Thursday December 27 | 2018
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PHOTO: Rose Bainbridge
The Ice Queen makes it a cool start to the holidays
GOLDEN GIRL: Olympic Dancer Jayne Torvill took to the ice with family and friends at the Tunbridge Wells ice rink on Sunday. The Winter Olympics Gold Medal winner of 1984 had ‘loads of fun’ as she posed for selfies with fans before heading to the Assembly Hall for the Sleeping Beauty panto. The rink is open until January 2.
Minister warns no deal on Brexit would ‘ravage’ economy for years Clark vows to use position in Cabinet to make sure that never happens By Jonathan Banks FAILURE to reach a deal on Brexit would be ‘a disaster for Britain ravaging our economy for a generation’. That is the warning from Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark who in his role as Business Minister is at the heart of the ongoing Brexit debate within Theresa May’s Cabinet, the Conservative Party and the country at large. There has even been unsubstantiated media speculation in recent days that he would quit his ministerial post in the event of a ‘no deal’.
Mr Clark told the Times this week: “No deal would be a disaster for Britain, ravaging our economy for a generation.
‘It is imperative to bring some clarity to this matter as quickly as possible’ Tonbridge MP, Tom Tugendhat “I will use my positon in the Cabinet to make sure it will never become the policy of the British Government.”
Mr Clark fully supports Theresa May’s proposed so called Chequers’ exit package as does the Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat although he would do so reluctantly. He told this newspaper: “As things stand, and with a very heavy heart, I was intending to back the Prime Minister’s deal. “Though we still have to negotiate the transition arrangements I do think it is imperative to bring some clarity to this matter as quickly as possible. There are firms and companies lining up to invest in our towns and they
need to know what we are planning before they do. That requires an agreement and so far this is the only one on the table. “Of course, the current turmoil in Westminster and the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Europe to seek some further assurances leave us no more certain what the future holds. “I hope this will provide the opportunity we all need to think hard about the implications of decisions before us. None of us were elected to gamble
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
this week… Churches provide winter shelter REVIEW OF THE YEAR: We talk to those who have made an impact in 2018 pages 8-10
for town’s ‘struggling’ homeless By William Mata
WHAT’S IN STORE?: Does British Land’s Sheffield shopping mall reflect plans for Royal Victoria Place? page 12
FESTIVE FUN: The timeless appeal of The Wind in the Willows page 34
LET’S PARTY: Foodies’ Sallianne David on how to make New Year’s Eve go with a bang page 38-39
CONTACTS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR RICHARD MOORE richard@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 779615 DEPUTY EDITOR EILEEN LEAHY eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 576037 CHIEF REPORTER RICHARD WILLIAMS newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 240626 DESIGN/PRODUCTION LEE SMITH lsmith8@markerstudy.com SALES ENQUIRIES GHak@onemediauk.co.uk | 01892 779650 FIND US ONLINE facebook.com/timeslocalnews timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk twitter.com/timeslocalnews
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THE work of Tunbridge Wells Churches’ Winter Shelter is as vital as ever because the borough’s poorest are ‘struggling’. That is the view of Jim Stewart, Chairman of the movement which returns in the New Year to offer up to 12 homeless people a meal and a safe, warm place to sleep every night for two months. From January 2 to March 4 a shelter will be provided at one of ten town centre churches, who have joined in a coalition for the eighth successive year. Last year more than ten people were rehomed through the Shelter’s support and guidance, but the 175or-so volunteers will keep working until the movement has no more reason to exist. Rev Stewart, who fronts St James’ Church in Tunbridge Wells, said: “Despite what the government says, we don’t see that austerity has ended. “The benefits system is becoming more complex and difficult to navigate even though it’s supposed to be more simplified. People are struggling more and this just tips them over the edge.” He said if it was not for the ‘proac-
tive engagement’ of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in providing temporary accommodation, demand for the shelter this year could be greater than ever. “One of our problems with recent changes to the benefit system is housing associations now have to do a full affordability test before somebody moves in and what that means is that nobody on benefits will be able to move in to residential,” he continued. “The sanctions with Universal Credit are not designed to work well with people who are homeless, who are poor at making appointments, getting to them on time, things like that. “In this area, with the job centre now gone from Tunbridge Wells, asking them to get to other centres is asking them the earth. Some of the new sanctions are draconian.” All first-time applicants visit the council’s Gateway Centre at Fiveways between 9.30am and 12.30pm on weekdays for an assessment and interview from December 27. They are informed which church is hosting on a night-by-night basis. The free service offers high-quality meals, with cheesecake a favourite last time. Volunteers, mostly members of
HELPING HANDS: Clients enjoy a break at last year’s winter shelter local churches, are encouraged to treat the homeless as guests. Like previous years, they are not short of people looking to help – which Rev Stewart put down to there being some ‘really nice people in Tunbridge Wells’. Julie Russell, Support Worker, said the majority of guests are ‘highly appreciative’ and willing to work with the Shelter’s partners to move into housing. Most guests are from the Tunbridge Wells area. The Shelter also provides clothing and toiletries in some cases to ‘give dignity’ back to guests. To find out more, visit: tunbridgewellswintershelter.co.uk
HIDDEN HOMELESS MANY homeless people are in full-time employment but are unable to afford accommodation. Maureen Chaseley, one of the Shelter’s managers alongside husband Barry, explained that they were working but could not afford to rent. She said. “They go to a gym, work out, have a shower, watch some TV, eat some dinner and then go and sleep in the car and then they could go back to work the next day. It’s in their interests to not publicise this because they want to turn up presentable at work.”
Mother’s Ruin triumphs for second consecutive year By Lottie Bulmer LONDON based gin, ‘Mother’s Ruin’ has won the tenth annual Sloe Gin World Championship, held near Tunbridge Wells last weekend. The winner of the commercial category was made using a recipe handed down by Becky Griffith’s mother and is meticulously crafted. Ms Griffith explained: “We cut no corners, our sloe gin takes at least a year to become ready for sipping.” The gin was praised by the judges for being ‘intensely flavoured with delicious rich notes of plum and almond, balanced perfectly with the gin botanicals.’ Held at The George Inn in Frant, the competition welcomed 30 amateur and commercial sloe gin makers from around the world, with the highest placed international entry being Clause Hahn and Stephan Groos’ creation ‘Silentnacht’ from Germany. Lead judge Lindsay Oram, from Channel 4’s ‘Wine Hunt’ and BBC Radio 4’s ‘Food Programme’ said: “It is wonderful to see such enthusiasm for keeping alive a very traditional product. There was a great range of individual styles from the entrants.” They were judged for their colour, clarity, sweetness and character.
BREXIT DEBATE: Continued from page 1 with our country’s future.” Mr Tugendhat said he was greatly concerned at the uncertainty of rejecting the agreement and leaving without a deal. He added: “That would leave us open to a range of possibilities, from the possibility of a further referendum, to the economic challenge of a departure without any agreement on future arrangements. “The impact of a departure without an agreement on our continuing trade with the EU would be severe and I am confident we can find better arrangements for our community.
HOW TO MAKE IT SLOE Gin is made by infusing sloe berries in sugar and gin, on average taking about a year for the liqueur to be ready to drink.
CHIN, CHIN: Landlord of The George Inn, Frant, Greg Elliott hosts the Sloe Gin World Championships The winning title for the homemade category was awarded to professional baker Danielle Ellis for the second time since 2016. “Should we choose not to, however, communities such as Borough Green, Platt and Wrotham would feel the impact very quickly. “I’ve made it clear, following the closure of the M26, which is part of the government’s plan to handle any delays in trade flow, that would leave our friends and neighbours cut off and I couldn’t vote for something which could damage communities I represent in this way.” The Member for Wealden Nus Ghani told the Times that she believes that Theresa’s May’s Withdrawal Agreement is ‘a
Next year the pub is planning to hold the competition on a Saturday to enable more competitors to watch their gins be judged. good compromise that provides certainty for our businesses and gets us out of the European Union in March 2019, as voted for. She added: “I supported the Prime Minister in the confidence vote as a leadership contest is a distraction and doesn’t change the maths in Parliament. “We should be focused on delivering a good deal and leaving the UK in March.”
CONCERNED Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat
Thursday December 27 | 2018
Son died in house fire while caring for dad A 39-YEAR-OLD IT consultant died in a house fire after consuming a quantity of drugs while looking after his dementiasuffering father, an inquest has heard. Gareth Day died of smoke inhalation in his bedroom in Woodland Way, Bidborough, on September 28. His father was unhurt. The coroner recorded an open verdict after hearing Mr Day had taken the drug GBL before he died.
By Richard Williams
Drive-in cinema closes THE drive-in cinema in Paddock Wood looks to have closed for good, amid mounting fears that the company behind the event has run into financial difficulties. Moonlight Drive-In Cinema has cancelled all screenings, removed their giant screen and all their equipment from the Hop Farm site, leaving the landowners thousands of pounds out of pocket. The firm’s website is also no longer taking bookings and they have taken down their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Present theft spree A CRICKETER’S biography, a dinosaur table lamp and a pair of children’s shoes were all among stolen Christmas presents recovered by Kent Police. The force has warned residents to be vigilant after 324 residential burglaries were reported across the county between December 3 and 17.
Assembly Hall director
Roads need widening HIGHWAYS England has faced calls to widen the M2 before building the Lower Thames Crossing at Gravesend. Business group South East Local Enterprise Partnership said this is needed to avoid ‘bringing Kent to a standstill’. The planned infrastructure would offer an alternative to the Dartford Crossing.
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Cat ends up back home after escaping from a cattery two years ago
NEWS IN BRIEF
TUNBRIDGE WELLS Assembly Hall Theatre is seeking a new marketing director following the departure of Antony Pickthall. Mr Pickthall left last month to focus on his freelance career as a strategic arts marketing consultant after working at the council-owned venue. The Assemby Hall say they will look for a replacement in the New Year.
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Fairy tale comes true for children in hospital EVENTS company Once Upon a Wish sprinkled a little magic over Tunbridge Wells Hospital when four of their fairy tale princesses spread some festive cheer for the children, parents and play leaders of the Hedgehog and Woodland wards.
Overwhelmed It was the third time the Tunbridge Wells based business had visited the children’s wards ‘to help make wonderful memories for the
youngsters and their parents’. Owner Jessica Nelson said they were overwhelmed with donations from local businesses which enabled them to ensure every child on the wards received a special Christmas gift. “Many thanks to the numerous businessses who supported this worthwhile charitable event,” she said. Hospital staff and parents were also handed presents. The company staged the event free of charge.
A MISSING cat has returned home, more than two years since it first went astray. Lula the black moggy vanished in July 2016 after the family placed her in a cattery while they went on holiday. The cat, now eight, escaped after a blunder by cattery staff, leaving the Boultons, who live in Middle Walk, Tunbridge Wells, believing they would never see Lula again. “We were on holiday in Greece when we heard the news. It was devastating. I remember the date. It was 8 August, and we still had a week left on our holiday, which was ruined,” said Jo Boulton, 54. Mrs Boulton, who works as a dinner lady at Bishops Down Primary, says she still feels anger towards the cattery with whom she had boarded Lula. “Somebody didn’t close the outer door properly and Lula escaped.” While the cattery apologised for the error and sent a cheque for £500 as compensation, which was never cashed, nobody expected the itinerant cat to return. Husband, Gerry Boulton, also 54 and who works as a security analyst, said they had tried everything to find Lula. “We put up flyers, we had Cat
Protection out and about looking, we set up a page on Facebook, we tried everything,” he said. Sadly, for two-and-a-half years, nobody heard anything. “We thought she was gone for good,” said Mr Boulton. But then they got a call that shocked them. “It came out of the blue,” Mr Boulton recalled. “I thought, this cannot be real.” He said that Lula was found in the High Brooms area by a woman who had been recently feeding her. Eventually the woman called animal rescuers Streetkatz. As the cat had been chipped, Streetkatz, which are based in Lamberhurst, were able to discover her true identity after taking her to a local vet.
Hiatus “The vet scanned her and called me,” said Mr Boulton. The Boultons couldn’t quite believe it, and it wasn’t until they headed to the vet and were reunited with Lula that it all sunk in. In the two-and-a-half-year hiatus that the cat had been missing, it is believed somebody had taken her in as she was in very good condition. “We are over the moon to have her back. It really is a great Christmas present,” said Mrs Boulton.
REUNITED: Gerry and Jo Boulton with Lula the cat who returned home just in time for Christmas after being absent for more than two years
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Local News
Wealden residents face a £52 charge for garden waste WEALDEN residents will face an annual £50 fee for collecting garden waste next year, the district council has confirmed. Wealden District Council is the latest local authority to confirm the customer charges for garden waste when the new Joint Waste Contract for refuse and recycling collections starts from 29 June 2019. The Times reported in August how Tunbridge Borough Council is also considering charging residents £52 for garden waste collection in 2019. Now householders in Wealden, including those in Ashdown Forest, Wadhurst and Crowborough will face the charges next year. Councillor Roy Galley, Cabinet member for Waste Management at Wealden District Council said: “Garden waste collection is not a service councils are required to provide. It was introduced in Wealden 15 years ago to help increase our recycling. “In the face of increasing costs, we can no longer expect council tax payments to subsidise fully this part of the service, particularly when not all residents use the service.” He added: “I firmly believe that this still represents good value for money for our residents – a cost of around £1 a week.”
WHAT A WASTE Wealden garden collection to cost £52 a year
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
Supernanny created by villager is a festive season blockbuster FESTIVE FUN The new Mary Poppins cast
By Richard Williams MARY POPPINS RETURNS has been one of the most eagerly anticipated Christmas films of the year and it’s all thanks to an author who lived on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells. The new movie stars Emily Blunt and was released last Friday [December 21], nearly 50 years after Julie Andrews first played the eponymous nanny. The original book from which the film was based, was penned by P. L. Travers. The Australian-born author moved to Pound Cottage, near Mayfield in 1934, where she published the first Mary Poppins book. In all, Travers wrote eight books featuring the magical nanny, between 1934 and 1988. The first film was released by Walt Disney in 1964, but the author was not impressed, as detailed in the 2013 biopic, Saving Mr Banks. “They sent her a treatment for the film and she said it was hopeless,”
Tim Cornish, film historian at the Mayfield Film Society told BBC South East. “They told her to write her own in that case, so she did,” added Mr Cornish. The film’s famous phrase: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious was coined by Disney composers, brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, and not by Travers. It is impossible to say what Travers would think of the new film, but after the release of the original Disney musical, Travers ruled out any further adaptations. In a 1977 interview, the author, who died in London in 1996, aged 96, said: “I’ve seen it once or twice, and I’ve learned to live with it. It’s a good film on its own level, but I don’t think it is very like my books.” The new film, which also stars Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Ben Wishaw, Emily Mortimer and Julie Walters, is set two decades after the original, and centres on the two children from the original film.
NANNY STATE The poster of the new Mary Poppins adaption
PHOTO: Courtesy of Disney Pictures
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Review of the Year
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
Wonderful community spirit helped shape a successful year for many… WITH the year almost at an end, the Times asked a selection of individuals from Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and beyond for their take on 2018 as well as their hopes for 2019. In part one of our review, William Mata, Andy Tong and Eileen Leahy spoke to a few names making the headlines and others who performed an equally important role behind the scenes
ANNE CARWARDINE Historian and writer from Tunbridge Wells What have you been up to this year? I had been working for the past three years on a book entitled Disgusted Ladies about the women of Tunbridge Wells who campaigned for the vote. It was finally published earlier this year, which tied in neatly with the centenary of the Suffragettes’ movement. A big year for women, then? In February, I was asked to join a group who were planning a celebratory march on International Women’s Day [March 8] in Tunbridge Wells. This brought together women from all the local political parties, as well as representatives of organisations such as the Girl Guides and the Soroptimists, a volunteer group aimed at improving women’s lives. A great deal of planning resulted in a march that was well attended and successful. It began with a performance on The Pantiles bandstand [close to where suffragettes had their shop] and ended with another at the Opera House [where two of them interrupted a Liberal Party meeting in 1913]. Following the march, associated events were held at the Town Hall, Royal Victoria Place and The Forum. I was asked to speak at all three, which was very flattering. So this bodes well for the future? On the day, women who had campaigned for their rights back in the 1960s and 70s marched alongside younger females who have also taken up campaigning for their rights. There were also
lots of schoolgirls involved – clearly inspired by this year’s anniversary - and hopefully they’ll become campaigners of the future. Many different experiences and perspectives were
present on that day but what united all those women was a shared commitment to equality. I hope 2019 sees women in Tunbridge Wells continuing to work together.
Thursday December 27 | 2018
Review of the Year
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GREG CLARK MP for Tunbridge Wells and Business Secretary. What are your reflections on a big year in politics? Westminster in 2018 featured Brexit prominently. As the negotiations with the EU reached their conclusion, it was always likely that a decision which divided communities would remain contentious rather than harmonious, and so it has proved. Will Brexit be resolved next year? I hope that in 2019 we can reach an agreement so that the nation can reunite and end the uncertainty and division that we have lived through for more than two and a half years. Has there been anything more positive to report from 2018? Over the last year, there have been moments that show how, when the community does come together, we are better for it. The centenary of the First World War united us in respect and gratitude for those – from our
ESSIE ANDREWS Founder, Tonbridge Parent Support Group and Tonbridge-based initiative FEAST. How was your 2018? It was a great year for both the Tonbridge Parent Support Group and FEAST [Families Eating and Sharing Together]. Both projects have been very successful. I’ve really enjoyed being involved in the development of these, and having the opportunity to meet and work alongside some amazing people. The success of these projects has also been due to the wonderful community spirit of Tonbridge, and everyone’s generosity. What might the next 12 months have in store for you? I’m looking forward to 2019, and the future of both Tonbridge Parent Support Group and FEAST. We have more interesting speakers coming to talk to our parents at the support group.
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communities and across the world – who sacrificed themselves for our freedom today. What moments, if any, did you enjoy? The World Cup showed that we can get behind, with pride and enthusiasm, a national team that impressed with their youth, talent and professionalism. Many of us will have made memories during the long, hot summer in which our corner of Kent was an idyllic place to be. What are your hopes for the next year? I hope that 2019 will be the year in which we can at last move beyond the disputes of the last few years and work together. We are a strong community, in one of the most beautiful places in Britain and there is so much we can do to help make the lives of everyone who lives here better than they could be. Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat will give his thoughts in next week’s Times.
Are there other projects we can expect? We are also discussing ways to provide more support for families with children who have behavioural, emotional and mental health challenges. It’s alarming how many families can’t access crucial support for their children, and are left feeling hopeless. How are you looking to move forward? FEAST has gained a lot of interest, especially from different churches, and next year we are expanding into more venues, including the possibility of a kitchen in a local school, which is brilliant because it means we can be more accessible to more families. What Tonbridge needs is a community hub or centre, self-sustainable but with groups and services for all age groups. I’d love to be involved with something like that!
CATHERINE DE CRÈVECOEUR Jewellery designer based in Tunbridge Wells. What went well this year? One of the key 2018 highlights for me is how well my debut jewellery collection has been received. If you told me a year ago that people would be spotted wearing my earrings all over the UK, France, New York and Dubai, I wouldn’t have believed you. I created this collection with inspiring women in mind, and the fact such inspiring women have responded by supporting my business is just amazing. The response to my launch collection in May, especially via social media, was more than I could have ever hoped for. I now wake up to my phone pinging with orders, which is usually the result of someone kindly posting about them on Instagram. I’ve also done a few local fairs and pop-up events and been contacted by online retailers and boutiques
who are interested in selling my pieces. What started off as a small idea to do something creative has turned into a growing business. Sounds like you have been working hard? Yes, I’ve spent countless days (and nights) in my workshop, and it hasn’t been easy juggling family life with work but it has all been worth it. Showing my sons that if you are passionate enough about something and work hard to make it happen, is pretty wonderful. Are you carrying on that work ethic into the New Year? In 2019 I’ll be adding new accessories to my next collection and now have my mum on board, assisting me with the production process, to meet the ever-increasing demands of the business. There’s certainly a strong movement towards supporting small independent businesses here in Tunbridge Wells and that’s really wonderful to be part of.
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Review of the Year
DAWN STANFORD Operations Manager of Nourish Community Foodbank, a charity that supports the hungry in Tunbridge Wells and South Tonbridge. How would you summarise the year that’s nearly finished? 2018 has been our busiest year to date and our volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly to support our clients. We have seen an increase in the number of households needing our support. To meet that need, we have doubled our storage area, are working with over 115 front line agencies who refer to us and continue to deliver to Tunbridge Wells, outlying villages and into South Tonbridge. The community contributions through this last year and the many events we have attended [along with their own fundraising campaigns] that have donated to us have been amazing. Why do you think people are starting to support Nourish? From the feedback we get from clients I know that what Nourish gives is so much more than a food bag; it’s a lifeline, a hug, an act of kindness from a stranger when you feel like there is no way up. Each year I am touched by heart-wrenching situations: The elderly couple who had not eaten fresh meat for months, the teenager whose mum died suddenly and had to cope on her own, the domestic abuse victim who had come to Tunbridge Wells so she and her children couldn’t be found, who tracked her days free from abuse through a donated advent calendar. We couldn’t do what we do without the generous support we receive and our wonderful team of volunteers. What are your ambitions for 2019? We have been incredibly fortunate to be supported by many companies again, including Big Yellow Self Storage where our main distribution point is. We would love for more people to know what we do and that we are there. We aim to hold more open mornings so
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
that people can come down and see for themselves where their donations go and how they or their company can get involved. Any other projects? We look to increase our youth involvement following a very successful couple of years running sessions for under 18’s who are passionate about helping their local community Tunbridge Wells was recently voted the ninth happiest place to live in the UK and one of the main reasons cited was ‘community spirit’. We, at Nourish, were not surprised by this as Tunbridge Wells so often steps up to look after its most vulnerable neighbours and has a thriving volunteer organisation community. So, our New Year wish is for more people to support us.
FRAN BOORMAN Tunbridge Wells-based founder of footballfocused social initiative Goal17. What is it you have been focusing your energies on? Mid-way through the year, I co-founded a new company called Goal17. We are using the universal attraction of football to help get homeless young people off the streets and turn their lives around. How does this work? But we didn’t want it to be just about us. We have developed a corporate ‘experience’ in partnership with Premier League football clubs where we bring together company employees with vulnerable young people. By breaking down boundaries and getting everyone working together these blended groups
all learn so much about themselves and each other. More than anything we learn that we are all pretty much the same and that together we can help each other out. Through Goal17 we get great pleasure out of helping our young people over a ten week programme, but also empower a typical company employee, someone like you or me, to also become part of a social progression forward together. How will you move forward Goal17 for 2019? In 2019 we are excited to scale and deliver more of our experiences across the UK and hope to find lots of new ways that both businesses and individuals can join us. We want to bring back more than just hope, but also positive social action through uniting people.
More end of year reviews next week...
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BUSINESS
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Track record of British Land shows what shops could await RVP mall BRITISH LAND’s development of one of the UK’s largest shopping centres could suggest what lies instore for Royal Victoria Place [RVP]. The real estate firm has given away little as to its plans for Tunbridge Wells’ shopping mall, since buying it for £96million earlier this year. Since then British Land has scrapped a £70million plan that previous owner Hermes had devised to expand the centre with restaurants, shops and a cinema. A spokesman said they are ‘working hard’ to progress alternative plans, but have not disclosed what these will look like. “We are excited about the potential of Royal
Victoria Place and as a long term investor we are committed to its success,” a spokesman said. “Tunbridge Wells deserves so much better.” Judging by their £60million transformation of the Meadowhall in Sheffield, Tunbridge Wells’ shoppers are unlikely to be disappointed. British Land has embarked on an extensive refurbishment of Meadowhall since 2015, to celebrate the centre’s 25th anniversary. In a two year period more than 30 big name brands moved in, including White Stuff, Michael Kors, Diesel, Tag Heuer and Jack Wills to name just a few. In the same time period, a number of brands got
Thursday December 27 | 2018
NEWS IN BRIEF
Tonbridge Station is West Kent’s busiest MORE than four million people used Tonbridge railway station in the 2017-18 financial year, making it the busiest in West Kent and Wealden. With 4,391,184 combined entries and exits, Tonbridge ranked 111 nationally, ahead of Sevenoaks [121], Tunbridge Wells [146], Maidstone East [404] and High Brooms [461]. Waterloo topped the national rankings with 94 million entries and exits as almost three billion journeys were made.
Financial firm academy bigger, including: Nando’s, Apple and Sports Direct. Closing department store BHS was filled by expansions for a number of stores, including Primark. In October 2016, it was announced British Land had put forward plans for a £300million leisure centre extension to replace Meadowhall’s cinema. Plans, however, have been scaled back from their original ambition of containing a bowling alley and trampoline park. Revised proposals are set to be drawn up next year.
STAFF from Brooks Macdonald’s Tunbridge Wells office are hosting a series of ‘adviser academies’ around Kent. The financial firm has gathered influential speakers to brief attendees on topics such as macroeconomic environment, Brexit and helping clients plan for decumulation. The sessions will be held in three Kent locations in January. To find out more, visit: brooksmacdonald.com
Partnership’s strategy THE South East Local Enterprise Partnership [SELEP], a business-led organisation that champions local economic growth, has outlined its three priorities for growth. Chairman Christian Brodie last week said he wants to ‘work smarter’ to increase productivity in the area to boost the South East’s potential. SELEP’s vision also includes accelerating housebuilding and building greater collaborations.
Thursday December 27 | 2018
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Community News
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Hospital charity in talks to run new local radio station By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk A NEW radio station could take to the airwaves in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells next year. Ofcom, the communications regulator, is advertising for applications to run a new local community station to cover the three towns and surrounding villages. A group called West Kent Radio has been set up to make an application, which must be submitted by the closing date of March 31. Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells [HRTW], who have been broadcasting to the local hospitals since the early 1960s, are behind the group’s bid. Nigel Peacock of West Kent Radio, who is co-ordinating the application, said: “A locally based radio station for our towns and their villages is well overdue. “We will be able to cover local news, travel and events, focusing on Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Southborough, which other radio stations are simply not able to do.” Chris Manser, HRTW’s station manager, said: “As one of the most
established hospital radio stations in the UK, we are excited at the opportunity to be involved with a new local FM radio station. “The experience of our volunteer team means we can provide quality radio programmes on FM, while still focusing on our ever-popular request programmes for listeners in the two local hospitals.” There are over 280 small local community radio stations on air on FM, AM and DAB across the country. The licence advertised is
Wells Hospital, Tonbridge Cottage Hospital; online at hrtw.org.uk and via the Tune In App. For more information, visit Facebook and Twitter @ HRTunWells
‘We will be able to cover local news, travel and events, which other radio stations are simply not able to do’ for FM and will cover a radius of around three miles. If West Kent Radio’s application is successful, it will be based at the existing hospital radio studios in the centre of Tunbridge Wells. The team will be working with local organisations and community groups over the next three months to write up their bid. HRTW is a registered charity that
LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS The Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells team (l-r) Phil Kidby, Ben Parry, Pete Alsop and Claire Backhurst
Swinging 60’s milk the applause at The Dairy
TIRELESS Edmund Hastie has been helping local projects for seven years
Councillor’s fundraising efforts raise £10,000 for two parishes A LOCAL councillor has almost raised £10,000 for charity after completing his latest annual charity bike ride. Edmund Hastie, who represents the ward of Goudhurst and Lamberhurst on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, has been cycling on behalf of good causes in the two parishes since he was elected in 2011. This year he raised £1,100, which allowed Goudhurst to purchase a new defibrillator while helping Lamberhurst to buy new doors for its memorial hall. Cllr Hastie said: “I would like to single out special thanks to a number of local businesses that
has been providing noncommercial bedside entertainment to patients since 1961. It broadcasts 24/7 to Tunbridge
LOCAL band The Swinging 60’s joined homeowners and staff at McCarthy and Stone’s The Dairy for a Sing Your Heart Out event to raise funds for Royal Voluntary Service. In 2017, McCarthy and Stone raised £269,000 for the charity via a series of initiatives to commemorate the company’s 40th year. The housebuilder is supporting the cause again with events like the one at the Retirement Living Plus development on St John’s Road. Rhona Hill, House Manager at The Dairy, said: “Across the McCarthy and Stone South East region, we have donated £500 to Royal Voluntary Service as a result of our
Sing Your Heart Out events. “The team at The Dairy would like to say a big thank you to The Swinging 60’s and our homeowners and all those who visited the development for our Sing Your Heart Out event. It was a huge success.” She added: “McCarthy and Stone is dedicated to enhancing our homeowners’ lives in so many different ways. “So Royal Voluntary Service’s work is very important to us and we feel honoured to be able to show our support in this way.” For more information about the work of the charity visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
have donated £100 each, namely B&K electricals, Sargeants Garage and St James’s Place in Goudhurst, Victoria Stores and The Brown Trout in Lamberhurst.
Vital “Every year these firms donate generously to various good causes which enable us all to enjoy living here that little bit more.” He added: “It is vital that the rural areas have defibrillators as it is important that people receive any medical attention they may need in a timely manner, regardless of where they live.”
STRING ALONG: Andy Ferguson and Dave Offredi of The Swinging 60’s with Karen Beale of McCarthy and Stone (far left) and residents Gwenda Morland, Beryl Spooner and Pam Royle
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Letters
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
And another thing… This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at Runcie Court, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG Take safety in taxis more seriously – let’s start by rating the drivers RANK OUTSIDERS The council should be more proactive
hazards as toys. More policing of them is needed and retailers should take more responsibility for who they sell them to, particularly after the disaster at Gatwick. Mr J Carraway Southborough
General hostility towards heritage
Surely the Times’ investigation into abuse women have faced from taxi drivers should spark the introduction of a safer taxi service for Tunbridge Wells? For example Uber lets you see the driver’s ratings from previous ‘riders’, and fares are set on the app first so there is no dispute on its price, avoiding awkward or dangerous situations. With ratings from other riders, women would
New theatre sets stage for windfall I was interested to read a letter saying our new theatre may boost property prices in Tunbridge Wells [December 12]. This prompted me to look at how house prices have fared in Canterbury, given that our proposed playhouse is often compared to their Marlowe theatre. In the last ten years house prices in Canterbury have risen by 8 per cent more than in Ashford, a nearby town a similar distance from London. This is despite the HS1 rail link, which I expected to give Ashford a significant advantage. I can’t claim this 8 per cent outperformance is all down to the Marlowe theatre, and maybe it understates the true impact. But if house prices here were to rise by 8 per cent, this would give the average Tunbridge Wells homeowner a windfall of £41,000. Tom Payne Tunbridge Wells
Letters to council come to dead end In response to the article by Mark Hood entitled ‘Time to end the one-party state’ [December 12], I now realise why, with our pleas to the council, nothing is done and they do not have the decency to answer our letters. We have a resident in our cul-de-sac who covets her parking spaces like they are her territory. Because she does not want to look at other people’s cars, she campaigned to have double yellow lines in the turning head which, because [it’s believed] she has connections in the council, were duly painted. All this was done when the ratio was 12 to 2 against it. Even though we wrote to the council
feel safer taking a taxi knowing who is driving them and with the tracking feature available, you can see which route the driver is taking. Won’t Tunbridge Wells Borough Council take women’s safety seriously and start implementing ways to prevent these horrific experiences, rather than ways to report them after they’ve happened? Sarah Barlow Tunbridge Wells with our objections we were just overruled. They cited the DVLA and obstructions as the reason, which given the size of the turning head was nonsense as there is ample room for a couple of cars to park. She even got a tree lopped when she had to park under it one day and the birds christened it. What it is to have a relation in high places. Christopher Miller Tonbridge
Thank you for compassion to birds I was deeply upset by Michael Alloway’s letter [December 12]. I thought this was the season of goodwill, yet this poor woman has been described in detail as well as her movements and been condemned for feeding a few pigeons in the cold weather. Perhaps Mr Alloway forgets how these birds helped to win our wars by carrying messages and often being shot in the process. Our wildlife is disappearing at a rate never seen in history before. With so much violence and bad news, I can only say thank you to this lady for feeding them and having some compassion and generosity at this time of year. Valerie Russell Crowborough
Drone legislation is up in the air Forgive me for droning on, but why do many high street shops sell drones despite them constantly wreaking havoc? On my travels through Royal Victoria Place, I can see all sorts of shops selling these flying health-and-safety
I am surprised that Joseph Howard has brought up the A21 traffic issue again [November 28] as I thought that the authorities were satisfied over that matter. Admittedly, though, it was surprising that the new section of A21, avoiding Robertsbridge village, was routed over the floor of the valley, necessitating another level crossing. However, I suspect that there will eventually be a more substantial bypass built to trunk road standards which will cross the Rother valley on a viaduct. I think Mr Howard, in copying Barbara Castle in his apparent support for the two landowners involved, is doing so out of a general hostility to the whole of the heritage railway movement, as that was quite obviously Baroness Castle’s motivation. The Kent & East Sussex Railway twice crosses the A28 on level crossings without causing disruption to traffic, so I suspect that Mr Howard is exaggerating his case. Let’s get the line open through to Robertsbridge. It will then be much easier to reach the Kent & East Sussex Railway via public transport. John Humphrey Sevenoaks
It’s unfair to play the blame game I write as someone with a long-held interest in both game shooting and our illustrious military history. I am mildly perturbed that your recent correspondent [November 28] has wrongly assumed that the intrusive noise of gunfire during the commemorative service [Remembrance Day] could be attributed to a local game shoot. Mr Halfyard is unfortunately ignorant of the fact that it is illegal to shoot game birds on a Sunday in this country. It is more than likely to be a clay shoot. I admire his sentiment and I am disappointed that a clay shoot may not have observed the two minutes’ silence. Jonathan Bramall Tunbridge Wells
Are we racing over edge of a cliff? Greg Clark urges us all to accept the Brexit deal [December 12] for the facile reason that we need to move on. So we take any deal, the worst deal, anything that’s on offer, the best we can manage, just so we can move on? Mr Clark is responsible, with his colleagues, for this country’s worst constitutional crisis ever, so perhaps he should consider matters more weighty than racing cars: The sovereignty of the people; the sovereignty of the Cabinet; the sovereignty of Parliament.
Compare and discuss and have your paper submitted in time for next week’s edition. Edward Baker Tunbridge Wells
What are elected politicians up to? We know from experience that we cannot trust a word that Theresa May says, and Greg Clark [December 12] is apparently following much the same path. He accuses critics of the May Brexit deal of not putting forward alternatives, but in fact they have offered Remain and no-deal as well as variations in between. These are not alternatives he probably likes, but they remain nonetheless alternatives. He would be more convincing if he explained why, as a Remainer, he is now a member of a Brexit government and why he accepts the narrow referendum result as an immovable totem pole when we now know the referendum campaign was tarnished by Leave overspending and Russian cyber intervention. The answer is, of course, that he is a professional career politician who puts party advantage before the nation as well as his constituents and looks no further than the next general election, if that far. He is most unlikely to admit this, but he is typical of far too many MPs on both sides of the Commons who are largely responsible for the absolute shambles the UK now is. James Robertson Pembury
At least Boris gave us all a laugh I find myself agreeing with Sam Goodenough’s point [December 5] that governments only succeed in failing. Our present government is failing all over the place, what with the crises in Brexit, the NHS, social care, schools funding, local authorities going bust, job insecurity and appalling rises in homelessness, poverty and the need for foodbanks (those places where Tory MPs go for photo opportunities). They’re also not doing well on austerity, the Universal Credit debacle, benefits cuts to the disabled, chaos on the railways, the national debt increasing by £30billion, the Windrush scandal, anarchy in our prisons, and swingeing reductions in police numbers with the consequent rise in crime. There’s so much more – this is a government that just doesn’t stop messing up – but I’ll finish with a reminder of Mrs May’s hilarious decision to appoint Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary and give the rest of the world a good laugh too. Paul Stepto Tonbridge
Your editing is out for the count Thank you for printing my letter [December 19]. However, there’s been a slip ‘twixt pen and ink. What I wrote was: “a 50 per cent plus one was all that was needed for Leave or Remain to be carried; for clarification, that’s 50 per cent plus one vote.” What was printed was: “a 51 per cent was all that…” etc. That’s quite different. Robert Moore Tunbridge Wells
We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words
Education
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NEWS
15
EDUCATION Times
High praise for poetry pupil
English literature student receives impressive commendation at national poetry competition
‘I hope that even if this poem only encourages one person to be kinder, it could have a huge impact on someone’s life’
YEAR 11 Beacon Academy student, Eleanor Hulbert, has been highly commended for her entry into the Young People’s Poetry and Short Story Competition at Ilkley Literature Festival in West Yorkshire. Eleanor’s poem, entitled Society, could be seen as a statement about some of the many pressures facing people of all ages today. Speaking about what inspired her to write the poem, Eleanor said, “I wanted to demonstrate how we can change the way we view the differences between people, and how one person can end discrimination by spreading positivity and accepting and valuing the dissimilarities in people. I hope that even if this poem only encourages one person to be kinder, it could have a huge impact on someone’s life.” Eleanor went on to say that it was actually her English Teacher, Miss Furlong, who inspired her to enter the renowned poetry competition: “I have always loved writing, and showed Miss Furlong my collection of poems. She believed in me and encouraged me to enter, and I went on win the ‘Highly Commended’ title at the festival!” Once Eleanor has completed her GCSE examinations, she plans to study English Literature and Health and Social Care at A Level at Beacon Academy Sixth Form, pursuing her ambition to one day qualify as an English teacher.
Sky is not the limit for students in RAF event BOYS from Tonbridge School claimed second place in the national finals of the Schools’ Aerospace Challenge 2018. A team consisting of pupils Matt Barker, Jasper Driessen and Tommy Rochussen won a place in the final at Institute of Mechanical Engineers after writing a report that set out some innovative technologies that the RAF could use.
The 12 teams in the final presented their ideas to the RAF’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and other key figures. A second team from the school, consisting of Alvaro Marco, Jason Wong and Andrew Slater also competed. Phil Deakin, Head of Physics, said: “All six want to pursue career in this area.”
HIGH LIFE: Sir Stephen Hillier meets Matt Barker, Jasper Driessen and Tommy Rochussen
School takes a firm stance on palm oil
By Eileen Leahy eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk KENT College Pembury has decided to ban palm oil across its junior and senior campuses. The move comes at the independent girls’ school after many of the students watched Greenpeace’s Rang-tan advert which focuses on the plight of Orangutangs in Indonesia. The film was one that the food chain Iceland wanted to run as its Christmas advert in support of Greenpeace’s work promoting the devastating effects the use of non-sustainable palm oil can have on the planet. But an advertising watchdog banned it from being screened.
Debate As a result the film, which has the strapline ‘the story of dirty palm oil’, has gone viral, racking up more than 50M views on YouTube. It has also resulted in a huge international debate around the issue of palm oil, which is used in many household products and food items, but also cited as a key cause for mass deforestation around the world. A spokesperson for Kent College Pembury told the Times: “The girls at our school have been affected deeply by the plight of the Orangutangs in Indonesia highlighted in the Rang-tan video. “So much so, we agreed as a school to make a pledge to ban palm oil, as well as bring the message home to make sure that parents are stimulated to make the change, too.” Kent College girls are bringing products in from home to see where palm oil is being used, and staff are advising pupils on where products are being swapped around the school to ones that contain sustainable palm oil.
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Weekly Comment
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Carol Wilson Tunbridge Wells Labour Party Women’s Officer
Thursday December 27 | 2018
Carol Wilson is committed to giving women a bigger say in decision making and is the local Labour Party Women’s Officer and Chair of the Labour Women’s Forum. She has a public service background and is qualified in nursing, social work and management.
Lots to celebrate, but much more to do THIS has been a tumultuous, exciting and dramatic year for women both nationally and locally. Celebrities and leading politicians have been held to account for their past actions. Large institutions, including Parliament, have been forced to review and question their treatment of women.
‘In our own wealthy borough we are seeing a widening gap between families who have and those who have not’ In Britain this has coincided with the centenary of women’s suffrage. Some women got the right to vote in February 1918 and all women had the right to vote in the General Election in December of the same year. Throughout 2018 thousands of women across the country have organised events to celebrate these achievements. On International Women’s Day over 200 women, young and older, many in costume, with buggies and walking frames included, marched joyfully through Tunbridge Wells. During the march we enacted speeches and sang, and recalled the participation of local women in the Suffrage Pilgrimage Walk of 1909.
On December 14 a smaller group of women walked to the site of the old Town Hall to symbolically cast our votes in memory of those led by women’s rights campaigners Sarah Grand and Amelia Scott on the day of their first General Election. This a reminder to all women now of our debt to women in the past. Over the last century women have seen positive advances - equal pay, equal treatment, maternity and reproductive rights - mainly brought about through Labour governments. We have record levels of women in the workforce and achievement in education. Our two largest employers in Tunbridge Wells have female CEOs. However even now it is women, particularly those with disabilities, who have borne 86 per cent of the burden of austerity and who are likely to be in low pay, low skilled work. The gender pay gap for women over 40 is more entrenched than ever and domestic and sexual violence are on the increase. In our own wealthy borough we are seeing a widening gap between families who have and those who have not. There is a rising number of women having to pay high rents, too many on zero hours contracts, more who are seeking refuge from domestic violence, and an increase in referrals to the food bank.
The council has cut charity grants that affect women and families and increased charges for council run facilities. Women entrepreneurs struggle to make their businesses successful. This at a time when the council is focusing its energy, and our money, on a £90million plus building project that mainly the affluent will enjoy. We might have more women than ever represented in Parliament but female representation on our very male dominated
council is woeful. In making decisions women are largely absent, so it is not surprising that they often don’t work for women. Britain has some of the best equalities’ laws in the world but further progress will only be achieved by more of us getting involved in politics. It is up to us women now to get involved and make a difference. At the very least, to quote Sarah Grand, ‘Women use your vote’. Happy New Year Sisters!
R.E.S.P.E.C.T: Carol Wilson [middle] joins sisters doing it for themselves in Tunbridge Wells
Thursday December 27 | 2018
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Local News Quiz
Life&Times
17
The Great New Year’s Quiz!
How well do you know your town, its history and people? Test your local trivia in general knowledge, current affairs, sport and history with our fun 60 question quiz on Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. Compiled by Freya Gilbert 1. What is the Assembly Hall’s Christmas Pantomime this year? A) Cinderella B) Jack and the Beanstalk C) Dick Whittington D) Sleeping Beauty
12. What is the maximum capacity of the Assembly Hall Theatre?
NIGHT AT THE OPERA Community space, wedding venue, bingo hall or cinema?
A) 800 B) 950 C) 996 D) 1,051
2. Which European town is Tunbridge Wells twinned with?
13. Which supercar manufacturer has opened a garage in Tunbridge Wells?
A) Wiesbaden B) Lambersart C) Beauvais D) Heusenstamm
A) Ferrari B) Lamborghini C) Porsche D) Bugatti
3. How much money was stolen in the 2006 Tonbridge Securitas robbery, the second biggest heist recorded in British history?
14. On which date did Tonbridge School open? A) 1542 B) 1553 C) 1557 D) 1561
A) £48million B) £53million C) £56million D) £61million
A) Greg Clark B) Archie Norman C) Adrian Ekins-Daukes D) Patrick Mayhew
6. What has recently opened in Tonbridge to set local people purring?
A) Cat café B) Playground for cats C) Adopt a cat scheme D) Cats, the musical, showing at the Angel Centre
4. For how long has Tunbridge Wells been represented in Parliament by a Conservative MP? A) 33 years B) 35 years C) 44 years D) 48 years
5. Which of these MPs was the first to serve the Tunbridge Wells constituency?
7. What was the old Opera house building used for in the 1990s before it was turned into a Wetherspoons? A) Community space B) Wedding venue C) Bingo hall D) Cinema
8. Which local village is almost entirely owned by the National Trust? A) Chiddingstone B) Penshurst C) Fordcombe D) Poundsbridge
9. What is the oldest park in Tunbridge Wells? A) Dunorlan Park B) The Grosvenor Recreational Ground C) Calverley Grounds D) St John’s Park
10. What is Tunbridge Wells’ population according to [most recent] figures published in 2015? A) 113,893 B) 116,241 C) 116,899 D) 119,327
11. Which monarch gave Tunbridge Wells its Royal title? A) Queen Elizabeth II B) Queen Victoria C) King Edward VII D) King George V
15. When was the last time that Tonbridge town centre suffered serious floods? A) Christmas 2012 B) Summer 2012 C) Christmas 2013 D) New Year 2014
16. Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark is a Cabinet Member – but what is he secretary for?
A) Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy B) Leaving the European Union C) Health D) Buses and zebra crossings
17. Cllr Peter Bulman represents Park ward on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council – but where does he live? A) Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells B) Larkfield in Tonbridge borough C) Notting Hill Gate in London D) Holt in North Norfolk
18. Late local historian Frank Chapman suggested that ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’ came from letters written to The Times [not the Times of Tunbridge Wells!]. What is the name of the publication that he believes first used the phrase? A) The Courier B) The Tunbridge Wells Advertiser C) The Tunbridge Wells Observer D) The Tunbridge Wells Herald
ONE DOES APPROVE Tunbridge Wells received the royal stamp of approval
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
Current affairs round... 19. The 200th parkrun in Tunbridge Wells was held earlier this year. What is the course record for men? A) 29mins 09 B) 17mins 48 C) 16mins 12 D) 15mins 17
20. Which national institution launched its 70th birthday celebrations at Tonbridge parkrun this year? A) Social services B) State pension fund C) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty D) The NHS
21. Which of these food outlets in Royal Victoria Place reported it was closing? A) KFC B) McDonald’s C) Subway D) Spud U Like
24. Tunbridge Wells West Station hosted which major event in the autumn? A) CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival B) Heritage Railway Association annual general meeting C) Beat and Track music festival D) UKIP Party conference
25. The 2018 Times Business Awards were hosted by which ex-MP turned documentary presenter? 22. Tunbridge Wells will have a BID established next year, what does this stand for? A) Bulky Industrial Design strategy B) Brain Injury Department C) Business Improvement District D) Banner Incident Detection board
23. There are plans to build a new cinema on the old ABC cinema site on Mount Pleasant in Tunbridge Wells – when did the old one close? A) 1998 B) 2000 C) 2003 D) 2001
A) Ed Balls B) Edwina Currie C) Michael Portillo D) Angela Knight
26. And at the same awards, which award was not presented for overall low standard? A) Architectural design of the year B) Shopfront of the year C) Major project D) Newspaper quiz of the year
B) Changed his daughter’s nappy C) Drove a tank D) Took to Twitter to talk about his children using the hashtag #solodad
27. What did Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat do at the same time as he was being interviewed on the radio?
28. Which town did David Wright, Chairman of the Civic Society Awards committee, say Tunbridge Wells was in danger of turning into?
A) Participated in a charity rowing event
A) Croydon B) Milton Keynes C) Grimsby D) Tonbridge
29. What ‘first’ did Dame Kelly Holmes achieve this year? A) First coffee shop owner to sell a liquorice latte B) First woman to be awarded the Freedom of Hildenborough C) First person to take part in Times of Tunbridge Wells quiz to get more than ten answers correct D) First person to be made an honorary colonel in the Army
30. In August, which musical sold less than half of its tickets at The Assembly Hall? THIS MEANS BUSINESS The winners of the Times Business Awards proudly holding their trophies
A) Fame B) Grease C) Wicked D) Cats
31. Which town beat Tunbridge Wells to be named UK High Street of the Year?
A) Altrincham B) Kingston C) Crickhowell D) Croydon
32. Name the muchloved Tonbridge station cat who sadly passed away this year. A) Luna B) Sapphie C) Barney D) Kelly
33. Which heritage building that is 6ft taller than Nelson’s column was put up for sale this year?
A) Penshurst Tower B) Fordcombe Tower C) Hadlow Tower D) Mount Pleasant cinema site
34. How much money was the Tunbridge Wells branch of the British Royal Legion reported to raise this year from its Remembrance Campaign?
A) £37,000 B) £39,000 C) £42,000 D) £46,000
See page 31 for more…
Thursday December 27 | 2018
WITH THE
Move Times
AVAILABLE EVER Y WEDNESDAY – A MUST-READ
ULTIMATE GUIDE
INSPIRATION FOR MOVING AND IMPROVING timeslocalnews.co.uk
TO PROPERTY, INTERIORS, TOP TRENDS
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INVEST IN A PIECE OF HISTORY
26
GLOBAL STYLE INSPIRATION
New year, new home
Discover the key decorating trends for 2019 Page 26
20
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Times
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk Jerningham House
Thursday December 27 | 2018
An historic gem thought to be one of the oldest lodging houses in Tunbridge Wells
Thursday December 27 | 2018
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk Jerningham
House
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Times 21
AT A GLANCE 3 JERNINGHAM HOUSE MOUNT SION, TUNBRIDGE WELLS n Dating back to 1672, this 4-bedroom
Grade II Listed house is in the prestigious ‘Village’ area of town close to the High Street and The Pantiles, and just a quarter of a mile from Tunbridge Wells Station Ground Floor n Entrance porch n Entrance hall n Impressive drawing room boasting a
wealth of character, including exposed beams and a beautiful fireplace with space for a log-burning stove n Kitchen/ breakfast room with central
island unit and breakfast bar Lower Ground Floor n Hallway n Storeroom n Utility room n Playroom/ study n Cloakroom
First Floor n Double aspect master bedroom with
high ceiling and exposed beams n Dressing room n Guest bedroom with en-suite shower
room n Luxurious family bathroom n Cloakroom
Second Floor n Bedroom 3 with en suite n Further double bedroom
Outside n Garden n Courtyard n Two parking spaces
GUIDE PRICE
£975,000
CONTACT • Knight Frank, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 515035 • knightfrank.co.uk
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InteriorsFOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk
Thursday December 27| 2018
Global Power
Give your home a taste of the exotic by mixing accessories and styles from around the world for a unique, eclectic look, says Eileen Leahy
I
f you’ve been lucky enough to globetrot over the years and have amassed a wealth of wonderful finds then chances are they’re on display in various places in your home. Perhaps it’s a large sea shell collection in your bathroom, an exotic vase in your sitting room or a Cantonese chest in your entrance hall? By decorating like this it’s such an easy and effective way of giving your space some instant and interesting character. But if you haven’t got a haul of travel
trinkets and treasured mementos then don’t worry as right now retailers are brimming with lots of fantastic foreign finds and exotic flora and fauna. Everywhere from Debenhams (pictured) Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Next to Dunelm, TK Maxx, House of Fraser and Sainsbury’s are piling their shelves high with all manner of rustic style furniture, hand-printed ceramic pots, and interesting illumination including wicker and beaded lamp shades. So get globetrotting!
THINK PINK
PHOTO: courtesy of Debenhams www.debenhams.com
Coral has been voted the Pantone colour of the year for 2019. Here’s how to embrace it in your home… PATTERN CUTTER Diamond Coral Blanket, £45 www.weavergreen.com
SOFA SO GOOD John Lewis & Partners Crumble Medium 2 Seater Sofa by Loaf at John Lewis, Clever Linen Red Coral, £1,999
SITTING COMFORTABLY Lightweight Diamond Coral Cushion £25, www.weavergreen.com
WINDOW ON THE WORLD Coral Shutters, Shutterly Fabulous, Prices start from £299 per m2 with 10% added for custom colours
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
Local News Quiz
Life&Times
31
Picture round
Take a guess at what these close up images of local monuments and imagery to do with Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells are. See if you can get them all!
History 35. In what year was the Chalybeate Spring in The Pantiles discovered? A) 1589 B) 1606 C) 1627 D) 1634
36. In what year was the spelling of ‘Tunbridge’ changed to ‘Tonbridge’, so as not to confuse between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells? A) 1708 B) 1780 C) 1807 D) 1870
QUESTION 1 A Gothic 19th century building in Tunbridge Wells boasts this marble marvel. But what is it and where can you find it? 38. Which family built the first stone castle in Tonbridge? A) De Clare B) Rufus C) Curthose D) Charpentier
39. What was the first building that started the settlement in Tunbridge Wells in 1678? A) Grove Hill House B) Chapel of King Charles the Martyr C) Dunorlan House D) St John’s Church
40. What traffic incident happened for the first time in Tonbridge in 1896?
A) An illegal drag race took place B) The first speeding ticket was issued C) A car was caught donut-ing for the first time D) A car rolled for the first time
C) 1852 D) 1867
41. Who was the last woman to be hung in Britain in 1955, having been married in Tonbridge registry office?
44. The boundaries of Tunbridge Wells were widened in 1900 to include which area?
42. Tunbridge Wells was one of the first towns in England to provide which organised service in 1794?
45. The 12th century Tonbridge Priory was dedicated to which saint?
A) Sarah Johnson B) Christine Barnett C) Ella Campbell D) Ruth Ellis
37. What sort of event, hosted in Tunbridge Wells in 1895, was the first of its kind in Britain? A) Agricultural show B) Motor show C) Flower show D) Gun show
QUESTION 2 Christmas is always a very busy time for this place! But can you name the building that this intricately designed window is a prominent feature in? Small clue: it’s a beautiful example of Victorian architecture
A) Fire Brigade B) Territorial Army C) Telegraph office D) Royal Mail post office
43. In what year did Tunbridge Wells open its first railway station? A) 1836 B) 1845
A) Southborough B) Langton Green C) Rusthall D) Hawkenbury
QUESTION 3 The image relates to a question earlier in the quiz. Hint: we live in Royal Tunbridge Wells - the clue is in the name! QUESTION 4 Pictured is a Grade II bronze statue, a prominent feature in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. Most towns in Britain will have a statue like it in pride of place. What is it?
A) St Mary Magdalene B) St William C) St Raphael the Archangel D) St Agatha of Siciliy
46. In what time period was The Pantiles built? A) Georgian B) Victorian C) Edwardian D) Elizabethan
QUESTION 5 This stained glass window is mentioned later in the quiz. What is the name of the church it belongs to?
Answers GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: 1. D) Sleeping Beauty 2. A) Wiesbaden 3. B) £53million 4. C) 44 years 5. D) Patrick Mayhew – He served the Tunbridge Wells constituency from 1974 to 1977 6. A) Cat café 7. C) Bingo hall 8. A) Chiddingstone 9. C) Opening In 1889, the Grosvenor Recreational Ground is counted as the town’s oldest park 10. B) 116,241 11. C) King Edward VII 12. D) 1,051 13. B) Lamborghini 14. B) 1553 15. C) Christmas 2013 – 37,000 houses were left without power and 1,000 properties were flooded on Christmas Day 16. A) Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 17. D) Holt in North Norfolk 18. B) The Tunbridge Wells Advertiser – Chapman believes that at the inception of the paper, the editor asked his staff to write complaints for the letter section. One of them signed the letter as ‘Disgusted’ and from that the phrase was created.
was operated by South Eastern Railway 44. C) Rusthall 45. A) St Mary Magdalene 46. A) Georgian SPORT 47. B) 2013 48. B) Roy Hodgson 49. C) India vs Zimbabwe 50. A) 70th anniversary 51. B) Tour de France 52. D) Cowdreys FAMOUS CONNECTIONS 53. A) Skinners’ 54. D) E M Forster 55. B) 25 years 56. B) Jane Austen 57. A) Green Day and D) Ellie Goulding 58. C) Penshurst Place 59. B) Marc Chagall - Marc Chagall was a French-Russian early modernist artist who never limited himself to one form. He worked with stained glass, ceramic, tapestries, paintings, stage sets and many more. 60. A) Telegraph PICTURE ROUND
A) Telegraph B) Dishwasher C) Sewing machine D) Washing machine
60. In 1850, Charles Dickens came to Tonbridge and saw what new technological invention in use? A) Joan Miró B) Marc Chagall C) Henri Rousseau D) Paul Klee
59. Which artist designed and created the stained-glass windows at All Saints’ Church in Tudeley?
LOOK BACK ON THE YEAR: 19. C) 16mins 12 20. D) The NHS 21. A) KFC 22. C) Business Improvement District 23. B) 2000 24. A) CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival 25. C) Michael Portillo 26. B) Shopfront of the year 27. B) He changed his daughter’s nappy whilst being live on air 28. A) Croydon 29. D) First person to be made an honorary colonel in the Army - Kelly Holmes served in the army for ten years, reaching the rank of sergeant, before becoming an internationally successful athlete. She has now been awarded the title of honorary colonel for The Royal Corps Training Regiment in Dorset 30. A) Fame 31. C) Crickhowell 32. B) Sapphie 33. C) Hadlow Tower 34. D) £46,000
1) Trinity Theatre’s Memorial
A) Green Day B) Florence and The Machine C) Bob Dylan D) Ellie Goulding
57. Which two of these famous artists performed at The Forum? A) Charlotte Bronte B) Jane Austen C) Agatha Christie D) Mary Shelley
56. Which worldfamous female novelist’s father was born in Tonbridge? A) 10 years B) 25 years C) 30 years D) 50 years
55. The Forum celebrated an anniversary as a venue this year. How long has it now been open?
2) St John’s Church
3) The Royal Coat of Arms
A) The Skinners’ School B) Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys C) The Judd School D) Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
53. Which school did ‘I’m a Celebrity’ contestant and DIY SOS frontman Nick Knowles attend?
4) War Memorial
Famous connections
5) Tudeley All Saints’ Church
47. In what year did the Tunbridge Wells Football Club play the FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium?
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HISTORY 35. B) 1606 36. D) 1870 37. B) Motor show 38. A) De Clare - After the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror, Tonbridge Castle was built by Richard de Clare in order to ensure that the Normans could rapidly install themselves as leaders to a hostile population. 39. B) Chapel of King Charles the Martyr 40. B) The first speeding ticket was issued 41. D) Ruth Ellis - In 1955 Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in Britain, for the murder of her lover 42. A) Fire Brigade 43. B) 1845 - Tunbridge Wells Central opened in 1845 and
A) Boycott B) Butcher C) Vaughan D) Cowdreys
52. Which famous cricketing family, who attended Tonbridge School, produced two England captains? A) World Rally Championship B) Tour de France C) Olympic Torch on its way to Beijing D) UK Triathlon Championship
51. Tonbridge played its part in hosting which major sporting event in 2007?
A) Hever Castle B) Ightham Mote C) Penshurst Place D) Groombridge Place
58. In which local stately manor was ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ filmed? A) H G Wells B) Anthony Burgess C) D H Lawrence D) E M Forster
54. Which one of these famous 20th century novelists attended Tonbridge School? A) 70th anniversary B) Promotion in the league C) Record number of goalless draws D) Overtaking Tottenham Hotspur to be named as one of the South’s top 50 supported teams
50. What are Tonbridge Angels Football Club celebrating this season? A) Pakistan vs South Africa B) Australia vs West Indies C) India vs Zimbabwe D) England vs Afghanistan
49. Which countries played in a Cricket World Cup game hosted on Nevill Ground in 1983? A) Gareth Southgate B) Roy Hodgson C) Jose Mourinho D) Eddie Howe
48. Which famous football manager used to play for the Tonbridge Angels? A) 2012 B) 2013 C) 2014 D) 2015
0-9 Nice try! 10-19 Good effort 2 0-29 Like your style 3 0-39 A job Wells done 4 0-49 You know your stuff 50+ Trivia genius
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
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JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
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MESMERISING MEXICO
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BITE SIZED DELIGHTS
Full speed ahead
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Trinity Theatre presents a timeless classic Page 34
TOWN’S TOP SQUASH PLAYERS
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
Animal magic
Trinity Theatre’s Christmas production has been a runaway success over the festive season. Eileen Leahy finds out what makes this timeless tale such a magical hit with audiences…
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S soon as the proverbial curtain goes up on Trinity Theatre’s production of The Wind in the Willows audiences are in for a fabulous festive treat. Whether it’s friendly Ratty (played by Ashton Charge) and shy Mole (Jamie Scott-Smith) gliding down the river for a picnic, or the loveably ludicrous foppish aristo Toad (Alistair Brown) darting around the stage frantically crying ‘Poop Poop’ as he flits from one mode of transport fad to another - dressed like a cross between a leprechaun and Elton John circa 1973 - there’s certainly a lot of laughs, and quite often a few tears, to be had thanks to this wonderful show. The story, if you’re not familiar with it, follows the adventures of a group of animals who live on a riverbank over the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The central characters are the aforementioned Mole, Ratty and Toad and also Badger, a strong yet solitary figure. They were all created by Kenneth Grahame in his original Wind in the Willows book penned in 1908. Since its publication the tale has gone on to become a children’s classic spawning films, plays and also a TV series spin off Toad of Toad Hall by Cosgrove Hall productions in the 1980s. Trinity Theatre’s version however is based on a more recent adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s
oeuvre by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. His show was premiered last Christmas at the London Palladium, after a small national tour, and was a huge hit with audiences. So to be able to see Fellowes’ witty and charming critically acclaimed production of a yesteryear England populated by characterful animals here in Tunbridge Wells is a real joy. Boasting lots of memorable songs such as A Friend is Still A Friend and Messing About in a Boat, this refreshed version of The Wind in the Willows was a no-brainer to put on at Trinity Theatre says its artistic director John Martin: “I was thrilled to be given the rights to perform this version of the show which combines the quintessentially English story that we know and love with a more contemporary feel. I particularly like that this version highlights the theme of friendship which gives an emotional heart to the story. To be reminded of the importance of this as well as the need for tolerance and understanding I think is particularly pertinent now.” The show’s musical director Tony Stenson is also just as enthusiastic about this classic tale: “It’s such a timeless story and full of interesting characters,” he says. “And rather coincidentally I once worked on the Toad of Toad Hall production at the Duke of York Theatre in London but the version we are doing expands
on the original and makes it more of a musical. I think the size of Trinity Theatre is ideally suited for the staging of this particular piece and it will always be one of my favourite stories.” In the production, audiences see how the animals join forces to help the foppish Toad win back his home of Toad Hall which has been
forever,” continues Tony. “I think every child should be encouraged to read it as it’s a sublime story. For me its enduring secret is the way it draws us into a sense of believability in its characters. The differences, the personalities and the message behind joining forces to overcome problems.” And Jamie Scott-Smith who plays Mole adds: “It’s so lovely to be involved in telling such a classic story with such a brilliant team. My highlight has been seeing so many families sitting together in the audience. It’s very special to see several generations enjoy the same story from their different perspectives. The Wind in the Willows is about friendship, adventure and what it means to come home – everyone can relate to that!” So if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it yet then what are you waiting for? ‘Poop, poop’ as Toad would say . . .
Wind in the Willows’ enduring secret is the way it draws us into a sense of believability in its characters. Joining forces to overcome problems taken over by a gang of rogue stoats and weasels who live in the Wild Wood. Toad has developed a rather fickle love of transport – starting first with a Romany caravan before quickly developing a need for speed and ‘acquiring’ a motor car which lands him in all sorts of trouble - and sees Toad Hall ripe for the taking. In addition to all this, there’s the sub plot of Mrs Otter’s child being kidnapped by the rakish stoats and weasels. In short The Wind in the Willows is a story that’s great fun, and full of characters we come to love and empathise with. “It just lifts the spirits, and stays with you
The Wind in the Willows is on at Trinity Theatre until January 2 2019. Ticket prices and timings vary so go to www.trinitytheatre.net for further information
WHAT TRINITY’S AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS: Claremont Primary School students had the following to say: Aliya: “I really enjoyed it – there was so much happy singing and dancing!” Luc: “It was really, really funny.” Harry: “I though Mr Toad was the funniest.” Mr Toad’s tailor from Hardman and Hemming: “I’ve been lucky enough to see this show – the whole performance is outstanding and magical. Take your family if you can, they will love it. Mine did.” Lizzie G: “Fabulous and fun … absolutely loved every minute of the show.” Lawrence H: “First class production. A must see over Christmas, don’t miss out.” Lauren B “I also LOVED the music – I am still catching myself humming merrily ‘a friend is still a friend’ as we speak!”
Thursday December 27 | 2018
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goingout 7 days of activities
By Lottie Bulmer
ICE ICE BABY Winter walks amongst Hever’s picturesque grounds
THURSDAY Rid yourself of those sluggish feelings after all that post-Christmas indulgence and get a head start on your healthy New Year’s resolutions with a bracing stroll around the grounds of Hever Castle. Their Winter Walks start today and run until January 1 and give you the opportunity to stroll around the childhood home of Anne Boleyn in all its winter glory. For timings and to book tickets visit hevercastle.co.uk
FRIDAY
The Assembly Hall’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty
Going out
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why not just to spoil yourself? Call 01892 520331 or email events@spahotel. co.uk for availability and to book.
SATURDAY This is the final weekend to enjoy a Hush Heath Winter Winery guided tour and tasting. The event happens today and tomorrow at 2.30pm and during it you’ll hear all about the process of winemaking and be given the opportunity to sample six of Hush Heath’s award-winning wines and ciders. Book online at hushheath.com Wicked Productions’ version of Jack and the Beanstalk is still on at the EM Forster theatre. Starring Tom Swift and Michael Fenton Stevens it finishes on January 6. For tickets visit emtheatre.com
SUNDAY
which stars Claire Sweeney, Derek Moran and Quinn Patrick is on until next Wednesday. You can find out about all the show’s timings and ticket prices by visiting assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk – oh yes you can! The Spa Hotel’s Bottomless Brunch is on today so give the leftovers a miss and treat yourself to a hearty brunch. At £35 per person, and with unlimited bubbles this will be a sure Claire hit with any guests you have staying Sweeney with you over the festive period. Or
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Saturday is the last day for Bedgebury’s Illuminated Winter Walk. Follow the colourfully lit, one-mile long path accompanied by festive music and then afterwards enjoy a ride on the traditional fairground rides and indulge in a festive drink at the Boardwalk. For more information and to book tickets visit christmasatbedgebury.seetickets.com Bewl Water is another charming location for a seasonal winter walk. walk Howard Mackenzie, the estate manager comments: “The area is a nature lover’s paradise with a mixture of water fowl – including grebes, herons and cormorants – along with hedgerow and field species of bird. The fields and woods surrounding the water are teeming with wildlife too, with deer often spotted in the quieter areas.” Entrance only costs £3 per vehicle. For more information see www. bewlwater.co.uk
BEAN THERE DONE THAT Wicked Productions’ cast features more than 100 new paintings and sculptures from both established and emerging artists. On until January 12. There are lots of parties happening tonight but if you’re looking for a family friendly evening, head down to The Pantiles from 7pm. As well as live music from Oomphf – one of the UK’s best live funk bands – and DJ SimonP and a Piper, you can help raise money for lots of local charities by going along and supporting the Hug-Many event. The suggested donation is £10 per adult. Children under 16 go free. Tickets are available on hug-many.co.uk
TUESDAY – NEW YEAR’S DAY On New Year’s Day visit Trinity Theatre to see one of their final performances of Wind in the Willows. Read our special feature on this magical production on page 34. To find times and tickets visit trinitytheatre.net
MONDAY – NEW YEAR’S EVE The Fairfax Gallery on The Pantiles is currently holding a Christmas art exhibition which
BOUNDLESS BUBBLY Treat yourself to brunch
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Going out
FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, websites www.pdag.co.uk + www.thegreylady. co.uk Wednesday Boxing day special Jack Burns, Andy Twyman, Harry Whitty Band Thursday Zoe Eve, James Kirby, Sorrel Nation Friday Hamish Donald, Duke Lloyd, Lights On The Mountain Saturday Fiesta Latina Monday New Year’s Eve Party with Project 5 Band
live music With Paul Dunton
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HERE is plenty of live music to enjoy as we approach the new year! This Boxing Day evening, The Harry Whitty Band, Andy Twyman One Man Blues Band and Jack Burns are all performing at The Grey Lady Music Lounge. On Thursday evening, Dan Littlechild hosts the AVP open mic at The Bedford Pub which is a fundraiser for the Jay Harmer Foundation. My top picks for the weekend include a three act Local & Live Christmas special on Friday evening at The Forum with Plato, Infrared and Oscar Roche all performing. Saturday night sees plenty of popular local acts in action including J.E.M at The Beau Nash and Will Whisson at The Royal
The must-read guide to what’s on musically for the week ahead… paulduntonandguests.com
Oak Pub. The Gallerys headline The Forum with support from Suncharmer and Basement Cat and The Sean Fennessey Trio return to The Bedford Pub. Looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, The Hug-Many on The Pantiles is always a fantastic event with live music, fireworks, guest DJs and more. The Forum host their Boogie Nights extravaganza and Super Duper & The Ya Ya’s will be rockin’ the Beau Nash. Project 5 return to The Grey Lady Music Lounge and Ukelear Fallout will be partying the night away at The George Pub. Thank you for all your support in 2018 and I look forward to bringing you the latest live music listings from across the local scene in 2019!
Will Whisson
Saturday J.E.M. Monday New Year’s Party with Super Duper & The Ya Ya’s
THE ROYAL OAK Prospect Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday Will Whisson Monday The Royal Oak’s New Year’s Party!
THE GEORGE PUB Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Monday New Year’s Party with Ukelear Fallout + Jazz & Dave
THE BEDFORD PUB 2 Highstreet Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm till late Thursday AVP Open Mic Night in aid of the Jay Harmer Foundation Saturday The Sean Fennessey Trio
Basement Cat Monday Boogie Nights - New Year’s Eve
THE FORUM
THE BEAU NASH TAVERN
Event information at www.twforum.co.uk Friday Local & Live Presents: Plato + Infrared + Oscar Roche Saturday The Gallerys + Suncharmer +
Mount Ephraim Open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Friday Soul Night
Oomphf
Thursday December 27 | 2018
THE PANTILES BANDSTAND All event details at www.hug-many.co.uk Monday New Year’s Hug-Many live music from Funk band ‘Oomphf’
THE CROSS KEYS PUB St John’s Road Open all day, free entry, music from 8pm Monday New Year’s Soul Train Party.
travel
Thursday December 27 | 2018
BEACH LIFE The sun shines on Mexico’s Caribbean coast
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Travel
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The Mexican winter-sun paradise
you need to see right now I
It may be famous for its superb beaches but, as Lisa Haynes discovers, there’s so much more to Tulum’s trendy nextdoor neighbour, Riviera Maya
T’S 8pm and we’re watching a vintage Meet Joe Black movie on the beach. The blow-up cinema screen is propped up by palm trees, while the sunloungers we were applying SPF 30 on earlier in the midday heat are now makeshift cinema seats. It doesn’t get much more perfect - until a sandstorm suddenly whips up and we’re forced to watch the ending indoors. Freak storms aside, the white sand beaches in Riviera Maya are idyllic day or night, and it’s not the only time I’m blown away by natural wonders during my trip. This is my first time visiting Mexico’s Caribbean coast and the landscape is vastly different to the more rugged backdrops on the Pacific side. On a glorious sunrise flight to Cancun from Mexico City, the view from above is like a never-ending blanket of dense jungle. There are more trees than I’ve ever seen in my life and a good preview of what to expect when we arrive at our hotel, Grand Velas Riviera Maya. The front of our Grand Class hotel - all Instagram-perfect palm trees, white sand and serene ocean - is a stark contrast to the back, which is dense Mayan jungle. Beach or jungle, whichever camp you’re in, is in abundance on Grand Velas’ epic sprawling site, which boasts three hotels
SET IN STONE Enjoy both historical and modern attractions
within the resort: Zen Grand, Grand Class and Ambassador. Not long after arriving, I observe giant pelicans catching their fish suppers in the sea, and spot families of turtles in the jungle river that look so ancient they have a layer of algae moss decorating their shells. To put the magnitude of this jungle resort into perspective, it takes a full five-
‘As Tulum is a popular tourist hangout, there are selfie sticks galore, but it’s a fascinating insight into Mayan civilisation’ minute drive to reach our hotel lobby from the grand entrance on the highway. We venture to the top floor to take in the vast views of the jungle. We’re told if we look closely, we might even spot the odd swinging spider monkey (‘mono arana’ in Spanish). “About 70 per cent of the hotel grounds remain as nature intended,” Emma Gomez, our Grand Velas guide, tells us.
“The mangroves are our protection against hurricanes, so they can never be removed.” While the epic Mayan jungle is beautiful, it does mean that venturing outside the hotel for day trips requires some forward-planning. Chichen Itza is one of the most popular archaeological visitor sites in Mexico and requires a full day’s sightseeing, as it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Riviera Maya. For a closer exploration of mystical Mayan civilisation, we visit neighbouring Tulum’s 13th century city ruins to take in the ancient Mayan culture (about an hour’s drive away). You can skip the tourist queue and get an official guided group tour (approx £54), which is well worth the extra admission price. It’s a humid 28C in the jungle, so I’m surprised when our wonderful guide Jorge
HOW TO GET THERE Carrier (0161 492 1354; carrier.co.uk) offers seven nights at Grand Velas Riviera Maya from £4,025 per person, based on two adults sharing a Zen Grand Suite Nature View room on an all-inclusive basis, including return flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and return private transfers. Price based on departures April 29, 2019. puts on a denim shirt before starting. We soon discover why when we venture into the jungle to see the ruins, and are greeted by a flurry of wild creatures at every turn - opossums, skunks and raccoons clambering on him for a cuddle. “They wait for me every day, so sometimes I even have to pop in on my days off,” Jorge says, as a young family of coatis - raccoon-like animals - chatter at his feet, vying for his attention. As Tulum is a popular tourist hangout, there are selfie sticks galore, but it’s a fascinating insight into Mayan civilisation. Jorge points out subtle carvings in blue and red that we might have missed without insider knowledge. When we return to the hotel, it seems fitting to dine gourmet eatery Frida. Our aperitif chilli margaritas are suddenly interrupted by a guacamole master. He wheels over a trolley of 12 mini dishes containing potential additions to customise your vat of guacamole, as it’s smashed right in front of you. Bespoke guacamole? If this is what holidays in the Mexican Caribbean are like, count me in. SUN KISSED The Riviera Maya
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Let’s get this
party started Want to ensure your soirée sparkles on December 31? Eileen Leahy discovers how you can be the host with the most thanks to some helpful advice from local food and drink expert Sallianne David
HAT idea to host a lavish drinks party on New Year’s Eve seemed like such a good idea all those months ago didn’t it? And now that December 31st is just a few days away I bet you’re panicking about just why you decided to throw such a party aren’t you? Well thankfully here at the Times we predicted this might happen to a few of you and so have called on Sallianne David from Foodies’ deli on Camden Road for her advice on how to throw a stress-free soirée. We’ve also included a few delicious canapé recipes for you to serve up to guests as well as James Viner’s top three cocktail choices to ensure your New Year’s Eve celebrations are ones to remember, for all the right reasons. For Sallianne a successful party is all about keeping things simple as she explains. “When I’m hosting a drinks party I always aim to keep it simple, you can never fail if you use good quality local produce as you’ll be guaranteed great tasting food. “I’d recommend visiting your local
delicatessen, cheesemonger or farmers’ market where you can taste the produce before buying. The key is finding really tasty foods which can be put together in simple combinations. “At Foodies we have tastings on our counter every Saturday, where you can try a wide selection of products. One of my favourites is our chicken liver and brandy or salmon and crème fraîche pâté made by Naked & Ready Foods. These small pots of joy wouldn’t be out of place in a fine dining restaurant. You can serve these pâtés on sourdough crisp-breads or Lighthouse Bakery’s Black Russian bread and then simply top with cucumber or watercress. Extremely simple but incredibly tasty! “I am surrounded by beautiful local cheese and charcuterie all day so will often play it safe and select a favourite cheese and simply crumble or spread it onto a bite sized stone baked cracker topped with an exotic chutney. My all-time favourite combination is Moroccan Date Night Chutney on Kentish Blue Cheese. Or why
not cut a block of Medita (Feta style cheese made from organic sheep’s milk) into small cubes and serve wrapped in thinly sliced salami? I’d allow at least six of each of these canapés per person. “If you don’t have the time to create tiny masterpieces then go for sharing platers. Cured meats and cheese, a selection of chutneys, pickles and olives with a side of baked goods such as crackers or freshly baked speciality breads. Aim for one board between four people and the more rustic your serving board the better. Again, serve with good quality fresh bread or crisp breads. “Overall the key is to keep it simple and only use good quality local foods. The provenance surrounding the food and great taste will speak volumes.” Here are a few tasty canapé ideas to get you started: Charcuterie products - from cured meats, smoked sausages and salami to pâtés and rillettes – all make a perfect bite-sized canapé that will not only taste delicious but look impressive too.
Thursday December 27 | 2018
GOURMET GURU Sallianne David
Thursday December 27 | 2018
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Shaken and stirred… Times Drinks’ editor James Viner suggests a few seriously good cocktails to serve on December 31 1) FOR NEGRONI & VERMOUTH LOVERS:
CHICKEN LIVER PATÉ The foundation of a simple chicken liver paté can also be a great basis for some fun with additional flavours and ingredients. Here’s a classic combination to get you started n 45 g/3½ tablespoons butter n 2 shallots, chopped n 1 garlic clove, chopped n 75 g/3 oz. pork belly (rind removed), diced n 200 g/7 oz. chicken livers, chopped n A pinch of freshly chopped thyme, plus extra to decorate n 1 tablespoon brandy n 2 bay leaves n A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about 1 teaspoon) n Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper n Black and pink peppercorns, to decorate SERVES 4 Heat 20 g/generous 1 tablespoon of the butter in a frying pan/skillet over medium heat, until melted. Add the shallots and garlic and fry on their own for 1 minute. Add the pork belly, chicken livers, thyme and brandy, season with salt and pepper, and stir. Put the bay leaves on top and let them soften, if you are using dried ones. Cook, stirring regularly for 10 minutes, until everything is browned and the chicken livers are cooked through. Remove from the heat and let cool until the
mixture is warm, not hot - don’t let it cool completely, otherwise the ingredients will dry out. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Put the mixture into a food processor (don’t wash the pan yet), add a squeeze of lemon juice and whizz. It’s up to you how coarse you like it. I like a quite smooth pate, so I process until the mixture sticks to the sides. You can also pulse for a short time and keep some chunks, if you prefer. Spoon the mixture into a dish (or into separate ramekins) and level the surface so that the melted butter can go on top. In the same frying pan/skillet you were using before, melt the remaining butter over medium heat, until it starts to bubble, and then remove from the heat and pour over the top of the pate. Decorate with a little extra thyme and some black and pink peppercorns. Move the pate to the refrigerator and the butter will set in about 1 hour. Serve with Wholemeal Crispbread or Homebaked Oatcakes, plus a little Fig Chutney (see page 146) to sweeten, if you like. The pate will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week, if the butter is unbroken on the top. Eat within 3 days once you have dipped through the surface. You can freeze the pate in balls wrapped in clingfilm/ plastic wrap (without the melted butter topping) and slowly defrost (do not reheat nor microwave). Once defrosted, you can transfer to ramekins and add the melted butter to the top.
Recipes courtesy of Charcuterie by Miranda Ballard, priced £9.99 published by Ryland Peters and Small
Negroni Sbagliato with Regal Rogue Bold Red Vermouth, Australia (£19.99, Waitrose) This ‘incorrect’ or ‘bungled’ Negroni is fab made with Martini Rosso but I favour a drier and lighter handcrafted vermouth from Australia’s Real Rogue, which uses local wines and botanicals gleaned from the bush to make a toothsome vermouth with bags of character and less sugar than its European equivalents: n 25ml CAMPARI n 25ml REGAL ROGUE BOLD RED VERMOUTH n 125ml DRY SPARKLING WINE, E.G. ALDI’S EXQUISITE CRÉMANT DU JURA 2016 (£8.29) n ORANGE SLICE, TO GARNISH (OPTIONAL) Pour the Campari and vermouth into a tumbler or flute and top up with chilled fizz. Happy New Year everyone! Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine
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2) A CLASSIC GIN COCKTAIL:
Breakfast Martini using Sorgin from Bordeaux, France (£19.99, Aldi) A riff on the Corpse Reviver and White Lady, this definitive cocktail was created in 1996 by Salvatore ‘The Maestro’ Calabrese whilst running the Library Bar of The Lanesborough Hotel in Knightsbridge. I love it with winemaker and distiller François Lurton’s bewitching Sorgin (the Basque word for sorceress), crafted from a unique distillate of sauvignon blanc grapes and flavourful botanicals. n 50ml SORGIN GIN (OR BEEFEATER 24) n 15ml COINTREAU n 15ml LEMON JUICE n 1 SMALL SPOON OF THIN CUT ORANGE MARMALADE Add all the ingredients to a shaker, stirring vigorously with the bar spoon to break up the marmalade. Add the ice and shake well for 10 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with shredded orange peel.
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3) A WONDROUS BUT UNCOMPLICATED WHISKY COCKTAIL:
Bain’s Boulevardier with Bain’s Single Grain Cape Mountain Whisky, South Africa (£23.29-£28.45, Whisky Exchange & Master of Malt) Crafted in the 1920s by a licentious, Paris-dwelling, expatriate scion of the Vanderbilt family, the Boulevardier is named after the magazine he briefly published there. It’s essentially the whisky version of the Negroni for which I recommend Bain’s Mountain, a superb award-winning South African single grain whisky made by a master distiller from Yorkshire. n 30ML BAIN’S CAPE MOUNTAIN WHISKY n 25ML PUNT E MES VERMOUTH n 25ML CAMPARI Build this cocktail over a single large ice cube in a tumbler and garnish with a (charred blood) orange segment and a sprig of rosemary.
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
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Motoring
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Motoring News
Thursday December 27 | 2018
This week… n
Granny drives on
Suzuki’s news n Parking fines n
Suzuki ends production of iconic Hayabusa motorbike
Woman, 82, passes driving test at first time of asking AN 82-year-old woman who wanted more independence has passed her driving test at the first attempt. Grandmother Josephine Sheeka, who lives near Colchester, had to take a break from lessons while she had a knee operation, but resumed them once she recovered. Her driving instructor June Musson, of Dedham Vale Driving School in Essex, said Sheeka passed less than two months after her first lesson with her.
“She’s a very nice lady, willing to learn, willing to try everything that I was coaching her to do, and she’s done really well,” said Ms Musson. “She just wanted to pass her test and did everything required of her.” She said Sheeka was her oldest student to date, but had not given it much thought. “She doesn’t look like an old lady,” she said. “I just treated her like any other pupil I’ve taught to drive and she’s done really well.”
SUZUKI is to stop selling its Hayabusa motorbike after 19 years on the market - because of stricter emissions regulations. The Hayabusa name is one of the most iconic in the motorbike world, having held the world record for the fastest production motorcycle at 194mph from its 1999 debut until 2013, when it was dethroned by the Ducati Panigale R. It stems from a so-called ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between motorcycle manufacturers, as moves to increase road safety led some European countries to call for a ban on imported motorcycles.
Most manufacturers unofficially agreed to limit their bikes to 186mph, with the Hayabusa the last to be built before the agreement. The ‘Busa is now being phased out because of regulations. They state that December 31, 2018, is the last day when motorbikes not meeting these levels can be sold, and as altering the Hayabusa would be too costly Suzuki is dropping the model. Any bikes left unsold after the deadline will be shipped to North America, where Euro emissions standards aren’t enforced. The Hayabusa will be fondly remembered by enthusiasts.
Disabled bay parkers fined £4.2m in 2017 FINES for misusing disabled bays hit £4.2m in 2017, after nearly 100,000 penalty tickets were issued to motorists. A series of Freedom of Information requests to local councils revealed the figures, which showed drivers flouting regulations and parking in some of the UK’s 42,000 counciloperated disabled bays, despite not having a valid Blue Badge. The 97,138 fixed penalty tickets brought in a whopping £4.24m for spaces on streets and in council-run car parks. The data also reveals a further 11,000 tickets and £1.7m in fines were issued to motorists who obstructed dropped kerbs vital between road and pavement for disabled pedestrians or those with pushchairs. The FOI requests were made by insurance price comparison site Confused.com, which also found that there are currently 34 Blue Badge holders for every council-owned disabled parking space. A poll of 2,000 UK drivers found that half of those who hold Blue Badges thought councils should provide more spaces. w Of the drivers questioned, 8 per cent admitted to using a disabled parking bay.
Thursday December 27 | 2018
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CODEWORD 4
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A B C D E F GH I J K L MNO P QR S T U VWX Y Z 8
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16 1
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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.
1
3
5
3
Codeword:
9 4 5 2 9 1 8
4 3 4 6 1 8
12
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12 3
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25 19
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15 9
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15 15
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26 21
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2 21
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23 6
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8 4
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7 2
© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.
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DIFFICULTY RATING:★★★★
2
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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1 5 8 3 8 7 3 6 5 2 3
1
2
5
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1
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7 6 4 5
© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU
DIFFICULTY RATING: ★✩✩✩
CLASSIFIEDS
Life&Times
Puzzles
In this Sudoku, the normal 3x3 boxes are now strangely odd shapes – but all the rules and logic of normal Sudoku apply. Fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, column and box contains every number uniquely.
Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue
P U N J A B L U R O T R OO V E R Y O E I S K R U B B L E U U B A N I S H U A H O C A L F L K S E GM E E E T H E S I S
L I P S T I E R G T L A E N D S
I Q U H I Z R E S L A L Y W T A R I N
U O R A P I E U S R E I N S N A X Y T E A I L L L E E A D
Sudoku:
9 6 3 8 2 4 5 7 1
4 8 7 5 3 1 9 6 2
5 2 1 7 6 9 3 4 8
2 1 9 4 8 7 6 3 5
6 7 8 3 5 2 1 9 4
3 5 4 1 9 6 2 8 7
8 3 6 2 4 5 7 1 9
2 9 7 1 5 4 6 8 3
8 3 4 7 6 2 1 9 5
5 8 9 3 2 7 4 6 1
7 4 5 9 1 3 8 2 6
1 9 2 6 7 8 4 5 3
Jigsaw Sudoku:
9 4 1 2 7 3 8 5 6
3 5 8 6 4 9 7 1 2
1 6 2 9 8 5 3 4 7
6 7 3 5 1 8 9 2 4
7 2 6 4 9 1 5 3 8
4 1 5 8 3 6 2 7 9
© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
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Life&Times
Sport
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
TGS Under-19s add another county crown to their haul NETBALL: TONBRIDGE Grammar School (TGS) Under-19s were crowned county champions again at the Kent County Schools Finals at Aylesford Rugby Club. They started by overcoming a strong Judd side 9-8, holding on to their slender lead by playing the more controlled netball in the second half. They secured tight wins in physical encounters with Benenden (10-7) and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar (12-8). TGS beat St Lawrence easily 16-6 before finding tougher opponents in Sevenoaks, who they defeated 10-8. The team completed a full set of victories by overcoming Hayes (15-8) and Walthamstow Hall (9-2) to secure the trophy ahead of The Judd School. Both teams now go on to represent Kent in the LSE Regional Finals in Middlesex on January 27. Assistant Headteacher Adrian Pitts said: “It was a fantastic achievement from a team whose core players have
now been county champions at every age group apart from one. “I cannot praise them enough for their continued commitment to training and their wonderful team spirit which shines through every squad member old and new. TGS’ Under-16s played every game on the court ahead of the Under-19 matches which meant that both teams could cheer each other on. They began with an 11-9 defeat to Highworth Grammar from Ashford, a strong team they had already played in the qualifying tournament. A 9-9 draw against Benenden came next, and the result was to prove decisive when it came to the countback at the end of the day. The Under-16s managed to post their first win against Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar 9-4, but that was followed by another draw, 6-6 against Sevenoaks. TGS were leading throughout the
TEAM SPIRIT: (Back row, l-r) Eryn Salako, Ella Murray, Emily Cross, Natasha Phillips, Lucy Newman, Millie Dormieux; (front) Heather Denbigh, Georgia Menhinick, Anya Smith
match until the very end, but were undone by basic passing errors. Determined to play at the level they knew we were capable of, they lifted their game to record strong wins in the final three matches against Rochester Grammar (14-6), Bromley High School (8-4) and Walthamstow Hall (16-7). They needed Highworth to beat Benenden if they were to qualify for the Regionals as runners-up. But the Ashford school lost, having won all their matches up to that point. That pushed TGS into third place behind Benenden, who went through with a superior goal average. Emily Cross, the Under-19s captain, said: “Overall, it was a really enjoyable day and both teams performed exceptionally well. “There were challenges but with the support and confidence in each other we managed to work through them and came out as champions.”
Squash elite prepare for Colin Payne Kent Open SQUASH: A HOST of international stars will be heading to Tunbridge Wells next month to compete in a major world-ranking tournament. The Kent Open, now in its tenth year, will be hosted by Tunbridge Wells Squash Club for the first time and has been renamed in honour of a former county champion who lost his life in tragic circumstances in 2016. The Colin Payne Kent Open, sponsored by Select Gaming, takes place over three days at the club on London Road from January 10-12. The top seed is 20-year-old rising star Charlie Lee from Surrey, who is ranked No 90 in the world. He faces hot competition from No 2 seed Rui Soares of Portugal, Belgian No 1 Jan van den Herrewegen, and the No 4 seed Leonel Cardenas of Mexico. In the first round, which starts at 1pm on Thursday January 10, the British Under-19 champion Nick Wall from Yorkshire faces a tough test against the experienced Mark Fuller, the No 6 seed from Nottingham. The quarter-finals will be held later that day with the semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday. A Women’s Professional Challenge will take place
KENT OPEN SCHEDULE
UP AND COMING Top seed Charlie Lee is only 20 years old
before the main final starts at 6pm. Local juniors will get the chance to go on court with the professionals on the first day, and the host club’s leading players will take part in a Lightning Round shoot-out before the
semi-finals on Friday evening. There will also be coaching sessions with the professionals on Saturday, followed by a doubles competition for the Colin Payne Shield. Former Tunbridge Wells No 1 Colin
Payne [pictured above] was a professional player who reached the world top 50 and appeared for Kent on more than 100 occasions. He was county champion five times, won the Kent over-35 title on ten occasions and, during the year of his death, he won the British Over-50s Championship. Payne owned the Ripples chain of bathroom stores in Tunbridge Wells, Reigate and Brighton. His long-time friend Ben Ford, who is club coach at Bexley, has been awarded the wildcard in the draw and faces No 3 seed Jan van den Herrewegen in the first round.
Thursday January 10 First round (seeding in bold) 1pm: 1 Charlie Lee (Eng) v Nick Mulvey (Eng) 7 Ben Coates (Eng) v Roman Allinckx (Swit) 6 Mark Fuller (Eng) v Nick Wall (Eng) 3 Jan van den Herrewegen (Bel) v Ben Ford (Eng) 4 Leonel Cardenas (Mex) v Connor Sheen (Eng) 5 Stuart Macgregor (Eng) v Viktor Byrtus (Cze) 8 Tom Walsh (Eng) v Harry Falconer (Eng) 2 Rui Soares (Por) v Miles Jenkins (Eng) Junior Coaching Clinic 4.30pm Kent Open quarter-finals 6pm Friday January 11 Lightning Round 6pm Kent Open semi-finals 7pm and 8pm Saturday January 12 Coaching Clinics 10am-1pm Doubles 1-4.30pm Women’s Challenge 5pm Colin Payne Kent Open Final 6pm (followed by presentations and tournament party)
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Thursday December 27 | 2018
Sport
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TJs close gap with eight straight games unbeaten By Adam Hookway RUGBY: TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS finished the year in style as they ended Canterbury’s eightgame winning streak in National Two South while extending their own unbeaten run to eight in a row with a thrilling victory. All four touchlines were full as the Canterbury faithful made the trip to West Kent to add to the festive atmosphere. Conditions were heavy underfoot and defences had the upper hand for much of the game but both sides looked to spread the ball wide. Tonbridge’s lighter frames gave them a fine start as they put on the pressure, with Will Robinson slotting an early penalty. The flying Finlay Coxon-Smith, who was back on the wing, sat his man down before running in and Robinson converted to put TJs 10-0 ahead. Canterbury hit back with an unconverted try but TJs soon extended their lead with a Charlie Edwards try after a series of phases and drives, Robinson adding the extras. Canterbury spurned an easy three points by
going for a try instead of a kick but the TJ line held out. However, a second penalty was slotted and half-time saw the hosts leading 17-8. Another Robinson kick increased their lead after the break. TJs were in the box seat but not in control as Canterbury would not lie down. TJs had the cutting edge from depth but you let Canterbury get close to your line at your peril. So it proved as they eventually crashed over to make it 20-15 and put the game in the balance. But Tonbridge could feel a significant win was calling and they set their defensive line much higher, pinning Canterbury in their own half and forcing mistakes. An error led to another Robinson penalty, leaving the visitors needing two scores to win but they could only manage one kick of their own. TJs remain in fifth place because, apart from Canterbury, the rest of the top four all won too. But Canterbury drop to third and TJs are one win away from catching them. Tonbridge have a week off before returning with a trip to bottom-of-the-table London Irish Wild Geese on Saturday January 5 [kick-off 3pm].
Wells snatch victory at end of seven-goal thriller Lordswood 3 Tunbridge Wells 4 By Victor Bethell FOOTBALL: TUNBRIDGE WELLS kept up their remarkable turnaround in form that has seen them unbeaten since the start of November with a stunning victory at Lordswood. The visitors opened the scoring after only four minutes when Josh Biddlecombe latched on to a long pass and drilled the ball past the stranded Lordswood keeper Dan Smith. The Wells are now playing at a faster pace and initially they ran the Lordswood defence ragged, forcing three fine saves from Smith. But after 15 minutes Lordswood equalised, and ten minutes later an altercation saw both sides
reduced to ten men with Dane Moore receiving a red card for the Wells. Smith showed his form again as he stretched out to stop a shot from Jason Thompson on the line just before half-time. Early in the second half Lordswood took the lead but Olu Williams and Thompson put the Wells back in front with two goals in as many minutes. This was a fiercely contested game and Lordswood pulled a goal back from a corner to level the scores again with 15 minutes remaining. But the Wells clinched victory in the final minute with an expertly taken goal by Stephen Harper securing the three points. The Wells’ next fixture is away at Crowborough Athletic on Saturday [December 29, kick-off 3pm].
Anderson’s first match ruined by late collapse Glebe 3 Rusthall 2 By Rich Smith FOOTBALL: WITH the end in sight it looked as though new Rusthall manager Jimmy Anderson was going to make a winning start in his first game in charge. The visitors had dominated Glebe with their fast pressing game, but the Rustics were punished for a crazy last 13 minutes where the home side scored three times to steal the points. Anderson gave debuts to three new players, Jaydn Gildea, James Miles and Charlie Clover, who added pace to the attacks and put Glebe under pressure from the start. Rusthall created several good chances before eventually breaking the deadlock on 37 minutes. A flowing move from midfield and a fine through ball found Clover and the young striker finished expertly. Glebe were fortunate to go in at the interval trailing by just one goal, having failed to trouble Rusthall’s stand-in keeper Callum Strachan. The away team doubled their lead within three
minutes of the restart when a cross from the left was met by Steve Comacho and his glancing header gave the keeper no chance. Rusthall continued to dominate but could not turn their possession into further goals. They lost Clover and Miles to injury, which upset their control of the game as Glebe pushed hard to get back into the contest On 77 minutes Glebe scored from a corner as the ball ended up in the net via the thigh of a Rusthall defender. With two minutes of normal time left Glebe were awarded a penalty following a challenge from Will Jager and Jack Clarke gave Strachan no chance from the spot. Glebe were now buzzing and in stoppage time they snatched a winner when Liam Rosenfeld was on hand to fire home from close range. It was another disappointing result for the Rustics but there were plenty of positives. With Anderson on the verge of making several more signings, Rusthall’s hopes of avoiding relegation look brighter. They now entertain Erith Town at Jockey Farm on Saturday [December 29, kick-off 3pm].
PHOTO: Adam Hookway
Tonbridge Juddians 23 Canterbury 18
GRAB YOUR CHANCE TJs secure the ball in front of the away fans
TRAVEL FREE TO ‘BIG GAME’ AND AVOID TRAIN DISRUPTION THE shuttle service Zeelo are offering Harlequins fans in Tunbridge Wells free travel for the ‘Big Game’ against Wasps at Twickenham on Saturday [December 29]. The service will allow supporters to avoid any disruptions on rail networks. You can book a place on the coach if you are one of the first 50 people to enter the promo code BIGGAME100 on the website zeelo.co/ rides/harlequins/harlequins-vs-wasps-biggame-quins-fan-travel-15330
Tickets are sent straight to user’s phones and Zeelo will organise a pick-up point from Tunbridge Wells railway station. Zeelo uses data to provide pop-up coach routes that aim to cut travel times by 30 per cent and keep fares low. All services are run on executive coaches with air-conditioning and a guaranteed seat. For more information on season passes and tickets for journeys to other Harlequins games, visit zeelo.co/rides/harlequins