Wednesday September 26 | 2018
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Times OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
SING FOR THE MOMENT Bella Penfold stars on The X Factor
Battle over the boundaries as councillors are urged to oppose Government plans Meanwhile, Tom Tugendhat’s Tonbridge constituency would lose Kings Hill, home PROPOSED changes to the Parliamentary to the borough council’s offices. It seems likely Greg Clark would become constituency boundary for Tunbridge Wells would ‘impact adversely on demo- MP of the proposed Tunbridge Wells & cratic representation’ and should not be Crowborough constituency that would take in much of the existing Wealden, but given the green light. That is the view of Conservative Cllr Da- see Pembury, Langton Green and Southvid Jukes, Leader of Tunbridge Wells Bor- borough lost to Tonbridge. Ms Ghani said: “I have been elected ough Council, who will urge members to officially support his position in a meeting twice to represent the Wealden constituency and that is my focus. The proposals tonight [Wednesday, September 26]. make the Wealden constituency evolve into the Tunbridge Wells & Crowborough ‘Changes would impact constituency. This will require a vote in adversely on democratic Parliament and will be some time in the future. representation’ “My job day to day is to champion WealCouncil Leader David Jukes den families, businesses and farmers and that’s what I will continue to do.” Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council The Tory-led government has been criticised nationally for seeking boundary Leader Nicolas Heslop has criticised the prochanges, which some see as a ploy to keep posals. He said: “As a council, we have conthem in power. Several Labour-held Welsh cern they do not reflect the best interests of residents as longstanding associations beseats are set to be dissolved along with the tween communities were severed. existing constituency for Wealden MP Nus Ghani. “There was a strong feeling that communities that were affiliated The motion being put forward with each other should continue by Cllr Jukes states: “Whilst recto be linked and in the same Parognising the motivation driving liamentary constituency.” the boundary review, this counWhitehall had appointed the cil regrets the final proposals independent Boundary Comhave failed to take account of mission to draw up the new the views of this council and lines for all constituencies local people. to have between 71,031 “The proposals fail to recand 78,507 voters. ognise natural and historGreg Clark and Wealic communities of place, den District Council are administratively burLeader Bob Standley densome and would impact adversely on demowere more welcoming cratic representation.” of the changes. IN THE HOT SEAT It goes on to call on Nus Ghani‘s local MPs to reject the Wealden Full story on Page 5 planned changes. constituency would disappear
INSIDE MILITARY HISTORY
Dame Kelly Holmes is made an Honorary Colonel Page 2
By Jonathan Banks
Hotel singer has the X Factor THE stage is set for a former Tunbridge Wells waitress to prove she has The X Factor in front of a television audience of millions. This Saturday [September 29] soulful Bella Penfold, 19, will appear on the ITV series as she takes on The Six Chair Challenge. She will be cheered on by staff at
One Warwick Park Hotel, where she was first given an opportunity to sing in their restaurant Seventeen. Bella attended St Gregory’s Catholic School and The Mead School, both in Tunbridge Wells.
Full story on Page 3
HIGH LEVEL THREAT Villagers may be powerless to stop phone mast Page 2
EXECUTIVE DECISION Law firm appoints first female CEO in 448 years Page 10
WE’LL DRINK TO THAT Hush Heath unveils its new state-of-the-art winery Page 68