Unlike many of our competitors, we ensure all our clients have one main point of contact for the duration of their project,” explained Marketing Manager Karen Cowell. “The designer they meet on day one is literally with them every step of the way, from design through to installation and aftercare. “We put the customer at the heart of everything we do, listening to their needs and ensuring every single kitchen we produce is personal to them. “On the rare occasion that we run into problems, we are always swift to act, and will go out of our way to help put things right,” she added. The company was founded in 1980 and is now run by Managing Directors John Stephens and John Schofield, both of whom joined early on. Mrs Cowell said it relies on its good name in what is ‘a competitive marketplace’. “We believe the key to our success is our reputation within the local area, much of it fuelled by word of mouth recommendations from our clients. These and
THE PERSONAL TOUCH John Stephens, one of the company’s two Managing Directors repeat custom account for the majority of our business and our continued steady growth.” The company now employs 30 staff, with a showroom in Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, and a showroom/workshop on Chart Farm, Sevenoaks. In addition to designing residential kitchens, Rencraft has a track record in large-scale projects and works closely alongside respected local builders and developers. The experienced team of designers and craftsmen also have the flexibility to make one-off pieces of furniture for the home. But although Rencraft has built a highly regarded reputation over the past decade and a half, the
now at: timesbusiness awards.co.uk
company still sees the value in being officially recognised by its local business peers. “Winning a prestigious Times Business Award would be a huge achievement for us,” said Mrs Cowell. “We are very proud of our Kent heritage, so to have our work, and in particular our customer service, recognised within the local area would really mean a great deal.”
To enter, visit our awards website and follow the instructions that could put you on to a winning path: www.timesbusinessawards.co.uk
Closing date 13th April 2017 In association with
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BUSINESS
Local Business News
BUSINESS IN BRIEF
Merger talks between developers collapse KENT developer Bovis Homes pulled out of merger talks with the FTSE 250 construction firm Galliford Try after saying the proposition undervalued the businesses. The collapse in talks came as the company, based in the Sevenoaks area, also announced the appointment of former Galliford Try Chairman Greg Fitzgerald as its New Chief Executive, who will take over on April 18. Mr Fitzgerald, who was at the rival firm for more than 30 years before retiring in 2014, said he looks forward to ‘restoring Bovis’s position as a leading housebuilder’.
FTA fights toxin tax THE Tunbridge Wells-based Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned that plans by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to introduce a ‘toxin tax’ in the capital within the next two years will be highly damaging for the parts of the freight industry based in Kent. The proposals could see HGVs not meeting stringent environmental criteria having to pay £100 when entering much of Greater London in two years’ time. The FTA said this will hit small firms particularly hard.
Digitom wins award PIONEERING creative agency Digitom has been named Microbusiness of the Year at the FSB and Worldpay UK Business Awards for the South East. Tom Chown, the founder of the Tunbridge Wells firm, said he is ‘incredibly pleased’ with the result.
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
A family firm’s 100-year legacy ends in asset sale By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A FAMILY-owned company with a history stretching back over a century has gone out of business, leading to the loss of 74 jobs. The ICA Group, headquartered on Mount Ephraim in Tunbridge Wells, but with its main centre of operations in Paddock Wood, was forced to suspend trading after falling into administration on March 21 after attempts to restructure the company were unsuccessful.
Slowdown ICA (which stands for International Controlled Atmosphere) has blamed a slowdown in the farming and agriculture sector for denting its cash flow. Fortunes at the group – which built cold stores for vegetables, prepared meals, bakery, processed meat and drinks and pharmaceutical applications – have declined rapidly in the last few years. In 2013, the company was recording pre-tax profits of £1.4million, but only achieved a third of that the following year. By 2015 – the last year accounts are available – the firm was making a pre-tax loss of £56,000. Only last year, technology designed by ICA was being used to build Kent’s largest cold store unit,
for apple and pear producer AC Goatham & Son in Hoo, north Kent. Last week it was announced that administrators FRP Advisory have begun the process of selling off the 106-year-old company’s assets to settle its debts. Joint administrator Philip Armstrong said it was ‘hugely regrettable’ that a business with a loyal Kent customer base has been forced to close ‘following several years of unsustainable cashflow pressures’. He added that the administrators will continue to realise the assets of the business ‘in the interests of the creditors’. Founded in Five Oak Green in 1901 by Harry Lawrence, the company has passed down from generation to generation, with Lawrence’s great-great grandson Andrew Wills taking over as the final Managing Director in 2004.
Helping hand for first-time buyers FIRST-time buyers are being tempted to seek a house in Knights Wood after the developers said they would offer them a stamp duty contribution on selected two-bedroom homes for the remainder of the month. Dandara said the offer will be available on its ‘Victoria house type’, which have been built in a part of the Tunbridge Wells development called The Lanes. Prices for the homes start at £350,000, meaning Dandara will contribute the full stamp duty amount of £7,500 when a first-time buyer makes the purchase.
Opportunity
END OF AN ERA ICA’s Managing Director Andrew Wills at a distribution centre
Speaking of the April offer, Ben Thwaites, Sales Manager at Knights Wood, said, “For first-time buyers, this is a fantastic opportunity. Stamp duty is a considerable outlay for anyone looking to purchase a property, especially for people looking to get on to the housing ladder for the first time. “Hopefully, this will help a fair proportion of prospective buyers to find their dream home at Knights Wood.”
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NEWS
Community News
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Double challenge to keep hospital radio on the air
Tonbridge Philharmonic makes sweet music for Scotts Project charity
TWO volunteer members of Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells [HRTW] are undertaking fundraising efforts to help keep the charity going. The individual challenges will help to build on the success of a marathon 100-hour Big SOS Broadcast over the Christmas period, which raised more than £4,000. The service, which has been broadcasting since 1961, was once housed in the old Kent & Sussex Hospital, but must now rent its studio. With running costs reaching £12,000 a year, HRTW had been facing closure this September. The 40 members of the charity know they need to keep money coming in consistently. Charlotte Evans, who has been a volunteer for ten years, will be competing in the Eastbourne Marathon on Sunday May 14. She completed the Three Forts Half Marathon back in 2012, when she raised over £600 for
THE SCOTTS PROJECT in Tonbridge has benefited from half of the funds raised by The Tonbridge Philharmonic Society at its Family Carols concert. The event, which was organised in association with Tonbridge Round Table, raised £1,591 for the charity, which supports people with learning disabilities to gain the confidence they need to lead fulfilling and independent lives. Mark Allen, Chief Executive of the Scotts Project, said: “We are enormously grateful to the Tonbridge Philharmonic Society and the whole of the local community for the wonderful amount raised. It’s much appreciated. “The Tonbridge community is vital in supporting the learning of disabled people for whom we care at Scotts, and their happiness and development as members of the community themselves.” For more information about the charity, visit www.scottsproject.org.uk
TEAM SPIRIT Phil Mills and Charlotte Evans are busy fundraising
Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells. Now the 32-yearold is aiming to raise over £1,000 but needs your support. She has set up a fundraising page at www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/charlotteevans1 Charlotte said: “Running and fundraising for charity are the most important things in my life.”
Goal She added: “More than anything I want to achieve the biggest running goal of my life, and at the same time to be the biggest fundraiser for Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells. “I want to be able to say I can run a marathon, too. I just want that dream.” Phil Mills, who has been a volunteer with the radio station since 2005, is organising a quiz night in aid of the charity at Brookers Oast in Paddock Wood on Saturday April 22. Phil said: “We all had a great time during our Big SOS Broadcast at the start of the year, and in the past some members have organised a series of Big Music Quiz Nights. “So I thought it would be fun to hold another of these events to help us raise the money we need to be able to continue providing the patients in the Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Tonbridge Cottage Hospital with their personal bedside radio service. I am hoping we can get many teams to come and take part.” Anyone is welcome to enter a team of four to six people, with tickets costing £5 per person – which includes entry to the raffle. For more information and to enter a team, call Phil on 01892 528 528 or email info@hrtw.org.uk
BLOOM TIME: (L-r) David Robins and Eileen Best of Tonbridge Philharmonic with the Scotts Project’s Michael and the charity’s founder, Jill Scott The remainder of the proceeds from the Christmas concert went to the Kent, Sussex & Surrey Air Ambulance service.
Help others be independent by joining this driving force DIAL 2 DRIVE is looking to recruit more volunteer drivers to help its community transport scheme for people in West Kent who are unable to access public transport. This need can be due to older age, illness, disability or rural locations. Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take clients to medical and social appointments, along with shopping and trips to visit relatives. This support enables clients to stay active and independent in their local community for longer, and helps to reduce social isolation. The scheme currently supports more than 800 people across West Kent, with 84 volunteer drivers providing over 8,500 drives during the last year. Clients pay a scheme membership of £20 per year and journeys are charged at 65p per mile. They can use the service as often as they wish throughout the year. Dial 2 Drive is keen to hear from anyone who has their own car and can spare a couple of hours each week – it will pay the driver’s expenses. This is a service provided by Imago, a social action charity based in Tunbridge Wells, which
also delivers Kent Young Carers, Care Navigator and a Short Breaks service for children and young people living with disability. One client’s family told Dial 2 Drive: “My mother’s weekly shopping trips were the highlight of her life. Thank you for providing such an excellent service that promoted her independence.” For more information about the service and volunteer driver opportunities, call 0300 777 1200 or visit www.imago.community/CommunityServices/Dial-2-Drive
MOVING STORY Volunteer Vicky Lawford helps Mrs Rita Navis to get around
Community News
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
The real deal: Rugby, football and lashings of beer in Chiddingstone
FIELD OF DREAMS The two huge Real Football teams scrap for the ball
PHOTO: Chris Vickers
THE Chiddingstone Real Football match kicks off this coming Good Friday with more than 200 people competing in a no-holds-barred endurance contest which lasts for four hours. A mixture of football and rugby, the charity event is staged in fields, rivers and woodland with more than a mile between the goals at two local pubs. The teams are the Castle Crusaders, representing The Castle Inn in Chiddingstone, and Rock Inn Rollers, from The Rock in Chiddingstone Hoath. Last year, each team consisted of around 100 players. A goal is scored when it is tapped three times on one of the goal barrels outside each pub. The match, which has been running for six years, originated from the Royal Shrovetide Football
WARM-UP The pre-match gathering in Chiddingstone
‘The players keep going because they are fuelled by Larkins beer from the brewery in the village’
PHOTO: Carol White
By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
Match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Organiser Katie Ashworth explained: “We got wind of this traditional contest in Ashbourne, which is played over two days on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. “It’s huge, they have about 2,000 players, and they basically shut down the town for two days – it’s like their own bank holiday. “We started off with about 40 a side, but it’s grown bigger every year. We have people coming from miles around – a few even come down from Ashbourne – and now we have rugby clubs from local towns getting involved.” Last year, the event raised £4,500 for local charities, and this year’s beneficiaries will be Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and the Chiddingstone Causeway Village Hall redevelopment. Both pubs will be donating 50 per cent of their profits on the day. So how do the players keep going for the four hours, from 2.30-6.30pm? “The players keep going because they are fuelled by Larkins beer from the brewery in the village.” Katie added: “A guy goes around on a quad bike with a barrel of beer on the back and the players have to pay a couple of quid for a pint.” One of the few rules is that participants must not ‘intentionally cause harm to others’, though there is often a fair amount of rough and tumble. Katie admitted that the Chiddingstone version is rather more genteel than its northern counterpart: “The people of the south are a bit more precious about getting hurt, to be honest, rather more so than the northern lads, who don’t really care.” It costs £10 to enter (over-16s only). An after-match party with live music will be held at The Rock.
NEWS
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Tunbridge Wells choir hits right notes for brain tumour month THE inChoir of Tunbridge Wells has raised more than £700 during a month-long campaign on behalf of the charity Brain Tumour Research. One of its members was diagnosed with the condition last year, and she alerted her fellow choristers that March was Brain Tumour Research awareness month. Choirmaster Mark Heppell said: “She’s a very popular member of our choir, so her colleagues thought it would be good to raise money for a charity which is very close to her heart.” Events included a book raffle and a cake sale – those that were left over were finished off by the Dorking branch of inChoir. There was also a plant sale, while another choir member made bespoke name badges for the singers to wear, and the month culminated in a Wear a Hat Day. There are more than 1,000 members of inChoir, who form 14 adult choirs in 12 different locations. If you are interested in joining, the first session is free of charge. Call 01342 760078 or visit www.inchoir.co.uk
VOCAL SUPPORT Members of inChoir Tunbridge Wells
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Local News
NEWS IN BRIEF
Shrager rises to the baking challenge ROSEMARY Shrager has given her support to this year’s Bake for Heroes campaign, which aims to raise money for the injured servicemen charity Help for Heroes between April 15 and 30. The Tunbridge Wells-based celebrity chef, whose grandfather was in the Army, said: “I think as many people as possible should get baking to help the heroes who keep our country safe.” To take part visit www.bakeforheroes.org.uk
Award commendation THE Times of Tunbridge Wells was commended at the prestigious National Newspaper Awards on April 5. Entered into the Weekly Newspaper of the Year category it was praised for its production values which judges declared had the ‘values of a paid-for’ publication. James Gurney Newspaper Awards Judge said it was a ‘fantastic’ achievement for ‘such a young title’ to be shortlisted for commendation.
Macmillan fundraiser COLIN POORE, the former captain of Lamberhurst Golf Club has raised £13,300 for charity Macmillan Cancer Support. The sum is enough to fund a nurse for just over three months. Events included a Captain’s Charity Day. Mr Poore said he took on the fundraising after the ‘wonderful support’ Macmillan nurses gave to both him and his wife.
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
New lease of life for Trinity cultural centre By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TRINITY THEATRE is celebrating its 35th anniversary with the news that it has secured an extended lease on the site of the former Holy Trinity Church for a further 35 years. It has agreed terms with the landlord, the Diocese of Rochester, to continue its lease on the building in Church Road after two years of talks. The new deal will allow the tenants to apply for a grant of around £300,000 to carry out repair work on the cultural venue, which was designed by the town’s celebrated architect Decimus Burton, and was built in 1829. This is the third lease that Trinity Theatre has been granted. The first began in 1977 after the place of worship had become ‘redundant to pastoral needs’ three years before. After a petition by the Tunbridge Wells Civic Society, an initial fundraising effort by the borough and county councils and the Arts Council raised £50,000 in six months to stop the building being demolished. It then took five years for the Trinity Theatre Club [TTC] to be up and running. The second lease was signed in 1996, which allowed TTC to apply successfully for Lottery funding PRAYERS ANSWERED Trinity’s Executive Director Alex Green
of £500,000 to carry out substantial upgrades. The extended lease permits a further application to the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to carry out repairs to the stonework, roof structure and glass. Trinity’s Executive Director, Alex Green, said: “I am excited we were able to agree with the owners that Trinity is a suitable tenant to carry on preserving the building, which will in turn allow the charity to continue its mission to provide a cultural and community destination for the people of Tunbridge Wells and beyond.”
‘They are very happy with what we put on here, and that we are serving the community’ “They are very happy with what we put on here, and that we are serving the community. They have no input or regulation regarding the content of what we provide, but any changes to the building are a different matter.” He added: “We’ve had a surveyor come in to oversee how we manage the building, which is Grade II listed, and we want to make sure it’s done in the right way. “You need a long-term lease to guarantee your future in order to be compliant for funding. If you’re going to close down and the building became derelict then the grant would be wasted. “We had five years left and we were looking for 20 or 25 more years, but they offered us 35 – the longest they’ve ever given. So we’re very pleased about that.” www.trinitytheatre.net
National News
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
NEWS IN BRIEF
Giggs: I’m ‘special’ in fight over divorce cash FORMER Manchester United and Wales footballer Ryan Giggs will argue that he made a ‘special contribution’ to the creation of wealth during his marriage to estranged wife Stacey, a divorce court has been told. The Family Division of the High Court in London heard that Giggs will call witnesses to support his claim at any future trial. Lawyers told Mr Justice Cobb that Mrs Giggs would call witnesses in ‘reply’. He said a trial was unlikely for some time.
Morning maths adds up SCHOOLS could see their maths scores rise if they timetable lessons in the morning, research suggests. However, pupils do better in history if they have classes after lunch. The study, by Royal Holloway, University of London, looked at academic achievement, class schedules and absence rates at a Bulgarian school over nine years.
Chef Ramsay hacked GORDON RAMSAY’S father-in-law has admitted hacking the computer system of the celebrity chef’s company. Chris Hutcheson, 68, was charged under Operation Tuleta with conspiring to cause a computer to access programmes and data without authority. Two of his children, Adam Hutcheson and Chris Hutcheson Jnr, also pleaded guilty while a third, Orlanda Butland, denied the charge.
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Call to increase sanctions against Russia ‘wasn’t talked about’ at G7 THE G7 meeting of major industrialised nations have snubbed Britain’s bid to tighten sanctions against Syria and Russia. Foreign Minister Boris Johnson had said ahead of the two-day G7 meeting in Lucca, Italy, that he wanted to discuss imposing fresh sanctions over last week’s alleged chemical weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s air force, in which killed 87 people. But he drew little response from the other six nations.
‘The position of the G7 is very clear. We support the sanctions that have already been introduced’ Assad has denied involvement and Russia, which is backing him in the six-year civil war with rebels, has stood firmly by its ally. “There is no consensus at this time for new sanctions as an efficient method to reach our goal,” said the Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano. “There are obviously different opinions, and I am referring to my colleague Boris Johnson, who raised the issue,” he added. “The position of the G7 is very clear. We support the sanctions that have already been introduced.” Italian officials have estimated that the sanctions imposed on Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea have cost Italy some four billion euros in lost business. Alfano said the G7 did not want to put Russia in
a corner, but rather sought to have a constructive relationship with Moscow. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault suggested the issue was given little attention by Johnson’s counterparts from the United States, Germany, Canada, Italy, France and Japan. “The question wasn’t mentioned by anyone, except Boris Johnson, but we didn’t talk about it any further,” Ayrault said. However, Johnson later said there had been an agreement on support for further sanctions if evidence can be gathered against those involved in last week’s attack on a rebel Syrian town. He said there was a chance for Russia to ‘reset’ its relations with the West and join the US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State. “They have a big strategic choice: Do they want to stick with this guy who is poisoning his own people and poisoning the reputation of Russia, or do they want to be part of the solution?” he told Sky News. “Of course, everybody understands that Russia has political and strategic interests in Syria. All that can be respected. But at the same time, Russia needs an exit from this disaster in Syria.”
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who went to Moscow for talks after the G7 summit, echoed the call for Russia to decide whose side it was on as the Assad regime faces its end game. “It is clear to all of us that the reign of the Assad family is coming to an end,” he said. “Russia has really aligned itself with the Assad regime, the Iranians and Hezbollah. Is that a longterm alliance that serves Russia’s interest?”
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National News
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Decision time for Don’t mention the war with new Kent crossing the BBC as Cleese makes up over the Thames THE preferred route for a new River Thames road crossing will be confirmed by the Government today (April 12). Highways England announced in January 2016 that it supported a proposed tunnel under the river, connecting Gravesend in Kent with Tilbury, Essex. The organisation, which is responsible for operating and improving England’s motorways and major A roads, rejected a shortlisted option to build a bridge or tunnel next to the existing Dartford Crossing. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will confirm the Government’s preferred plan, which would be subject to planning permission.
Reduce pressure Highways England said its favoured option would reduce pressure on the Dartford Crossing and offer a shorter route to and from the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel. It would run from the end of the M2 near Rochester, cross the river to the east of Gravesend and join the M25 between junctions 29 and 30. Three potential approach routes have been identified north of the river in Essex and two south of the river in Kent. The tunnel has been estimated to cost between £4.3billion and £5.9billion. An estimated 77,000 vehicles would use the link each day in its first year. It would be the first new crossing of the Thames east of London since the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge opened in 1991.
JOHN CLEESE is to star in his first BBC sitcom since Fawlty Towers ended nearly four decades ago. The Monty Python legend will appear alongside Alison Steadman in comedy series Edith after vowing to never work with the BBC again. Bafta-winning actor Jason Watkins will also star in the six-part series, the broadcaster announced on Tuesday. Cleese, 77, said: “These are the most enjoyable scripts I’ve been sent in the last 100 years. “It will also be particularly nice to work with Alison again since we joined forces in Clockwise all that time ago.” Cleese has frequently criticised the broadcaster and has not held the lead spot in one of its sitcoms since Fawlty Towers ended in 1979. In 2015, he told
ShortList magazine: “There’s no way I want to work in TV, especially at the BBC. “I have a nasty feeling a large proportion of the commissioning editors have no idea what they’re doing. “I said this the other day, and a younger comic said, ‘No, there’s one at the BBC.’ Just the one.” Shane Allen, BBC’s comedy commissioning controller, praised his return. He said: “It’s also a huge pleasure to welcome John Cleese back to the land of BBC sitcom - his last one did alright.” The series, penned by Oscar-nominated writer Charles McKeown, is the story of Phil and Edith, whose romance is jeopardised by the appearance of Edith’s 50-year-old son Roger.
Foy hails The Crown’s ‘wealth of British talent’ CLAIRE FOY has said she is ‘thrilled’ that The Crown has been nominated for five awards at this year’s TV Baftas. Foy is tipped for best actress for her portrayal of the younger Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix show’s first season, which secured a nomination for best drama series. Jared Harris, John Lithgow and Vanessa Kirby are featured in the line-up for best supporting actors in the historical drama. Foy, 32, said: “I’m very honoured to have been nominated for a Bafta and so thrilled the show has been recognised in so many categories and to share this with Jared, John and Vanessa and all the amazing cast and crew. “It’s especially meaningful because the show is made in the UK with such a wealth of incredible British talent. Very, very excited.” Creator and writer Peter Morgan also celebrated the news. “I am beyond thrilled for The Crown to have been recognised in a year where so much wonderful work has been achieved in British television,” he said. “We are all giddy and delighted.” The popular series based on the earlier years of Britain’s Royal Family is up against The Durrells, Happy Valley and War & Peace in the
best drama list. Describing The Crown’s success as ‘wonderful’, executive producer Andy Harries said: “It’s great to feel the appreciation and support of the UK TV and film industry for our series. “I am delighted for all our nominees and thrilled about the ongoing domestic and international impact and success of the series.” The final Virgin TV Bafta winners will be announced on May 14 in a ceremony hosted by Sue Perkins at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Cricketers to face red cards in game changes MCC has confirmed that a series of rule changes – including the introduction of sendings-off – will come into effect at the end of this season. A new Law entitled ‘players’ conduct’ gives umpires a range of powers, from imposing penalty runs to ejection from the match. Bat sizes will be restricted and attaching bails to the stumps, in order to prevent injury, will be permitted. The Laws are also being written in language that is not gender specific. Terms such as batsman and third man remain, but the laws will remove previous references to the term ‘he’.
Ex-F1 team sells off parts MANOR, the now defunct British-based Formula One team, will auction off more than 4,000 parts next month. The team, which was based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, ceased trading in January and made its 200 employees redundant. Items going under the hammer include a rolling chassis, pit lane equipment and parts like front and rear wings. They will be made available to the public in a four-day auction in May.
Phillips hangs up boots FORMER Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips has announced he will retire at the end of the season. The 34-year-old, who currently plays for Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership, earned 94 caps for his country, winning two Grand Slams, and played five Tests for the Lions.
Evans is out of the frame
TV WINNERS Michaela Coel and Andrew Buchan
REANNE EVANS’ bid to become the first female competitor in the World Championship has failed. Evans, the No 1 woman player in the world, was two wins away from a place at The Crucible after defeating Robin Hull 10-8. However, a 10-6 loss to Lee Walker at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge means she will not be making history.
20 BUSINESS
National Business News
BUSINESS IN BRIEF
Finance jobs expanding after referendum slump THERE has been an upturn in financial services hiring in London following a Brexit-linked slowdown after last year’s referendum, according to recruitment firm Robert Walters. The company said net fee income in the UK rose 27 per cent to £23.9million in the first quarter, boosted by what it described as a ‘notable upturn’ in financial services recruitment activity in the capital.
Local concession threat THE Jaeger concessions in Tunbridge Wells, based at Fenwick and Hoopers, are facing closure after the fashion chain went into administration this week. The British retailer has 46 stores and 63 concessions across the country, and the clothing company’s decline is putting 700 jobs at risk. The Tunbridge Wells branch in Calverley Road closed in 2012.
Heathrow cargo boost HEATHROW airport has reported the biggest monthly growth in cargo trade in more than five years. Volumes of UK goods transported through the airport increased by almost 13 per cent in March to 148,000 tonnes. Long-haul emerging markets remained a driver of cargo performance, including Mexico – up by 28 per cent on a year ago – and huge growth to Indonesia, which increased by more than 9,000 per cent.
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
First-time buyers clamber on to the property ladder ACTIVITY among first-time buyers is matching the levels of mortgage borrowing by existing homeowners moving house in a trend not seen for 20 years, according to banks and building societies. Some 48,600 loans were handed out for homeowner house purchase in February. Around half, 24,200, went to first-time buyers, with the remainder going to home-movers, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said. The number of first-time buyer loans was up by 11 per cent year on year, while house purchase lending to home movers was down by 5.8 per cent. On average, first-time buyers need to put down a 16.2 per cent deposit, the CML’s figures show. Paul Smee, CMI Director General, said: “Borrowers took out more loans to purchase a home in the first two months of 2017 than any year since 2007. “This is down to strong first-time buyer activity, which has consistently matched home-mover borrowing over the past six months, a trend not seen in the UK for 20 years.” There have been suggestions that first-time buyers have been given a window of opportunity by the fall in buy-to-let investors buying properties.
The CML’s figures show buy-to-let lending for house purchase plummeted by 44.7 per cent annually in February, with 5,700 loans advanced. A stamp duty hike for buy-to-let investors was imposed on April 1 last year, and there were signs of investors rushing to buy properties early last year before the deadline. House prices reached a record high in February after increasing by £12,000 over the past year. Property values increased by 5.8 per cent year on year to reach a record average of £218,000 across the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics, the Land Registry and other bodies show. However, the annual increase is slower than the average growth of 7.3 per cent seen in 2016. A first-time buyer faces paying 6 per cent more for a home than a year ago, with the average price in this sector being £183,857. The east of England recorded a double digit increase. House prices there were 10.3 per cent higher than a year earlier, taking them to around £282,000 on average. SIGNED AND SEALED New loans are up by 11 per cent
Inflation remains at 2.3 per cent after fall in Easter flights RUNWAY FAILURE Air fares dropped by 3.9 per cent
INFLATION held steady in March as rising price tags on food and clothing were offset by a drop in the cost of flights and fuel. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation stood at 2.3 per cent last month. That made it the joint highest level since September 2013, keeping it above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target for inflation. The biggest price rise came from the food and non-alcoholic drinks category, which reached its highest level for three years at 1.2 per cent for the 12 months to March. The downward pressure on the cost of living came from air fares, which fell by 3.9 per cent between February and March after increasing by 22.9 per cent in 2016. The move was driven by the timing of Easter, with Easter Sunday falling on March 27 last year and on April 16 this year. Fuel pump prices were also dragging on CPI. Petrol dropped by 1p between February and March and diesel fell by 1.1p.
World News
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
WORLD IN BRIEF
Tourist writes family names on Colosseum AN ECUADORIAN tourist has faced a national outcry for inscribing the names of his son and wife and “2017” inside the ancient Roman Colosseum. Rome mayor Virginia Raggi denounced the alleged vandalism in a Twitter message, writing: “Rome deserves respect. Whoever harms the Colosseum, harms all Romans and all who love the city.” In the past, tourists cited for defacing ancient sites have been handed fines as high as 20,000 euro (£17,000). It will be up to a judge to determine the man’s penalty.
Hundreds of migrants missing after huge fire ravages French camp
The Trump Ultimatum US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has said he gave Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping an ultimatum in their meeting last week: Solve the North Korea crisis and you will get a good trade deal. Mr Trump tweeted on Tuesday: “North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! U.S.A.”
Elderly graffiti arrest AN 86-YEAR-OLD woman was detained after spray painting at a political protest. Louise Schneider was part of a campaign to force a referendum on state pension funds and the Swiss National Bank from investing in publicly-traded defence contractors selling arms abroad. To succeed, they need 100,000 petition signatures over 18 months.
DEVASTATING A pushchair abandoned by migrants after the fire SEVERAL hundred migrants have disappeared after they were evacuated from a camp in northern France that was ravaged by a fire that left 10 injured, according to authorities and aid workers. Police cordoned off the camp in the Dunkirk suburb of Grande-Synthe and investigators inspected the site to try to determine the cause of the Monday night fire, which broke out following a fight between rival groups of migrants. Most of the camp near the English Channel is now reduced to the charred remains of wooden shelters and sparse belongings of the migrants, who converged on northern France in the hope of reaching Britain.
As many as 1,600 people were in the camp when the blaze broke out, according to the Grande-Synthe mayor and the prefect, the top government official for the region. Some 500 were taken to three local gyms, including one set aside for children and families, but most of the other migrants remain unaccounted for, the mayor and prefect said. Doctors Without Borders, which set up the site a year ago to replace filthy makeshift camps in the region, is holding meetings to decide what to do next. Authorities say they believe the fire was set intentionally and was linked to a fight earlier on Monday between Kurdish and Afghan migrant groups. The camp will remain closed during the investigation, and local authorities will consider whether to open a new camp to replace it. It is a sensitive topic in France just 12 days ahead of a presidential election in which immigration is a key issue. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and others are calling for strict border controls and a crackdown on migration. “I lost all my documents,” said an Iraqi migrant who identified himself only as Albidani, standing outside the camp. “I just have only this paper that says I’m a refugee in France.” “We are refugees here in France. We don’t have any place. We don’t know what to do. We lost everything,” Albidani added.
NEWS
21
Three explosions target German football team’s bus BORUSSIA DORTMUND team bus was hit by three explosions at their hotel before last night’s Champions League home match against Monaco. MSpanish international defender Marc Bartra was injured and taken to hospital. The club tweeted that the rest of their players are ‘safe’ and that there was no danger around their Signal Iduna Park stadium, and asked fans to remain calm. The incident is believed to have taken place around three kilometres from Dortmund’s stadium. The bombs went off as the bus passed a junction at Schirrmannweg and Wittbraucker Strasse, which is near the L’Arrivée hotel and spa. North-Rhine Westphalia police and fire service attended the scene, while fans already at the stadium were informed of the incident. In a show of solidarity, Monaco fans chanted ‘Dortmund’ after news filtered through to the stadium. The game was due to kick off at 7.45pm but was called off and will now take place today (Wednesday) at 5:45pm. INJURED Spanish defender Marc Bartra
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NEWS
Letters
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
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 at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU Who cares about our town centre?
PLAN AHEAD Taxpayers will fork out about £4million a year
Complexity of civic pride and joy Last week you published an intelligently written piece by Councillor Tracy Moore on the proposals for a new theatre and Town Hall in Tunbridge Wells. However, it omitted at least three important elements. The first being in the financial sums quoted – there was a failure to include the repayment of the loan of £72million over 50 years, which amounts to £1.5million per annum on top of the £2.4million interest payments. The column also failed to include a contingency for the increase in annual subsidy that will be required for the enlarged theatre. Previous estimates have put that as at least £500,000 per annum. That brings the total that the taxpayers of the borough of Tunbridge Wells will have to pay to around £4million per annum. It is noted that the councillor does not explain how that annual debt is to be serviced. As all the council’s activities are paid for
by taxpayers’ money from one source or another, from crematorium charges to residents’ parking permits, it is obvious that everyone from us to our children’s children will be paying for this extravaganza by a combination of tax increases and a reduction in services for the next 50 years. Of course, we have already seen the precursor to those actions. There have been swingeing increases in car parking charges of all types, and now a proposal to de-staff the CCTV operating suite has also been revealed, which will, no doubt, be presented as efficiency savings. But perhaps the greatest omission was not to inform the readers of your paper about what use the redundant Assembly Hall and Town Hall will be put to after the grand opening, to ensure we do not have a repeat of the ABC Cinema site, which has blighted the town centre for so long. Roy Bullock Lamberhurst
We can’t see the wood for the trees
Where are we all supposed to live?
I was pleased to read in your paper last week that Wealden District Council have taken the brave step of ‘banning’ all future new builds in an attempt to protect the historic Ashdown Forest. How refreshing to read that this particular council is not eyeing up every single patch of green space in order to make a quick buck, or to erode without trace our historical buildings in exchange for some astronomically-priced and often bland looking apartments! It seems that in Tunbridge Wells everywhere you look there’s a crane or a big lorry helping to put up a block of new builds. So well done Wealden for protecting your heritage and the all-important great outdoors. Cat Sinclair Via email
The decision by Wealden District Council to ban all building developments for the next six months is preposterously short-sighted. I’m sure some from Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge will look on enviously at the forestdwellers setting themselves free from the sights of scaffolding and tunes of powerdrills. But we need to stop being so inconceivably selfish. How many times do people have to be told that our country is in the grip of a housing crisis before it sinks in? The population of the UK has grown by about 15 million in the last 50 years. Where do we expect all these people to go? We need to build, build, build. Just putting your fingers in your ears while singing ‘Not in my back yard’ is not going to help anyone. Francis Swift Via email
I totally agree with the objections to the approval of a Premier Inn. We already have several other hotels in the area around the station and London Road and the Common, and that price bracket is already well served by the Travelodge just up the road. Perhaps it would have been better for the borough council to snap up the site rather than build a pricy new grandiose HQ, as backed by Councillor Tracy Moore in your newspaper last week. The main problem is that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is dominated by people from outlying villages and a leader from Crowborough who clearly don’t care about our town centre and its increasingly creaking and overloaded infrastructure. Dr Alan Bullion Via email
Too much traffic on Carrs Corner Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have proposed plans to extend the Crescent Road car park, which is less than 100 yards from Carrs Corner roundabout. Carrs Corner is already at bursting point with the current volumes of traffic. Adding more will be a disaster for the area. The car park as it is today is a major cause of congestion in this part of town. The flow of traffic as vehicles turn into and out of the Crescent Road car park causes vehicles to back up in both directions beyond both Carrs Corner and the Town Hall – as residents, shoppers and commuters in this area will be fully aware. An extension, as has been proposed, to the number of parking spaces at Crescent Road car park will have an extremely detrimental effect in terms of congestion and, more importantly, safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Our understanding is that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s strategy is for a modal shift to active travel – looking to encourage individuals to move away from their cars – so an extension to the car park is in direct conflict with that strategy. We fully appreciate that car parking is required in town for business customers. However, the council should be proposing solutions that are in line with their strategy and of benefit, not detrimental to, the town. Shoppers aren’t going to be attracted to a town that is in gridlock. Lynn Askew Calverley Park Gardens Residents Association
Corridor opens up opportunities I am pleased the council is taking a proactive and democratic approach towards development within the borough by launching a consultation on where the next 13,000 homes should go. It was, therefore, interesting to see the five ‘options’ available. Although I realise it is unlikely any of them will be followed to the letter, it does give some good clarification of the various approaches that could be taken.
As a resident of the town centre, I think the ‘focused growth’ option is a bit of a non-starter. The town is congested enough already, and there is little additional space to build new accommodation. I also do not think ‘building up’ is suitable in a town such as Tunbridge Wells. A new garden village is quite a risk, and I am not sure there is anywhere in the borough with suitable infrastructure to support it, plus these places tend to be incredibly sterile. Personally, I think the ‘growth corridor’ option is the preferable one, as it will not concentrate additional housing in the town and will spare much of the countryside, as well as keep our villages intact. The dualled A21 will give the extra capacity and residents there will probably find it easier to get a train from, and shop in, Tonbridge than our station, meaning the burden is shifted across the border! There will, of course, be some lamentable loss of forest land. But better there than lose the picturesque countryside that makes up the rest of the borough. Gordon Williamson Via email
Children need these sports facilities I was dismayed to hear that local residents are gearing themselves up to object to Tonbridge Grammar School’s plans to build an artificial pitch near Deakin Leas for a second time. For decades this country has been stripping away playing fields, especially those connected to schools. British schools already stand accused of not providing enough sporting opportunities for our young people – beyond the odd desultory gym class. At a time when obesity is becoming a growing problem amongst our young people, we should be giving them every encouragement to get out there and let off steam. It would, in my humble opinion, be a great way to tackle anti-social behaviour – not only by keeping kids off the streets, but also by engaging them in a competitive environment which is invigorating and fun. From 2019, sports provision in schools will be under extreme threat from budget cuts which will impact upon the ability to build new facilities, as well as discourage teachers from giving up their time after school to run games. I appreciate that the floodlights issue is a tricky one. No one wants those outside their house, but I am sure that problem could be resolved amicably – suggestions have already been made on the issue. But to object on the grounds that it will cause more traffic, which would cause an ‘unacceptable level of disturbance’ to local residents, is a sad indictment of our Nimbyish society. George Griffin Via email Calverley is still away touring vineyards
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
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
EDUCATION Times WITH THE
New school given go-ahead for state of the art building TONBRIDGE & Malling Borough Council have agreed planning permission for the new Bishop Chavasse Primary School, which will open in Tonbridge this September.
in South Tonbridge. I’m really looking forward to getting the school ready for our first group of children, who will be our very special ‘founding’ pupils.”
Delighted The council has said the new school can initially be based in temporary buildings on land in Tudeley Lane, next to the new housing development at Somerhill Green. Outline planning permission for a brand new state-of-the-art primary school building has also been agreed by planners, with a view to it being opened in September 2018. Following news of the planned build, the school’s recently appointed Head Teacher, Donna Weeks, commented: “It’s really good to have the backing of the local council to open our new school serving the community
Bishop Chavasse is a Church of England primary school to be run by the Tenax Schools Trust, led by Ofsted ‘outstanding’ Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells, as well as other ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ primary schools in the area. The school will have a Christian ethos and values and will
teach a traditional curriculum embedding a mastery approach from the start to secure the very best outcomes for pupils. Tenax’s CEO Ian Bauckham, who is also Executive Head Teacher at Bennett Memorial, said: “We are delighted to have this support from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, and look forward to continuing our preparations for the school opening in September 2017.” Local resident, James Baxter, who has applied for a place for his son Hugo, said: “This is fantastic news. We are so thrilled that Bishop Chavasse Primary will provide an opportunity for our son to attend a good local school in South Tonbridge. We are all very excited.” Parents can still apply for a place at the school, and will be placed on a waiting list in the first instance. www.bishopchavasseschool. org.uk
Education
NEWS
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NEWS IN EDUCATION
The name’s Bond, Young Bond THE Hayesbrook School welcomed Steve Cole last week, author of the Young Bond series of books based on Ian Fleming’s famous spy character while he was at Eton in the 1930s. The writer talked about the research he undertook on ‘technology’ from that era, entertaining pupils with bizarre inventions such as ‘baby cages’ and a ‘multifunctional bike’ for all the family. Students also had their books personally signed by the author.
A fond farewell, Sir ONE of Tunbridge Wells’ longest serving teachers, Harry Nelson, has just retired from his post as PE Teacher at St Gregory’s Catholic School after 37 years. Mr Nelson, who joined the school in 1979, is thought to have taught approximately 10,000 students over the years. To mark the start of his retirement, he will be hosting a testimonial match at Tunbridge Wells RFC this Easter Saturday [April 15].
Putting down roots Theo and Lois – the youngest and eldest children at Bishop’s Down Primary – were chosen to help plant an apple tree in order to mark the 50th anniversary of the Tunbridge Wells school. The pair are pictured above with Head Teacher Clare Owen (left) and former pupil Jane Wilson (right), who was one of the school’s first students.
At cross purposes DANIEL JAMESON and Tom Daly from Claremont Primary School represented Kent at the National Cross Country race in Loughborough on the last Saturday in March. The course was 2000m and there were over 250 runners. Tom finished 34th and Daniel 52nd and, as part of the Kent team, they won the silver team medal.
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NEWS
Weekly Comment
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Peter Lidstone
Tunbridge Wells councillor
The council needs a clear vision for Tunbridge Wells
The youngest member of Tunbridge Wells Borough council, Peter Lidstone, aged 32, is a Liberal Democrat councillor and was the only candidate to successfully dislodge a Conservative opponent at the last local elections. With a full-time job as part of the charity Build Africa, the former law student of the University of the West of England is also fluent in French. His interest in politics came after attending a conference on the subject at Christian Aid about why Christians should get involved
UNREMARKABLE The proposed Premier Inn
And residents should be prepared to help shape it I’VE enjoyed my first year as a councillor. In spite of the town’s reputation (disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, anyone?), the vast majority of residents I speak to have perfectly reasonable expectations of how our borough should function. They expect the basics to work well, and for the council to make sensible, smart decisions on improvements and changes to the town. It’s against this backdrop that planning permission was granted at the end of March for an architecturally unremarkable 110-bedroom Premier Inn in a prominent town centre location. The application itself is not groundbreaking, but in terms of timing and signalling of intent for the future of our town, it was significant. Now let me be clear about one thing; local politics may be many things, but it’s not all glitz and glamour. I do not entertain for one moment the suggestion made by a few people that the councillors on the Planning Committee were improperly influenced by the developer. There are, of course,
financial benefits to the council from the hotel – more jobs, business rates and developer contributions – but councillors are free to decide each application on its merits.
‘Where are we going as a town?’ However, herein lies the problem. In the absence of a clear vision for the future of Tunbridge Wells, we have no clarity about what those merits are. Do we prioritise creating jobs over tackling congestion? Will Premier Inn meet a felt need or turn Tunbridge Wells into another generic sleeper town? Both residents and councillors are asking: “What is the council’s vision for Tunbridge Wells?” Anyone who has spent more than 30 minutes in our wonderful town will tell you we have a congestion problem. Add to that the toxic air pollution created by stationary traffic. And the pressure on
parking, schools and other local amenities will only increase as Tunbridge Wells is forced to meet the Conservative Government’s higher housing targets. These are centrally dictated targets by a Tory Government on a Tory-led council which completely undermine the localism agenda so championed by our MP, Mr Clark. The Lib Dems recognise the need to provide strategic solutions to these challenges that still ensure housing supply. Solutions such as a garden village reduce the pressure to overdevelop the town, provide local amenities alongside housing, and ensure good public transport links.
What we, and the reasonable majority, are demanding is the same foresight for the town centre itself. So my challenge to our leaders is this: Where are we going as a town? And my challenge to residents is this: Make your voice heard. Turn out and have your say in next month’s county elections. Provide feedback when the council puts its Five-Year Plan and Local Plan out to consultation this summer. And keep on signing petitions and campaigning to let your council know how you feel.
WEST KENT’S ULTIMATE PROPERTY GUIDE – FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY A MUST-READ FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUY, LET OR SELL
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WITH THE
Available in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks
bracketts
est. 1828
Town and country
The benefits of a listed farmhouse lying just outside Tunbridge Wells
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PROPERTY
To suit your budget
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Your at-a-glance guide to
HASTINGFORD FISHERY HADLOW DOWN
£975,000
UNDER £250,000 GROVE AVENUE TUNBRIDGE WELLS
£225,000-£235,000 LEASEHOLD WITH SHARE OF FREEHOLD
accommodation comprises a hall, a sitting room, a double bedroom with built-in wardrobes, a generous bathroom, including a corner shower cubicle and corner bath, and a kitchen with a range of wall and base units. There is also access to the loft. Permit parking. No onward chain.
This top floor apartment boasts a prime location in the village area of Tunbridge Wells adjacent to Grove Park and close to the High Street and CONTACT mainline station. There is a communal Wood & Pilcher 01892 511211 entrance with entryphone, and the www.woodandpilcher.co.uk
UNDER £400,000 QUEENS ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS
£365,000
A Victorian semi-detached house in the St John’s area with cast iron fireplaces to most rooms. The ground floor has been extended to include a long bathroom, and there is scope to extend further for a third bedroom subject to the relevant permissions.
The rest of the property includes a lounge with wood burner, kitchen with a door to the side, dining room with understairs study area and French doors to a decked courtyard garden with bamboo plantings. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a loft room with Velux windows. CONTACT Wood & Pilcher 01892 511211 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk
To suit your budget
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
PROPERTY
27
great properties by price range… Under £550,000 STAIR ROAD, TONBRIDGE
£500,000
A detached chalet-style home with a garage. The property comprises a triple-aspect sitting/dining room with double doors to the garden, a goodsized kitchen/breakfast room, a utility room, a ground floor bedroom, and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms and a bathroom. The lawned frontage includes flower borders and driveway with off-street parking. There is a split-level rear garden, a paved terrace and an outside storeroom. CONTACT Wood & Pilcher 01732 351135 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk
UNDER £650,000 HENWOOD GREEN ROAD, PEMBURY OFFERS IN EXCESS OF
£550,000
A roomy, refurbished 1930s chalet bungalow with two double bedrooms on the ground floor (one with built-in wardrobes) as well as a bathroom. The sitting room is double-aspect with wood flooring and a bay window. The kitchen/diner has bifold doors to the garden, which has a large patio and a lawned area. There is also a summerhouse and an underfloorheated studio with internet and a phone connection. No onward chain. CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com
UNDER £1MILLION HASTINGFORD FISHERY HADLOW DOWN
UNDER £900,000 SEYMOUR COTTAGE, MATFIELD
GUIDE PRICE
GUIDE PRICE
£975,000 A secluded 32-acre fishery and shoot with magnificent views towards the South Downs. Accessed via wrought iron gates, with direct access to the public highway, the land has been in the same family for nearly 100 years and this is its first time on the open market. A single storey lodge has been granted part live/work residential use and overlooks the spring-fed lake. The lodge includes a beamed snug, a large open-plan living/ dining room with vaulted ceilings
£800,000-£900,000 and a wood burner, a modern kitchen, an en-suite bedroom/ study area and two more WCs, one with disabled access. Outside, there are large parking and entertaining areas, as well as an agricultural barn and a timber-framed workshop with power. There may also be a chance to purchase separately a further 30 acres of adjoining land.
A much-loved home overlooking the village green. The cottage includes a dining room, sitting room, kitchen/ breakfast room and conservatory. Upstairs there is a master suite as well as three further bedrooms and a bathroom. The front garden has a block-paved drive providing off-street parking, and a garage. The rear garden is also laid to lawn with a block-paved terrace, a shed and side access.
CONTACT Savills 01444 446062 www.savills.co.uk
CONTACT Wood & Pilcher 01732 351135 www.woodandpilcher.co.uk
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PROPERTY
Advertising
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
5
Interior Design
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
FEATURES
35
top tips for spring style
BY GABRIELLE FAGAN
Make your home look beautiful this spring with some best buys, clever decor tricks, a mini project and a bit of guidance from TV’s Lorraine Kelly. “I love this time of year and refreshing rooms with fresh touches, such as a throw, a cushion, scented candles and some fresh flowers. “They can really change something without breaking the bank, and it means you avoid all the upheaval of redecorating. I can’t remember when I last completely redecorated because I much prefer
to make little changes over time,” says Lorraine, who’s created a new collection of homeware, Lorraine At Home for JD Williams Home. While she is in London when presenting ITV’s Lorraine, her real home, which she shares with husband Steve, is in Broughty Ferry, Dundee. “Lighting’s a great way to create atmosphere and bring a look together, but I think many people overlook it. I like a mix of hanging pendants, table lamps and lanterns filled with candles,” she says.
SWEET SLEEP Revamp a bedroom by lavishing TLC on your bed. Turn and rotate the mattress, launder pillows, switch to a lighter duvet and splash out on new bedlinen.
SPA STYLE Splash out on treats for your bathroom, from smart storage to luxury towels, and turn it into your very own spa. The White Company has large Leather Laundry Bins, currently £148 (reduced from £185) as well as a Seagrass Laundry Basket, reduced from £165 to £132 (www.thewhitecompany.com/020 3758 9222) Soothe the senses with a Jasmine, Lemongrass And Ginger candle, £25, Sara Miller London (www.saramiller. london)
CALMING COLOUR
Brighten a room instantly with a blue and red Lorraine at Home Jasmin Duvet Set, from £20, JD Williams Home (www.jdwilliams.co.uk/ 0871 231 2000)
KITCHEN REVAMP “Giving the home a spring update can be daunting if you’re on a tight budget, but simply repainting kitchen tiles and unit doors gives a new lease of life to a tired interior,” says Jenna Lowe, Product Manager at Ronseal. For kitchen doors, thoroughly clean them, remove handles and sand surfaces. Wipe down with white spirit and allow to completely dry. Apply one coat of paint, finishing in a vertical direction. If you’re covering up a dark colour you may need a second, or even third, coat – leave 24 hours between each coat. Ronseal One Coat Tile paint 250ml (from £8.22) and Ronseal One Coat Cupboard paint 750ml (from £19.72) are both available at B&Q (www.diy.com)
MINI PLOT Set up a mini-garden indoors with pot plants. Pick plants which share the same light and watering needs to make care easy, and make into an eye-catching feature by adding lanterns, tea-light holders, and picture frames. The Dobbies range, in stores, has suitable plants, including a Boston Fern, £4.99 each, and Airplants in a Glass Vase, £14.99, as well as decorative accessories, including gold Pots from £2.49 each, and a gold geometric Lantern from £7.99 (dobbies.com/0131 561 6406)
“Home is our sanctuary, where we can relax and recover from the stresses of daily life, and a gentle colour palette will help to conjure a calming atmosphere,” says Sarah Quilliam, Head of Product Design at Hillarys. “Faded pinks, gentle greys, serene blues and muted corals are all on trend this year. Use one of those shades and complement with a roller blind in sheer or semi-transparent fabrics with a geometric pattern.” Soft lighting will also help create a restful mood: Lorraine At Home Langland Table Lamp, £39, JD Williams Home (jdwilliams.co.uk/0871 231 2000)
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PROPERTY
Hever Lodge
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
AT A GLANCE HEVER LODGE , HEVER ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Sitting room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Cloakroom ■ Master bedroom with en suite ■ Five more bedrooms and 2 bathrooms Annexe: ■ Sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom Former Stables: ■ Recreation room, gym, sauna, shower, garage, workshop and 2 storerooms Outside: ■ Covered swimming pool ■ Tennis court ■ Billards room, former dairy and former hay barn ■ Garden, orchard, 2 fields and bluebell wood – in total about 22 acres
‘A distinctive Tudor house with an attached annexe, converted stables and circular colonnade’
GUIDE PRICE
£1,950,000 Available for sale through Savills Sevenoaks 01732 789700 www.savills.co.uk
Stunning Grade II listed country estate in Anne Boleyn’s famous childhood village
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PROPERTY
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Wednesday April 12 | 2017
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PROPERTY
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Wednesday April 12 | 2017
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PROPERTY
Hoth Farmhouse
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
AT A GLANCE HOTH FARMHOUSE ERIDGE GREEN n Grade II listed n Entrance hall n Drawing room with inglenook n Dining room with inglenook n Snug/family room n Study n Kitchen/breakfast room & utility room n Cloakroom n Principal bedroom with en suite n 4 further bedrooms n Family bathroom n Oil-fired central heating n Period barn/garaging n Tennis Court n Outbuilding n Gardens and grounds of about 2 acres
ÂŁ1,550,000 Available for sale through Hamptons Tunbridge Wells 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk
Charming 17th-century farmhouse with views
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FEATURES
Food & Drink
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Crack your Easter feast by trying these delicious dishes…
Looking to make the perfect Easter lunch all the family can enjoy? Or tempted to try out a traditional recipe with a twist? Using the season’s best, and indigenous, ingredients, James Tanner, chef and owner of Bidborough-based Gastropub The Kentish Hare, provides his top Easter recipes for you to savour What you need: 1 leg of lamb 6 cloves of peeled garlic 2 lemons
Easter is a special time of the year, when family and friends gather around the table to share fabulous food and great company. Tunbridge Wells Farmers Markets’ Manager Bruce McMichael says where to source the best ingredients locally
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ASTY treats associated with Easter include lamb served with new potatoes and lots of butter and mint and sweet and spicy hot cross buns and simnel cake. The show-stopping roast is a lengthier dish to prepare, and an all-rounded roast is well worth the extra effort. To give your lamb joint an extra boost add garlic, olives, anchovies and rosemary to complement. Cooked in a large roasting pan and covered with wine, roast lamb is best served with beautifully seasonal steamed green vegetables. You can even roast your potatoes around the joint – they’ll absorb some flavour and stay crispy on top! Good Friday is traditionally the day fish is eaten, so look out for some at your local farmers’ market open on the previous day or two to get your fish, fresh and often landed at Hastings or Rye. For those of us with a sweet tooth, Easter offers plenty of opportunity to indulge. Simnel cake is particularly associated with this holiday period with its layer of marzipan (sugared almond paste) covering the top and decorated with marzipan balls, traditionally said to represent the 12 apostles present at the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
At your local farmers’ market, the shelves will be piled up with other familiar Easter treats, including hot cross buns, a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins. Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, their glossy tops and fruit-filled doughy fillings are an Easter favourite. Avril Barrow, of The Quality Cake Company at the Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market, reveals her top tip for getting the best buns is ‘to look for those with a darkish brown top with a clear, shiny glaze and a clear white cross with lots of currants poking out of the sides’. Another flavour closely associated with Easter is chocolate. Centuries ago, the first eggs given at Easter were birds’ eggs, painted in bright colours to give them further meaning as a gift. As chocolate became more widespread in the 20th century, a chocolate version of the traditional painted egg was developed. The size of the chocolate egg has grown over the years and is now more likely to be the size of an ostrich egg – and bigger! So ensure you get down to your local market this weekend – or before – and stock up on a few of these traditional Easter treats…
Lemon, garlic and rosemary mix 1 head of peeled garlic 1 bunch of rosemary 2 whole lemons 30g sea salt Sauce 300ml lamb stock 300ml red wine (Serves 6)
EASTER SPRING LAMB LEG WITH LEMON, GARLIC AND ROSEMARY What you do: Pre-heat oven to 200°C, gas mark 6, take lamb leg, make 6 small deep incisions randomly over leg. Stuff each hole with the 6 gloves of garlic. With a food processor, blend together the head of peeled garlic, rosemary and lemons, and then next add the sea salt. Take paste and rub all over lamb leg, cut the two lemons in half and sit lamb leg on a baking tray on top of the lemons, cover with foil and allow 20 minutes per 500g cooking time. Turn once in cooking process, then rest for at least 20 minutes after cooking time, take baking tray that the lamb was cooking in, heat on stove
top, add red wine, reduce by half, then add lamb stock and reduce by half again, then pass through a fine sieve. Slice lamb and serve with roast potatoes, honey roast parsnips, thyme buttered Savoy cabbage and Yorkshire puddings.
Food & Drink
Wednesday April 12 | 2017 Brioche recipe courtesy of Market Vegetarian by Ross Dobson with photos by Richard Jung. Published by Ryland Peters & Small
HONEY AND PECAN HOT CROSS BUN BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING What you need: 5 hot cross buns cut in half 50g unsalted butter (softened) 1 vanilla pod 450ml double cream 150ml milk 8 egg yolks 100g caster sugar (plus some extra) 25g sultanas 50g pecans 3tbsp honey
What you do: Butter the buns. Split the vanilla pod and put in a saucepan with cream, milk and syrup and bring to the boil. Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl. Allow cream to cool slightly then strain on to eggs. Mix well. Arrange in a 1.5 litre pudding dish in 3 layers, sprinkling nuts and fruit between. Pour over the custard mix, lightly pressing the bread to help soak
in. Leave to stand for 20 minutes before cooking to ensure that the buns absorbs all the custard. Put dish in roasting tray ¾ filled with warm water and bake for 20-30 minutes at 180o°C, until pudding begins to set. Remove and sprinkle liberally with caster sugar and glaze under a grill (or with a blow torch) to a golden finish. Serve with clotted cream!
OR WHY NOT TRY THIS BAKED BRIOCHE? This is an impressive pudding for relatively little work. The sweet and buttery brioche works well with the tangy blackberries. The dark purple juices should bleed into the pudding to create a pretty, marbled effect What you need: 4 brioche rolls or 1⁄2 of a 400g brioche loaf 50g butter, softened 300g fresh blackberries 3 eggs 125ml single cream 375ml full-fat milk 75g caster sugar 2 tablespoons raw (unrefined) sugar vanilla ice cream, to serve (optional)
(Serves 6) What you do: Slice the brioche to give you 6-8 thin slices. Lightly butter the slices on one side and arrange them in the bottom of a medium
baking dish, overlapping them slightly. Put half the blackberries on top. Repeat with the remaining brioche slices and blackberries. Put the cream, eggs, milk and caster sugar in a bowl or jug and beat to combine. Pour the mixture over the brioche in the baking dish. Cover with foil and let sit for 30 minutes to allow the brioche to absorb the liquid. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) Gas 4. Sprinkle the raw sugar over the top of the pudding and bake it in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the top of the pudding is golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if liked.
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Fine wines for Easter To get things off to a sparkling start this Easter, treat yourself to a bottle of Hush Heath’s Balfour Brut Rosé (£35.99 available in Waitrose or at www.hushheath.com). This is the Staplehurst vineyard’s flagship wine, which they have been producing since 2001. Made from the classic Champagne blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes, it’s an elegant offering that will be ideal as an aperitif or accompaniment to the roast lamb and buttery brioche pud. Another wine that perfectly partners a hearty roast lamb or rib of beef is a classic burgundy, and the silky smooth Domaine Antonin Guyon, Côte de Beaune Village (£22.60, www. friarwood.com) ticks all the boxes thanks to its ruby red colour and well-balanced blend of violet and strawberry notes. If white’s your tipple of choice, then why not sample a refreshing glass of Martisor Pinot Grigio (£7.49, Waitrose)? This wine from Romania boasts a lemony hue with delicate aromas of melon, fig and peach for good measure, making it great for springtime drinking.
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FEATURES
Travel
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
A poetic licence to visit Chile WORLD OF COLOUR Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage city
By Sarah Marshall
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HILEAN poet Pablo Neruda, a controversial character who divided opinion with his socialist beliefs and flamboyant lifestyle, was one of the 20th century’s literary greats. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971, his fame spread worldwide – yet appreciation for his love poems, historical epics and simple odes to everyday life is still limited in English-speaking countries. Now ‘Neruda’, a new adventurous fantasy biopic by lauded Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain, may redress that imbalance. “I was raised in a country where Neruda is in the air, the water and the trees,” says Larrain. “Our identity and character has been shaped mostly by our poets.” Luis Gnecco plays the poet in the semi-imagined story of an episode in Neruda’s tumultuous life, when political differences forced him to live as a fugitive. Gael Garcia Bernal co-stars as fascist police investigator on his trail, Oscar Peluchonneau, who engages in a cat-andmouse game with the defiant artist, and develops both a
THE CHASE IS ON Bernal (left and far right) and Gnecco (centre)
THE MEAL OF POETS Where: Venezia Restaurant and Mercado Central, Santiago Caldillo de Congrio, a warming fish stew made with the ‘snowy flesh’ of the conger eel, was Neruda’s favourite dish. He loved it so much he even dedicated a poem to the sworn hangover remedy. “In this dish you may find heaven,” he wrote in Ode to Caldillo De Congrio. One of his best-loved places to blissfully indulge was the El Venezia Restaurant at Pio Nono 200, a five-minute walk from La Chascona. Black and white pictures of Neruda float between paintings of gondolas on the peeling walls, and Italian football commentators squeal from TV screens. The food is so-so, but the atmosphere certainly makes up for it. A better creation of the dish can be found at Santiago’s Mercado Central, a 19th-century fish market where restaurants serve seafood beneath a wrought-iron ceiling. n Try La Joya del Pacifico (open daily from 6am), where the stew costs from £7
fascination and respect for him in the process. Bernal shares those feelings: “He’s such a big person, who can build worlds and create landscapes. He would write about things with an emotional perspective, which is so needed. “For example, he would have written about this horrendous victory of Donald Trump!” Although work as a diplomat carried Neruda across the globe, his heart always lay with Chile and the Pacific Ocean, so ‘big, unruly and blue’. You can take a tour through Santiago, Valparaiso and Isla Negra, to discover the colourful backstreets and wild coastlines that inspired his life’s work for yourself. THE SECRET LOVE NEST Where: La Chascona, Santiago Buried at the base of San Cristobal Hill, in the Bohemian Bellavista district, Neruda’s landlocked house still has a strong connection with the sea. Fish motifs decorate the walls and the building itself looks ready to set sail. Built in 1953 for secret trysts with his mistress, Matilde Urrutia, the property is named after her wild, unruly red hair. Neruda would regularly host dinner parties for friends here,
although only he was allowed to serve drinks from behind The Captain’s Bar – normally in colourful glasses, because they tasted better that way. A hoarder with a sense of humour, Neruda amassed unusual trinkets and fancy ornaments from his time spent overseas as a diplomat. Look out for a secret stash of playing cards displayed beneath a staircase in The Lighthouse Living room, and a giant shoe once used as a cobbler’s shop sign, now propped up in front of the outdoor summer bar. n Tickets: £8.50. Closed Mondays. Visit www.fundacionneruda.org
‘I was raised in a country where Neruda is in the air, the water and the trees. Our identity and character has been shaped mostly by our poets’ Filmmaker Pablo Larrain
A SAILBOAT IN THE SKY Where: La Sebastiana, Valparaiso Nothing really gets going until midday in this free and easy graffiti-splashed seaside town, a 90-minute drive from Santiago. Once a vital trading port for the Americas, until the Panama Canal arrived in 1914, it’s now favoured by hippies, students and stray dogs. The counter culture way of life fits perfectly with Neruda’s own unorthodox sentiments. Eschewing the pretty aristocratic hub of Cerro Alegre (where bars, hotels and restaurants now flourish), he chose to build a five-storey house higher up in one of the town’s 45 hills, amid a hotchpotch of colourful immigrants’ houses. Take one of the town’s trundling, 100-year-old funiculars to get there. The view alone is worth the journey – for surveying the inky blue bay, it’s the perfect docked crow’s nest. In keeping with Neruda’s eccentric tastes, the house is brimming with oddities styled with a smile. A man and woman in matching Edwardian ruffs glare longingly at each other from gilt frames hung on opposite walls. Neruda purchased the paintings as a pair, fearing they might otherwise get lonely.
Travel
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
FEATURES
A ship’s wheel has been repurposed as a coffee table, and a telescope sits neatly at Neruda’s bedside. He once used it to spy a piece of driftwood floating in the ocean, a cellar door which eventually became his most treasured desk. It was upon this shipwrecked door that the prolific poet composed some of his greatest works (always in green pen), including the historical epic, Canto General. Mystery surrounds the cause of Neruda’s death in 1973, which coincided with right-wing dictator Pinochet’s coup d’etat, but his body now lies peacefully alongside his two loves, Matilde and the ocean. “Friends, bury me at Isla Negra, before the sea I know, before each wrinkled stretch of stones, and before the waves my lost eyes will see no more.” n Tickets: £8.50. Closed Mondays. Expect queues from 10am in high season (Nov-Feb). Visit www.fundacionneruda.org PIECING IT TOGETHER A mosaic in Bellavista n Tickets: £8.50. Closed Mondays. Visit
www.fundacionneruda.org A PLACE OF REST Where: Casa de Isla Negra, Isla Negra “I need the sea because it teaches me,” mused Neruda in his poem The Sea. “Until I fall asleep, in some magnetic way I move in the university of the waves.” Throughout his life, the poet had a great reverence for the ocean, and this coastal home, perched on a rocky headland a two-hour drive from Santiago, quickly became his favourite. After searching for a place in resort town Cartagena (now a sorry shadow of itself), Neruda moved into the property in 1945
HOME WITH A VIEW Isla Negra is right on the beach
and lived here with Delia del Carril. A steam engine on the front lawn nods to his father’s work as a railway employee, and collections of exotic shells and boats in bottles cram the shelves.
WHERE TO STAY? Santiago: Hotel Luciano K Chile’s answer to Gaudi, architect Luciano Kulczewski, designed several fairy-tale buildings in the 1920s. A few are still standing, including this townhouse converted into a boutique hotel. Pay attention to the meticulous restoration of the colourful floor tiling, and a jangling lift which zips up to a glorious rooftop bar with a toe-dipping pool. www.lucianokhotel.com Valparaiso: Zero Hotel Wake up to a view Neruda often enjoyed at this Pacific-facing period townhouse, close to the bars and cafes of Cerro Alegre. The parquet floor bedrooms are homely and arguably boast Chile’s most comfy beds, while an outdoor terrace is a peaceful place to muse over some of Neruda’s books of poetry. www.zerohotel.com
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EVOCATIVE Plaza de las Armas, Santiago,
TRAVEL FACTS n Sarah Marshall was a guest of The Ultimate Travel Company, who tailor-make a ten-day journey in search of Pablo Neruda from £3,275 pp. Beginning with three nights at Santiago’s Luciano K, the next stop is Hotel Z, Valparaiso before a final three nights at La Casona in the Matetic vineyards. Price includes daily breakfast, dinners at La Casona and private guided sightseeing with car and driver throughout, plus Air France flights from London via Paris. Tel 020 3051 8098 or visit www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk n The film ‘Neruda’ is in cinemas now.
Beauty
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
MANI ILLUMINATORS Sure, it's subtle – but nail strobing is still a thing. Pearlised, sheeny manis were on repeat backstage for SS17, to top off all that healthy-looking strobed hair and skin. "Highlighting, or nail strobing, gives you a dewy, shimmery, healthy finish to the nails," says Jenni Draper, nail expert and OPI Brand Ambassador, who adds that even lengthened talons can be yours, with some clever strobing trickery: "Using an iridescent polish will create highlights down the length of the nail, giving the illusion of longer nails." For low-key nail strobing, she recommends sticking to champagne tones for fair skin, golden tones for olive skin, and terracotta tones for darker skin. If you want to up the nail ante, make an impact with highshine holographic or chrome fi nishes. STROBING KIT: Mavala Delicate collection; OPI Nail Lacquer in Altar Ego
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BODY BRIGHTENERS
SMASHBOX Spotlight Highlighting Palette in Pearl, £26 (smashbox.co.uk)
MADAME LA LA Bronzing Ball, £14 (madamelala.com)
OPI Nail Lacquer in Altar Ego, £12.50 (johnlewis.com)
STROBE your
WAY into SPRING
Strobing is the beauty technique you probably didn't know you needed. Still not fully au fait with what it means? It's basically highlighting trickery – think of it as the more subtle, flattering sister of contouring – and though the trend started with faces, it's now transcended to hair, body and even fingernails. Because strobing is all about achieving that elusive lit-from-within look, it's the perfect trend to master for spring. Time to get glowing.
ICONIC LONDON Strobing Stick, £24.99 (iconiclondoninc.com)
Limb-baring season is approaching, and body strobing is the ultimate shortcut for honed and toned limbs. Michelle Obama arms, anyone? "Highlighting the areas of the body where light naturally reflects gives an instant sculpted effect," says James Harknett, tanning guru and Fake Bake Ambassador. "The easiest parts of the body to strobe for spring are the shoulders, arms and shins – just always focus on areas the sun would hit and naturally tan." James recommends using self-tan 24 hours before strobing, to up the contrast of your finish. Don't limit yourself to body specific products – some of the best strobing sticks and palettes are designed for the face but work just as well gleamed on to shins and shoulders.
BLEACH LONDON Balayage Hair Kit Beach Lights, £7 (boots.com)
MAVALA DELICATE COLLECTION £4.95 each (johnlewis.com)
LABEL.M Highlighting Toner, £10.95 each (labelm.com/uk)
HAIR HIGHLIGHTERS Goodbye balayage and babylights, hair strobing is the hottest new brightening technique for tresses. "The idea of strobing is to accent hair with subtle strobes of colour to illuminate the face," explains Georgie Mathers, Toni&Guy Technical Artistic Director. "In the right places, it can diminish areas of width or widen a narrow face shape." You can now strobe your strands at home too, using quick-fixes like spray-on highlighting toners or brush-on ‘hairshadow’ (like eyeshadow for hair). Find them in typical hair tone shades, or more daring statement colours. “Limit the placement to a few key areas you wish to highlight,”
Georgie advises. “You can use the colour accents in so many ways – to add depth, create a root ombre effect, a colour top-up, or even disguising greys.”
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Motoring
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
FIRST DRIVE
Kia Picanto GT-Line WHAT’S NEW?
SPACE AND PRACTICALITY
You may think the Kia Picanto is the car most likely to be driven by your granny, and you’d be right. But now the manufacturer is looking to ditch that blue-rinse image and target a younger age group with its suitably spiced-up city car. The refreshed model teams sporty looks with a more focused driving style to woo young professionals to part with their cash. But are the tweaks enough?
The Picanto is Kia’s second best-selling model in the UK after the Sportage, so the third-generation model has a huge weight on its shoulders to perform. As it’s predominantly bought as a second car by more mature buyers, Kia thinks the new tech – such as wireless charging for your mobile, a parking camera and Apple CarPlay – will tempt younger, first-time car buyers into dealers. At just 3.6 metres (the same as its predecessor), Kia has managed to eke out a little more cabin space by increasing the wheelbase and reducing the front overhang, but you’re still going to wish your legs were foldable if you’re sat in the back. Up front, you’ll sit shoulder to shoulder with your passenger, but there’s ample leg room and the driving position is comfortable. Autonomous emergency braking – which warns, then stops you, if it senses a crash – as well as a smart torque vectoring system that improves handling by braking individual wheels, are also available.
LOOKS AND IMAGE Well, there’s no doubt Kia has worked hard to liven things up. There’s an extended ‘tiger nose’ grille, the likes of which we’ve seen spread across the maker’s range, smart LED driving lights and a large air intake at the front. Double wheel arches add some flair at the sides, while a ‘shark’ antenna (which initially made an appearance on BMWs) has filtered down to the city car segment for the first time. What’s more, for added sportiness, the GT-Line specification gets a twin-tipped exhaust and some random red trim – because nothing says sporty like added red inserts. Kia even went as far as describing the new design as ‘sexy’ in their launch presentation. Perhaps our definition of sexy is slightly at odds with Kia’s, but we get what they’re trying to achieve. Sort of.
GOING SPORTY The new car has an extended ‘tiger nose’ grille and red trim to liven things up
BEHIND THE WHEEL It’s behind the wheel where the Picanto will divide opinion. Older buyers looking for a relaxed and comfortable ride will notice the improved suspension and capable way it deals with nasty, pot-holed road surfaces. However, the
sprightly engines, quicker turn in and faster steering may make them feel a little too hurried behind the wheel. It’s these very characters that Kia is hoping younger buyers will appreciate. The juxtaposition of characteristics is a trait of a car designed for a global market, where different markets want different things. In the UK, you may be more likely to find a Picanto in the bridge club car park, but in southern Europe it’ll be left abandoned outside nightclubs while its owners party the night away. There’s a noticeable improvement overall in both ride and handling, largely thanks to the reduced weight and stiffer body, but whether that’s suitable for you will depend on your driving style.
VALUE FOR MONEY As this was an early test of a left-handdrive model, sadly there were few
FACTS AT A GLANCE: MODEL: Kia Picanto GT-Line ENGINE: 1.2-litre, four-cylinder POWER: 84bhp TORQUE: 122Nm MAX SPEED: 107mph 0-60MPH: 12 seconds MPG: 61.4mpg EMISSIONS: 104g/km PRICE AS TESTED: £13,000 (estimate)
Kia has updated the Picanto, its popular city car. James Baggott heads to Spain to try it out
details as to what options will feature on UK models. The Kia UK boss explained each market is given a menu to pick from and said his team is currently working on refining what they’ll take. We do know that this will follow the conventional Kia strategy of 1, 2, and 3 levels of specification, and that the GT-Line, driven here, will slot between 2 and 3. In the GT-Line model we tried at the Spanish launch, a seven-inch media screen, wireless charging for mobiles, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay all featured. It had a heated steering wheel, heated seats, climate control and electric windows and mirrors. But buyers will have to wait a few weeks to find out exactly what’s on offer in the UK.
WHO WOULD BUY ONE? Kia believes buyers will be largely females, describing them as ‘urban and dynamic’. Typically, the Picanto is used for commuting and will sell mostly as a second car.
‘Kia is looking to ditch that blue-rinse image and target a younger age group with its suitably spiced-up city car’
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
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FEATURES
Gardening
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
GARDENING TIPS FOR THE SEASON
Victoria Truman
Garden designer
It’s great outdoors Our gardening expert Victoria Truman shares her advice for spring schemes and summer planting
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OW spring is truly underway, the daffodils are nearly over and the tulips are at their best, thoughts turn to summer and the garden. As you look out upon your garden, does the nagging question of ‘where do I even begin?’ sound familiar? In my opinion, the first and foremost thing to do is to stand back for a moment and simply enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature has given us. Listen to the birds as they sing you a spring melody – fantasise a little – and then put on the gardening gloves and head out to make your dream garden a reality! As you begin your quest for the perfect garden, don’t overdo it. It’s probably been months since you gave those muscles and bones a good workout, so start out slowly and avoid that Monday morning backache. Looking ahead to May, bulbs fade, herbaceous borders grow in leaps and bounds, and it will be clear summer is approaching. Sowing and planting out bedding can begin, depending on
regional weather variations, and you can take softwood cuttings. It’s also time to get back into the grass mowing regime, as the lawn will be loving the warmer temperatures this month brings. Top Jobs To Do Now Feed bare soil between plants with generalpurpose fertiliser and dose acid-loving rhododendrons and camellias with sequestered iron. Blackberries, loganberries and blackcurrants need a high-nitrogen feed. Prune the flowered shoots of hydrangeas and winter jasmine. Sow peas, broad beans, brassicas, leeks, root veg, spinach, chicory, Swiss chard, salad and hardy herbs. Start tender veg and half-hardy annuals – cosmos, nicotiana, snapdragons – under cover. Plant Jerusalem artichokes and asparagus crowns. Container-grown evergreens establish
Kent-based garden and landscape designer Victoria Truman offers her advice and tips for making the most of your plot www.victoriatruman.com
BE BOLD Inject vibrancy into your garden
Gardening
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
best in the spring. Fill pots with glamorous summer-flowering bulbs Pinch-out fuchsia, sweet peas and pelargoniums to encourage bushiness and heavier flowering April is the month for planting summer flowering bulbs like dahlias, gladiolas and lilies. Mix bulb fertiliser, processed manure and peat moss into the planting soil. When they have finished blooming, you should deadhead your spring flowering bulbs. Do not cut off the green foliage yet! These green leaves continue to grow for a few weeks, and provide the bulb with food for flowering next year Mowing and lawn care will start with the warmer weather. Don’t scalp the lawn, cut slightly higher for the next month Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants Earth up potatoes, and promptly plant any still remaining Plant out summer bedding at the end of the month (except in cold areas) Water early and late to get the most out of your water, recycle water when possible Regularly hoe off weeds Open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days Mow lawns weekly Check for nesting birds before clipping hedges Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs
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REDS IN THE BEDS An array of tulips
Bluebells
IN BLOOM FOR SPRING… WILD FLOWER Plant native bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in the green now or as bulbs in autumn. BULB GRAPE HYACINTH (Muscari armeniacum) thrives on neglect in all but soggy conditions. Can be invasive so choose the less rampant ‘Valerie Finnis’. CLIMBER ROBUST CLEMATIS ALPINA ‘Frances Rivis’ copes with windy spots, blooming through May. Its seed heads are charmingly fluffy. GROUND-COVER VINCA MINOR ‘La Grave’ is covered with larger-than-usual lavender-blue flowers until September. Less invasive than some periwinkles.
Alliums
SHADE-LOVER Clump-forming Brunnera macrophylla tolerates dry soil once established. Silvery-leaved ‘Jack Frost’ really brightens a dark spot.
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Life & Style
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
EASTER LAUNCH EVENT SEES LOCAL BUSINESS, SMALL LOADS, UNVEIL NEW BRANDING AND INSPIRATIONAL SHOW GARDENS.
NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME STILL RAISING THOUSANDS FOR CHARITY AS THEY TURN 90 On Sunday 26th March, Coolings Garden Centre in Knockholt, hosted the ‘Great Gardens of Kent’ Show – one of the many celebratory events organised by the National Garden Scheme (NGS) this year to celebrate 90 years of opening their stunning private gardens across England & Wales to the public for charity.
Looking for some inspiration to help create your dream garden this spring and ideas on how to spend your Good Friday? Small Loads, soon to be known as Corker, have got it covered with their launch event due to take place on Friday 14th April 2017. Celebrating their new name of Corker and the big reveal of their creative show gardens for the public to wander around - you don’t want to miss out.
Spring flowers greeted visitors as they entered the 14,000ft² events glasshouse at Coolings, which housed displays from some of Kent’s wonderful and varied NGS gardens. Jane Beedle, local garden designer and runner up in the Great British Bake Off 2016, opened the show by cutting her amazing celebration cake.
The family business first began in 2001 when Mick and Alice Corkery set up Small Loads. The company is now run successfully by Mick and Alice, along with their two sons Oli and Harry, girlfriends, close friends and of course, their two striking dogs, Wallace and Boris. They operate the business from old-fashioned values of outstanding quality products, coupled with a relaxed and friendly customer service.
Andy Garland of BBC Radio Kent, broadcast live from the event on his Sunday Gardening spot and hosted a superb Q&A session with answers and top tips from a great panel including The Sun Gardening Correspondent, Steve Bradley, Coolings Chairman, Paul Cooling and some of Kent’s finest head gardeners.
The new 3-acre site has undergone a complete transformation and on Good Friday you’ll have the opportunity to be first in line to see these changes. 13 permanent and inspiring show gardens will be unveiled, all of which were designed and built by local landscape designers. Wander through and gain ideas for your dream garden, the creators will all be on hand and happy to answer any questions. As well as offering the innovative show gardens Corker supply all the products you need to then create your own masterpiece, allowing you the chance to shop! This includes a wide range of paving, turf, soil, sleepers, outdoor furniture and more. KMFM Street Team will be attending the event and hosting some great promotional give aways so make sure you pay the team a visit for your chance to win! A 10% discount will also be available to all those who attend which will be valid to spend on the day or at a later date. Mick Corkery says “We have all been working so hard towards this launch event date and are incredibly excited for people to see the completed show gardens. We want to inspire and make people realize that no matter the size of your garden, it doesn’t have to be average.’
Corker is situated on the A228 near Paddock Wood and the launch event is taking place on Good Friday, 14th April between 10am-4pm. In the meantime check out the brand new Corker website; www.corker.co.uk or give the team a call on 01892 833 325.
Visitors were impressed by the amount of money raised every year by the NGS, which is donated to a number of beneficiaries. Felicity Ward, Assistant County Organiser for NGS Kent, said “In February 2017, the National Garden Scheme gave £3 million to its charities, £185,000 of which was raised in Kent”.
TONBRIDGE OUTDOOR POOL & GAMES HUT OPENS 1 APRIL Tonbridge Swimming Pool is opening the Outdoor Pool and Games Hut in time for families to enjoy during the April school holiday. The Centre is also offering swimming lessons for Non Swimmers, Beginners, a Learn 2 Swim course for those 7 years+, plus new Drop In Clinics for those looking to work on a particular area. The heated Outdoor Pool will open on Saturday 1 April. The Pool, complete with shallow beach area, water arch and swim through channel to the indoor pools is a great place to meet friends, picnic and of course swim! During the season the pool is available for casual visits, early morning swims and private hire. The venue has been used to host a variety of parties and BBQs and there’s a poolside kiosk serving ice creams and light refreshments throughout the day. For a great family day out, follow up your visit to the pool with a trip to the Games Hut in Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground. The Games Hut, just a short walk from Tonbridge Swimming Pool, has a 9 hole Mini Golf course, tennis and access to the park’s huge play area and shaded sandpit. There’s also a ‘street course’ skate park, outdoor gym and ball court. You could also take a visit to historic Tonbridge Castle just a short walk from the park. The Café at the Pool provides the perfect end to your day, as it offers a wide range of hot and cold meals, children’s menu, sandwich menu, pastries, healthy options and bean to cup coffee.
For more information visit www.tonbridgepool.co.uk or call 01732 367449.
Emily Lever, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Hospice UK added: “My warmest thanks to all the garden owners, and to the rest of the Kent Committee. Without their amazing support, we simply, would not be able to help hospices and, ultimately, people who are living with terminal illness, their families, friends and carers. The £500,000 donated to Hospice UK this year is a transformational amount”. As the day came to a close Coolings Chairman, Paul Cooling said “It’s been a fantastic day and a great opportunity for garden owners to chat with other garden owners, the public to enjoy the wonderful displays and for Coolings to support the most significant charitable funder of nursing charities in the country”.
www.coolings.co.uk
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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.
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S H A B B Y A L U G A L O R E E O I L OW F A T Y S L OM P A E NOM M A S S I F U C P S H A R P E E P E D R E A D S
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.
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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 next week’s paper
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A S E S P C R E S H A E O R U M S E S G C K E R I I A N N E N V Z Y M E
Jigsaw Sudoku:
Sudoku:
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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★II
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FEATURES
NEWS
Recruitment
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY WITH THE
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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Recruitment
NEWS
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FEATURES
Arts & Culture
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
Illustrating a love for the arts For the rest of this week and next, The Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society is hosting its Spring Exhibition. Here, Chairperson Sue Clark tells the Times about the history of the society, and how you can be part of its future plans WE WERE founded 80 years ago, and back then were called an ‘art club’. Our President was recorded as being Mary, Marchioness of Abergavenny, and the club was connected with 17 other societies who pledged their support to help us get suitable premises. We now reside at 61 The Pantiles. Our records date back to 1945, and we have photos and reports of many of our past events, including the then Vice President, Mr C Tattershall Dodd, giving a talk on the painter John Ruskin. Ray Campbell Smith, a famous watercolour artist, and Winston Churchill even exhibited! Since it was established, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Arts Society [RTWAS] has changed considerably, becoming far more relaxed, informal and a fun place to be, but we still
keep art as the central focus. We now boast 158 members and work with a voluntary committee. We have the most brilliant exhibition secretary in Janet Richardson, and without her I, as Chairperson, would have far more sleepless nights than I do!
Open-minded The society hosts weekly demonstrations as well as three regular portrait painting groups and Saturday workshops. In the summer there is the opportunity to go and paint outside. We hold three main exhibitions every year in spring, summer and winter at our premises on The Pantiles, and each one lasts roughly two weeks. Our Spring Exhibition this year runs to April 23 and was opened by Clare Hyland, a Senior Partner at Cripps. We also run three ‘private’ exhibitions each summer, when members who have belonged to the society for three years can join with two or three others and take over the whole premises for two weeks each. ‘Private’ is a misnomer, though, as anyone is welcome to come and view. There are certain rules in place about how to present pictures for hanging, and any picture is accepted, as long as it is of a reasonable standard and deemed suitable for public view. But as art is such an intangible thing, we try to be open-minded. The majority of the work submitted is of a very high calibre,
PAINTERS’ HAVEN Below: Artist Ian Kesterton’s view of The Pantiles and Carol Anne Slater’s Red Sunset. Right: Society Chairperson Sue Clark outside their premises, also on The Pantiles
Arts & Culture
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
and lots of our visitors comment on this. Some people don’t realise that, given the opportunity, they would love art and may well show an aptitude for it. Young people especially need the chance to be able to find this out and exploit it. To art lovers like myself, it is not a part of everyday life – it is the whole of life, and because we love it so much we long to share it with others because art has the ability to enrich and deepen life.
‘We have been running successfully for 80 years so we’re doing something right’ In terms of the future, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society will continue as we are – a longstanding, large, and very successful group of artists and enthusiasts. And anyone who would like to explore it is welcome to join. We do have a ‘try before you buy’ policy, where people can come along for a visit to see if they like us and if it is what they’re looking for. We are always very friendly, helpful and welcoming. In mid-June, we are holding a charity postcard exhibition for Hospice in the Weald. These are painted by members and professional artists, but only signed on the back, so you only find out who has painted them if you buy them! Also, next summer, we are planning a big twoweek exhibition based on Tunbridge Wells – any aspect of it or person connected with it. It will be opened by our MP, Greg Clark, and based on the town’s motto, which is ‘Do Well and Doubt Not’. We want to keep the society as a rich source of artistic availability to all its members, and would encourage anyone who is interested in art to come along and see us. We have been running successfully for 80 years so, without being complacent in any way, I think we’re doing something right. For more details, see www.rtwas.org
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Piano shop owner hits all the high notes Nigel Scaife tells Eileen Leahy of his musical memorabilia discovery AS WELL as selling a wide range of pianos, we also restore older instruments at The Piano Shop in Eridge. Very often these have been made by German piano companies and are from the first half of the last century. This is because there was a flourishing piano industry in places such as Dresden, Stuttgart, Berlin and Hamburg before the Second World War, and the quality of the instruments made in those centres was very high. Sadly, the Allied Forces’ bombing raids during the war decimated many of the established German factories, such as those of Carl Bechstein and Richard Lipp, yet Steinway & Sons was able to keep trading
NOTE WORTHY Nigel Scaife with his 1928 Steinway
A REAL FIND: The memorabilia and as a result went from strength to strength. Today, a new Steinway grand will cost you in the region of £70,000, with uprights priced over £20,000, so to be able to buy older Steinway pianos and restore them makes commercial sense. In fact, many pianists prefer the older instruments to the newer models. It is always a pleasure to be able to buy an older Steinway piano, and it is rare to find one which has a decorative inlay. So when I was offered this opportunity as a part-exchange recently I was naturally enthusiastic. Here was a 1928 Model K which had beautiful marquetry and came with a matching stool. In it was an envelope containing an assortment of fascinating musical memorabilia. This included a calling card from a Steinway tuner, postmarked 26th November 1936, which charmingly states that ‘Messrs. Steinway & Sons beg to intimate that their tuner will attend on Mon 30th Nov instant’. Then there was a price list, dated 16th September 1935, which gives all the various models of piano and the different finishes that were
available at that time. The grand pianos started at £195 for an ebonised case Model M. For an 8’10 Model D concert grand, which now would cost over £100,000, the price was £485 for the ebonised case, and an additional £40 if you wanted it in rosewood or mahogany. So, as you can see, a good piano is a worthwhile long-term investment! Whoever owned this piano back in the 1930s was clearly a very cultured person, as they not only kept the programmes of the piano recitals they attended, but also cut out the newspaper reviews of those concerts. They even heard the great Ignaz Paderewski at the Brighton Dome – one of the last concerts given by this very famous pianist, who had formerly been the Prime Minister of Poland.
Historical The review says: “His memory and his endurance are unfailing. He was playing for practically two hours, at what one would imagine to be tense emotional and physical stretch. But he never faltered, and his music sounded as effortless as falling water. One seemed to be listening to the playing as through a mist of years. It was perfect in finish and style. It seemed though to come from a long distance, silvered and softened by old romance.” Another concert programme was of Alfred Cortot’s Farewell Recital, given on 5th May 1953 at the Royal Festival Hall. He played the complete Chopin Preludes and both sets of Etudes, Op,10 and Op.25 – a very challenging programme for any pianist! The Steinway piano full of these musical treasures is now being restored and will be for sale in May, newly French polished and with a reconditioned action. And I have decided to frame some of the material that came with it so I can put it up in the shop to share with customers. www.thepianoshopkent.co.uk
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What’s On
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
WHATS ON
Eileen Leahy
WITH THE
Local events >> WEDNESDAY At 11am, keen dancers will have the opportunity to see the charming animated film Ballerina at Trinity Theatre. Set in France’s glamorous Belle Époque period, it tells the story of Félicie, a young orphan girl with a passion for dancing. With the help of her best friend, Victor, she manages to escape from the orphanage and travel all the way to Paris, where many challenges and intriguing encounters await her. Ballerina is a funny and touching story about friendship, self-confidence and family. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for children. www.trinitytheatre.net Royal Victoria Place is also getting into the swing of the Easter holidays with its special Mr Men and Little Misses storytelling event. From 11am this morning little ones can enjoy hourly reading sessions until 3pm with Mr Bump, Little Miss Princess and Mr Tickle. The event, which will be held on level 1 of the shopping centre opposite Marks & Spencer, is free to attend and will be led by a narrator. Today and tomorrow, Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery will be holding another of their children-themed entertainment events. This one is called A Very Victorian Easter and will look, in a fun way, at how our Victorian ancestors celebrated the occasion. There will also be lots of Easter egg hunts as well as arts and crafts action. The free two-hour sessions will run twice daily at 10.30am and 2pm, and there is no need to book. >> THURSDAY Comedian Lee Nelson is performing at the Assembly Hall at 7.30pm with his Serious Joker show. More known for his notorious pranks, which include storming the stage during Kanye West’s Glastonbury set last year and posing as an Orthodox Jew for a Britain’s Got Talent audition, the funnyman – whose real name is Simon Brodkin – is now trying to carve out a career in stand-up.
If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages, please email eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
Tickets cost £20 per person and can be booked in the Tunbridge Wells Gateway at Fiveways or via www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Tom Carradine will be hosting a good oldfashioned singalong at St Peter and St Paul Parish Church, Tonbridge, to get you into the mood for Easter. Tickets cost £5 per adult and £3 for children when you book online, or £6 and £4 respectively on the door. As well as a morning of cockney classics and magical musical hall numbers, visitors can enjoy coffee, cake and crafts. To book visit www.thewheelsondebussy.com Also in Tonbridge, at the EM Forster Theatre, local youth troupe The Talentz start their threenight run of Sweeney Todd. This musical about the ‘demon barber of Fleet Street’ is set in the 19th century and boasts music by legendary composer Stephen Sondheim. It focuses on the return of the infamous barber to London after 15 years in exile. Sweeney seeks revenge on the corrupt judge who banished him all those years ago, and so conspires to kill him with a local baker Mrs Lovett, who just happens to be looking for extra meat to fill her pies… Shows start at 7pm (with a matinee on Saturday at 2pm) and tickets cost £14 per adult and £12 per child. Visit www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk
>> FRIDAY Groombridge Place’s special Easter attraction this year is Alice In Wonderland. On from 10am until 5pm daily until Sunday April 16, the event – inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic tome – includes lots of fun-filled activities with a circus-themed twist. Children are encouraged to look out for the Rabbit Hole and Queen’s Lair, and to also enjoy watching the Alice characters performing circus tricks, which include walking along an aerial trapeze in the forest. There will be croquet on the lawn and a photo PERFECT PRANKSTER booth with giant and miniature Lee Nelson mushrooms to pose alongside.
VINTAGE TREASURES Visit the Penshurst Antiques Fair For ticket prices and further details, head to www.groombridgeplace.com >> SATURDAY Trinity Theatre is putting on a new exhibition entitled Works in Conversation. Running until Sunday April 23, it includes paintings, sculpture and contemporary jewellery created by Shona Masters and Ann Bruford. The two artists have worked at opposite ends of the south coast for 30 years, but have spent the past one questioning what forms the basis of their work, which shares many similarities in terms of colour, texture and inspiration. You can visit the gallery and see this interesting exhibition from 10am tiil 10pm daily. Over the Easter weekend, Wicked Productions will be putting on their latest pantomime, The Little Mermaid, at the Assembly Hall Theatre. Starring local star Tom Swift as Crab Stick and Georgia Rowland-Elliott as the title character, it promises to be fun for all the family! Tickets for adults cost £15 or £13.50 for children.
CRACKING GOOD FUN Enjoy the numerous activities happening locally over Easter
>> SUNDAY Foodies can enjoy a special three-course meal at Salomons Estate in the company of a very special guest: The Easter Bunny, who will be hopping along with a large haul of eggs for good children. The lunch is just £15 for children under 12, and £24.95 for adults. To book, call 01892 515152 or email reservations@salomons-estate.com The new action movie Power Rangers will be showing daily at the drive-in cinema at the Hop Farm until next Thursday. So if you want to see how five ordinary teens become something extraordinary in order to save their hometown of Angel Grove, make sure you book tickets. £20 per vehicle. www.moonlightcinema.com >> MONDAY If you’re stuck for something to do today and are all ‘egged out’, then how about visiting the Penshurst Vintage Fair on its final day. Open from 10.30am until 5pm, it will have the usual array of charming collectables and French-inspired brocante buys. There will also be refreshments, including homemade cakes and cups of tea and coffee on offer from Rose & Olive. Entrance is £2 per person. For more information, find their Facebook page: Penshurst Vintage & Antiques Fair. Hever Castle’s holiday fun focuses on the trail of the Lindt Gold Bunny, which children can follow in order to earn a chocolate treat. There will also be plenty of family entertainment up until April 17, including Easter bonnet craft workshops, which will be followed by a traditional Easter Parade. In the castle, meanwhile, there will be lots on the history of Easter and its traditions. For more information on activities and prices, take a look at www.hevercastle.co.uk >> TUESDAY Spend time with the whole tribe this Easter on a family trip to Go Ape at Bedgebury Pinetum. Tackle wobbly crossings, Tarzan Swings and wind-in-your-face zip wires up to 13m off the forest floor. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from the classic Tree Top Adventure for explorers over 1.4m tall to the Tree Top Junior course designed especially for mini-Tarzans over 1m tall. To book your Easter adventure,
What’s On
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
call 0845 094 8782 or visit www.goape.co.uk At 2pm and 8pm, Trinity will be screening 20th Century Women – a ‘richly multilayered, funny, heart-stirring celebration of the complexities of women, family, time and the connections we search for our whole lives’. The film, which stars Annette Bening in the role of Dororthea Fields, is set in Santa Barbara in 1979. Dorothea, who is in her mid-50s, is a strong single mother who is raising her teen son Jamie at a time of huge cultural change. The plot quickly unfolds when she enlists two younger women to help bring her son up. Tickets cost £10.50 and are available from www.trinitytheatre.net
PICK OF THE WEEK Kids’ Easter Camp, Bewl Water Monday-Friday until April 14 A DIFFERENT KIND OF LOGGING ON Fun at Bewl
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A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Paul Dunton Live music For a great midweek outing, local group The Crew headline The Grey Lady this Wednesday night. On Thursday, Sean Fennessey is at The Bedford, while internationally-renowned Jazz singer Stacey Kent performs at Trinity Theatre. On Saturday, catch The Tar Babies at The Grey Lady, Vegas Nights Blues Band at The Rusthall Club, Off The Cuff at The Royal Oak and Side by Side at The King William IV, Pembury. Super Duper & The Ya Yas will be at The Beau Nash Tavern, and The Forum hosts a Lion’s Den! Fabulous local acts performing on Easter Sunday include Charley Blue at The Bull Inn, and The Tringham Sisters headlining at The Grey Lady. THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE
All this week, the stunning country park of Bewl Water will be running a kids’ camp. Parents can book their children in for a half day of activities from 9am until 1pm (£19.50) or for a full day until 5.30pm (£37). As well as doing lots of outdoor pursuits, including bike riding, nature hunts, den building and survival skills, there will also be the chance to have a go at the new Mini Rover safaris and participate in some arts and drama sessions. For more information, visit www.bewlwater.co.uk
FEATURES
The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady.co.uk WEDNESDAY Sofia Ford, Hamish Donald, We Are The Giant, The Crew (headline) FRIDAY Local & Live Easter Special SATURDAY The Tar Babies SUNDAY Gronk, Annie Chew, Leanie Kaleido, The Tringham Sisters (headline) TUESDAY Milly Rusling, Issey Cross, Emily Izen Row (headline)
The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com
THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road, open all day, free entry music from early evening onwards SATURDAY Off The Cuff MONDAY Open Mic Night
THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM
THE BEDFORD
Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk THURSDAY Hildamay, Cove, Operation Kino, Penthouse SATURDAY Lion’s Den: Nicky Blackmarket, Marvellous Cain, Unrulee Rockers International, Chong Man, MC Amelia Harmony, MC Trooper, Treeman
2 High Street, open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm THURSDAY Sean Fennessey & Friends SATURDAY Ryan Weeks
THE BEAU NASH TAVERN
Pembury, open all day, free entry music from 7.30pm onwards SATURDAY Side by Side
Mount Ephraim, free entry, music from 8.30pm SATURDAY Super Duper & The Ya Yas THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOTEL The Pantiles, music from 7-10pm. Reservations: 01892 530 501 or www.thetunbridgewellshotel.com THURSDAY We Are Bandicoot THE BULL INN Frant Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm SUNDAY Charley Blue
The Crew
THE KING WILLIAM IV
THE CROSS KEYS St John’s Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, website www.crosskeystw.co.uk MONDAY TWUNT: Ukulele Jam Session RUSTHALL CLUB 5 St Paul’s Street, Rusthall, open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm onwards SATURDAY Vegas Nights, Blues Band THE MERCURE HOTEL Tonbridge Road, Pembury FRIDAY Frankie Valli Tribute Dinner & Dance booking on 0844 815 9074
TRINITY THEATRE
THE PUNCH & JUDY
Church Road, information on times and tickets at www.trinitytheatre.net THURSDAY Stacey Kent (Tenderly Tour)
11 St Stephen’s St, Tonbridge, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm TUESDAY The Bourne Valley Boys
Sporting Times
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
NEWS
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Grass roots game is in grave danger of dying out despite popularity of Premier League By Andrew Tong LEND A HAND: Tigers’ successful gymnasts – and Hector performing a handstand with Sam (bottom)
Tigers earn their stripes GYMNASTICS: TIGERS Gymnastics Centre in Tonbridge is celebrating after 11 of its acrobatic performers qualified for two separate British Championships. The club, which is now based at the Jump In trampoline park on Morley Road, saw 27 of its NDP and IDP Level acrobatic gymnasts compete at the Regional Qualifiers last month.
World Cup They will now head for the national finals in Stoke on Trent and Southampton. This competition is the last in a series that saw 20 Tigers gymnasts compete nationally in Stoke for the British Tournament and at the World Cup held in Portugal. Tigers, who are the current European
champions and world silver medallists, finished second at both events. Their Head Coach, Chris Rogers, who was previously at NDGA, is also a former European champion who has worked as a coach at national level. He was a member of Spelbound, who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2010 and performed at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Tigers offer a full range of elite and recreational classes in both acrobatic and floor & vault disciplines – the latter is a new offering. Tigers Gymnastics Centre are accepting new members in all of their classes, for beginners and experienced gymnasts. Email Chris@Tigersgymnastics.co.uk for more information.
FOOTBALL is not like other sports. You can come from any background, you don’t need equipment – and there is a firmament of stars to look up to. Only last week we reported on 17-year-old Sammie McLeod, who fulfilled his dream by signing for Leicester City. Who wouldn’t want to do that? So it may come as a shock to hear the game is in deep trouble at the bottom of the pyramid. This summer the Tonbridge & District Football League will be disbanded after 119 years of existence. That’s back into the 19th century. It’s a real shame. It has gone down from seven divisions to three, then two, and last season there was just one league of 10 teams. It has elected to fold because some of the clubs who are still taking part may decide not to carry on. “The clubs have fallen by the wayside,” admits the league’s
Chairman, Bill Warner, who has been involved with Tonbridge Invicta FC for 50 seasons. “That’s the trouble with grass roots 11-a-side football. There’s a simple lack of numbers.” Many leagues are in a similar position, even in Maidstone – though Sevenoaks & District has been boosted by picking up teams who are leaving the Tonbridge set-up in droves. “They are picking up our
teams now,” says Mr Warner. “Six of our clubs left when they saw what was happening here and they decided they wanted something more competitive.” So what’s behind the decline? “Lads start at seven or eight, they play for 10 or 12 years, then they go to university and suddenly they’re lost to football. They’ve got so many other things these days, money in their pockets, cars and girls.” The West Kent Sunday Football League is another sad example. They are celebrating their 50th season, but they used to have 80 teams – now it’s down to 40. It’s not just the young players, however, according to Mr Warner. “There’s a lack of people helping to run the teams now too. They only want to do it for a couple of seasons.” The former free-scoring centre forward laments: “I’ve been involved in football since 1959. “Some of us have put a lot of time and effort into the league. It’s very sad for us to see it go.”
Football in the Community project can teach you how to play – and helps with life skills TUNBRIDGE WELLS East Football in the Community is offering low-cost community coaching sessions which ‘provide local children with regular sporting activity to develop life skills such as respect and responsibility’. The training, for both boys and girls, will be held at TN2 Sports Hall off Greggs Wood Road on Wednesdays from 5-6pm.
The first session is free and then £2 each after that. The first meet is on Wednesday April 26. According to the organisers, the community project was set up ‘because many local clubs are now full, which means a lot of local children are not getting the chance to play football, which we feel is a real shame’. They added: “We will motivate
young people and their families to be physically active and to lead healthy lifestyles and work with our local community, particularly those that are disadvantaged, to help raise aspirations and improve life chances around the Tunbridge Wells East area.” For more information, email info@twefc.co.uk
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NEWS
Sporting Times
CONTACT US:
Please send your sports stories to newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
We’ve won the league and can take our place among the elite again HOCKEY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Men’s 1st XI went into the season with the objective of winning South League Kent & Sussex Regional Division One. Now we return to the South Premier League, which we dropped out of two years ago. Many at the club feel we are finally back where we belong. Whilst several players had moved on to university and other new ventures, the side retained its core group and welcomed some influential additions, including Simon Hare and the returning David Judge. It promised to be an open league and Wells were confident they would be one of the teams to beat. The first half of the season saw them win eight out of 11 games, with some crushing scorelines including 8-3 versus Ashford and a 9-0 thrashing of hosts Crawley in their first meeting. However, three slip-ups against Worthing, Maidstone and Folkestone meant that the side saw themselves sitting second at the Christmas break behind leaders Maidstone. Although disappointed not to be top, Wells were well positioned to make an assault on the title in the new year. Early wins against Burnt Ash and Worthing set them up for a crucial away fixture against Maidstone. In a tough, hard-fought game, it was Wells who emerged 3-2 winners and thereby usurped Maidstone at the summit. Over the course of the next five games, Wells battled to keep top spot. The side dropped only two points and enjoyed fine victories over tough opponents including a 4-1 home defeat of Folkestone and a 3-1 win down by the sea in Eastbourne. With three games to play, Wells found them-
selves needing only three points to secure the title for the second time in four seasons. They failed at the first opportunity, losing a 6-5 thriller to the ever-dangerous Gore Court. Next they travelled to Ashford, who were battling for survival. Once again Wells slipped up, losing 4-3 and wondering if it was meant to be.
Although disappointed not to be top, Wells were well positioned to make an assault on the title in the new year
PHOTO: David Couldridge
Goalkeeper and vice-captain James Harris looks back on a season of drama and triumph after clinching title by thrashing Crawley 13-0
FALLING ANGEL Nicky Wheeler tried to raise the hosts
Angels keeper under scrutiny after claim of violent conduct
The whole season came down to a home fixture against Crawley. In brilliant sunshine at Kent College in Pembury, Wells dismissed any idea of nerves with a 13-0 hammering to cap a glorious season off in style. Six goals came from outstanding Player-Coach Ben Allberry, who top-scored with 44 for the season, while James Beck picked up a hat-trick. Kyle Matheison, Ben Brandt, Ali Clarke and Faris Al-Askari were also on the scoresheet. It was definitely mission accomplished. Wells are indebted to a number of people at the club, but particular thanks goes to the influential Allberry, whose goals and coaching were pivotal. Recognition should also go to Manager James Wattenbach, who selflessly gives his time, and assistant coach Vinnie Holden for his help at training and matches. Wells now look forward to a summer of rest before the exciting challenge of competing in South Premier Division Two next season.
Havant & Waterlooville 2 Tonbridge Angels 0 By James Rowe FOOTBALL: T ONBRIDGE ANGELS were not only outplayed but also saw their keeper sent off for alleged violent conduct near the end of the game. The Hawks used their experience and guile to take a big step towards the league title – although Bognor Regis Town still lead the table by a point. The visitors needed the points to keep their play-off hopes alive but they allowed themselves to be outmuscled in most areas of the pitch. Wes Fogden’s header hit the crossbar but that was only a temporary reprieve. On the half-hour a free-kick from the right was not dealt with and Theo Lewis placed the ball into an empty net. Three minutes before half-time Andre McCollin launched a thunderbolt that the Havant keeper Ryan Young did well to deal with.
But it was an isolated moment of threat as the Hawks continued to dominate proceedings. The hosts continued in the same vein in the second half but they still had to wait until the 83rd minute before they made the game safe. Jonny Henly made an excellent double save from a free-kick but Fogden reacted fastest to the loose ball and smashed it into the net. The big talking point came in the 85th minute with the dismissal of Henly with the referee’s assistant claiming he had kicked a Havant player. It is believed a charge of violent conduct was made against Henly, and video evidence will be crucial in deciding whether to launch an appeal. Manager Steve McKimm said: “We were second best, our passing wasn’t good enough and we failed to put them under any real sustained pressure. We will have a long, hard look at the video evidence with regard to Jonny’s dismissal.”
Rustics’ fate is in their own hands
TOP EFFORT: (Top row, l-r): Vince Holden (Asst Coach), Ali Clarke, David Hemsley, Ben Brandt, Mitch Hawksbee, James Barber, James Beck, George Priestley, Ali Sitton, James Harris, James Wattenbach (Manager); (bottom) Isaac Bepey, Faris Al-Askari, Matt Wilson, Ben Allberry (Player/Coach), Kyle Mathieson, Oscar Waller, David Judge. Absent from team photo: Dan Barnaby, Jamie Harfoot, Stephan Moehrke, Callum Hunter-Wood (Captain), Jack Garwood, Simon Hare, Alex Bull, Will Graystone
PHOTO: Brandon Begg
By Richard Smith FOOTBALL: RUSTHALL face two of the biggest games in their long history this weekend knowing that four points from an available six will give them promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern Counties East Football League. On Saturday they travel to Crockenhill before hitting the road again on Easter Monday to face Holmesdale with their destiny in their own hands. If they slip up, they know that Kent Football United can pip them to second place behind champions elect Glebe, though Kent Football
would have to win all their remaining games – and one of those is away to Glebe on Easter Monday. It has been a remarkable season for the Rustics, after finishing second from bottom last season. They brought in new managers, Steve Ashmore and Steve Sands, who put together a strong squad – many of who have played at a higher level. Rusthall’s ground at Jockey Farm has been passed for promotion and is undergoing major investment with the pitch being levelled and drainage installed. The season starts on August 5 when Rusthall play in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time since being founded in 1899.
Sporting Times
Wednesday April 12 | 2017
TJs are crowned champions – now uncharted territory awaits
NEWS
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PHOTOS: Bruce Elliott
STEAL YOUR THUNDER Flanker Mike Hathway wins the lineout
Powerful form is a boost ahead of must-win game Tunbridge Wells 85 Dover 0 BROTHERS IN ARMS TJs celebrate their title success
By Graham Withers RUGBY:
Tonbridge Juddians 46 Hertford 5 RUGBY:
TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS secured the National Three London & South-East league title with a game to spare on a very hot day at the Slade. The supporters celebrated with the team afterwards and they looked forward to the club’s next challenge. Jon McMahon opened the scoring, and James Copsey also went over and converted his own try before adding a penalty to settle TJs’ nerves. Cole Campbell added the third score which Copsey converted to give TJs a 22-0 half-time lead. With TJs needing five points from their last two games, a fourth try was needed
to give them the chance of maximum points from this match, and Will Ward provided it just after the break. TJs could relax a little but not too much. Tom Nicoll and Murray Galbraith-Lowe scored further tries before Jon McMahon added his second.
Cup final TJs now have a weekend off before they travel to Southend Saxons on April 22 for their final league game. Then they take on Sidcup in the Kent Cup Final at Canterbury RFC on Sunday April 30, kicking off at 4.30pm. Then they can relax before beginning preparations for their first ever league campaign in National Two South.
CLOSING IN James Copsey scores TJs’ second try
Juddians U17s win Kent Cup to complete treble By Gareth Withers RUGBY:
TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS Under-17s beat Old Elthamians 45-18 to add the Kent Cup to their Kent League title. The county double adds to the South East Division championship they won a week earlier, completing a superb treble-winning season.
Fast out of the blocks, TJs raced to a 13-0 lead inside 20 minutes but OEs hit back and at half-time TJs’ advantage was just three points as they went in 16-13 ahead. Two Tom Kendrick tries in quick succession established a comfortable cushion again. HISTORY BOYS TJs Under-17s with the Kent Cup
PHOTOS: Adam Hookway
By Adam Hookway
TUNBRIDGE WELLS kept their hopes of a promotion play-off place well and truly alive with a very convincing win against Dover. The visitors to St Marks already knew they would be relegated at the end of this campaign. On 13 minutes a powerful rolling maul was halted illegally and the referee awarded a penalty try. Further tries from Chaz Spence, Fionn McLoughlin and Jake Jones saw Wells go into half-time with the try bonus point already secured. The opening 11 minutes of the second half saw a rampant Wells put the game to bed with 28 unanswered points. The powerful Hayden Pengelly, Jake Thompson, Hayden Pope and captain Lee Campion crossed for tries that
were all converted by Pope. Regular kicker Frank Reynolds had gone off to be rested ahead of a national county semi-final on Easter Sunday. Full-back Jones crossed again, followed by a spectacular Nick Doherty try from the restart when the No 8 plucked the ball out of the air and ran in from 65 metres. Then winger Adam Webb followed suit, catching and returning a kick from 60 metres out for his first try for the First XV – to a great reception from the supporters. Spence crossed again and Mike Hathaway also dotted down for a well-deserved try before the end. Wells have the Easter weekend off before hosting local rivals Maidstone in their final league game on April 22. Victory is a necessity to keep up the pressure on second-placed Havant, who have to travel to league champions Sidcup.
STRETCH THE LEAD Fionn McLoughlin scores one of Wells’ 13 tries