Wednesday April 19 | 2017
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THE WOMAN WHO PREACHES THE GOODNESS OF NUTS AND SEEDS Page 56-57
Hospital faces business rates rise of £1million By Andrew Tong TUNBRIDGE WELLS Hospital has been hit by a massive rise in its business rates after a revaluation that adds 62 per cent to its tax bill. The Pembury site, part of the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), is the seventh worst affected hospital in the country after seeing its rateable value rise by around £1million. The Trust is already in Special Financial Measures following the forecast of a £23.4million budget deficit last July. MTW will be contesting the increase. It paid £1.59million in rates in 2016, but those at its hospital in Maidstone are very low by comparison. The new rates, set by the government’s Valuation Office Agency, are calculated to take into account the rise in property prices between 2008 and 2015. They are normally revised every five years but the latest round was controversially delayed for two years, meaning the rise is steeper than usual. An analysis by business rates specialists CVS in January found that health authorities will see their business rates rise by an average of a third by 2021. Around 80 trusts have asked councils to treat them as charities, as is the case with many private health providers, so they can qualify for the 80 per cent discount which is accorded to such bodies. MTW declined to comment on the rate rise.
SAILOR PROVES DISABILITY IS NO BARRIER TO AN ACTIVE LIFE Page 8
THERESA MAY ANNOUNCES SHOCK SNAP ELECTION FOR JUNE 8 Page 18
ACTOR DISCUSSES HIS LOCAL ROOTS AHEAD OF NEW SHOW Page 75
Council stop CCTV monitoring INSIDE in controversial budget decision EASTER SPECIAL
We review the weekend’s cracking events Page 16
By Murray Jones
murray@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE borough council have pushed ahead with a policy to cease monitoring CCTV in the borough. The contentious move came despite strong opposition from seven speakers at a meeting on April 13, including Nicky Blanchard from Royal Victoria Place [RVP] and former Council Leader Lorraine Braam as well as four Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors. Earlier, Kent Police issued a statement warning that the proposed passive model would mean a ‘key tactical option’ for the force would be lost.
‘This decision would be an advert that the town is vulnerable. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity’ Passive monitoring means the 39 cameras around the borough would still be recording but no one would be watching them live. Currently, personnel in the Town Hall watch the camera feeds 77 per cent of the time [129 of 168 hours a week]. Ms Blanchard said: “Active monitoring is too important to lose. We need to promote an image of safety and confidence. “This decision would be an advert that the town is vulnerable. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity.” The report from the council argued that active monitoring of CCTV only has a ‘modest impact’ on general crime and ‘zero impact’ on violent offences. Contrary to previous police statements Council Leader David Jukes claimed that at a recent meeting Kent Police Chief Consta-
THE PERFECT GAME
Bowling League reflect on another thrilling season Page 78
ble Alan Pughsley said ‘we [the police] only However, the unanimous opposition of want continued access to the control room’. visiting speakers did force a compromise Between April 2016 and January 2017, from the Cabinet. An amendment put there were 31 known arrests instigated by the cameras. They assisted in 172 arrests Continued on page 2 and in total monitored 584 incidents of interest to the police. LEADER ATTEMPTS TO HIDE Lorraine Braam, a former DECISION FROM THE PUBLIC Liberal Democrat Council Leader who oversaw the In an unexpected twist to proceedings, introduction of the cameras Council Leader David Jukes attempted in 1997, described the passive to exclude the press and the public from model as ‘almost useless’, the meeting after the guest speakers adding: “This is not simply had finished. about the number of He requested that the arrests, it is about meeting be exempt, stopping potential meaning the discussion would be held behind incidents or crimes closed doors. from escalating.” He cited ‘security The downgrading reasons’, asking: “Why of CCTV is expected should we tell the bad to save around guys when we are not £100,000 a year, with watching them?” Chief Executive But the Head of Legal William Benson Partnership, Estelle stating that the Culligan, insisted that council are currently CONTROVERSIAL an exemption would facing a £750,000 Council Leader not be justified. deficit for next David Jukes year’s budget.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
The parties make their pitch as county ballots approach Page 4
INSPIRING WORDS
TEDx announce more speakers for their summer event Page 14
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NEWS
Local News
Switch to passive CCTV monitoring Continued from page 1 forward by Cllr Lynne Weatherly means that the first year of passive monitoring, which begins in April 2018, will be deemed a ‘pilot’ with a review after six months. It was agreed that the council would now look for alternative avenues of funding to maintain the live provision.
Alternative ideas With the change not to be implemented until April 2018 there is time to find ‘alternative arrangements’ to continue live monitoring, something Cabinet members seemed eager to explore. One proposal that was floated was an integration of monitoring with RVP after manager Nicky Blanchard revealed that the shopping centre already watches its cameras 24/7. A move Cllr Jukes seemed very keen on. After the meeting he said: “RVP have got their system. The costs [to also monitor the council’s cameras] would be a drop in the ocean for them.” Ms Blanchard agreed that there were ‘definitely options to explore’.
Frodo the dog chosen to enter the theatrical ring A THREE-YEAR-OLD Jackadoodle has been selected to star in the production of La Boheme coming to the Assembly Hall on Saturday [April 22]. Frodo, who is a cross between a Jack Russell and a Toy Poodle, has been described as ‘a playful fun-loving dog, who loves catching a ball’. He also loves to sing and may howl a few notes of La Boheme himself according to his owner Caroline Funnell. He will be starring as the dog of Musetta, who will be EVERY DOG played by HAS ITS DAY international Frodo the French Soprano Jackadoodle Olga Perrier. CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 CHIEF REPORTER ADAM HIGNETT adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576051 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES sales@onemedia.co.uk | 01892 779580 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews IF YOU HAVE A STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Contact details above
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CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS HERE at the Times of Tunbridge Wells we strive to deliver fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we don’t meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections. If you would like to make a comment on any aspect of the newspaper, please write to the editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU, or email newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
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Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Mayor announces £20,000 is raised to help charity beat eating disorders DAVID NEVE said it was ‘personal experience’ that led him to support the eating disorder charity Beat during his year in office, as he revealed £20,000 had been raised for the cause. As his term draws to a close, the Mayor and his wife Mayoress Jill Neve thanked those who have supported their campaign yesterday and spoke of why it had been their charity of choice.
create a new support group and recruit Beat Ambassadors – individuals with personal experience of an eating disorder to leave a legacy in the community. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses affecting at least 725,000 people in the UK. Michela Lodovichi, Regional Officer at Beat said, “We’re so grateful to the Mayor for select-
ing Beat as his charity of the year. Thank you to the volunteers, companies and fundraisers in and around Tunbridge Wells who have helped raise this money. “We will make sure the funds raised by the Mayor will be invested in projects which will make a real positive impact to those affected by eating disorders in the area.”
Overwhelmed “With personal experience of how eating disorders can affect those nearest to you, it was important for me to choose Beat, who help people with these mental illnesses, as my charity of the year” said Cllr Neve. He added: “I have been overwhelmed by the support from people in the local area. There are too many to list but my heartfelt thanks go out to all the volunteers and companies who have supported this fundraising campaign. “I know personally what the addition of a support group will mean to those suffering with an eating disorder in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas and I’m very proud of what we have achieved already this year.” The money will be invested to increase support for sufferers and raise awareness of eating disorders in the local area, with plans to
HEARTFELT: Mayor David Neve (Left) helps to raise funds with Mayoress Jill Neve (Far right)
Greg Clark seeks fresh election mandate By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk GREG CLARK is urging his constituents to help the Government ‘build a good future for Britain’ by backing his re-election on June 8. His call for national unity comes after Prime Minister Theresa May announced her intention hold a snap General Election in seven weeks’ time after previously ruling the option out. Mr Clark said it is ‘a privilege’ to represent the town. He added: “This is a time for our country to come together and join forces to make the next five years a time when we build a good future for Britain, under strong and stable leadership. “I will be honoured if my constituents choose me to continue my work in our community.” Local liberal democrats are calling on voters to
send a message about what sort of Brexit they comes next, this is your chance.” want by lending them the vote. Her stance is backed by prominent Tunbridge Gillian Douglass, Liberal Democrat Wells remain campaigner, and former Tory chair for Tunbridge Wells said: “This member, Husnara Begum who said the call election is a huge opportunity for for a snap election ‘shouldn’t surprise voters in Tunbridge Wells to change anyone’. the direction of our country and “I think it makes complete sense on Mrs prevent a disastrous hard Brexit. May’s part. With the Labour party in com“People in Tunbridge Wells voted plete disarray the result will be a crushing decisively to remain in the EU, defeat for Corbyn and a landslide and certainly did not vote for victory for the Conservatives. the extreme form of Brexit “That will sadly clear the way that Greg Clark has for a ‘hard’ Brexit. I just hope supported. therefore that the Liberal “For all those who want Democrats can pull a rabbit out to protect our local of their hat. Only then do we economy by staying in stand a chance of a pragmatic the Single Market and approach to Brexit and one ensure the people have that is sensitive to the views MP Greg Clark the final say over what held by so many.”
SNAP GENERAL ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT WILL ADD ANOTHER TWIST TO LOCAL CAMPAIGNS POLITICAL anoraks will rejoice at the surprise announcement by Theresa May that Britons will once again head to the polls on June 8 for their second General Election in two years. The local elections in three weeks’ time were always likely to be seen as a proxy vote on the government’s performance over Brexit, regardless of the local issues they are supposed to be about. But now all eyes will be on the results of May 4 as a bellwether for how the General Election may shape up. After winning 58.7 per cent of the constituency’s vote in 2015 (44 percentage points more than the Labour candidate in second place) it is unlikely Mr Clark will be losing much sleep. However, some people have not forgiven our MP over what they see as his failure to represent the majority of his constituents who voted to remain in the EU. Parties campaigning on a pro-EU platform will
be hoping to make inroads into his seeming unassailable majority and that of the local Conservative party at county level. And if they succeed in turning a few blue divisions say, yellow, it is likely to mean those Tory MPs in Mr Clark’s position of representing pro-EU constituencies may have something to worry about after all, especially if they don’t enjoy such commanding majorities.
No doubt criticising the VOA is almost tantamount to shooting the messenger. They are following the rules and this is an unfortunate side effect, just like it is for all the small businesses hit by rocketing rates. But the formula itself is fundamentally flawed. Rates punish enterprise when applied to private sector and seem wholly self-defeating when public owned institutions are then forced to pay. Who benefits from this recycling of taxpayers’ Regardless of who wins the next general election, money? No one but the bureaucrats that one thing most people will be hoping for is the administer the system. More need to be hired, at next government to finally sort out the completely taxpayers’ expense, in order to take taxpayers’ ludicrous business rates system which has seen money from taxpayer funded institutions. our local Tunbridge Wells hospital having to find an The government says the NHS needs to make additional £1million to give to the tax man. efficiency savings. If they want to lend a hand I can Despite struggling to close a ballooning deficit, see a pretty huge inefficiency they could rectify. the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) have decided Chief Reporter, that in total the trust must now pay around £2.5 Adam Hignett million in rates.
Local News
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
NEWS IN BRIEF
Surge in Kent homeless as rough sleeping rises THE number of homeless people registered in the county has increased again over the past year figures have revealed. Between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 the number of rough sleepers in Kent rose to 707, almost double the number recorded just two years ago. Charities working in the sector have waned that further cuts will only heighten the crisis and you to 11,000 young people will be at risk of homelessness over the next four years.
Opening time for Castle after year of uncertainty
Grosvenor bridge delay WORK to upgrade the Grosvenor Bridge could be delayed for weeks after Kent County Council revealed it will not reopen until September. Originally the improvements to ensure the bridge continues to be safe to drive upon were forecast to end in August but phase two, which includes bridge waterproofing and resurfacing, will not take place until the following month.
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the area – and we were drawn to his plans to offer locally sourced produce on the menu.” He added: “This took time, but we are confident that the thorough selection process will ensure its place at the heart of the village for years to come.” The premises required extensive refurbishment after the previous landlord, John McManus, stripped the pub of its fixtures and fittings before his sudden departure on April 17 last year. The renovation to the Grade II listed building, described as a ‘sympathetic facelift’, was partly funded by the Trust, who spent £70,000 on structural work such as repointing a 15th century plinth with traditional lime mortar.
‘It was very important to respect the building’s incredible heritage’
Dualling to close A21 THE A21 will be closed southbound between Quarry Hill and the Pembury interchange and northbound between the Pembury and Vauxhall interchanges overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from tomorrow (April 20) for two nights. In addition, Longfield Road will be closed in both directions from the Longfield and Knights Park roundabouts between 11pm and 6am. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A26, A2014, A26 and the A228.
NEWS
SNUG FIT Annie Gilbert cuts the ribbon with (l-r) General Manager Colin Pilbeam, Jo and Nick Naismith and Front of House Dave Hayward
By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk VILLAGERS in Chiddingstone are celebrating with a glass of cheer after their ‘local’, the Castle Inn, finally reopened its doors this month, having stood empty for a year. The pub has been relaunched by Nick Naismith, Chairman of Westerham Brewery, who also brought back to life the Wheatsheaf in the nearby
village of Bough Beech in 2014 after it had closed. The Castle dates from 1420 and, along with many other buildings in the Tudor village, is owned by the National Trust. They appointed Mr Naismith as tenant last October after a six-month search for a suitable candidate. Gary Churchill, the Trust’s Estate Manager, said: “Our first priority has always been to find the right person to care for the historic building. “Nick and his staff have experience successfully refurbishing and operating similar listed pubs in
“We have made the most of the lovely historic features while also giving the inn a fresh, welcoming feel,” said Mr Naismith, who is also involved with The Carpenters Arms at Limpsfield Chart and The Royal Oak at Crockham Hill. “It was very important to us to respect the incredible heritage of the building, so we have preserved all the fireplaces, tiled floors and oak panelling, but have also redecorated throughout.” The Castle’s reopening was marked by the cutting of a ribbon by Annie Gilbert, who has lived next door to the pub for 30 years. “In the days before I lived in Chiddingstone, we used to drive down from London on a Friday night just to have dinner at the pub,” says Ms Gilbert. “It’s such a stunning building, in such a beautiful setting. Everyone was devastated when it closed as it’s such a major part of the village. Needless to say, we are over the moon to see it open again.” The National Trust has owned the freehold on the Grade I listed pub since 1939, along with the Chiding Stone itself, the village hall, Post Office, five residential cottages and the Old Manor – a medieval hall next to the Castle which has also been lying vacant for more than a year.
Shoon shuts up shop
Cabinet seeks new glass collection contract
SHOE retailer Shoon closed its High Street store on Saturday for the last time after the company decided to axe its Tunbridge Wells branch as part of a broader restructuring of the business. A spokesman for the company said they were ‘disappointed’ to close their shop in the town but by doing do it would leave them in a better position to ‘focus on future development’ elsewhere.
GLASS recycling could be coming to Tunbridge Wells, the council have announced – but not until 2019. The Cabinet will now consider offering the long awaited service after it voted to approve putting a new collection contract out to tender. At the moment residents must take their glass waste to bottle banks across the borough. An audit of residential bin waste found that just over five per cent of it is glass. By providing kerbside collection, the council will
A LOT OF BOTTLE Glass accounts for five per cent of residential bin waste
be aided in meeting its target of a 50 per cent recycling rate – currently it stands at 46 per cent. The bottle bank system does have the advantage of letting residents sort their glass into the various colours – a prerequisite for efficient recycling. Council documents state the borough lacks ‘local high-tech facilities for the colour sorting of glass’, which will limit the available uses of the collection. Cllr Tom Dawlings said there was no way to get the system running earlier without ‘significant costs’.
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NEWS
Local Elections
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Local or not? KCC elections to be fought against the backdrop of political flux… By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ON MAY 4, voters in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge will head to their nearest polling stations to cast a ballot for their representatives at Kent County Council (KCC). In most areas, if past elections are used as a reference point, turnout will remain stubbornly below a third in the majority of divisions – the geographical areas county councillors represent.
This is half of the turnout usually recorded for borough elections, despite the fact that KCC is by far the largest recipient of council tax – accounting for 72p in the pound, compared to just 10p kept by the districts. The remainder goes to Kent Police (10p), Kent Fire & Rescue (5p) and parishes (3p). At stake is a budget worth £2.15billion, more than the GDP of many nations, and this is after half a billion pounds worth of cuts since 2010. Roads, social services and education are just a few of the areas which fall under the remit of the authority. Libraries, business support and strate-
gic planning are also controlled at county level – all things that have a bearing on day-to-day life. Although local issues should be the most important factor in these elections, in the past those parties in opposition at Westminster are often the beneficiaries of people wishing to vent their frustration at the government. This was clearly the case during the last countywide election in 2013, when UKIP became the second largest party at KCC, surging from one member to 16, while Labour rose from three to 13 – all at the expense of the Conservatives. Their then Liberal Democrat coalition partners remained stuck at seven members.
‘People’s political awareness was supercharged by last year’s EU referendum’
HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS KENT COUNTY COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
5,506 SUPPORTING
PROVIDING A SOCIAL CARE SERVICE FOR
people with nursing and residential care that best meets their needs
7,828
people receiving a homecare support service to enable them to stay in their homes
2,300 ABOUT
70
COMMUNITY WARDENS
children in care, including more than young unaccompanied asylum seekers
800
24,300
young person’s travel passes
16.9 MILLION
FREE BUS JOURNEYS FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED
5,000 SUPPORTING
5.6
MILLION
COUNTDOWN To both the local and national elections
But the past couple of years have shown many of the old assumptions about politics no longer hold true. Theresa May’s call for a snap General Election to be held on June 8 means the results of this local election will get far more scrutiny than is usually the case. It will be seen as a poll on her decision. Labour’s national polling is so bleak it is expected to lose scores of local authority seats across the country. If they do, it will be the first time the official opposition has done so since the early 1980s. It is this weakness the Prime Minister is hoping to exploit with her gambit. UKIP may also be on the back foot, with the
party finding it hard to find a new purpose since its victory in bringing about Brexit. Their only representative in West Kent is standing in Tunbridge Wells – a borough that voted against Brexit. Will the Liberal Democrats benefit from their EU focus? They will be hoping so. And if council and Westminster by-election results are anything to go by since the referendum, they are in with a good chance of seeing their KCC representation increase. The Conservatives will try to persuade the electorate that they are a safe pair of hands, and hope people will not punish them for rising council tax and cuts to budgets. Nationally, they are leagues ahead in the polls, and they are fighting in a county which has a tendency to vote blue, meaning a dramatic slump in their support looks unlikely. Finally, there are the smaller parties, such as the Women’s Equality Party and the Greens, who will be hoping to get their message across and establish a toehold in local government. Several independents, too, will be campaigning tirelessly on the local issues they think really matter. The Times will focus on these political insurgents in the run-up to the election. People’s political awareness was supercharged by last year’s EU referendum. It is unlikely to abate now a General Election is just over 50 days away. Will this lead to greater engagement in local politics? The election in two weeks’ time will give us an answer – but if anecdotal evidence from Tonbridge, suggesting an increase in postal votes, is anything to go by, those who believe local democracy is important could be pleasantly surprised.
VISITS TO OUR LIBRARIES
adults with substance misuse issues
6,847km OF PUBLIC ROADS
35,440
ADULTS LAST YEAR
8565,000 children’s centres, working with
YOUNGSTERS
And the candidates are… TUNBRIDGE WELLS EAST CANDIDATE
PARTY
PAUL BARRINGTON-KING
CONSERVATIVE
TIM RICH
LABOUR
ALLEN LEAR
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
CHRIS HOARE
UKIP
TERRY CLOAD
INDEPENDENT
TUNBRIDGE WELLS WEST CANDIDATE
PARTY
JAMES McINROY
CONSERVATIVE
ALEX BRITCHER
LABOUR
ALAN BULLION
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
RUSSELL BISHOP
UKIP
DAVID HOLTON
GREEN
Local Elections
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
What the four main parties have to say ahead of May 4 CONSERVATIVE MANIFESTO: (Current councillors: 47/84) “Conservative County Councillors are dedicated to improving lives for all our residents and ensure that every pound of your council tax is spent wisely to support all our residents, to increase choice and opportunity for all to enable an improved quality of life and outcomes for everyone in our communities” – Kent Manifesto LABOUR MANIFESTO: (Current councillors 12/84) “We believe that austerity has gone too far, there is too much privatisation taking control of our local services and there needs to be more local solutions to complex issues. There is too much inequality hidden beneath the surface of prosperity. We believe that the county is heading for chaos unless there is a lot more investment in infrastructure” – Kent Manifesto The third largest party, with 12 seats, Labour are hoping continued cuts to local budgets – by a Tory government – will drive people away from the incumbent Conservatives, and what many LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: (Current Councillors 7/84) “If you’ve had enough of Tory disregard for the real needs of our society and you’re worried about Mrs May’s hard Brexit, or if you are fed up with Labour’s infighting and indifference to the electorate, now is the time to support someone that will work hard for you and your community all year round – your local Liberal Democrat candidate” – Kent party website Since the EU referendum, Liberal Democrats have enjoyed being buoyed by a string of UKIP: (Current councillors 14/84) “UKIP is the only party showing real growth in local government, while the other parties are trying to hang on to what they have. People see a lack of democracy and connection with the three old parties. UKIP bring a breath of fresh air into politics and offer the electorate a real alternative to the status quo. Our councillors come from all walks of life and really understand the communities they represent” – Nationwide Manifesto The party that is credited with forcing David Cameron’s hand over the EU referendum is the
TUNBRIDGE WELLS NORTH
Kent is a true blue county and the Conservatives have dominated local government in most areas for decades, making them vulnerable to accusations of complacency and being complicit in ‘austerity’ measures. Their heyday was after the 2009 election, when they held 74 of the 84 seats available. They hope to build on what they see as their successful record at County Hall. In education, this includes keeping a ‘relentless focus on raising school standards’, which has seen Kent achieve above average attainment levels in all Key Stages. They also plan to double the number of 16 to 20-year-olds taking up a
modern apprenticeship from 11,000 to 22,000. For health, the party say they will ‘aim to prevent the unnecessary attendance’ at A&E by delivering ‘community health and social care teams’ that will work out of hours, 24/7. They also seek to design ‘new initiatives’ to help families avoid the ‘massive costs’ of social care. The Conservatives say they ‘are committed to the green belt’, financially contribute towards expanding broadband connectivity across Kent, and ‘lobby central government to make sure Kent receives its fair share of infrastructure funds to support growth’.
predict will be a collapse in the UKIP vote. But the perceptions of their national party and its leader, Jeremy Corbyn, may hinder this. The party say education is ‘going the wrong way’, will call for academies to be returned to local authority control and encourage the development of more special needs units at mainstream schools. They say they ‘accept’ the current selective system, but claim it is ‘flawed’ and will ‘vigorously oppose’ the creation of further selective establishments. On health, Labour will ‘encourage the development of NHS/KCC jointly funded and managed nursing care facilities so that the NHS and KCC
are less dependent on the vagaries of the market’. They will also ‘fight to raise resources’ for better mental health care. They say the transport system in Kent ‘fails all communities’, and will call for: Rail franchises to be renationalised; pollution hotspots to be tackled; investment in road safety; and will ‘challenge’ borough councils to improve town parking arrangements.
by-election successes. But despite the Kent group’s website urging voters to use the local elections as a proxy vote on the Europe issue (as seen above), their actual manifesto makes no mention of it. Either way, the party will hope their emphatic pro-EU position will reap electoral rewards. On local issues, the Liberal Democrats want to roll out 20mph zones across more residential areas, and increase the spending on road maintenance by three per cent of the county’s budget. official opposition at the county council. But since their side won the vote, the party has not fared well nationally. Former member and now Tory Kent MP Craig Mackinlay predicts they will be ‘wiped out’ at this election. The party has also lost three members at KCC since the 2013 election. Opting not to publish a Kent manifesto (the Times was unable to identify one), the party has a ‘local’ one to cover all areas. They pledge to keep council tax ‘as low as possible’ whilst ‘protecting essential services’. This will also go alongside
TUNBRIDGE WELLS SOUTH
The party will ‘support action’ to increase the number of grammar school places being awarded to children from poorer backgrounds, and provide them with free transport to ensure ‘no child is prevented from taking up a place due to distance or poverty’. They will campaign for the council to borrow money to build affordable housing and recycle the proceeds of sales into building further homes. On health, the Liberal Democrats say they will ‘not support any plans for further NHS reorganisation which cannot be delivered without GPs and community nurses’. calls to reduce the tax burdens on businesses in order to stimulate economic growth. In addition, they want to oppose ‘excessive house building’ and stop development over the countryside by giving residents the power to ‘override planning authorities’ on unwanted approvals. Housing will be prioritised for ‘local people and veterans’. On education, the party wish to expand the provision of grammar schools and support home schooling.
TONBRIDGE DIVISION
(2 SEATS AVAILABLE)
CANDIDATE
PARTY
CANDIDATE
PARTY
CANDIDATE
PARTY
PETER OAKFORD
CONSERVATIVE
CATHERINE RANKIN
CONSERVATIVE
CONSERVATIVE
MARTIN BETTS
LABOUR
LORNA BLACKMORE
LABOUR
RICHARD LONG MICHAEL PAYNE
MARGUERITA MORTON
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
ANDREW HICKEY
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
SACHA MARTEN MARY ARIGHO
LABOUR
WILLIAM O’SHEA
UKIP
NAZ MIAN
UKIP
ANTHONY HOSKIN
GREEN
JOHN HURST
GREEN
GARRY BRIDGE FRANCES HOSKINS
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
CELINE THOMAS
WOMEN’S EQUALITY
DAVID ALLEN COLIN HUSSEY
UKIP
APRIL CLARK MARK HOOD
GREEN
TUNBRIDGE WELLS RURAL
CRANBROOK
CANDIDATE
PARTY
SARAH HAMILTON
CONSERVATIVE
CANDIDATE
PARTY
RAYMOND MOON
LABOUR
SEAN HOLDEN
CONSERVATIVE
TOM DEACON
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
IAN CARVELL
LABOUR
COLIN NICHOLSON
UKIP
CLARE BISHOP
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
TREVOR BISDEE
GREEN
NANCY WARNE
INDEPENDENT
All but one of the council divisions within Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge being contested in the upcoming Kent County Council elections are held by members of the Conservative Party. Only Tunbridge Wells East is an exception, and has been represented by UKIP councillor Chris Hoare since 2013
NEWS
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NEWS
Local News
CHARRED The Mark Cross Inn
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Pleasure, self-reliance, confidence: Out on the water everyone is equal Local charity Wealden Sailability gives disabled people the chance to cast off their land-based challenges and set sail for a bright future. As the new summer season starts at Chipstead Lake, Peter Wagner tells the Times how it has transformed his life – even though he can’t swim
Kitchen fire forces pub to close down SIX fire engines were required to put out the blaze in the kitchens of the Mark Cross Inn just before midnight on Saturday (April 15). No one was injured. It is believed the fire may have started from an electrical fault, but this has not yet been confirmed. The results of an official inspection undertaken yesterday were unpublished as the Times went to press. Pub owner Brian Whiting said the popular establishment will not be open ‘for at least two weeks’ and could remain closed for three months or more. He added: “The roof has been burned through but this could probably be replaced quite quickly. The problem is the fire took out all of the electrics and we will need to rewire the pub. How long this will take is anyone’s guess.” However, Mr Whiting – whose company Whiting & Hammond owns several other restaurants and pubs across Kent and Sussex – said he had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the community support he has received. “I have been astonished and surprised by the number of supportive messages we have received from people. “I want to assure them that when the place reopens it will be better than ever.” The Black Pig restaurant and pub on Grove
Hill Road was also in need of the fire service following a small kitchen fire at 10.25am on Sunday (April 16). No injuries were reported and service carried on as normal when the pub opened.
MAKING WAVES Peter Wagner sails in a Hansa Liberty
I HAVE ataxic cerebral palsy, a condition that I have had since birth, which affects my fine and gross motor skills. I am unable to walk and have to use a wheelchair to get about. In 2009, I was keen to find a sporting activity in which I could take part. Being a disabled person, this was very challenging. It was my parents who discovered Wealden Sailability, which had recently started, and they asked me if I would consider learning how to sail.
‘A blind person or a paraplegic can even sail solo. Such freedom is seldom available to disabled people’ I was certainly interested in giving it a go, so they asked what opportunities were available and I was invited over to check it out. Wealden Sailability, founded by Brian Stanley, were then based at Bough Beech reservoir near Edenbridge. The first day I spent there was thoroughly enjoyable. I was taken out on the water by one of their volunteer instructors in a Hansa 303, a boat which is specifically designed to be sailed by a disabled sailor. After a very short time, the instructors believed that I was sufficiently competent to sail the dinghy single-handed. In 2011, Wealden Sailability moved its operations to Chipstead Sailing Club near Sevenoaks. Since then it has expanded its operations exponentially. Its fleet of specially designed dinghies has increased considerably – from six when I first turned up in 2009 to 23 last year. They’ve got 80 or 90 volunteers and hundreds of clients. They cater for 35 visitors per session and take them out twice a week. I race in one of the two Paralympic class 2.4
dinghies which are part of a fleet they use for weekly racing events. There are few sports where disabled people can compete with the able-bodied on the same terms, but on the water everyone is equal. Sport in general unites people and communities, heightening awareness and relieving the effects of stress. But the benefit of sailing is that it also generates so much pleasure, the fulfilling feeling of selfreliance and confidence from accomplishment. For instance, a blind person or a paraplegic can even sail solo in a specially adapted boat. Such freedom is seldom available to disabled people.
The charity’s trustees and volunteers put in a lot of hard work and give up a great deal of their time between April and October each year to give disabled people such as myself the opportunity and sheer exhilaration to get on the water. So it was no surprise to me that in 2015 Wealden Sailability received the Queen’s Award, the highest recognition of volunteering in the UK. In June 2015, I was thrilled to be nominated by Wealden Sailability to join six other disabled sailors from other Royal Yacht Association Sailability groups to attend the first Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series event in Portsmouth. All seven of us had an amazing day, and the icing on the cake was meeting Sir Ben Ainslie, winner of four sailing gold medals at successive Olympic Games. Hopefully Sir Ben and his boat Rita will win the America’s Cup this year with the British Land Rover BAR team and bring it back to this country. I would encourage anyone who has a disability, whatever it is, to get in touch with Wealden Sailability and give it a go. After all, I have been sailing with them for eight years and I can’t swim. So there is no excuse – and I promise you’ll really enjoy it! The season at Chipstead Sailing Club runs until October 31. For more information, visit www.wealdensailability.org FIRST MATE Peter Wagner (seated centre) meets Sir Ben Ainslie (rear centre) at a 2015 America’s Cup event
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NEWS
Community News
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Father runs marathon to support ‘neglected’ brain tumour research By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A RUNNER from Tunbridge Wells is taking part in the London Marathon to raise funds for research into the disease which killed his father. City trader Kevin Bell was 21 when his fit and healthy father Tony passed away at the age of 52. A biopsy revealed he had an aggressive and inoperable brain tumour and he died two weeks after being hospitalised. Now Kevin, 46 and a father of two, is aiming to raise £10,000 for the charity Brain Tumour Research by taking part in the race on April 23. He said: “I remember everyone saying how young he was, but to me at the time 52 seemed quite old. Now I’m only six years away from that age myself, I understand that it is no age at all. “When you become a father you have a responsibility to your kids which wasn’t there before. “You suddenly become aware of your own mortality, so recently I’ve been mega-health conscious and determined to live a healthier lifestyle.” The oil trader was also affected by the loss of a family friend, Casualty actress Rebekah Gibbs, who died of a brain tumour two years ago. The tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, but just one per cent of the national spending on cancer research has been allocated to this disease. Carol Robertson, Community Fundraising Man-
ager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer. Experiences like Kevin’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. To make a donation, go to www.justgiving.com/ fundraising and search for Kevin Bell. For more information, visit www.braintumourresearch.org
FATHER DOWN THE ROAD Kevin Bell with his children Lucia and Samuel
ACROSS THE LINE (L-r) Martine Kydd, Dame Kelly Holmes, Lewis Travers-Smith and Charlie Evans
Southeastern’s £20k puts Kelly’s kids on right track THE Dame Kelly Holmes Trust has received a £20,000 donation from train operator Southeastern to help fund the charity’s new ‘Get On Track’ courses. The project aims to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people by providing them with mentoring from world-class sports people. The double Olympic champion said: “Today’s significant donation by Southeastern will support new projects in the region which will transform the lives of young people who need our support. “What makes me most proud about the partnership is that Southeastern sees the complete picture. They don’t just support the Trust financially but also create opportunities for them to thrive in the workplace and empower others. Three members of the scheme were present at
Dame Kelly’s Café 1809 in Hildenborough for the handover of the cheque. Martine Kydd, 26, Lewis Travers-Smith, 25, and Charlie Evans, 22, all from Kent, have been employed by Southeastern. Martine, who is an Employability and Projects Officer, said: “It’s inspiring to work with athlete mentors, they’ve done so much in their lives. “To know that they’ve failed and got back up and done it, makes you realise that you can do it, no matter where you come from or how hard your life’s been. If you want something, you can do it. “From the Get on Track programme I’ve realised the confidence I had in myself, how much I could do if I really pushed myself and didn’t give up.” She added: “The athlete mentors wouldn’t have let me give up if I’d have tried and it felt good to have that push behind me.”
Can you knit a mitt for Dementia Awareness? THE Tunbridge Wells Dementia Forum are running a Twiddle Mitt Knit Appeal in the run-up to Dementia Awareness Week on May 14-20. Twiddle Mitts are designed to help people who are living with dementia to be calm, keeping
restless hands busy and reducing anxiety. They are usually knitted or crocheted and covered in beads, buttons, ribbons and pompoms to ‘twiddle’. The Tunbridge Wells Knit Appeal asks that donations are
Community News
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
By Andrew Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
THE outgoing Club Captain at Lamberhurst Golf Club, Colin Poore, has raised £13,310 for Macmillan Cancer Support – which is enough to fund one of the charity’s nurses for three months. The money was raised through a series of organised events, such as the Captain’s Charity Day, an Open Garden and tins around the club for collecting donations and fines.
A fundraising team comprising John Seal, David Edmondson, John Jenner and Tom Daker also took on Macmillan’s Longest Day of Golf Challenge, which saw them complete four rounds in one day and raise over £4,700. Colin said: “Having experienced first-hand the wonderful support that Macmillan nurses gave to both my wife, and then more recently myself, my charity for the year was an easy choice. “I would like to say a big thank you to the club members and visitors who were incredibly generous in their support of Macmillan. “It means so much to be able to give something back and know that someone else will benefit from put in the collection box at the Gateway Centre. Knitters are also encouraged to tweet with the hashtag #TWellsKnitAppeal. For more information and details of patterns, visit www.twellsknitappeal.com HELPING HAND Twiddle mitts help to reduce anxiety
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Paralympian Claire is Tree of Hope’s patron
Lamberhurst’s charity golfers club together to help Macmillan Cancer Support
‘Ninety-nine per cent of our money comes from voluntary donations, so we are so grateful for this money’
NEWS
LEADERSHIP QUALITIES Colin Poore with Fundraising Manager Helene Poursain the vital support services that they offer.” Helene Poursain, Macmillan’s Area Fundraising Manager for the South-East, said: “I was delighted to meet Colin at the beginning of his captaincy and hear about his ambitious plans to raise over £10,000 for our charity. “I am so pleased that he has exceeded his goal and would like to say a huge thank you to him for all his hard work in raising the money and to the generosity of everyone that supported him. “Ninety-nine per cent of our money comes from voluntary donations, so we are so grateful for this money, which will help us to be able to provide emotional, practical, financial and medical support for people living with cancer.” If your company would like to hold a fundraising event in support of Macmillan, please call 0300 1000 200 or visit their website at www.macmillan.org.uk/fundraising
PARALYMPIAN swimmer Claire Cashmore has become a patron of Tunbridge Wells charity Tree of Hope. The organisation offers help and support to families of sick and disabled children who need specialist medical surgery, treatment and therapy. Claire received an MBE for her services to swimming from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in February. She first qualified for the Athens Paralympics at the age of 16, and won two bronze medals. Last year’s Games in Rio were the 28 year old’s fourth Paralympics – and they were her most successful yet, with her winning a gold and silver medal. Claire said: “It is a huge honour to ROYAL DAY OUT Claire receives her MBE at Buckingham Palace this year
have been asked to be a patron of the Tree of Hope charity. “I have been very lucky that my disability has not stopped me from living life to the full. “I am really passionate about helping those with a disability or illness that can’t get the support they need to live a life without boundaries.”
‘She is a fabulous ambassador for our charity and we are extremely pleased to have her on board’ Gill Gibb, Chief Executive of Tree of Hope, said: “Claire understands the issues and challenges that many of our families face on a day-to-day basis. She is a fabulous ambassador for our charity and we are extremely pleased to have her on board. “By achieving all she has to date, she is an inspiration to our families, and shows that as long as you work hard to achieve your dreams, nothing is impossible.” www.treeofhope.org.uk
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BUSINESS
Local Business News
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Companies urged to help fight for town’s commercial future
ON A MISSION Amal Uddin wants a body to represent business interests
Enterprise leaders praise £6billion Thames tunnel
CONFIRMATION that the new Lower Thames Crossing will go ahead has been described as ‘a major economic shot in the arm’ for the county’s economy by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership [SELEP] and the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. SELEP, which champions development and business interests in Kent, East Sussex and Essex, said it ‘warmly welcomed’ the announcement by Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, last week. Several different options had been put forward for the project, which aims to relieve chronic congestion at the Dartford crossing, with Route 3, option C – the favourite of Highways England – being selected. When complete, the road will leave the M25 between Junction 29 and 30 and cross the Thames via a £6billion tunnel east of Tilbury and Gravesend before
connecting with the A2 near Shorne in Kent. Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, praised the decision, and said it sends ‘the strongest possible message’ to businesses that the government recognises the importance of investing in strategic infrastructure. The decision to move ahead
with the scheme comes more than a year after 47,000 people took part in Highways England’s public consultation, in which the majority of respondents also voted for Route 3, option C. Geoff Miles, Kent Chair of SELEP, said: “A new crossing will unlock the local economy and help create an environment in which businesses can flourish.”
TUNNEL VISION The new crossing will go under the Thames east of Tilbury and Gravesend
By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TUNBRIDGE WELLS could wake up one day to find itself a dormitory town unless action is taken to promote the business environment, it is claimed. Amal Uddin, who runs chartered surveying firm AU Consultancy, and is also a Gray’s Inn barrister, warned that companies operating in the town are facing numerous ‘challenges’ that over time could cripple its commercial activity unless resolved. In an interview with the Times, the consultant – who has experience in advising local authorities across the UK, including our own – also said he was willing to ‘put his money where his mouth is’ to establish a new organisation to represent the town’s business community. “This town has been around for a long time, and will be around for even longer, but I am concerned with the massive changes being passed through such as rates, increasing car parking costs and the conversion of office space into residential. “Tunbridge Wells, being quite a special town, has managed to survive some of these challenges, but it is not for the want of massive amounts of burdens being placed upon it,” he said, adding that out of town and online retail are other factors affecting businesses. Mr Uddin said towns benefit from a critical mass of local businesses operating in the same area, but once an exodus of companies starts it can be nearly impossible to reverse. “If a business finds the challenges of having its operations in the town centre too tough, once it ups and leaves to go elsewhere you will be lucky to ever see it again. The town will be poorer for it.” He added that successful areas benefit from a ‘critical mass’ of companies and their staff interacting with each other. If companies leave, it can have a detrimental effect on those left behind. “The business community needs support. Take car parking, if a company in town is employing ten people, it is potentially bringing ten people every day into town who will then go and shop, eat or use other services offered by other companies or retailers. Business brings business. “Rather than increase parking charges, why not offer them a percentage discount to pass on to employees? That makes it attractive for businesses to locate here. It is a very easy win and in turn will generate lots of other income sources for the town.”
Local Business News
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Mr Uddin acknowledges that many anti-business measures ‘are out of the hands of local authorities’, but highlighted parking as one area they could have direct control over and be more proactive. Another area which they have control over is planning, particularly the loss of office space. Recent conversions of former office blocks into residential units are exacerbating the situation, he said. “The town is increasingly challenging for companies which need office space, particularly suitable office space, but more and more is released to residential. Once it’s gone you will never get it back. “There needs to be a much more balanced approach taken. You do not just lose a business, you lose multiple businesses and the people who work there. “That kind of energy is not the kind of thing you will replace with apartments. Even if you did, what are these people going to do in the evening if all the commercial premises have shut down?” Part of the problem, in Mr Uddin’s view, is what he sees as a lack of business acumen by those who work in local councils, meaning the needs of companies are often overlooked.
‘The council are not people who have run businesses, employed people, stayed awake at night’ This in turn creates a distorted view of what is best for the town. And although Mr Uddin admits central government policy leaves local authorities in ‘a catch 22’ situation much of the time, he thinks much could be achieved if they took a constructive approach to working with the business community. “Many of those who work in the council, and I say this with respect, are people with a great understanding of how local authorities work and how the system works,” he said. “But they are not people who have run businesses, employed people, stayed awake at night wondering if their business will be profitable after the next rent. These challenges are the things business people deal with every day and they should not be overlooked.” Helping businesses worried about the rise in rates is one area where the council could try and make the most of a bad hand, Mr Uddin believes. “The council has to take a sympathetic approach and say ‘right, we know we have been passed down this particular scenario, but how can we
approach it in a way that makes sure our business community will not be damaged, a way which will not result in them folding’? “This does not take a lot of financial resources, it needs an attitude and a policy. It has to come from the top. From the leader and chief executive down.” But, ultimately, it means that business leaders, too, have to be proactive in fighting to affect the sort of change they want, Mr Uddin said. To this end, he is looking to establish a new group to represent all aspects of commerce within the town and ensure their voice is heard when policy is being made. For Mr Uddin, the current set-up is simply not working. “The town needs a body to represent the commercial community which is singly concerned with issues that affect them, be it a small shop, solicitors, hotel, large retail shop. That is something massively lacking in this town, and this town more than any needs it.” Organisations such as Royal Tunbridge Wells Together do not fulfil the role he has in mind because, for him, they do not take an active role in lobbying for policy changes. He highlighted the fact that when major planning applications are due to be considered, planners often refer to the views sought from the relevant authorities, alongside those of residential groups, parishes, utilities, special interest groups and others – but never a collective business group. “When proposals are submitted to convert offices into residential units, or when car park charges are increased, there should be consultation with the business community. “Ultimately, everyone wants what is best for the town, but if that is the case you cannot disengage one aspect; be it the council, residents, the Civic Society, or businesses from one another. It’s a symbiotic relationship and all should be involved.” He is also prepared to put in the legwork to ensure such a group exists if there is enough support. “For what it is worth, if I need to I will have to put my money where my mouth is,” he said. “People are thinking the same things, but there is not a vehicle to harness all of these views and concerns and present them in a way that allows a discussion and debate to be had. “Businesses on the whole will almost always generate employment. How can that be a bad thing for the community? To push them away from a town, surely that is an own goal?”
Boozy business seeks some spirited investors
CROWDFUNDING Boozy Udders co-founder Sarah Ward
SPECIALITY ice cream makers Boozy Udders have launched a crowdfunding campaign seeking to raise £150,000 in order to capitalise on the growing demand for alcoholic ice creams. Based in Eridge, and launched in 2016, the company arose from a dinner party experiment after founders Sarah and Russell Ward were seeking to create a new desert to impress their guests. Their cocktail ice creams, which have an alcoholic content of 4.5 per cent ABV, proved so popular that it is now stocked by 75 farm shops and delis. Mrs Ward, who works under the title of Chief Udder, said the money they hope to raise will go towards expanding the manufacturing base. The company’s crowdfunding pitch states: “Boozy Udders plans to build the brand’s existing footholding in farm shops and delis via major distributors, whilst launching nationally in UK major grocery stores, food halls and wine merchants. “Boozy Udders aims to play to the brand’s unique personality and we’ll create a strong presence in entertainment venues. We also plan to export to key strategic markets.” Sales at the business are expected to grow almost tenfold over the coming year, with a forecasted revenue in 2017/18 of £382,000, up from £40,000 in 2016/17. The company is offering just under 16 per cent in equity to investors – valuing it at £800,000. Crowdfunding for Boozy Udders is being hosted on the Crowdcube platform until May 9.
BUSINESS
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NEWS
Local News
NEWS IN BRIEF
County’s care homes among worst in UK KENT is one of the worst authorities in the country for the provision of quality care homes, a report from the charity Independent Age has revealed. Just under a third of care homes in the county are ranked ‘Requires improvement’, only slightly better than neighbouring East Sussex, where 38.6 per cent of care homes are not up to standard. Simon Bottery, Director of Policy at Independent Age, said unsatisfactory care homes are a ‘grim reality’ in some parts of the country, adding: “The market is not providing a decent choice for older people, but there is little indication local authorities are giving the problem the attention it deserves.”
Dividend hike at MPE PROFITS at Tunbridge Wells-based palm oil producers MP Evans more than doubled to £13.3million during its last financial year, ending December 31, 2016, compared to £6.2million in 2015. Total dividends for 2016 will be 20p per share, more than double the 8.7p per share in 2015.
Bell is inn it to win it TICEHURST watering hole The Bell Inn has been listed as one of the best pubs in the country by the National Pub and Bar Awards. It is one of 94 establishments that have been shortlisted to represent their respective counties, before one pub is selected among them to be crowned the best inn nationwide.
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
This year’s TEDx speakers unveiled By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
on living with prosopagnosia – a condition where the sufferer finds it difficult to distinguish people’s faces; Joaquim Bretcha, a businessman whose travels give him a unique take on Tunbridge Wells; and Phoebe Oldrey, an interior designer, on how to make your environment enhance your life.
THE first names have been released for this year’s speakers at the TEDx Royal Tunbridge Wells event. A line-up ranging from Olympians to musicians will all give talks on the theme of ‘discovery’. Entertainment Promising to ‘showcase Royal Tunbridge Wells TEDx organisers have just announced two more to the world and bring the world to Tunbridge Wells’, TEDx will be held in the Assembly Hall on people in the line-up – eccentric musician Paul June 10, and organisers will be seeking to capital- Cheese and Jane Walker. Ms Walker will talk about ‘finding purpose ise on their success operating in the town over the through service to others’. She will past two years. The centrepiece of the event is the talks given by focus on her time setting up a charity around a dozen speakers, who have been selected to help impoverished children living in the slums of Manila in for their ability to inspire the audience. The local TEDx has sought ever larger venues the Philippines, and her work due to its growing popularity, after seeing the size with the UK-based charity of its audiences grow from 100 people in 2015 to a Purple Community Fund – which provides social predicted 1,000 this year. enterprise projects for So far, the speakers who have been vulnerable people. listed include double Olympic gold medal winner Dame Kelly Holmes from Hildenborough, who will talk about ‘reinventing herself’, and Lance Corporal Cassidy Little, a military amputee and winner of Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas Special. He will talk on the topic of ‘Pride. Determination. Aggression. Resilience. And being cheerful in the face of adversity’. Other speakers include Justyn Rees Larcombe, on recovering from a WOMAN OF THE YEAR gambling addiction; Charity worker Jane Walker Henry Rose Smith
Ms Walker received her MBE in 2009 and has also won a Woman of the Year UK award for her services to these projects. Mr Cheese, a singer, songwriter and record producer, will regale listeners with tales of his 4,000mile cycle ride across Europe, when he visited cheese-named towns Edam, Gruyère, Gorgonzola and Camembert. On his travels he recorded ‘distinctive sounds’ along the way – ‘from the tops of mountains to deep underground, and even underwater’. TEDx’s Lizzie Bentley-Bowers said: “The ‘E’ in TED is often mistaken for education, when it actually stands for entertainment [Technology, Entertainment and Design], and entertainment is something Paul Cheese will definitely bring to the table. “Jane offers a different perspective on volunteering that might get you seeing yourself differently.” She added: “We can’t wait to share their voices with the people of Tunbridge Wells and beyond.” IN SEARCH OF CHEESE TOWNS Musician Paul Cheese on his epic Euro bike journey
16 FEATURES
Easter Special
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
A truly cracking time was enjoyed this Easter
Despite the weather being slightly overcast and chilly that didn’t deter the thousands of people who visited some of our most popular castles, stately homes and parks over the Bank Holiday Weekend Ca r ve e H
e stl
MAGICAL MAKEOVER A little girl enjoys the face painting at Hever Castle while visitors enjoy the scenic sights
HISTORICAL FIND Enjoying an Easter treasure trail
GREEN FINGERED Making gardens
Easter Special
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
SEARCHING for delicious little chocolate eggs nestled in glorious gardens, creating a natty Easter bonnet out of feathers and glitter or watching Alice in Wonderland enjoy afternoon tea with the Mad Hatter in a picturesque woodland setting – there was no shortage of fun things for families to do over the Easter break.
Trust’s decision to drop the word ‘Easter’ off their chocolate egg hunt challenges, run in association with Cadbury’s, plenty of visitors enjoyed their activities over the Easter weekend and school holiday break. Even those who are a little too old for participating in egg hunts or treasure trails were able to enjoy plenty of additional activities on offer in the local area including guided walks through the picturesque bluebells at ‘This year has proved to be Hole Park and the twice daily performance of Alice in Wonderland at Groombridge Place. a record breaking Easter for The production, which was put on by Acting Moon Hever Castle & Gardens’ events, had a circus themed twist with the grinning Cheshire Cat character wrapping itself around an And although the weather might not have been as aerial hoop and treading a treacherous trapeze. The sunny as people’s spirits it certainly didn’t put fami- venue continued on the theme of Lewis Carroll’s lies visiting off local places of interest including classic children’s tome by hosting croquet on the Hever Castle, Groombridge Place, lawn with the Queen of Hearts and a Mad Hatter’s Knole Park and Emmetts’ Garcraft workshop. dens who have all been running In Tunbridge Wells, Grosvenor and special Easter themed events for Hilbert Park put on an egg trail for little ones on Easter Sunday which the past fortnight. A spokesperson for Hever Caswas organised by volunteers and tle, who hosted a variety of family free to attend. orientated events told the Times But it wasn’t just Kent and East that 2017 had been a ‘record Sussex who enjoyed a boon of breaking’ year for the historiBank Holiday visitors. Visit cal venue which is the childEngland released figures yeshood home of Anne Boleyn. terday saying that 6.6m Britons “This year has proved to had remained in the UK over the be a record breaking Easter Easter Bank Holiday weekfor Hever Castle & Gardens end, a figure that was up by with over 32,500 visitor during an impressive ten per cent the event. The Lindt Gold Bunny compared to last year. Hunt has increased in popularTheir research also found ity over the past three years and that more than eight out of this year we were lucky to be ten travellers said that going blessed with some lovely abroad was now ‘too stressful’ weather and a visual feast of HAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! while a holiday in the UK spring colours in the gardens.” Little ones enjoyed making allowed them to have more fun And despite the initial contro- their own Easter bonnets and not feel exhausted when versy surrounding the National they got home.
tt e m Em
en d r a sG
rk a P le o Kn
HOP TO IT Children hunting for chocolate clues
FEATURES
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BLUES FOR YOU The first spring bluebells were on show in lots of our woodlands
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NEWS
National News
ELECTION IN BRIEF
Corbyn pledges Labour will ‘transform’ Britain JEREMY CORBYN has insisted he can be the next prime minister despite opinion polls indicating that Labour faces a mauling. The Labour leader said he wants to lead a government to ‘transform this country’, ending austerity and tackling inequality. The latest Press Association analysis of opinion polls put the Tories on 43 pe cent, a 17-point lead over Labour’s 26 per cent.
Cyber security concerns THE UK’s cyber security apparatus will be on high alert for the general election contest amid concerns about foreign interference in democratic contests around the world. Political parties were offered assistance by GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in March – with the authorities warning that ‘events in the United States, Germany and elsewhere act as a reminder of the potential for hostile action against the UK political system’.
Johnson chooses to quit FORMER Labour minister Alan Johnson will stand down at the general election, saying it will give him the ‘opportunity to do other things with my life’. The ex-Home Secretary said his decision not to stand was ‘best for the party’. Mr Johnson led Labour’s fight to remain in the European Union but clashed with Jeremy Corbyn, claiming that the leader’s office had been ‘working against’ the party’s efforts.
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
‘I trust the British people’ says May – but not fellow politicians THERESA MAY has called a snap general election on June 8, with a plea to British voters to put their trust in her to deliver a good result from Brexit. Making her shock announcement, the Prime Minister claimed divisions at Westminster risked jeopardising the negotiations to pull the UK out of the European Union. Having repeatedly ruled out calling a snap election in the past, Mrs May said she had ‘reluctantly’ taken the decision to go to the country after seeing other parties ‘playing games’ with the process of preparing for Brexit negotiations. Her final decision was taken on holiday in Snowdonia with husband Philip, and she told the Queen on Easter Monday before getting the full approval of Cabinet on Tuesday morning. Mrs May said: “Before Easter, I spent a few days walking in Wales with my husband, thought about this long and hard and came to the decision that to provide that stability and certainty for the future, this was the way to do it - to have an election. “I trust the British people. The British people gave the Government a job to do in terms of coming out of the European Union and I’m going to be asking the British people to put their trust in me in ensuring we deliver a success of that.” The move stunned Westminster, as Mrs May and Number 10 have repeatedly insisted she would not seek a general election before the scheduled 2020 poll. But Mrs May, who has a fragile working majority of just 17 in the Commons, said she wanted ‘unity’ at Westminster as talks on Brexit begin in
RELUCTANT Theresa May did not want to call an election
earnest with the European Union. She rejected suggestions she was simply seeking to take advantage of an opportunity to extend her lead at a time when polls put Conservatives as many as 21 points ahead of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, insisting an election now was ‘in the best long-term interests of this country’.
‘I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people’ Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Mrs May acknowledged she needed a stronger position in the Commons to secure her plans for the UK’s future outside the EU. “Our opponents believe because the Government’s majority is so small that our resolve will weaken and that they can force us to change. They are wrong,” she said. “They underestimate our determination to get the job done and I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country, because what they are doing jeopardises the work we must do to prepare for Brexit at home and it weakens the Government’s negotiating position in Europe.” MPs still have to vote on whether the general election can go ahead following a 90-minute debate in the House of Commons today (April 19), after Prime Minister’s Questions and any urgent questions or ministerial statements, Mrs May’s official spokesman said.
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NEWS
National News
NEWS IN BRIEF
Fire hits Southeastern’s Cannon Street services RAIL commuters heading back to work after the bank holiday weekend suffered disruption due to a fire. The blaze on the track between New Cross and St Johns stations in south-east London started before 9am on Tuesday (April 18). A number of Southeastern services to and from London Cannon Street were affected. London Fire Brigade sent three fire engines and 15 firefighters to the scene, the fire was brought under control by 9.44am.
Crumbs, sound alarm!
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
‘As a child you dream about this’ – joy as Brighton are back on top ANTHONY KNOCKAERT is relishing a second crack at the Premier League after helping Brighton end their 34-year exile from the top flight. The French playmaker has been instrumental in the Seagulls’ success, scoring 15 times and being named the Championship player of the year. It is the second time in three years that Knockaert has won promotion from the second tier. His achievement with Leicester in 2014 was cut short when he was restricted to just three league starts the following season before being sold. The 25-year-old said he is delighted to be back in
BURNT toast was among the reasons for 1,000 Tube station closures in London’s West End over the past three years. London Assembly Conservatives revealed that Victoria, Oxford Circus, Sloane Square and Wood Lane had to be closed after workers set off fire alarms by burning toast. Sloane Square was shut because of a suspicious device that turned out to be a home brewing kit, while South Kensington was affected by a suspected hand grenade.
Redknapp was ‘fed up’ HARRY REDKNAPP has returned to management with Birmingham City after becoming ‘fed up’ in his time out of football. The 70-year-old succeeds Gianfranco Zola at St Andrews until the end of the season. Redknapp said: “I got fed up sitting around doing nothing. If I can keep them up then we can sit down and talk about going forward.”
BUZZING Anthony Knockaert celebrates with fans
the top flight. “It’s amazing and a great feeling,” he told Brighton’s website. “When you’re a child, you dream about this. “We’re going to be there next season and we’ll enjoy it. What a day for everyone at this football club. If anyone deserves it, it’s this football club. I’m so buzzing for them.” After leaving the Foxes in the summer of 2015, Knockaert spent seven months in Belgium with Standard Liège before being brought back to England by Albion manager Chris Hughton. His aim then was to lead the club to the Premier League, and after the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion and then suffering a play-off semi-final defeat in his first season, he achieved his goal on Easter Monday when Brighton beat Wigan and third-placed Huddersfield could only draw at Derby. Knockaert was particularly pleased for the Sussex club’s supporters, who flooded the Amex Stadium pitch at the end of the match to celebrate a return to the top flight for the first time since 1983. “I was buzzing and all the fans were coming up to me,” he added. “It was a long way to the dressing room and it was a really nice feeling and everyone was over the moon. “It was an ambition and challenge for me, and they told me straightaway that it was the club’s ambition to reach the Premier League. “It was amazing and all of the people involved in this football club deserve it. Some players never get memories like this in their career.” Hughton’s men need just one win from their final three games to be crowned champions – starting at Norwich on Friday (April 21), followed by matches against Bristol City and Aston Villa.
CLINICAL TRIAL A new drug can slow the growth of tumours
‘Game changer’ in fight to defeat breast cancer A NEW method of combating breast cancer has been discovered by scientists who pinpointed a key driver for its growth and spread. Researchers found a protein called lysyl oxidase, or Lox, allowed breast cancer cells to latch on to growth receptors, helping them grow more rapidly and advance through the body. The findings led scientists to develop a new drug which hen tested on mice, it halted the protein’s capacity to help cancer cells, slowing the growth of tumours and the rate at which cells multiplied. The study, carried out by the University of Manchester and Institute of Cancer Research, will now lead to the drug being refined and presented for clinical trials on patients. Caroline Springer, joint author of the study published in the journal Nature Communications, said: “We knew that Lox had a role in cancer’s spread round the body, but to discover how it also appears to drive the growth of breast cancer cells is a real game changer.”
22 BUSINESS
National Business News
Weetabix bought by US firm after China failure BREAKFAST cereal company Weetabix has been bought out of Chinese ownership following a £1.4billion swoop by US giant Post Holdings. The household staple has been sold by the Bright Food Group and an investment fund advised by Baring Private Equity Asia after they struggled to push the brand into China. Weetabix, which also owns Alpen, Weetos and Ready Brek, employs 1,800 staff and secured revenues of £409million and earnings of £120million for the year to the end of December. It has three manufacturing operations in the UK and all its wheat comes from within 50 miles of Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. Post is the third biggest cereal maker in America, producing Pebbles, Malt-O-Meal and Better Oats.
House Of Fraser issues warning over volatility DEPARTMENT store chain House Of Fraser has chalked up a rise in full-year profits but at the same time warned that trading remains volatile. The firm, owned by the Chinese conglomerate Sanpower Group, said pre-tax profits grew from £1.3million to £3.4million in the year to January 28. Online delivered a 16.1 per cent increase in sales and now accounts for over a fifth of the group’s total. Overall revenues were flat at £1.3billion, while like-for-like sales edged up 0.9 per cent. However, the group warned: “The volatility experienced throughout fiscal year 2017 has continued into the current financial year. “Whilst trading remained subdued in February, as witnessed across the retail sector, the Group saw significant improvement in March.”
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Political certainty boosts business – but hardline Tories will not help
PROTEST VOTE Immigration is set to be a hot topic THE UK economy could enjoy an investment boost if the general election ushers in greater political certainty, according to an independent think tank. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) said a Conservative victory on June 8 could bolster economic and political stability, encouraging firms to invest and supporting growth. However, it warned that a stronger Conservative government could pose a threat to growth if the party’s moderate stance on immigration gives way to more stringent controls. Scott Corfe, Director of CEBR, said: “On the upside, an increased Tory majority, which would almost certainly be the result of an election, will increase economic and policy stability and reduce the current sense of business uncertainty. “Increased certainty should feed through into
higher levels of business investment, supporting growth in the short term. “This is especially the case with respect to Brexit uncertainty, where Theresa May would have to lay out a more articulated vision to the electorate in the run up to the election.” But he warned: “Hardliners within the Conservatives could give Theresa May a difficult time over any softening in stance towards Europe. “And she could be pushed into taking a hardline stance by the media during the election campaign. Expect her to be repeatedly challenged on how and to what extent the Tories will reduce immigration.” Business groups urged the government to remain focused on supporting the economy. Dr Adam Marshall, Director-General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Many business communities will understandably be concerned that attention will inevitably shift from the economy and the intricacies of leaving the EU to a potential election campaign. Firms will want to be reassured that the key challenges facing the economy will be front and centre throughout any election period.” Stephen Martin, Director-General of the Institute of Directors, said: “Businesses are having to get used to being buffeted by the changing winds of politics at the moment, and will just have to endure yet another campaign. “This must be used as a chance to properly debate what leaving the EU means for the longterm future of the UK, including how we continue to bring in the skills employers need. “While Brexit will inevitably dominate the campaign, there are much wider questions that need to be addressed on the changing nature of business and work, automation and our ageing society.”
SCANDAL Lloyds Bank was hit by record fines over PPI
FCA determined to avoid disruption caused by Brexit BRITAIN’S financial watchdog will make the case for cross-border market access and keeping the City open to talent in a post-Brexit world. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) laid out its priorities for the coming year and minimising disruption from Britain’s EU exit is a priority. FCA chief Andrew Bailey said: “The UK’s decision to leave the European Union creates uncertainty for both the UK’s financial industry and the FCA. “Both we and the government are keen to ensure that the financial services industry remains resilient and well placed to meet users’ needs. Five principles will guide the FCA’s advice to the government relating to Brexit, including cross- border market access, recruiting and maintaining a skilled workforce, and cooperation between regulatory authorities. The FCA also plans to put ‘consumer vulnerability and access to financial services’ at the heart of its mission. It highlighted a 2019 deadline for compensation payouts linked to the PPI scandal, which saw £24.5billion being paid to customers.
World News
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Turkey opposition calls for referendum to be annulled THE MAIN opposition party in Turkey has filed a formal request seeking the recent constitutional referendum to be annulled because of voting irregularities. Deputy chairman of the Republican People’s Party, Bulent Tezcan, announced the move at the Ankara offices of the electoral board. He said the results of the referendum on constitutional changes are ‘illegitimate’ and the party would use all legal paths to challenge and cancel the result. The referendum approves 18 constitutional amendments that allow the president to appoint ministers, senior government offi-
cials and to hold sway over who sits in Turkey’s highest judicial body, as well as to issue decrees and declare states of emergency. The new system takes effect at the next election, currently due to take place in November 2019. The opposition has listed a series of irregularities, but has been particularly outraged by an electoral board decision announced late on ANGER A ‘No’ voter expresses his frustrations at a protest
Sunday to accept ballots that did not bear the official stamps used to verify they are genuine, as required by Turkish law. Monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, who also listed numerous problems, said the move undermined important election safeguards. That drew a harsh rebuke from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and criticism from Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. “Efforts to cast a shadow on the result of the vote by spreading rumours of fraud are futile and in vain,” Mr Yildirim said. “The will of the people was freely reflected into the ballot boxes and this business is over. Everyone and all sections - and the main opposition party in particular- must show respect. It is wrong to speak after the people have spoken.”
the French presidential election’, the minister said. With the country still under a state of emergency, Fekl said 50,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers would be deployed for each leg of the election, and security reinforced for the candidates.
Security “Everything has been put in place to ensure the security of this big event for our democracy and our Republic. The security forces are mobilised everywhere across France to ensure the security of French people and to ensure the presidential campaign goes smoothly,” he said. Marine Le Pen, one of the frontrunners in the race for the Elysee, is scheduled to hold the last big rally of her campaign in Marseille today.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Stricter immigration rules in Australia AUSTRALIA is to scrap a temporary visa for skilled overseas workers, the prime minister has said, arguing that Australians must be given priority over foreigners for local jobs. The popular 457 visa, which allows foreigners to live and work in Australia for up to four years, will be replaced with a stricter scheme that requires a criminal background check and includes tougher English language requirements. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: “We are an immigration nation, but the fact remains: Australian workers must have priority for Australian jobs.”
Facebook killer dead THE man who randomly killed an elderly Cleveland man and posted video of the crime on Facebook is dead after shooting himself, Pennsylvania State Police said. Steve Stephens, 37, shared a recording on Sunday [April 16] of himself announcing his plan to kill someone, then two minutes later posted another video of himself shooting and killing Robert Godwin Sr, a 74-year-old former foundry worker who had ten children.
Terror attack thwarted ahead of French election POLICE have arrested two suspected radicals who were allegedly preparing an ‘imminent’ attack in France as it prepares to vote this weekend in the first round of its presidential election. French interior minister Matthias Fekl said at a brief news conference that the arrests took place in the southern city of Marseille. He said those arrested were suspected of preparing an attack in the coming days. France votes on Sunday in the first round of its two-stage election, with security ramped up for the ballot after a series of attacks that have made security one of the major issues of the campaign. The men, both French, one born in 1987 and the other in 1993, are ‘suspected of wanting to commit, in an imminent way, a violent action on the eve of
NEWS
Airline stays united RESCUE Authorities cordoned off streets in Marseille yesterday
UNITED AIRLINES executives say it is too soon to know if last week’s dragging of a man off a plane is hurting ticket sales. But the chief executive said that no one will be fired over the incident in which a passenger was forcibly removed from an overbooked flight.
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Letters
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
And another thing… This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU
In Pembury we need public transport Rules on council spending mean that Kent County Council [KCC] is forced to slash budgets on all its essential services, including bus subsidies. Arriva have axed the 6A service serving Pembury. But buses are a vital lifeline to nearly a fifth of Pembury people who do not drive and wish to visit the hospital, shop, see family and friends, or go to or seek work – activities that car owners can accomplish at any time. Without village bus services vulnerable people face loneliness and social isolation. Instead of bickering, councillors should encourage bus usage. This would improve the viability of routes such as the 6A. I am an independent candidate for the KCC election in Tunbridge Wells East. I have never seen a single KCC or Tunbridge Wells borough councillor on a Pembury bus. Suspecting that a photo shot with a forlorn, bedraggled-looking figure at a bus stop will soon be circulated, I thought I would get in first. This is not cynical opportunism as I do regularly use the bus, despite being a car owner. Terry Cload, Pembury
BUS STOPPED Mr Cload by his abandoned Pembury route
New hotel will hurt all the others
If football goes, what happens to cricket?
The decision by the council to grant planning permission to Premier Inn is yet another costly mistake by this council. It has been said by the council that it will boost tourism, but sadly it will only have a detrimental effect to other hotels and B&Bs. There is no credible argument for another hotel within Tunbridge Wells, and the only people potentially set to gain from this are the council. Quite clearly they looked at the planning application and started to rub their hands with glee at the money that they supposedly will gain, but it will only be at a cost. Unfortunately that cost will be to hotels and B&Bs in the local area who will lose business because of this poor judgement. The council quite clearly aren’t looking out for the interests of local businesses yet again. Naz Mian UKIP Tunbridge Wells Chairman
I was saddened to read about the demise of the Tonbridge & District Football League after more than 100 years. I fear for the future of many grass roots sports. As we enter the cricket season, it is becoming increasingly difficult to field teams for friendly fixtures, which have been a staple of Sunday cricket for decades. People simply don’t have the time to commit to standing in a field for five hours – especially if there isn’t a result at the end. More and more clubs are contemplating playing Twenty20 cricket because the three-hour duration is so much more acceptable in a family context. At least there is this fallback, which is like the old 25-over games for kids. And yet when I was growing up, it was quite common for adult cricketers to play both days at the weekend – and spend Saturday night talking about it in the pub. It’s understandable, I think, that kids don’t want to devote their precious time to it – they would much rather stare at their phones. Perhaps they are looking up the latest county scores. The equipment for cricket is also absurdly expensive – a bat costs £300 these days – and even if they have the money, parents don’t want to sit on the boundary all day. Tennis clubs are elitist, swimming requires time commitments at weird hours of the day… But football? Surely children and young men can still get out and run around for an hour and a half? John Bottomley Via email
Should towns only have one team?
Our town is not for the chosen few
Passive CCTV leaves victims helpless
I couldn’t agree more with the two gentlemen you featured on your front page last week. They, quite rightly, are not scared of criticising the council’s plans to build a big, shiny new ‘civic complex’ which will not only cost a fortune but also cause untold upheaval to a lovely green space in Tunbridge Wells – not to mention plenty of havoc to the surrounding businesses. Mr Weatherseed and Mr Gedge’s Save Our Park campaign focuses on the fact that the council are poised to plough millions and millions into a new cultural building we really don’t need in this town, when a fraction of the money could easily improve the building they already have. It’s right smack in the centre of town, and also happens to come with a beautiful – and, incidentally, newly refurbished – 1,000-seater theatre! What are they thinking? Surely our money would be far better spent on boosting grants for those who need it, whether that’s small charities or the parts of our society who need support and advice when it comes to securing a job or living space. To simply splurge a ridiculous amount on more bricks and mortar for a chosen privileged few to enjoy seems ludicrous to me. The fact that our grandchildren will be left to pick up the eventual bill is frankly unpalatable. I wish the Save Our Park campaign every success. I will certainly be signing their petition. Carrie Davidson, Via email
The fact the council are willing to even consider ‘passive’ monitoring of CCTV just shows how out of touch they are. What they are proposing is tantamount to saying it is open season for every drunken lout on a Friday or Saturday night, picking a fight, engaging in vandalism, or generally causing a disturbance. It is all well and good saying that CCTV will still catch them in the act and therefore they can still be punished. But this is on the assumption that the perpetrators are recognisable enough to be tracked, or that someone will come forward with a complaint so the police even know to review the footage. There will no longer be the capacity to immediately respond to problems as and when they occur, meaning it may be too late to intervene in particularly vicious attacks before serious harm is incurred by the victim. This is England, and we all know that when people get boozed up – particularly young men but sometimes young women too – there is a pack mentality that can lead to some very nasty episodes, as was the case with the unfortunate Kurdish refugee [in Croydon] a few weeks back. If the council does not step back from this folly, they should be held accountable if the end result is a more lawless town. Mark Holland, Via email
Reading your comment piece about the decline of the Tonbridge & District Football League last week, I had no idea that the plight of local teams was so serious. But it is interesting that some Tonbridge teams are joining the Sevenoaks league, as I have seen clubs in this area disband as well. Shoreham village used to have a really good team made up almost entirely of local players. I can remember many a battle with them when they had players with nicknames like Weasel, Biscuit and Merv the Swerve. But they folded quite a few years ago and some of the pitch was given over to the primary school, which backs on to it. This means that the village now has no football pitch, so there is no chance of the team ever being revived. I believe it is the same in Farningham. I played on the pitch behind the Oliver Crescent estate and the changing rooms were in the dank basement of the Working Men’s Club. The pitch is still there but the village no longer has a team. As someone who spent almost my entire youth kicking a ball about either in organised leagues, in the playground, or down the local park when anybody could join in, I find this all a bit sad. Maybe we should adopt the approach taken in France and Belgium. A town like Sevenoaks would just have one football club with lots of different teams at junior and senior level. It would also cater for surrounding villages so everyone supports the local team, either through playing or spectating. In turn, this would help generate income for just one big club. No wonder we can’t produce a decent England team if no one is playing at grass roots level. Francis Snow Sevenoaks
Let’s talk potholes, not Brexit As the Kent County Council elections approach, I have been doing my civic duty and researching the candidates and talking with some of them as they knock on my door. I find the crowbarring of national partisan issues into small local elections bizarre and frustrating. What has your opinion of Brexit got to do with the massive pothole down my road? I try and speak to as many of the candidates in person as possible because, in all honesty, I feel that individual competence is far more important than party allegiance. This is why, in the past, I have held my nose and voted Tory, because in those instances they had decades of experience within finance and local government. However, I would never vote for a UKIP candidate – there is only so low you can stoop, and the purple rosette brigade are certainly disqualified from the competence criteria I mentioned above. Stanley Scrimpton Via email Calverley is still away touring vineyards
We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
EDUCATION Times
Education
NEWS
25
WITH THE
Following Education Secretary Justine Greening’s call for grammars to help ordinary working families, Zoe Catania, from AIM, an organisation offering free tutoring for the 11 Plus, explains how they can help
Making selective education equal for all AIM (Achieve Inspire Motivate) was founded in 2015 and has successfully been supporting bright children from low income families to prepare for the 11 Plus exam – the gateway to a grammar education – for the past three academic years. The current entry system into selective schools just doesn’t work, and actually achieves the opposite to what the system was set up for: To gain an excellent academic education without having to pay for it.
‘AIM wants to inform that the opportunity to attend a grammar school is open to everyone’ AIM does not operate either side of the grammar school debate but we are very much aware of the discourse around social mobility and equality. Despite local authorities attempts to ‘tutor proof’ the 11 Plus – also known as the Kent Test – it continues to hold significant advantages for those children who are properly prepared for it. Without preparation it’s like taking a driving test without any lessons. Most well-resourced families will
secure advantages for their children by sending them to independent primary schools who are able to prepare the child for the test or pay for private tutoring – sometimes both. There is also an increasing body of evidence to suggest the grammar system does not promote social mobility and children from poorer backgrounds do not have equal access to these school places. The Sutton Trust’s research found just 3% of children entitled to free school meals were awarded a grammar school place. In an attempt to ‘level up the playing field’ AIM offers 10 places each year to bright Year 5 children, from low-income families (earning less than £22,000 per annum) who are working at grammar school levels. The children take an entrance test so AIM are confident they are working at 11 Plus levels and wouldn’t struggle with the programme. The children then attend weekly preparation sessions with professional tutors from The Right Tuition Company, and have school holiday workshops and mock exam practice sessions, all for free. In many cases having to support their children in preparing for the test is often difficult for some families and it might not just be because of a lack
TESTING TIME: Zoe (pictured bottom right) with fellow AIM trustees are helping pupils from lower incomes of financial resources. Many families do not have the academic ability to support their child’s learning and many don’t know about the grammar options. Language is often a barrier and there’s often limited home space in which to work. Parents’ workloads all play a significant part, too and we have also found the perception of grammar is often perceived as schooling for ‘rich children’ and some parents are therefore reluctant to apply.
AIM wants to challenge this perception and inform both parents and their children that the opportunity to attend a grammar school is open to everyone, and that we all have an equal chance. It’s unfortunate that not everyone is playing by the same set of rules. It costs £4,000 to run this yearly programme for 10 local children and we need funding for our September cohort. The organisers are all volunteers but we need money for the tutors, the venue hire, resources and the motivation reward scheme we offer. It costs £400.00 to give one child the opportunity of attending this programme for one year. AIM is not just about the 11 Plus exam – it’s about confidence building, changing aspirations, wider learning and supporting parents to explore opportunities. There is a lot of work to be done to make grammars more inclusive but I believe it should start with free exam preparation for children from low income families and for selective schools to educate their local primary school children about what they can offer. To find out more or to donate – either financially or with your experience – visit www.aimkent.org.uk
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Weekly Comment
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Martin Betts Labour Party local campaign co-ordinator
Labour Party member Martin Betts lives in Southborough and has long been active in local politics. He retired after a long career in the Civil Service, where his last job at the Department for Work and Pensions was in communications. He qualified at Leicester University in human resources and training and development. The Times also publishes regular opinions from Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party members
Saving Kent’s services from cuts and privatisation ON THURSDAY 4 May, we have the opportunity to vote for those who will represent us on the county council for the next four years. As a democrat, I urge everyone to use their vote. It was hard fought for. As a local campaign co-ordinator, I ask people to vote for their local Labour candidate. It has never been so important for the Labour voice to be heard in areas like this, where Conservatives dominate every level of government, including Kent County Council. Under the coalition, and now on their own, the Conservatives have given us nearly seven years of austerity, much of it delivered by local government in the form of cutbacks, sell-offs and privatisations. This hasn’t affected the well-off, who have been almost untouched. The burden of austerity has been carried by people on middle and lower incomes, and of course the very poorest, whose lives are a daily struggle to get by.
Year after year, the county council’s financial screw has got tighter. Education, roads, social care, housing, environmental protection have all been affected – issues which people on the doorstep tell us are important.
‘Traffic congestion gets worse, particularly along the A26 from Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells’ School budgets face staggering reductions and head teachers are having to cut back on staff and equipment and reduce the number of courses available to students. Many schools are now having to resort to asking parents to raise money. The NUT calculates (www. schoolcuts.org.uk) that all schools across Tunbridge Wells will lose cash. Across Kent by 2020, they estimate that school funding will drop by
£79m, or £403 per pupil – the equivalent to a loss of 2,110 teachers. There is a crisis in social care. Looking after our elderly is becoming increasingly hard to deliver. There is not enough money. Many nursing and care homes are closing or are on a financial knife edge, and home care agencies are going bust. Sheltered rented accommodation for those on low incomes – like Pinewood Court in Southborough – is being closed down in favour of private retirement homes for those who can afford to buy or pay the fees. Road maintenance has suffered. Almost all roads in the county have their share of potholes, some deep and dangerous to road users. Traffic congestion gets worse, often gridlocked, particularly along the A26 from Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells. Financial support for public transport continues to be cut, resulting in further reductions in bus services – leaving many people,
Pam Beith Senior Investment Director Head of Tunbridge Wells Office
USE YOUR VOTE In May’s Kent County Council elections particularly in rural areas, abandoned and isolated. There is a long list of other cuts like those to Sure Start Centres, trading standards and library services, and to grants to charities on whose support the lives of so many vulnerable people depend. Labour candidates are asking for your vote in this election on a manifesto
(www.kentlabour.org.uk) to oppose the damaging impacts of austerity and to support a programme that will invest more in the people and businesses of Kent. A Labour-controlled council will revive the local economy so that we can again provide the services that everyone in the county needs for a decent life and future.
Pam Beith represents only Brooks Macdonald. Brooks Macdonald is a trading name of Brooks Macdonald Group plc used by various companies in the Brooks Macdonald group of companies. Brooks Macdonald Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. More details of which are set out in their website: www.brooksmacdonald.com
Investing in robotics – which are changing the world THEMATIC investing is the process of identifying long-term trends and investing in companies that can benefit from them. At Brooks Macdonald, we seek to incorporate thematic investing strategies into our clients’ portfolios to benefit our clients over longer-term timeframes. One such theme is robotics. Robots are changing the world, permeating all aspects of society and transforming the way we live our lives. Their effect is being felt in many areas, with significant impacts being felt in industries such as healthcare, security and even household services. The growing use of robotics should continue to support productivity in sectors such as these, while the producers of robotic hardware and software should benefit from increasing demand. Here, we provide some examples of how robotics are being used in various different industries, and how they will affect the global economy more generally. The healthcare sector has seen huge innovations. In 2006, the first purely robotic surgery was performed on a 34-year-old male with a heart disorder. But by 2015, Intuitive Surgical, a leading robotic-assisted surgery provider, was performing 652,000 robo-surgeries per year using its da Vinci Surgical System. This figure continues to grow at
a high rate, while robots are being used to help in various other ways within the sector. For example, the international medical humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders has recently begun to deliver tuberculosis vaccinations by drone in countries with poor infrastructure. Having been used in the military for some time, robotics are also increasingly being used by THE FUTURE Robots will transform the way we live our lives
police forces around the world. For example, police in Dallas first used robots armed with explosives to lethal effect when combatting terrorist activity in 2016. The level of technology being utilised is always increasing as well, with Korean police planning to use five-foot-tall ‘robo-guards’ with 3D cameras to identify potential criminal behaviour
at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. In the service industry, robots assist humans by performing duties that are distant, dull, dangerous or repetitive (such as household chores). Of the one million service robots estimated to be in use across the world, a quarter of them are in Japan. One of the most popular household robots is Roomba, an autonomous vacuum cleaner that operates using sensors. Studies have shown that people who own Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners can develop emotional attachments to them, often naming them and pre-cleaning floors before using them! More broadly, as the world’s population ages, robots will be used to replace human workers. In Japan, which is at the forefront of the robotics industry, they are expected to replace 3.5 million workers by 2025. However, it should also be mentioned that as well as replacing workers, robots are creating employment – 300,000 people are already employed in the industrial robotics sector, and this number is expected to grow by about a sixth over the next five years. The service robotics sector is anticipated to grow even faster than this over the medium term.
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Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Your at-a-glance guide to THE WILLOWS RUSTHALL
£650,000
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Wednesday April 19 | 2017
To suit your budget
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great properties by price range… UNDER £700,000
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THE WILLOWS, RUSTHALL
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This semi-detached house includes period features and a separate garden room with electricity connected. The accommodation comprises a lounge with wood burner, a dining room with feature fireplace, a kitchen, four bedrooms and a family bathroom. Two of the bedrooms are on the first floor with the bathroom, and two on the second. Plus there is gas-fired heating. Outside, the front garden is bordered by a picket fence and the rear garden features mature shrub borders and tiered decking to a paved patio area.
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OFFERS IN REGION OF
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UNDER £500,000 ESTRIDGE WAY, TONBRIDGE
£450,000
A traditional 1930s semi-detached home with potential to extend. The sitting room has a tiled fireplace and the dining room has double doors to a conservatory. The kitchen/breakfast room is well fitted with plenty of storage and has space for a table. There is also a cloakroom and a door to an integral garage. On the first floor, there are three bedrooms and a family shower room. Outside are front and rear gardens, a greenhouse and shed. CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com
UNDER £1MILLION CULVERDEN AVENUE TUNBRIDGE WELLS OFFERS IN EXCESS OF
£800,000
A spacious, four-bedroom Edwardian home with period features and a sitting room with a working fireplace. There is a refurbished kitchen/breakfast room, a dining room and a downstairs shower as well as an upstairs bathroom and study area, while one bedroom has a balcony with far-reaching views. The garden includes a sheltered patio area, a log store and a summerhouse. CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com
Stable Lodge
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
‘The house has been extended and completely renovated by the current owners to create a wonderful family home’
PROPERTY
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AT A GLANCE
STABLE LODGE LEWES ROAD, LINDFIELD n Entrance hall n Part-vaulted sitting/dining room with roof lantern, wood-burning stove and bifold doors to garden n Kitchen open-plan to sitting room n Playroom/second reception room with bifold doors to terrace n Utility/boot room & cloakroom n Master bedroom with balcony and en-suite shower n 3 further bedrooms n Family bathroom n South-east facing, part-walled garden n Leasehold parking space n About a quarter of an acre
GUIDE PRICE
£995,000 Available for sale through Savills Haywards Heath 01444 446000 www.savills.co.uk
Former lodge house set in a part-walled garden with views over village common
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PROPERTY
Advertising
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
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PROPERTY
Finchden Manor
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
AT A GLANCE
FINCHDEN MANOR TENTERDEN ■ Grade II listed manor house dating predominantly from the 16th century ■ Reception hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Sitting room ■ Family room ■ Study ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Larder and pot room ■ Utility room ■ Shower room and cloakroom ■ 3-room wine cellar ■ Master bedroom suite with sitting area ■ 11 further bedrooms (2 with WCs)
Historic manor house said to have been visited by Sir Thomas More
■ 3 bath/shower rooms and storeroom ■ Landscaped grounds and orchard ■ Tennis court and pavilion ■ Quadruple garage, studio, storeroom, workshop, bike store and log store
Guide price
£1,695,000 Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.co.uk
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PROPERTY
Newbury House
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Beautifully presented country house within glorious landscaped gardens
AT A GLANCE NEWBURY HOUSE NEWBURY LANE, COUSLEY WOOD WADHURST ■ Entrance hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Family room ■ Study ■ Kitchen/breakfast room, and secondary upstairs kitchen ■ Utility room ■ Garden room ■ 2 cloakrooms ■ Wine cellar ■ Master bedroom with en-suite bath/ shower room and dressing room ■ 7 further bedrooms (2 en suite) ■ 2 bathrooms ■ Laundry room/bedroom ■ Integral triple garage and fully alarmed detached triple-bay garage ■ Billiards room ■ 3 storerooms ■ Flagstone terrace, landscaped grounds, walled garden and ponds ■ Hartley Botanic greenhouse ■ About 3.5 acres in total
£2,795,000 Available for sale through Savills Tunbridge Wells 01892 507000 www.savills.co.uk
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PROPERTY
Advertising
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
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FEATURES
Food & Drink
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Sowing the seeds of change Sevenoaks food stylist and recently published author Natalie Seldon tells Eileen Leahy about her new book, The Goodness of Nuts & Seeds, and how being a keen cook and clever stylist helped her realise her publishing dream
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o Natalie, please can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Well, I have a fair few passions in life, but one of them is most certainly food. Cooking for friends has always been a favourite pastime, and bringing friends and family together around a table in front of a delicious spread to tuck into over conversation is all too often underrated. Cooking is rarely just about the food – it can be the reason behind creating good memories with the important people you love. You are both an author and stylist – which came first, and how? I used to be a food editor and stylist for food publications such as Sainsbury’s Magazine and Condé Nast’s interiors title Easy Living. In 2010, I went freelance and began working for some great brands, such as M&S food, Jo Malone London and Green & Black’s. I also did various projects within food magazines, cookbooks and television. However, it soon became apparent that instead of working on other people’s books I should probably be doing my own. I was actually very lucky to be approached by a publisher last year, and so The Goodness of Nuts & Seeds became a reality! How did you come to write the book? I’ve always been very aware of the benefits of nuts and seeds. Having suffered with a skin condition
and bouts of IBS as a child, it led me to focus on ways I could cut back on dairy throughout my 20s, which significantly helped clear up my conditions – as well as boosting my wellbeing energy levels. The notable benefits from my new, everyday choices were pretty instantaneous, and so my love affair with using nut and seed milks, butters and alternatives as a whole began. How did you change your diet? I still eat lean meat in moderation, but I’ve since embraced a plant-based lifestyle with my own personal approach to food, focusing on balance rather than restriction. Mindful eating became even more important to me when my mum was diagnosed with cancer whilst I was writing The Goodness of Nuts & Seeds. Subsequently, my whole family adopted a more plant-based protein diet to help aid her recovery, and I can personally attest to all the positives this brought her. I’m passionate about nuts and seeds in particular, as these little guys not only pack a nutritional punch with a whole host of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and protein (studies have found munching on a 30g handful a day cuts your risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer), but their unique versatility, crumbly texture, earthy sweetness and, quite frankly, delicious and more-ish taste can help transform a dish in a flash. It’s a win-win with them!
IN THE MIX Natalie in her kitchen
result in missing out on the things we really love to eat – such as sweet, tempting desserts or the occasional bit of red meat. It sounds like that’s also a real passion for you? Yes, and it extends far beyond just the creating of recipes as I am also a food photographer and stylist. I’m a true believer that we eat with our eyes as much as anything else and making good, honest food look beautiful and appetising is the very essence of eating well. And so the reason for creating my website, Pretty Edible Stylist, unfolds! I love colour in food, both visually and in terms of flavour, so I use a lot of fresh herbs and spice. But I’m essentially a fairly relaxed, instinctive cook and (whisper it) tend to chuck things together, relying on good ingredients as a basis. I hope readers will embrace that trait in their own kitchens. How easy did you find it to write a book and get it published? Thankfully, as my career has involved writing recipes for over ten years, it all comes rather naturally to me. The real test was writing and shooting the whole book in two and a half months! It was certainly a labour of love – and it’s amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it.
What do you think sets your new book apart from all the others out there? The aim of it was to have everyone in mind, and therefore cater for various diets and tastes. I think the word ‘healthy’ can sometimes have negative, and somewhat frightening, connotations. So I wanted to create a set of recipes which proved just how easy and uncomplex it is to make a few changes to your everyday eating which don’t
What are your top tips for a healthy diet? I believe that good, delicious and simple food, such as a colourful range of sliced vegetables which can be quickly and easily grilled with a dash of olive oil and seasoning, should be put at the centre of every table in a bid to help people eat well and feel amazing. We should all be led by the joy of food – the spritz of freshness when you peel an orange, or the crackle and waft of deep savoury spice when you add curry leaves to a pan of hot oil – healthy eating is as much about pleasure as anything else.
Food & Drink
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
What you need:
FEATURES
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What you need:
Serves 6-8 For the chia layer 400ml can coconut milk 4 tbsp desiccated coconut 4 tbsp white chia seeds 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste or extract
For the base 175g pine nuts, finely ground 100g buckwheat or almond flour 50g rolled oats ½ tsp sea salt 1 egg yolk 50g butter, melted 1 tbsp runny honey For the filling 1 tbsp hemp seed oil 1 garlic clove, finely chopped ½ red onion, sliced A handful of young spinach leaves 75g garden peas, cooked 1 small raw or cooked beetroot, thinly sliced 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts 2 large eggs plus 2 large yolks 150ml double cream (or single) 75ml crème fraîche 50g soft goat’s cheese/curd A handful of fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to serve 1 tsp runny honey Salt and pepper
GOAT’S CHEESE & BEETROOT TART 1. Mix together all the ingredients for the base in a bowl. Line a 23cm-diameter, 3cm-deep, loose-bottomed tart tin. Starting from the centre, press the mixture evenly into the base and sides of the tin. Use a fork to prick the base to allow steam to escape, then chill for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4 and place a metal baking sheet inside the oven to heat up. 2. Place the tart base on top
of the baking sheet and bake for ten minutes or until lightly golden and firm to the touch. Set aside to cool. 3. For the filling, heat the oil in a large pan and gently cook the garlic with the onion until soft but not coloured. Spoon into the tart case, then add the spinach leaves, peas, beetroot and 1 tablespoon of the pine nuts. Mix the eggs, cream and crème fraîche together in a jug. Slowly pour the mixture on top of the
vegetables, then evenly divide the goat’s cheese on top and scatter over the thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Return the tart to the baking sheet and cook for 35 minutes, or until the filling is just set in the middle. 4. Leave to cool for 15 minutes, then remove the sides of the tin. Before serving, top the tart with the extra thyme leaves and pine nuts, and drizzle over the honey.
For the tropical layer 1 ripe mango, peeled, stoned and chopped into chunks 1 tbsp coconut almond butter 3 tbsp maple syrup 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped Zest and juice of 1 lime Seeds and pulp from 4 passion fruit To serve 1-2 passion fruit, halved 1 tbsp coconut flakes (or desiccated), toasted
The Goodness of Nuts and Seeds is published by Kyle Books and is priced £9.99. Available from all good bookshops
TROPICAL CHIA LAYER DESSERT 1. Mix together the coconut milk, desiccated coconut, chia seeds and vanilla in a jug or bowl and leave to thicken. 2. Put the mango flesh, coconut almond butter, maple syrup, ginger and lime zest and juice into a high-speed blender and process until smooth, then
remove and stir in the passion fruit seeds. 3. Spoon half the chia mixture into the base of two large (or four small) glasses or bowls. Cover with half the passion fruit and mango mixture. Repeat these layers. 4. Top each dessert with passion fruit and coconut before serving.
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FEATURES
Travel
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Seattle do nicely, thanks By Kate Wright
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S I BITE into a hot, chewy, sugarcovered doughnut from Daily Dozen, I’m told: “It’s scientifically proven that calories don’t count on vacation.” I’m reassured by my jovial guide Judson’s claim (however dubious it might be), because a visit to Pike Place Market is highly calorific. This is the first of seven stops on my tour of Seattle’s famous epicurean emporium. Don’t even think about having breakfast before you arrive here – and you definitely won’t need lunch, either – because there’s a dish to satisfy every taste bud among the 500-odd shops and stalls in the sprawling 21-acre site. Over the next two hours, I gobble up creamy Beecher’s mac and cheese (you can watch the curds being separated from the whey in the shop window), chow down on award-winning Pike Place clam chowder (so good they were barred from entering the national cook-off because no one else stood a chance), and fall head over heels in love with the gooey, cheesy, meaty melange that is a Piroshky Piroshky pastry (piroshky means ‘little pie’ in Estonian). Got a sweet tooth? Grab a tub of gorgeously gloopy Ellenos Greek yoghurt smothered with mashed marionberry (a blackberry-like fruit engineered in the 1950s in neighbouring Oregon), some nutty Chocolate Honey Pecan praline candies at Chukar Cherries, or Piroshky Piroshky’s heavenly apple and cinnamon-stuffed pastry. In fact, the whole of Seattle is a culinary paradise, and with a new Virgin Atlantic flight zipping over the Arctic in approximately ten hours STILL RISING The Seattle skyline – Washington state’s biggest metropolis
(bag a window seat for awe-inspiring views of the peaks) it’s ripe for foodie city break status. Rivalling Silicon Valley in the tech start-up stakes, Seattle has seen hip young professionals arriving in droves in recent years, and there’s a real sense this is a city on the up – quite literally, as cranes and skyscrapers-in-the-making punctuate the iconic skyline. From cuisine to culture, it has a whole lot to offer. Get ready to tuck in…
WHERE TO STAY Thompson Hotel in downtown Seattle is just a few minutes’ walk from Pike Place and the waterfront. Rooms at the trendy, modern property are peppered with pop art and the rooftop lounge offers stunning vistas over the harbour and (when it’s sunny) Puget Sound. Rooms start from $239 (around £190) per person (www.thompsonhotels.com) WHAT TO DO When it’s clear, the peak of 4,000-metre high Mount Rainier is visible from the top of Pacific Northwest’s most well-known building, the Space Needle. But even on dreary days, it’s worth zipping up 182 metres in the elevator to gaze upon the urban sprawl (www.spaceneedle.com) Directly below the tower, you’ll see a building that looks a bit like a smashed electric guitar (it’s meant to). That’s the Museum of Pop Culture. It houses a permanent collection of more than 200 six-stringed axes, plus it has rotating exhibits dedicated to sci-fi, movies, sports and more (www.mopop.org)
TAKING A LIBERTY Katie sampling a scratch cocktail in Liberty Bar
Next door you’ll find Chihuly Garden and Glass, a gallery dedicated to Washington native Dale Chihuly. You may recognise the sculptor’s work from the giant seaweed-like chandelier that hangs in the V&A. Here, you’ll find more of his beautiful, technicoloured glass-blown pieces (www.chihulygardenandglass.com)
WHERE TO BRUNCH Like the rest of the Western world, Seattle has gone barmy for brunch of late, and securing a table at one of the no-bookings-allowed mid-morning hotspots can require patience on the weekend. A pair of French eateries in close proximity in Capitol Hill are currently in high demand. Marmite (www. marmiteseattle.com) – named after the cooking pot, not the spread – offers rustic eats in Scandi-chic environs (the creamy sherried mushrooms on brioche are delicieuse), while Bar Melusine (www.barmelusine.com) specialises in oysters (the buckwheat crepes are also magnifique). Not keen on queuing? You may have more luck at spacious downtown Portage Bay Cafe, which does a mean Migas tortilla stuffed with chipotle pulled pork and scrambled eggs (www.portagebaycafe.com)
WHERE TO DINE You won’t find any steak and kidney at Serious Pie (seriouspieseattle.com). This, locals say, is home to the best pizza in town, namely the roasted seasonal mushroom and truffle cheese variety. Other Seattlites argue that family-run Pagliacci (www.pagliacci.com) takes the numero uno spot thanks to its award-winning hand-tossed dough discs. My advice? Try both and decide for yourself. Perched on the Pacific, Seattle is also famous for its seafood, and all along the downtown waterfront you’ll find eateries serving up fresh-off-the-boat crab, calamari and Alaskan salmon. At the bustling Crab Pot (thecrabpotseattle.com), diners are furnished with a bib and a mallet, alongside their mounds of steaming crustaceans.
WHERE TO DRINK If it’s boozy beverages you’re after, don’t leave your hotel without your passport because they are real sticklers when it comes to ID in the US, no matter how old you look. Driving licences won’t do. Take a cab to Capitol Hill, the buzzy hipster neighbourhood that’s crammed with cool drinking holes. For an unparalleled alcoholic array, head to Canon (www.canonseattle.com), where they stock no less than 3,500 types of liquor, or Liberty (www.libertybars.com), where a ‘scratch’ cocktail (as in ‘made from’) might include the table-side torching of a rosemary sprig, adding a smoking aroma to your libation. Both are open until 2am every night. Craft beer aficionados should make a beeline for Ballard on the city’s northwest coast and map out a route that takes in the ten microbreweries that are spread across five square miles. Hale’s Ales (halesbrewery.com) are particularly p opular with the local pub-crawl crowd. TRAVEL FACTS Katie Wright was a guest of Virgin Atlantic (www.virginatlantic.com; 0844 2092 770) who fly daily from London Heathrow to Seattle. Return economy fares from £674 per person. For more information on the destination, visit www.Seattle-WashingtonState.co.uk
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FEATURES
Advertising Feature
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Streamlined response to a changing climate
A WARM WELCOME Hilden Park Accountants are very people focused
A new financial year is upon us and the rules are changing. HM Revenue & Customs are tackling tax evasion on a new, tougher level whilst many remain unsure about how this will affect their finances. Hannah Patterson sits down with Paul Matthews, Partner at Hilden Park Accountants in Tonbridge, to find out how they are improving their services and helping to educate the public How is business going for you Tell us a little about your here at Hilden Park? partnership with Xero Business is great. Lately, our focus has been on For those who haven’t heard getting ourselves out there more – getting the of it, Xero is an incredibly word out that we are here, and here to help. simple, business owner In particular, we have been utilising social focused, bookkeeping package media a lot more by becoming far that we have recently upgraded more interactive. Networking events have to. You can use it to put your also played a huge role in our recent bank transactions through, or development – putting our faces out add all invoices, depending there and meeting more members on your needs. of the community. We love All of your information is stored networking and are always out and about in the cloud, which looking after our clients. increases We also have a new and accessibility for exciting partnership with both ourselves Xero [accounting software], and the client. which has resulted in For example, switching the large the client and number of our clients I can log on to over to the system, and their account at FEELING POSITIVE there’s been exceptional the same time Paul Matthews feedback so far. and discuss
‘The Revenue are bringing in rules that mean people will need to declare their income more often’
be a huge adjustment for everyone, as it’s a lot of filing to the tax office per year. The issue is that this has not been well communicated. There are a lot of people out there who don’t know about the new rules or understand how it will affect them. We’ve been spending time explaining the change to our clients, but we need to get the word out further afield. It’s all still very new. We are holding a seminar next month, open to anyone, at the Old Fire Station in Tonbridge – Xero will be there to give a presentation as well. It is important that people are informed properly when it comes to their finances.
What are these changes, and how will they affect you and your clients? The Revenue are bringing in rules that mean people will need to declare their income more often. It will start with the smaller sole traders and freelance workers. This time next year, they will need to be declaring their income every quarter rather than just the once a year. It will
You do seem to be a very people-focused company. We noticed the cakes in reception That’s exactly our ethos – we are dealing with a crucial part of someone’s life, and being personable is so important to us. We want to make people’s lives as easy as possible, especially with finances, which can often feel stressful. Whatever the client requires, we will work to make sure we achieve it. That’s all that matters.
activity over the phone. They don’t have to come and visit us in the office if it’s inconvenient for them – they can access their information from anywhere. It enables the client to manage their accounts themselves with our assistance. Xero are a massive name now, and being a partner of theirs has come at the right time with all the upcoming HM Revenue & Customs changes.
Advertising Feature
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Can you tell us about your client base? We are lucky to have a wide and varied client base. It’s a massive spread. A large portion are small business clients. I think this is due in part to our packages being bespoke. No company is the same, and our offerings reflect that. But they don’t come with a bespoke price tag – we work on a fixed fee basis, whilst also agreeing on something specific for each client. I feel the fixed fee is more upfront and keeps us transparent. It’s preferable for a client to know what to expect to pay each month, rather than having surprise additional costs. Location-wise, most of our clients are within an hour’s drive, but we do have a fair few who are based in London. We are very accessible, with good access by road and train. The private car park is a huge draw as well. We very rarely lose a client, so maintaining and adapting relationships with customers is key to maintaining your base. It’s what we’ve always done since the beginning.
no-brainer. There are staff from the old days still here. For example, my colleague Andrew Appleton has been here for 30 years.
When did Hilden Park begin? The firm itself started back in the 1950s or 60s – but not by me. It was family owned for a long time and went from father to son until I took over in 2006, after the partners parted ways. I’d been working here for several years and really enjoyed it and cared about my clients. So when the opportunity arose, taking over was a
How did you get into accountancy yourself? There is a very clear memory I have of being at my grandparents’ house when I had finished school. Whilst reading the paper, I saw an advert for accountancy. I was looking for career inspiration at the time, and I’d always been a bit of a mathematician, so it appealed to me instantly.
HERE TO HELP The Hilden Park team
How did you find the takeover? And what did you do first? It was, of course, a case of networking and getting our faces out there when I first took over. We also made a conscious effort to get everything working more efficiently. I wanted to streamline the business – something that would benefit our clients as well as us. Taking the steps towards becoming ‘paperless’ was also a goal. Everything is scanned and stored through secure portals now, which was a necessary step into the 21st century.
‘I’d always been a bit of a mathematician, so accountancy appealed to me instantly’
I studied Accounting and Finance at Southampton University before going on to get a training contract at a firm in Bexhill, East Sussex. The team were a lovely bunch, and I learnt a lot whilst I was there. Eventually, the time came to move on, but I didn’t fancy the commute to London, and that’s when the opportunity with Hilden Park Accountants arose. So I got a job here as an Audit Manager in 2002, and bought the place when I was 29. I always said I wanted to be a partner somewhere by the time I was 30, so it just goes to show that hard work pays off. A lot has happened since 2006, so have any recent events affected you and your clients – Brexit, for example? I think, if anything, people are a little bored with Brexit. I haven’t noticed any difference. Maybe there’s a tad more caution, but day-to-day there’s been no change. I will say the exporters I have on the books are definitely laughing – and I’ve had clients who have found Brexit working in their favour as a result of that. On a more general level, all of our clients seem very calm. We all know something is going to happen, but no one can tell what it will be or the effect it will have. Keep calm and carry on, I say!
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Apart from carrying on, what are your plans for the future? Our plan is to continue with gradual, organic growth, and hiring the right people to help us with that. We’ve got a associate director joining us later this year, and we are gradually expanding our current 11-person team. We’ll be looking at taking on trainee-level staff as well later this year. The future will be continual expansion, and I’m feeling positive.
Hilden Park Accountants Seminar 8.30am, Thursday May 18, 2017 The Old Fire Station 8 Castle Street, Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BH Hilden Park Accountants Limited Hilden Park House 79 Tonbridge Road Hildenborough Kent TN11 9BH 01732 838877 www.hildenparkaccountants.co.uk
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FEATURES
Wedding Feature
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
A wedding in bloom When James Penney proposed under an old oak tree at Kew Gardens, Claire Kidman was speechless. But she reveals it did mark the beginning of the Tunbridge Wells couple’s journey to create a perfectly relaxed wedding, surrounded by their loved ones and the great outdoors How did you and your husband meet? James and I met in Tunbridge Wells on a night out after I’d got back from travelling in South America and Australia. He saved me from an overly chatty guy at the bar and became my instant hero. Tell us about the proposal James is a landscape architect, and we both love visiting gardens and heritage sites. On my 30th birthday, he took me to Kew Gardens and we settled in a quiet woodland meadow after a lovely walk. He gave me a birthday card and, whilst I was reading it, he got down on one knee under a big beautiful oak tree! He asked me to marry him and I was so shocked that I found myself speechless. A lovely touch James thought of when he ordered his wedding ring was to have the location of the tree where he proposed engraved on to it,
so we went back to Kew a few weeks before the big day and spent two hours trying to find the tree! Now James has the latitude and longitude etched on the inside of his ring.
‘I remember smiling until my face hurt and dancing until we were dizzy’ Where did you get married, and how did you choose the venue? We got married at The Secret Garden in Mersham Le Hatch, near Ashford. James liked the idea of a walled garden, and when we found The Secret Garden we knew it was for us. It is part of an old Victorian coaching inn. There was vintage crockery as well as old-fashioned
garden games – it was intimate, natural and inviting, with a touch of the quirky. Most importantly, it meant we could have the whole wedding outside. We had the ceremony under a gazebo covered in flowers, the reception on the lawn and the wedding breakfast and dancing in an open marquee. Tell us about some of the other key highlights of your big day I got ready with my mum and bridesmaids at a gorgeous B&B on the beach in Hythe, and sat looking out to sea amidst the chaos of hair, make-up and getting dressed. A 1930s ivory Beauford drove my dad and I to the venue, which was a really special touch. I’ll always remember the moment I walked through the garden gates and saw all our friends and family turn to look – it gave me goosebumps. James peeked under the gazebo as I walked down the aisle to John Legend’s All of Me, played by our lovely acoustic guitarist. The next half an hour was a blur – I remember thinking ‘the registrar is talking so quickly!’ It was as if someone was fast-forwarding. Then all of a sudden we were covered in confetti and handed celebratory glasses of champagne. One of my favourite moments of the day was after the ceremony, when James and I took
a ten-minute ride in the Beauford, soaking up the fact we’d just got married, and taking a moment together before heading back to our waiting family and friends. The fantastic speeches were another highlight – my Dad’s speech was funny, touching and cheeky in equal measure. James’s speech was gorgeous – he said some beautiful and unexpected things (I think I blushed for about an hour), and had the crowd gigglin giggling away, and the best man’s speech was suitably comical. Other highlights included our first dance to Etta James’ At Last, James’s dance with his mum and mine with my Dad, and everyone descending on the floor afterwards to enjoy our swing band Jivin’ Miss Daisy. I remember smiling until my face hurt and
Wedding Feature
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
dancing until we were dizzy. It was the best day of our lives and will forever bring a smile when we look back. How did you start your married life together? If you went on a honeymoon, where did you go? The day after the wedding we opened our lovely cards and presents, then packed and flew to Italy for our honeymoon. We stayed in Lake Garda for five nights then drove down to Tuscany for another five. The scenery, the weather, the food, the wine, the history – it was absolute heaven. Apart from the regular close shaves with Vespers, we had the absolute best time, and were able to fully decompress and relax after
the crazy run-up to the wedding. We came back refreshed, tanned, addicted to ravioli and (almost) ready to go back to real life. Talk us through some of your key suppliers and brands, and how they helped make the day special My wedding dress was from Isabella Grace. They win tons of awards, and deservedly so. The Secret Garden provided the food, which was excellent. The food was important to us, so we made sure to have a tasting beforehand and gave guests choices for their starter and main. We had a cake of cheese for our wedding cake from West Country Cheese. They delivered it directly to the venue for them to assemble, and even had two cute little clay mice on top. The florist we used, Blue Anemone, is adjoined to The Secret Garden (handy). The owner, Fiona, created some beautiful natural bouquets and covered the gazebo with stunning seasonal
flowers. Nothing was too much trouble – she found her last two surviving sweet peas, my favourite flower, to include in my bouquet. We created our favours ourselves. I love books, so we did Penguin classics with a miniature bottle of wild meadow flower seeds attached with twine. The boys’ suits came from Moss Bros in Tunbridge Wells – they were great and flexible, allowing the ushers to pick up their suits from different branches close to where they live. We hired the 1930s Beauford from Finest Wedding Cars. They were fab, and the driver on the day was lovely. Finally, the Beach B&B in Hythe deserves a shout out. Their rooms are beautiful, and the sea view was just the tonic we needed in the run-up to the ceremony. They were so accommodating, even doing some extra cooked breakfasts the following morning for some post-wedding interlopers!
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THE BRIDE’S TOP FIVE TIPS
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Be creative and get inspired – Your big day should reflect you, your partner and everything you love. I would recommend starting a digital scrapbook – Pinterest is great for this – with ideas that you like for venues, themes, colours, entertainment, dresses and favours
2
Start with the guest list and give yourself time – Kick off your planning with a list of your guests. This is where everything stems from, like the budget, venue and food
3
It’s your day, so have it your way – You only get one shot at planning your dream wedding (hopefully!) So make sure it’s what you want
4
Make extra time – Things will take longer than you think! Draw yourself up a schedule and to-do list early
5 SHOWERED WITH LOVE The bride and groom after tying the knot in The Secret Garden
FEATURES
Enjoy yourself – Planning a wedding is a big deal and it takes a lot of effort, but it should also be fun. If you feel it all getting a little much, take a day off to not think about it – you’ll come back re-energised!
Beauty
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Glow Getters
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If your skin is looking a little lacklustre then it’s time to cheat it back to being radiant again courtesy of these handy illuminators and complexion enhancers. Eileen Leahy shows you how… Fed up of a tired, dull face staring back at you when you look in the mirror? Then it’s time to do something about it. But if jetting off on a sun soaked holiday in order to perk up your complexion isn’t an option then the good news is there are plenty of cosmetic products you can use in order to make it look like you’ve just spent two weeks on a beach or at a feel-good retreat. Firstly enhance your chances of looking dewy all day long by using this new facial oil which promises instant luminosity. Glow Drops from The Hero Project (£24 www.theheroproject.co.uk) boasts ten natural oils blended with Vitamin C and gives good glow every time you use it. Apply to freshly cleansed skin and go bare, or wear under your regular moisturiser for an extra boost. If you haven’t already invested in the By Terry Glow – Expert Duo Stick (£38 www.spacenk.com) then what are you waiting for? Available in three different
shades – Amber Light, Terra Rosa and Peachy Petal, each one will give good glow immediately courtesy of the special light reflection technology. Simply dot this three-in-one cream blush, bronze and highlighter over your cheeks and contours to transform your skin from pallid to perky. Sunkissed’s Dream Glow bronzer (£4.99 www.sunkissedbronzing.co.uk) is a brilliantly priced piece of kit to have in your summer make-up bag. Dust the velvety and matt powder duo across your face and décolletage for natural looking sun-kissed shimmer, or use in specific areas such as down the bridge of your nose and across your cheekbones to successfully sculpt and highlight your facial features.
BEAUTY SPOT: SPRING MUST-HAVES CLASSIC COLOGNE 4711 is over two hundred years old and the reason it’s stood the test of time is because it looks and smells so good. It will instantly refresh skin and your senses when splashed on your pulse points thanks to its blend of bergamot, lavender, neroli and rosemary. Available in its original bottle form, refreshing tissues and a handy roller stick it’s a cosmetic classic. Prices start from £2.19 and products are available from Boots.
LIP SERVICE Clinique’s range of Chubby lipsticks broke the matte lippy mould when they were first launched with just about every other make-up brand copying them and now, to stay ahead of the pack once again, they’re launching their new Chubby Plump and Shine range which makes your lips look full and glossy in just one slick. Available in a variety of nude and natural shades they cost £18 and hit Clinique counters on April 28.
FACE TIME Sunday Reilly’s CEO cream (£60 www. spacenk.com) is a moisturiser with inbuilt illuminating properties which will give skin that all-important healthy shine. Its key ingredient is Vitamin C and it cleverly leaves half of it on the skin in order to plump and protect it from external aggressors while the remainder seeps deep down to boost collagen repair and ultimately brighten.
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Motoring
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
FIRST DRIVE
Seat Ibiza
FR 1.5 EVO 150 WHAT’S NEW? As the Spanish manufacturer’s bestselling car of all time, with more than 5.4 million examples sold worldwide, the latest version of the Ibiza is an incredibly important car for Seat. To give it an extra bit of edge over its rivals, plenty of new tech has made its way on to the supermini, which is now being offered solely as a five-door. Seat is making a particular song and dance about the fact the latest Ibiza is the first vehicle in the wider Volkswagen Group to make use of the new MQB A0 platform. This means the B-segment car not only benefits from greater space in the cabin, but also boasts a host of new toys – such as wireless phone charging and a range of safety equipment – that would normally only be found in more premium cars on offer.
LOOKS AND IMAGE As far as design is concerned, the fifth-generation Ibiza is more evolution than revolution when compared with its predecessor. It has a distinctly more grown-up appearance, with sharp creases and triangular motifs contributing to a purposeful and sporty stance, particularly on FR models, although it would be a bit of an exaggeration to say the new car was hugely different from the old one. In typical VW Group fashion, build quality feels sound throughout the car. While the cabin isn’t particularly exciting, it’s functional in its layout, with all key controls within easy reach of the driver. A new eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is responsive
NEW LOOK A grown-up, more sporty appearance
and easy to read dominates the centre of the dash. Top-level cars benefit from a swanky BeatsAudio sound system, too – a feature that will no doubt appeal to audiophiles. The main let-down about the new Ibiza’s interior is the seating. While the driving position itself is OK, the base of the seat tilted up towards the steering wheel at a strange angle, and even after a fair amount of adjusting it was still difficult to find a properly comfortable driving position.
SPACE AND PRACTICALITY One of the key benefits of the new MQB A0 platform is the fact interior space has been increased over the last model, while the overall length of the new Ibiza is a smidge shorter than before. Head and legroom in the back have improved over the older car, and two adults could easily sit in relative comfort on longer journeys. The fact that the Ibiza is now offered solely as a five-door also means accessing the rear is a far less exhausting procedure. Boot space has also been increased, with the latest Ibiza offering buyers a considerable 355 litres of storage capacity. Not only does this mean the car has more rear storage space than anything else in its class, it also beats the larger Ford Focus from the class above, and is getting very close to the Volkswagen Golf’s 380-litre boot. Well done, Seat! A bevy of safety tech features also come with the latest Ibiza, with all models benefitting from Emergency Brake Assist, Front Assist and Multi-
VALUE FOR MONEY
Collision Braking systems as standard.
BEHIND THE WHEEL Out on the road, while there’s no denying that the new Ibiza is a capable little car, it doesn’t exactly ooze character, even with the peppier 1.5-litre, 148bhp engine that was fitted to our test car. That said, its on-road manners were impressive. The steering set-up, while light and rather lacking in feedback, was responsive and allows you to point the car where you want it to go with little fuss. Through the tighter bends that were a common feature of our Spanish test route, the Ibiza felt planted and composed, with only a small amount of body roll making its presence felt. While the Ibiza’s light controls meant that it was easy to manoeuvre at low speed, its small wing mirrors and narrow rear window meant that visibility wasn’t as good as you might expect from a car that has been designed to spend most of its time pottering around busy urban centres. Out on the motorway, it didn’t feel nervous or skittish, and the 1.5-litre engine was refined and more than capable of getting the supermini up to speed in a timely fashion. That said, there was a noticeable amount of wind noise at cruising speeds, and the larger 17-inch alloys did cause a fair amount of tyre roar.
Seat’s new Ibiza supermini is the first car in the VW Group to use the company’s latest MQB A0 platform. Simon Davis gets behind the wheel to see how it fares
‘The car not only benefits from greater space in the cabin, but also a host of new toys – such as wireless phone charging’
Seat will offer the new Ibiza in five different trim levels in the UK – the S, SE, SE Technology, FR and XCellence. Prices for the latest version of the supermini start at £13,130 and rise to £17,310 for the top-spec XCellence models. However, prices are yet to be announced for the sporty FR models with the powerful 1.5-litre engine that we tested. Seat is predicting that the mid-range SE Technology trim level will be the most popular in the line-up. Prices for this model start at £14,660 for the 74bhp 1.0-litre MPI engine. At this trim level, some of the standard features buyers will receive include the new eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, automatic headlights and 15-inch alloy wheels.
WHO WOULD BUY ONE? With the new Ibiza, Seat has its sights set on outgoing, younger buyers who are after a stylish and fairly-well equipped hatch that won’t cost an arm and a leg to buy. From an objective point of view, the Ibiza ticks a lot of the boxes that should make it a success. It’s practical, relatively affordable and with the right engine won’t cost the earth to run either. Sure, it may not be the most fun car in the world to drive, but that issue will no doubt be resolved when the next Ibiza Cupra hot hatchback eventually arrives.
‘The latest version of the Ibiza is an incredibly important car for Seat’
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
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Gardening
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Be good to bees Our buzzing friends have been out in force in the sunny weather the past couple of weeks. This seems like a good omen for Bee Creative in the Garden, a new campaign launched by the RHS in collaboration with The Wildlife Trust to urge gardeners to help protect bees. Here, we take a look at how you can play your part… By Hannah Stephenson THE Bee Creative in the Garden campaign comes as bees are under pressure due to loss of habitat. In the countryside, 97 per cent of lowland meadow has already been lost, and the dramatic decrease in suitable habitats isn’t confined to rural areas. While the honeybee is an excellent pollinator, the charities are focusing on the equally valuable wild bees, including bumblebees and solitary bees. Ellie Brodie, Senior Policy Manager of The Wildlife Trusts, says: “Anyone can take action to help wild bees, whether you have a wall for vertical planting, window box, or back garden. “It’s easy to plant a bee haven, and fun choosing between bee-friendly beauties such as borage, foxglove and honeysuckle.” The charities will be arming gardeners with the advice, insights and inspiration they need
to create habitats that support wild bees as they emerge from their nests in early spring to forage for food. As part of the campaign, gardeners can download a wild bee-friendly gardening guide, and wildlife events and a ‘Bee Creative’ photo competition are running until November 1. The campaign culminates in Wild About Gardens Week from October 23-29, featuring activities focused on how to help bees survive the winter ahead. Other charities are also joining the drive. Friends of the Earth is running The Great British Bee Count, now in its fourth year, from May 19-June 30, which invites the public to download a free app to help identify bees and learn more about them. Sightings will be mapped on www. greatbritishbeecount.co.uk and shared on the National Biodiversity Network, where researchers, experts and local authorities can access the data. So, what can we do?
BOOST YOUR BEE-FRIENDLY PLANT STOCK Grow more flowers, shrubs and trees that provide nectar and pollen as food for bees and other pollinators throughout the year – pussy willow, primroses and crocuses in spring, lavenders, meadow cranesbill and ox-eye daisies in summer, ivy and hebes in autumn, and mahonia and cyclamen in winter. As a general guide, bees see purple and blue better than other colours, and will use their senses to find colours, such as white apple blossom. Different bee species prefer different flower shapes, so aim for a range from
tubular-shaped flowers like snapdragons and wallflowers, to open-headed flowers like yarrow and verbena. LET IT GROW WILD Leave patches of land to grow wild with plants like stinging nettles and dandelions to provide other food sources (such as leaves for caterpillars) and breeding places for butterflies and moths. Take simple actions to manage your existing land, green spaces and gardens to provide food sources and/or breeding places for pollinators.
Gardening
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
CUT GRASS LESS OFTEN Native flowering plants in grass, field corners, verges and speciallysown, flower-rich habitats support the greatest diversity of insect pollinators by providing nectar and pollen resources, places to nest or breed, and leaves for caterpillars. DO NOT DISTURB Avoid disturbing or destroying nesting or hibernating insects in places like grass margins, bare soil, hedgerows, trees, dead wood or walls. Pollinators need to nest in safety so that they, and the next generation, can survive winter to start again the following spring. PESTICIDES Try to avoid using them. Many people adopt methods like physically removing pests, or using barriers to deter them. Try to encourage natural predators like beetles.
BUILD A POND Dig a garden pond to act as a drinking spot and help biodiversity. Ponds are a magnet for beneficial insects and other wildlife. HELP TIRED BEES If you find a tired bumblebee, mix sugar with water, place it on a teaspoon and leave it in front of the bee to act as a quick energy supplement. Your wild bee action pack can be downloaded at www.wildaboutgardensweek.org.uk n
n For details of bee-friendly plants, visit www.rhs.org.uk/science/ conservation-biodiversity/wildlife/ perfect-for-pollinators
Register to take part in this year’s Great British Bee Count at www.greatbritishbeecount.co.uk n
BEST OF THE BUNCH – Camellia The blousy blooms on this flowering shrub are a sight for sore eyes in spring, providing bold splashes of colour amid lustrous green leaves. The common camellia, C. japonica, grows eventually to 9m and is best in partial shade in acid soil, so ericaceous compost is recommended for planting. Good varieties include ‘Elegans’, which has dark rose-pink flowers and ‘Adolphe Audusson’, which bears dark red flowers. Other good picks include a smaller shrub, C x williamsii, which grows to around 5m, producing showy white to dark pink blooms. Don’t grow them where morning sun after frost will damage the blooms.
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WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK n Feed borders with a general fertiliser, such
as blood, fish and bone, to give your plants a boost as they put on new growth n Deadhead daffodils and other bulbs as they
finish flowering n Start to harden off young plants and
overwintered cuttings n Remove insulation from the greenhouse n Plant up herbs in containers n Apply spring fertilisers, weedkillers and
moss killers to established lawns n Plant summer hanging baskets, but keep
RICH PICKINGS – Broccoli There are various types of broccoli – from the common green sprouting type with its flat dense heads, to purple and white sprouting broccoli with looser flower heads. Whichever you choose, the seed should be sown in spring, under glass if it’s cold, or in the open ground in late spring. Use a cell tray if you’re growing it indoors, filling the cells with multi-purpose compost and sowing two or three seeds in each, covering them with vermiculite. Alternatively, sow the seed outdoors in rows and cover with
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them under cover at night until all danger of frost has passed n Watch out for slugs and snails attacking
new growth on plants, pick off any which you see, and spread a layer of coarse grit or egg shells around vulnerable plants n Sow maincrop carrots, parsnip, beetroot,
1-2cm of multi-purpose compost. Thin them to 10cm apart when they are big enough to handle. When they are around 12cm high they can be transplanted to their final position, around 45cm apart, and should be ready in late summer.
spring onion, peas, lettuce, spinach and rocket outdoors n Put plant stakes in place before
perennials emerge
Puzzles
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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.
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R E P A S T E A P V E R D I U A N E G G O B O Z S Y N T A X E I NQ U I R S U M E A N I N I Y F C A S T S
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.
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In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply. Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely. Puzzle solutions will be published in next week’s paper
2 6 8 7 1 5 4 9 3
3 4 1 2 8 9 6 5 7
I L A C O H R T L E T E I O U S E I C E S A J E T O O L L OW E E L D E D
Jigsaw Sudoku:
Sudoku:
7 5 9 6 3 4 8 1 2
S L I E C H O K L I V Y J U S P I E S N T G A L G Y I E
6 2 5 1 4 3 7 8 9
4 8 7 5 9 6 3 2 1
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5 3 4 9 7 1 2 6 8
8 3 7 4 6 9 2 5 1
9 2 5 1 7 4 8 3 6
2 1 8 6 5 3 7 9 4
5 6 4 9 2 8 1 7 3
3 7 6 5 1 2 4 8 9
6 4 3 8 9 7 5 1 2
7 9 1 2 3 5 6 4 8
1 8 9 7 4 6 3 2 5
4 5 2 3 8 1 9 6 7
© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★III
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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.
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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
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SOLUTIONS (FROM LAST WEEK)
SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU
DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★I
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NEWS
Recruitment
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB TODAY – A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK LOCALLY WITH THE
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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
Recruitment
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Arts & Culture
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
The punks who pack a political punch “We didn’t want to just write ten songs about Donald Trump, you know? It’s definitely still political but it’s more of a personal and philosophical record. “We asked fans to send in voice clips to us, explaining about the personal journey they had been on in the last few years and we’ve sampled them in some of the songs. “The more open and vulnerable people were, the more universal their stories felt,” he said, adding that there had been a general consensus that 2016 had been ‘a terrible and dark year,” says Itch. “We are living in a weird culture. Everyone is putting on a front so they feel anxious because they are comparing themselves to other people’s fronts. We are more connected than ever but those genuine connections seem few and far between.”
Food-drive
PUNK AND POETRY ‘Itch’ (centre) with The King Blues
When The King Blues released their first EP in 2004 they became the darlings of the UK anti-war movement. Now, four albums, a disbanding and one solo career later, they are back on the road preaching their brand of resistance with a new album, The Gospel Truth. Murray Jones speaks to frontman Jonny ‘Itch’ Fox ahead of the band’s upcoming appearance at the Tunbridge Wells Forum. IT would be fair to say that this band may not be on the playlist of your archetypal Tunbridge Wellian. Fusing ska, folk, hip hop and punk into their anarchistic East London protest songs, The King Blues don’t care where you are from, they are simply happy to bring out everyone’s inner rebel. “Live shows always bring people together from different backgrounds and tastes. You’ve got the metal guys, the hip hop kids, the punks -
everyone. It’s not cliquey at all and I love that,” says lyricist and lead singer Jonny Fox, known by friends and fans as ‘Itch’. After a raft of personnel changes over the years, the band features guitarists Dean Ashton and Ben Bridges, bassist Jack Emmings and drummer Andrew Mckenzie. “In the wider world people feel embarrassed to talk about believing in peace and love. But at our
gigs you can be yourself,” he adds. With their fifth album, The Gospel Truth, the band have sought to bring that sense of honesty and true identity to the mix, with Itch focusing on his personal philosophy in the face of external struggles. “If you don’t want to change the world then why are you doing it? I know people laugh at us and they still do but I’m OK with that, that cynicism drives us.”
One way the band try to bring people together is through collective acts of altruism and since reforming in 2015, after temporarily splitting in 2012, they have made food drives a regular fixture of their gigs, encouraging fans to contribute non-perishable donations which they then deliver to local food banks or homeless shelters. “It’s the music venues who are the ones who put their neck on the lines, it doesn’t take us much effort. If someone chucks a tin of beans at my head then their insurance will be screwed.” Reflecting on 13 years since The King Blues formed, Itch comments: “Looking back, I still love that first album. We were just young kids and we genuinely thought we could change the world with rock and roll. “We had that earnest belief and as naïve as that sounds I think it made our music pure. “If you don’t want to change the world then why are you doing it? I know people laugh at us and they still do but I’m OK with that, that cynicism drives us.” The King Blues will play The Tunbridge Wells Forum on Sunday, April 30. For tickets (£12), see: www.twforum.co.uk
Arts & Culture
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
A TALE TO TELL Orlando James
Acting on impulse Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale is being livestreamed from the Barbican today [April 19], and one of its stars is Tunbridge Wellsborn Orlando James. Here, he tells Eileen Leahy how his teacher at Tonbridge School inspired him to follow his acting passion…
How did you get into acting? I started when I was at school. I had some great teachers who really took the time to try and inspire their pupils. One in particular, Gavin Henry, who now teaches at Sevenoaks School, really guided me towards pursuing acting as a career, and the efforts he put in outside of the curriculum are definitely what made me so determined. This resolve led me to go straight to drama school. I didn’t take a gap year or apply to university, I wanted the discipline and rigour of a training as soon as I could get it. And this paid off, I got into The Drama Centre, London, and trained there for three years. What do you enjoy most about being an actor? I am very lucky to have worked predominantly with Cheek By Jowl, a renowned international touring company, with whom I have travelled the globe. To experience various cultures, differences in theatrical heritage, meet so many wonderful people, and share with them your story, that’s the best thing about it. Bringing people together and knocking down walls. Have you found it an easy path to tread so far? Like most, I have had my stints of unemployment, and have worked in bars, restaurants, call centres and gyms. But as you continue forward your resilience grows and you find things to keep you creatively fulfilled in those quieter times. I taught myself photography, and now that keeps me very busy and well fed in between theatre tours or television shoots. It isn’t easy [being an actor], but the rewards are so worth the persistence and frustrations.
What have you liked about doing The Winter’s Tale? The role of Leontes is, in itself, a dream. The material is so rich. This is one of Shakespeare’s more complicated plays. It deals with a lot of big themes: Redemption, loss, faith, wonder, jealousy. But our intention to cut through this with a line of clarity and purity of storytelling is really a
‘It deals with a lot of big themes: Redemption, loss, faith, wonder, jealousy’ compelling challenge. It is a heavily ensemble piece, and the whole machine only powers forward if the group are together, working as one. So this is something that keeps the job ever fresh and exciting. Do you find it easy to play Shakespeare? I find that Shakespeare is often overcomplicated, and this is why people are afraid of it – find it difficult to read, to watch, and to perform. My view of Shakespeare is very simple. His plays deal with some of the most universal, most basically human feelings and thoughts. If you strip away any concept, any ideas of trying to make it ‘relevant’, it will be understood. And if that is your goal, to be understood,
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then the lyricism, the joy, the impact of the text will do the rest for you. Which other playwrights, authors and actors do you admire, and why? I admire good storytellers. I find the work of American playwrights like Lanford Wilson, Clifford Odets and Tennessee Williams, very compelling. On this side of the pond, my favourite playwright might have to be Harold Pinter. They all have such a way with dialogue, and never let up in their striving to be truthful. I am currently reading Kate Tempest’s Hold Your Own collection of poetry. She is an incredible voice of my generation. Writers that stick their head above the parapet – these are the writers who I admire. What’s next for you, Orlando? Well, The Winter’s Tale continues until June, when we finish in Russia. Then my plan is to spend some time at home, writing music and reconnecting after almost two years on the road. You’re a Tunbridge Wells lad – what do you like most about your home town, and do you still live here? I was born in Tunbridge Wells, but I live in London. I have unbelievably happy memories of the old part of town. I used to play hooky and set up with my guitar in the bricked alleyway opposite Adrian Harrington bookshop and play the ears off all the passers-by! My favourite thing has to be summer afternoons in Dunorlan Park. The Winter’s Tale will be streamed live from the Barbican Centre today [19 April] at 7.30pm. You can watch it until May 7 at: www.cheekbyjowl.com/livestream
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What’s On
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
WHATS ON WITH THE
Eileen Leahy Local events
>> WEDNESDAY The ballet classic Coppelia is being screened at the Odeon this evening at 6.30pm. Performed by The Australian Ballet, it is a beautiful and traditional retelling of this tale, which centres around the themes of magic and mischief. Swanilda and Franz are in love until the appearance of Dr Coppelius and his mysterious daughter ‘Coppélia’ upsets the celebrations. However, Dr Coppelius’s haughty daughter is not what she seems… Tickets cost £25 per adult and £22.50 for those aged under 12. For more details, see www.odeon.co.uk Trinity Theatre is still showing the Works in Conversation all this week. Running until Sunday [April 23], it includes paintings, sculpture and contemporary jewellery created by Shona Masters
CAFÈ SOCIETY Take a seat at La Bohème on Saturday
If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages, please email eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
and Ann Bruford. The two artists have worked at opposite ends of the south coast for 30 years but have spent the past one questioning what forms the basis of their work, which shares many similarities in terms of colour, texture and inspiration. You can visit the gallery and see this interesting exhibition from 10am-10pm daily. www.trinitytheatre.net >> THURSDAY From 8am until midday, you are invited to go along and meet Tunbridge Wells’ new Town Centre Manager. Karen Pengelly, who was in the same role at Richmond in West London, is opening up her office in Ely Court in order to discuss ideas on how the town could develop and prosper. Coffees and fresh pastries will be available.
From 10am, Rusthall Arts will be holding a crochet session, which is open to beginners and those who enjoy it but need a little guidance. There are eight places available and tickets cost £10. For further details, please call Janet Fullalove-Jones direct on: 07967 624091. This evening at 7pm, the EM Forster Theatre in Tonbridge, and Trinity Theatre and the Odeon in Tunbridge Wells, will be live screening the National Theatre’s version of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuire and David Haig, this is a new version of Tom Stoppard’s funny situation comedy loosely based on Hamlet. The production is by David Leveaux and celebrates the play’s 50th anniversary. Currently on at The Old Vic theatre, this is a great opportunity to see it if you can’t make it up to London. Tickets cost £14 for adults and £12 for children. Visit www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk >> FRIDAY With the weather getting warmer, now is the time to venture out to some of our many glorious gardens and stately homes. Groombridge Place is just a few minutes’ drive from Tunbridge Wells and has some exquisite external spaces to enjoy. The White and Secret gardens are of particular interest. For ticket prices and further details, head to www.groombridgeplace.com Catrin Finch is coming to St Mary’s Church as part of the Lamberhurst Music Festival. Dubbed The Queen of Harps, the renowned Welsh harpist will play from PURRFECT 7.30-9.45pm, performing Sara Pascoe her enchanting musical turns Animal interpretations of the music on Friday of Debussy and Bach, as well as some traditional Welsh compositions. Tickets to see the former Royal Academy of Music student cost £20 and can be purchased via www.lamberhurstmusic.co.uk Quirky comedian Sara Pascoe comes to Trinity tonight with her stand-up show Animal. Examining every topical talking point when it comes to females, her comedic observations range from whether humans are naturally bad to glow-worms and the meaning behind the selfie phenomenon.
>> SATURDAY Penshurst Place is always a gorgeous destination when the sun is out. Visitors can enjoy its superb gardens and elegant stately rooms, have a go in the adventure playground, or indulge in an afternoon tea in the Porcupine Pantry. For more information, visit www.penshurstplace.com Ellen Kent Productions bring their theatrical version of La Bohème to the Assembly Hall tonight from 7.30pm. It’s a classic rendition of Puccini’s masterpiece, which includes a canine cameo, too. Tickets cost from £36 per person and are available from www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Enjoy a good evening out and raise money for charity at the same time by going along to see Jonah’s Wail at Salomons Estate tonight. Tickets cost £10 with proceeds going to Porchlight and Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services. To book, visit www.jonahswail.eventbrite.co.uk >> SUNDAY
The Hop Farm Wedding Show is on today from 11am-3pm. So if you want inspiration on all things white and beautiful for your big day then this is the place to come. For more info, visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk If you fancy venturing further afield this weekend, then why not check out the Bricks Britannia exhibition at Tenterden Town station? It charts the history of Britain, features over 30 models of different styles of trains made from LEGO® bricks. Created by the company Bright Bricks, who featured in Channel 4’s Inside Lego programme, the centrepiece of the expo is an eight-metre long model of the Flying Scotsman (the real train is at the Bluebell Railway on April 19). Tickets also include entry to the workshops being put on to help you create your own LEGO® masterpiece. Prices start from £10. For more, go to www.kesr.org.uk >> MONDAY Arthritis Support Kent [ASK] meets from 1.45-3pm at St Philip’s Church, Birken Road, Tunbridge Wells this afternoon. All welcome and entrance costs £2. All this week until Saturday, The Oast Theatre will be performing their latest production, A Fine Bright Day Today by Philip Goulding. Margaret has been
What’s On
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
FEATURES
77
A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Paul Dunton
DEAD FUNNY Daniel Radcliffe and Joshua McGuire on Thursday a widow for the past 30 years, but then she meets Milton, a divorced American, and suddenly her world changes. Described as ‘humorous, poignant and heartening’, it’s not to be missed. Tickets cost £10 or £7.50 for members. See www.oastheatre.com >> TUESDAY ’Tis the season for tulips, and you can see all kinds of colours and varieties in full bloom locally. Hever Castle is hosting its own Tulip Festival until May 7, while Pashley Manor, Ticehurst, also launches its annual celebration of this perennial flower this week, running until May 6. Tunbridge Wells Operatic Drama Society [TWODS] kick off their week of shows at the Assembly Hall from today. This year they are putting on Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun, and it promises to be explosive! Tickets cost from £14.50. See www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
PICK OF THE WEEK Fashion Re:Boot, Friday April 21 One Warwick Park 7.30-11pm
Live music It’s a jam-packed week across the local scene with a feast of live gigs and concerts on offer. My midweek recommendations are Lights On The Mountain at The Grey Lady this Wednesday night, supported by Lt Leek, Meg Jordan and Faded Shades. And renowned blues pianist Iain Rae is at The Tunbridge Wells Hotel on Thursday night. My top picks for the weekend include The Wealden at The Sussex Arms on Friday evening and Nigel Bagge at The Beau Nash on Saturday. The Local & Live Sessions return to Trinity Theatre on Saturday night with David Migden and The Twisted Roots, Abi Hudson and Bea Everett all performing.
David Migden & The Twisted Roots
THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE
THE ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE
free entry, music from 8pm onwards
The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk and www.thegreylady.co.uk
Crescent Road, information on times and tickets at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
SATURDAY Jemma & Paul
WEDNESDAY Faded Shades, Meg Jordan, Lt Leek, Lights On The Mountain FRIDAY Soul Kitchen SATURDAY Closed for a private party SUNDAY Joe Ackerley, Zoe Eve, Higgs & The Bosons, Dull Knife MONDAY Singers Night TUESDAY Jack Leon Mackey, Milly McCarron, The Frampton Sisters, Havelock
THURSDAY That’ll Be The Day FRIDAY ELO Again
TRINITY THEATRE Church Road, information on times and tickets at www.trinitytheatre.net
Calling all fashion fans! Influential style bloggers Erica Davies and Ciara Elliott are coming to Tunbridge Wells with their enormously popular style event Fashion Re:Boot. The evening will boast over 25 stalls packed with a mixture of pre-loved and boutique fashion must-have clothes, and there will also be jewellery makers, interiors and beauty experts and a live DJ, plus licensed bar. Entrance costs £5 and includes a Fashion Re:Boot goody bag. See www.mumstheword.online
The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… www.paulduntonandguests.com
SATURDAY Local & Live Sessions: David Migden & The Twisted Roots, Bea Everett, Abi Hudson
Prospect Road, open all day, free entry, music from early evening onwards
MONDAY Open Mic Night THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM Doors 7.30pm, entry price variable, event information and tickets at www.twforum.co.uk
THURSDAY Jehst, Erny Baits, Tenbag Banditz THE SUSSEX ARMS Sussex Mews, The Pantiles, open all day, music from 8.30pm till late, music cover charge may apply
THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late
SATURDAY Spoilage MONDAY Open Mic Night
SATURDAY Bagge of Nuts
TH
Abi Hudson
St John’s Road, open all day, free entry, music from 8pm, website www.crosskeystw.co.uk
MONDAY TWUNT: Ukulele Jam Session
THE DUKE OF YORK The Pantiles, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm onwards
FRIDAY The Wealden
THE ROYAL OAK
THE CROSS KEYS
THE BULL INN Frant Road, open all day,
THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOTEL The Pantiles, open all day, free entry, music from 7.30pm. Booking advised on 01892 530501 more details at www.thetunbridgewellshotel.com
THURSDAY Pantiles Jazz Warm-Up with Iain Rae THE KING WILLIAM IV Pembury, open all day, free entry, music from 7.30pm onwards
THURSDAY The Travelling Folk SATURDAY Contact the pub for updates RUSTHALL CLUB 5 St Paul’s Street, Rusthall, open all day, free entry music from 8.30pm onwards
SATURDAY The Glambassadors, 70s Glam Rock Band. THE PUNCH & JUDY 11 St Stephen’s Street, Tonbridge, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm
TUESDAY Blackadder
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NEWS
Sporting Times
CONTACT US:
Please send your sports stories to newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk
Jota recovers to Giddy heights for Rusthall take first place after Crocks are hit for six at Silverstone MOTORSPORT: THE partnership between Frantbased Jota Sport and Jackie Chan DC Racing was off to a roaring start over the Easter weekend as the team secured a class victory at Silverstone. Fielding two cars for the inaugural race of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), there was uncertainty after a mediocre qualifying session resulted in the team starting at third and ninth on the grid in their LMP2 class. These positions were maintained for the duration of the six-hour race, with the No 37 car – driven by Jackie Chan DC Racing co-founder David Cheng, Alex Brundle and Tristan Gommendy – struggling to make its way up the field. However, the No 38 – driven by Oliver Jarvis, Ho-Pin Tung and the 19-year-old Frenchman Thomas Laurent – managed to work its way into first place within the final hour after a tough series of battles with rivals TDS Racing and Rebellion. It secured its class win by a margin of 19.376sec over No 31 Vaillante Rebellion Oreca, with Jarvis taking the car over the line to secure 25 points.
A CLASS APART No 38 won a series of battles
Stephenson is setting a fast pace in Essex CYCLING: SOUTHBOROUGH & DISTRICT WHEELERS rider Rob Stephenson set a new club record when he competed in Essex in a 25-mile time trial, covering the distance in 50min 14 sec. Matt Kuwertz also recorded a personal best 52.29 in the event, which was won by John Dewey (Team Bottrill) with a time of 45.20. In the West Kent RC 10 mile TT Mark Arnell (24.38) and Doug Bentall (26.02) recorded impressive times, while in the Sydenham Wheelers 10 David Rumm (22.08) was well placed behind winner K Murray (Drag2Zero, 20.19). Riders were also racing in the Crits in the Park, held at Cyclopark in Gravesend. In the 2/3/4 category race Keith Henderson finished second. In the fourth category race, Chris Proctor came ninth and has now gained his Category 3 licence. Chris Duffy, Hayden Tucker and 16-year-old Torin Henderson, competing in his first adult race, were well placed too.
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
champagne would have to go on ice. The visitors kept battling and on 79 minutes Ian Parsons scored with a superb free-kick from 25 yards. Then the ever reliable Andy Constable found the net twice, in the 85th and 87th minutes, to make it 17 goals this season since he arrived from Sevenoaks Town in October. The players learned that Holmesdale had scored twice in as many minutes to make it 3-3, then went ahead. The party could now start in earnest. In Monday’s meaningless game at Holmesdale, the home side won 1-0 after Alex Rich saw his penalty superbly saved by the keeper. With the new season set to start on August 5, the focus now turns to the massive project to level and drain the pitch at Jockey Farm. In the Premier Division Tunbridge Wells recovered from 2-0 down to draw at home to Beckenham thanks to second-half goals from Luke Hackett and Brad Potter.
MOMENT OF TRUTH The players hear the news that they are promoted
Crockenhill 0 Rusthall 6 By Richard Smith FOOTBALL: THE Rustics secured promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern Counties East Football League after this demolition of Crockenhill on Easter Saturday. Their ascent was confirmed after a few nervous moments waiting to hear the result as their title rivals Kent Football United surrendered a 3-1 lead at home to Holmesdale and ended up losing 4-3. Rusthall kept up their form in what has been a remarkable season and will now be playing at a
higher level than the club has ever done before in its 118-year history. The rise up the ranks will also mean that they can look forward to local derbies against the likes of Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. The visitors took the lead at Crockenhill on 14 minutes when veteran Joe Fuller forced the ball over the line. The hosts claimed he had fouled the keeper but the referee awarded the goal. Four minutes before half-time they scored again when Dan Powell slotted the ball home from just inside the area. Rusthall continued to dominate in the second half and John Sinclair made it 3-0 on 65 minutes. At the same time news came through that Kent Football United had gone 3-1 up, meaning the
LEAD BY EXAMPLE Captain John Sinclair puts in a tackle
Angels fall short as play-offs slip away STRAIN EVERY SINEW Tom Phipp (left) and Nathan Elder search for an equaliser
By Jim Rowe FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS crashed out of play-off contention for National South with a surprisingly lacklustre display at relegationthreatened Folkestone Invicta on Easter Monday. The visitors were left to reflect on a Ryman League Premier season which at times promised
Folkestone Invicta 1 Tonbridge Angels 0 much but in the end fizzled out with a feeling of distinct underachievement. Folkestone had a hatful of chances early on, with former Angel Joe Taylor somehow missing from three yards out. Nick Wheeler made a dangerous run into the heart of the Invicta defence but Vas Karagiannis’s effort was blocked. An Invicta attack down the left wing in the 40th minute provided the breakthrough. A cross reached full-back Nat Blanks, whose shot was good enough to beat keeper Jonny Henly. Angels’ best chance came on 68 minutes when Wheeler, substitute Dan Thompson and Nathan Elder almost forced an equaliser but the Folkestone defence scrambled the ball away. Angels huffed and puffed but there was no real cutting edge and they were too predictable.
Folkestone were able to deal comfortably with whatever was thrown at them and take a significant step towards securing their own safety. For Angels, performances have been patchy since the end of February, with only two league wins and both of those by just the single goal.
‘Changes’ They had kept their hopes alive two days before with a narrow 1-0 win at home to Sudbury, another side desperately trying to stay up. It took Angels until the 78th minute to find a winner, however, when a Wheeler corner was converted by Elder. After the Invicta match the bitterly disappointed Angels manager, Steve McKimm, said: “It was another poor performance today. “They wanted it more than us and only two or three players can emerge with any credit. “I admit I’ve made mistakes along the line but our dressing room isn’t as strong as last season. “Inevitably there will be changes and I’m already thinking about those changes.”
Sporting Times
Wednesday April 19 | 2017
ON A ROLL Ken Smith takes part in a 12-hour marathon in the 1970s
NEWS
79
Thrilling conclusion to tenpin bowling season By Andrew Tong
newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk THE South East Counties Tenpin Bowling League season is reaching an exciting climax as a clutch of contenders chase the title with two games left. The top three teams, Dark Horses, Skittles and Moore the Merrier, are all within two points of each other on 60, 60 and 58 points respectively – and there are 16 points still up for grabs. Dark Horses’ Hanna Bratton-Smith has an average of 213 and a league high game of 268, and also hold the highest series of 664 for a three-game series. Meanwhile her team-mate Andrew Tapping holds the highest individual average by a male bowler, 222. Skittles’ Philip Guimarey is the league’s highest scorer and has bowled a ‘perfect game’ – a maximum score of 300 achieved by bowling 12 strikes in a row; one in each of the first nine frames, then three in the 10th and final frame.
He has a high score 278, a series of 768 maintaining a 213 average. He plays with his father Ollie and Carl Emberson, who is also a high scorer with a 264 game and 721 series and 197 average. Moore the Merrier are a family affair too, consisting of father Brian and his two sons Darren and Kevin Moore. Darren also bowled the perfect game of 300 in our knockout competition, which is also the league’s highest score. He is their top scorer with a 216 average, a 277 high game and 782 series. Darren Brian and Kevin both score over 200.
Origins The biggest and longest-running league in the South-east consists of 38 trios divided into three divisions for its winter scratch competition. The league is more than 50 years old, and veteran bowler Ken Smith can trace its origins back to 1963. “Beeline Taxis in Tunbridge Wells challenged local businesses to take them
on,” the Honorary President recalls. “Some of the original bowlers are still taking part.” The matches were held at an alley down in Brighton because there was no venue in the town, but the competition was initially known as the Tunbridge Wells Tenpin Bowling League. “As the number of firms wishing to take part increased, a committee was formed and the league was set up the following year, playing at King Alfred Lanes in Hove,” Ken recalls “In the Sixties the league moved to the Humber Bowl at Crawley and adopted its new name because players came from Kent, Sussex and Essex.” It finally relocated to its home town of Tunbridge Wells when the Bowlplex opened in Knights Park in 1998. It now boasts a membership of over a hundred, with ages ranging from 10 years old to 70-plus. If you would like to try your hand at bowling, visit www.sec10pin.co.uk
Hockey for Heroes are stretched to the limit for endurance walk HOCKEY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Hockey Club elcomed the Hockey for Heroes squad w to Kent College in Pembury on Saturday for two fundraising and practice matches ahead of their remarkable #OpStretcher challenge in May and June. Hockey for Heroes raise funds in aid of the charity for injured service personnel, Help for Heroes. Over a 10-day period starting on May 26, they will march more than 200 miles
SETTING GOALS Tunbridge Wells and Hockey for Heroes at Kent College
from Sophia Gardens in Cardiff to the Olympic Park at Lee Valley in London in a bid to raise £50,000. Across the full distance they will be carrying an injured former Royal Marine, Dom Lovett, on a stretcher. Along the route various clubs will play host to them with their men’s and ladies’ teams playing over 30 games. After walking from Dover to Folkestone and playing the latter club the day before,
the H4H squad underwent a stretcherbearer training session at Bewl Water, learning how to transition between carriers while on the move. The matches that followed at Kent College were of a high standard and Tunbridge Wells’ men and ladies managed to win both. If you wish to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Hockey4Heroes or Text HOCKEY to 70900.
Flying Fifteens in double anniversary at Bewl Water SAILING: ONE of the largest fleets currently sailing at Bewl Water, the Flying Fifteen class, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The occasion coincides with the 40th year of competitive sailing this month at the venue. Designed by Uffa Fox in 1947 on the Isle of Wight, Flying Fifteens are still being built and sailed at clubs around Europe as well as far afield in South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand. The first round of open events organised by Bewl Sailing Association, with prizes sponsored by Hoads, consisted of a five-race series spread over April 8-9.
Under beautiful sunny skies, the fairly light winds produced some challenging but exciting racing. Ian Cadwallader and his crew Dave Sweet from Chew Valley Sailing Club were victorious, with Robert Hogben and Glyn Morgan the best Bewl boat. The next special sailing event at MarkerStudy’s Bewl Water is Push the Boat Out sponsored by the Royal Yacht Association on May 20. Last year 20,000 people took to the waters at more than 350 venues nationwide to discover the thrills and spills of the sport. If you would like to try a free taster session with an expert sailor, contact amandaconrad@hotmail.co.uk.