Times of Tunbridge Wells 13th March 2019

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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Times OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

TASTE OF SUCCESS: Organisers of the new farmers’ market, Morag Hockins, Paul Saxby and Jo Jeffery were delighted with the way the launch went down. See Page 3

Council accused of ‘trivialising’ women after shortening name of cultural hub

By Richard Williams Newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

THE new £13.2 million cultural and learning hub planned for the centre of Tunbridge Wells has been caught up in controversy before building work has even started.

Originally it was widely understood the centre would be named ‘Amelia Scott’ after the town’s famous social reformer and women’s suffrage campaigner.

However, Conservative Cllr Jane March told members at the last Full Council meeting a fortnight ago that the correct name was now just ‘Amelia’.

The news caused consternation

among councillors, members of the public, and the media, who have all been referring to the combined library, museum, tourist information and gallery development in Mount Pleasant and Monson Road as the ‘Amelia Scott’.

‘We should use the full name but it’s not my call’ Cllr Tracy Moore This week, Conservative Cllr Tracy Moore, the cabinet member for Economic Development and Communication, took to Twitter and said: “The decision to drop the surname was made by the ‘Project Board’—a small group of people but Councillor Jane

March was one of them. The Amelia is in her portfolio.

“I am convinced we should use the full name but it’s not my call.”

And yesterday [Tuesday] the Women’s Equality Party in Tunbridge Wells branded the shortening of Amelia Scott’s name as both ‘trivialising’ her achievements and ‘infantilising’ women.

Spokesperson Dr Amanda Turner said: “If you are going to name it after Amelia Scott let’s use her full name and pay a proper tribute to her.”

She argued that there were other famous Amelias, including Amelia Earhart, so not everybody will connect the Council’s new cultural centre with the local suffrage heroine.

She continued: “Women in history and women in general tend to get trivialised and/or infantilised or written out of history altogether, and using just Amelia Scott’s first name is a classic example of that.

“By way of example, we can’t think of a single local civic building or centre or cultural hub that’s named just after a man’s first name.”

Others are also unhappy at the name being shortened.

Lib Dem Cllr, Mark Ellis, said: “I think we should be keeping with the Amelia Scott as it provides a far stronger link to the past and an iconic figure and represents a better image

Continued on Page 2

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Wednesday March 13 | 2019

this week… Transphobic attack on Dame Kelly branded THE HANDS-ON APPROACH Local trainees speak about the positives of an apprenticeship pg 4

‘ridiculous’ as row erupts over women’s sport to do with being transphobic and nothing to do with hatred or stopping people leading their lives as they wish’.

She explained that sport was a different matter

By Andy Tong Andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

RIDING THE WAVES OF SUCCESS Langton Green rower defies the odds to cross the Atlantic pg 13

THE REALLY WILD SHOW See Heidi Crundwell’s exhibition which explores the beauty of nature pg 38 AIMING FOR A KNOCKOUT PERFORMANCE Lewis Syrett looks forward to his toughest challenge yet pg 54

CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615

DAME Kelly Holmes has fought back after being criticised on social media for saying transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete in women’s sport.

She is among several high-profile sports stars who have supported a campaign by Fair Play for Women. This ‘aims to raise public awareness of the impact of trans inclusion on the safety and fairness of female sports, both at the elite and grassroots level’.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova described the idea of a level playing field for women and male-to-female transgender athletes as ‘insane and cheating’.

She was backed by former British swimmer Sharron Davies, a fellow columnist on the Sunday Times, who said ‘those with a male sex advantage should not be able to compete in women’s sport’.

Double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly supported Ms Davies. A transgender cyclist then accused her of being ‘transphobic’ and called on her sponsors to stop supporting her.

Dame Kelly responded by saying: “Calling me transphobic is just ridiculous – far from it. I have an opinion you don’t like... that’s that!”

She said the issue had ‘nothing

‘AMELIA’ ROW: Continued from page 1 for young women to aspire to.

“Does the word Scott really diminish the brand?

In my view losing it does diminish the memory of a leading social reformer.

“The council has also made a right mess of this.

Nobody knew about the name until Councillor March made her statement. They should just stick with Amelia Scott.”

Council documents as recent as November 2018, including the Communities Cabinet Advisory Board’s most recent update on the cultural centre were still referring to the building as ‘the Amelia Scott’.

Cllr Jane March said yesterday that the centre was never intended to be called the Amelia Scott.

GREAT SCOTT The ‘Amelia’ cultural centre

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‘Calling me transphobic is just ridiculous – I have an opinion you don’t like... that’s that!’

Dame Kelly Holmes ‘for obvious reasons’, adding: “That’s my only debate – sport. I totally support trans in all other areas they are fighting against, like other communities are too.

“When somebody with complete authority and authenticity comes and says that there is NO evidence at all to suggest any advantages I will back down.”

The 48-year-old from Hildenborough is widely regarded as an inspirational figure in female empowerment and also has been open about her struggles with self-harm and depression.

Last Friday she held a full day of workshops and workouts at her 1809 Hub in her home village to celebrate Interna“That has always been a working title,” she told the Times.

“The decision to name the new centre ‘Amelia’ was taken by the partnership board consisting of male and female elected members and key officers from both Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Kent County Council.”

She added: “She [Amelia Scott] is the inspiration behind the name – it acknowledges her achievements and her values, the things that she cared passionately about and her life’s works.”

Set to open in 2021, the ‘Amelia’ is a council-led project with the backing of KCC, which was awarded £4million in National Lottery funding.

Cllr March says KCC are aware of the name.

“The Heritage Lottery Fund were made aware of the decision when it was made towards the end of 2018,” she claimed.

As well as being a combined library, museum, tourist information and gallery, the Amelia will connect with the adult education centre as well as hosting Gateway services.

tional Women’s Day. Rachel McKinnon, a Canadian transgender cyclist who won the UCI Masters Track World Championship title for 35 to 44-year-olds last October, said Dame Kelly’s views were ‘transphobic’.

She tweeted to Dame Kelly’s sponsors: “So hey Specialized and Garmin have you been following how your athlete Kelly Holmes has been extremely transphobic lately on Twitter?”

Specialized said it would look into Dame Kelly’s comments, tweeting in reply: “Thanks for flagging this, Rachel. This is not representative of our brand values.”

The company is a prominent bike manufacturer while Garmin makes wearable GPS technology which is used widely in sport, similar to Fitbit.

Dame Kelly responded by saying that involving her sponsors was ‘going about this in the wrong way’.

Ms McKinnon said that since the International Olympic Committee [IOC] said trans women could compete in 2003, ‘not a single trans athlete has even qualified for the Olympics, let alone won a medal’.

The IOC issued an update on its recommendations in 2016, saying that it approved trans participation in the Olympics so long as their levels of testosterone are below a certain point for 12 months before taking part.

Previously, it had required trans athletes to undergo sex reassignment surgery but it altered its views to fit in with changing social perceptions and human rights considerations.

WHO WAS AMELIA SCOTT? Like many Victorian social reformers, Amelia Scott came from a comfortable middle class background.

Born in Byfleet, Surrey, in 1860, she moved to Tunbridge Wells when she was just two years old.

In 1894, Amelia Scott attended a conference of the National Union of Women Workers (NUWW) at Bristol, an event she later described as an ‘epiphany’.

From then on she became active in politics.

By 1908 she was an official of Tunbridge Wells’ non-militant women’s suffrage society, and by 1919, Amelia Scott and her friend, Susan Power, became the first two women to be elected to the Borough Council of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

After her retirement from politics she remained active in the soup kitchens of depression-era Tunbridge Wells.

She died on March, 25, 1952.

ARE KEYBOARD WARRIORS PUTTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AT RISK? Transgender has become a hot topic of late and something that arouses much passion on all sides of the debate.

That’s fine so long as those involved accept that others might have a different view to their own and have every right to express that view.

It’s called freedom of speech, something we have literally fought hard to keep alive over the generations. Indeed it’s something that has enabled the transgender debate to even take place, providing a platform for individuals to voice concerns and work towards a more open, diversified society.

How ironic then that some of those who have embraced freedom of speech to campaign on

transgender issues, as is their right, should now be attacking others who also seek to use freedom of speech to offer counter views, as is their right.

Dame Kelly Holmes is one of the most respected figures in the world of sport and it’s a depressing day when we see her attacked on social media for daring to suggest that transgender athletes transitioning from male to female might have an advantage.

A transgender cyclist has used social media to accuse the double gold medal-winner of being ‘transphobic’ and called on her sponsors to stop funding her.

Dame Kelly responded by saying that calling

her ‘transphobic’ was ‘just ridiculous’. She added: “I have an opinion you don’t like... that’s that!”

Whether you agree with the stance taken by Dame Kelly is not the issue.

What’s at issue is the right of a person to feel free to express a legitimate, lawful view without the fear of being attacked on social media by the keyboard warriors.

We should perhaps bear in mind the quotation often cited to describe the principle of freedom of speech: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Editorial Director, Richard Moore

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

Response times longer in our local boroughs AVERAGE response times for ambulances in Tunbridge Wells are nearly a minute longer than for the UK national average, according to a freedom of information request.

The average UK response time is 7 minutes 41 seconds, according to data from Ambulance trusts, but 8 minutes 38 seconds in Tunbridge Wells.

People calling an ambulance in Tonbridge wait even longer, at 8 minutes 48 seconds, and for those in more rural areas of the two boroughs, you can expect response times to be even higher.

However, a spokesperson from the South East Coast Ambulance Service warned that people needed to be wary of the figures as the data only uses a single and very narrow measure of the overall ambulance service performance.

Pilot went to Tonbridge A PILOT who was accused of killing 11 people after his jet crashed on a busy road during the Shoreham Air Show, was a former Tonbridge School pupil, it has emerged.

Following a seven week trial at the Old Bailey, Andy Hill, who now lives in Buntingford in Hertfordshire, was acquitted of all charges.

The 54 year-old, who grew up in Kent and attended Tonbridge School, had denied deliberately beginning a loop manoeuvre despite being too low just before his Hawker Hunter ‘disintegrated’ and turned into a ‘fireball’ as it crashed on the A27 in West Sussex in August 2015.

Inquiry comes to an end THE inquiry into the Council’s use of CPOs [compulsory purchase orders] came to a fairly disruptive end last Friday as the Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was heckled by a protestor.

Councillor David Jukes, who turned up at the Planning Inspectorate’s inquiry as it was coming to a close on Friday afternoon, was accosted by a member of the audience opposed to the Calverley Square development.

They began shouting and pointing at Mr Jukes, as ill-feelings over the council scheme threatened to boil over.

“The Inspector really struggled to get things back under control after that,” said an audience member.

Inspector Graham Dudley finally called a close to the inquiry and will now begin his deliberations before compiling a report into his findings.

A decision is expected in May.

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Farmers’ market goes down a treat as new location allows a fresh start

By Joshua Walford The New Independent Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market has proved a hit with customers and stallholders alike.

The 25 stallholders at the launch last week were hand-picked to give shoppers a wide range of local produce including: meat, fish, vegetables, local wines and charcuterie.

Jo Jeffery, one of the organisers of the new market said: “It was brilliant, I was really pleased with the turn out and the stallholders were happy - they sold out.”

Although there were initial concerns over the new location, shoppers were more than happy with the site in the Market Square at Royal Victoria Place.

Ms Jeffery added: “The new location is nice and sheltered and will be much better in the long run.

There was a much nicer atmosphere and more of

where the market has its new home. a continental feel.”

The market will take place on the second and Nicky Blanchard, centre manager of Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, said: “It is great to be fourth Saturdays of the month from 9am until supporting independent local traders by provid- 4pm at Royal Victoria Place’s Market Square. ing them with a location to showcase their produce.”

Ms Blanchard added: “Local farmers’ markets will only continue to flourish with the support of local residents and the community. So, I would urge all Tunbridge Wellians to come out and support their new independent farmers’ market.”

The market was set to close after 19 years because of development work at its old site outside the Town Hall.

It was saved after talks involving HAPPY SHOPPERS stall holders, a cross-party group of New market proves borough councillors and British a winner Land, owners of Royal Victoria Place

Town urgently needs commercial office space THERE is not enough office space for new companies to grow and develop in Tunbridge Wells, warns one of the biggest independent telecommunications operators in the South East.

Ian Fishwick, Chairman of AdEPT, which has been based in the town for more than 15 years has come out in support of the Times’ We Believe campaign and thinks if the town does not get more office space it will no longer prosper.

“At the end of 2017 our third five-year lease was coming to an end. We expected our landlord to appreciate a tenant who had already been here for 15 years, choosing to extend another five years. Instead our landlord announced that a new lease would cost a whopping 53 per cent extra,” he explained.

He said his annual rent of £110,000 was to shoot up to be over £160,000 per year.

Mr Fishwick said the problem was outlined by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council leader David Jukes in the Times two weeks ago, and caused by the central government initiative that allows developers to buy up office blocks to convert them into housing.

“Our landlord’s explanation was simple,” he continued. “Around 200,000 square

IAN FISHWICK

NEW DEVELOPMENT Calverley House

feet of commercial property in Tunbridge Wells had been turned into residential flats and we had nowhere else to go, so take it or leave it. In the end we paid the same money for two-thirds of our previous space.”

Hundreds of offices have closed since 2013 when the Government’s Permitted Development rights enabled landlords to convert office space into more profitable housing.

More than 82,000 sq ft of office space went last year alone when Vale House and Calverley House, formerly home to AJ Bell, were sold off for residential development.

Mr Fishwick believes the council’s Calverley Square project could be part of the answer to this shortage, as it is planned to contain 20,000sq ft

of new office space to let.

“We started in 2003 with 12 to 20 employees, now we have 250 people over eight sites working for a business that sees £57million in sales every year.

“If we do not do something now, where is the next AdEPT going to come from?

“The council’s proposed development at Calverley Square includes muchneeded new office space. If we cannot provide commercial property at a sensible price then businesses will not move to Tunbridge Wells. That would be a disaster for the town in the long term.

“Well done to William Benson, CEO of the council, and the whole team for trying to plan a long term future for the town.”

County Council forced to adjust signage as roadworks lead to chaos

By Richard Williams Newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk COUNTY COUNCIL officials had to place additional signage warning of the roadworks in the town centre of Tunbridge Wells, after several buses and other vehicles took a wrong turn and got stuck.

The roadworks, which are part of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s [TWBC] public realm improvement works, has seen Monson Road closed between the junctions of Mount Pleasant Road and Monson Way. The 34-week project is set to make the area around the library and town hall safer and more accessible for pedestrians.

Last week, after several complaints to the borough council, officials from Kent

County Council were called out to erect new signs.

Several buses, including those taking children to school, had taken a wrong turn, leading to drivers having to make a U-Turn in the tight space before the roadworks on Monson Road.

A spokesperson for TWBC confirmed the signage has now been changed: “The contractor has placed additional signage at the junctions in the vicinity of the works to avoid confusion and ensure the Monson Road road closure and diversion are clear to drivers,” she said.

However, Liberal Democrat councillor for St John’s ward, Peter Lidstone, says he warned about the issues before the works outside the town hall and library got underway.

“Kent County Council held a consultation that was more of a notification than a consultation. They did not want to discuss the problems raised by residents and local businesses.

“All of this could have been avoided. The fact that buses ended up going down the road is a clear indication the signage was poor.”

He added that they had similar issues with Kent County Council during the Public Realm Phase One, with contractors having to return to fix pavements.

“For the Borough Council doing projects like this, there has to be a certain level of trust in the county council but there does not seem to be a lot of it around.”

KCC were asked for comment last week but have so far declined to speak.

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Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Apprenticeships are real alternative to university

By Richard Williams Newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TUNBRIDGE WELLS MP, Greg Clark, met a number of local apprentices last week, as the Business Secretary examines the effect the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy people is having on his own constituency.

Mr Clark, heard from around 12 apprentices from the Tunbridge Wells and wider West Kent area at an event hosted at Salomons Estate during National Apprenticeship Week.

One of the overriding messages was that not enough is being done to promote apprenticeships in schools, which are not seeing them as worthy as academic degrees.

Joining the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Climate Change was Kent County Council’s Principal Apprenticeship Lead, David Knox, who explained some of the difficulties they have in promoting apprenticeships in the county.

“We work to promote apprenticeships within schools as a viable option,” he said. “The problem we have is that many schools measure their success by the number of children that go onto university, but that is not the only measure of success and we want to demonstrate the KAYLEE PENEYCAD, 30, from Tunbridge Wells works as an apprentice with AXA PPP Healthcare.

“I work managing a team but I wanted to further my skills.

“I’m really loving being an apprentice. It is hard work; I’m doing a BA in business management, which is a four year degree.”

benefits apprenticeships can bring to schools.”

He added that there were currently 450 apprentices in Kent, which was a ‘vast improvement’ on the number they had before the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy was introduced 18 months ago. Under the scheme, employers with an annual salary bill that is more than £3million are required to pay 0.5 per cent each month, which the government then feeds back to the company on a monthly basic specifically for apprenticeship training.

EARNING AND LEARNING Local apprentices with MP Greg Clark

Training “It is early days for the levy but it has been successful at getting more money into apprenticeship training. The key thing is the quality of training, which is something many of the big employer organisations say is strong and getting stronger all the time,” said Greg Clark.

“Apprenticeships, I think, are really important for two reasons. First for the level of skills we need in the workforce, as we know that is key to our prosperity, but also being aware that people will change career during their working life, so it is important to see how apprenticeships are working,” he continued.

“I want to hear from the apprentices to see how JOANNA HOWELL, 45, from Crowborough, is on an apprenticeship with Marks and Spencer.

“At Marks and Spencer, I think they recognised that I wanted to progress and was interested in other aspects of the business.

“I have a son so being a mum and going to university to study was not an option for me.

The apprenticeship works with my family life.”

we can make things better for them, what their experience is and what advice they are giving on how we can improve things.”

Mr Clark heard from a range of apprentices, many of whom said that not only was the prospect of student debt a reason why they opted for an apprenticeship instead of university, but also how they found apprenticeships a more direct way into the exact career they wanted to pursue.

The apprentices came from a number of businesses in the region, ranging from large retailers to small publishers, engineering companies as well as local law firms, and the individual backgrounds of the apprentices were OLIVIA GOULD, 20, from Langton Green is an apprentice at Langton Green Primary School.

“For me, it is a better route than university because I get direct experience of teaching that I wouldn’t get just doing a degree.

“I’m also earning while learning and not building up student debt.

as equally diverse, from school leavers to people in their 40s.

“A lot of people later in life think they have the missed the opportunity to have a new career or to advance to a higher level in their own company.

So to see people of all ages benefit is very welcome,” Greg Clark said.

“One thing that has become clear on hearing from these apprentices is that with university applications we have a very simple system—it is just a single UCAS form—but to apply for apprenticeships it is more complicated so we can perhaps look at ways to make it more straightforward.”

ROSIE HARVEY, 19, from Tunbridge Wells is an apprentice at Cripps law firm.

“Rather than do a traditional law degree I’m earning and learning, but more than that I am doing things that undergraduates training in law have to wait four or five years to do. So it is a more direct way of getting into your profession.”

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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Pickering fears ‘frightening’ rise in cancer among young people

By Andy Tong

VOLUNTEERS JOIN FORCES

ONE of the founders of the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre is warning of an increase of cancer in young adults and believes it is caused by stress from a very early age.

Polly Taylor said that over the last two years she has seen an alarming rise in the number of people aged 25 to 40 coming to see them in Tunbridge Wells, and is calling on GPs to refer more young people for tests.

And this week the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW] told the Times that there has been a rise in the number of people in that age group being diagnosed with cancer.

Awareness “Cancer appears to be multiplying like there’s no tomorrow, from our point of view, and it’s frightening,” said Mrs Taylor. “We lost two of our young people just before Christmas. They were being treated for irritable bowel syndrome because of their age, and by the time they were diagnosed with bowel cancer it was too late.

“There needs to be more awareness and it cannot be assumed that just because someone is young they do not have cancer. Cancer has become the Brexit of the human body and it is heartbreaking.”

The biggest cause of the increase, she believes, is the pressure that children are being placed under in modern society from a very early age.

“It’s the way of life now, there’s nothing but stress in children’s lives today, almost starting from the minute they’re born,” she told the Times.

“They’re not allowed to be children, but unfortunately that’s the way society seems to have gone.”

Pickering are now working with MTW to see how they can support them with cancer care.

According to last year’s data, supplied by BBC Research, MTW is ranked 129 out of 131 NHS trusts for starting cancer treatment within 62 days of urgent GP referral.

A spokesperson for MTW confirmed the collab-

Polly Taylor’s comments came after Pickering were invited to Maidstone Hospital’s Oncology Unit last month for World Cancer Day, along with several other cancer charities.

The event was called ‘Here to Help’ and volunteers spent time with patients while they were waiting for treatment so they were able to find out about the help and support that is out there for them.

They aim to team up with YouCan Youth Cancer Support, which helps people in the South East up to the age of 35, and Harmony Therapy Trust in Sheerness, which offers emotional wellbeing resources.

“It was really brilliant meeting up with them,” said Mrs Taylor. “We are going to work together. They can provide the support that we are unable to. Now that Pickering is so busy, it is nice to know we have two charities we can work with to provide 100 per cent support for youngsters, which is what we aim to do.”

HERE TO HELP: (L-R) Pickering’s Gaynor Ratcliffe and Polly Taylor with Miles Scott

ACCESS TIMES ‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’ MTW Chief Executive Miles Scott told the Times last year how the Trust intended to improve its cancer diagnosis: “Across all of cancer, GPs have been asked to reduce the level of ‘suspicion’ – they used to be told ‘send them in if they have a five per cent chance’. Now it is three per cent.

“We are the cancer centre for Kent. We attract a lot of referrals. Over the past year we have

attracted more referrals at a greater rate.

“We need to find more efficient ways of finding the capacity. We are making lots of changes to the way we manage patients. We will also invest in capacity in certain areas.

“If there is one thing in the short term we are looking to improve it is our cancer access times.

“Clinical outcomes are really good, but our access times are not good enough.”

oration, saying: “We are working more closely with our partners in the voluntary sector, such as the Pickering Centre, to help us continually improve the services we offer patients with cancer as well as provide opportunities that support their health and wellbeing, and emotional care.”

MTW also confirmed its hospitals have seen an increase in people aged 25 to 40 years being diagnosed with cancer. It said: “This could be because more people are aware of the symptoms of cancer and get checked out early by their GP. “Or it could be that certain lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and drinking more than the recommended levels, are playing a part in this increase.”

MTW’s Chief Executive, Miles Scott, paid Pickering a visit in Monson Road to see the support that they provide to around 3,000 people a year – all free of charge.

“Miles Scott really wants to improve cancer care

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in the NHS and we certainly hope to be able to support him. We work very closely with the emotional side with our visitors, and the comments that they make to us we then pass on to the NHS,” said Mrs Taylor.

“We are also very aware of the pressures that GPs, hospitals and schools are under by having to tick boxes, but unfortunately the patient is being neglected because of this and we see this first-hand when they visit us at the centre.”

Mrs Taylor explained: “We are being made aware by the patients of the way they feel let down, e.g. the time it takes to get an appointment, and the manner in which they are spoken to.

“They feel they are being let down by the hospitals and GPs, and we are not just talking locally but also in London and the South East.”

Mrs Taylor believes the charity’s work is invaluable in looking after the ‘emotional tumour’, as she calls it. “It’s all about the person and we work from the heart, which makes a big difference to people. The holistic approach works hand-inhand with conventional treatments.

“I’m saddened by boxes having to be ticked and the pressure it is putting on parents, schools and especially the children. We are able to support these children caught up in this turmoil by providing never-ending time, love and hugs.”

WHAT IS PICKERING… The Centre is a totally selffunding registered charity that aims to help and support anyone affected by cancer from diagnosis onwards, be they patients, their partners, children, friends or carers.

It offers a safe, relaxing, friendly environment where mutual support and information can be found, without the pressure of appointments or time restraints.

Pickering also provides a wide range of complementary therapies all available free of charge.

The Centre helps around 3,000 people e a year and is run entirely by volunteers who have all been affected by cancer at some point in their lives.

The Centre is open: Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri, from 10am-3pm To find out more, call them on: 01892 511880, or visit pickeringcancercentre.org.uk

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SUPPORT FOR CANCER PATIENTS The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre in Monson Road

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BUSINESS

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Local entrepreneurs dominate Women in Business Awards A NUMBER of Tunbridge Wells businesswomen have dominated this year’s Kent Women in Business Awards.

The director of Sharp Minds Communications won the PR and Marketing category for the second year in a row. Siobhan Stirling was one of only two winners to retain their 2018 title.

“It was a real honour to have the successes and hard work of the Sharp Minds team recognised in the company of so many inspiring and successful Kent business women,” said Ms Stirling, who was also a finalist in the Business Woman of the Year category.

Recognised Other Tunbridge Wells women recognised at the Awards included Jan Johnson of 55+ Equity Release, runner-up in the Business Woman of the Year (5 years and over) category and a finalist in the Growth category.

Islay O’Hara, of Islay O’Hara PR based in Langton Green, was runner-up in the PR and Marketing category, and Lisa Beaumont, also from Langton Green, was runner-up in the Inspired Achievement Award after recovering from a severe stroke six years ago and setting up Different Strokes to help West Kent stroke survivors.

Emily Brown of Emily Brown Photography, based in Paddock Wood, was a Young Business Woman of the Year finalist, while Florentia Anastasiou of The Results Academy in High Brooms was a Women’s Champion finalist and Sharon Wood, who runs Colonnade Florist in the town centre, was also a finalist in the Business Woman of the Year (5 years and over) category.

The awards took place on Friday (March 8) at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel in Maidstone and saw a total of 139 finalists.

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Handelsbanken results show the strong demand for local relationship banking in UK THE latest annual report of one of Sweden’s top banks shows strong growth, reaffirming the group’s decision to open a UK subsidiary.

Handelsbanken, which has operated in the UK since 1982 and has over 200 branches, including its Mount Ephraim presence in Tunbridge Wells, has published its full year 2018 annual results, which reveal a ten per cent year-on-year increase in customer lending.

‘It is great to be part of a truly local banking service and that our success here in Tunbridge Wells is mirrored throughout the UK’ Over this period, business lending rose 12 per cent, to £13.7billion, while lending to personal banking customers rose seven per cent, to £6.5billion. Customer deposits increased 11 per cent to £13.8billion.

These results are the first to be announced LENDER since the Tunbridge Wells Branch launch Manager Nick Green of the

bank’s UK subsidiary in December—a move that will ensure it can continue operating without interruption after the UK leaves the EU. Nick Green, Manager of Handelsbanken’s Tunbridge Wells branch, said: “It is great to be part of a truly local banking service and that our success here in Tunbridge Wells is mirrored throughout the UK. “Becoming a full UK subsidiary serves to enforce our commitment to the UK to continue to grow and deliver a branch-based local service to both individuals and businesses alike.”

He added that 2018 saw particularly strong growth in household deposits, up 22 per cent, while corporate deposits also increased by six per cent.

Mikael Sorensen, Handelsbanken’s UK CEO, added: “Our continued growth demonstrates ongoing appetite for our distinctive banking model, which is based on the development of long-term personal relationships with our customers.

“Through these relationships we aim to consistently deliver the highest levels of service possible, whilst doing our utmost to meet our customers’ individual banking needs.

“Following the launch of our UK subsidiary in December, we are excited to be embarking on a new journey, serving more and more customers and building a bank for the future.”

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

Luxury retailer calls in the administrators HIGH-END fashion chain LK Bennett is on the brink of collapse, according to reports.

The firm, which has a concession in Hoopers’ department store at the bottom of Mount Pleasant Road, was founded in 1990 by Linda Bennett, who received an OBE in 2006.

Famed for its kitten heels, LK Bennett has called in administrator Ernst & Young as it desperately seeks funding to stay afloat.

The firm, which counts the Duchess of Cambridge among its customers, has closed six shops, made 55 people redundant, and is working with administrators to save the remaining 480 staff and concessions.

New associate hired at lawyers CooperBurnett TUNBRIDGE WELLS solicitors CooperBurnett have welcomed a new Associate Solicitor at the firm, which is based in Mount Ephraim Road at the centre of the town.

Glen Webb, an expert in land law, joins the company’s Residential Property department.

“It might seem like a bold move to be recruiting at this time,” said Victoria Sampson, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial Services at CooperBurnett, “but we remain confident in the marketplace and proud to be building and investing in our team.”

Ms Sampson further commented that Mr Webb has a particular interest in high value rural property and is skilled in the technical drafting of complex transfer deeds.

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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Start-up sets an alarming pace at this year’s awards A BRAND new Tunbridge Wells we do and we want people to know that start-up, which already has a large we are not just focussed on national number of national clients, has entered accounts or restricted to retail. We are a the Times Business Awards 2019 to local company,” he continued. shout about their rapid success.

The company, which operates from Retail Fire, which was founded just Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells, has over a year ago by Simon Askew, who put themselves forward for the Start-Up has a background in fire compliance, Business Award as well as the Service provides fire alarms, extinguishers, Excellence Awards. emergency lighting, sprinklers and risk Gail Hayes, Business Development assessments to retailers and other Manager who put the company forward businesses.

Mr Askew, from Southborough, has ‘We love being based in been a consultant in the fire protection Tunbridge Wells, and I industry for years, but said he started Retail Fire when it became apparent thought the awards were a they had a ‘natural flair’ when working great way of raising our with retailers. profile with local In just over 12 months, the company has become a firm favourite among businesses’ national companies, with names including Loreal, Kiko, The Body Shop, Diesel and Hugo Boss among their clients.

The business now employs eleven staff members locally, but few people in the Tunbridge Wells area know who the company is, says Mr Askew.

“We have some excellent national clients, and the feedback we get from them is superb but we do not have much of a presence locally.

We want to ensure local BURNING AMBITION businesses know who we Retail Fire [Left-right] are, that’s why we entered Gail Hayeds, Lauren the Times Business Clarke, Karen Ryan Awards,” he said. and Simon Askew “We are really good at what

explains why.

“We love being based in Tunbridge Wells, and I thought the awards were a great way of raising our profile with local businesses.

“We are looking forward to showing people who we are and what we can do.”

She added that the business includes the Skinner’s School among some of their local clients.

Early entrants to the awards may be featured in the Times.

2) Send an email to info@ timesbusinessawards.co.uk with your contact details and we will send you an application form.

3) Or you can simply call award’s organiser, Eileen Sweeney, on 01892 779 583.

The timeframe…

Businesses wanting to get involved have until Wednesday April 24, 2019 to get their entry in.

Each category will be shortlisted to three entries and shortlisted

Times LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

candidates will be notified by email on Monday April 29, 2019.

The award winners will be announced at the gala award dinner.

Tickets are available priced at £95 per person or £850 for a table of 10.

Numbers are limited and based on the previous four years, the award night will be a sell-out.

2019

AWARD CATEGORIES 1. Start-Up Business of the Year Award – For new start-ups under two years old. They must be able to detail growth and show plans for the continued development and success of the venture.

4. Young Business Person of the Year – Entrants for this award must be aged 30 or under by the closing date on 24th April 2019 and need to show they have a clear vision and strategy for their business.

2. Creative Business of the Year – This category is for any company over two years old in any sector that can demonstrate creativity as well as adding value to the success of their business.

5. Service Excellence Award – The winner of this category will be giving outstanding assistance and advice to their customers.

3. Entrepreneur of the Year – This award is open to dynamic individuals who are running their own business and are able to demonstrate significant success and drive in growing their company.

6. Best in Food and Drink Award – The winner of this award will have demonstrated how they have put Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge on the map with their catering excellence.

7. Family Business of the Year Award – The business must be set up or run by

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Advertorial

Every month we hear from Nick Brandon at ‘tecwork’ on the latest developments in the world of IT and Telecoms.

In this issue Nick talks us through the latest VoIP technology and what the benefits are of Fully Hosted and SIP-based systems over systems still using old ISDN technology.

What’s the current buzzword in the world of telecoms?

Without a doubt – it’s VoIP. BT Openreach are ending the sale of ISDN in 2020 and by 2025 everyone will have had to have moved away from ISDN to a VoIP solution.

About 50% have moved already, mainly due to cost savings, feature improvements and efficiencies that you get with VoIP that you don’t get with ISDN. What is VoIP? In simple terms it is running a voice service on a data connection. In reality, moving from ISDN to VoIP means either replacing your ISDN with a SIP trunk (a voice service on an internet connection retaining your on-premise phone system) or upgrading your whole system to a fully hosted phone system. There are a few variations of the above but the above 2 options are generally what you would do.

HOW TO ENTER THE AWARDS WITH ten categories to choose from, there’s an award for every business, whether a small family run concern, or a large international company—if you are based in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge or the Seven Oaks district, you are automatically eligible to enter.

Best of all, entry to any of the ten Business Award Categories is completely FREE and takes just minutes to complete.

1) Go to www.timesbusinessawards. co.uk to find out more information and see the range of categories for which you can enter your business.

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family members (past and present).

8. Best Business 25+ Employees – This category recognises larger organisations with a business plan supporting innovation and future growth.

9. Best Business 1-25 Employees – Here we recognise owner-managers and small businesses but be continually innovating to support future growth.

10. Outstanding Business of the Year – The ultimate award will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices.

What is the better of the 2 options out of SIP and Fully Hosted?

It depends on the individual circumstances. For smaller organisations (under 200 users), in about 80% of cases, fully hosted is often a better option. Fully Hosted is also brilliant for organisations with multiple sites, home, remote or mobile workers.

In a few cases, SIP would be better – it’s up to us to suggest the best option. One downside of SIP is that you still have to maintain and support an on-premises system and it makes you less agile as remote/mobile users are more difficult to deploy and manage.

So what are the main benefits of VoIP? Often it is cheaper as you don’t pay for ISDN charges like line rental, Direct Dial numbers, caller ID and so on. Also, with us you get free UK phone calls and much cheaper international calls compared with ISDN. Call quality is often better than ISDN (only badly designed systems suffer from poor call quality).

Most of our customers get free handsets with fully hosted systems (3 year agreement applies) and with a fully hosted system, all the support is included so there are no extra costs. Plus it’s a seamless upgrade with no disruption!

Indeed, in many cases, an organisation can upgrade to a fully hosted system with better features and new handsets, and actually be paying less money per month. A sure-fire WIN/WIN! The Business Continuity features are also brilliant. You can ensure you never miss calls, even when you lose your internet connection.

VoIP makes geography irrelevant too. You can retain all your numbers and start to use other numbers (any UK and even international numbers) for inbound and outbound calls regardless of your location.

If VoIP uses the internet connection, what happens when it fails?

Well firstly, we would always recommend a stable connection and this can be achieved in many different ways. However, with VoIP, if your internet connection fails, your numbers simply automatically forward to a failover destination like a mobile (for users) or a Virtual Operator may be a good option – or another of your sites if you have multiple sites.

Contact 01892 578666 Email: twtimes@tecwork.co.uk

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Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Funding allows domestic abuse charity to boost helpline for vulnerable women

By Andy Tong THE Tunbridge Wells charity Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services [DAVSS] has received almost £10,000 in the first round of funding from the Tampon Tax Community Fund.

The organisation received £9,508 to provide additional support for women victims of abuse by extending helpline services for clients who are unable to meet a volunteer advisor for support.

The Tampon Tax Community Fund allocates cash awards generated from the VAT levied on sanitary products to projects which improve the lives of disadvantaged women and girls.

Personal DAVSS Chief Executive Henu Cummins says the money will allow them to offer a more personal service over the phone.

Previously, the charity has always tried to see clients on a face-to-face basis if they are presenting with high-risk indicators and are in danger of serious harm or death.

Henu Cummins said: “When they tell their story, they’re laying themselves bare and they might think: ‘I don’t want to show emotion, I don’t want to break down in tears’.

“We get 300 to 400 calls on the helpline every three months and now we can offer a tailored callback service.

“Previously, we could offer a small-scale service where our clients could call back if they wanted to. Now a named case worker is assigned to them, and we will call them back every week and act as a point of contact.”

DAVSS currently has 46 volunteer advisers and

Henu has seen ‘an incredible period of growth’ since she took up the role in April last year. However, she has also seen an increase in women seeking help.

“We find ourselves absolutely inundated with referrals,” she said.

“When I think that nothing can shock me, it will. There’s always something that’s more depraved, the levels of violence and coercion or control are increasingly devious.”

READY TO TALK Henu Cummins says DAVSS has been ‘absolutely inundated with referrals’

Having worked as Operations Manager at the homeless charity Porchlight, she says Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge are poor relations in terms of funding.

“West Kent doesn’t always get in the spotlight due to the affluence here,” she said. “I’ve worked across all 13 boroughs and West Kent is underserved. Funding tends to be allocated to the more deprived areas of the county.

“But we have a hugely effective and cost-

efficient volunteer service that last year provided us with £266,000 worth of hours, according to Kent average earnings.

“There’s been an incredible growth period since I arrived, but we wouldn’t be able to survive without the help of our volunteers from the local community.”

The Kent Community Foundation has handed out a total of £86,000 to 11 projects.

Small charities and community groups received grants of £5,000 to £10,000 to help women get into or back to work, improve health and wellbeing and develop social networks.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive of the Kent Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support a number of small charities and community groups.

“They are all providing crucial local services for girls and women who are facing issues of domestic violence, homelessness, mental health and hardship.

“Each one of these projects will make a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

But she warned: “Unfortunately, like Community Foundations across the country, we were oversubscribed for the Tampon Tax Community Fund.

“Nationally, only a quarter of the 1,500 applications for vital women and girls projects could be supported from this stream of funding, highlighting the growing need for funding in this area.”

If you would like to find out about funding opportunities, email: josephine@kentcf.org.uk For information about volunteering to help DAVSS, email: office@davss.org.uk

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Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Afternoon tea with Bake Off star to raise money for Tree of Hope FANS of the Great British Bake Off will be served up a treat at Tonbridge School next month when former show finalist Jane Beedle comes to town for afternoon tea.

The 2016 runner-up will be hosting a baking demonstration and taking part in a Q&A session on Sunday April 7.

Guests will be greeted with a glass of Prosecco and will be able to enjoy a selection of sandwiches and cakes.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Tonbridge children’s charity Tree of Hope as part of its annual Dine & Donate campaign.

This scheme started last year and encourages people to hold a foodbased event of any description at home or at work, with supporters donating money.

Tree of Hope, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018, is the

RISE AND SHINE Jane Beedle will host a baking masterclass

crowdfunding charity that helps children and young people with a disability or illness.

It supports their families to raise the money they need to pay for specialist care that is not freely available on the NHS. The Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, Cllr Pam Bates, will be attending, the tea party having chosen Tree of Hope as her charity of choice.

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Fundraising Manager Kate Bourne said: “We’re delighted that Tree of Hope patron Jane Beedle and the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling are once again supporting Tree of Hope at this very special Dine & Donate.”

Jane shared three of her favourite recipes in The Cook Book, a compendium of culinary suggestions from leading chefs across West Kent.

She will be available to sign copies of the book.

The Dine & Donate event will be held from 2-4.30pm in Tonbridge School’s Lowry Room and admission costs £30.

To buy tickets visit treeofhope.org.uk/ event/afternoontea

Feline better as trip to Tonbridge Cat Café helps to fight loneliness THE charity Age UK has been combating loneliness among the elderly in Tonbridge and across West Kent by organising a ‘talking bus’ trip to the Paws Cat Cafe in Angel Walk.

The scheme is organised by Age UK’s

West Kent Befriending Service in association with bus company Arriva to bring isolated and vulnerable members of society together.

A double-decker full of pensioners came to town so they could enjoy some

feline company over tea and cake. The third outing was a special one as it provided interaction with animals as a way of increasing the clients’ wellbeing.

The café was opened last July by Elaine Lucas and her daughter Lauren, with her 11 cats. Lauren said: “We are promoting health, wellness and positive mental attitude. Cats are often used for therapy, and they are known to be good for dementia patients.”

Vision

PURR-FECT DAY OUT Patrons of the Befriending Service enjoy tea, cake and cats at Paws

According to Age UK, there are 3.6 million older people living alone in the UK, of whom 1.9 million often feel ignored or invisible.

Lauren Edmonds, Marketing Manager for Arriva Kent and Surrey, said: “We feel strongly about Age UK’s vision to make this country a great place to grow older, and we were delighted to be able to work with them again by delivering our third talking bus event.

“Loneliness is something that affects us all at some point in our lives, and it has been one of our goals for a long time to do something in the local area to combat this.”

She added: “Following the great success of our event in Maidstone last year, we were eager to organise another one – this time with more of a focus on animals and the positive effect they can have on loneliness.

“It was lovely day out and we plan to run more similar events in the future.”

LEADING THE WAY: A variety of stallholders will cater for a dog’s every need

Wet noses at Bewl Water for next Big Dog Day Out BEWL WATER will once more be hosting a Big Dog Day Out, on Saturday March 30, with fun activities for canines and all the rest of the family.

There’s a treasure hunt sponsored by pet food supplier Scrumbles, while you can pamper your pooch with Bark & Whiskers groomers.

Stephanie Chapman Photography will be on hand to take specialist pictures of your pet, and there is a dog agility course to put the pets through their paces.

A shopping village features a variety of stallholders, including Dog Store, The Car Boot Dog Bed Company, Westerham Pet Shop,

Toddy & Jo, Dogworks Training & Behaviour, Ben & Jake’s, Folly Wildlife Rescue, Pets as Therapy, Jollyes Spa and Canine Collection.

For humans, there are also homemade sweet treats and healthy lifestyle stalls, as well as activities and facilities, such as cycling, minigolf and adventure playgrounds.

The Big Dog Day Out runs from 10am to 4pm, with the Waterfront Café serving hot and cold refreshments throughout the day.

The event is free and you can register at bewlwater.com/events/ bewls-big-dog-day-out Additional charges apply for car parking (£4) and ferry trips (£3).

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Langton Green man breaks world record for rowing the Atlantic despite an MS diagnosis to row across the Atlantic,” he added.

The pair are raising money for the Black Dog Institute, Cancer Research UK, InteRed and Plastic Ocean Foundation, as part of Hyperion Foundation’s Million for a Million charity initiative, which aims to raise over $1 million [£750,000] for selected charities.

The duo completed the 4,800 km from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands to Barbados in the Caribbean in just 37 days and 16 hours, smashing the existing two-man world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, which stood at 40 days, 4 hours and 3 minutes.

Last week with 200 nautical miles to go, Jamie spoke to the Times from his boat: “We are keeping ourselves occupied with music, audiobooks and podcasts.

“So far I have listened to Game of Thrones, books 1 to 3, the Secret Barrister, Cycle of Lies

By Robert Forrester A TUNBRIDGE WELLS man has broken the world record for rowing across the Atlantic despite recently being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Jamie Gordon, a Chartered Surveyor who now lives and works in London but who was born and raised in the borough where his family home is, took on the challenge with university friend, Alex Simpson, despite receiving the shocking news that he has the incurable disease.

‘We are both very laid back and also good friends so not getting annoyed with each other has actually been remarkably easy’ The 26-year-old explained his reasons for taking on the daunting task.

“Alex, my crew mate and skipper, has rowed both the Atlantic and Indian oceans before and I was always a little envious of his adventures especially as I taught him to row at university.”

He said because of Alex’s experience, he was asked to attempt the Atlantic crossing again, this time for a charity foundation run by his insurance company employer, Hyperion.

“First, Alex needed a crew mate, having asked the usual suspects—people he’d rowed oceans with previously—I was the next on the list and I jumped at the opportunity. I simply couldn’t turn down such an exciting chance for a once in a life time adventure,” recalled Jamie.

“My diagnosis did not come into the equation at all and it has not had any effect on my ability

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and Marching Powder as well as countless episodes of Desert Island Disks.

“We are both very laid back and also good friends so not getting annoyed with each other has actually been remarkably easy.”

He said they were both looking forward to the same things when they reach shore.

“I think it is safe to say that we are both craving a burger, an ice cold beer and a glass of coke. A shower is also high on the list as is sleeping in a bed for more than 1 hour 30 mins at a time.

“I am also very much looking forward to seeing my girlfriend, Amber,” added Jamie.

The pair finally touched down last Friday, where proud dad, David Gordon, a surveyor in Tunbridge Wells, and Jamie’s step-mum, Carolyn, who runs a pet-sitting service in the town, were in Barbados to greet them.

“Jamie and Alex have shown incredible determination to beat the world record but never wavered in their belief that they would do it,” said Carolyn Gordon.

“It’s not easy to convey the enormity of the achievement until you see the size of the boat and appreciate that they had no support vessel with them.”

ROWING PAINS The pair spent more than five weeks at sea

OARSMEN Record breakers Jamie Gordon and Alex Simpson

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Wednesday March 13 | 2019

No-deal Brexit looms after May suffers another massive defeat THERESA MAY’S Brexit deal suffered another huge defeat in the House of Commons last night [Tuesday] by 391 votes to 242.

The setback is the second time her Withdrawal Agreement has been resoundingly rejected by MPs. A vote on whether to leave the EU on March 29 without a deal was due to be cast tonight.

“I prof0udly regret the decision this house has taken,” said the Prime Minister. “I believe by far the best outcome for the UK is to leave the EU in an orderly fashion with a deal, and this is the only deal that has been presented.”

Last night Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, the Business Secretary, told the Times: “I am disappointed that the agreement was not supported.

“I believe it is essential that we leave in an orderly way with a deal. Parliament must now come together in the national interest, put differences aside and find common ground that will command the support of a majority in the House of Commons and bring the country together.”

The vote appeared to be doomed after Tory eurosceptics said they would not back it and her DUP allies said they would vote against.

the risk that the United Kingdom could be indefinitely and involuntarily detained’ in the backstop if the EU fails to show good faith in negotiating a trade deal to replace it.

But he warned the question of whether a satisfactory agreement on a future UK-EU relationship can be reached remains ‘a political judgment’.

He said ‘the legal risk remains unchanged’ that the UK may have ‘no internationally lawful means’ of leaving the backstop without agreement from the EU. In a statement to the Commons, Mr Cox said: “There is no ultimate unilateral right out of this arrangement. The risk of that continues. But the question is whether it is a likelihood, politically.”

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Cox had confirmed that ‘no significant changes’ had been secured in two months of negotiations and the Government’s strategy was ‘in tatters’.

Charles Walker, vice chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, warned that LEGAL RISK Geoffrey Cox warned of no change

Risk A so-called Star Chamber convened by the Leave-backing European Research Group found that agreements reached by Mrs May in 11th-hour talks in Strasbourg do not deliver the legally binding changes the Commons has demanded.

The Democratic Unionist Party - which props up Mrs May’s minority administration in the Commons - said its 10 MPs would vote against the latest deal as ‘sufficient progress has not been achieved at this time.

Their judgment came after Attorney General Geoffrey Cox told MPs that changes secured by Mrs May ‘reduce the risk’ that the UK could be trapped indefinitely in the backstop, but do not remove it altogether.

The Prime Minister, battling a croaky voice and with husband Philip watching from the Commons gallery, warned MPs that ‘Brexit could be lost’ if her deal was rejected again by MPs. Her deal was rejected by 230 MPs of all parties – including 118 Conservatives – in the first ‘meaningful vote’ in January.

Mr Cox said the Strasbourg agreements ‘reduce

defeat in the second ‘meaningful vote’ would lead to a general election.

He told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: “If it doesn’t go through tonight, as sure as night follows day, there will be a general election within a matter of days or weeks. It is not sustainable, the current situation in Parliament.”

Mrs May went to Strasbourg to finalise a deal with European Commission president JeanClaude Juncker which she said would reassure

‘I profoundly regret the decision this house has taken.

This is the only deal that has been presented’ MPs that the backstop arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland after Brexit will not become permanent.

They agreed a ‘joint instrument’ setting out the legally binding nature of their promises to seek alternative arrangements to avoid the need for a backstop.

They also added a ‘supplement’ to November’s Political Declaration making clear that they will seek swiftly to seal a deal on their new trade and security relationship.

Alongside these documents was a ‘unilateral declaration by the UK’ which sets out ‘sovereign action’ by which Britain could seek to have the backstop removed if talks break down.

In a statement to the Commons Mrs May insisted she had ‘fought hard’ to persuade the EU to accept a time limit, a unilateral exit mechanism or alternative arrangements for the backstop.

But she said: “Ultimately you have to practise the art of the possible. I am certain we have secured the very best changes that were available.”

The Cabinet gave its backing to the package, as Mrs May told them: “Today is the day. Let’s get this done.” But momentum seemed to be shifting against her after Mr Cox released his advice.

Moments later, the Star Chamber issued its verdict and the DUP put out a statement: “We recognise that the Prime Minister has made limited progress in her discussions with the European Union.

“However in our view sufficient progress has not been achieved at this time.”

Inquiry into poor maternity care expands to 250 separate cases AN INDEPENDENT inquiry into alleged poor maternity care at an NHS trust has been widened to include more than 250 separate cases.

Donna Ockenden, the expert appointed to investigate poor maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, has told families in a letter that she is examining more cases.

The review was originally set up to examine 23 cases, which include baby deaths and failings in the care of mothers and infants.

Last week, a panel set up to look at the review’s TRAUMATIC ORDEAL Professor Hawking

findings was disbanded after concerns were raised over conflicts of interest.

Ms Ockenden wrote: “As chair of this important review I know that the entire team is absolutely committed to working together and pooling their years of experience in a ‘search for the truth’.”

She continued: “We are progressing well in considering thousands of pages of documentation, and have met more than 50 families face to face so far.”

Ms Ockenden has led NHS leadership and

management reviews of maternity services and women and children’s healthcare.

She said her team had been expanded to include more than 20 experienced clinicians with ‘tens of years’ experience.

The team includes midwives, neonatologists, obstetricians, paediatricians and anaesthetists alongside other specialists in women’s health.

She said none of the team had worked at Shrewsbury and Telford ‘so they all therefore bring completely independent insight’.

Professor Hawking’s nurse struck off THE former nurse of Professor Stephen Hawking has been struck off the nursing register after a panel found out she did not give appropriate care to the physicist.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] said Patricia Dowdy ‘failed to provide the standards of good, professional care that we expect and Professor Hawking deserved’.

The 61-year-old, who was with Prof Hawking between 1999 and 2004 and employed again from 2013, was handed an interim suspension in 2016.

She faced multiple misconduct charges in relation to the care she provided to the scientist.

He died in March last year at the age of 76 after suffering from motor neurone disease since he was 22.

Misconduct The NMC said the charges included financial misconduct, dishonesty, not providing appropriate care, failing to co-operate with the nursing watchdog and not having the correct qualifications.

Matthew McClelland, NMC director of fitness to practise, said: “The panel has found Mrs Dowdy failed to provide the standards of good, professional care that we expect and Professor Hawking deserved.

“As a result, Mrs Dowdy will no longer be able to practise as a nurse.”

A spokesperson for the family said: “The Hawking family are relieved this traumatic ordeal has now concluded and that as a result of the verdict, others will not have to go through what they suffered from this individual.”

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Wednesday March 13 | 2019

SPRAY AT HOME Waves batter the harbour in Dover where cross-Channel ferries were delayed

Storm Gareth set to bring high winds WEATHER warnings remain in place for today [Wednesday] as Storm Gareth continues to batter the British Isles.

Forecasters warned that the storm, which was named on Monday, could bring travel disruption and power cuts.

They were expecting 2.4 inches of rain over higher ground in Cumbria while there was flooding on the M6 in Lancashire.

After the rain cleared, the storm is expected to bring strong winds with a chance of damage to buildings and power lines.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “Gusts of 50-55mph are likely inland and up to 65mph along western coasts.

Winds will gradually ease during the afternoon.”

Boeing’s 737 planes grounded in UK PASSENGER flights using Boeing’s 737 Max plane have been banned from operating in the UK amid safety concerns following the Ethiopian Airlines disaster, which killed 157 people including nine Britons.

The Civil Aviation Authority’s [CAA] ruling covers all commercial flights in UK airspace and will remain in place ‘until further notice’.

A CAA spokesman said: “The UK Civil Aviation Authority has been closely monitoring the situation, however, as we do not currently have sufficient information from the flight data recorder, we have as a precautionary measure issued instructions to stop any commercial passenger flights from any operator arriving, departing or overflying UK airspace.”

China, Australia, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia have also grounded the 737 Max 8, which was the model involved when Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on Sunday morning.

Tui Airways has the only five aircraft operated by a UK-based airline, and confirmed the planes have been grounded following the CAA’s decision.

A Tui UK spokesman said its customers will ‘travel on holiday as planned on other aircraft’.

Scandinavian airline Norwegian, which is the other major operator of 737 Max 8 aircraft in the UK, said it will not fly the planes ‘until advised otherwise’ by aviation authorities.

Brian Strutton, general secretary of pilots’ union Balpa, welcomed the CAA’s ruling.

‘We have as a precautionary measure issued instructions to stop any commercial passenger flights from any operator arriving, departing or overflying UK airspace’ “Safety must come first,” he said. “It is too early to know the cause of the latest crash and it is vital that air accident investigators carry out a thorough investigation to identify the cause so that measures to prevent future accidents can be put in place.”

Two die in avalanche on Ben Nevis TWO climbers died and another two were injured after an avalanche on Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.

Police Scotland were alerted to the incident at Number 5 Gully shortly after 11.50am yesterday [Tuesday] and began co-ordinating a mountain rescue response.

Volunteers from Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Teams attended the scene and were assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service.

The Scottish Ambulance Service were alerted and sent an air ambulance, three ambulances and a trauma team to the peak.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was ‘absolutely tragic news’.

She tweeted: “My thoughts are very much with the bereaved and injured. And my gratitude as always for the work of our emergency services, Mountain Rescue and Coastguard.”

At 4,400ft Ben Nevis, near Fort William in the western Highlands, is a popular destination for experienced climbers.

Two other fatal accidents have occurred on the mountain recently.

A 21-year-old German student died after she fell from a ridge on New Year’s Day and in December Patrick Boothroyd, 21, from West Yorkshire, died after falling in a gully.

Great Escape plotter dies aged 101 A PILOT who was involved in the Great Escape has died aged 101.

Jack Lyon, a flight lieutenant for Bomber Command, ended up in the Stalag Luft III camp, where he was recruited by other prisoners to carry out surveillance of the compound ahead of the famed 1944 breakout.

The plot was uncovered by guards before Mr Lyon who lived in Bexhill-

on-Sea, was able to make his escape.

The 75th anniversary of the mission, which he called ‘a success, but at great cost’, is on March 24.

Last month Dick Churchill, the last surviving member of the 76-strong group who made it out of the camp, died aged 99. Fifty prisoners were shot following the escape.

Boeing said in a statement it has ‘full confidence in the safety of the 737 Max’.

It went on: “We understand that regulatory agencies and customers have made decisions that they believe are most appropriate for their home markets.

“We’ll continue to engage with them to ensure they have the information needed to have confidence in operating their fleets.

“The United States Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] is not mandating any further action at this time, and based on the information currently available, we do not have any basis to issue new guidance to operators.”

The Boeing 737 Max 8 has only been in commercial use since 2017 and the Ethiopian Airlines crash was the second deadly incident involving the new model in five months.

In October last year a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max went down shortly after take-off from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board.

An inquiry has not yet reached any final conclusions about the cause of the disaster.

‘IRA’ says it sent three London transport bombs Heathrow and London City airports A GROUP calling itself the IRA has on March 5 and 6. claimed responsibility for parcel They were posted with Irish bombs sent to major transport hubs stamps and had Dublin as the in Britain last week. return address, promptIt also said one parcel, sent to a British It also said one ing Irish police to join the investigation. army recruitment parcel, sent to Police Scotland said a officer, may not have been discovered yet. a British army controlled explosion carried out as a The group claims it recruitment was precaution on a posted five devices to officer, may suspicious package addresses in Britain, however only four have not have been found in the mailroom at Glasgow University, been discovered. discovered yet after several buildings The claim was had been evacuated. received on Monday by The Irish News said the group Belfast-based newspaper The Irish News using a recognised codeword. ‘claimed that three were sent to “commercial targets” while the Exposive parcels have been sent remaining two were posted to to addresses in London and British army recruitment officers.

Glasgow.

The group said a device that was Detectives from the Met’s discovered at Glasgow University counter-terrorism command are was intended for a British army leading the investigation into the recruitment officer who works London packages and Police there.

Scotland are leading the investigaNo one was injured in any of the tion into the Glasgow package. incidents and no arrests have yet The packages arrived at Waterloo been made. railway station and offices at

National News

NEWS

15

16

BUSINESS

National News

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Mothercare disposes of ELC to clear debts TROUBLED retailer Mothercare is selling its Early Learning Centre [ELC] business to toy chain The Entertainer as it ramps up turnaround efforts.

The group said it had agreed the deal for up to £13.5million in a move to reduce its debt pile.

ELC is run within 80 Mothercare stores in the UK, 400 stores internationally via franchise partners, and online.

The acquisition also includes ELC’s portfolio of toy brands, such as Happyland.

But Mothercare will retain around £6million of Early Learning Centre stock to sell down.

Competitive It says the move will help it pay off £17.5million of debt over the next year.

The company has struck an ‘arm’s length’ concession deal with The Entertainer for the supply of toys to stores and online.

The group said the ELC deal comes as it lacks the scale and resources to develop the toy ranges, amid an ‘intensely competitive’ market.

Mothercare added that its store closure plan was ahead of schedule, with 57 stores set to shut by the end of March, taking its estate down to 80 from 137 last May.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE Construction boosted January’s GDP

Monthly growth bounces back but not enough to speed up economy UK GROWTH remained subdued in the quarter to January ahead of Brexit despite a bigger than expected bounceback at the start of the year.

Official figures showed the UK economy grew by 0.5 per cent month on month in January thanks to a recovery across the services, construction and manufacturing sectors.

The monthly rebound reversed a hefty 0.4 per cent drop in gross domestic product [GDP] seen in December.

But it was not enough to boost the overall performance in three months to January, with growth edging 0.2 per cent higher, according to the Office for National Statistics [ONS].

This was the same as the lacklustre growth seen in the final quarter of 2018.

Rob Kent-Smith, head of GDP at the ONS, said: “Across the latest three months, growth remained weak, with falls in manufacture of metal products, cars and construction repair work all dampening economic growth.

“These were offset by strong performances in wholesale, IT and health services.

“This sluggish growth came despite the

economy bouncing back from a weak December.”

January’s rise in GDP was the biggest monthly increase since 2016 and came after the dominant services sector expanded by 0.3 per cent, while construction surged 2.8 per cent ahead and manufacturing enjoyed a 0.8 per cent rise.

But the three-month data revealed manufacturing contracted by 0.7 per cent, while construction activity fell 0.6 per cent, which was only partially offset by a 0.5 per cent increase in the services sector.

Britain’s growth has slowed markedly since last summer as Brexit uncertainty and an easing in the wider global economy have taken their toll.

Official trade figures also showed the UK’s total trade deficit widened to a five-month high of £3.8billion in January, up from £3.4billion in December.

Exports rose 2.3 per cent month on month in January, while imports increased 2.8 per cent.

In the three months to January, the total trade deficit widened by £1.3billion to £10.4billion as exports fell £1.3billion and imports increased by £1.1billion.

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

Black is the new red for French Connection FRENCH CONNECTION returned to a modest annual profit in 2018, but sales continued to fall due to ‘difficult’ trading conditions.

The retailer made an underlying operating profit of just £100,000 compared with a £2.1million loss a year earlier.

But like-for-like sales fell 6.8 per cent with weaker sales online and in store, and group revenue rose 0.2 per cent to £135.3 million.

Retail sales declined by 11 per cent to £58.4million but wholesale revenue increased by 10 per cent to £76.9 million.

Domino’s not delivering DOMINO’S Pizza has reported a 22 per cent fall in annual pre-tax profits to £61.9million after suffering ‘growing pains’ in its international business.

The group said on an underlying basis, pre-tax profits dropped 1.1 per cent to £93.4million for the year to December 30.

It said international issues were offset by a robust showing from the UK and Ireland, where like-for-like sales rose 4.6 per cent.

G4S feeling less secure SECURITY firm G4S posted a 63 per cent drop in profits related to a settlement of a class action in California and a charge for pension equalisation regulation in the UK. The company made a pre-tax profit of £143million in 2018 compared with £387million the year earlier.

Revenue fell 4 per cent to £7.5billion, which it said was due to the ‘relative strengthening’ of the average sterling exchange rate and disposal of businesses.

18

NEWS

Letters

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at Runcie Court, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG some good-sized family houses will be built on the space? This will help to preserve Tonbridge as a vibrant town as well as an historic town.

Cllr Maria Heslop Vauxhall Ward Tonbridge

Universal childcare would help town With a lot of negativity in politics now, ‘We Believe in Tunbridge Wells’ is a refreshing campaign we can all get behind. I was especially interested in Tom Poynter’s comments about investing in the town to attract and retain new talent in the future, ‘and nurturing strong values, positivity and a commitment to do better’ [February 13].

I believe we need major investment in improving our social infrastructure to provide quality care services that support working families and our local community.

To make Tunbridge Wells attractive to new talent, and allow the existing talent to remain in our town, more thought needs to be given to childcare.

The UK has some of the most expensive childcare in the world, forcing families to make decisions about how they care for their children based on who can earn the most, and not who wants to take care of the children or is best suited.

Inevitably, the gender pay gap, higher pay for male graduates, unconscious bias allowing socalled ‘male’ jobs to be valued over ‘female’ jobs, and an established corporate environment created by men for men, means it’s usually the father who continues his paid work, while the

The best and cheapest way to catch up on all of the new developments Cllr Tracy Moore believes that spending £4,200 on a glossy leaflet [Your Town Your Future] extolling the virtues of TWBC [Tunbridge Wells Borough Council] by bathing in the reflected glory of mainly private developments was a good idea.

It wasn’t, and it went straight in the bin.

What was the point of it? We can know about these projects by reading this local newspaper – which is free. That’s what I call delivering value for money.

Like the proposed Civic Centre, this is yet another example of her council’s profligacy and self-aggrandisement.

I doubt we shall see something similar trumpeting the fine state of the town’s roads, whose rotten condition have cost a total of £260 in repairs to my wife’s car in the last three months.

Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells

The making of a great town society Belief in Tunbridge Wells has been, and always is, a key factor for the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society.

The town is a nice place in which to live and we want it to continue as such.

This means we need economic prosperity and developments which fit sympathetically with our existing buildings, parks and open spaces.

As we continue to look forward, the society organises annual Heritage Open Day events in September on behalf of the National Trust.

These celebrate the town’s past; a past rich in social and cultural history, and one that has

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

Bring Jerwood’s art collection here

BUILDING BLOCKS: The UK has some of the most expensive childcare in the world mother looks after the children, unpaid.

Valuing parenting and caring must be addressed. It is not a women’s issue, but a family one. The pressure to overwork, and the stigma men face from colleagues and bosses around family commitments, make men’s responsibility to their children conflicted.

Universal childcare can make this a fairer and kinder world for all.

Liz Orr Women’s Equality Party brought many visitors to the area over the years.

It is through events such as these that the society attracts tourists to the town.

They in turn, generate welcome sources of income for local businesses.

Brian Lippard Chairman Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society

No drinkers, no community asset I would like to respond to Fran Long’s comments regarding the missed opportunity to nominate The Primrose Pub on Pembury Road as a community asset [February 20].

Her suggestion would have been unfeasible, because once a pub has been closed it is unlikely to be accepted as a nominated asset if there are firm alternative uses being progressed, for example, a sale for residential housing or change of use.

If a nomination is received, the council must decide if the current use of the asset ‘furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community’ and will continue to do so.

There is provision to accept a nomination for an asset that has provided social value in the past which has closed but it is realistic to think it could do so again during the next five years.

Given that the pub had to shut because of a lack of custom, neither of these criteria apply.

No one wants to see local pubs closing, but the reality of the 21st century is that people no longer drink in pubs like they used to.

The option of having The Primrose pub building listed was also investigated, but it did not fulfil this criteria either.

If saving the pub and the building was not feasible it is surely a positive thing that at least

You quote Annabel Fenwick as saying Tunbridge Wells ‘need[s] a world-class art gallery’ [February 20].

Now that the Jerwood Foundation has decided to withdraw its collection from the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings, I propose that serious consideration should be given to inviting the foundation to relocate that part of its collection now in Hastings to Tunbridge Wells.

Richard Pooley Tunbridge Wells

Nissan and Mr Clark’s ministerial car Greg Clark [Business Minister and the MP for Tunbridge Wells], whom the Daily Telegraph political sketch writer describes as an ‘anxious supply-teacher’ – harsh but true – seems to have a problem with car manufacturers, and Japanese ones in particular: He offered Nissan £80million to build a diesel car in the UK that no one in Europe wants to buy, and blames the result [Nissan deciding not to build it here] on the uncertainty caused by our leaving the EU, despite Honda’s clear statement that the closure of the Swindon plant has nothing to do with us exiting Europe, and everything to do with the zero tariff deal that the EU has negotiated with Japan, which he knew about last year.

Mr Clark, again, attempts to pin it on Brexit.

All this is adding to his general scaremongering over Europe.

Perhaps he needs to be reminded that he backed the referendum with no caveat as to its result; he stood on a Tory party general election policy to leave Europe; he endorsed ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’.

Can anyone believe anything the man now says? Wouldn’t the honourable thing for him to do – if all this sticks in his craw – be to resign from the Cabinet, resign the whip, resign his seat, and force a by-election and stand as an Independent?

Or is he too attached to his ministerial car?

James Sommerville Tunbridge Wells

Where there’s a will, there’s a way?

Tom Tugendhat is wrong to say the breakaway MPs are ‘not respecting the democratic will of the people’ [Times of Tonbridge, February 27].

At least now there are people (although a disproportionately small number) representing the democratic will of half of the electorate.

It’s a mistake for the government to bang on about ‘the will of the people’ in the same way they were wrong about ‘strong and stable government’ in 2017.

Listen to the people, Tom! Paul Grime Tonbridge

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

PARKING in a disabled bay without that Blue Badge just has to be a big no, no. Which is what spurred Calverley into action outside Sainsbury’s when he spotted a gentleman sitting in a 4x4 without the necessary badge.

In the most polite fashion, Himself drew attention to this fact. The response was not quite so well-mannered, with the challenge: “So what are you going to do about it, mate?”

Never one to walk away quietly, Calverley whipped out his mobile and informed the offender He was about to take a picture of the vehicle illegally parked. It would be sent to the DVLA in Swansea, who would issue an £85 fine. Much huffing and puffing before the driver slammed the 4x4 into gear, muttered more Anglo-Saxon words and drove off.

Please note: Calverley might have misspoken about the DVLA [Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency].

SITTING on the fence is something that a few unkind souls sometimes say about ‘our Greg’, also known as Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells. Well, no one can accuse him of doing that over Brexit. He led the rebel charge in threatening the Prime Minister with dire consequences if there was no deal – and look where that has taken us. Mind you, he also took a tough line when chatting to pupils at Beechwood Sacred Heart School not long ago.

He was happy to answer all their questions, so long as they were not about Brexit.

MOST of us are hoping for another long, hot summer just like last year, especially after the warmest February on record. Not so the family that Calverley bumped into. They run a lawn care business and had to sit and watch as the grass turned brown and the soil was too dry to work. For six weeks last year they had no income. This year they have their green fingers crossed that it will be more of an old-fashioned British summer – wet and overcast. Every cloud…

OFF to the quack for a check-up on the failing body. As he walks through the GP’s door, the doctor looks up and declares: “You look bloody awful, let’s try and find out what’s wrong with you.” What happened to bedside manners, then? (Thanks for asking, everything’s in working order – sort of.)

Chin Chin, dear reader

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Student makes history with top Scott Prize win A pupil at Tonbridge Grammar School has won the 2018 Joe Scott prize for history. Amelia Rawstorne received the coveted prize which is awarded to the candidate who scores the highest marks in the Schools History Project OCR B GCSE paper in the UK. Amelia’s winning work focused on the history of Dover Castle.

After hearing of her educational endeavour Amelia commented: “I still can’t really believe that I won this prize. I was over the moon when I found out. It was fascinating to learn more about local history”.

Tonbridge Grammar School’s Head Teacher Rosemary Joyce was equally delighted: “The award is welldeserved and testament to Amelia’s continued hard work and positive approach to study.”

AMELIA RAWSTORNE

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Education

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19

EDUCATION Times

Question time for pupils with inquisitive minds

Last week Greg Clarke MP visited Bennett Memorial School to spend time taking questions from Sixth Form students who were curious to ask about a variety of environmental subjects Last Friday, responding to an invitation from sixth form pupils at Bennett Memorial School, Greg Clark MP took questions from students about a variety of subjects including environmental priorities. They questioned the Secretary of State for Business about the part business plays in contributing to environmental degradation and how working with Government it can be part of a collective response to developing a sustainable future for the planet.

Engagement Following the Q&A session Mr Clark was joined at the school by members of the Careers and Enterprise Company including its chair Christine Hodgson. Ten businesses were active in consulting sixth form students during a special workshop about business as well as taking questions from them, which included the importance of ethics in business. The workshop formed part of the school’s careers provision and engagement programme with the world of work and labour market - priorities set out in the Government's recommended

Gatsby benchmarks.

During the session Mr Clark was also able to witness the multiple benefits of the Enterprise Adviser Network which opens up business contacts but also brokers an experienced professional to work with schools in providing support in these particular areas.

“Bennett Memorial has a strong connection with local community and LESSONS TO BE LEARNT Greg Clark speaking to students

business,” a school spokesperson commented. “Being a Church of England school it benefits from access to parishes across the diocese who can offer a wealth of experience and opportunities.

“Bennett has always been generously supported by many local and national businesses who accommodate students for work experience in years 10 and 12.

This has typically been a very enlightening and formative experience for students. In a school where the vast majority of sixth formers go on to university these interactions with the world of work help students not only with what they can gain from a career, but to begin to explore what they might feel they are called to bring and to give in the service of others.”

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

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Nus Ghani

Conservative MP for Wealden

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Nus Ghani was elected MP for Wealden in May 2015 and represents Crowborough, Eridge and Uckfield, among other towns and villages. She also currently serves as Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State at the Department for Transport and is Assistant Government Whip. In 2018, Ms Ghani became the first Muslim woman to speak from the House of Commons Despatch Box. The Times also publishes comment from the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties

Facing the next generation’s challenges today I’m sure that you, like me, enjoyed the unseasonably warm snap in the middle of February.

Seeing spring flowers out so early was wonderful, and walking around Wealden I was struck, as I am often am, by just how privileged I am to represent the most beautiful constituency in the country.

But, as yet another climate record is broken, with the hottest February on record following a scorching summer, it is clear that we are feeling the impact of man-made climate change more and more in the U.K. It, thank goodness, has not yet led to the sort of weather events seen in the United States, with once-in-500 year floods occurring every year, or wildfires raging across California.

Yet, we have seen flooding in Wealden, and fires in the Ashdown forest.

These weren’t on the same scale as those tragedies across the Atlantic, but they are a worrying sign.

That’s why I listened closely to what was said during the visit of students from Blackboys and Framfield CofE Primary Schools to Westminster last week about just how concerned they are about

climate change.

The fact that they followed up those conversations with such impassioned letters shows that they have the makings of budding young lobbyists as well!

I’m certainly listening to what it is they have to say.

They will be here long after we are gone, and we have to be proper custodians of the environment for them.

That’s why it’s so important that, even

as our attention is captivated nationally with Brexit, that we continue to focus on the extraordinary rural heritage that Wealden has, and how best we can plan for its future.

It’s because of this that I’m so excited about some of the ideas coming out of the Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.

Recognising that those that came before us have so much to offer in terms

ASHDOWN FOREST A hot February led to wildfires

Andrew Hickey

Chair of the Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats

Andrew Hickey lives with his wife and two sons in Tunbridge Wells. He commutes to London several times a week. He is the Chair of the Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats and Secretary of the Tunbridge Wells Foresters Football Club.

Good luck on the doorstep I’ve been spending a lot of time knocking on doors and listening to people in our town. I’m standing as a prospective councillor in the May local election. After I’ve told people what I’m doing I wait in anticipation for the response.

“Good luck with that!” said in an insincere tone, is the phrase I most dislike hearing, it usually precedes a closed door and is short for “You’ll struggle to change things here!”

In these, thankfully few, encounters there’s a resignation and complacency about the status quo that I don’t identify with. Fortunately most conversations are more positive. Having talked to hundreds of people on the doorstep in Tunbridge Wells to understand their hopes and ambitions for the town I am buoyed by their energy and engagement.

My wife and I came to the town 14 years ago to raise a family away from the press of London life. The decision has proved a good one. The town is a lively, thriving and growing community and a great place to live in the heart of a beautiful area of the country. That is the challenge.

The attraction of Tunbridge Wells is creating growth and change that requires careful management to enhance the town

for the benefit of its diverse community or residents, businesses and visitors.

So how do we manage change for the benefit of the community and future communities? The answer is to drive out complacency and resignation and get involved.

Like many I used to spend all of my time on the daily tasks of work and family life and became complacent about the environment I was living in, making an assumption that local infrastructure, shops, transport and support services would magically meet my family’s needs in the way I want them to. This was of course unlikely as I had not communicated what I wanted to the people who make the decisions about how our town and its surroundings are managed.

I now spend as much of my spare time as possible listening to local people and understanding what they need from the town. After the first rather tentative door knocks back in 2016 I now look forward to talking with my neighbours across the borough. The energy and interest on the doorstep is palpable.

They know what they want, and what they don’t want, from the town. They are happy to engage in a discussion even

‘It’s so important that, even as our attention is captivated nationally with Brexit, that we continue to focus on the extraordinary rural heritage that Wealden has, and how best we can plan for its future’

of knowledge and expertise, DEFRA have put money aside to support those farmers that use traditional methods in their farming: these methods will protect our wildlife, enable public access to land, and will support one of our key local sectors.

In my own brief, as Maritime Minister, I’ve been working the International Maritime Organisation, based right here in the U.K. to ensure that our ships are more environmentally friendly than ever before, ensuring our waterways are protected.

This all contributes to the fact that the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling, and have been falling for the last 6 years: a global record for a developed nation.

So, to those children that I met in Westminster, who asked me such tough and important questions, here is my pledge: I’ll keep working to make sure that Wealden is somewhere that is not just a great place to grow up, but a great place for you to raise your own children one day.

That involves all of us working together, but that’s how community has always approached its greatest challenges.

‘They know what they want, and what they don’t want, from the town’

when it might not be convenient for them.

The thing they like the most is living in Tunbridge Wells (overwhelmingly) and the thing they dislike the most is being ignored (by complacent local politicians or campaign groups not visiting them or asking for their opinion).

I don’t always agree with their views, that’s democracy for you! What I’ve learned is that good local democracy is about getting out there and getting involved with campaigns or political parties and listening and responding.

LIVELY:The attraction of Tunbridge Wells is creating growth and change

So, if you want better roads and pavements, less congestion, more affordable housing, more sustainable development, better recycling and improved public transport, I encourage you all to find a way to get involved.

Campaign if you can, whatever your political affiliation, and at the very least make sure you tell local politicians what you want, now and in the May 2nd elections. The future of Tunbridge Wells is in your hands. Good luck out there, sincerely!

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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Best property buys for...

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

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Great Dunton House

London Road, Dunton Green

Guide price

£1,999,950

CONTACT • Savills, Sevenoaks • 01732 789700 • savills.co.uk Looking ahead to summer, this elegant, 5-bedroom Edwardian home sits in secluded gardens with a beautifully located heated outdoor pool. Spread over three floors, the property has a wealth of period features and has been stylishly updated by its owners. It is also close to the railway station.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Reception hall with fireplace and access to terrace n Drawing room with striking marble fireplace n Sitting room featuring a fireplace with carved wooden surround n Conservatory linked to dining area n Kitchen/dining room with bespoke units and breakfast bar n 5 bedrooms, two en suite and one with dressing room n 2 further bathrooms n Landscaped gardens with terrace, summerhouse and far-reaching views n Heated outdoor swimming pool n Driveway providing extensive parking n Triple garage with room over it n About 0.7 of an acre n 0.3 miles from the station

The HEATED POOL…

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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The PRICE…

The TERRACE…

Hopgarden Close Lamberhurst

Guide price

£450,000 CONTACT • Bracketts, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 533733 • bracketts.co.uk A modern, 4-bedroom attached house in a cul-de-sac of individually designed properties close to the centre of the village. It also has an external home office.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST n Living room with doors to garden n Kitchen/dining room with door to garden n Bedroom with en-suite shower room n 3 further bedrooms and a bathroom n Garden with patio and deck n Garage converted to home office

Wissenden Corner Wissenden Lane Bethersden

Offers in excess of

£975,000

Stackyard

CONTACT • Jackson-Stops, Cranbrook • 01580 720000 • jackson-stops.co.uk

Guide price

A light, bright country home lying away from main roads with attractive terraces capturing the afternoon and evening sun – ideal for al fresco dining in summer. It also comes with a meadow, pond and annexe, plus planning permission for an outdoor pool and pavilion.

CONTACT • Jackson-Stops, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 521700 • jackson-stops.co.uk

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Sitting room with inglenook-style fireplace and wood-burning stove n Kitchen/breakfast room with Redfyre range cooker

The Lane, Fordcombe

£1,250,000£1,300,000 A large property that is ripe for improvement, subject to the usual consents, having been within the same family for 50 years. The house is set within a mature garden of around 1.28 acres, which backs on to a further 5.75 acres of land. It also has equestrian facilities.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST • Sitting room with Sussex stone fireplace

n Dining room with brick fireplace

• Dining room with doors to garden

n Master and guest bedrooms with luxurious en suites

• Kitchen

n 2 further bedrooms and a bathroom

• 2-3 further bedrooms and a bathroom

n Self contained 1-bedroom annexe

• Garden with terrace, woodland and pond

n Double and single garages

• Driveway, garage and car port

n Landscaped gardens

• Around 5.75 acres of paddock split into 2 fields, plus stable block, yard and barn

n Approximately 1.2 acres

• Master bedroom with Jack & Jill en-suite

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Warren Road TN6 A fantastic family home in a rural and peaceful location.

• • • •

1

Including a two bedroom Oast Cottage Additional one bedroom flat Equestrian facilities Access to Ashdown Forest

6

4

6

11.68 acres

Your local expert, Simon Biddulph, looks forward to helping you. simon.biddulph@knightfrank.com 01892 310997

Guide price £1,995,000

Hartfield TN7 A beautifully presented country house situated in a sought after private estate on the Ashdown Forest.

• • • •

1

Approximately 2.82 acres Triple garage Feature gardens and large terrace Approximately 2 miles to Hartfield

6

5

3

2.82 acres

4/5

Your local expert, Simon Biddulph, looks forward to helping you. simon.biddulph@knightfrank.com

Guide price £2,250,000

01892 310997

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees. Knight Frank is a member of the ARLA Client Money Protection Scheme and our redress scheme for consumers is Property Redress Scheme.

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Warren Road TN6

Wybourne Rise TN2

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1

An attractive cottage with character features in a peaceful semi-rural location.

• • •

With detached one bed annexe Outbuildings Approximately 0.6 acres

Contemporary living on the popular southern edge of Tunbridge Wells.

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3

• • •

4

Bespoke designed kitchen High quality fittings Over 3,000 sq ft

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4-5

Guide price £795,000

Guide price £1,450,000

simon.biddulph@knightfrank.com

01892 310997

London Road TN1

ross.davies@knightfrank.com

01892 310997

Rotherfield TN6

1

1

A beautifully presented luxury top floor apartment.

• • •

Parking space Views over Tunbridge Wells common Main line station approximately 0.2 miles

A unique ground floor apartment within a Victorian country house.

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2

• • •

Triple aspect sitting room Private terrace overlooking gardens Parking space, garage and visitor parking

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Guide price £600,000 ross.davies@knightfrank.com

3

Offers in excess of £700,000 01892 310997

mark.yelverton@knightfrank.com

01892 310997

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees. Knight Frank is a member of the ARLA Client Money Protection Scheme and our redress scheme for consumers is Property Redress Scheme.

H e ath e rl and s

Heatherlands, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0LS

A perfect countryside setting Heatherlands is a new development of 23 homes, ranging from one to five bedrooms located on the outskirts of Heathfield, East Sussex.

Selling Agent:

For further information and to register your interest today:

Email us at sales@mdh.uk.com or call us on 01435 220 435 to discuss requirements

www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk

COPPICE END

Coppice End, Crowborough, East Sussex

Sat Nav: TN6 2XW

Coming soon to Crowborough Coppice End is an exclusive development of 18 homes, ranging from three to five bedrooms located in Crowborough, East Sussex.

Selling Agent:

For further information and to register your interest today:

Email us at sales@mdh.uk.com or call us on 01892 640466 to discuss requirements

www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

New Homes

Move

WITH THE

Times 33

Property Focus

NEW HOMES

Feel at home in the pub!

Sheaf House

The Hay Waggon High Street Hartfield

GUIDE PRICE

£725,000

CONTACT • Savills, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 507005 • savills.co.uk

Sheaf House originally formed part of The Hay Waggon public house in Hartfield village, superbly

located by Ashdown Forest, and has been converted into a contemporary 3-bedroom property.

Appealingly, it retains lots of history and character, including what was formerly the pub cellar – unheard of in most new homes.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST • Central village location with access to Ashdown Forest • Restored oak beams and timbers

• Includes wood floors and carpets • Traditionally designed kitchen with Ranger cooker and Neff appliances • Master bedroom suite

• 2 further bedrooms, one with large dressing area • Family bathroom • Private garden • Car barn • Allocated parking

A property to call home

Savills Country Department 020 7016 3780

Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507 000

New Instruction

Cousley Wood, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 A striking country house in an exceptional private position with views over Bewl Water, 3.2 miles Wadhurst station, 7.1 miles Tunbridge Wells, selfcontained annexe, landscaped gardens, walled garden/orchard, swimming pool, tennis court, triple garage, fields and woodland, 9,880 sq ft, EPC=E

Guide £4.75 million | Freehold

68 acres

Talk to us today Robert Jacobs Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 rjacobs@savills.com

savills.co.uk | savills.co.uk Follow us on what can we do for you?

INCENTIVES AVAILABLE

†

GYM, TRAVEL OR SKY FOR A YEAR AND MANY MORE...

ONE THREE THREE H I G H S T R E E T, TO N B R I D G E T N 9 1 D H

133 HIGH STREET RIV

MODERN LIVING MADE EASIER AT APARTMENTS 5 & 9* Luxury two-bedroom apartments No. 5 and No. 9 are favourably positioned on Tonbridge High Street, offering convenience from nearby amenities and transport links.

These homes embrace luxury living with designer kitchen and bathroom interiors, alongside a modern specification.

ER

ME

DW

AY

0.4 MILES DW AY RIV ER ME

TONBRIDGE STATION

Distance taken from Google Maps

subject to scheme rules

PRESENTED BY

CALL ONE OF OUR SELLING AGENTS TO BOOK YOUR EXCLUSIVE APPOINTMENT

New Homes

01732 363633

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Subject to terms and conditions

R P C L A N DA N D N E W H O M E S . C O. U K

01732 789740 S AV I L L S . C O. U K

01732 450184

R E G A L P O I N T. C O . U K

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Life&Times

ARTS & CULTURE LIFE & STYLE FOOD & DRINK MOTORING SPORT and MORE...

IN PRINT AND ONLINE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK timeslocalnews.co.uk

40

India this summer?

We explore the best places to go Page 46

DISCOVER BETJEMAN’S BRITAIN

42

THE TRINGHAM SISTERS PERFORM

44

ENJOY A FINE TIME AT THE VINE

50

Call of the wild

See Heidi Crundwell’s inspiring images at Trinity Page 38 HONDA’S ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE

Life&Times

arts

38

ANIMAL INSTINCT How Heidi found her way in the world – armed with a good camera

Arts & CultureFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Wild at heart Photographer Heidi Crundwell specialises in wildlife portraits.

Ahead of her Zambian work being exhibited at Trinity Theatre next Tuesday (March 19), she tells Eileen Leahy about the inspiration behind her pictures and her show Into Wild Africa

G

ROWING up on a farm all of my life, I have always had animals and nature right on my doorstep. Some of my earliest memories are of me sitting in a pen full of lambs jumping all over me, so it was inevitable that an interest in the animal world would develop in adult life.

My journey into photography, however, was quite unexpected. After leaving school, I decided to work for a few years then go travelling, which really sparked my interest in the natural world.

Hooked When I returned I knew I wanted to learn more, so I moved down to Cornwall to study zoology. Here my interest in photography, and in particular wildlife photography, was ignited. Trawling through text books and online articles opened my eyes to wildlife photography and how beautiful capturing the natural world with a camera could be.

I would often visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibitions in London and spend hours looking at

the compositions and technical details of the images. They were so inspiring to me, and so I was determined to get a good camera and learn photography.

After a few lessons with wedding ‘THE LONG WAIT’ A leopard trapped in a tree

‘SCAR FACE’ Up close and personal

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

‘MAJESTY’ An elephant standing tall

photographer Alan Harbord I was hooked, and spent my time practising with my camera with local wildlife.

But my dream was to get to Africa to produce fine art images.

I made that dream come true in 2017 when I travelled to the Kafue National Park in Zambia. I wanted to find a wild place I could really

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk immerse myself in, and it provided just that. The trip was full of amazing sightings – big cats, elephants, hippos, antelope and a huge variety of bird life. My aim was to capture iconic species as pieces of art.

The images I will be exhibiting at Trinity Theatre from March 19 until the end of the month are really close to my heart.

They include some very special moments: A leopard forced up a tree for hours after having her meal taken by hyenas and lions; the stunning sight of elephants crossing the plains; and a face-to-face close up of a handsome young lion – ‘Scarface’.

Many species across Africa are under threat from poaching, human-wildlife conflict, the bush meat trade and habitat loss.

I hope to show people, through photography, the beauty of wildlife, and in turn create more of an appreciation for the natural world, inviting it into people’s homes as beautiful imagery.

The Into Wild Africa exhibition runs from March 19-31 and is free. Heidi will be giving a talk on the opening night at 6.30pm, telling the stories behind some of the images, the threats facing wildlife today, and finding her photographic style. To book a free place, visit trinitytheatre.net

Arts & Culture

Murder, he wrote Tony Bassett is a journalist from Tunbridge Wells who has worked for the national press in London for nearly 40 years.

After semi-retiring he turned to crime writing, and has just had his first novel, Smile of the Stowaway, published…

Life&Times

39

“I think various facets of Bob’s character must be drawn from the various personalities who taught at my school,” says Tony.

“Once the three main characters had been established, I found the story developed naturally. I’ve met so many different people and encountered so many different situations as a journalist, I’m sure this helped me in creating the characters and portraying the events.”

The novel is set in Canterbury, a city Tony knows fairly well: “I enjoyed depicting the beauty of my home county of Kent with its apple orchards, hop gardens and rolling hills. But I also enjoyed describing the main incidents that occur in the novel – such as the murder of a man in a secluded cottage – and outlining the various clues that helped Anne identify the killer.

“I have also tried to make the book thought-provoking. It shows how immigrants are exploited by traffickers, and questions whether Britain is a less welcoming country than it was once was.

“The first part of the novel explores the relationship between the married couple.

Initially, the teacher is more prepared to let the stowaway stay with them while his wife is more reluctant. This creates tensions in their relationship.”

Tony’s first book has been published by a company in Canterbury: “I wrote to four publishers and I was fortunate enough to receive a response from The Conrad Press, whose director James Essinger was very enthusiastic about the book.

“He has been a tower of strength. If it were not for his faith in the project, it might not have seen the light of day.

truth,” explains Tony, who grew TONY BASSETT swapped up in Leigh and Bidborough deadlines working on and attended The national newspapers to Skinners’ School. try his hand at writing “The inspiration came crime novels when he after I wrote a news story became semi-retired for the national press in three years ago.

September 2014 about His first book, Smile a couple who found a of the Stowaway, was stowaway beneath their published late last motorhome when they year and is set in his returned to Ashford. home county of Kent.

Tony Bassett “In the real-life incident, the It tells the story of couple pair handed the man over to police.

Bob and Anne, who discover a But the story got me thinking: What stowaway beneath their motor home when returning from a holiday in France. if the couple had befriended him and defied the law by harbouring him? And But instead of handing him over to the so the idea progressed from there.” authorities, they provide the friendly Tony had always wanted stranger with shelter. They to write crime fiction, but also find him a job on a had never found the time nearby farm. until he gave up full-time Then comes a sinister work as a reporter. twist as their new friend is “I have wanted to write arrested by the police and books since editing accused of murder. the school magazine at Could this man from Skinners’ when I was a 6,000 miles away be guilty pupil there!” he says. of a horrific killing in an He adds that Bob Shaw idyllic Kentish hamlet? Or is is a schoolmaster. the real killer still at large?

“Anne turns detective, battling against Smile of the Stowaway is available both as a book circumstantial evidence and an ebook from theconradpress.com, Amazon UK, and police bungling, in Waterstones and other established outlets. an effort to uncover the

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Life&Times

Going Out

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

goingout 7 days of activities

By Jerome Bowman

A FUN DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY At Penshurst Place

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

to bring is your instrument and any breakables.

Tickets to play cost £3 per musician and £5 if you want to watch. Parents and teachers are also welcome, but no alcohol will be available. For more information visit twforum.co.uk The Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society are holding a talk on the work of John Betjeman from 7.30pm at the Royal Wells Hotel. Britain with Betjeman, presented by John Vigar, will introduce the audience to the writings and opinions of the controversial but impactful architect who pioneered thinking on the sociological impact of buildings. For more information, go to thecivicsociety.org

UNLEASH YOUR INNER MUSICIAN! It’s Under 18s Open Mic night at The Forum

FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY

Critically lauded play Good Dog will be on at 7.30pm at the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge.

It’s set during the early 2000s and centres on a multi-cultural community and the injustices and prejudices they suffer. Inspired by the London Riots of 2011, the play tries to give a voice to the unheard.

Tickets cost £15 per adult and £13 for concessions and can be booked online at emftheatre.com Don’t miss The Cat in the Hat at the Assembly Hall Theatre. This frenetic and fun adaptation of

the children’s classic captures the wacky world of Dr Seuss perfectly. Directed by Suba Das, the play is filled with infectious humour, acrobatics and of course rhymes. Tickets cost £19.25 and can be booked at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

THURSDAY

The Forum will be hosting their Under 18s Open Mic from 5pm to 7pm. This is a great chance for young budding musicians to play in the popular venue. The back-line is provided, so all you need

The show Luke Jermay: Intuition will be at The Assembly Hall Theatre this evening at 7.30pm. Luke will be reading minds, making predictions and demonstrating his uncanny intuition in a theatrical event designed to be unforgettable.

He has been praised by fellow performers, including Derren Brown and David Blaine, and you can book tickets online at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk If you’ve always wanted to get into star-gazing, Edenbridge and District Astronomers are having an Astronomy Evening at Bore Place, Chiddingstone. The team will take you through the use of their powerful telescopes and give hints and tips about spotting astronomical objects.

If the weather is poor, demos and other activities will be

available. No previous experience necessary and all ages are welcome. Tickets can be booked online at boreplace.org

SATURDAY

LAMBING WEEKEND In Hadlow

It’s that time of the month when local produce, artisanal crafts and designer clothes can be found at The Pantiles Market.

Guest traders, seasonal themes and a changing range of goods ensure you will always find something new. The market starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. If you are interested in pitching your own stall, or if you have any other enquiries you can email: markets@thepantilesevents.com For a family day out, why not go to Hadlow College for the Lambing Weekend? Starting at 11am, this

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Going Out

tensions between the two strangers trapped in an isolated cottage and the sinister threat of the birds amassing outside. If you can’t make this evening’s performance, more dates and tickets, which cost £11 pounds, can be booked at oasttheatre.com

FORGING A NEW CAREER Can You Ever Forgive Me? at Trinity Theatre

HEARING THE UNHEARD The play Good Dog is at the EM Forster Theatre

is a chance to see a variety of animals, including farm animals, reptiles and, of course, woolly fourlegged friends of various sizes. Lots of activities will be available including Hovercraft rides and a birds of prey display. Tickets start at £7 for adults and £4 for children and can be booked online at hadlow.ac.uk/events

SUNDAY

Penshurst Place has plenty to see and do today.

The grounds are open all day and include 11 acres of formal gardens and even more parkland to explore. Children are spoilt for choice, with hire bicycles, an adventure playground and a woodland trail. The house and Toy Museum will also be open. Tickets for the house, gardens and grounds cost £12 for adults and TAKING ON THE BIRDS At The Oast Theatre

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PICK OF THE WEEK:

Hospice in the Weald 2019 Aerobathon 10am Sunday March 17 Pembury Village Hall, Pembury

Local sporting celebrity Dame Kelly Holmes will open a fun-filled day in aid of the hospice which will include Zumba, Clubbercise and Squats for Shots.

There will also be a cake sale and a raffle, and Dame Kelly will be signing copies of her new book, Running Life. Tickets cost £12 and are available to anyone age 13+.

You can obtain tickets by emailing: pemburyfitness@btinternet.com

£6.50 for children. For more information, go to penshurstplace.com From 10am at The Angel Centre, the Tonbridge Mum2Mum Market is taking place. With over 20 stalls, you can browse children’s clothes up to the age of six, and lots of toys and equipment, including bouncy chairs and strollers. Entry is £2 per adult and children enter for free. For more information, you can email: westkent@mum2mummarket.co.uk

MONDAY Tonight at 8pm The Oast Theatre in Tonbridge will be showing Conor McPherson’s stage adaptation of The Birds.

The play is adapted from the original story by Daphne Du Maurier, which was famously brought to the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock.

McPherson’s take on this terrifying tale is decidedly more subtle, YOU CAN BET ON BETJEMAN focusing The subject of a Civic Society talk more on the

Life&Times

TUESDAY Trinity Theatre will be screening the melancholic true story Can You Ever Forgive Me? At 8pm. Melissa McCarthy plays Lee Israel, a struggling celebrity biographer who turns to forging letters from dead celebrities and playwrights.

Tickets are priced at £11 and can be booked online at trinitytheatre.net

42

Life&Times

Going Out

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7. Websites pdag.co.uk & thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday The Paul Dunton Orchestra, Cyrano, Steffan James Friday Soul Kitchen Saturday Closed for a private party Sunday Steve Hewitt, The Tringham Sisters, Vicarage Lane THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM The Common Event information at twforum.co.uk Thursday Under 18s Open Mic Saturday Boogie Nights

live music With Paul Dunton

T

ONIGHT (Wednesday) popular local acts Cyrano and Steffan James are performing at the Grey Lady. Then tomorrow night (Thursday), the U18s open mic event runs at The Forum and there is another great open mic happening at The Punch & Judy in Tonbridge.

Friday has plenty to offer, with the Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra at The Masonic Hall and local duo Mellow Yellow at The Nelson Arms in Tonbridge.

Saturday night sees more great local acts in action, including Gez Gold at The Beau Nash Tavern and The Nate Austin Band at The

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

Royal Oak pub. Meanwhile, fans of classical music can catch The Maxwell String Quartet at Tonbridge Parish Church. And if you fancy donning your dancing shoes, then the ever popular Boogie Nights returns to The Forum.

On Sunday night, local singersongwriter Steve Hewitt will be headlining at The Grey Lady with support from The Tringham Sisters and Vicarge Lane.

Folk artist Richard Grainger is at the Tonbridge Folk Club on Monday evening, and on Tuesday night, Migden & Gibson will be at The Punch & Judy In Tonbridge.

THE PUNCH & JUDY St Stephens Road, Tonbridge Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Thursday Open Mic Night Tuesday Migden & Gibson THE MASONIC HALL St John’s Road Event details & tickets available at twjazzclub.co.uk Friday Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra

Cyrano THE NELSON ARMS Cromer Street, Tonbridge Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Friday Mellow Yellow

Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Gez Gold Sunday Open Mic Night

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim

THE ROYAL OAK PUB Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday The Nate Austin Band TONBRIDGE PARISH CHURCH All event details and tickets available at tmc.org.uk Saturday Maxwell String Quartet

The Tringham Sisters

TONBRIDGE FOLK CLUB The Flying Dutchman, Hildenborough Hat collection with a suggested contribution of £7 (£5 concessions).

All welcome. More information at tonbridgefolkclub.org Music from 8pm Monday Richard Grainger

Life&Times

food

44

A TASTY PUB FOR ALL SEASONS Both inside and outside

Food & Drink FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Vine of the times What makes The Vine in Goudhurst such a foodie haven?

Charlie Bond heads to this quaint village pub to find out

M

OST days I drive through Goudhurst on my way home, and am always taken in by its beauty; the views are stunning, the chocolate box cottages and oast houses charming, and

the whole village looks as though it was created for a film set – maybe starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and some snow.

Normally, unless I’m stuck at temporary traffic lights, my visits to Goudhurst are fleeting, but today I get to spend a little

longer in its surrounds as I’m visiting The Vine – a charming countryside pub located in the heart of the village.

Situated on the high street, it’s perfectly placed to enjoy food and drink and simply watch the world go by.

I arrive with my guest on a chilly yet bright Sunday afternoon, and as soon as we enter the 17th-century former coaching inn we’re warmly greeted by the staff and shown to our table – right by the window overlooking the front garden and the scenery beyond.

The pub is already busy; the bar area is filled with locals enjoying an afternoon drink, while the tables seat families, couples and friends escaping the winter chill, basking in The Vine’s cosy atmosphere. That said, outside several people are sipping wines after finishing a Sunday stroll – I admire their tenacity but I’m still grateful I’m inside…

We’re presented with our menus, and start the serious business of choosing what to eat. But before all of that, there’s the matter of drinks to consider. Behind the bar there’s an abundance of local gins, plus beers aplenty on tap. But, what could be more befitting of a cosy pub on a cold day than a warming glass of merlot? Wine in hand, we get back to perusing the menu.

The Vine is renowned for its grill offerings, but there’s also everything from soup to salmon tartare and meat

‘Outside several people are sipping wines after finishing a Sunday stroll – I admire their tenacity but I’m still grateful I’m inside…’ and cheese platters. The main course options are extensive, too – there’s fish and chips, sausages and mash and burgers, plus the likes of sea trout, pork belly and steak. Oh, and that’s not even taking into account the specials menu.

However, for me it’s love at first sight – as soon as I spot the hen and chorizo Scotch egg on the starters list (£7) I know it’s the one. My guest is equally enamoured by the sound of the mozzarella frittata (£7), so we eagerly select our starters without any hesitation.

The same can’t be said for our mains, however, which we spend a considerable amount of time dithering over.

Meat or fish? Classic or contemporary? Finally, we each order from the specials board – for me the roast beef with traditional trimmings (£16), and for my guest, the lamb shank with mash, kale and vegetables (£15).

While we wait for our food to arrive, we take in our surroundings. The pub has been tastefully decorated and modernised while retaining plenty of its original features and charm.

Food & Drink

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Oh, and there’s plenty of gravy, too, for which I am very appreciative. This is a seriously impressive Sunday roast – definitely one of the best I’ve had in a Kentish pub.

My guest’s lamb is equally remarkable – the meat quite literally falls off the bone, while the mashed potato somehow manages to be light, yet creamy. Even the kale it’s topped with gets a thumbs up – who knew all the superfood needed was some lamb and gravy to accompany it?

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Sunday by raising a glass with one of these top tipples, says James Viner On Sunday (March 17), the Irish honour their patron St Patrick, who, purportedly, expelled all the snakes from the country after they attacked him whilst he was fasting. It’s one of the biggest parties of the year, and whether you can claim Irish heritage or not, many will certainly want to make a toast or two. But why not look beyond Guinness and try these offerings instead? Sláinte!

Decadent I’d like to say that we stop there. After all, eating a starter and an entire roast dinner is fairly filling. But, dear reader, it would hardly be a fair review if I didn’t report on the desserts – so, purely for ‘work’ I force myself to order the chocolate fondant (£6.50), which I share with my guest.

As we dig in, I feel the button on my jeans groan, but if this is death by chocolate then that’s fine by me: This dessert is simply wonderful. The sponge is light and not too sweet, while the warm chocolate sauce inside is deliciously decadent.

We finish our meals with coffees as we watch the last of the afternoon sun slip behind the adjacent oast houses.

This is such a perfect winter setting, but it would be equally glorious in the summer.

The Vine is one of those places you’ll want to frequent every season.

And, by the time you read this, it will have a new menu on offer, so although I hardly need an excuse to return, you’ll find me by the window, wine in hand, watching the world go by… vinegoudhurst.com

45

Throw a green party

1) IRISH BEER CHOICE: A PARADE OF BIVALVES

1

Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

In the window there’s a large bird cage, behind us there’s a saloon bar door, and above us are oak beams.

We’re in the middle of enthusing over the grey colour palette on the walls when our starters arrive – and just one glance at the dish before me confirms I’ve made the right choice.

Beautifully presented, my Scotch egg sits atop pesto and apple purée, and it doesn’t just look pretty – it tastes divine, too. The egg is cooked to perfection, the meat is flavoursome, and the pesto and apple make wonderful additions with their sweet and garlicky notes. I think this may have just taken the title of the best Scotch egg I’ve tasted – no mean feat, I can assure you!

My guest’s mozzarella frittata is also a thing to behold – the cheese and Parma ham are encased in a crispy breadcrumb shell and accompanied by smashed avocado and a tomato and coriander salsa. It’s certainly a winning combination; the creaminess of the mozzarella combined with the freshness of the avocado and salsa makes for a taste sensation.

Despite having fairly generous portions, we somehow manage to devour every last mouthful, and both of us rave over our choices. Our main courses have a lot to live up to.

We don’t have long to wait before ‘the competition’ arrives – two hearty plates adorned with meat, vegetables and all the trimmings which look equally delicious.

A good roast dinner can be hard to come by, but this ticks all the boxes – the meat is perfectly pink, the vegetables flavoursome with a little bit of crunch, the Yorkshire pudding is light yet crisp, and there’s also a generous helping of cauliflower cheese with a bubbly, crispy top.

Life&Times

The Porterhouse Brewing Company Oyster Stout, Dublin 9 (£2.69, Beers of Europe and on draught at the eponymous brewpub in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden).

Minerally, silky-smooth and as dark as a moonless night, this is a superlative stout with a fragrant, gently bitter twist thanks to East Kent Golding, Nugget and Galena hops, which complements game and beef. Of course, this isn’t suitable for vegetarians (fresh oysters were shucked into the conditioning tanks) but it makes a top Black Velvet if you’re not a fan of pints – just add champagne. Look out for it. Alc 4.6%

2) SOULFUL & COMPLEX WHISKEY: THE SPIRIT OF DUBLIN

Teeling Single Grain Whiskey, Dublin 8 (£41.45-£45.34, Whisky Exchange/Fareham Wine Cellar/Master of Malt) My big St Paddy’s Day dram this year, however, is this spicy and red berry fruit-flavoured (it was aged in former California cabernet sauvignon casks) single grain whiskey from Dublin’s historic Liberties district. Inspired by the London Distillery Company and San Francisco’s Anchor Distilling, and based on spirit from Cooley, this distillery opened for business on St Patrick’s Day in 2015, returning whiskey production to the city for the first time in 125 years. Great craic, top class and spot on for rejoicing good times and St Patrick himself! Beautifully made. Alc 46%

2

ST PATRICK’S DAY COCKTAIL

The Shamrock

 1½ shots Irish whiskey

(Jameson’s is ideal)  1½ shots Martini Extra Dry vermouth  ½ shot green chartreuse  ½ shot crème de menthe  ½ shot water Shake everything with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

Garnish with a couple of green olives/mint/a shamrock.

Life&Times

travel

46

TIME FOR THE BEST TEA A beautiful tea plantation near Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka

Travel

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Eastern inspiration for going solo Following last week’s trip from Mumbai to Chennai, we now round-up some of the most popular Indian destinations for those travelling on their own…

E

XCITING and colourful, charming and chaotic, India is an assault on the senses. With impressive sights, magnificent wildlife and idyllic scenery on offer, it’s easy to see why so many solo travellers are adding it to their lists.

PALATIAL WONDER India is known for its colourful palaces

THE NORTHERN CITY OF DELHI Many people begin their discovery of India in the north, in New Delhi, the capital city designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker.

Take a journey along elegant boulevard the Rajpath to discover some of its most impressive landmarks. At one end, the colossal 42-metre-high India Gate archway commemorates thousands of fallen Indian soldiers. Towards the other end, Parliament meets in the Sansad Bhavan, a striking circular, colonnaded building.

In complete contrast, the 17th-century walled city of Old Delhi is crammed full of narrow streets, alleyways and busy bazaars. Climb aboard a cycle rickshaw and weave your way through the crowds to see the highlights, including the red-sandstone Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE Delhi is one stop on the popular Golden Triangle route, and if you choose to follow this well-trodden path, you will also see a couple of other fascinating cities.

Agra, on the banks of the Yamuna River, is best known for two unmissable sights.

Surrounded by classical gardens, the incredible Taj Mahal is a shimmering white-marble architectural wonder built by the Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife. Many choose to visit at dawn to take in its beauty as the sun rises.

Just a short distance away, the Agra fort

is where Shah Jahan was later imprisoned, when power was seized by his son.

Colourful in so many ways, the powderpink city of Jaipur is a showcase of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

The amazing, beehive-like Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, is one of many astonishing sights. Another is the nearby Amber Fort, a 17th-century masterpiece which houses the glittering Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors.

RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK Lovers of nature should be sure to visit this wonderful park. Covering almost 400 sq km, it was once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur and is now home to an impressive array of wildlife.

Its most famous resident is the Bengal tiger. These solitary animals use their distinctive coats as camouflage as they lie in wait ready to pounce on their prey. They can be difficult to spot, so you will need to

keep your eyes peeled, but a safari may also reward you with sightings of leopards, crocodiles, hyenas and much more.

ROYAL RAJASTHAN Further afield, in this princely state, the Blue City of Jodhpur harbours a maze of winding streets speckled with shops and bazaars.

The magnificent Mehrangarh Fortress towers above the city and offers

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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Travel

SHIMMERING WITH BEAUTY Captivating Kerala is known for its waterways and beaches

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FIND OUT MORE… Join the Baldwins Travel Solo traveller event on April 2 at 6.30pm at the Depot in Lewes, where Just You and some of the firm’s other solo travel partners will be doing a presentation. To confirm your complimentary place, please call 01273 472466.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Wherever in India you choose to travel, you’re in for a feast of culinary delights. Packed full of flavour and variety, Indian cuisine is amongst the best in the world.

Using fresh, local ingredients and aromatic spices, dishes vary from region to region.

In the north you’ll sample meat and vegetables simmered in tomato, onion and yoghurt-based sauces, while in the south dishes laced with chilli and coconut are sure to tantalise your taste buds.

A SIGHT WORTH CAT-CHING If you can! See the Indian tiger on safari

breathtaking views over the sea of blue and white houses below.

MARVELLOUS MUMBAI Located on India’s western coast, Mumbai is one of the most populated cities in the world.

It offers a dazzling array of attractions, including the famous Gateway of India, an impressive monument built to commemorate the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary.

THE AWE-INSPIRING BEAUTY OF THE HIMALAYAS The sweeping vista of the Himalayas at sunrise is an unforgettable experience.

Explore the mighty mountains of northern India and Nepal and you’ll find numerous sacred Buddhist sites amongst the foothills.

You can hike to the brilliant-white World Peace Pagoda at Pokhara, or visit the ancient Swayambhunath stupa, an iconic symbol of Nepal, with its glittering golden spire.

Or perhaps you’ll check out the pretty town of Darjeeling in West Bengal, surrounded by distinctive black tea plantations.

THE DELIGHTS OF KERALA Cochin is the seaside capital of Kerala, a tropical paradise in India’s south-western corner.

The city is your gateway to aromatic spice plantations, serene beaches and the famous backwaters – an intertwined network of waterways meandering through paddy fields and picturesque scenery. Soak up their charm on a cruise and watch as the simplicity of local life unfolds before your eyes.

After days of exploring, you’ll probably be ready to collapse on a beach and spend a few days soaking up the sun. Kovalam in Kerala is a fabulous option, its palm-fringed beaches are washed by turquoise waters and the town offers a good selection of restaurants and shops.

STUNNING SRI LANKA The island of Sri Lanka is a glistening pearl in the Indian Ocean.

Discover Sigiriya – a spectacular rock fortress with water gardens, moats and the impressive Lion Rock, or visit Nuwara Eliya, carpeted in lush green tea plantations and home to the famous Ceylon tea.

You can also visit Minneriya National Park, where large herds of elephants can sometimes be seen.

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Books

7/10

Winter reads…

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Lost Children Archive,

by Valeria Luiselli Published in hardback by HarperCollins, priced £16.99 (ebook £6.69). Available now

8/10

Daisy Jones And The Six,

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published in hardback by Hutchinson, priced £12.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now The saying goes, if you could remember the Sixties, you weren’t there. But for some of music’s biggest stars, the next decade offered an even bigger chance to become part of a totally lost generation, as the bands, records, tours and the excesses all became more extreme and more bloated. Wild child Daisy is a veteran of LA’s Sunset Strip and its sex, drugs and rock and roll scene, before she’s out of her teens. When fate – and a switched-on manager – put her together with an up-and-coming new band and frontman Billy Dunne, it’s never clear whether it’s a match made in heaven or hell. The rest of the band are deftly portrayed, though the Rolling Stone interview-style format doesn’t leave too much room for character development. And sometimes you long for a grittier, harder take from Taylor Jenkins Reid. Fans familiar with Fleetwood Mac’s love-hate relationships, fights and touring excesses, famously captured on the Rumours album, will recognise some familiar territory.

(Review by Derek Watson)

This week’s bookcase includes reviews of Daisy Jones And The Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

“Suppose you and Pa were gone, and we were lost. What would happen then?” The question on the cover of the Lost Children Archive echoes through the book, which interlaces the journeys of a family heading from their New York home on a road trip through south-west America with stories of the perilous trek north for immigrant children hoping to be reunited with relatives in the States. Interspersed with Polaroids, quotes and various stories and histories – told from both the point of view of a mother whose marriage is ending and her ten-year-old stepson – US-based Mexican author Valeria Luiselli’s novel is a triumph. It brings detention camps at the US-Mexico border into heartbreaking focus, and the desert deaths of escapees, but also shines a light on the personal mythology in a family, and how stories of people, and peoples, are told.

(Review by Laura Paterson)

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

The Narrow Land,

by Christine Dwyer Hickey Published in hardback by Atlantic Books, priced £14.99 (ebook £6.47).

Available now

There appears to be a trend for looking at the wives of famous male artists and writers, from the 2018 film Colette to Naomi Wood’s Mrs Hemingway. In this case, The Narrow Land by

Christine Dwyer Hickey takes Josephine, the wife of American artist Edward Hopper, as its subject.

Capturing a summer in Cape Cod in 1950, it sees Jo meet and befriend ten-year-old orphan Michael. Flitting between the minds of Jo, the boy, and Hopper himself, it explores, regret, jealousy, passion and longing, as well as the strange comfort we find in even the most unlikely friendships.

(Review by Ellen Taylor)

7/10

Wednesday March 13 | 2019 NON-FICTION

Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant: Modern Life As Interpreted

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

By Someone Who Is Reasonably Bad At Living It, by Joel Golby

Published in hardback by HarperCollins, priced £12.99 (ebook £5.99). Available now

8/10

By day, Vice journalist Joel Golby writes articles with headlines like: ‘How Likely Each of Those Splinter Group Labour MPs Are to Eat a Worm’ and ‘An Investigation: Which Is the Best Quality Street in the Quality Street Tub?’ His voice is so strong, it’s like he’s inside your head tackling questions you never knew you cared about. And yet, thanks to his laser-like precision in skewering nonsensical topics with humour and deftness, now you do. He applies the same gaze to this collection of essays, which opens brutally and movingly with: ‘Things You Only Know If Both Your Parents Are Dead’. It’s funny, CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK

Science Is Magic

by Steve Mould

Published in hardback by DK, priced £12.99 (ebook £6.99). Available now Author and TV presenter Steve Mould works his magic with his latest offering, bringing science to life for children with a raft of experiments designed to amaze and intrigue. Science Is Magic has the perfect balance of try-at-home tricks and science explainers, looking at the weird and wonderful in nature and the science behind some of the best-known illusions. Some of the experiments are harder to do at home – unless you have a ready supply of liquid latex and angel hair tinsel – but by far the majority are easy, and are perfect for rainy day activities. Kids will love getting scientific with the magic ice tower, jumping drinks can and guess the coin trick, while parents will be left staring cross-eyed at the magic

Books

agonising, sharp, severe, filled with love and total despair – and then Golby follows up with more bizarre (but just as intriguing) chapters, like one on a camel festival in Saudi Arabia, and another that considers whether or not Marilyn Manson did have ribs removed for nefarious reasons. Much of it is not suitable for reading publicly on the bus, and then he’ll get you in the gut with an emotional assessment of the mental health benefits and quasi-therapy of watching your mate play video games for hours on end. Dip in, dip out, be wowed.

(Review by Ella Walker) hidden pictures. But Mould, who has penned a raft of well-loved titles, such as How To Be A Scientist and The Bacteria Book, has once again pulled off one of the best tricks of all – making science fun and easily accessible.

(Review by Holly Williams)

8/10

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BOOK CHARTS HARDBACKS 1. Fing by David Walliams 2. The Priory Of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon 3. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James 4. War Doctor by David Nott 5. The Binding by Bridget Collins 6. Becoming by Michelle Obama 7. Normal People by Sally Rooney 8. The Five by Hallie Rubenhold 9. D angerous Hero: Corbyn’s Ruthless Plot For Power by Tom Bower 10. The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield (Compiled by Waterstones) PAPERBACKS 1. Tangerine by Christine Mangan 2. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn 3. L EGO Minifigure Mayhem by Helen Murray and Beth Davies 4. D iary of Greg Heffley’s Best Friend: World Book Day 2019 by Jeff Kinney 5. Still Me by Jojo Moyes 6. A Pinch Of Magic by Michelle Harrison 7. Ten Little Bookworms: World Book Day 2019

by Mike Brownlow 8. The Western Wind by Samantha Harvey 9. T alking to My Daughter About the Economy: A Brief History of Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis 10. P ercy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo: World Book Day 2019 bu Rick Riordan (Compiled by Waterstones) E-BOOKS 1. T he Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay

by Nicola May 2. The Rumour by Lesley Kara 3. The Rescue by Steven Konkoly 4. Killing Floor by Lee Child 5. Last Seen Alive by Claire Douglas 6. T he Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury

by Marc Levy 7. The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse 8. Girl Most Likely by Max Allan Collins 9. Five Bloody Hearts by Joy Ellis 10. Dead Memories by Angela Marsons (Compiled by Amazon)

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Motoring

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Motoring News

This week… n New electric car Texting bans n New eco tests n

Honda shows off all-electric prototype complete with fully digital dashboard HONDA has unveiled its latest all-electric prototype at the Geneva Motor Show.

Dubbed the E Prototype for now, the car is one of Honda’s most advanced vehicles to date, thanks to a raft of advanced features. Built on a newly developed platform – which could be adapted in the future for models up to the size of the HR-V – the E is rear-wheel drive, with the motor mounted on the rear axle, although that does compromise boot space.

Although official figures are yet to be confirmed, Honda says the compact EV will be able to go more than 124 miles on a single charge – assuming customers drive roughly 30 miles each day.

The battery is based on the same unit used in the Accord PHEV that’s sold in the US and built by Panasonic. Honda also said the power output is comparable to similarly sized EVs, such as the Renault Zoe and Volkswagen e-Up – so expect it

to develop around 100bhp. It is rapid charge-compatible too, as it’s capable of going from flat to 80% full in 30 minutes.

The production car will only come with a five-door body shape for ease of use, with the car seating just four, as Honda claims that people using this car will ‘very rarely need five seats’.

Inside, the E shows off the new digital dashboard, which features five screens and spans the width of the car. Instead of conventional wing mirrors, the vehicle has cameras mounted on the wings, with six-inch displays showing the images from each side. A rear-view camera will also be used, with the feed displayed where the mirror would normally be.

Two other screens team up as the infotainment system, which uses a co-pilot setup that allows a passenger to swipe new navigation instructions and other information across to the driver’s screen on the go.

The rest of the cabin is very simple, with large buttons for the remaining functions.

The model will be built in Japan, with European sales set to begin before the end of 2019.

Pricing is to be announced.

Chinese pedestrians face fines for crossing road while texting IN a bid to improve pedestrian safety, a Chinese city has introduced fines for those who cross the road while looking at their phones.

The fine is small – around £1.13, or ten Chinese Yuan – but traffic police in the city of Wenzhou hope that it will act as a deterrent and send a clear message that texting while walking can be dangerous.

The rule came into force on January 1 as part of Wenzhou’s new traffic act, which also bans littering, spitting, parking shared bikes improperly or failing to clear up dog mess.

Since the act came into force, more than 1,000 people have been fined or given a warning.

A police spokesman told local newspaper Zhejiang Daily: “Those questioning the rule may ask how long a person has to have his or her head lowered to deserve the punishment, but danger can happen any time.

It’s dangerous to have your head lowered even for a second.”

‘Smartphone zombies’, as the practice has been christened, is becoming a problem for many major cities. Honolulu, Hawaii, threatens distracted crossers with a 35 dollar fine (£26.53).

Meanwhile, two Chinese cities have introduced smartphone ‘lanes’ to separate ‘heads-down people’ (as they’re nicknamed in China) from faster-walking, non-phone using pedestrians.

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Diesel Land Rover better for environment than Clio A DIESEL Land Rover Discovery might be one of the last cars to come to mind when it comes to environmentally-friendly machines – but it could actually be better for the planet than many small family run-arounds, according to new research.

The newly-launched AIR Index is an independent test of a car’s pollutants in city and town driving, and six cars – from a large SUV right down to the dinky Clio – were tested to kick it off.

Performing best of those was a 2018 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 TD6, a car that is often perceived as a ‘dirty diesel’, alongside many other black-pump SUVs. The Discovery achieved an ‘A’ rating in this new test, meaning it emits up to 80mg/km of NOx in real-world driving. In contrast, a 2017 Renault Clio 1.5 DCI received a ‘E’ grade – said to emit in excess of 600mg/km of NOx. Current Euro6 emissions regulations set a limit of 60mg/km of NOx for new diesel cars, and 80mg/km for petrols, but that reading is taken from laboratory driving conditions rather than real-life use.

Also tested under AIR Index conditions was a 2017 Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DiG-T – a petrol car – which is said to emit 80-160mg/km of NOx plus a 2015 Mini Cooper S with an apparent 168-200mg/km, while both a 2017 Ford Focus 1.5 TDCI and 2018 Dacia Duster 1.5 DCI are said to emit 270-600mg/km in real-world driving.

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Motoring

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Recruitment

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Wednesday March 13 | 2019

WITH THE

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

BUTTERFLY CARE TONBRIDGE Available - Experienced Carer for the elderly including:-

1. Light personal care 2. Check on visits 3. Light housework 4. Provide or cook breakfast, lunch & dinner 5. Shopping (accompanied by client or unaccompanied) 6. Transport to appointments 7. Administration skills to help with paperwork 8. Local outings (wheelchairs only) 9. Occasional night stays 10. Companionship I am a very honest, kind, reliable, trustworthy, conscientious, helpful, hard-working and experienced Dementia Carer.

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Fill your vacancy now in print or online

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.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.

6 8 6 2

5 24

4 3 9 9 5

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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Codeword:

7 5

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

3

DIFFICULTY RATING:★★★✩

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

1

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53

7

1 5

1 7

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9 3 4

6

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

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

Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue

C OMB I N L A R I N S T A L M A Q B E I J I N E D SWA G R W U E V E N S S E T A S O P R U U I P A P U A

E

A C H E S S A P L K N I L E R A D A G N I F T Y O C U E Z E A L D P X U N V E I L S N O N A T R I P P E D C U L SWE E T L Y

Sudoku:

3 2 5 8 9 6 4 7 1

1 8 4 5 2 7 9 3 6

9 7 6 1 3 4 8 2 5

7 6 8 2 1 9 3 5 4

4 5 1 3 7 8 6 9 2

2 3 9 6 4 5 7 1 8

5 9 7 4 8 2 1 6 3

1 5 9 8 3 6 4 7 2

2 6 4 1 5 7 3 8 9

7 3 6 2 9 1 8 5 4

8 1 2 9 6 3 5 4 7

6 4 3 7 5 1 2 8 9

Jigsaw Sudoku:

6 7 8 3 2 4 9 1 5

4 9 2 5 1 8 6 3 7

5 1 7 4 8 9 2 6 3

9 8 3 6 7 2 5 4 1

3 4 1 9 6 5 7 2 8

8 2 5 7 4 3 1 9 6

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CLASSIFIEDS

Life&Times

Puzzles

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★★

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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Sport

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

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

Pride of West Kent Syrett ready to roar like a lion was over the moon,” he said. “I’ve been there to watch and I’ve always wanted to fight there, it’s got a great atmosphere.

The opportunity came out of the blue. “I didn’t expect it at all. I had to miss a mate’s stag do and a Millwall match, and I was thinking to myself ‘This is a bit much’.

“Then the very next morning I get a call asking me to be on the Matchroom undercard. I can’t wait, it’s a great opportunity.”

Matchroom, headed by Eddie Hearn, is arguably the biggest name in boxing in the UK and is handling the remarkable rise of Anthony Joshua.

By Andy Tong BOXING: LEWIS SYRETT has been running up a hill ‘20 or 30 times’. He’s a little breathless but the 30-year-old boxer is busy staying in shape ahead of the biggest fight of his career.

He’s fighting at the Copperbox, the 2012 Olympics venue in East London, on Saturday March 23 on the undercard of a world flyweight title fight to be televised on Sky Sports.

His opponent, Serge Ambomo, represented Cameroon at the London Games and has a decent pro record of six wins and nine defeats.

“He looks a bit like Mr T, a short, stocky fella with a Mohican,” Lewis laughs. “It’s funny, I haven’t seen that Rocky film, I’ve only ever watched the new ones – and people say to me, how can you be a fighter and not have seen it?”

The middleweight, whose nickname in the ring is ‘Lionheart’ – he’s a big Millwall fan – has an unblemished record of five wins and two knockouts in the two years since he turned pro.

His next opponent will certainly be his stiffest test so far. “It’s a potential banana skin but I need to step up,” the southpaw said. “At 30 I don’t want to be fighting journeymen any more.”

He grew up in Kemsing and went to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, then lived in Tonbridge before moving to Meopham last year.

He previously fought at York Hall in East London and is relishing the chance to show his skills at the Copperbox – and on TV for the first time.

“When I got the call it was music to my ears, I

SHOW TIME Lewis Syrett says he needs to ‘step up’ at the age of 30

‘I like the dedication. It’s a hard game, but I like challenging myself. This gives me something to live for’ “Wadi Camacho, who has the same manager as me, Steve Goodwin, is fighting Lawrence Okolie for the [British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight] title and they suggested a couple more fighters on the bill, so I’ve got my chance.”

Lewis turned pro after more than 50 fights at amateur level. He began at the Sevenoaks Amateur Boxing Club near Weald, under trainer Paul Lynch, and stayed there for 10 years.

“I started just before I turned 18, quite late really. A friend of mine didn’t want to go along on

Derry ends Angels’ goal drought Tonbridge Angels 1 AFC Hornchurch 0

KEEP OUT A dogged Hornchurch defence clear the ball

By Jim Rowe

Henderson shows fine early-season form for Wheelers

By Julian Fussell

PHOTO: David Couldridge

FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS secured a vital

three points in their bid for a playoff place in Bostik League Premier as they overcame a resourceful Hornchurch.

Tom Derry’s strike proved decisive with five minutes remaining, after the Angels had gone three games without finding the net.

The home side enjoyed the better of the first half but for all their dominance the breakthrough wouldn’t come.

Chances fell to Chinedu McKenzie, Derry and two for Joe Turner but inaccuracy and the fine form of Hornchurch custodian Callum Chafer kept the game goalless at the break.

The second half started with Tonbridge on the front foot but Hornchurch built some midfield momentum through the prompting of Joe Christou.

The Angels defence was well organised but it looked likely to be another match without a goal.

Despite preventing the Urchins from creating any genuine chances, the momentum seemed to have gone out of the home side’s game.

On the hour they suffered a serious blow when

his own so I said I’d go with him. He gave it up after a couple of months but I fell in love with it.

“I like the dedication. It’s a hard game, like people say, but I like challenging myself. I used to play a lot of pub football but it wasn’t enough for me. This gives me something to live for.”

Now he trains at the Boxing Stables near Brands Hatch with trainer John Cole, having turned professional at the ripe old age of 27.

It came at the right time, after he had experienced what he reckons were a succession of poor decisions from referees.

“I used to get disheartened, you get some terrible robberies,” he said. “Coming from a small club, your face doesn’t fit against the bigger boys.

“My mate Darryll Williams said to me, ‘Why don’t you turn pro?’, and I thought, well if he thinks I can do it then I’ll give it a go.”

Lewis still works five or six days a week as a scaffolder, then goes to training afterwards, typically two hours a night. It’s a tough ask but it keeps his weight down and his fitness up.

So what makes him a fighter to watch? “I’m very awkward, I’m not sure why but everyone that watches me spar reckons I’ve got a weird style.

“Plus I’ve got a good engine and a good chin, and I just don’t stop coming.”

He’s confident his glove will be raised at the Copperbox and he will go on to punch above his weight. “I’ve achieved more than I ever expected, I never thought I’d be good enough to turn pro.

“Now I’d love to have a go at the Southern Area title, and see where it takes me.”

their inspirational skipper, Tom Parkinson, was taken off on a stretcher.

He appeared to have sustained a serious ankle injury just 12 months after coming back from a long layoff because of a similar problem.

It was Parkinson’s substitute Tom Beere who executed a defence-splitting pass out to Turner on the left wing in the 85th minute.

He provided a fine, low cross and and Derry was in the right place to score the winner.

Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “This was obviously a huge three points. Over the 90 minutes I think we deserved the win.

“We had to be patient, not panic and eventually a moment of quality takes us through.”

Tonbridge are in fourth place in the table, just one point behind Merstham and four behind Haringey Borough.

They now entertain Corinthian Casuals at home on Saturday [March 16, kick-off 3pm].

CYCLING: THE Southborough & District Wheelers have made an impressive start to the race season and currently top the British Cycling South East regional points table.

Teenage sensation Torin Henderson won the South East Road Race League category 3/4 race held on the Wivelsfield circuit in East Sussex.

Henderson, 18, was up against a competitive field of 50 riders and won with a dominant sprint, hitting the front from a long way out.

Fellow SDW rider Simon Miller also finished the race within the main group.

In the Sussex Cycle Racing League held at Preston Park in Brighton, Przemek Jersz finished 10th in the category 2/3 race, and Charles Dennison 14th in category 4.

More than 40 riders took part in the club’s annual reliability ride, aiming to complete either a 40 or 60-mile route across the Weald of Kent.

Will Hayward and Anthony Goebel completed the 60-mile route in three and a half hours.

Visit southborough-wheelers.co.uk

Bissett strike breaks deadlock against bottom club Croydon 0 Rusthall 2

By Joe Croker FOOTBALL: STRONG winds added to the pressure in what was a must-win game for both teams if they were to avoid relegation from the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.

Croydon were restricted to long-range shots in the first half that were easily dealt with by keeper Aaron McGuigan despite the conditions.

Rusthall were creating some good moves down the wings but they came to nothing, leaving the score 0-0 at half-time.

The second half started as the first finished with Croydon pumping long, high balls up field and Rusthall playing neat but ineffective football.

Then on the hour-mark it all changed when Rusthall were awarded a free kick 10 yards outside the Croydon penalty box.

Man of the match Robbie Bissett stepped up and struck a superb set-piece into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead.

This really spurred Rusthall on and with Croydon pushing forward for an equaliser Charlie Clover broke away, beat his defender and passed the ball to the unmarked Steph Harper.

Harper, renowned for his clinical finishing, put the ball over the goalkeeper but wide of the goal.

Rusthall continued to break dangerously but when Nordirbek Bobmuradov picked up the ball midway into the Croydon half there didn’t look like there was much on.

However, he skipped past three defenders and

smashed the ball into the Croydon net for Rusthall’s second.

Things got worse for the home side when one of their playes was sent off for a second yellow card with 10 minutes to go.

The game was petering out when Clover broke away to run at the Croydon goal, only to be stopped by a last-ditch tackle.

The result leaves Croydon rooted to the bottom of the table and with Hollands & Blair losing 3-2 to Deal Town, Rusthall are out of the relegation zone in 18th place.

But Hollands & Blair have three games in hand on the Rustics as the run-in approaches.

Rusthall have no game this weekend, but return to action at home to Bearsted on Saturday March 23 [kick-off 3pm].

FLYING START: 18-year-old Torin Henderson (centre) is crowned winner at Wivelsfield

Wednesday March 13 | 2019

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Tonbridge Juddians 26 Dings Crusaders 0

By Adam Hookway RUGBY: TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS kept up the pressure at the top of National Two South to stay in the frame for a playoff place.

On Dings’ first visit to the Slade they put up dogged resistance in high winds.

TJs came out of the blocks with speed and accuracy to set Murray Galbraith-Lowe free on the left to go over. Will Robinson added the extras into the wind from the touchline.

Dings grew into the game as it became a scrappy, stop-start affair. The visitors rarely

threatened but they limited TJs to just a couple of half-chances.

Injuries stopped the flow of the game and a yellow card for Dings led to uncontested scrums, which added to the disruption.

Dings came out strongly in the second half but could not find a foothold in the TJ half.

The home side capitalised on a tiring Dings defence as the pressure wore on.

Penalties ensued and from one of them Charlie Edwards, who was a thorn in Dings’ side, tapped and dived over, Robinson converting again.

After some excellent phase play, the ball found Matas Jurevicius who forced his way over the line under the sticks using all of his 6ft 4in frame.

Robinson added the extras again.

Bonus points are key at this stage of the season

PHOTO: Adam Hookway

Jackson bulldozes over to make sure of bonus point REACH FOR GLORY Matas Jurevicius stretches out to score and eventually a spell of keep-ball took TJs deep into Dings’ territory.

Ryan Jackson, helped by the strong wind behind him, managed to bulldoze his way over to ensure the bonus point with an unconverted try.

TJs now lie fourth in the table, three points behind Henley and seven behind second-placed Canterbury with five games to go.

Tonbridge travel to fifth-placed Taunton Titans on Saturday March 23 [kick-off 3pm].

Hathaway shows power after Wells learn lesson CS Stags 19 Tunbridge Wells 31

By John Crees RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS showed greater fortitude to close out this tight contest in Chiswick after the disappointment of throwing away a 17-point lead in injury time the previous week.

Their prospects did not look good when, following a stalemate in the first 25 minutes, Nick Doherty was sin-binned after a team warning.

The London side took advantage of the extra

man and scored between the posts three minutes later after the ball was fumbled at the back, then added the conversion. They scored another converted try soon afterwards off a lineout.

When Doherty returned Wells were soon on the attack with wave after wave of pick-and-drives, and Mike Hathaway finally powered over the line with Frank Reynolds converting to reduce the deficit to 14-7 at half-time.

Wells came out for the second half with the strong wind at their backs and came out of the blocks quickly.

A quick lineout between Brendan Crossilla and Josh Pankhurst saw the ball go through fast hands. George Montgomery took a straight line which split the Stags defence and he was driven over the line by his pack. Reynolds again successfully converted to level the scores.

Soon the physical defence took its toll on Stags, with their influential second row taking a knock to the head and having to leave the field.

He was soon followed by the scrum-half and a back-row forward, which allowed Wells to take a hold of the game.

They scored further tries through Taylor-Dennehy, Mike Doherty and a second for Hathaway, all three looking threatening all game.

With five minutes to go, however, Stags broke

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

ALL TOGETHER NOW Ben Isbell tries to force his way through

Harvey doubles up to earn valuable draw at Gymkhana Indian Gymkhana 2 Tunbridge Wells Men 1

By Cameron Green HOCKEY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS secured a draw against promotion-chasing Indian Gymkhana in West London to help their chances of staying up in South Premier League Division One. The visitors started well, keeping possession and applying pressure. They earned a short corner which was neatly put away by Ian Harvey.

But Indian Gymkhana soon drew level with some well-worked attacking play.

Wells reacted in spirited fashion and after both sides missed some half chances it was Harvey again who reverse-hit into the bottom corner after good work along the baseline by Ben Brandt.

The hosts had the better of possession after the interval, pushing Wells back into their own half.

They equalised again from a short corner despite a string of saves from keeper James Harris and his post-men.

The last five minutes provided a tense finish with end-to-end hockey and both sides having chances to snatch the game, including a short corner for Wells right on the final whistle.

Wells are 10th out of 12 in the table but should have no fear of the drop with Henly marooned at the bottom and only one team going down.

They now entertain Milton Keynes, one place below them, at Kent College, Pembury on Saturday [March 16, 3pm start].

through the solid defensive wall and scored out wide, clawing the deficit back to 19-24.

But Wells had learned their lesson from the week before and when they kicked off, Charlie Rigby turned the ball over and the forwards took control once again.

From 10 phases of play and excellent possession, the ball was spun wide for Mike Doherty to score between the posts and Reynolds converted to round off an excellent team performance.

Wells now require just five points to ensure their place in the London and South-East Premier Division next season.

They are in 11th place, and after a weekend off they entertain 12th-placed Chingford on Saturday March 23 [kick-off 3pm].