Times of Tunbridge Wells 27th March 2019

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Hundreds more police

given Tasers in fight against knife crimes

By Andy Tong newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

KENT POLICE plan to quadruple the number of officers carrying Tasers in an effort to combat escalating knife crime.

Violent incidents involving knives in the county have increased at the fastest rate in the whole of the country, more than doubling over the last eight years, with the number of offences rising from 346 to 873.

As reported in the Times last week, Tunbridge Wells is not immune to the ‘scourge’ of knife crime, with rates doubling in the borough over the last 12 months.

Kent’s Chief Constable, Alan Pughsley, said: “Violent crime and assaults on officers are rising, and we are dealing with a criminal element who think nothing of carrying – and using – the most appalling knives against each other, against people they wish to rob and victimise, and ultimately against those that stand between them and their victims – the police.”

Currently, 330 officers in Kent are trained to use Tasers – also known as Conductive Energy Devices [CEDs] – which fire a pair of electrified probes to incapacitate suspects when needed.

That number is expected to increase to 1,500 Tasers as the force allocates £750,000 for additional training.

The opt-in scheme will see any officer, including

Specials or probationers, able to be trained to carry the non-lethal weapon.

Until now, the force has had specially trained teams armed with Tasers, and they will remain in place.

Mr Pughsley added: “I have steadily increased the availability of Tasers to officers in roles that meet this sort of aggression and violence head on.

“The deployment of more Tasertrained officers enhances our ability to robustly deal with incidents involving bladed weapons and make the public and officers safer.

‘A criminal element think nothing of carrying – and using – the most appalling knives’

Couple will ‘carry on cruising’ despite terrifying ship rescue

Kent Chief Constable Alan Pughsley

Winched to safety at night during gale-force winds

“I am firmly of the view that it is now the right thing to do.”

To carry a Taser, all officers will have to successfully complete the force’s rigorous training and accreditation programme. Guidance states the weapon must be used proportionately and reasonably. No officer will be mandated to carry a Taser.

Between 2010 and 2018, there was a 152 per cent increase in recorded knife crimes in Kent, the largest in England and Wales.

Home Office figures show there were 1,112 assaults on police officers in 2017-18. Last year, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act came into force, which Alan Pughsley

Continued on P2

By Richard Williams newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

A RETIRED couple from Tunbridge Wells spoke yesterday [Tuesday] of the terrifying moment the engines failed on their cruise liner and they had to be airlifted to safety.

Duncan and Tina Cox (above) from Broadwater Down, were on the eighth day of the 12-day ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ trip, when the ship, the Viking Sky, got into trouble off Norway’s west coast Mr and Mrs Cox, who booked the holiday two years ago, were among 915 passengers and 458 crew aboard the £300million ship, which had left port in Tilbury, Essex, just over a week earlier.

The vessel became stricken on Saturday after three of its four

engines failed while the ocean liner was being battered by 20ft waves and gale-force winds.

“The first we realised something was wrong was when we were having lunch and we noticed the water was being thrown out of the swimming pool,” said Mr Cox, 80.

The couple, who regularly holiday on cruise ships, said things began to take a turn for the worse when they came in from the deck.

“The ship began tilting alarmingly, and then the ceiling in the lounge began to fall down,” remembered Mr Cox, a retired hotel supplier.

He continued: “We were all huddled in the lounge. A window broke and water began coming in so some people got wet, and we

Continued on Page 2

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heard a call for a stretcher; clearly somebody had been badly hurt.”

The alarm sounded around 2pm in the afternoon, which was when the captain made the decision to winch people off the ship to safety.

“There were seven short blasts on the Tannoy followed by a long boom. A voice came over saying ‘this is a real emergency’,” recalled Mr Cox. “The captain came on saying the engines had failed and he had put out the anchors. All the lights had gone out.

“One woman was having hysterics, screaming and shouting. A call twice went out for stretchers.

“Later, the announcement came there was another ship coming to the rescue and helicopters were on their way - but the ship coming to help us had failed too.”

‘I was absolutely petrified.

It was terrifying, the worst thing I’ve ever had to do and I was very scared’ Passengers had to be hoisted one-by-one from the deck of the vessel but due to the sheer number of people on board, it was not until 3am the next morning that the Tunbridge Wells couple were able to be airlifted to safety, having spent the last 12 hours sitting aboard in a lifejacket.

“They winched us off by helicopter in the early hours of the morning,” Mr Cox remembered.

“I went first, and if you can imagine being blown about by 58 mph winds as they winch you off the ship in the middle of the night from a deck that is pitching and rolling.”

His 75-year-old wife went next, for what was for her, the most terrifying thing she had ever experienced.

“I was absolutely petrified. It was terrifying, the worst thing I’ve ever had to do and I was very scared,” she told the Times.

“I don’t like heights. I was hanging with my hands and they were slipping down. There was just a band around my waist. That was all that was around me.”

She believed they were winched 50 feet in the air, before being bundled aboard the helicopter.

“These two winchmen just haul you aboard—it

TASER USE RISES : Continued from page 1 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 richardwilliams@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk | 01892 240626

ZAPPED A police Conductive Energy device

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

LCF money went into possession of firm’s ex-chief and founder

CRUISE ORDEAL: Continued from page 1

increases prison sentences for people who assault emergency workers from six months to a year.

Chief Constable Pughsley said: “We are recruiting and deploying more new officers thanks to increases in funding from the Police & Crime Commissioner [Matthew Scott].

“But I am increasingly of the view that it isn’t enough when we are dealing with violent county lines organised crime.”

‘County lines’ offences are defined as criminals from major cities expanding their drug networks to other areas of the country.

Zero-tolerance Typically, vulnerable children and adults are recruited in cities to transport cash and drugs, meaning that the ringleaders are less likely to be detected or caught.

Gangs often set up a base in small towns and rural areas for a short time, taking over the home

By Richard Williams

PHOTO: BBC South East

2

WINCHED A passenger being airlifted off the stricken Viking Sky

is not very dignifying,” Mr Cox added.

Thankfully, the couple, who have three grandchildren, were uninjured as they touched down in Hustadvika, a small village just north of the town of Molde on Norway’s west coast where a number of ‘amazing’ volunteers were on hand to help.

But not everybody was so lucky. Several passengers were taken off the vessel on stretchers while others needed oxygen. And at least 20 of those winched to safety were injured.

And a cargo vessel trying to reach the stricken cruise liner through the storm also experienced difficulties, resulting in the crew having to abandon the ship.

The crew of the Viking Sky, which still had some passengers on board, was later able to restart one engine and the ship was able to limp back to the coast and anchor about 1.5 miles from land.

Viking Ocean Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen said the events were “some of the worst I have been involved in.”

While Mr and Mrs Cox, who have three grandchildren, say Viking has ‘questions to answer’ over what went wrong, they couldn’t fault the people of Norway.

“They all rallied round to ensure we were alright. They were all volunteers so we cannot thank them enough,” said Mr Cox. But the couple, who returned home to Tunbridge Wells on Sunday, have not been put off holidaying at sea.

Mr Cox said: “It hasn’t put us of cruising at all.

In fact we are going on our next one in June— down the Danube.” of a vulnerable person in a practice known as ‘cuckooing’.

Thirty-eight arrests were made across the county in early-morning raids on March 20 as part of a continuing crackdown on knife crime and the culture around it.

Eleven knives were seized by officers, including a Samurai-style sword and a crossbow, as well as quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, after 33 warrants were served.

Mr Pughsley commented: “There is absolutely no place in Kent for knife crime or the culture around it.

“These warrants demonstrate we are taking a robust, proactive and zero-tolerance approach to people who choose to break the law, and this will continue in the coming weeks.”

Since the operation began on March 11, more than 250 weapons have been confiscated and 95 arrests made.

Plain clothed and uniformed officers will continue to be targeting those suspected to be involved in organised crime involving knives and drugs in the coming weeks.

Mr Pughsley said: “We are committed to keeping the county safe. Aside from our enforcement work, we work closely with local authorities and schools to educate people on the dangers of this type of offending, and to challenge the mistaken belief that carrying a knife will give you added protection.

“If you carry a knife you are more likely to become a victim, and can also expect to be arrested and brought before the courts.”

In the borough of Tunbridge Wells, 30 incidents of knife-related offences were recorded in 201718, compared to 14 during the previous 12 months.

ADMINSTRATORS investigating the collapsed Tunbridge Wells firm London Capital & Finance have said money invested in the group has ended up in the pockets of former owner Simon HumeKendall, the company’s chief executive and two other men.

The Serious Fraud Office [SFO] arrested four men in relation to the collapse of the firm last month, which has raised fears that £236million invested in the company has been lost.

Yesterday [Tuesday], administrators said that millions of pounds invested by customers has ended up in the personal possession or control of four men, including former Tunbridge Wells Conservative Party Chairman, Simon HumeKendall.

Administrators, Smith & Williamson, who have finalised their report into the now-defunct investment firm, said yesterday: “There are a number of highly suspicious transactions involving a small group of connected people which have led to large sums of the bondholders’ money ending up in their personal possession or control.

“We are pressing these people to return those funds to us for the benefit of the bondholders and, failing this, we will pursue those individuals, as appropriate, for recovery of those sums.”

The administrator’s report names not only Mr Hume-Kendall, the owner of London Oil and Gas—LCF’s biggest borrower, which has also now fallen into administration, but also LCF chief executive, Andy Thomson; Elten Barker, partner to Hume-Kendall at London Oil & Gas, and Spencer Golding, an equestrian business owner who received more £12million from LCF. Administrators have not yet commented on whether the actions of the four men were unlawful, and it is not yet clear if these are the same four men arrested by the fraud squad in connection with the firm’s collapse as reported in last week’s Times.

However, it is believed that Mr Thomson and Mr Hume-Kendall have agreed with Smith & Williamson to pay what they received into an escrow account for the bondholders. The funds will be returned only if the original bondholders get all their money back from LCF assets.

However, administrator at Smith & Williamson, Finbarr O’Connell, said that he believed bondholders may only ever get back 20 per cent of their underlying investment.

LCF collapsed in January, following the freezing of the firm’s bank accounts due to the marketing of the unregulated mini-bonds.

In total, 11,600 customers invested more than £236million in the unregulated bonds. The money is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and many of those who risk losing their investments include retirees or first-time investors.

FOUNDER Simon HumeKendall

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

Council apologises after data breach

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By train and coach they descended on Parliament

THE council in Tunbridge Wells has had to apologise last week after the personal data of hundreds of people was mistakenly emailed to nearly 300 residents in the borough.

A spokesperson for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said they were now conducting a full investigation and that they have reported the incident to the Information Commissioners Office.

“We have contacted all the people involved and advised them about this with our full apologies,” the spokesperson said.

“As part of our investigation we will be looking at how we can ensure this does not happen again.”

Police get Brexit fund

FINDING A PLATFORM: Supporters of a second ‘Put it to the People’ Brexit vote gather at Tunbridge Wells Station on Saturday on their way to London

KENT POLICE has been given an additional £3.5million to cope with the impact of Brexit.

The Home Office said the force has now been given a total of £4.3m in ‘recognition of the unique demands arising in Kent’.

Matthew Scott, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, said that contingency planning has cost the force a lot of money.

He added: “It has required a redirection of officers’ and staff members’ time in order to focus on planning for Brexit.”

AS MANY as a thousand people from Tunbridge Wells travelled to London at the weekend to take part in a Brexit protest march.

An estimated one million from around the UK descended on Parliament Square on Saturday for the ‘Put it to the People’ march, demanding the government holds a second vote on Brexit.

Hundreds of people from Tunbridge Wells, the only Kent constituency to vote predominately

Bin contract underway THE new waste management contract in Tunbridge Wells begins next week, with much anticipated glass and bottle collecting added to services from September 30.

Urbaser is officially taking over the emptying of the Borough’s bins following an eight-year partnership between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councils.

The company has already begun bin collections in Tonbridge.

Snake tank drugs haul POLICE uncovered a safe containing quantities of drugs hidden behind a false wall within a glass tank containing pet snakes after searching a house in Tonbridge.

A man and a woman, both in their 30s and from Tonbridge, were arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Remain in the 2016 Brexit vote, filled the trains and caught coaches to London as they attempted to make their voices heard and encourage the government to give the people another say on leaving the EU. Sebastian St John, chairman of TWIN [Tunbridge Wells In], said around 300 people from his group, ranging from pensioners to children, caught the train to Charing Cross to join the protest.

Bus pass price increase adds to pollution fears outside schools

By Richard Williams THE Young Person Travel Pass is set to rise by £60 a year from September igniting fears that more parents will resort to driving their children to school rather than pay the additional cost.

The travel card, supplied by Kent County Council [KCC] is due to increase from £290 to £350 per school year following plans approved by the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee last week.

The pass provides 11-to-16-year-olds with unlimited travel on Kent buses between 6am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

KCC has been forced to cut the subsidy of the bus pass by £800,000 as the county council, like many local authorities, is under pressure to reduce costs.

The cabinet member for transport, Cllr Mike Whiting, said the council does not have the cash to fund free transport for all children.

He said: “We have maintained something that other councils simply don’t provide but to do that we’ve had to reduce the subsidy that we are

able to offer.

“We still spend £8.1 million on this scheme but we had to reduce the subsidy to make it affordable for the council to do it.”

Dangerous levels He added that the council is offering parents a chance to pay by instalments for the first time, although there will be a £10 administration fee.

Lib Dem Councillor, Antony Hook, voted against the plans and said it was a ‘kick in the teeth to families’.

He argued: “I don’t understand why we were able to provide all our schoolchildren with free transport in 1991 but we have to charge them in 2019.”

It is not the first time the price of the travel pass has risen, but it is a six-fold increase to the £10 the pass went up last year.

But local parents have argued that the cost of the bus pass has now reached a ‘tipping point’, and if you have more than one child it is now cheaper to drive them to school.

“The overwhelming message is that Brexit is not the right way to solve the problems in the country,” said Mr St John.

“People in Tunbridge Wells need to be represented, as the government is not speaking for the 48 per cent [who voted to Remain].”

The march was one of the largest since the Iraq War protest of 2003, which was unsuccessful in getting the government to change their mind.

Richard Taylor who lives in Tonbridge, has a 12-year-old daughter at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells, eight miles away, who currently gets the bus to school.

But he says when his other daughter, who is not yet four, reaches school age, it will be cheaper to put the pair of them in the car to drive to school.

“I’ve worked it out. I will be £100 a year better off if I drive them. It has reached the tipping point now. Other parents I’ve spoken to have said the same thing too.

“For me, it would be an hour round trip, especially when you take traffic into consideration, but if you are a parent that is short of money, that is the option you will take.”

Others agree that this latest travel card price hike by KCC is going to lead to more cars on the road doing the school run.

The price rise comes just as teachers have declared they want cars banned from the school run to save children from inhaling dangerous levels of air pollution, which Public Health England have said could cause between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year.

John Hurst from the Tunbridge Wells Green Party told the Times: “We have a climate change emergency and air quality issues; making school bus passes free - as they are in London for under 16s - would address both problems”.

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Hospital wants 140 more spaces to ease the parking problems

By Joshua Walford

PEMBURY’S Tunbridge Wells Hospital could get more than 140 extra car parking spaces, following an evaluation of parking provision at the hospital.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital NHS Trust [MTW] have said they are trying to increase the parking available for visitors and staff, following the tragic story of Lauraine Griffiths, who branded the parking at the hospital as ‘shameful’ in December.

Ms Griffths told how she missed her mother’s final moments, because she was unable to park her car.

Currently, the hospital offers 447 visitor spaces and 818 spaces for its 2000 staff. The trust plans to install another 140 spaces solely for patients.

A spokesman from the hospital’s trust said: “We are currently working to submit a planning application to increase the Tunbridge Wells Hospital car park by 140 spaces, subject to planning approval.

We have commissioned contractors to undertake necessary topology surveys along with ecology surveys of the woodland and adjacent areas. These have now taken place and we await the results.

The results of both surveys will form part of the final documentation that is required in order to submit a planning application.”

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Primary school’s academy plan concerns both parents and council

By Richard Williams A PRIMARY school has raised concerns from the county council over its plans to become an academy and also angered parents who say the move will not improve an already thriving school and will just hand it over to an ‘unelected and unaccountable’ body.

The governors and head teacher of Paddock Wood Primary School said they have been considering future options to help the school ‘maintain and develop high quality provision’.

Among these options is to turn the school into an academy and join Leigh Academies Trust.

In a statement, the school said that the benefits of converting to join the right multiacademy trust could be ‘considerable’.

The school said: “This would generate significant additional leadership time, which would directly benefit children in classes.”

They added that ‘recent and significant external changes’ have affected the way the school operates and that head teacher, Mr Scott Opstad, was spending ‘considerably less time’ leading learning and teaching.

These external changes are believed to be the way Kent County Council [KCC] delivers services to schools, which means that the senior leadership team has to deal with mundane issues such as maintenance, rather than just calling KCC. However, this has raised concerns with education officials at the council who have requested ‘urgent clarification’ over the move.

Roger Gough, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Kent County Council has only very recently been contacted by Paddock Wood Primary School on the issue of its academisation, although we were aware some time ago that the proposal was being brought forward.”

Mr Gough continued: “It is not a decision for us and we do not seek to intervene. However, we are very concerned by statements issued by the Governors stating that changes made to how KCC works with schools have been a decisive factor in seeking this change of status.

“KCC continues to provide a wide range of support services to maintained schools, and in view of the school’s preferred timeframe for conversion we have therefore asked for urgent clarification from Governors on this and other matters.”

Parents are also unhappy with the move.

Charles Marshall, who has two sons at

CLASS ACTION Protesting parents outside Paddock Wood Primary School Paddock Wood Primary School, said: “The proposal that will see control gifted to a group of people in Rochester, people who are unelected and unaccountable to anyone except the Secretary of State for Education, people who may never have even heard of Paddock Wood.”

Mr Marshall has now started a petition, which has garnered more than 160 signatures, insisting parents get a say on the academy plan.

“All we are asking of the governors is that they allow all parents and carers - those who support

the governors’ proposal as well as those who disagree - a binding vote on this proposal to academise our local school.”

He continued: “The reason we want a vote is that they are taking something away from us.

The school is a part of the community. It’s governed by local people and overseen by the democratically elected county council.”

A spokesperson for Paddock Wood Primary insisted that parents were being fully consulted on the proposals.

WHAT ARE ACADEMIES? The brainchild of Tony Blair’s government, academies were introduced in 2000, originally as a means to improve struggling schools.

Since then, around 7,500 former state schools have become academies. Most secondary schools now have academy status, as do around a quarter of primary schools.

Academies are independent schools run by a trust. They get their funding directly from the government, rather than their local council.

They can also set their own term times and have their own curriculum as long as it is balanced and includes English, maths and science.

Converter academies are schools deemed successful enough to convert to academies in order to benefit from having more autonomy than a state run school.

The main attraction in academy status for most schools is autonomy, especially with

regards the school budget. Rather than having a local education authority or county council spending the money, schools have more control over where funds are spent.

Supporters of academies say this in turn makes it easier to put in place better teaching, leadership, curriculums and accountability, leading to better standards.

However, academies have faced heavy criticism from various groups including teachers, parents and politicians.

Some people see academisation as ‘privatisation by the back door’ leading to more selective schools.

Academies have also come under fire for excessive salaries. Leigh Academies Trust was criticised recently after Simon Beamish, the chief executive, received a £40,000 pay rise on top of his £180,000 mwinimum salary.

Ability Plumbing (South UK) Ltd. 80 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0PP. Phone: Office 01892 514495. | Email: info@ability.uk.com

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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Council ‘errs on side of caution’ removing promotional videos

By Richard Williams newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk VIDEOS produced by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and posted to YouTube have been taken down over fears they could be breaking election rules.

As reported in the Times last week, the council produced 14 promotional videos, shot in-house by their own staff, entitled ‘Your Town, Your Future’ outlining the council’s five-year plan for the town and featuring a number of councillors and members of the local community.

The videos, were not posted on the TWBC website, but were produced before the start of the six-week election registration period, a time known as ‘purdah’, which governs what sort of communication the council can put out.

Purdah rules stipulate that councils cannot

produce publicity on matters which are politically controversial or that favour a particular political party.

The rules govern all forms of communication, including social media, but platforms such as YouTube are a grey area. Council officials have taken them down to ‘err on the side of caution’.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The videos were published prior to the notice of election being published and before purdah, but to err on the side of caution, we have made them unavailable for the duration of the pre-election period.’

Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors had complained about the videos, which they said were ‘politically motivated publications’.

After their removal, Councillor Peter Lidstone said: “We thank [TWBC Chief Executive] William Benson for removing videos featuring Conservative local election candidates from the council’s YouTube site.

BID levy begins for businesses with town set to benefit from extra £2m More than 600 businesses in and around Tunbridge Wells town centre will from next week contribute a levy to the new Business Improvement District of BID).

The Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area within which businesses pay a levy in order to fund projects, identified in a two-stage consultation last year.

The BID starts on April 1 and will raise an annual sum of around £470,000 a year for the 5-year term of the BID. The BID area extends from Camden Road through Tunbridge Wells town centre, including Mount Ephraim and The Pantiles.

The Business Improvement District was voted for last autumn in an official ballot process which saw a 38% turnout of businesses and a 74% vote in favour.

The scheme is not voluntary, and all businesses within the BID area will need to pay the levy, of 1.25 per cent which is made against premises with a rateable value of £15,000 and above, although there is a cap in place of £5,000 for each business premises.

It is being overseen KAREN PENGELLY

by Royal Tunbridge

Wells Together [RTW Together], which was formed by local businesses in 2016.

RTW Together Town Centre Manager, Karen Pengelly, explained what businesses will get for their money.

“There are several things listed in our business plan centred on using economies of scale to make things cheaper for businesses as well as holding events to increase footfall,” she said.

A range of projects to be funded by the BID levy include facilitating networking events, encouraging more people to work in Tunbridge Wells, promoting careers in the area, and group purchasing initiatives.

“It is an equitable way to fund projects that businesses wanted to see. The vision is to save businesses money and bring more people into the town centre,” added Ms Pengelly.

But not everybody in the town is convinced at the additional charge.

“Yes there have been grumblings about it,” admitted Ms Pengelly.

“I know it is a tough trading environment for everyone at the moment, so there is a responsibility on us for delivery to ensure everyone sees the benefit it brings.”

Last orders called for the Beer Boutique

By Joshua Walford THE latest casualty of the high street will be mourned by beer lovers in Tunbridge Wells.

The Beer Boutique, a specialist seller of ale on Mount Pleasant Road, has called time, after the store entered a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation [CVL] agreement, a form of insolvency.

The luxurious off licence closed ‘with immediate effect’ last week after announcing the news to its beer loving Twitter following.

It said: “We’re sad to announce today that The Beer Boutique has entered into a CVL, as a result of which we will be closing all three stores with immediate effect.

“On this very sad day, we’d like to thank all our valued customers for your support of the business over the past seven years.”

The other stores that closed were located in Putney and Wandsworth in London.

Beer Boutique opened in Tunbridge Wells in the summer of 2016, selling more than 350 bottled beers and three different draught ales, which the store said were ‘aimed to craft a variety of highquality beers and ales so the customer could find their perfect beer’.

The fine ale retailer is the latest in a number of local shops to announce closures.

As reported in the Times, the high street has already lost French cheese and wine emporium, Fromage and French and Cardmarket on the precinct who join an ever growing list that includes: H&M, Gandy’s, New Look, Pasta Madre, Pets in Town, Cau, Maplin, Mothercare, Cath Kidston, Miss Selfridge and Jacques Vert, not to mention a raft of big name stores such as BHS and Argos.

From April 1, struggling retailers will be entitled to additional business rate relief under the rate relief scheme, which central government has introduced to help the struggling high street.

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Customer-friendly Metro Bank is now among UK’s most shorted companies

By Richard Williams newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk TROUBLES continue at one of Tunbridge Wells’ most pominent banks, as it has become the second most shorted business on the London Stock Exchange.

Shares at Metro Bank have fallen by 80 per cent since January, when it emerged that it had made an error in calculating the capital it needed to secure loans.

‘The bank came second among business current account customers for overall service quality’ Despite this, financial firms are continuing to short the bank’s shares – betting that the price will continue to fall.

As reported previously in the Times, the bank, which opened its branch in the town in 2015, miscalculated its risk-weighted assets by £1.5billion, a revelation that caused its share price to tumble by 40 per cent in just one day.

Law firm leads dance partners on merger A LEADING local law firm has provided advice on a professional ballroom dance partnership.

Thomson Snell & Passmore, which has an office in Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, advised on the partnership of two leaders in the ballroom dance market, Chrisanne Clover and Karen Hardy Dance Studios.

The transaction team was led by Partner and Head of Corporate at the law firm Joanne Gallagher with Senior Associate Faye Cook, while Commercial Property Solicitor Nicole Priestley advised on the property elements of the deal.

Joanne Gallagher and Faye Cook said: “We are absolutely delighted to have acted on this transaction, which significantly bolsters both parties’ position in the global ballroom dancing market.

“We wish all parties all the best for the future in their new partnership.”

The deal was finalised on Valentine’s Day, which was described as ‘fitting’ by the new dance partners.

Commenting on the partnership, Karen Hardy said: “Partnering with Chrisanne Clover, the leading brand in ballroom dancing, will enable us to give our members access to the best couture, dancewear and components in the world.”

Shares in the challenger bank are now less than 900.0 pence from a high at the beginning of the year of 2,202 pence. Despite this, customer satisfaction with the bank is at an all-time high.

A spokesperson for the bank told the Times last week: “Metro Bank achieved the top spot in the Competition & Market Authority’s latest Service Quality Survey among personal current account holders for its overall service.

“The bank also came second among business current account customers for overall service quality, and was ranked in the top five for all qualifying business and personal services.”

The spokesperson added that its underlying profit before tax for 2018 was £50million, up 140 per cent from 2017.

Metro entered the market in 2010 as one of the first ‘challenger banks’ – a business model that offers a range of services and convenience not offered by the traditional banking sector.

It was founded by charismatic American entrepreneur Vernon Hill, who ‘begged and borrowed’ 1.5 million dollars to start the bank, which, before its recent troubles, was valued at more than £1.5billion.

The bank has enjoyed rapid expansion across the UK, with 66 branches opening nationwide, including its very visible presence in Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells.

CHALLENGER Vernon HIll, Metro Bank’s Chairman and founder

‘Dark kitchens’ are a threat to high street restaurants and takeaways THANKS to the rise of apps such as Just Eat, as well as new delivery services like Deliveroo, it has never been easier to get read-to-eat food delivered to your door.

While there seems to be more choice than ever before, these new delivery models could ‘kill off’ restaurants and takeaways in the high street, warns a leading catering association.

Anonymous Yawar Khan, Chairman of the Asian Catering Federation, which represents the interest of 30,000 Asian eateries, has warned of the rise of ‘dark kitchens’ that could put an end to the traditional takeaway or restaurant.

Speaking at the launch of the 9th Asian Curry Awards last week, he said ‘anonymous’ out-oftown kitchens on industrial estates, which do not have customers coming through the doors so have lower overheads than traditional eateries, are a huge threat to the high street.

“We have already lost a vast amount of retail

ASK

Darren Austin at Synergee

Darren Austin is a director of Synergee Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants & business advisers based in Tunbridge Wells.

If you have any questions you'd like to ask Darren he can be contacted on 01892 772960 | www.synergee.org.uk

volume to online CURRYING FAVOUR business – empty Takeaway food properties with ‘to let’ providers are boards are everywhere,” under threat said Mr Khan.

“We need restaurants to drive the footfall, which is vital for a surviving business.”

Restaurant and takeaway owners in Tunbridge Wells also expressed fears of these new approaches to the traditional take-out.

“The market is very competitive. Personally, we do not use these new app services because they charge 20 per cent, and you have no control over who the drivers are, and if they mess up we still get the blame,” said Habib Siddiq, who runs a number of eateries in the area, including the Cinnamon Square restaurant in Tunbridge Wells.

He also warned that these ‘dark kitchens’ don’t

Question: I have a limited company and we are about to move to some new premises. We are taking a lease over 10 years although there is a break clause at 5 years.

The rent is £24,500 per year but we do not have to pay for the first 6 months. This is great news, but I am concerned that it means my profits will appear higher than normal and I will pay more tax. Is there anything I can do or should I not look a gift horse in the mouth?

Answer: When you prepare your statutory accounts (the ones that will be used, amongst other things, for

have the same quality control as when you order food from a high street restaurant or takeaway.

“In order to keep things fresh and ensure perfect quality you need space,” he said.

“Customers can come in and peek into the kitchen. You can see how we prepare our food.

“With these sorts of delivery services, you don’t get feedback from customers.”

calculating your corporation tax), you are required to comply with applicable accounting standards (likely FRS102 or FRS105). Both of these have specific guidelines relating to rent free periods. The benefit of the rent free period needs to be spread over the whole life of the lease.

This means that, rather than having no rent for 6 months and then the full annual rent for 9.5 years, the rent is averaged and reflected evenly in your accounts. £24,500 per annum for 9.5 years totals £232,750 which is equivalent to £23,275 per year.

This is what should be reflected in your accounts which will mean the rent is shown evenly over the period of the lease and your tax liability will not be distorted.

8

BUSINESS

Times Awards

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

A motorbike obsession that became a 35-year success story revs up for the business awards To celebrate the 35th anniversary of THE latest entrant to the Times Business Awards 2019 will be a familiar the shop, the pair have entered this name to anybody that enjoys motoring year’s Times Business Awards for Best Business 1-25 employees, the category about on two wheels.

Break-Away Motorcycles in Camden for small businesses.

“Yes, we are a small business and we Road was started by motorbike ‘obsessive’ Martin Hook in 1984 when he are local, and we are very proud of that,” said Mrs Hook. turned his passion for “We may be small all things two wheels LOCAL NEWSPAPERS but we sell everyinto a business. thing from a split “It was a hobby that pin to a superbike, got out of hand,” he and we sell direct to explained. the local motorcycle “I first worked out of community.

Victoria Yard, where “We know all our Royal Victoria Place customers by name, is now, but it grew to and Martin always the point where I goes that extra mile thought, ‘I need a to help keep them shop not a yard’.” on the road and Mr Hook, who runs keep them riding.” the Tunbridge Wells She continued: motorcycle centre with “We love it in Tunhis wife of ten years, bridge Wells and Katharine, will have been operating in Camden Road for 35 will never move. I suppose we could have expanded a few years ago, but we years on April 9.

“I suppose you can say I am a motor- are just happy here.” bike fanatic, too,” added Mrs Hook.

“I was a customer in the shop – that’s Headline sponsors of the business awards are the local law firm Cripps. how we met.”

BREAKAWAY ENTRANTS Martin and Katharine Hook

Times

2019

HAVE YOU ENTERED THE AWARDS? With ten categories to choose from, there’s an award for every business, whether a small family-run concern or a large international company.

If you are based in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge or the Sevenoaks district, you are automatically eligible to enter.

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

NEWS IN BRIEF

Chairman of British Land to step down in summer THE Chairman of the company that last year bought Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells is to step down.

John Gildersleeve has served as Chairman of property developer British Land since January 2013, but has said he will step down at the company’s forthcoming annual general meeting in July.

He is to be replaced by Tim Score, who previously served as Chief Financial Officer of semiconductor maker ARM Holdings. and is currently a non-executive director of publishers Pearson PLC. Gildersleeve said he was leaving the business ‘well positioned for the future’ and that ‘significant progress’ had been made during his tenure at the firm.

His exit follows what has been a difficult first half year for the group after its net

asset value dropped 2.9 per cent, which the company has blamed on a downturn in the high street that has affected its retail portfolio.

The firm also remains cautious on its outlook, saying it expected the retail property market to ‘remain challenging in both the occupier and investment markets’.

British Land are yet to announce their future plans for Royal Victoria Place, which has come in for criticism in recent times due to the number of empty units in the shopping centre, especially in its Camden Road and Calverley precinct entrances through Ely Court.

The commerical property developer bought the retail centre last year, after paying a reported £96million.

They initially shelved plans put forward by previous owner Hermes for the centre, which included a cinema.

A spokesperson for the company told the Times last week there was still no update on their new plans for the shopping centre.

Lifestyle choices are no business of employers A SURVEY of South East workers has found more than half say that employers should not get involved with employees’ lifestyle choices.

The Willis Towers Watson study found that 57 per cent of workers in the region view lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise and alcohol consumption, as a strictly personal matter.

And three quarters believe there should be a boundary between their personal and work lives, while a quarter believe some employers have created a ‘Big Brother’ culture.

“Health and wellbeing is a sensitive area and companies must tread carefully if they are to adequately support their workers, whilst also ensuring their privacy is respected,” said Mike Blake, wellbeing lead at the advisory company.

“However, there is a growing expectation for employers to step up and help – but getting the approach right is key,” he added.

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

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

3) Or you can call simply call awards organiser Eileen Sweeney on 01892 779 583.

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

Each category will be shortlisted to three entries, and shortlisted candidates will be notified by email on Monday April 29, 2019.

Winners will be announced at the gala awards dinner on Thursday May 30, 2019.

Tickets are available priced at £95 per person or £850 for a table of ten. Numbers are limited and based on the previous four years, the awards night will be a sell-out.

10

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Local News

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Students build soapbox karts for summer race extravaganza

FREEWHEELING Students from West Kent College with the karts FINAL touches are being applied to 50 soapbox karts built for a charity challenge by students at West Kent College.

Once finished, it will be up to businesses and organisations to decorate and then race their creations down Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells for the 2019 Crazy Jean’s Soapbox Race on June 8.

Up to 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the race, which is being sponsored by Childrensalon with the Times as offical media partner.

Following a successful event in 2018, where an all-student team aged 16 to 18 years from West Kent College built the

framework for all competing soapboxes, West Kent College and Crazy Jean’s Events are teaming up once again for round two.

Under the supervision of college lecturers, a select group of students has been designing and building the soapbox framework from the ground up.

Experience Using materials provided by Crazy Jean’s events, the basic structure will include chassis, steering wheels, brakes and tyres, which is then delivered to participating racers for decoration.

Gary Crowhurst, lecturer at West Kent College, said he is continuing the relationship with Crazy Jean’s Soapbox Race due to the practical experience it provides in a local and fun environment.

He explained: “As a local college, it’s important to reach out to the community and involve ourselves. This has many benefits, but the advantages it offers our students are at the forefront. Blending the boundaries between academia and practical experiences in the real world results in a well-rounded and vibrant education at the college.

“An event such as the Soapbox Race is a

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

unique opportunity to build something from scratch. To create something from nothing, as opposed to performing repairs to mechanisms already in place, is an invaluable experience for our motorsports students.”

The one-day festival will see over 50 soapboxes driven by representatives from local businesses and organisations, make their way down the ‘whacky track’ in aid of local charities Hospice in the Weald and Taylor-Made Dreams.

Nicole Piesse Turner, who launched Crazy Jean’s Events with Garry Jeffery in 2018, said: “One of the many wonderful things about our collaboration with West Kent College is that it demonstrates the unique ways in which local businesses and organisations can be involved in this event.

“Knowing that the Soapbox Race can have such a positive impact on the education of these students is extremely rewarding, and one of the many reasons that we knew the event would not be a one-hit wonder.”

Tickets and more information at: www.crazyjeansevents.com.

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Community News

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Forum concert to help parents who face losing control of their autistic children’s future

By Andy Tong AN EVENT called ‘Sing Out For Autism’ is being staged at The Forum in Tunbridge Wells on Sunday [March 31] to raise awareness about Lasting Power of Attorney [LPA] and funding for local parents who are applying for it.

The concert is being organised by Athene Burdge, a behavioural analyst who works with people on the spectrum – and has two autistic children herself.

Her daughter Daniella will be taking part, along with local groups The Breretons, The Cockroaches and the TWUNTS ukulele band.

Despite being a professional in the field for more than a decade, Athene only found out recently that when her children reach the age of 18, the decision-making process about their future will be taken out of her hands.

She told the Times: “For any decisions relating to personal welfare and finances or health matters, a ‘best interests meeting’ will be held and a group of professionals, who often don’t know the person with autism very well, get to decide. This is very worrying for some parents and their children.”

If people with autism have the mental capacity to consent to a person acting on their behalf, they can appoint that person to do so, who can then apply for an LPA. “But this can be a costly process and some parents of people with autism are not able to afford this, in addition to the rising costs of supporting that person,” says Athene.

“That’s why we’re putting on this event. We want to raise money to go towards parents like myself who want to get LPAs.”

Despite being an expert in the autistic field and behavioural analysis, she was unaware that her ability to make key decisions about the future of her son Aaron, 17, was about to be taken away from her.

“I’m constantly working with parents and services,” she said. “I was talking to a woman from social services about my son and she said, ‘you do realise that this will happen, don’t you?’

“A week or two after that, I attended a parent workshop, and more than three-quarters of the mothers and fathers were unaware of it.”

Contention So why is this crucial component of care so little known? “It’s kind of all buried in various websites. Unless you know what to ask, you won’t find out. A lot of people are aware of the LPAs when it comes to elderly people with dementia, but not for autistic children.”

There are various reasons why carers do not pick up on the process.

“Some are not aware because they are happy with the services they are getting so there is no contention at meetings.

“Or perhaps as the children grow older their carers don’t see so many other parents so they don’t find out about it. Sadly, some just give up so they don’t realise at all.”

Athene described a harrowing scenario which showed her how important it is to spread the word about LPAs. “My son has recently experienced challenging behaviour, and my first port of call was a psychiatrist, who said he should be on antipsychotic drugs. I said: ‘Absolutely not, we need

FAMILY MATTERS Daniella Kok and her mother Athene Burdge to exhaust all behavioural measures first’.

“But social services said that when they have a best-interests meeting he will be put on them if there is a disagreement. It was a big shock to me.”

Parents are not ignored in such circumstances, but the experts hold the power where there may be a contention.

“You would be invited to the meeting and your opinion is valid, but others would have more sway, for example a housing officer or a doctor.”

But applying for an LPA to avoid such conflict of interests is expensive. A visit to your home by a solicitor to test mental capacity can cost more than £700 (£630 plus £82 to the Office of the Public Guardian).

Athene says: “While ‘capacity’ is the ability to communicate, if it is non-verbal, like gestures or groans, then these may not be able to be verified, so they don’t count as capacity.

“If there are doubts about mental capacity,

which is very likely in the case of people with autism, the parents either have to go to court or apply for a deputyship.”

To be appointed as a deputy, the fees are £800 for an application, £500 for court costs and £100 for an assessment, totalling £1,400.

Meanwhile, Daniella is preparing to perform on stage for the first time, at The Forum.

“She’s at Skinners’ Kent Academy and she wants to be an actress,” says Athene. “She is being trained by the actor Adam Leese at the school.”

“She recently watched Bohemian Rhapsody and fell in love with Freddie Mercury, so she will be singing three Queen songs.”

Sing Out For Autism is at The Forum on Sunday [March 31] from 5.30-11pm. Tickets cost £15, including a raffle ticket, and are available through Athene’s website at autism-solutionskent.co.uk/music-and-auction-charity-event

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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Community News

NEWS

13

Friends have the Common touch hosting Forest School fun for free THE Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons are organising and funding a series of eight Forest School play sessions.

The free events are held on the Commons, funded by the charity, and are open to all children with no booking required.

There are two sessions per day, each of them

two hours long, from 10am to midday and 1-3pm.

Activities include supervised fire-making, leafprinting, whittling, den construction, hammocks, mud play, marshmallow toasting and more.

Representatives of the Kent High Weald Partnership, a local nature conservation organisation, are on hand to guide the children.

The first event was held during half-term on February 21 in Rusthall, with more than 50 children attending each session.

Lynne Lane, of the Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, said: “It was a wonderful day with lots of fire lighting, over 150 marshmallows toasted, and about 50 worms and insects found!

Initiative “It was lovely to see the children approaching the activities, their voices so excited and gradually getting louder as they came through the woods. I can’t wait for the next one.”

She added: “It was wonderful to see the children using their own initiative to dig, explore, put up hammocks in the trees, build dens and

DOWN IN THE WOODS The first event on Rusthall Common

Rotary Club chooses Air Ambulance as its lead charity for Tonbridge Half Marathon THE Rotary Club of Tonbridge has presented a cheque for £620 to Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex to help fund their life-saving work.

The club’s President, Sonia Williams, went to the charity’s operational headquarters at Redhill Airport, meeting one of their pilots and the medical crew.

She said: “It was an extremely interesting visit and gave a tremendous insight into the great work they do, responding to many incidents across the South-East each day.”

It costs more than £11million to run the air ambulance each year, about half of which is generated from their own lottery, with the rest coming from donations. It costs £3,500 each time a helicopter is launched to attend an incident.

The Rotary Club’s President-elect, Phil Higgins, has nominated Air Ambulance Kent Surrey

Sussex as their main charity for this year’s Tonbridge Half Marathon, which takes place on Sunday October 6.

Two years ago, one of the runners in the event, Barney Burgess, collapsed with a heart attack less than a mile from the finish line.

The air ambulance was called and he was lifted to King’s College Hospital, London, where he made a full recovery.

Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex’s key fundraiser, Dora Szekfi, said to the rotary club: “We are so grateful for this cheque you have given us, and we really appreciate the fact that you have nominated us as your headline charity for the 2019 Tonbridge Half Marathon.

“We look forward to helping you on the day with marshalling and in whatever other ways we can to ensure a successful event.”

ROTOR MOTIVATION: (L-R) Tonbridge Rotary Club Past President Eddie Prescott, current President Sonia Williams, Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex’s Dr David Paradise, Rotary President-Elect Phil Higgins and pilot Kevin Goddard at Redhill Airport

loads of other activities. We’re really looking forward to the April sessions.”

There are two Forest Schools scheduled for the Easter holidays: Tuesday April 9, on Tunbridge Wells Common – follow the signage from Fir Tree car park; and Tuesday April 16 on Rusthall Common, with parking at Common View.

There will be an additional activity day during the summer half-term on Thursday May 30 in Tunbridge Wells.

Parents are requested to accompany their children and no dogs are allowed.

The Friends are keen to recruit parents to help organise similar events in the future on the Commons. For more information, email Lynne at: cajunbarn@outlook.com

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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National News

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15

Over 100 extra police in Kent each day to deal with Brexit UP TO 140 police officers a day could be drafted into Kent to deal with traffic chaos after Brexit.

They will help to manage the ‘complex’ travel arrangements including contraflow and reduced speed limits on the M20 under Operation Brock.

But officers could also be tasked with tackling any protests and disorder, according to Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Peter Ayling.

The force is thought to be the only one to be handed extra money by the Government to police Brexit as it is the most likely to be affected.

The Home Office has given Kent Police £4.3million so far, and more could be handed over in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

In Maidstone yesterday [Tuesday], Mr Ayling said: “We have been able to benefit from the mobilisation of additional officers into Kent so in the event we do exit from the EU up to 140 officers a day are likely to be brigaded into Kent from across the UK to help us manage what is a fairly complex traffic management plan.”

Mr Ayling, a member of the emergency planning group Kent Resilience Forum, which is preparing the county’s response to Brexit, said: “We

saw at the weekend Brexit has a fairly polarising effect on people and whatever side of the debate you’re on, it’s an emotive issue.

“We’re prepared that we can respond to any issues that emerge. So far we’ve not seen that move towards disorder, but if it were to do so we’ve got the resources, we’ve got the capability to be able to respond.

“I think one of the real challenges for us in Kent, it’s very difficult to predict exactly what it is we will have to deal with.

“I’m pretty confident we are not going to see opportunities for rises in crime.”

Around 10,000 lorries a day cross the Channel.

Operation Brock was introduced on Monday as an alternative to avoid closing the motorway to queue lorries under Operation Stack.

A back-up plan would see lorries queue on the M26, a 10-mile stretch of motorway that skirts the north of the borough of Tonbridge & Malling.

The decision has led to protests in the Commons from local MP Tom Tugendhat that Brock will cause access problems for local residents and businesses.

Awards for dogs that served in terror attacks POLICE dogs that responded to the London terror attacks in 2017 are to receive awards.

Seven dogs who are set to receive the PDSA Order of Merit attended the announcement at Borough Market, the site of one of the incidents.

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals award

is known as an ‘animals’ OBE’. Nineteen dogs served during the London attacks. PDSA vet Rosamund Ford said the awards are for ‘keeping the public safe’ and performing duties in ‘a highly charged and unfamiliar environment that no amount of training can fully prepare them for’.

TAIL OF HEROISM: The canine heroes with their handlers: (L-R) Marci with Neil Billany, Kai with Jean Pearce, Bruno with Rob Smith, Delta with Mark Snoxhall, PDSA vet Rosamund Ford, Dave with Andy Salter and Jax with Craig Howarth

Speedboat killer returns 120 years for ‘audacious’ to UK after extradition cocaine smuggling gang A JUDGE in Georgia ruled that Jack Shepherd, known as the ‘speedboat killer’, must be extradited to the UK where he will begin his prison sentence.

A court in Tbilisi approved Britain’s extradition request after Shepherd said he wishes to take part in an appeal against his conviction over the death of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown.

The pair had been on a first date when Shepherd’s speedboat overturned, fatally plunging Ms Brown into the icy water of the River Thames in London.

Shepherd fled his manslaughter trial at the Old Bailey, but the fugitive surrendered to authorities in Georgia six months after being found guilty in his absence.

The 31-year-old was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment but has been granted permission to appeal against the conviction.

He told the Tbilisi court that he made the ‘difficult decision’ to not contest extradition ‘because I wish to participate in the appeal process, to fight for my freedom and to be reunited with those I love, my family, my son’.

Shepherd will be returned to the Old Bailey before he is committed to prison.

FIVE men have been jailed for a total of 120 years after trying to import cocaine with a street value of over £100million into the UK hidden in a yacht.

The 1.4 tonnes of the Class A drug worth £112million was concealed in the SY Nomad, which was intercepted by the authorities off the Cornish coast in August last year.

UK nationals Nigel Clark, 64, and Dean Waters, 59, Estonian Richard Must, 49, Dutchman Raymond Dijkstra, 27, and Latvian Voldermars Gailis, 21, were all jailed at Bristol Crown Court for their roles in the conspiracy.

Clark and Waters were each jailed for 28 years, Must was given a 30-years sentence, Dijkstra 18 years and Gailis 16 years.

Passing sentence, Judge Martin Picton said the conspiracy was ‘an exercise in international drug smuggling of the highest order’.

“The planning of this crime was over a year in gestation,” he said. “It involved an investment of more than 800,000 euros to bring it to fruition.

“The only reason the principal offenders in this case – Nigel Clark, Dean Waters and Richard Must – expended so much time, energy and money in seeking to bring about this audacious plan was in the hope of securing simply enormous profits.”

AT THE READY: Kent Resilience Forum chiefs (l-r) John Kerner of Highways England Project Director; Assistant Chief Constable Peter Ayling, Brexit Coordinator Fiona Gaffney and Simon Jones, KCC Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste

16

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World News

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Purdue Pharma settles lawsuit with US state over opiate crisis

SHAKE ON IT: Xi Jinping meets European leaders

Europe and China meet to boost trade amid US concerns CHINA has agreed with France, Germany and the European Commission to seek fairer global trade rules and work together to face global economic and security challenges in an implicit response to the United States’ protectionist policies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, on a state visit to France, met President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Paris yesterday [Tuesday].

European nations are seeking to boost relations with China while also putting pressure over its business practices amid trade tensions between the US and both China and the European Union.

The four leaders spoke in a united voice to seek ‘mutual trust’. Mr Macron said they discussed the ‘friendship’ as well as ‘existing rivalries’ between the EU and China and agreed to seek a ‘trustbased partnership’.

“Our common will is to avoid ... new trade conflicts and isolationist policies”, he said in a joint statement following the meeting.

Mr Xi said reformed world governance rules should address global challenges like climate change, cybersecurity issues and migrant crisis.

THE maker of OxyContin has reached a settlement with the state of Oklahoma over the prescription painkiller’s role in the nation’s deadly opioid crisis.

The move will potentially open the floodgates for hundreds more lawsuits to be settled across the United States.

Purdue Pharma has made billions of dollars from OxyContin but has been hit with more than 1,000 lawsuits from state and local governments trying to hold the company responsible for an epidemic of addiction.

The move comes after the Sackler Trust, which has donated millions to science, healthcare, education and the arts, announced it was pausing all new funding.

It is run by the Sackler family, members of which control Purdue Pharma.

Prescription opioids like OxyContin were a factor in a record 48,000 deaths across the US in 2017, accord-

GRIEF AND ANGER Protesters outside Purdue Pharma’s HQ in Connecticut

ing to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Purdue Pharma has settled other lawsuits over the years, and three executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges in 2007.

A lawyer suing Purdue on behalf of local governments across the States welcomed the settlement.

“That suggests that Purdue is serious about trying to deal with the problem,” said Paul Hanly, who is not involved in the Oklahoma case but is representing scores of other governments.

“Hopefully, this is the first of many.”

Oklahoma sued 13 opioid manufacturers in all in 2017, accusing them of fraudulent marketing that led to thousands of overdoses and deaths.

The 12 remaining defendants still face trial.

It would be the first of the current round of lawsuits brought against the industry in the US to go to trial.

State officials have said that since 2009, more Oklahomans have died from opioids than in vehicle crashes.

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

British doctor missing after walking in Alps A BRITISH doctor is feared dead after he failed to return from a hike while on holiday in the French Alps.

Robert Bailey, 63, was last seen leaving for a walk in Les Houches, near Chamonix, on Friday.

The mountain rescue Gendarmerie at the ski resort have published a missing person’s notice which was shared on Twitter by the British Embassy.

Dr Bailey is a GP and senior partner at Minster Medical Practice in Peterborough.

No clock changes in EU THE European Parliament has approved a measure to abolish the twice-yearly time change in 2021.

But politicians have not yet decided on whether summer or winter time should be adopted as the standard since there are divisions within the EU as to which one should be chosen.

Many member states instituted the time change during the 1970s oil crisis as an attempt to save energy.

Kvitova attacker jailed A MAN has been convicted of stabbing two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in her Czech Republic home and sentenced to eight years in prison.

The regional court in the city of Brno ruled Radim Zondra caused Ms Kvitova serious bodily harm in December 2016 when he attacked her in her apartment in Prostejov.

Ms Kvitova, who reached the Australian Open final in January, is ranked at a career-high No 2.

18

BUSINESS

National News

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Mortgage approvals fall to lowest levels for six years BREXIT turmoil is showing signs of weighing down the mortgage market, as the number of loans approved to home buyers fell to its lowest levels in nearly six years last month.

In total, 35,299 mortgage approvals for house purchases were recorded in February – the lowest figure since April 2013, according to figures from UK Finance.

Housing market experts said it is ‘puzzling’ why approvals have managed to hold up for as long as they have.

The fall in approvals comes despite lenders offering some increasingly competitive deals in the last few weeks and

making particularly strong efforts to attract first-time buyers.

Several recent housing market surveys have pointed to potential buyers taking a ‘wait and see’ approach while political and economic uncertainties continue.

Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said the sharp fall in approvals ‘is almost entirely due to the recent jump in Brexit uncertainty’.

He said: “Surveys, such as the Rics [Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors] residential market survey, have pointed to a downturn in house-buyer demand since November, so the prior resilience of

Moss Bros feels pinch after full-year losses MOSS BROS has swung to a full-year loss after the menswear retailer was hit by stock shortages, extreme weather and heavy discounting.

The high street chain booked a £4.2million loss for the 52 weeks to January 26, which compares to a profit of £6.7million a year earlier.

Revenues were also down 2.1 per cent at £129million and like-for-like sales dropped 4.3 per cent as the hot summer and the World Cup also dented demand for suits.

Brian Brick, chief executive, described the year as ‘extremely challenging’, saying: “We suffered from a combination of a significant stock shortage and extremes of weather, alongside sporting distraction in the first half, which impacted footfall into our stores.”

Full-year figures show like-for-like hire sales fell 9.3 per cent but web sales jumped 19.6 per cent.

Uber picks up Careem to expand global profile UBER has acquired its Middle East competitor Careem for $3.1billion [£2.3billion], making it the largest-ever technology purchase in the region.

Uber said the deal consists of $1.7billion [£1.2 billion] in convertible notes and $1.4billion [£1billion] in cash.

The deal will make Careem a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber, operating as an independent company under the Careem brand and led by its original founders.

The Dubai-based firm is among the Middle East’s most successful start-ups. Careem is popular in part because passengers can pay by cash rather than only by credit card.

Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a statement the purchase expands the US-based company’s strength around the world.

approvals in January had been puzzling.

“We expect approvals to continue to fall over the coming months.”

He added: “Lending, however, should recover in the second half of this year, provided a no-deal Brexit is averted.

Wage growth has picked up and banks remain willing to lend.”

Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to EY ITEM Club, said the figures ‘point to the housing market currently being very much on the back foot’, taking mortgage approvals well below a 38,000 to 40,000 range that largely held through 2018.

He said the prospect of Brexit delays

‘Lending should recover in the second half of this year, provided a no-deal Brexit is averted. Wage growth has picked up and banks remain willing to lend’

Debenhams will consider offer by Sports Direct but seeks clear plan Direct said it was considering an offer outright to DEBENHAMS has said it will give any firm take over Debenhams as it said the chain’s takeover offer from Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct financing plans ‘would result in an adverse ‘due consideration’ but said it would continue outcome’ for existing shareholders. with emergency funding plans.

Sports Direct had earlier hit out at Debenhams Sports Direct said after market close on for rejecting an offer it had made to buy the Monday it was considering making an offer to chain’s Danish business, Magasin du Nord, for buy Debenhams to save the beleaguered £100million – one of several offers it has made department store chain. to put the department store chain on a more Debenhams said given the ‘timetable associsecure footing. ated with any public offer’, a bid from Sports It added its proposals are better than the Direct would not address its immediate ‘multiple insolvency processes’ Debenhams is financing needs. considering as it looks to restructure.

The struggling retailer confirmed Sports Direct As part of the plan, Mr Ashley, who owns just now has until 5pm on April 22 to announce a firm intention to make a bid or walk away, under under 30 per cent of Debenhams, would have installed himself as chief executive of the ailing City takeover rules. high street firm.

Debenhams shares rose more than 30 per cent Mr Ashley, who is Debenhams’ largest in morning trading, reaching a high of 2.2p shareholder, has been seeking control of the soon after opening, but Sports Direct stock fell group and had offered to lend it £150million or 2 per cent. buy its Danish subsidiary.

The group added any proposal from Sports Direct must provide an indication of the offer price, a clear plan of how Debenhams’ existing debt will be repaid and how it would address the chain’s immediate funding needs.

It also acknowledged a new request from Sports Direct on March 21 calling for a shareholder meeting.

In its announcement late on PRICE TAG: Debenhams shares rose 30 per cent after Sports Direct’s claim Monday, Sports

means further uncertainty is likely to weigh on the housing market.

“This has caused us to trim our forecast for house price growth over 2019 to just 1 per cent.

“This assumes that the UK does ultimately leave with a deal and that there is some reduction in uncertainty.”

Meanwhile, continuing a trend, people are still putting money into accounts where it can be easily accessed if needed.

UK Finance said personal deposits in total grew by 0.6 per cent in the year to February, with 2.7 per cent growth in deposits held in instant access accounts.

NEWS IN BRIEF

£4m for Aviva ex-boss even after pay halved AVIVA’S former chief exective Mark Wilson saw his pay package halve last year, but he will still receive £4million after resigning.

The insurer’s annual report showed Mr Wilson, who quit abruptly last October, was paid £2.2million for 2018, down from £4.3million in 2017 after missing out on lucrative long-term share bonuses.

Aviva confirmed all Mr Wilson’s outstanding long-term incentive scheme share awards lapsed on departure - seeing him lose out on shares worth potentially more than £7million.

Ferguson slows down PLUMBING supplier Ferguson has warned of slowing growth and said full-year profits will be at the lower end of market forecasts.

Shares slumped 9 per cent as the group, formerly known as Wolseley, said market conditions had seen revenue growth ease back since its first half.

It said it now expects organic sales to grow by between 3 per cent and 5 per cent over the second half – a marked slowdown on 6.5 per cent reported for the first half.

Trustcott swaps firms CREST NICHOLSON has poached the head of rival construction firm Galliford Try as it pursues a fresh strategy.

Peter Truscott will become chief executive following the end of his contract at Galliford in September.

He replaces longstanding CEO Patrick Bergin, who has agreed to step down with immediate effect after 13 years.

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

QUALITY STREET The diverse range of businesses in Camden Road

Camden Road: A spotlight on Tunbridge Wells’ bohemian heart IT MIGHT not be the most famous Camden in the country. That title surely goes to the London borough that is home to the eponymous market, but Tunbridge Wells’ Camden Road has an almost equally distinctive vibe.

As you stroll down past the traffic lights on Monson Road, the town centre begins to change.

The retail chains of Royal Victoria Place and the precinct are replaced by a more diverse range of businesses and premises.

Vape shops, bistros, quirky junk shops, tailors, tattooists, cycle shops, the local mosque, and a Victorian drinking fountain at the end of the road,

Camden Road boasts a true assortment of interesting places to visit.

In fact, one word seems most fitting to describe such diversity at this end of Tunbridge Wells: Bohemian.

“Yes, it is bohemian,” says Katharine Hook, who along with her husband Martin, runs Break-Away motorcycles, one of the road’s oldest businesses.

“Our shop has been here 30 years and in that time businesses have come and gone,” recalls Mrs Hook. “But there is still such a diverse range of places, it really is a great place to trade.”

“We love the fact it is quirky and there are so many independent businesses, there’s a fantastic community spirit”

ER’S DAY OPEN MOTH

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk And she is not the only one who thinks Camden Road is such a great place to do business.

“We love the fact it is quirky and there are so many independent businesses, a fantastic community spirit,” said Gerry Stevens, who for the last two and a half years has run the Vittle and Swig, a popular local restaurant and bar that hosts a range of events in the town, including a regular comedy night.

“Camden Road has a village atmosphere, people care about each other, often it’s difficult to actually get anything done because everyone is so friendly and wants to stop and have a chat,” continues Gerry.

“We love the diversity of the road you can get anything from a fishing rod, a tattoo, great food or even guns—that certainly says a lot about the area.”

She adds that since becoming Vittle and Swig over two years ago, she has met some ‘fantastic, fabulous and eccentric characters’.

“The joy of the bar means you really get to know people from all walks of life, we love the diversity of the people we meet,” she says.

Independent Others feel the same way about the Bohemian heart of Tunbridge Wells.

“When we were first setting up The Plant Base there was no other location we considered,” claims Geff Stone, from whole-food café, The Plant Base.

The Plant Base, which he describes as a ‘haven in which you can relax, safe in the knowledge that you’re doing good for your body and mind’, opened in February 2017.

“It was always going to be Camden Road.

We’ve always loved its independent nature and it’s a great feeling to now be a part of that,” he says.

One of the big attractions for Geff and his team is the comaraderie with other businesses on the road.

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“We’ve never felt any competition from our fellow Camden Roaders, we’re all happy to support each other. It’s a real community,” he states.

Their customers all have something in common too.

“There’s something special about Camden Road customers,” says Geff. “They love to support small independent businesses like us.

We have lots of regulars now who tell us how happy they are to find a place in Tunbridge Wells that focuses on plant-based, whole food.”

Everything has a story behind it on Camden Road.

“They love to support small independent businesses like us.

We have lots of regulars now ” The travel agent there, Go Scoble, came about through a mixture of tragedy and good fortune, as owner Chris Scoble explains: “In March 2016 my Mum passed away but from beyond the grave she had won £14,000 in the lottery. It gave me a trigger to think and start something new,” says Chris.

Father, Chris, who worked at Lloyd’s of London as an insurance broker, realised that he wanted to give his son more attention than he could manage working in the city.

“Travel was always something I loved and after speaking with Paul Harrison at the Travel franchise, my mind was made up. They offered me great support and resources to start my business resulting in the creation of Go Scoble,” he remembers.

He says the business has just created a new arm, focused on sport-related holidays.

“We can do any sporting event and can tailor it around your holiday. You can go to the big fight in Vegas which then goes alongside your tailormade holiday package,” Chris says.

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Letters

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at Runcie Court, Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0TG New theatre is already behind the times – especially for young people The proposed new theatre does not include any additional studios, workshop or meeting rooms, or a flexible floor space of the main auditorium, making it usable for other purposes, such as conventions, conferences or dances, whilst creating the ability to raise more income and hold a more diverse range of entertainment.

Theatre is not about sitting and watching musicals any more, it’s about engaging, educating and inspiring, bringing the community inside to take part, giving them opportunities to learn and participate, hosting small independent touring companies, providing space for intimate theatre as well as musical and symphonic concerts.

Young people are our future and I see nothing in the new plans that would inspire them to come.

Technical Theatre is one of the government’s

new educational T level subjects, but where is the space for our young people to come in and learn in a place that could be ideal to provide experience for all our local schools and colleges?

Where is the space for the smaller productions to perform? How can there be an educational programme when there is only one stage, which is proposed to be in constant use?

We as a town are not getting value for money.

A new theatre here would be fantastic, but it’s in the wrong place, the wrong size and with the wrong fit-out.

I would urge Mr Dudley, the inspector leading the CPO inquiry, to listen to the people of the town and think of the next generation, the young people who will inherit a white elephant and the debt that goes with it.

Kate Griffiths Via email

As a responsible householder and parent, do I look at the kids’ bare feet and brush this off with ‘there’s nothing in that pot, I’m afraid, I don’t manage the shoe fund’, whilst another pot is stuffed full of money for my fishing holiday, and another my investment plans?

Shiny new council offices, roads from a third world country, and county and borough argue over territorial responsibilities.

Ben Hardy Tunbridge Wells

Heritage offers town a way forward Regarding the Times’ We Believe in Tunbridge Wells campaign, belief in the town has been and always is a key factor for the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society.

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

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

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

These celebrate the town’s past, which is rich in social and cultural history, and has brought many visitors to the area over the years.

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

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

Brian Lippard Chairman Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society

New hub doesn’t need to have a name

NOT ENOUGH VARIETY? The new theatre

Don’t waste once-in-100-years chance

More active and effective councillors

I am really concerned about the new theatre and council office development proposals. I agree that the old ones need to be replaced. But is this the right solution?

Could we pause and look again at creating an exciting Civic Centre with a beautiful town square, library, museum, tourist office and adult education centre with restaurants and lovely spaces in which to meet? But in the centre of the town (on the current site) as a focal point instead of down a back alley?

In my view this is a once-in-100-years opportunity to do something amazing for Tunbridge Wells that will have a huge impact on whether the town thrives in the future.

Problems include: The shopping centre is dying; there are several empty sites or large premises in the town, and Hoopers is threatening to add to the number; and we have an out-dated theatre and civic complex.

Does building a new theatre down a back street, encroaching on a beautiful park, solve these problems?

We need to rethink the town centre and ensure that local people will spend their money here so that shops and restaurants can thrive.

We also need tourists to visit and want to return. Tunbridge Wells has such a fabulous history – can we build on that to give it a great future, too?

So please, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, pause and spend time in face-to-face consultation with your inhabitants, many of whom are talented business people, architects, planners and artists, so that together we can make this a wonderful town again.

Pauline Joyce Speldhurst

The recent failings of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council have shown the need for effective councillors who put the interests of Tonbridge first.

A more effective scrutiny of the Cabinet’s decisions is needed if we are to prevent a cashstrapped council from ruthlessly stripping the town of its assets.

However, sadly, the unfair first-past-the-post system means that it is very hard to oust Tory councillors.

In view of this, in the forthcoming May elections it is essential that the Labour, Liberal and Green parties work together to ensure that the anti-Tory vote is not split.

A more varied and active set of councillors would greatly help to address the unfortunate democratic deficit that currently exists in the borough.

Robert Oliver Via email

Repairs must not be a road to nowhere Reading Cllr [David] Jukes’ article [February 27] there are many, I’m sure, who would not have his job for all the tea in China – the Leader of the council tells a good tale of trying to square the circle, trying to make ends meet.

However, and this is from this side of the fence, he says that roads and drainage are nothing to do with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, but as taxpayers we don’t care who’s responsible.

What these competing bodies with all their elaborate and expensive infrastructures and bureaucracies don’t get is we pay taxes; we don’t care how it’s divvied up, who gets what.

We look at what needs to be done and ask why isn’t it being done?

With reference to the library, museum, art gallery, etc [March 13], does it need a title?

It has survived over the years without.

Surely it should have been named after Lord North, who put the town on the map in the first place, if it needs a title at all?

John Russell Via email

Calverley

Observations on life and more important things

KINDLY new neighbours invited Mr and Mrs C round for supper (that’s a bit posher than dinner, you know). Anyway, they have a labrador, and as coats were handed to staff the host warned: “Whatever you do, please do not make eye contact with the dog. If you do he will pee.” Have you any idea how hard it is not to glance towards a dog sniffing round your feet? After an hour, Calverley just could not resist staring into those eyes. The host was right. More than a little right.

HARD to avoid the ‘B’ word, although there were some lighter moments recently.

Calverley ended up chatting to a group of young people who were just old enough to vote in the referendum. Naturally, they all voted the wrong way – remain. When Calverley (who admits to being older) pressed them on their error, one of them looked Him in the eye and declared: “The younger generation voted to remain because it’s more relevant to us as we have the rest of our lives ahead of us, while you lot (the leavers) are not going to last much longer.” Oh, the cruelty of youth.

[Ed Note: Calverley’s views do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper.]

Getting legal help on medical issues The Times had legal advice concerning medical matters from a firm of solicitors on March 6.

The article did not mention another avenue for seeking better treatment or making a complaint: The Patient Advice and Liaison service [PALS].

This is an independent service which can liaise between patients and medical services, and there are offices in all major hospitals.

They have the ear of senior medical staff and, in my experience as an advocate for the treatment of family members, their representation achieves results and, in many cases, improved and appropriate treatment.

Jane Heydecker Via email

Take a leaflet out of your own book Like your correspondent last week, I received one of Cllr Tracy Moore’s glossy leaflets where she preens herself on private investors’ ventures: ‘13 pence per copy’, she chirrups sweetly of its cost [March 6].

If it was so little, councillor, did you consider footing the bill yourself?

I then read the whole thing again in Local, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s puff piece, which I also paid for.

Clearly this council has money to burn – and it’s mine.

I had already read about all of this in the Times of Tunbridge Wells – a freebie.

Mike Pearson Tunbridge Wells

PEOPLE never cease to disappoint. On an easyJet flight when the trolley came down the aisle, the chap next to the window asked for one of those tiny bottles of red wine. He handed over the money and was given change. All of this passed in front of Calverley’s eyes as the trolley went along the seats. Five minutes later, the passenger called the crew member back and said: “I gave you a £20 note, you gave me change for £10.” The crew member apologised and handed him £10. It was not a £20 note he paid with, it was a £10 note. Calverley drew the chap’s attention to the mistake and after some ‘discussion’ the man returned the £10.

It was a bit turbulent for a while.

TO the DIY shop to buy lightbulbs for the outdoor lights. (No, not the ones on the tennis courts). Being LED long-lasting things, they cost almost £6 each and came with a two-year guarantee. Here’s the question: How many people make a claim if the bulbs fade and die before two years? Calverley would love to hear.

Chin Chin, dear reader

We do our best to publish letters in full. However, the Editor reserves the right to edit any letter. Please ensure that letters do not exceed 250 words

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Education

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EDUCATION Times

Full steam ahead for young STEM teams Despite being the youngest competitors, students from Years 8 and 9 at Beacon Academy won the Mid Sussex STEM Challenge at the South of England Showground at Ardingly

Following months of hard work and youngest competitors, the Year 8 and 9 preparation, Beacon Academy Science Beacon Academy students impressed Technology Engineering and Maths the judges with their calm, professional (STEM) club students are celebrating and confident presentation for Zeus their success at the Mid Sussex STEM Drones Ltd, a drone service to help Drone Challenge Competition which farmers manage their livestock. was held at the South of England Showground at Ardingly on Friday Challenging March 15.

The challenge set was to build a During the competition, students combusiness case in order to bring a drone pleted four challenging tasks, which to market for commercial use within a included demonstrating the capabilities set budget of £500. The drone had to be capable of flying for a minimum of 15 minutes and transmit video footage from a range of 500 metres. Each member of the team had a role to play, and the students were required to demonstrate their project management and presentation skills at a Dragon’s Den-style competition. Judges were made up of various experts including engineering and medical employers, and members of Engineering UK and STEM Sussex. As well as judging on the day they helped to monitor and support the students during the six months of preparation leading up to the event at Ardingly.

WINNING WAYS: The STEM team from Beacon Academy Despite being the

of their drone in flight.

Beacon Academy’s STEM Club leader and Science Teacher, Dr Leaney, congratulated all the students, commenting: “This was a fantastic achievement and was richly deserved by a group of truly wonderful students. They have worked hard, overcome a plethora of problems and stayed focused over the past six months and I am so, so proud of every one of them.”

IN OTHER STEM NEWS…

STEM pupils at Claremont School in Bodiam also celebrated British Science Week 2019 with a number of educational event at a special interactive Science Fair.

Pupils researched, built and presented their own science experiments and also showcased a number of diverse and sometimes explosive demonstrations. The children were able to create chemical reactions and volcanic eruptions as well as explain how people dream and answer various questions relating to a number of areas in the science world.

“There were numerous opportunities for pupils to roll up their sleeves and ‘experience

science’ first hand,” a Claremont spokesperson told The Times.

“Visitors were left wide-eyed and full of wonder as they dabbled in magnetic forces, changed water into gas, used dough to light a bulb and watched water ‘walk’.

The final frontier was represented with explanations of UFO sightings and suggestions for what Space will look like in a million years’ time.”

Head of Science at Claremont Celia Ackerley added: “When children have the freedom to decide what and how they want to connect with science, amazing things can happen. That is what Science Week at Claremont is all about.”

Highlighting the important issue of teaching our pupils conservation in the classroom

The ‘rhino whisperer’ James Mwenda is paying a visit to Hayesbrook School in Tonbridge in order to mark the first anniversary since the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino. The Times finds out more…

Sudan became a global superstar and Mr Students at Hayesbrook School are welcoming Mwenda will share stories with the students of the conservationist James Mwenda tomorrow what it was like to look after such a famous rhino, (Thursday March 28). how he helped nurse him in his dying This is the first time Mr Mwenda will days and will also discuss the visit the UK and it will also mark the Mr Mwenda will importance of teaching conservation first anniversary of the last male northern white rhino named Sudan’s tell students to young students.

“I made a promise to Sudan and I death. His visit to Hayesbrook School will happen ahead of him speaking at about his work now have a platform to represent the Rhinos Road to Recovery event on at the Ol Pejeta him,” said Mr Mwenda ahead of his “I’m looking forward to the April 4 at the Royal Geographical Conservancy visit. people I meet so I can share the story Society in London. rhino unit in of my friend. I hope the story of the Mr Mwenda will tell students about northern white rhino will inspire his work at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy East Africa people to do more and realise that we rhino unit in East Africa where he first where he first do not have much time left. The time is met Sudan in 2015. Sudan was one now to save endangered species and of four northern white rhinos moved met Sudan ensure their future is granted through to Kenya in 2009 from a zoo in the our actions and commitment.” former Czechoslovakia. When, Suni, For more information on James and Sudan visit the other male died of natural causes in 2014, the Helping Rhinos website: Sudan was the last male northern white rhino left www.helpingrhinos.org in the world.

HELPING HAND James Mwenda is the ‘rhino whisperer’

Extension plans confirmed for two schools Planning permission has been granted for the expansion of both St Gregory’s Catholic School and Tunbridge Wells Boys’ Grammar School.

Although both projects are separate they will be undertaken by the same

contractor, yet to be named, and work is believed to begin in the summer.

According to a spokesperson for St Gregory’s the reason the same contractor will be appointed for both jobs is to ‘deliver not only economies of

scale but also co-operation with the works.’

“We anticipate work to start on site at the end of this academic year, during the school holidays, with completion in September 2020.”

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Weekly Comment

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Tom Tugendhat MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Tom Tugendhat, MBE, left the British Army in July 2013 after a career in which he served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff. As a Territorial Army officer, he worked on everything from those ops to establishing the Armed Forces Muslim Association, and also worked for the Foreign Office. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2015, and was elected Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee in July 2017.

We need to deliver on leaving the European Union I try to use this column to let you know what I am doing for our community. Most often, these are the local matters which we all care about.

Whether it’s housing, broadband, improved school funding or better bus services, we have a number of issues to tackle. But understandably, one issue has been topping my inbox in recent weeks.

Since the vote to leave the European Union was held in 2016 there has been a great deal of debate about how we make this happen. Both locally here in Tonbridge, and across the country, there was a narrow vote in favour of leaving. Though I supported remaining, I know why many wanted to leave. For decades the EU has been seen as a distant, unaccountable organisation, and for this reason I can understand why many wanted to leave.

The instruction from the referendum was clear.

And since then I have not once voted to frustrate this process, delay the outcome or to remain in the European Union. The issues Westminster is debating this week are on how to deliver on the referendum result from 2016. They are not, and should not be, about reversing it.

But that doesn’t mean the questions before us are simple. The result of the referendum and the consequences can be interpreted in many ways.

For me, we need to deliver on leaving the European Union but we also need to recognise the geographical proximity that makes it essential for our economy that we continue to have a good working relationship. That’s why agreeing a deal is the best outcome. The one negotiated by the Prime Minister takes us out of the political union, ends the payments, stops free movement and ends our membership of the EU, but it does so while keeping our trade flowing. That’s delivering the referendum result from 2016.

Departure Of course, it’s only a transition deal, which means if accepted we would still need to negotiate our future relationship over the next couple of years. It’s not the end, and merely lays down the terms of our departure, but it fulfils our responsibility to deliver the referendum. That’s why I was happy to support it.

You have an advantage over me. I am writing this article at the beginning of a week that will have seen many votes and perhaps some changes to our position. So, as you read this please understand that I didn’t know what you know now and in these extraordinary times, I couldn’t have predicted whatever has happened!

OPERATION BROCK In the event of a No Deal, the M26 could turn into a lorry park.

Even so, there are a few things that I already know. The behaviour of many MPs over the past few weeks has been below the level that we would expect. Scores of meaningless votes ruling out options, but failing to agree on a way forward has seen trust in Parliament plummet. I share your despair.

When casting votes in Parliament this week, I’ll be doing what I always have, and considering the implications for our communities very seriously.

I am your representative and it’s not my job to

risk with your jobs and lifestyles. That’s why I’ve stood up against the Operation Brock plans in the event of a no deal which would turn the M26 into a lorry park, threatening the viability of villages along the A25. It reinforces my view that a deal is so important, and any delay or a no deal outcome could pose issues for both the country, and our immediate community.

I appreciate events might have changed matters by the time you read this, but I’m conscious of the impact this decision will have on so many people.

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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Best property buys for...

Nepeta

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

£3,250,000

The OUTLOOK…

Ashgrove Road, Sevenoaks

Guide price

CONTACT • Savills, Sevenoaks • 01732 789700 • savills.co.uk One to make you blink! An amazing Huf Haus built in 2012 and lying amid exceptional landscaped gardens with a swimming pool, to boot. The location is also out of this world, amid the woodland on the south of the town.

For lovers of magnificent modern, this has to be ultimate dream – and it has already grabbed national attention, so move fast!

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

n Reception hall n Sitting room with views over garden n Impressive dining room with double height vaulted ceiling and access to balcony, which stretches around the house n Family room with access to garden n Stylish kitchen/breakfast room with access to balcony n Ground floor bedroom and shower room n Master suite with vaulted ceiling, balcony and dressing room n 2 further bedrooms with mezzanines and balconies n Garden level annexe with 2 bedrooms (one en suite) and balcony n Gardens landscaped into separate areas, with timber gazebo, sunken trampoline, hot tub area, vegetable garden and greenhouse n Swimming pool and pool house/home office n Drive with electric gate and parking n Total plot about 0.43 of an acre

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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The PRICE…

The STREAM…

Brickyard Cottage

Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge

£335,000 CONTACT • Barnes Kingsnorth, Tonbridge • 01732 771616 • bkestateagents.com A charming cottage that was refurbished around three years ago.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

■ Stylish 21ft sitting/dining room with a multi-fuel stove and also an open fireplace ■ Kitchen ■ 2 double bedrooms ■ Spacious contemporary bathroom ■ Parking for one car ■ Low-maintenance garden with workshop

Upper Cumberland Walk

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Tunbridge Wells

Price range

£2,250,000£2,500,000 CONTACT • Fine & Country, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 701900 • fineandcountry.com

Calverley Park Crescent

A highly desirable home in one of the town’s most prestigious locations, a beautiful private walk behind the Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club and Nevill Cricket ground – as if you needed any more reasons to give it a sporting chance…

Price range

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

■ Drawing room including fireplace with wood-burning stove ■ Dining room/study ■ Open-plan kitchen/breakfast/family room on two levels with gas-fired Aga, high ceilings and three pairs of French doors to garden ■ Master bedroom with dressing room, en suite and French doors to roof terrace ■ 6 further bedrooms, two en suite ■ Garden including stream with bridge to private woodland beyond and around 3 acres of community woodland ■ Driveway and large detached garage ■ Just a few minutes’ walk to the town, and three-quarters of a mile to the station

Tunbridge Wells

£775,000-£795,000 CONTACT • Bracketts, Tunbridge Wells • 01892 533733 • bracketts.co.uk Priced for modernisation is this elegant Grade II*-listed house in a Decimus Burton crescent.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

■ Ground floor reception room ■ Kitchen with marble worktops ■ Lower ground floor including bedroom and en-suite with Victorian roll-top cast iron bath ■ Principal reception room with French doors opening to private first floor terrace ■ 2 further bedrooms plus a nursery/study ■ Communal gardens ■ Parking in the private crescent

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Wybourne Rise TN2 Open day: Saturday 30th March from 11am-1pm.

Viewings by appointment only.

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

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Your local expert, Ross Davies, looks forward to helping you. ross.davies@knightfrank.com 01892 310997

Guide price £1,450,000 Freehold

Glenmore Park TN2 A spacious family home in this sought after location just off Broadwater Down.

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Well proportioned rooms South-facing secluded garden Detached double garage and parking Approximately 1.2 miles to mainline station

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Your local expert, Ross Davies, looks forward to helping you. ross.davies@knightfrank.com

Guide price £1,000,000 Freehold

01892 310997

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

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

A beautifully presented Grade II listed country house.

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Framfield TN22 This country house offers well-balanced family space and excellent ancillary accommodation in a rural position on the edge of the village.

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Two self-contained annexes Swimming pool and pool house Stabling and paddock Approximately 0.5 miles to village

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

Guide price

£1,800,000 knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

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

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

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Julia Robotham and Simon Biddulph, look forward to helping you.

Julia Robotham 020 7861 5390 Simon Biddulph 01892 310997

Guide price £1,995,000 Freehold

Wadhurst TN5 An immaculate spacious country house perfect for family living and entertaining.

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In all approximately 5,795 sq ft Equestrian facilities Outbuildings Set in approximately 13 acres

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Edward Rook and Simon Biddulph, look forward to helping you.

Edward Rook 020 7861 5115 Simon Biddulph 01892 310997

Guide price £2,500,000 Freehold

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

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

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Tenterden TN30 An elegant Georgian style country house with the benefit of a self-contained annexe with its own entrance.

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Well proportioned and light reception rooms With approximately 3.5 acres of grounds Excellent transport links Approximately 1.5 miles to Tenterden

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3.5 acres

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

Guide price £1,350,000 Freehold

Rushlake Green TN21 A Grade II listed medieval family home in a rural setting with an annexe.

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A peaceful setting Period features Exposed beams Detached self-contained annexe

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1.38 acres

Your local expert, Mark Yelverton, looks forward to helping you. mark.yelverton@knightfrank.com

Guide price £950,000 Freehold

01892 310997

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

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

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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New Homes

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Property Focus

NEW HOMES

It’s the best time to spring into a designer new build Windsor Meadow is a charming Kent countryside collection of semi-detached and detached 3, 4 and 5-bedroom homes catering to a range of buyers.

Award-winning Millwood Homes are renowned for their stylish designer properties, and they have recently opened a white-weather-boarded show home to kick-off their spring campaign. With the village’s great commuter links, it’s well worth a visit. The show home is open daily between 11am and 5pm.

Windsor Meadow Plain Road, Marden

£495,000 SHOW HOME £699,000 PRICES FROM

CONTACT • Millwood Designer Homes • 01622 832576 • millwoodedsignerhomes.co.uk

SHOW HOME:

The Wingham

• Link-attached home including furniture, window dressings, flooring, light fittings and fixtures • Open-plan kitchen/family room with French doors and utility room • Separate living room with traditional brick fireplace and wood-burning stove, plus French doors to garden • Separate dining room • Master bedroom with en suite • 3 further bedrooms • Double garage GENERAL • High quality specification • Kitchens featuring integrated appliances, some with quartz worktops • Bathrooms finished with stylish white sanitary-ware • Help to Buy available on selected homes

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Transformations

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After

This week we interviewed Lee Pacey about his business and what he thinks makes it stand out.

Could you start by telling us a little about yourself?

I was born and bred in Royal Tunbridge Wells, a pupil at both Sherwood park and then Tunbridge Wells boys grammar school. I have always had great enthusiasm for everything I’ve done, be it restoration of classic Italian scooters, music collecting. I also have a passion for Dj-ing, playing mainly Motown northern soul and disco.

Finally, what are your aims for 2019?

I’m looking forward to the exciting new range of Homeware we will be introducing into the shop in the coming months.

Before

When did you start Chests and Drawers?

I started up-cycling furniture at 102 London Road, Southborough , Kent, in 2011.

What would you say are the challenges of running your business in the difficult retail climate, do you feel the pressure to trade online?

The business has grown from strength to strength from since we opened. I don’t think we feel the pressure because we offer something you cannot get online. In 2013 I added a joinery to make high quality bespoke furniture for my clients and to offer brand new stock in a choice of colours.

Then came the on- site preparation room and spray booth, an association with Farrow and Ball and the start of kitchen unit painting.

What would you say makes Chests and Drawers a unique and successful company?

Chests and Drawers now, as well as offering a fully stocked shop, offers a bespoke painting service for any furniture and kitchen units in a colour of choice to the highest possible standard.

Our expertise and pride in what we do makes us different.

Chests and Drawers, 102 London Road, Southborough, Kent TN4 0PW 01892 458021 www.chestsanddrawers.co.uk

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

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

Hollie rises to the occasion

The star baker on her move to The Pantiles and the perfect recipe for Mother’s Day

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MARK THOMAS WILL SEE YOU NOW

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A ROARING SUCCESS

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MAKE A DATE WITH COLLABRO

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A TRIUMPH FOR TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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

delivering a serious diagnosis of the state of the NHS at 70 Activist, comedian and writer Mark Thomas performs his latest offering, Check Up – Our NHS at 70 – at Trinity Theatre this Friday. Eileen Leahy spoke to the political satirist about why he chose the NHS to form the basis of his new show…

PHOTOS: Steve Ullathorn

S OPEN WIDE… And prepare for Mark Thomas’s treatment of shock and laughter

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Meet the comedian

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OME comedians make a living out of self-deprecating stand-up routines, while others go down the more surreal comedy highway. But it’s fair to say that Mark Thomas is somewhat different to anyone else you’ll find on the circuit.

He may be a veteran of the scene, having been around for over three decades, but unlike those who just turn up and tell jokes, Mark Thomas’s material has always been a mix of comedy spiked through with honest reportage and political discourse.

His last tour, Showtime From the Frontline, for example, saw him appearing alongside two Palestinian comics re-enacting their time setting up a comedy club in the Palestinian city

Jenin. While for 2013’s 100 Acts of Minor Dissent, Mark gave himself one year to commit just that – and if he failed he pledged to donate £1,000 to UKIP as his forfeit.

Birthday Needless to say, Mark’s latest show, Check Up: Our NHS at 70, is certainly just as politically engaging and multi-faceted.

The premise behind it, however, is simple: The NHS celebrated its 70th birthday at the same time Mark turned 54, and at that time the average life expectancy was deemed to be 84. This got Mark thinking; when he turns 84 the NHS will be 100 years old, so what will they both look like by then?

To answer this question,

Mark decided to undertake a month’s residency with Imperial College Healthcare, a West London NHS Trust, where he was granted access all areas to everyone – from patients to leading consultants – in order to diagnose the current state of affairs at the NHS. “I always say what I do is not stand-up,” he tells me.

“It’s my stuff. I go off, have an adventure, and then tell the story. So, there’s theatre, journalism, performance and a bit of stand-up. What I love is being able to learn how to tell stories to others.”

Mark says, essentially, Check Up’s story centres around the month he spent in four different hospitals, where he shadowed and interviewed a cross-section of people.

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

“I can only describe the experience as gobsmacking and a really intense journey,” he says.

“One minute you’re talking to a 35-year-old overweight guy about to have gastric surgery, then the next minute you’re in your scrubs about to watch someone going under the knife, and the surgeons are arguing about the music they want to play during the operation!”

During that month Mark says that he saw ‘all aspects’ of the NHS, but how did he manage to gain such privileged access?

“Well I’ve done this for 33 years, and I guess people trust me. But if you’re a politician – beware!

“Also, the show is directed by

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and asked me at the beginning: ‘When do I get a script?’ I laughed and said ‘Never’! He’s definitely the ying to my yang.

“I said to him once: ‘We need to contact the Chief Medical Officer’, and my idea of doing this was to hang around waiting for them – possibly disguised as a plant pot – but Nick said: ‘No, we’ll write a letter first’.

“We do argue and shout, but we also laugh a lot, too.”

Unlike other comedians who like to enhance their material somewhat,

‘Every day I spent over that month was shocking or enlightening in equal measure. And unless you sort out all aspects of the NHS you’ll always have ill health walking through your door’ Nick Kent, the former director of the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, London, who was also responsible for The Colour of Justice, which is about the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. So people know and trust Nick, and know that he and I will reflect accurately what’s happening.

“He’s exceptionally meticulous

Mark insists that what he recounts on stage during Check Up is totally authentic.

“If you start rewriting what happened, you do an incredible disservice to those you have talked to,” he says.

Check Up is a mixture of revelations of what Mark saw

AND ON THE SERIOUS SIDE… Mark issues some telling political warnings

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and heard during his time with the Imperial Group, as well as his trademark political commentary.

One of the show’s key topics, he says, is that of health inequality.

“Professor Michael Marmot is a global leading epidemiologist and his report on health inequalities shows that the poorer you are the more likely you are to die younger and suffer ill health for longer.

“Factors such as housing, literacy, jobs – or the lack of all these – contribute to your health. I mean, his stuff is shocking.

“In every single one of these areas, local government has a significant role to play in working with the NHS to improve health.

“Every day I spent over that month was shocking or enlightening in equal measure.

And unless you sort out all aspects of the NHS you’ll always have ill health walking through your door.”

Mark adds that when people come to see Check Up in Tunbridge Wells this Friday at Trinity Theatre, he wants them to feel ‘shock and awe in equal measure’.

“The NHS for me is socialism in

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action; you give to those who need it the most from each, according to their means. It’s the institution all of us will need at some point in our life. But what we have to realise as a public is that unless we fight for the NHS we’ll lose it.”

Emotional But politics aside, what were the most memorable and empathetic moments for Mark during his month-long residency with the NHS? “For me, the thing that I loved was the dementia nurses. I was blown away by how emotional the care is. It was just tiny things like one lady who used to say: ‘I can’t have my dinner without a glass of red wine’. Now obviously you can’t go round giving out Beaujolais to patients, but what the nurses did – out of their own money – was they bought non-alchoholic wine and served it up to her.

“It’s going that extra mile and creating a better quality of care.”

As we wrap up our conversation, I ask Mark, who has performed at Trinity Theatre on a number of occasions, what he likes about the venue: “There’s lots to like about it, but given that I come from a whole family of preachers – my sister’s a vicar – performing at this old church does actually feel like coming home to family.”

Mark Thomas performs Check Up: The NHS at 70 at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, this Friday, March 29, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £17 from trinitytheatre.net

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Going Out

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goingout 7 days of activities

By Joshua Walford

Aid 2016, Collabro and special guest Kerry Ellis will be at the Assembly Hall Theatre this week.

Since winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2014, the musical theatre group have released a No. 1 album called ‘Stars’, as well as ‘Act Two’, which peaked at No. 2 in the charts in the summer of 2015. Tickets cost £22.25 for standard admission.

To book, visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

PURE VINTAGE Find all kinds of gems at the fair

TUESDAY

The Colour of Spring exhibition continues at The Fairfax Gallery in The Pantiles until the end of April, showing contemporary paintings and sculptures on both floors. If you are interested in art, then this exhibition boasts uplifting and colourful seasonal work from 12 established artists, including Adrian Parnell, who studied at two of London’s most prestigious art colleges in

the 1970s. The gallery is open seven days a week (subject to special events) and is free to enter.

Opening times vary, so please check them at fairfaxgallery.com

TOP TALENT Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro are at the Assembly Hall

THE COLOUR OF SPRING See Adrian Parnell’s works along with many others at The Fairfax Gallery

WEDNESDAY To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the real World War II escape, the classic film The Great Escape is showing at 1.30pm at The Picture House in Uckfield. Enjoy John Sturges’ dramatisation of the true story of a group of allied soldiers who tunnelled out of a German prisoner of war camp in 1944. The cast includes Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough and James Garner. Cream tea will be served, if this isn’t already British enough. To book, go to www.picturehouseuckfield.com

THE GREAT ESCAPE See the film to mark the 75th anniversary of the real escape

THURSDAY Take a trip to Trinity Theatre to enjoy a brilliant staging of The Odyssey.. Sing, O Muse, of the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons and their hilarious new verse adaption of the most epic journey of all time. Stranded war hero Odysseus must struggle against the odds to get home to his wife; but can he battle his way through grumpy gods, naughty nymphs, monocular monsters and over a hundred sleazy suitors? The show starts at 8pm and standard tickets cost £19.

Book at trinitytheatre.net

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

A Vintage Fair is on at King Charles The Martyr Hall in Warwick Park. The event has a lot to offer with stalls full of beautiful vintage fashion from the 1290s all the way through to the 1980s. This includes antique jewellery, hats, handbags, period-home ware, original records, menswear and small furniture. Stallholders have been carefully selected from the South East and London. Entry costs £1 and under 16s can get in for free. For more information, email: ruthjvintage@gmail.com St Dunstan’s Church, Mayfield, is holding the last in its series of Young and Talented Organ Recitals. This recital will feature two young organists, Alexander Trigg and Lucia Svecova.

Tickets are £10 at the door or you can acquire them from Burnetts Estate Agents, which is opposite the venue. For more information, call 01435 873484.

It’s that time of the month when local produce, artisanal crafts and designer clothes can be found at The Pantiles Market. Guest traders, seasonal themes and a changing range of goods make sure you’ll always find something new.

The market starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. If you are interested in pitching your own stall, or for any other enquiries, you can email: markets@ thepantilesevents.com

SUNDAY Treat your mother to something special this Mother’s Day and take a trip to The Spa Hotel. There is plenty going on, you can spoil her with a delicious three-course meal plus coffee for £35. Alternatively, enjoy a delightful afternoon tea for just £26. If you’re feeling fancy, upgrade to a champagne afternoon tea for an extra £10. And if you think she deserves a spot of pampering, too, then treat her to a Spa gift voucher for a day of unwinding at with a luxurious treatment.

For more information visit spahotel.co.uk

Enjoy good music and delicious food with a Michael Bublé Tribute show at the Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel in Pembury. The dinner-dance comes with tribute performer Marc Dillon singing favourite songs from Michael Bublé and the swing era to get you up and dancing. So why not take your mum as an early Mother’s Day present? The price includes a three-course meal, followed by the tribute show and then WHAT AN ODYSSEY! a disco until midnight. Tickets Join The Pantaloons’ fun start at £32 and can be booked journey at Trinity Theatre at mercuretunbridgewells.co.uk

MONDAY Having performed in front of seven million people at Soccer

PICK OF THE WEEK:

Bewl’s Big Dog Day Out Bewl Water, Lamberhurst Saturday March 30, 10am to 4pm

If your dog is not a big fan of Michael Bublé or Greek mythology, then take it to Bewl’s Big Dog Day Out. This event is designed to be fun for the whole family, especially for your fourlegged friends.

Activities include: A treasure trail, a dog agility course, face painting, dog grooming and a professional photographer on hand to capture you and your beloved pooch.

The event is free to enter, but as an extra you can pay £3 for a ferry trip across the reservoir.

There are also stalls, mini golf sessions and experts in dog nutrition and training to advise you, and refreshments available at the Waterfront Café. Parking for the day costs £4.

For more information, visit bewlwater.co.uk

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7. Websites pdag.co.uk & thegreylady.co.uk Wednesday Rob Picazo, Aaric Snook, Shep!

Friday Salsa Dance Night Saturday Dave Ital & Friends

live music With Paul Dunton

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ONIGHT [Wednesday] sees popular local acts Rob Picazo, Aaric Snook and Shep at the Grey Lady. And The Forum host a rocking night with the superb Ladybird headlining and excellent support from Witch Fever and Guru.

The AVP Open Mic night returns to The Bedford pub this Thursday night (all levels and ages welcome).

Friday night has some fantastic live shows on offer, including The Andy White Duo at The Nelson Arms in Tonbridge and Sue Rivers Jazz Trio at The Spa Hotel.

Saturday night sees plenty of great local acts in action, with Matt

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

Bridle at The Beau Nash Tavern, The Patinas at The Royal Oak pub, Dave Ital & Friends at The Grey Lady, and Live In The Living Room at The Bedford. Fans of classical music can enjoy the Tonbridge Philharmonic Society and the Evangelische Kantorei Heusenstamm at the Chapel of St Augustine at Tonbridge School, performing ‘Ein deutsches Requiem’ by Brahms.

Looking ahead to next week, I highly recommend Will Finn & Rosie Calvert at The Tonbridge Folk Club on Monday night and Footdown on Tuesday evening at The Punch & Judy in Tonbridge.

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM The Common Event information at twforum.co.uk Wednesday Lady Bird, Witch Fever, Guru Friday Dream State, Parting Gift, Eight Days Saturday The Neville Staple Band, The Sweeney Sunday Sing Out For Autism Charity Event : The Cockroachs, The Breretons, TWUNTS THE BEDFORD PUB 2 High Street Free entry, music from 8.30pm. More information at thebedfordtw.co.uk Wednesday Live Music & Art Exhibition: Music from Ryan Weeks, Will B, Harry Barden Thursday AVP Open Mic Night in aid of the Jay Harmer Foundation Saturday Live In The Living Room Presents: Saturday Night Music Club MUSICSTATION Bank Street, Tonbridge To book, call 01732 350629 Thursday & Friday 8pm-9.30pm Play it Again at MusicStation: Adult band workshop, all levels welcome. Booking essential.

THE BEAU NASH TAVERN Mount Ephraim Free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Friday Soul Night Saturday Matt Bridle

Going Out

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The Patinas

THE SPA HOTEL Mount Ephraim Free entry, music from 8pm-10pm Friday Sue Rivers (Zagotas Bar)

Evangelische Kantorei Heusenstamm Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem, Soloists: Rhian Lois (soprano) Jonathan McGovern (baritone)

NELSON ARMS Cromer Street, Tonbridge Free entry, music from 8pm Friday Andy White Duo

THE STAG THEATRE Sevenoaks Tickets available at stagsevenoaks.co.uk Sunday Dance at The Plaza with The Jean Bentley Jazz Vintage Dance Orchestra

THE ROYAL OAK PUB Prospect Road Free entry, music from 8.30pm till late Saturday The Patinas CHAPEL OF ST AUGUSTINE Tonbridge School Saturday 7.30pm Tonbridge Philharmonic Society joined by Matt Bridle

VERDIGRIS Tonbridge High Street Music from 6pm, verdigris-tonbridge.com Sunday Daren Francis THE GEORGE PUB Mount Ephraim Free entry, music from 8pm Monday TWUNTS: Ukulele Jam Session ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Crescent Road Tickets from assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Monday Collabro TONBRIDGE FOLK CLUB Flying Dutchman, Hildenborough Music from 8pm, tonbridgefolkclub.org Monday Will Finn & Rosie Calvert THE PUNCH & JUDY St Stephens Road, Tonbridge Free entry, music from 8pm Tuesday Footdown

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Easter Holidays Survival Guide…

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

BONNY BONNET The best bonnets win a prize

The school holidays (April 6-22) and Easter weekend (April 19-22) will soon be upon us. Here are some of the best places to visit

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ITH the Easter holidays looming next month, leading up to one of the favourite bank holiday weekends and festivals of the year, it’s time to decide what you’re going to do with yourselves and the children for the fortnight.

In between keeping them occupied, and resisting the urge to treat yourself to yet another Creme Egg, it’s going to be tough to choose how to fill the time.

Luckily there’s plenty to see and do with the family, and we’ve gathered some of the best places to go in this Survival Guide.

If you fancy a good walk mixed with some fun activities to keep the youngsters entertained, why not go to Penshurst Place or Hever Castle?

Both have colourful gardens and grounds to explore, and you can take part in Easter bonnet making and live cannon demonstrations.

Rumble Wrestling at Showfields Hall in Tunbridge Wells is sure to be a spectacle enjoyed by the whole family, and The Hop Farm Family Park at Paddock Wood has a basketful of rides, activities and entertainment for everyone, as well as cute animals to see.

Eggcellent If you’re looking for a way to peel the young ones away from their glowing blue screens, dust off the bikes and go on a charity cycle ride with them, or if they’ve got a competitive streak you can sign them up for tennis.

The holidays don’t have to be a nightmare mixture of bored children and too much chocolate, and this guide will go some of the way to remedy this.

The range of entertainment on offer in our area really is eggcellent.

Hop into Easter fun at Hever Castle HEVER CASTLE Family fun at Hever Castle & Gardens throughout the Easter holidays (April 6-22) promises to put a spring in your step.

Hunt for colourful carrots around the grounds in the fun free Easter trail, or spot the bunnies in the castle, free with castle entrance tickets.

Celebrate spring by making and decorating an Easter bonnet at daily craft workshops*, and show off your creations in a parade in front of the castle every day, with prizes for the best bonnets.

Children can also have their faces painted.* Admission Prices – Castle & Gardens: Adults £17.75; Seniors/Students £15.60; Children (5-17) £9.95 (under 5s free); Family ticket £46.85 (2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children).

Gardens open at 10.30am; castle opens at 12noon. Last admission 4.30pm; final exit 6pm.

For further information, please call Hever Castle on 01732 865224 or visit the website: hevercastle.co.uk (*small additional charge)

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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Tire them out at Manic Monsters

TOTALLY TUBULAR Play frames for all ages

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LONG IN THE TOOTH Giant lizards come to life

MANIC MOSTERS

The soft play centre is 25 minutes from Tunbridge Wells. It has a play frame for babies and toddlers up to the age of five, and a larger frame for children up to 12, although supervising adults always seem to have a good time, too! As well as the climbing and slides there are two cart tracks, a football pitch and a separate ‘Lazer Tag’ frame.

Go on the day for a session or arrange a party booking in advance.

Manic Monsters serves delicious home-made food, staple favourites and indulgent cakes, really great coffee, and provides a great format for a family day out. Adjacent to Manics is Monty’s Day Care, Edenbridge’s best all-day nursery.

Manic Monsters Edenbridge TN86LH Tel: 01732866115 Email: office@manicmonsters.co.uk Visit manicmonsters.co.uk

Tennis Club serves up a summer camp for kids TWLTC There’s a great chance to enjoy some tennis over the school holidays. Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club Tennis Holiday Camps run from April 15-18, 2019. They have LTA qualified tennis coaches teaching tennis to children aged 4-18. All abilities are welcome from complete beginners to more confident players. The club has a strong reputation locally for offering fun and inspiring tennis, which children find engaging and

rewarding. For more information, call Nicola on 01892 525 625, email: coaching@twltc.co.uk or visit twltc.co.uk Dates for next camp: Monday April 15-Thursday April 18, 2019 Non-member week rate £80 Non-member day rate £25

MAKING A RACKET And ready to net a good match at the club

Dino Live returns to RVP

ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE The shopping centre will see the return of some of the largest creatures to have ever walked the Earth… dinosaurs!

Dino Live will provide families visiting Royal Victoria Place this Easter with a unique and educational journey spanning more than 250 million years.

This free event will be open from Saturday April 6, running throughout the Easter school holidays until Tuesday April 23, and will be open during the centre opening hours each day.

After its successful debut at Royal Victoria Place in the summer of 2017, Dino Live will be returning with a brand new selection of dinosaurs. It will feature a series of scenes located across both levels of the shopping centre where the dinosaurs will be displayed in environments replicating their natural habitat.

These life-size animatronic beasts will captivate visitors of all ages as they watch them come alive, move, roar and even breathe!

Visitors will be able to enjoy the thrill of being able to get up close and personal with the king of the tyrant lizards, the famous and fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex, plus other life-size dinosaurs, including the Parasaurolophus, Shunosaurus, Raptorex and everyone’s favourite – the Stegosaurus.

Open daily and entry is FREE Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2SS royalvictoriaplace.com

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Coolings: The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Knockholt COOLINGS The plant specialist centre is third generation family-owned and operated, and has been growing since 1913.

It comprises their own production nursery, three acres of retail plant display, Arthurs Restaurant, a shop, display gardens and an education facility where they offer a series of gardening courses, including RHS accredited certificates.

They pride themselves on producing the widest selection of plants available – one of the largest in the UK.

FLOWER POWER Home-grown varieties

The centre is also aiming to be the ‘greenest’ retailer in the UK. They harvest rainwater throughout the site and collect 1.3 million gallons of water in their two reservoirs. As plants are homegrown, they eliminate the risk of imported pests and diseases and reduce their carbon footprint.

Their recycling includes a plastic pot recycling scheme, and they have introduced new recyclable polypropylene taupe pots to replace the carbon black pigment pots which authorities cannot recycle. coolings.co.uk

Easter fun at the farm: The Hop Farm Family Park ROLLING IN THE DEEP Give it a spin!

HOP FARM Enter the magical Family Park from 10am every day. The £3 per person entry fee includes all-day indoor soft play centre fun, outdoor adventure play, crazy golf and all-day entry into the animal farm and activities.

Youngsters can enjoy the fabulous children’s attractions and rides, including Bumper Carz, Giant Jumping Pillows, Hopper’s Animal Farm and much more. Plus there are egg-citing Easter games, and everyone can get close to the farm’s gorgeous lambs, bunnies and chicks.

On Tuesday April 9, Paddington will be visiting The Hop Farm for meets and greets at intervals throughout the day. Cameras at the ready!

A number of the attractions are undercover, so whatever the weather, families will enjoy all the fun of the farm without getting cold or wet.

Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood TN12 6PY Call 01622 872068 or visit hopfarm.co.uk

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

PENSHURST PLACE Across the centuries, beastly sea creatures and fascinating fish dominated sailing tales, and this Easter Penshurst Place invites you to walk through the gardens and find hidden pictures of the mythical creatures.

Then you can let your imagination run wild in the Craft Barn as you create your own under-thesea monsters.

Visit on April 6 and be prepared to steady your aim. Penshurst Place needs your best firing skills

PHOTO: Joe Dale

Man the cannons, my hearties – there are pirates at Penshurst Place this Easter to help fight the monsters encountered in a crossseas adventure, as you join Hands on History for a day of mini-crossbows, hitting as many sea monster targets as you can. Throughout the day, you’ll also be able to see a real-life cannon being fired, similar to those used on ships in battle.

And popular storytellers Aardvark will be back on April 21 regaling tales of Captain Blackbeard’s encounter with a beastly creature! penshurstplace.com A GREAT PLACE FOR ADVENTURE Amid Penshurst’s stately grounds

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Easter fun at the Spa Valley Railway

YOU’LL BE CHUFFED Withe the choice of journeys and sights SPA VALLEY RAILWAY Visit the railway this Easter between April 19 and 22 to find eggs around the line. After spotting all the eggs, children can ask for a yummy chocolate reward to take home.

The railway will be operating a two-train timetable over Easter, with two steam engines and one heritage diesel in action.

Standard fares apply throughout the Easter period. A family ticket is just £28 when booked in advance online, or £30 on the day. Tickets also valid for unlimited travel on the day of your visit.

Locomotives Families can enjoy additional activities in the Easter holidays at Tunbridge Wells West Station (next to Sainsbury’s), including face painting, arts and crafts a model railway and a miniature cinema. The engine shed will also be open to view locomotives and carriages undergoing restoration.

Tunbridge Wells West departures: 10.20am, 11.10, 12noon, 12.50pm, 1.40, 2.30, 3.20 and 4.10 Eridge departures: 11.10am, 12noon, 12.50pm, 1.40, 2.30, 3.20, 4.10 and 5.00 spavalleyrailway.co.uk

TRAIN JOURNEYS Passengers can visit any of the destinations along the Spa Valley line, including the historic spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and the famous Pantiles.

A guided walk is a good way to learn about the colourful history of the town and its many famous visitors. For a group booking, contact the official Tourist Information Centre on 01892 515675 or email: touristinformationcentre@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk At Eridge, passengers can pick up the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walking route to explore the area, including Harrisons Rocks.

Groombridge is the railway’s principal intermediate station and is known as the sunniest spot on the railway. Alight here to see the restored Old Station Building and watch the trains crossing over. As well as the play area in Groombridge Park, you can visit Burrswood or Goombridge Place.

High Rocks is the smallest and most picturesque station on the line. It was built from scratch and opened in 1998 following the closure of the original halt in the 1950s.

High Rocks Halt is set in the gardens of the High Rocks Inn, an ideal place to sit and watch the trains go by while enjoying a drink in the landscaped gardens. Look up and you will see the majestic High Rocks themselves, which date back millions of years. Adults only are allowed into the monument itself and tickets can be purchased at the attraction.

You can reach Tunbridge Wells via the main station in the centre of the town or start your journey at Eridge, where mainline trains also arrive. Passengers can cross the platform to pick up services run by the Spa Valley Railway.

Fares booked in advance online: £5 for children 2-15, £10 for adults, £9 for Seniors and £28 for a family ticket.

To book a journey on the Spa Valley Railway, visit spavalleyrailway.com

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

A rumble in the Wells RUMBLE WRESTLING Rumble Wrestling bring their Superstars to the Showfields Hall in Tunbridge Wells for their first visit, which will include a special team tournament of single matches and an elimination tag team over the top rope Rumble event, plus the added bonus of a Championship showdown for the Rumble Gold belt.

Outspoken American Mr USA will be waving the US flag, and fast-climbing Kent youngster Syd Manelli will be hoping his local fans spur him on.

TV’s First Dates Model Lewis Howley will show off his body and wrestling skills, and London favourite James Mason will also be on the card.

There will be a full card of high-flying new and established stars in this not to be missed Easter show for all the family.

Book your tickets early – there will also be a chance to meet the wrestlers at the end of the show with a Special Meet and Greet VIP pass.

Call 07871 400240 or visit rumblewrestling.com

GETTING READY TO BELT UP: Champion Syd Manelli from Maidstone is set to accept the challenge of First Dates model Lewis Howley

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Why not get on your bikes for the Hospice in the Weald’s Wheels Around the Weald?

HOSPICE IN THE WEALD Join the hospice for the ride of a lifetime on Sunday May 12, 2019!

Whether you will be dusting off your bike after some time off it; wanting to keep it social and ride away with friends, family and club mates; or test your early season form for the summer ahead; they have three stunning routes that will cater for all.

Starting from the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury,

EAGER RIDERS Ready and raring to go

Discover spring at Smallhythe Place might just lead you to a chocolatey prize!

Get out and about this spring, it’s the perfect time to explore… nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place

PHOTO: James Dobson

SMALLHYTHE PLACE Weave your way through a carpet of yellow and purple daffodils and bluebells that flow through the gardens.

Explore a new exhibition in the house, ‘The Gift of Smallhythe Place’, as the Museum celebrates its 90th anniversary, and 80 years since Edith Craig bequeathed Smallhythe Place to the National Trust. Look at the stories behind the creation of the Museum and the Theatre.

Immerse yourself in a world of fairy-tale theatre with the family show ‘Snow White, Rose Red, Bear Brown’ on Friday April 12 at 1pm, or put your detective skills to the test with a nature trail over the Easter weekend. Can you help the Easter Bunny find his misplaced possessions?

And solve the riddles around the garden, it

the beautiful, scenic routes for this year are fit for all abilities, with the opportunity to challenge yourself over 20, 40 or 80 miles around some of Kent’s most stunning countryside.

What are you waiting for? Join the hospice to take on the Weald. Call Ewan on 01892 820533 or sign up at hospiceintheweald.org.uk

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Roll up for Twirlywoos Live plus a youth Stage Combat Workshop at Trinity Theatre TRINITY THEATRE Join Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy and Chick for a theatrical adventure at Trinity Theatre, as Twirlywoos Live comes to Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday April 17.

Expect mischief, music and plenty of surprises as they share the delight of discovery. With beautifully inventive puppetry, the show promises a cast full of your favourite characters from the hit CBeebies series.

This bright, carefully crafted show features laugh-out-loud, child-centric humour which

encourages pre-schoolers to think for themselves and gain confidence in their own perceptions of the world.

Trinity Youth Theatre offer a range of weekly and one-off workshops for children and young people to develop new skills and get involved in acting for stage and screen.

Coming up is a Stage Combat Workshop for ages 13-19 on Wednesday April 10 led by a professionally qualified facilitator with experience in the industry.

For more information, visit trinitytheatre.net

YOUNG FIGHT CLUB Learn how to safely bring conflict to life on stage

EASTER KIDS’ CAMPS KEEP THE LITTLE ONES ENTERTAINED DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS WITH OUR KIDS’ CAMPS. OUR KIDS’ CAMPS INCLUDE A RANGE OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING LASER TAG CHALLENGE AND ROUNDERS, OR PRACTISING DRIVING SKILLS IN OUR MINI RANGER CARS, THERE’S SO MUCH FUN TO BE HAD!

8TH APRIL - 19TH APRIL ON MONDAYS, THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS! £37.50 PER FULL DAY CAMP OR £19.50 PER HALF DAY CAMP BOOK A WEEK’S CAMP AND RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT (JUST £94.00 FOR 3 DAYS!)

CALL 01892 890000 QUOTE “TOTWKIDSCAMPS” ON BOOKING! www.bewlwater.co.uk 01892 890000 info@bewlwater.co.uk Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst, Kent, TN3 8JH

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk Easter

Plenty to do at Bewl Water Easter holiday camp Comedy kings of the jungle come to town ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE Wicked Productions are back in town – with a wildly entertaining adventure for all the family that will see the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells come alive with some very strange ‘animals’ this Easter holiday.

Hot on the heels of last year’s smash hit, Alice in Wonderland, the comic Wicked team are now bringing an hilarious new version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, The Jungle Book, to the stage, with the help of Jordan Productions.

Popular Tom Swift stars with Ant Payne as Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, who do their best to protect young boy Mowgli from scary Shere Khan the tiger (Tonbridge panto favourite Ed Wright). “Booh!”

Their jungle journey is full of danger and surprises, as well as new songs, creative staging and bagfuls of fun, which all combine in the adventure of a lifetime!

Be sure not to miss this Easter holiday family treat, which runs over the bank holiday weekend from Friday April 19 until Sunday April 21.

The cast promise your own cheeky little monkeys will howl like hyenas!

Book now by calling the box office on 01892 530613, or visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

BEWL WATER Make sure to keep the little ones entertained during the school holidays with our exciting Easter Kids’ Camps at Bewl Water.

Kids’ Camps at Bewl Water provide an affordable alternative to traditional childcare for busy or working parents and are a great opportunity for children to make new friends and remain active during the holidays.

From half a day to multiple weeks, our Kids’ Camps are very flexible. Activities differ on a daily basis, ensuring that those attending for multiple weeks enjoy new experiences each day, stay engaged and, most importantly, love coming to Bewl Water’s Kids’ Camps.

Sessions are running from the 8th April- 19th April on Mondays, Thursday and Fridays – both half day and full day slots are available. Book all three days and receive a 15% discount. Available to all children, aged 5 years and over.

To find out more information and to book please visit www.bewlwater.co.uk or call 01892 890000

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Wednesday March 27 | 2019

All the right ingredients With Mother’s Day looming this Sunday, get ahead of the celebrations by baking a delicious cake to really impress. If you need inspiration, then who better to ask than the area’s Queen of Cakes, Hollie Callaghan from Hollie’s Little Cakery, who is poised to open a new shop in The Pantiles Firstly, Hollie, please can you tell us about your move to The Pantiles?

I viewed the property just before Christmas, and finally got the relevant paperwork signed off at the beginning of March. Since we opened our first shop in Southborough, we’ve been growing rapidly over the past few years, and it got to a point where we needed a larger premises for us to bake our bespoke orders.

‘When the opportunity for The Pantiles space arose, it seemed like a no-brainer to take a big old leap and just go for it!’

We also launched HLC – The Emporium in spring last year, and the demand for our smaller baked goods, along with our gifts, has also increased. So when the opportunity for The Pantiles space arose, it seemed like a no-brainer to take a big old leap and just go for it!

Are you still operating your studio in Southborough?

For now it will still remain, and it

will be our ‘advertising space’ as the people in Southborough love our window displays, and let’s face it, it would be a shame to have yet another empty retail space.

We have a few ideas in the pipeline for utilising the space, but I’m not able to reveal those just yet, I’m afraid. But it will be exciting whichever route is chosen.

It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday.

What do you think is the perfect sweet treat to bake for this occasion?

Ah, the special day for all the lovely mummies out there.

Mine has always loved chocolate, so an indulgent, gooey brownie is a perennial favourite.

Plus it’s so easy to add your mum’s favourite chocolate or biscuit to the mix just to make them extra special and delicious…

What are the easiest cakes for younger children to make?

When I was younger I always used to make cupcakes with my mum.

They’re quick to mix, bake and cool and can be simply decorated to make mini showstoppers.

They are always a winner.

THE ICING ON THE CAKE Hollie at her new little cakery in The Pantiles

Bedgebury Pinetum

NR TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT

Friday 14 June

FOALS

Saturday 15 June

HACIENDA CLASSICAL + K-KLASS

Sunday 16 June

PAUL WELLER

now Sign up s and ate for upd oncert 2020 c ents at: cem /music n n uk a oun england. forestry

Tickets: 03000 680400 Buy online/info: forestryengland.uk/bedgebury-pinetum-live-music

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk

Pianeta Organico Organic Prosecco NV Extra Dry, Treviso, Italy (£7.99, Aldi) Drink this smartly packaged, superior Prosecco well-chilled and savour the joyful flavours of white peaches, pears and green apples, with a hint of honeycomb and pine nuts in its off-dry finish. Makes a great Bellini/spritz and works with cakes/crisps.

Cincin, Mum. Alc 11.5%

Aside from our larger, bespoke orders, our cake pods – which we launched last summer – have sold extremely well.

They’re the perfect size for an indulgent treat and are available in a variety our signature flavours.

We actually have something exciting planned for these little gems, so keep watching our social media for updates.

We use plain flour with baking powder, that way you can control the amount of raising agent in your sponge.

Weighing ingredients accurately is key, otherwise the result won’t be perfect. Eggs and butter at room temperature are essential for whipping up something light and airy. If they’re too cold they just won’t get light and fluffy, resulting in a denser bake.

And your final tip?

Don’t stress if your bakes don’t come out perfectly. Mums will appreciate the love and effort that goes into your bakes, so don’t be down if they’re a tad wonky. They’ll have character! hollieslittlecakery.co.uk

Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine

Can you tell us your top tips for creating the perfect sponge/ biscuit base/dough?

2) CHIC FRENCH RIVIERA ROSÉ

What are the essential items to have in a baking kit?

I couldn’t function without my stand mixers, they’re my mechanical children.

A hand mixer will suffice along with some various sized Pyrex bowls, a good set of scales and some sturdy spatulas.

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The Times’ drinks expert, James Viner, ventures far and wide in search of a celebratory bottle to crack open on Mother’s Day 1) JOLLY ITALIAN ORGANIC PARTY POP

How do you ensure cakes rise well?

Life&Times

Something yummy for mummy

MIXING IT UP FOR MOTHER’S DAY A great excuse for young bakers

Which are your most popular cakes?

Food & Drink

2018 Miraval Studio, Méditerranée IGP, France (£12, The Co-op) Mother’s Day also marks the start of British Summer Time, so it’s the ideal time to open a bottle of this smart rosé from the estate jointly owned by ‘Brangelina’ (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) in partnership

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with the Perrin winemaking dynasty. Featuring the Co-op’s most beautiful, minimalist bottle yet, this superb cinsault, grenache, rolle and tibouren melange tastes like a mosaic of peaches, nectarines, white flowers, herb and ripe raspberries. Hello salade niçoise, ratatouille and bloomyrind cheeses. Nab some while

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you can as it’ll be a huge hit.

Also, the Co-op’s Les Pionniers NV Champagne is easily worth the full price; outstanding on offer (£17.99 until April 2).

Alc 13%

3) MAJESTIC SOUTH AFRICAN RED FOR SUNDAY ROASTS

2015 Rustenberg John X Merriman, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£15.99, Majestic & Waitrose) This is a grown-up, remarkably adroit and stylish merlotcabernet sauvignon blend that smells of blackcurrant leaf, cassis and black cherries, with a touch of mint and cigar box. It makes me long for roast beef, slow roast lamb or pork chops.

Remember to save some for the cheese.

Pitch-perfect now, but still plenty of life ahead.

Classy stuff.

Alc 14.5%

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BEDECKED WITH BEAUTY The view from the ship Black Watch in Olden

FOR EVEN MORE NEWS VISIT: timeslocalnews.co.uk Travel Advertorial

Enjoy stunning views of

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

SIMPLY SPLASHING Kayaking below the mountains

the fabulous fjords

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RUISING inland is a superb way to see the incredible scenery of a spectacularly rugged Scandinavian region which is not that far away for those looking for their first foray into holidays at sea. Even better, coastal Norway offers the beautiful and peaceful sailing that comes from exploring the glistening fjordlands.

As you glide through the picturesque countryside, diverting down waterways only smaller ships can explore, a fairy-tale picture book unfolds of dominating mountains, thundering waterfalls, gleaming glaciers, rolling green hills and rich orchards.

When you’re ashore, the list of ‘must-do’ experiences is almost endless: Enjoy a spot of fishing, or go kayaking across the glassy waters; venture further into the mountainous landscapes on foot, by bike or even on a unique railway journey; stroll around Hanseatic cities and quaint villages; shop the local crafts and taste the fresh local produce.

FLÅM, AURLANDSFJORD Flåm is a delightful, unspoilt treasure, with orchards, cottages and farmland surrounding its spellbinding waterfront.

The views are nothing short of magical, whether you’re standing at the Stegastein Lookout or admiring the mighty waterfalls, Tvinde and Kjosfossen.

And don’t miss the magnificent Flåm Railway, a 20km-long spiralling sensation with an abundance of photo opportunities along the way.

BERGEN The beautiful UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, with its colourful timbered houses and cobbled walkways, is the historic and cultural centrepiece of Hanseatic Bergen, though the famous fish market, Troldhaugen Museum and fascinating art galleries are worth exploring, too. Head to the top of Mount Fløyen via the funicular railway for an unrivalled perspective of the city.

CRUISING NÆRØYFJORD TO GUDVANGEN The Nærøyfjord has been rated joint top in National Geographic’s list of natural heritage sites worldwide: Evidence enough that you’re in for something special. At just 250 metres wide at its narrowest point, it’s only accessible to smaller ships. The passage through is one of the most dramatic in Europe; each twist and turn gives the impression of heading towards a dead end, which opens up as you turn each corner.

Majestic fjordland is wonderfully revealed within a medley of destinations.

From the quaint villages of Flåm and Olden you’ll discover dramatic valleys, glaciers and waterfalls, while enchanting scenic cruising unveils the towering cliff of Hornelen and the striking Nærøyfjord – only accessible to smaller ships like Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Boudicca.

A visit to the gloriously remote Orkney Isles concludes this superb holiday.

CRUISING NORDFJORD & BY HORNELEN Deeply tranquil, the Nordfjord is utterly enchanting and is flanked by stunning

‘From the quaint villages of Flåm and Olden you’ll discover dramatic valleys, glaciers and waterfalls, while enchanting scenic cruising unveils the towering cliff of Hornelen and the striking Nærøyfjord’

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

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look, from towering mountains to shimmering waterfalls, and from magical glaciers to idyllic orchards.

WONDERS OF THE WATERFRONT With characteristic architecture

HOW TO GET THERE: All of these destinations and more can be reached on a Fred. Olsen Cruise, and bookings are now being taken right through until May 2021. Call into your local Baldwins Travel branch for the brand new brochure, and hear about the current launch offers available on every booking. baldwinstravel.co.uk Boulder. Intriguingly wedged into a mountain crevice, this rock has become a popular spot for brave (or possibly foolhardy) tourists to have their photo taken.

scenery in every direction. Cruising along this magnificent waterway, you’ll pass Hornelen, Europe’s highest sea cliff.

OLDEN, NORDFJORD Both charming and incredibly beautiful, the village of Olden is a springboard for discovery.

It’s the gateway to the astonishing Jostedalen Glacier and its famous branch, Briksdal, as well as the beautiful Lovatnet Lake and Olden Church, built in 1759. All this means you’ll never be far from a fantastic photo opportunity.

CRUISING LYSEFJORD, AND SEEING PULPIT ROCK & KJERAG BOULDER) As you make the unforgettable journey along the Lysefjord, you’ll be running out of superlatives to describe the astounding scenery before you.

Look out for the unmistakable Pulpit Rock, a flat-topped cliff with a 604-metre plummet into the fjord below – that’s twice as high as the Shard in London – and the fascinating Kjerag

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STAVANGER A former European Capital of Culture, Stavanger proudly flaunts its rich history.

Wander round the Old Town, Gamle Stavanger, taking in the impressive Cathedral; visit the Three Swords monument; explore the Maritime Museum; discover the tropical Flor & Fjære gardens on Sør-Hidle Island; and be sure to immerse yourself in the annual Norway National Day celebrations – an event this stop-off has been specially timed to witness.

DRESSED AND IMPRESSED A formal evening on board

CRUISING HARDANGERFJORD Sail along the breathtaking Hardangerfjord.

Known as ‘Queen of the Fjords’, and voted by Norwegians as a top ten fjord experience.

There’s inspirational scenery wherever you

GEIRANGER, GEIRANGERFJORD The pretty town of Geiranger is delightfully positioned at the end of the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, and sheltered by mighty mountains – ideal conditions for kayaking.

Take to the labyrinthine Eagle’s Road, which gives a more impressive glimpse of the stunning surroundings with every hairpin bend; sample sweet treats at the Geiranger Chocolate Shop & Factory; or enjoy spine-tingling scenery from the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint.

Cruising Geirangerfjord and by the Seven Sisters Waterfall was ranked joint top as the best-preserved natural UNESCO site in the world

by National Geographic, and is known as the ‘Jewel of the Fjords’.

Geirangerfjord is home to some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery. Look out for the abandoned farms and tiny towns clinging to towering cliffs, and tumbling waterfalls such as the Suitor, the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters, which splits into seven streams.

CRUISING SOGNEFJORD At an impressive 127 nautical miles long, this is the longest fjord in Norway and the third longest in the world. With a steep and rocky appearance, in places it can feel almost eerie.

CRUISING BY FUREBERG WATERFALL, MAURANGERFJORD Experience unforgettable views as you cruise along the Maurangerfjord, past the imposing Fureberg Waterfall – be sure to keep your camera to hand.

CRUISING KARMSUND Glide through Karmsund, a strait between Karmøy Island and the town of Haugesund that’s just 175 metres wide at its narrowest point, again ideal for smaller ships which can sail to tucked away places that larger vessels cannot reach.

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Motoring

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Motoring News

This week… n New crash data Bentley V8 engine n Ford upgrade

n

The Toyota Prius named the most crash-prone vehicle on UK roads THE Toyota Prius has been named as the most accident-prone car in the UK, according to research by insurance comparison site GoCompare.

It analysed government crash data to discover which of the UK’s cars were most likely to be involved in a crash. The Prius topped the survey, with 111 accidents per 10,000 vehicles on the road. It narrowly edged out the Citroen Saxo (106), the BMW 330D (102) and the BMW 530D (85).

GoCompare’s data shows there were over 71,000 Priuses registered in the UK in 2016, and they were involved in 787 accidents during that time.

But Toyota wasn’t the most accident-prone brand as a whole, or even in the top five. Top of the list was

Vauxhall, with its models involved in 62 crashes per 10,000 vehicles.

Joint second place was shared by Daewoo and Seat, with 60 crashes each per 10,000 cars, followed by Mitsubishi (56) and Renault (55).

London was the most accidentprone region, where the Prius is incredibly popular as a private hire vehicle. Around 12,000 are thought to be operating as taxis in the capital.

The South East was among the next most dangerous regions.

Nationally, drivers aged 26-35 had the most accidents – 23.9% – while drivers aged over 75 accounted for just 4.1% of all crashes. And the vast majority of accidents took place on roads with a 30mph speed limit.

Get ready for a Bentley burble with new V8 Continental GT BENTLEY has announced that its Continental GT and GT Convertible will now be available with the distinctive ‘burble’ of the brand’s V8 engine, as well as the existing W12.

The 4.0-litre unit is well known, seeing service across the Volkswagen Group. In the Continental GT, it develops 542bhp and a massive 770Nm of torque.

Though the Continental is more of a grand tourer than a sports car, it’s not lacking performance – it will hit 60mph from rest in just 3.9 seconds and go on to a top speed of 198mph.

Convertible models, with their increased weight, up this to 4.0 seconds but have the same top speed.

Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The V8’s lighter weight should make it nimbler in the corners and less nose-heavy, while Bentley promises a ‘characterful V8 burble’.

Its main appeal, though, is improved range, delivering better fuel economy than the W12.

Bentley hasn’t released fuel economy figures yet, but it’s promised a range between fill-ups of more than 500 miles – around 50 more than the W12.

Customers will be able to distinguish the V8 Continental from the W12 model by unique 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, quad exhaust pipes, and subtle badging.

No pricing for the V8 has yet been released, but expect a reduction on the W12’s £159,100 asking price.

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Mountune offers power boost to Ford Fiesta ST

RENOWNED Ford tuning house Mountune has revealed a new electronic upgrade kit for the current generation Fiesta ST. Dubbed the m225 package, it sees peak power upped to 222bhp, while torque is boosted to 340Nm – gains of 25bhp and 50Nm over the standard car respectively.

But it doesn’t just bring power increases.

The 1.5-litre engine delivers torque earlier and across a wider rev range when equipped with the upgrade, while a more aggressive launch control programme features, too.

‘Stock Performance’ and ‘Anti-Theft’ modes are also included. Rounding out the improvements is an enhancement to the car’s synthesised cabin sound.

Mountune says the m225 upgrade will allow the Fiesta ST to cover the 0-60mph sprint in under six seconds, while also reducing its 31-62mph time by a second.

Fitment of the m225 package has also been made incredibly simple with the introduction of Mountune’s mTune SmartFlash mobile app.

Users can simply plug the supplied OBD device into the car’s port, which can then be activated and calibrated via Bluetooth.

Mountune’s m225 kit is on sale now through the firm’s website for £479.16, or £662.50 with the recommended induction upgrade.

Times 2019 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE GALA NIGHT OF THE YEAR The Times Business Awards are set to be even bigger and better this year.

And there’s a chance for everyone to get involved, from those who want to enter, to those who would like to sponsor a category and others who simply want to enjoy one of the biggest social and networking nights of 2019.

ENTRY DEADLINE IS BY 6PM WEDNESDAY 24TH APRIL 2019

There are ten exciting categories to enter - including some new ones – all of which reflect and celebrate the wealth of talent we have in the boroughs of Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge & Malling.

The Times Business Awards shine an important spotlight on our area’s unique entrepreneurial spirit and impressive business acumen.

Guest speaker at the gala night, which takes place on Thursday May 30 at Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells, will be BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing legend: Anton du Beke.

He’s been a favourite on our TV screens since 2004, when Strictly was first aired, and has since gone on to star in numerous West End productions and other TV shows.

HERE’S A LIST OF THE CATEGORIES YOU CAN ENTER: Start-Up Business of the Year Award Creative Business of the Year Entrepreneur of the Year Young Business Person of the Year Service Excellence Award

Best in Food and Drink Award Best Family Business of the Year Award Best Business 25+ employees Best Business 1-25 employees Outstanding Business of the Year

You can register an interest in entering, or sponsoring one of the categories by emailing info@timesbusinessawards.co.uk

Or for more information and tickets please call Eileen Sweeney on 01892 779583

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

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Numbers are substituted for letters in the crossword grid. Above the grid is the key with two letters solved. Try to complete the first few words to give you more letters, or look for a frequent number that might reveal a common letter. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

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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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17 26

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Codeword:

2 8

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

3

DIFFICULTY RATING:★✩✩✩

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LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

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

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

Puzzle solutions will be published in a forthcoming issue

G Y P S U M H O E E E S R E E M E R S T E M O M I S M I M I P R EWA R T R B E N V I E D F X O L I D I P R I M S N O R A I NWA S G E L E Q U I T Y S

I P L G E A C O L C O S A J T E E T R

H O P O S T U R A P T E D O R S I L T I A Z Z R Z I O K E

Sudoku:

7 3 5 6 4 8 2 1 9

1 8 2 5 9 3 6 4 7

9 4 6 7 2 1 3 8 5

8 5 7 3 6 9 1 2 4

4 6 9 2 1 7 8 5 3

2 1 3 4 8 5 7 9 6

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2 4 6 5 8 3 7 9 1

5 1 7 8 9 6 3 4 2

7 9 4 2 1 5 8 6 3

6 9 1 8 3 4 5 7 2

5 2 4 1 7 6 9 3 8

Jigsaw Sudoku:

6 5 2 4 7 1 9 3 8

8 7 9 1 3 4 5 2 6

1 3 8 7 2 9 6 5 4

9 6 5 3 4 2 1 8 7

4 8 3 9 6 7 2 1 5

3 2 1 6 5 8 4 7 9

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CLASSIFIEDS

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

Syrett comes out swinging to record best victory so far

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Lewis Syrett (right) launches into Danail Stoyanov

By Andy Tong BOXING: LOCAL middleweight Lewis Syrett extended his professional record to six wins and no defeats after he beat Danail Stoyanov at the Copperbox Arena in London on Saturday.

‘The Lionheart’, from Meopham, won all four rounds of the Matchr00m-promoted bout, which was televised live on Sky Sports.

“It was an amazing atmosphere,” said Syrett, who had never fought at the London 2012 Olympic venue.

“When I turned up and saw the arena I was excited, I just wanted to enjoy the moment.”

His opponent, an 18-year-old from Bulgaria, had come in to replace Serge Ambomo at late notice.

“It was my best performance to date,” Syrett told the Times. “He’d never been stopped.

“I only found out I was fighting him a couple of

Derry scores twice as Angels pile pressure on rivals at top Whitehawk 0 Tonbridge Angels 4

By Joe Croker FOOTBALL: RUSTHALL missed a chance to climb out of the relegation zone after a frustrating draw at home to a side they felt they could have beaten.

Their nearest rivals for drop in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division, Hollands & Blair and Punjab United, lost away from home.

Both have two games in hand on the Rustics, but they were unbeaten in their previous seven games after a poor first half of the campaign.

Tunbridge Wells Men 5 Henley 2

PHOTO: Kathryn Bell

Pressure

no mood to miss out and increased the lead.

Turner’s corner was neatly converted by Tom Derry for the Angels third goal in the 78th minute to make sure of victory.

The same player, whose signing was financed by supporters, was on hand to make it four when he latched on to Ramadan’s cross in stoppage time.

The Brighton side were vulnerable at set pieces and the relegation-threatened club will need to improve in that regard if they are to stay up.

Angels keeper Jonny Henly had to pull off one excellent save from Nathaniel Pinney in stoppage time to ensure a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive league game.

Tonbridge are now a point behind secondplaced Haringey Borough with six games to go.

It’s very tight at the top with five points separating second from sixth and all the teams winning.

The Angels are now at home to Harlow Town on Saturday [March 30, kick-off 3pm].

Rusthall carry on unbeaten run to avoid drop Rusthall 1 Bearsted 1

Allberry leads the way for men to finish hard campaign in top form HOCKEY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Men overcame relegated Henley to record a powerful win in their penultimate fixture in South Premier League Division One at Kent College, Pembury.

The home side were sporting odd socks to show support for World Down Syndrome Day last week.

After enjoying the majority of the early possession, Wells made the breakthrough as Ben Allberry calmly fired a backhand shot into the bottom corner.

A second goal followed soon after, some good work down the right setting up Ben Brandt to fire home from close range at the second attempt.

With a composed defence Wells were able to withstand a somewhat physical onslaught at times from their opponents.

FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS recovered from an early injury setback to score four times in the second half and maintain their hopes of a divisional playoff place in the Bostik League Premier.

In the 16th minute Tom Beere was taken off on a stretcher with an ankle injury. With Tom Parkinson likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season and Craig Stone still on loan at Grays Athletic, manager Steve McKimm is suddenly short of central midfield players in his small squad.

Wide midfielder Joe Turner took over Beere’s role, having to play a more defensive position than he is used to, but he looked comfortable in the unfamiliar role.

Adem Ramadan came off the bench to go to the left wing position and caused problems for the hosts all afternoon.

Tonbridge had the better of the first half with Chinedu McKenzie spurning three good chances to break the deadlock.

Former Angel Henry Muggeridge almost caused a shock when he flighted a free kick which eluded the visitors’ defenders and glanced past the back post for a goal kick in first half stoppage time.

Any frustration for the visitors was dispelled as soon as the second period got underway.

Central defender Sonny Miles lost his marker and placed a firm header from Turner’s corner past Melvin Minter in the Hawks goal.

On 66 minutes Jack Parter was fouled and he took the free kick which was expertly headed by Arthur Lee into the path of McKenzie, who was in

days before. The other opponent was only 5ft 3in, which is unusual for a middleweight, and I hadn’t found anyone that small to spar with.

“But this guy was the same size as me and I was used to sparring with people of my height.

“I won every round, but I got a bit carried away early on,” he admitted. “The occasion got to me a bit and I wanted to take him out.

“I got too close and should have picked my shots. When I relaxed, I got into the fight more.”

Syrett will take time off with his fiancée Lily Fleet-Newman before moving up to six rounds for the first time in his next bout, against an undisclosed opponent at York Hall on June 8.

“I’m moving up to six rounds next, which suits me better, to be honest,” he said.

“I’ve been training 10 rounds to get my sparring partner ready for a Southern Area title fight so I’m used to it – and I’m certainly fit enough.”

By Sam George

FLYING HIGH The Angels celebrate Sonny Miles’ opening goal

By Jim Rowe

Deadlock

Wednesday March 27 | 2019

Bearsted may also be in the lower reaches of the division but they were the dominant team in the first half and would have been disappointed to be only 1-0 up at half-time.

Rusthall had problems dealing with the threat on their left flank, and two crosses saw the Bearsted front men blazing over the bar.

For the home side Louis Anderson turned and shot powerfully from a corner which the visiting goalkeeper was able to parry.

The lively Moses Sunday had a shot which was saved easily. Eventually Sam Flisher beat the home defence and scored with a low shot into the

corner of the Rusthall goal.

The second half saw Rusthall dominate throughout, and the pressure led to a free kick just outside the Bearsted box, from which dead-ball specialist Robbie Bissett scored via a deflection.

From then on it was Rusthall who looked more likely to find the winner, and they nearly did in the closing minutes when Louis Clarke cut inside from the wing and hit the inside of the post but the ball bounced out instead of in.

Rusthall now travel to Erith Town on Saturday [March 30, kick-off 3pm].

Ian Harvey went close to scoring, then sustained pressure saw Allberry pick out Russell Self at the back post from a well-worked penalty corner and he put the visitors three up at the interval.

The second half started in much the same vein, Connor Poulain running the show in midfield with support from Simon Hare.

Another goal for Allberry and one from Cameron Green saw the hosts cruising to victory at 5-0 with ten minutes left.

As the home side experimented with changes in the closing stages, the visitors exploited these to score twice in quick succession.

Wells will be looking to finish in style after a difficult campaign following their promotion.

They host Banbury at Kent College on Saturday [March 30, 3pm start].

THREE MEN’S TEAMS GO UP Tunbridge Wells Men’s Second XI completed their campaign as unbeaten champions in Kent Division Two with a 3-0 win at Old Williamsonians 2nd XI. The Thirds beat Old Williamsonians 2nds and, while the Vets slipped up at Herne Bay, these sides have secured a League one-two in Kent Open Premier B, meaning three of the four top sides have been promoted.

Tunbridge Wells Ladies completed their league programme with a 3-2 defeat against Maidstone 1st XI after leading for much of their game - their opponents won promotion as a result of their fightback. The 3rd XI drew 1-1 with Blackheath 2nds to finish with an excellent third place in Kent Division Two.

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Wells secure safety while sending Chingford down

By Graham Withers RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS recorded an emphatic win in the penultimate home game of this season to put some distance between themselves and the three teams who are facing relegation in the London & South-East Premier Division.

The result condemned the Essex side to the drop, and results elsewhere also helped to guarantee Wells status in the league after an inconsistent campaign which included a defeat by two points at Chingford.

The visitors had lost seven of their last eight games but five of these had been by just one score and they had also drawn against second-placed Wimbledon, so this was unlikely to be an easy game for a home side.

Chingford were repeatedly penalised throughout the game, and an early infringement allowed Wells to gain a new foothold and open the scoring on eight minutes.

Fly-half Frank Reynolds scythed through the defence inside the 22 and passed to the excellent Mike Hathaway. The flanker touched down under the posts, and Reynolds’ conversion was simple.

The nerves were evident on both sides and were

typified by a Wells knock-on and penalty from the restart, but the kick went wide.

Chingford began to exert pressure and were rewarded on 16 minutes. A powerful run from centre Sam Kendall saw the ball spun wide and prop David Banfield showed good pace to score an unconverted try.

Wells bounced back immediately. After turning the ball over, Nick Doherty and Hathaway drove powerfully and Brendan Crosilla plunged over between the posts, Reynolds converting.

Scrappy Chingford missed another penalty and ill discipline was costing them as they conceded three successive penalties to hand Wells 65 metres.

As the game moved into first-half stoppage time, good hands from Charlie Rigby and George Montgomery put second row Josh Hawkins into space and he galloped over for a try. Reynolds’ conversion hit the post but Wells went in with a 19-5 lead at half-time.

After the break the game became very scrappy and Crosilla received a yellow card on 53 minutes for a dangerous tackle.

On the hour-mark, replacement Nick Doherty provided a trademark break and offload, Reyn-

PHOTO: Bruce Elliott

Tunbridge Wells 26 Chingford 5

PHOTO: Adam Hookway

Galbraith-Lowe double keeps up TJs’ hopes of playoff place

TURNED OVER Charlie Edwards steals scrum ball

Taunton Titans 10 Tonbridge Juddians 22

By Adam Hookway TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS reached 100 points for the season to keep up their hopes of achieving a playoff berth in National Two South.

The runner-up in the division enters a knockout tie against the equivalent team in the northern section, and this win saw TJs climb to third place.

Rams are almost guaranteed the title but with four games to go second-placed Canterbury are seven points ahead of TJs.

The first time TJs visited Taunton they tore them to shreds in a first half that yielded 50 points but this time the home side kept the ball better.

TJs started brightly and from open field Will Colderick made ground down the left to draw the Taunton defenders to him.

He then offloaded to Hugo Watson, who ran in from 30 metres unopposed to score, with Will Robinson converting.

Taunton had most of the possession for the next 20 minutes but they could not break through, even after TJs were reduced to 13 men with Murray Galbraith-Lowe and Truman Sullivan sent to the sin-bin.

Howey and Holford are crowned Harriers cross country champions ATHLETICS: TUNBRIDGE WELLS Harriers held their annual club cross country championships on a wet and muddy five-mile course in Hargate Forest with permission from the Woodland Trust.

A good turn-out led to competitive racing, including a few slips and spills, but the final lap saw Andy Howey crowned as men’s champion, with Jillian Holford taking the women’s crown.

The club welcomed former Olympic distance

runner Dame Kelly Holmes to their weekly club run on March 20.

They relished the opportunity to run with the double gold medallist, who later talked to more than 100 members about her latest book, Running Life.

The Hildenborough athlete also shared insights into her pre-race superstitions, cross training regime and post-race recovery.

PULLING AWAY Nick Doherty makes a break, supported by Frank Reynolds olds linked superbly with Montgomery and he cruised over for the bonus-point try which Reynolds converted.

With Brentwood losing to Sutton & Epsom, Tun-

bridge Wells had secured their place in the league with three games to spare.

Now Tunbridge Wells travel to Dorking on Saturday [March 30, kick-off 3pm].

The score remained 7-0 to the visitors until half-time, but they stretched their lead straight after the break.

Ben Ashmore found space, Robinson took the ball on and his delayed pass flummoxed the Taunton defence, allowing Galbraith-Lowe to crash through and score. But Robinson was unable to convert.

Taunton had a better spell in attack and finally got round the TJ edge on the right to score an unconverted try.

Jimmy Stanford made ground into the Taunton

22 and after a drive by the pack the ball was spread wide right for the winger Galbraith-Lowe to stoll over and score his second try. Again the conversion was unsuccessful.

Taunton managed to hit back again to close the scores to 17-12 but as TJs went in search of a bonus point the hosts offended.

Robinson’s crosskick found Hugo Watson wide on the left and he managed to get over in the corner to close the game out.

TJs now welcome Worthing Raiders to The Slade on Saturday [March 30, kick-off 3pm].