Times of Tunbridge Wells 6th September 2017

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

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Mayor rejected by own party Unprecedented move means Julia Soyke cannot stand as Tory Exclusive by Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

THE local Conservative Association has banned the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells from standing as a Tory candidate at the next borough council elections in a move that appears to be ‘unprecedented’.

The news has been met with incredulity by rank and file Conservatives, while MP Greg Clark described her as ‘hardworking, committed and widely respected’.

Mayor Julia Soyke did not even make it through the first round of the candidate selection process to represent her ward of Speldhurst and Bidborough next May. She has since admitted to being ‘puzzled’ by the decision.

Conservative Leader of the Council, David Jukes, who was not involved in the process, said he was ‘bitterly disappointed’ by the decision.

The fate of the town’s First Citizen, and that of other candidates, was decided by a secret ballot cast by a powerful panel of five ‘senior’ members of the local

party on Friday [September 1].

Three panel members are fellow borough councillors while the other two are high ranking members of the local party.

In the wake of the news, Cllr Soyke, who has a 100 per cent attendance record at the council, said she has no idea what more she could have done to get the panel’s approval.

‘The decision is made in a secretive way and you are not even able to ask why they voted as they did’ “I am quite puzzled by what has happened. I have supported the party by campaigning in every part of the borough and farther afield in places such as Eastbourne. I have also held a fundraiser for the association each year at my house.

“The decision is made in a

‘A mayor that Tunbridge Wells can be proud of’ Conservative MP Greg Clark

secretive way and you are not even able to ask why they voted as they did. There is no appeals process,” she said.

Cllr Soyke was first elected in 2010 and was made Mayor after a cross-party vote of her peers on May 24.

Her term as Mayor is expected to last a year, but this may now be in doubt as her re-election to the council was due to occur on May 3.

However, Cllr Soyke is determined to ‘see out’ her term, although she is ‘very disappointed’ her last weeks in office will not be as a councillor.

“This is a very important time for the town and I want to be on the council. I am still mulling over what to do next.”

The Mayor was not the only councillor to be deselected on Friday afternoon, when the representative of Culverden ward, Don Sloan, met the same fate.

Cllr Sloan, who was elected in 2014, said the ‘unprecedented’ decision to deselect sitting councillors who have not brought the party into disrepute was a ‘slap in the face’ to those who work hard for the local party.

“Normally sitting councillors have priority when it comes to selection, so I am not sure why loyal and active members of the association have been passed over this time, and quite frankly I am astonished by some of the deselection decisions that have been made. The committee have not made it clear what they are trying to achieve.

“A key issue at the interview was the degree of support given to the association, my own commitment has always been strong, and my fellow councillors acknowledge this,” he said.

Their deselection occurred at stage one of a three stage process. The panel were only vetting their suitability to throw their hat into the ring.

Mayor Julia Soyke

Continued on page 2

INSIDE

CINEMA SITE CRITICS

Developers defend their grand designs for town centre Page 3

CROWDFUNDING WIN

Charity has a novel approach to helping others Page 10

CHOOSING A SCHOOL Your free invaluable 20 page education pull-out Page 21

THE FOOD FESTIVAL

Eight page guide to make sure you don’t miss out Page 31

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Local News

Incredulity greets secret ballot Continued from page 1

A list of potential candidates for each ward occurs at stage two, while stage three sees card-carrying local members vote on who they wish to run for election.

Cllr Sloan openly questioned the motive behind the decision.

“It is a secret ballot and they are not supposed to give any hint over who they want to vote for, but it makes you wonder what discussions went on beforehand,” he said, adding he may attempt a limited appeal.

“They say you cannot appeal the outcome, but on the process I felt once or twice there were instances of prejudice. For example, the candidate interview is supposed to last 25 minutes, I felt I was given far less time than that.”

Cllr Sloan said he was keeping his ‘options open’ and will consider standing as an independent.

The Times was able to contact all three councillors who sit on the panel; Thelma Huggett, David Elliott and Alex Lewis-Grey.

All three declined to say which way they voted, citing the confidential nature of the ballot.

However, Cllr Elliott did call the result ‘upsetting’, while Cllr Huggett said she wanted to counter rumours ‘spread by another councillor’ that Cllr Soyke was deselected as she had not worked hard enough.

Cllr Lewis-Grey responded to the Times by stating it is ‘none of your damn business.’

Panel members Graham Riddick, the Association Vice Chairman, and local member Jill Andrew, did not respond to request for comment.

Tunbridge Wells Conservative Party Agent, Andrew Kennedy, who oversees the running of the vote, said he would ‘not comment’ on the selection of individuals, but defended the method.

“This process is not undertaken by some secret cabal. The selection committee are voted to their roles by other members of the association in an open vote and anyone can stand.”

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Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Fate of the Mayor decided by panel of five THE SELECTION COMMITTEE David Elliott The representative of Southborough North ward since 2007, Cllr Elliott is also the Chairman of the Tunbridge Wells Conservative Association – although he does not chair the selection committee. A former Mayor of Tunbridge Wells himself in 2015/16, he won admiration when he raised £5,000 for his chosen charity ellenor by auctioning off his beloved Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Mr Elliott joked at his mayor making ceremony that he had never been vetted before standing as a borough councillor for the Conservatives, adding: “I never had a formal interview. How did they know I was suitable?”

He said the deselection of Cllr Soyke was ‘upsetting’.

Thelma Huggett Cllr Huggett has represented Rusthall since 2015.

She is a Treasurer of The League of Friends of Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Treasurer of Conservative Ladies Group and is also in charge of fundraising for the Conservative Association.

She helped her constituents fight an attempt

by Targetfollow to impose a ‘land tax’ on

Deselection causes council legal headache Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark: “Julia is a Mayor that Tunbridge Wells can be proud of – hardworking, committed and widely respected.

I understand that there is an ongoing process to select conservative candidates for the Borough Council, for which there is strong competition, and I hope that Julia will be able to continue her excellent public service.”

residents living on and near the common by hosting a legal advice meeting in May last year.

Cllr Huggett said ‘misinformation spread by another councillor’ that the Mayor had been deselected for not wording hard enough was false.

Alexander Lewis-Grey Elected to represent Culverden, the same ward as Cllr Don Sloan, in 2015, Cllr Lewis-Grey is in charge of campaigning for the local association. In his day job he is the ‘Vice President Data Capture and Reporting’ at Barclays Capital.

Cllr Lewis-Grey sits on three committees at the council; Audit and Governance, Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board and the General Purposes Committee. His attendance record to date is 71 per cent. He also sits on the Southborough Town Council.

When asked about why the Mayor was deselected by the committee he sat on, Cllr Lewis Grey told the Times it was ‘none of your damn businesses.’

Graham Riddick Vice Chairman of the association, Graham Riddick has been a member of the Conservative Party for 40 years.

He is not a member Who is Mayor Soyke?

Julia Soyke has dedicated her Mayoralty to supporting victims of domestic abuse and has chosen the Tunbridge Wells-based Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service (DAVSS) as her charity of choice for the year.

Cllr Soyke said she had attended a DAVSS course following the extreme discomfort she felt while listening to the Archers’ storyline centred on Helen and Rob Titchener – a storyline which grabbed media attention last year for its vivid depiction of domestic abuse.

She was

of the borough council. Between 1987 and 1997 Mr Riddick was MP for Colne Valley in West Yorkshire.

Mr Riddick was the subject of a Sunday Times ‘sting’ in 1994 regarding cash for questions. He agreed to engage with what he believed was a legitimate consultancy, but immediately returned a £1,000 cheque sent to him for asking a question, before it came to light it was a sting.

The Press Complaints Commission ruled the paper had failed to make clear to readers its approach to Riddick had been on the basis of a legitimate consultancy, not on the basis of a one-off payment in return for asking a question, and there was no justification for resorting to subterfuge.

Jill Andrew A director of The Enterprise Forum, an organisation which aims to ‘improve the quality and flow of information between the business community and the Conservative Party’, which counts many sitting MPs among its executive. Jill Andrew is not listed as a key member of the local Association.

A solicitor specialising in employment law by profession, she was a councillor for the London Borough of Bromley between 1994 and 98, and stood in Walthamstow at the 1997 General Election. Ms Andrew now holds a number of senior positions on the voluntary side of the Conservative Party. elected to the Mayoralty after a year as Deputy Mayor and after a long period chairing the planning committee.

Her education includes a geology degree from Exeter University and post graduate studies in the USA. Later in life she moved to Germany, where she lived for ten years, and now runs the family farm at Ashurst and is actively involved in the local community.

She has been married to her husband Peter Soyke for 50 years.

Can Cllr Soyke still be Mayor?

The deselection of Julia Soyke as a candidate to stand at the next round of local election on May 3 has caused a headache for the Borough Council as her Mayoralty does not end until the end of May. Having a Mayor who is not a member of the Borough Council is unchartered territory, a council spokesman admitted, adding: “As this is an unusual situation we are seeking legal clarification.”

IS THE CONSERVATIVE HIERARCHY REALLY SO OUT OF TOUCH? FEW would dispute the fact that the Conservative party is going through a period of turmoil. Some would use the word ‘crisis’.

Either way it’s got itself into a bit of trouble largely because it has become disconnected from its traditional supporter base, as in running probably the worst election campaign in the history of politics.

Not to worry, though, just so long as you learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them. How some must wish that were always the case.

Certainly in Tunbridge Wells the lessons appear not to have been heeded.

The borough’s Conservative Association has just kicked out the Mayor Julia Soyke. Members might not put it quite that bluntly but that’s

what they have done. The official version is that she has been ‘deselected’ and advised she will not be able to stand as a Tory candidate at next year’s council elections.

The action appears to be unprecedented. It was taken by a five person panel behind closed doors and the Mayor is not entitled to know why the party has turned its back on her. There is no right of appeal.

And if there are justifiable grounds for rejecting Cllr Soyke then the party is keeping them well hidden. When this newspaper asked a member of the panel that voted her out, why it had happened we were told it’s “none of your damn business”.

Well, actually, it is our business. Cllr Soyke is

a much respected, popular Mayor who happens to be our First Citizen. She is the ceremonial and civic head of our borough who would receive any visiting Royalty. As such she and her office deserve to be treated with some respect. She was after all voted into office by local people while her council peers voted for her as the Mayor.

Clearly if you believe certain sections of the Tory party they are all guilty of a gross misjudgement.

Next year’s council elections take place on May 3. The people of Speldhurst and Bidborough, who Cllr Soyke currently represents, should put that date in their diaries.

Richard Moore, Editorial Director

Local News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Rail route is ranked as second worst in the UK SOUTHEASTERN has come under fire after delivering poor services to rail users in Tunbridge Wells. The Tunbridge Wells to Cannon Street route was among the ‘five worst routes’ for rail travel in the country, according to a study by The Sunday Times.

When measured by punctuality and price, the 35-mile journey ranked second worst nationally, carrying a premium price of 64p per mile, with 29 per cent of trips delayed or cancelled. It was beaten only by the Ipswich to Liverpool Street route, operated by Greater Anglia, which charged commuters 71p per mile. Southeastern declined to comment.

No more sixth form A SCHOOL in Cranbrook has closed its doors to students due to start sixth form, informing parents of the decision one week before the start of term. The High Weald Academy announced at the lastminute they would not be running a Year 12 curriculum this year. The state academy school ‘requires improvement’, according to the latest Ofsted report in November 2016.

It is not known how many pupils have been affected.

WW2 bomb at Kings Hill A BOMB lying dormant since the Second World War was detonated by the Ministry of Defence at a quarry in Kings Hill last week.

The device, which was 18 inches long and five inches wide, was confirmed as a 50kg bomb dropped by the Luftwaffe during an air raid.

It was discovered in a ragstone quarry at Blaise Farm in Ashton Way when it was dug up during excavations by the Gallagher Group.

A police spokesman said: “There are no safety concerns for the local vicinity.”

Teenager murder charge A TUNBRIDGE WELLS man has been charged with the murder of a teenager in Blackheath in April. Paul Akinnuoye, 19, of Cobbett’s Ride was charged with the death of Jordan Wright, also 19, on Friday September 1. He was remanded in custody at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

The investigation led to the arrests of three other men who were all later released.

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Church Road side of the development.

Further objection is raised to the architecture, with Mr Todd, expressing ‘surprise’ that so little account is taken of the boulevard character of Mt Pleasant.

“On the evidence of the artist’s impressions the blocks A-D are bland and over-regular,” the letter states. Another concern is the perceived over emphasis on residential development, which accounts for just under 60 per cent of the scheme, whereas the Civic Society believe it is a suitable location for ‘fully commercial use’.

SUBJECTIVE TASTES The Civic Society dislikes the current proposal

Differences

Director defends Belvedere design following criticism

By Adam Hignett

adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ALTITUDE UK has responded to criticism of its proposed redevelopment of the old cinema site by describing architectural taste as ‘subjective’ and claiming to have received ‘an overwhelmingly positive’ response during its public consultation.

Director Stephen Tillman made the remarks last week after the Tunbridge Wells Civic Society described the submitted plans for the scheme as ‘unsatisfactory’. The scheme will see 108 flats

and 60,000 sq ft of retail space being built to replace the vacant site, In a letter to the Council’s planning committee, Civic Society Chairman Alastair Tod said: “Representatives of the Society were enabled to view and make comments on this proposal before submission but there do not seem to be significant resulting alterations.

“We are deeply concerned that after a long delay the submitted scheme is so unsatisfactory.”

Among the concerns listed is the baulk, or ‘massing’, of the development, particularly the ‘unfortunate’ elevation of eight storeys on the

Lastly, Mr Todd notes there is no commitment to affordable housing in the scheme, even though the size of the development would mean 35 units ‘would normally be required’, adding: “We urge that no decision is taken on the scheme as a whole until agreement is reached on the level of affordable housing to be provided.”

However, Mr Tillman defended Altitude UK’s design, stating: “Obviously, such subjective issues as design and architecture will always lead to differences of opinion, however, I’m very pleased to say that our proposals received an overwhelmingly positive response from the great majority of local people.

“Our development team has considered all comments – including criticisms – during the evolution of the proposals and we believe we have struck an appropriate balance between the commercial and aesthetic needs.

“With regard to affordable housing, it should be noted that, following the comprehensive consulting exercise, the scheme has reduced in height since the first ideas were developed. As a result, we have produced a viability assessment which demonstrates that affordable housing sadly cannot be supported by the current proposals.”

Captain America helps keep dragon boat race afloat Nearly a thousand people will take to the water in canoes this weekend for Bewl Water’s 20th anniversary Dragon Boat festival.

The annual event, on Saturday [September 9], sees 60 teams of 16 race in Chinese-style dragon boats over a 250 metre course.

Event spokesman Kevin Millington said: “We started off in 1997 thinking that we’d run it for two or three years…and here we are 20 years later, with the event helping to raise £2.6 million! A big thank you to all the teams participating and raising money for your charities.” Pictured is ‘Captain America’ posing beside his canoe at last year’s event. See also What’s On page 92.

MARVELLOUS Bewl’s Dragon Boat Race celebrates 20 years

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Local News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Shrager’s Pantiles patisserie closes

Rapist defendant admits he lied about being stockbroker THE man accused of committing a string of sex attacks in the Tunbridge Wells area had made numerous searches on his computer for rape themed pornography, a court heard.

Chiron Hutchinson spent his 20th birthday in Maidstone Crown Court yesterday [September 5], on trial for six charges of rape, one of attempted rape and six of sexual assault.

His alleged victims are three teenage girls and a 24-year-old woman he is alleged to have raped in woodland near Rusthall. All incidents are said to have taken place last year.

Expectation Hutchinson, of Mount Pleasant, Uckfield, East Sussex, denies the charges.

The court heard how he searched online using terms such as ‘against her will’ and ‘teen rape’.

The searches were made within days of Hutchinson meeting the 24-year-old after a night at MooMoo nightclub before driving her to Toad Rock where he allegedly raped her. Both were described as heavily intoxicated.

The court heard Hutchinson admit to lying about certain aspects of his lifestyle in an attempt to impress people, such as being a stockbroker with a flat in Hampstead.

He was a former waiter and supermarket worker.

Hutchinson said he was ‘not particularly rich’, adding: “The fact I had horses, spoke well and went to private school, people assumed I was incredibly wealthy, and so I lived up to the expectation bestowed on me.”

The polytunnel site at Salmans Farm

Union gives farm backing in the Penshurst polytunnel dispute…

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

THE company at the centre of an ongoing dispute over polytunnels near Penshurst is being backed by the agricultural union after warning it could lose hundreds of thousands of pounds if it is not granted permission to renew their use.

Clock House Farm has invested £574,000 on improving irrigation and other works since taking over the Salmans Farm near Penshurst in 2013.

Demands The tunnels themselves predate the acquisition, but were originally only intended to be a temporary structure.

However, recent attempts to

make the 37 acres of polytunnels permanent have been met with opposition from local residents and the parish council.

More than 300 letters of objection have been submitted, with Sevenoaks District Council due to make a decision at an unspecified later date.

Farm Manager Oli Pascall said a failure to get planning permission would be a ‘massive blow’ to the company, which produces 300 tonnes of raspberries and 40 tonnes of blackberries a year at the Salmans Farm site.

The success of the farm is also beneficial for area, he said, pointing out that approximately 100 people are employed to pick fruit, meaning a total wage bill of just under £1million, over a quarter of which ends up as tax.

“A large part of what’s left will be spent in the local communi-

ty,” Mr Pascall added.

His position is backed by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), who have contacted the planning department at Sevenoaks Council to offer their support for the application. Tom Ormesher, Land Use Adviser at the NFU, said only through using polytunnels can smaller enterprises hope to produce enough to sell to British supermarkets.

“UK growers are being asked to provide increasingly greater volumes of produce of the same or better quality at lower prices, throughout a longer growing season. The alternative is to risk losing these contracts to larger producers or to cheaper overseas supply. The sum effect is that unless a producer can continue to meet the rigorous demands of their supply contract, they risk going out of business entirely.”

A PANTILES based café announced last week that it has closed. Shrager’s Patisserie which was based along the town’s historic upper walkway released a statement on Friday September 1 saying it had ceased trading on August 31.

The café, which opened in 2014, was run by a small team of staff which included French head chef Marc Mouzon who trained at the Savoy Hotel in London.

Although the patisserie bore the name of the town’s celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager, who runs her eponymous cookery school in the nearby Corn Exchange, it had no financial links to her.

A spokesperson for Ms Shrager told the Times their partnership was just in name: “We are aware that Shrager’s Patisserie ceased trading at the end of August. Whilst sharing the Shrager name, this business is not formally linked to Rosemary Shrager, or the Rosemary Shrager Cookery School, and the closure of this business in no way affects the day-to-day operation of that enterprise or Rosemary Shrager personally.”

Rosemary Shrager

Local News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Gatwick accepts more action is needed to combat aircraft noise

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk ONE year on from their pledge to tackle aircraft noise, Gatwick has admitted that more still has to be done in order to meet their objectives.

The admission comes in response to a report released by the Tunbridge Wells Anti Aircraft Noise Group (TWAANG) which coincided with the anniversary of the airport’s own Arrivals Review.

‘A full capacity 24 hour operation imposes an outrageous penalty’ In their ‘report card’, TWAANG assed four areas in which Gatwick had promised in last year’s annual review to make improvements. It was only given a ‘pass’ for tackling the ‘whine’ from the Airbus A320 by December.

The TWAANG report notes there had been ‘significant’ progress in meeting this objective, which Gatwick had achieved by threatening airlines with penalties if they did not conform.

However, in the remaining three objectives the airport has fallen short of expec-

tations, the organisation said.

‘No progress’ has been made in improving the angle of decent for inbound aircraft to a standard which meets established international best practice, meaning aircraft are still coming in 1,000ft too low over Tunbridge Wells.

There has been ‘negligible progress’ in ensuring ‘a fair and more equitable dispersal’ of approaching aircraft – an issue which has been the subject of much controversy since flight path changes in 2013 spawned a host of protest groups in West Kent.

Finally, unplanned night arrivals, those which ‘spill over’ past 11:30pm were still ‘out of control’. The report notes that during the hour between 11.30pm and 12.29am, 44 per cent of flights in July were the result of ‘spill over’ – those which were meant to take place earlier.

Organisation Chair Irene Fairbairn said:

“Gatwick’s Arrivals Review and Noise Management Board have produced a paper mountain but very little improvement in aircraft noise over Tunbridge Wells as demonstrated in our report by Ed Crutchley.”

She said the peak of arrivals at night was ‘often more busy than the daytime peak’ and this situation will get worse if expansion plans by the airport mean they use up spare nigh time capacity.

“A full capacity 24 hour operation imposes an outrageous penalty on the population beneath and should not be allowed.

Heathrow has night time restrictions, why not Gatwick?”

A spokesman for Gatwick said the airport is ‘pleased’ to see its efforts to reduce noise from the Airbus A320 is highlighted in the report, but added: “We acknowledge there is more work to do and encourage the continued collaborative approach between industry and communities.

“The establishment of our community focussed Noise Management Board (NMB), of which TWAANG is a member, is the foundation of this collaborative approach and was borne from a recommendation from the Independent Arrivals Review.

“Out of the 23 recommendations made by the Independent Arrivals Review, more than 50 per cent have so far been completed.”

LOW MARKS: Gatwick scored badly in the TWAANG report

Referendum idea is really a non-starter TUNBRIDGE Wells Borough Council will not be holding a general referendum on the proposed new theatre and Civic Complex, a spokesman has confirmed.

Southborough North representative, Joe Simmons, has highlighted the issue after stating he will seek the views of those living in his ward by holding his own poll.

The Conservative councillor said the outcome would determine whether or not he votes in the future for the £72million project to proceed.

His decision has renewed calls for the whole borough to get a vote.

Colleagues criticising the move claim he is acting before an informed choice can be made, as further information on the planned theatre and new Civic Complex next to Calverley Grounds is not being released until the end of the year.

Members of the Liberal Democrat opposition, who had sought to force the

issue at a meeting of the Full Council in July, questioned why Cllr Simmons has acted unilaterally after voting against their motion for a borough-wide referendum.

But Cllr Peter Bulman, Conservative representative for Park ward, who voted in support of the Liberal Democrat position, said the new initiative is a ‘very good idea’ – however he will not be following suit by acting independently.

Good idea “I might have been tempted to do something similar, except that I must have received well over a hundred unsolicited letters and emails, condemning the proposed development and not a single one in support.

“Couple this with the 2,000 strong petition and the highly charged opposition from the public in the Council meeting and I believe that the mandate

to oppose these proposals is clear.”

The councillor, who voted against the project in July, renewed calls for the issue to be put to a borough-wide vote, adding: “If the leadership were so confident of the scheme, then why not put it to a referendum, rather than simply putting out more literature trying to persuade us of its merits?”

Cllr Simmons was also lauded by Friends of Calverley Grounds Chairman, Nicholas Pope, who said it is ‘great to see a councillor ask his constituents for their views’.

However, the Council have refused to budge on the issue, stating the decision has already been made.

A spokesman said: “At the last Full Council meeting all councillors debated whether to hold a borough-wide referendum before making their final decision on the proposed civic development.

Twenty five councillors voted against doing so, eight voted in favour.”

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BUSINESS

Local Business News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

New microbrewer sells to 60 outlets in just three months of operation

By Adam Hignett adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk A COUPLE from Matfield are celebrating three months in the beer-making business after commercially launching Cellar Head Brewing to much fanfare at the end of May. Chris and Julia McKenzie set up their small company near Uckfield with help and investment from several friends, many of whom are from the Tunbridge Wells area.

‘The missing cog in creating a successful brewery is, of course, the brewer – and finding a good one’ It comes as increasing demand for craft ales has seen a boom in the establishment of microbreweries, with 1,700 currently recorded in the UK, up 65 per cent from just six years ago, according to accountancy group UHY Hacker Young.

Closer to home, Cellar Head has joined the likes of the recently founded Tonbridge Brewery, and Pig and Porter in

Tunbridge Wells, as well as the slightly older Larkins Brewery in Chiddingstone.

Mr McKenzie explained the couple had decided to try their hand at brewing, not only because his former industry, oil and gas, was in ‘serious decline’, but because it was also the right time to ‘end the long days working overseas’.

“Being relative novices to all things brewing, Julia and I sought to explore this fascinating new world and see if it was really for us and, more importantly, whether we could really make a living doing it,” said Mr McKenzie, adding: “After many months of research visiting numerous breweries, countless reworking of spreadsheets and a good dose of soulsearching, we decided to take the plunge.”

Armed with their newfound knowledge, the couple were able to convince a group of like-minded friends and family members to provide the final financing required to get business off the starting blocks.

“The missing cog in creating a successful brewery is, of course, the brewer – and finding a good one,” Mr McKenzie continued. “We were fortunate to BREWING UP be approached by David Berry, David Berry who was eager to take the next

HEADS UP Chris and Julia Mckenzie

step in his brewing career by becoming Head Brewer and creating his own beers.

“David, aside from being an avid and longstanding home brewer, gained his commercial brewing experience and valuable knowledge firstly with The Old Dairy Brewery in Tenterden, and latterly with Tonbridge Brewery.”

Cellar Head currently produces four core ales – a 3.5 per cent Session Bitter, a 4.3 per cent Golden Ale, a 4.6 per cent Single Hop Pale Ale which changes monthly, and a 5.0 per cent IPA.

So far, the company has produced 18 Gyles [brews].

Each brew is the equivalent of around 1,500 pints.

This has been achieved using over four tons of malt and more than half of ton of hops.

And the brewery’s products are proving popular, having reached more than 60 outlets in the area since their first cask was sold to the Hare and Hounds in Framfield.

“It has been a great start for Cellar Head, and we continue to build our brand and range of beer,” Mr McKenzie remarked.

Local Business News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

ICA collapse left £4million debt THE bankruptcy of Tunbridge Wells cold storage firm ICA Group left creditors almost £4million worse off, company documents have revealed.

Headquartered on Mount Ephraim in Tunbridge Wells, but with its main centre of operations in Paddock Wood, the family-run company had a legacy dating back over a century.

It went into administration in March, and attempts to rescue the business were unsuccessful, resulting in the loss of 74 jobs.

Documents filed at Companies House show the firm went bust owing creditors around £4million.

Administrators FRP Advisory have since managed to find £437,000 worth of assets to repay some of the unsecured creditors, however this still leaves a significant shortfall.

Pressures A total of 310 companies have been left out of pocket by the collapse of ICA. The worst affected company in Kent was TLC Industrial Roofing and Cladding in Sandway, near Lenham, owed £114,000 for work undertaken at a cold storage unit in Sittingbourne.

Joint administrator Philip Armstrong said it was ‘hugely regrettable’ that a business with a loyal Kent customer base has been forced to close ‘following several years of unsustainable cash-flow pressures’.

He added that the administrator will continue to realise the assets of the business ‘in the interests of the creditors’.

Founded in Five Oak Green in 1901 by Harry Lawrence, the company has passed down from generation to generation, with his great-great grandson, Andrew Wills, taking over as the final Managing Director in 2004.

BANKRUPT ICA folded in March

Entrepreneurs’ brunch for Kent women in business THE Federation of Small Businesses is hosting a ‘Women in Business Brunch’ at The Beacon pub in Rusthall on September 26.

Self-employed women, entrepreneurs and small business owners are welcome to join the event, which starts at 10am and ends at noon.

Guest speaker Morag Welham, of Branchers LLP, will give a talk on ‘how and why to enter business awards’.

Ms Welham has more than 30 years’ experience in media, marketing and business development, and has organised the Kent Excellence in Business

Awards [KEiBA], the Megagrowth 50 Awards and judged the Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards.

She spent 20 years of her career in London working for leading UK business media company Centaur Media, where she was a publisher and Board Director.

Her role included managing a number of business award schemes for the marketing and creative industries.

Tickets for the brunch cost £15. For general enquiries regarding the event, please email: sarah.lilly@fsb.org.uk

Extra aid for Sussex farmers SMALL farm businesses in East Sussex are being invited to take part in the second year of the highly successful Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme, run by The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

Proven to help small farms improve their way of working, the programme will provide free business support, skills and planning tuition and one-to-

one guidance to 20 small livestock and mixed family farm businesses across the area.

Applications open on September 1 and close on October 31.

In total, 300 farm businesses from selected parts of the UK will benefit from the £1.5million programme this year.

Salomons opens new office space THE decline of office space in Tunbridge Wells has stalled after Salomons Estate unveiled the opening of 12 new serviced offices.

Small businesses can relocate to the Grade II listed Victorian country manor on short-term six to 12 month leases, with all-inclusive rents covering business rates, Wi-Fi, service charge, heating and electricity.

Andrew Daniells, Chief Operating Officer of

Markerstudy Leisure, said: “Many small businesses in the town have been hit by landlords converting office space back to residential.

“We wanted to do our bit to ensure companies can remain local.

“Businesses will have access to the grounds, a staffed reception to welcome their guests, and ample free parking.”

For more information, call 01892 515152

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Community News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Oxfam shop is gifted some Nourishing a new drop-off modern media mentoring THE Oxfam charity shop on Mount Pleasant recently received a different kind of donation to the usual ones. Social Fireworks founder Kizzie Nicholson offered a donation of her time and knowledge in social media to help the retail outlet.

Her idea was give volunteers a hands-on training session to help bring Oxfam into the digital world.

“Social media is all about people, and is where people go to find businesses, interact and engage,” said Ms Nicholson. “I could see Oxfam were trying to broadcast that they needed volunteers on Twitter, and could do with help, so I got in touch to offer free training so they can bring in more volunteers, and use social media in the right way.”

Oxfam need volunteers for stock management,

till work, window dressing, online sales and more.

Personal benefits include an opportunity to improve retail skills, and meeting new people – all while working towards ending global poverty.

Sam Holden, Shop Manager of Oxfam Tunbridge Wells, said: “We are dependent on the generosity of people like Kizzie to give their time and support.

“We can no longer rely on footfall and word of mouth to drive sales and volunteers to the shop.

Social media is a new tool for us to spread the rewards of volunteering, and also the work of Oxfam, to the Tunbridge Wells community.”  To become a volunteer, pop into the shop and speak to Sam Holden, telephone 01892 542 836, or email: oxfamshopf4336@oxfam.org.uk

THE offices of community interest company Royal Tunbridge Wells Together have become a new town centre drop-off point for the Nourish Community Foodbank.

Donations of canned and other non-perishable foods, as well as pet food and toiletries, will be transported by the organisation to the Nourish site at Big Yellow Storage on Longfield Road.

Hardship Nourish Community Foodbank helps people who are experiencing hardship by supplying them with food and other essential items. Each of their bags provides three days’ support.

Nourish works closely in the community with GP surgeries, housing associations and local charities who establish that there is a real need and make

the necessary referrals to to the foodbank.

RTW Together Town Centre Manager Karen Pengelly said: “September has historically been a time of harvest and plenty. This year, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together is working with local food businesses promoting restaurants and food festivals and everything food-related [see p31].

“It seems entirely appropriate that we are not just focused on ourselves but thinking about helping others, too.

“We are really happy to help Nourish, and hope that by providing a drop zone in a highly visible place it will boost the number of donations.”

RTW Together is supported by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a number of town businesses.  The RTW Together donation point is in Ely Court, which is part of Royal Victoria Place. The offices are open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

The wind is still in their sails after 25 years on Bewl Water

ALL ABOARD The hardy Midweekers celebrate their Silver Jubilee

A GROUP of 45 keen sailors who take to Bewl Water each week are celebrating a quarter of a century together.

Known as The Midweekers, the group meet every Wednesday throughout the year and enjoy ‘casual sailing, with the odd pub sail or silly games on the water’.

To mark the event, they celebrated with a glass of bubbly and a celebration cake

[pictured below] last Wednesday [August 30].

The sailing sessions are well supported and anyone is welcome to join the group.

Even for those without a boat, there is often an opportunity to crew for someone else.

Group leader John Mansel-Smith said: “Why not come along and meet the friendly members, have a sail, and find out how easy it is to get into sailing?”

For more information, contact Mr ManselSmith on 07443 527 880.

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Local News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

The children’s crowdfunder that

By Murray Jones newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

IF ASKED where crowdfunding originated from, you may conjure up images of Silicon Valley startups filled with 20-something social media gurus.

But arguably it came from a small Tunbridge Wells [now Tonbridge] charity, Tree of Hope, who currently help around 900 families of children with a disability or illness raise the money for specialist care that is not freely available through the UK healthcare system.

Gill Gibb

“The advent of social media and the internet helped us become a crowdfunder before crowdfunding ever started,” the charity’s CEO Gill Gibb told the Times. “We always say we are the children’s crowdfunding charity because that’s what we do.”

The phenomenon of crowdfunding, in which people appeal online to the entire globe for donations to a cause, has taken the world by storm in the last few years.

These causes can be anything from an entrepreneur looking for backing to an aspiring poet needing to pay the bills while they write, as well as charitable endeavours.

In fact, according to sector analysts Charity Financials, crowdfunding will be worth more than any one charity by 2019.

But while the ease with which people can canvass for cash has been liberating for many, it does come with its dangers, warned Ms Gibb.

“A registered charity guarantees, through detailed auditing and regulation by the Charity Commission, that donations will be put to use for the purposes they were originally intended.

“But go, for example, to JustGiving’s crowdfunding page, and it makes it clear

‘A registered charity guarantees that donations will be put to use for the purposes they were originally intended’

that the site cannot guarantee donations will be used correctly. Or that the money will be used for the reason given?

“I think that is a big problem. If you set up a crowdfunding page, then all that money could go straight into your bank account and you can do whatever you want with it.

“And while, of course, you wouldn’t, not everybody is like that. I’ve met many people since crowdfunding has become more prevalent, and because people have seen some of the frauds they are thinking twice about donating because they are starting to get

more cynical that these people don’t exist.

“We saw that after the terror attacks [where fake pages were set up for victims] – that there were questions over how the sites were checking people were who they said they were.”

At Tree of Hope, they ensure they know where their money is going because they work with their families, who come from all over the UK, every step of the way through their journey, as

WHAT IS GIFT AID? n Gift Aid is an income tax relief designed to benefit

charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs [CASCs]. If you’re a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid increases the value of your charity donations by 25 per cent because the charity can reclaim the basic rate of tax on your gift at no extra cost to you.

Charities don’t pay tax on most types of income, which is why the tax paid on financial gifts to charity can be claimed back.

It was introduced in the Finance Act 1990 for donations given after October 1, 1990, but was originally limited to cash gifts of £600 or more.

This threshold was reduced in April 2000, when the policy was substantially revised and the minimum donation limit was removed entirely.

“The problem with Gift Aid and tax relief is most people might have heard of it but don’t really understand it,” said Tree of Hope CEO Gill Gibb.

FUNDRAISING TO BEAT CANCER Kelly Turner

“And it does seem unreal that a hard-up Chancellor is giving us an extra 25p on every pound, but he is, and the value to the sector is between £800 and £900million. But the public are suspicious of it because it does seem strange.”

Local News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

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does more than just giving…

“If you donate through a registered charity, you can claim Gift Aid, which turns a pound into £1.25. Once we take fees, it is still £1.11,” explained Ms Gibb.

“If you are using JustGiving on your own, you still have fees to pay [6.25 per cent], which means you are getting less for your pound because you’re not attracting Gift Aid. Plus most corporates, trusts and foundations will only donate to a registered charity.

“Once we explained this to Kelly’s family, they realised they were missing out on a lot of potential donors.”

TREE OF HOPE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The highest paid director was paid £219,000, up from £152,000 the previous year. In total, the company spent £9.2million on wages last year.

LOUIS BISHOP n Six-year-old

Louis Bishop, from Crowborough, has quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

His family have done a lot of fundraising within their community for various intense therapies and equipment to help Louis’s development so that he can become more mobile.

With some of the money fundraised, they were able to buy a lift that goes straight into his bedroom.

This has enabled Louis to be more independent and included within family life.

In 2016, £443million was donated on the website, equating to around £28million taken by the company in fees – leading to just over £1million net profit for the year.

More than £7.8million has been raised via the website following the attacks in Manchester, London Bridge and Westminster and the Grenfell Tower fire.

The latter catastrophe resulted in the website breaking its one-day record for donations received, meaning they will have received at least £390,000 in fees.

It has just been announced that former Kent and England Cricket Captain Chris Cowdrey will be in attendance, as will John Taylor and Rob Andrew, who are Lions Rugby personalities, along with a number of other sporting legends.

There will be an opportunity to ask them questions about their careers and to chat about the recent Lions tour.

Tables are available at £750 or £1,000 with a Sports Hero and seat ten people. Alternatively, you can book a group of four for £300.

For further information, or to book, call 07846 740378 or email: sportingheroeslunch@gmail.com www.treeofhope.org.uk

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of Hope will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in October. Celebrations for the charity will start with a special lunch on Friday October 13 at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells.

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company was founded by Zarine Kharas and Anne-Marie Huby in 2001. They remain the only directors of the company and were paid a joint £442,724 last year.

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JUSTGIVING n The

Since switching from independent fundraising to Tree of Hope in October 2016, they have gained an additional £22,447 in Gift Aid – that’s money they wouldn’t have if they had stuck it out on their own, even with the identical amount of donations coming in.

“People were asking them: ‘Why did you switch?

It was working’ and, yes, it was working, but not as well as it could have.

“With a massive target like theirs, every penny counts, and if their earlier donations had attracted Gift Aid, they would be closer to their target.” n Fundraising for Kelly currently stands at £573,153.

FU

are close her liver, the hospital is not prepared to carry out any surgery.

The family sought a fifth medical opinion from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, who agreed to do the surgery at an estimated cost of $1.2million.

So the Turners set upon the mammoth task of raising £1million, setting up their own online JustGiving page where people could donate.

But once they spoke to Tree of Hope, they soon realised the benefits of working with the charity rather than going it alone, especially when it came to taxation.

A

well as demanding medical confirmation of the condition involved.

Take Kelly Turner, for example, a 17 year old who was diagnosed with Desmoplastic small round cell tumor [DSRCT], a rare form of cancer, two years ago.

Despite several rounds of chemotherapy at the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity hospital in Chelsea, the tumours remained, and since they

Sporting Heroes Charity Lunch Event

THE SPA HOTEL, TUNBRIDGE WELLS FRIDAY 13th OCTOBER 2017 12.30pm - 4.00pm Pre-Lunch Drinks Reception

Join these sporting heroes for a lively lunch

AND HELP support some little HEROES! Kent & England Cricket Captain CHRIS COWDREY

World Cup Rugby Player RACHAEL BURFORD

Wales and British Lions Rugby JOHN TAYLOR

A great opportunity to network with local businesses

England and British Lions Rugby ROB ANDREW

Gold Medal Paralympic Skier CHARLOTTE EVANS MBE

an exclusive 3 course ;lunch with the stars join the fun and book a table now!

Table of 10 £750 | Table of 10 with Sports Hero £1,000 | Table of 4 £300 | £85pp

To book call 07846 740378 or email sportingheroeslunch@gmail.com

All proceeds raised will be donated to Tree of Hope Tree of Hope helps children and young people with a disability or illness by supporting their families to raise the funds that they need to pay for specialist care that is not freely available through the UK healthcare system.

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County News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Schools struggle to fill head teacher vacancies DOZENS of schools in Kent are starting their first term without a permanent head teacher in place, a report by Kent County Council has warned.

A total of 45 maintained schools are without a ‘substantive’ head teacher, however each case has a ‘robust’ interim arrangement in place, the document adds.

Marketing to fill empty teaching roles has been stepped up by the authority, which has launched a ‘trailblazer campaign’ to recruit more staff, titled ‘I’m in Charge’.

The campaign has a strong emphasis on social media, alongside traditional recruiting methods such as job fairs.

Among other steps the council is considering to recruit head teachers is to set up a dedicated headhunters’ agency.

Soldier homes rejected RESIDENTS in Cheriton have reacted with fury after plans to turn an abandoned pub into specialist accommodation for exservicemen was declined by Shepway District Council last week.

The planning committee unanimously denied the application for the White Lion on the High Street, with some members citing a lack of need, while others said not enough detail was included in the application.

Guy Hammond, Director of Rebllion Homes, which is funding the project, said the rejection ‘beggars belief’, and some of the reasons given by councillors for turning it down were ‘incredibly insulting’.

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

‘Alarming’ childhood study reveals thousands of young people fear becoming victims CHILDREN in Kent are becoming increasingly worried about becoming the victims of crime, a study has revealed.

The annual Good Childhood Report, released last week, said the well-being of children is being undermined on an ‘alarming’ scale.

It found girls are more concerned about being followed home by a stranger, while boys fear being the victim of assault.

The research, published by The Children’s Society, estimates 54,600 young people aged between ten and 17 in Kent are worried about being the victims of at least two or more crimes.

Problems In addition, the charity estimated 76,000 youngsters experienced at least three serious problems in the last five years, and 25,700 have had to contend with seven or more.

Some of the serious problems identified by the study are mental health issues, being the victim of domestic violence, or living in a household in which a member has spent time in prison.

Other hardships listed include the family being forced to move home, being homeless or being at risk of homelessness, overcrowding, or the child being a young carer themselves.

Matthew Reed, the society’s Chief Executive, called on the government to plug the funding shortfall in children’s services, which is estimated to hit £2billion over the next three years.

He said: “It is alarming to see [so many] teenagers are contending with a multitude of problems in their lives and suffering as a result.

“Teenagers are coming under pressure in all areas of their lives, whether it’s being afraid to walk down their street, worrying about money, or having a parent who’s seriously unwell, and this is damaging their well-being.”

“Sadly, we know many of these teenagers will only get help if they reach crisis point – such as running away from home or abusing alcohol or drugs.

“With a £2billion funding gap for children’s services looming, children are increasingly finding themselves with nowhere to turn, putting them at greater risk.”

The London-based society, which has a presence in Canterbury, Ramsgate, and Deal, called for councils, police forces, schools and other agencies to work together to improve the well-being of children in their area.

SUFFERING Vulnerable children need much more help

County News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Bring back duty free DOVER MP Charlie Elphicke has called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to bring back duty free once Britain leaves the EU in 2019.

If Mr Hammond were to do so, it would mark 20 years since such sales MP Charlie were axed on trips Elphicke between the UK and Europe. They are still available to those travelling to destinations outside the continent.

In his letter to the Chancellor, the MP argues the reintroduction of duty free would boost regional economies such as Dover and Deal – towns and districts that are home to ports and smaller airports, and UK cruise ship ports.

Mr Elphicke said: “The return of duty free would deliver a real boost to Britain. The benefits would be felt across the nation – particularly in coastal communities and regional airports.

“Bringing back duty free would be a real boost to the ferry industry at ports from Dover to Holyhead – as well as regional airports from Aberdeen to the East Midlands.”

By having one non-EU stopover on a cruise, the entire journey becomes duty and tax free for passengers.

Only minor amendments to legislation on VAT, excise duty and excise goods are required to reintroduce duty free, according to industry experts.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Mosque protesters will only help with funding THOSE marching against the redevelopment of a mosque in Kent’s county town may be undermining their own efforts after the Maidstone Anti-Racist Network said it would donate £10 for each demonstrator they see.

Money raised will go towards funding the development of a new centre in Mote Road, Maidstone, which will see a three-storey complex of classrooms, a library, offices, a kitchen, three shops and a flat replace the existing mosque.

Britain First and the South East Alliance have been protesting against what they say amounts to an expansion of the mosque.

Hospital battles surge

Gravesend market funding boost A CENTURIES-OLD market in Gravesend has been given a boost after receiving just under half a million pounds in EU grants.

The money, which was given to Gravesham Council via the European Regional Development Fund, is to be spent on a business support package for market stall holders.

It comes as part of a three-year project known as GoTrade, which stands for Growth of the Visitor Economy through Traditional Markets, Employment and Skills and aims to be increase footfall in the town centre.

Business development Cabinet member Cllr Samir

Jassal said: “Markets are major contributors to local economies and provide a sense of community for those that use them.

“This project will help our market to be even more successful.”

He added: “This is a great achievement for our economic development team to secure this funding, which will complement the Coastal Community Funding for the refurbishment of the borough market building.”

The building, which was first established in 1268, received a £1.8million package from the Coastal Communities Fund.

A NORTH kent hospital had to urge people to stay away from its A&E department at the end of last month.

There were fears of a 25 per cent spike attendance, compared to the daily average.

Predictions of ‘unprecedented demand’ could have resulted in 390 patients in addition to 120 ambulances turning up at Darent Valley Hospital, near Bluewater shopping centre, on August 29 if action had not been taken at midday to ask people not to turn up, it was forecast.

This compares to normal expectations of 300 patients and 80 ambulances, or below.

After the measures were introduced, around 340 patients and 89 ambulances were handled, which was still above the national average.

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National News

Brexit divorce bill debate rumbles on THE row between Britain and the EU over the so-called Brexit divorce fee will last throughout the two-year talks, according to David Davis.

The Brexit Secretary also sought to downplay fears that MPs will inadvertently give the UK Government a ‘blank cheque’ to settle any bill with the EU if they approve motions linked to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill next week.

He told the Commons the EU believes the UK has to pay a settlement as ‘that’s what the law says’ but the UK challenged this by ‘testing that law’.

He said: “Last week they were given a two-and-ahalf-hour briefing on why we think the legal basis is flawed. That, I think to some extent, is why the end of that negotiating round was a little more tetchy than the one before.”

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Four soldiers arrested over links to far-right extremists CROWD TROUBLE National Action on the streets of Liverpool

NEWS IN BRIEF

Jacob Rees-Mogg is Tory leadership poll favourite COLOURFUL backbencher Jacob ReesMogg has topped a survey of Conservative supporters as the best candidate to become the next party leader.

Some 23 per cent of ConservativeHome readers backed the Tory, often known as ‘the MP for the 18th century’ over his oldfashioned ways, to replace Theresa May. Mr Rees-Mogg has enjoyed a growing media profile in recent months and has been touted as a right-wing antidote to the increasing popularity of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Payout for royal couple FOUR serving members of the Army have been arrested under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of being members of banned neo-Nazi group National Action.

The men – a 22-year-old from Birmingham, a 32-year-old from Powys, a 24-year-old from Ipswich and a 24-year-old from Northampton – were detained as part of a ‘pre-planned and intelligence-led’ operation and there was ‘no threat to the public’s safety’, West Midlands Police said.

National Action, described by the Home Office as ‘virulently racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic’, became the first extreme right-wing group to be banned under terrorism laws in December 2016.

In a statement, police said the suspects were arrested ‘on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000; namely on suspicion of being a member of a proscribed organisation (National Action) contrary to sec 11 of the Terrorism Act’.

An Army spokesman said: “We can confirm that a number of serving members of the Army have been arrested under the Terrorism Act for being associated with a proscribed far right group.

“These arrests are the consequence of a policeled operation supported by the Army. This is now the subject of a civilian police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further. Any further inquiries should be made to the West Midlands Police Force.”

Provocative All four are being held at a police station in the West Midlands and a number of properties are being searched.

An official list of proscribed groups says National Action is a ‘racist neo-Nazi group’ established in 2013 and has branches across the UK which ‘conduct provocative street demonstrations and stunts aimed at intimidating local communities’.

THE DUKE and Duchess of Cambridge have said they are pleased a court ‘found in their favour’ after they were awarded more than ¤100,000 in damages over topless photographs published of Kate.

The couple ‘felt it essential to pursue all legal remedies’ after the long-lens images of Kate sunbathing on a terrace were published by France’s Closer magazine in September 2012, Kensington Palace said.

The publication was ordered to pay each of them ¤50,000 euro (£46,000) at a Paris court after it was ruled they had breached Kate’s privacy. The damages fall short of the ¤1.6 million sought by lawyers for the pair.

National News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Theresa May warns of ‘threat’ over North Korea nuclear missile testing NORTH Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes represent a threat to the whole of the international community, Prime Minister Theresa May has told her Cabinet.

Speaking to senior Government ministers at their first meeting after Parliament’s summer break, Mrs May vowed that Britain would continue to work with international partners to put pressure on Pyongyang to turn away from its current course.

Her comments came as North Korea’s ambassador in London, Choe Il, was summoned to the Foreign Office for a dressing down from Asia minister Mark Field over last weekend’s detonation of a hydrogen bomb, which was the most powerful weapon yet tested by the regime of dictator Kim Jong Un.

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British universities rank top in world THE top two universities in the world are to be found in the UK, according to a new league table.

Oxford held on to first place in the latest annual Times Higher Education World University Rankings, with Cambridge rising from fourth place to take second.

It is the first time that the two prestigious

institutions have taken the top two spots in the 13-year history of the rankings.

The California Institute of Technology drops one place to joint third with Stanford University, both in the United States.

Rounding out the top five is another US institution, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In a warning to Pyongyang, South Korea has conducted military exercises involving warships, F-15 fighter jets and land-based ballistic missiles simulating an attack on North Korea’s nuclear test site.

And at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday [September 4], US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the time had come for the Security Council to adopt the strongest diplomatic measures.

Enough The North’s actions suggested that leader Kim Jong Un was “begging for war”, she said, warning: “Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don’t want it now.

But our country’s patience is not unlimited.”

Downing Street has stressed Britain’s ‘overwhelming’ preference for a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

Mrs May’s official spokesman said the PM had told Cabinet that the North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile programmes ‘threaten the whole of the international community’.

They added: “She said the UK would continue to work with the international community to increase pressure on the North Korean leadership to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.”

NUMBER ONE Oxford University

Officers could face Sir Bruce Forsyth charges over police is laid to rest pursuit deaths PROSECUTORS are to decide whether to bring charges against two police officers over the deaths of a 10-yearold boy and his aunt who were killed by a stolen car which was being pursued by their marked vehicle.

Makayah McDermott and Rosie Cooper, 34, were walking along Lennard Road in Penge, south-east London, when the vehicle ploughed into them on August 31 2016.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission launched an investigation into the crash and said on Tuesday [September 5] that it has referred a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of criminal charges.

Operations manager Catherine Hall said: “Following our investigation I have now decided to make a referral to the CPS as there is an indication that two officers may have committed criminal offences relating to their actions both during and following the pursuit.”

THE funeral of Sir Bruce Forsyth was held on Monday, his manager has said.

Sir Bruce was buried on September 4 in a private ceremony.

A statement from Ian Wilson, released on behalf of Lady Forsyth and the family, said: “It was the express wish of Lady Forsyth and family that this be a private event and they would like to thank the media for respecting this request. There will be no further details or comment.

Private event “A more public celebration of Sir Bruce’s life will be announced in the coming weeks.”

The TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing host died aged 89 on August 18.

The BBC recently confirmed they would pay tribute to Sir Bruce in the launch episode of the show this weekend. Sir Bruce was at the helm of the BBC dance contest alongside Tess Daly for 10 years, from its launch in 2004 until 2014.

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BUSINESS

National Business News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Upturn in numbers who predict growth

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

‘Staycations’ boost Halfords sales after poor exchange rates

SIGN OF THE TIMES Redrow expect ‘moderate’ growth

THREE out of ten company finance chiefs believe the UK economy is set to grow this year – almost double the number who fear another downturn.

A survey found 27 per cent are anticipating ‘modest growth’ of between 1 and 2.5 per cent, while 3 per cent are forecasting growth at a higher rate than this.

Just over half expect the economy to be flat or record ‘negligible growth’ while the number forecasting the UK will re-enter recession has fallen from 45 per cent in 2016 to 16 per cent.

Bank staff accept deal A DISPUTE over pay at the Bank of England, which led to a strike, has been resolved.

Members of the Unite union, including security staff and cleaners, have now voted to accept a deal after last month’s action.

Unite said it secured ‘significant improvements’, including extra annual leave and a payment for workers on lower salaries.

Youth fund launched YOUTH clubs and support services are set to receive £40million in Government and lottery funding aimed at helping over 300,000 disadvantaged children in England.

The Youth Investment Fund will be shared between 86 youth trusts to help young people gain confidence and work skills.

Minister for Civil Society Tracey Crouch said the investment will ‘enrich the lives’ of many young people across the country.

No go-slow as Redrow results hit record high HOUSEBUILDER Redrow has hailed a record set of results, defying fears of a market slowdown and a volatile political and economic environment.

The firm saw revenue rise 20 per cent to £1.66billion in the year to June 30, while pre-tax profit rose 26 per cent to £315million.

Redrow saw completions jump 15 per cent to 5,416 in the period and the average selling price of its homes increased 7 per cent to £309,800.

Chief Executive John Tutte said: “These exceptional results were achieved against an uncertain political and economic backdrop as a result of Brexit and also an ongoing requirement to manage an industry-wide shortage of skills to meet our build programmes.”

The results come amid mounting signs that the wider property market is cooling amid sluggish economic growth.

Recent figures from Nationwide Building Society showed house prices dropped by 0.1 per cent in August, signalling that pressure on household finances from Brexit-fuelled inflation is hitting buyer confidence.

Mr Tutte said that while Redrow’s strategy is to continue to grow the business, the rate of growth is expected to ‘moderate over time’.

Nevertheless, Redrow has increased its medium-term guidance and now expects turnover in 2020 of circa £2.2billion and pre-tax profit of £430million.

HALFORDS has experienced a hike in sales thanks to surging demand for roof boxes and camping gear as more Britons chose to holiday in the UK. The car and bicycle chain said like-for-like retail sales rose 3.5 per cent in the 20 weeks to August 18, with motoring sales lifting 2.3 per cent.

Halfords saw travel solutions sales jump 8.2 per cent higher, driven by the rising popularity of holidaying in the UK in the face of poor exchange rates from the Brexit-hit pound.

It also reported strong demand for bikes, with sales up 5.2 per cent and electric bikes and repair services seeing strong performances.

Chief Executive Jill McDonald, who is leaving next month to head up Marks & Spencer’s fashion and homeware arm, said: “A combination of good planning and execution meant that we optimised sales from the staycation summer, with strong growth in camping, roof boxes and cycle carriers.”

However, the group saw a 2 per cent drop in like-for-like sales at its autocentres service, leaving overall group-wide same-store sales 2.7 per cent higher in the 20-week period.

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World News

SPORT IN BRIEF

Southgate: England’s win an ‘important step’ GARETH SOUTHGATE praised his developing England team for coming back against Slovakia, shedding the mental shackles that cost them dearly last year against Iceland.

England took control of their World Cup destiny with a tense 2-1 win in the qualifier at Wembley on Monday [September 4].

The team have a five-point cushion at the top of Group F, with a home match against Slovenia and a trip to Lithuania to come.

McIlroy ranking drops FOUR-TIME major winner Rory McIlroy will enter next week’s make-or-break BMW Championship at his lowest world ranking for over three years.

He missed the cut in the Dell Technologies Championship and has slipped from fourth to sixth in the latest standings behind winner Justin Thomas and Spain’s Jon Rahm.

The Northern Irishman has played just 15 events in an injury-plagued season and plans to take part in three more before taking several months off to recover from a rib injury.

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Bangladesh refugee aid reaches ‘breaking point’ A MASSIVE influx of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Burma has pushed aid services in Bangladesh to the brink, with established camps already beyond capacity.

The UN refugee agency said 123,000 refugees have fled western Burma since August 25.

“The numbers are very worrying. They are going up very quickly,” said UNHCR spokeswoman Vivian Tan. The agency pleaded for assistance, saying it needs more land to set up new camps to accommodate refugees who are arriving hungry, traumatised and in need of medical assistance.

“Most have walked for days from their villages – hiding in jungles, crossing mountains and rivers with what they could salvage from their homes,” the agency said. “An unknown number could still be stranded at the border.”

Many said their homes had been set alight and

Burmese soldiers fired indiscriminately around their villages in Rakhine state.

Tens of thousands of new refugees have been taken in at established camps that have been housing Rohingya since the 1990s.

But the UN refugee agency said these camps have reached ‘breaking point’.

Thousands of others are sheltering in emergency tents, makeshift camps or out in the open wherever they find space.

Aid agencies said there is an urgent need for emergency shelters and medical aid as more refuges arrive.

Rohingya Muslims have long faced discrimination in majority-Buddhist Burma.

They began streaming into Bangladesh after August 25, when Rohingya insurgents attacked Burmese police posts, prompting security forces to respond with days of ‘clearance operations’.

Reaching their peak ENGLAND players will undergo simulated altitude training to help get them in peak condition for the Rugby League World Cup. Wayne Bennett’s squad will also be exposed to a heat chamber to help them acclimatise to the 30-degree temperatures they can expect on arrival at their training camp in Perth.

FLOODING IN A family crosses the Naf river into Bangladesh

Caribbean is braced for Hurricane Irma OFFICIALS across the north-eastern Caribbean have cancelled flights, closed schools and urged people to shelter indoors as Hurricane Irma barrels towards the region after strengthening to a Category 5 storm.

States of emergency were declared in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and all of Florida while people on various Caribbean islands boarded up homes and rushed to find last-minute supplies, forming long lines outside stores and petrol stations.

Irma’s maximum sustained winds increased to nearly 175mph early on Tuesday [September 5], the US National Hurricane Centre said.

Authorities warned that the storm could dump up to 10in of rain, cause landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to 23ft.

Putin insists: Trump is ‘not my bride’ RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has refrained from making any criticism of Donald Trump, saying that the US leader is ‘not my bride’.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Putin dismissed a question on whether he was disappointed in Mr Trump, or saw him as ‘naive’.

In comments carried by Russian news agencies, Mr Putin said Mr Trump is ‘not my bride, and I’m not his groom’.

Asked how Russia would feel if Mr Trump were impeached, Mr Putin said it would be ‘absolutely wrong’ for Russia to discuss domestic US politics.

Further US sanctions on Russia and the decision to close a Russian consulate have raised concerns that the two countries remain far apart.

Letters

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

NEWS

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And another thing…

This is the page where you, the reader, have your chance to express your views or comments on what’s going on in our part of the world. We like to hear from you. You can email us at newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk or write to the Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU G4S provided an excellent service

Party politics is spoiling Southborough Local Tories are a complete shambles. That’s the headline reason to vote Labour, according to the Labour leaflet dropped through my door in regard to the forthcoming Southborough Town Council by-election.

It seems that Conservative councillors are being judged as a complete shambles because a second parish councillor has decided to resign from their unpaid, time-consuming and often thankless and unappreciated task.

It just so happens that both these volunteers are Conservatives. Although a position on a parish council is often where aspiring borough councillors cut their teeth, our little and relatively powerless parish council seems somewhat over-political.

On further reading, it seems another stone thrown at the Conservatives in this playground name-calling is the demise of Royal Victoria Hall, which has been draining the council’s coffers and, despite local sentiment, was run down and barely used by local people.

It seems the Tories ignored local opinion, which has made at least one Labour Party member angry. Indeed, 10,000 people signed a petition to restore Royal Victoria Hall, but how many felt that strongly they would make a regular donation towards its upkeep?

The famous twin towers of the former Wembley Stadium are long gone, and no longer grieved over or remembered.

Labour’s own former Prime Minister Tony Blair offered a relevant perspective when he said: “I think the journey for a politician goes from wanting to please all the people all the time to a

political leader that CENTRE STAGE realises in the end Royal Victoria Hall is his responsibility is still a political topic to decide. And when he decides he divides.”

Perhaps it will be the same with Royal Victoria Hall.

Another stone thrown at Conservative councillors is that of secrecy.

According to the Southborough Town Council website, there have been five Labour council members.

Am I really being told that these five councillors don’t know what is going on with regard to the Hub development?

That would seem like a shambles. Surely not?

Another stone thrown by our local Labour Party is that Kent County Council have voted to increase their expense allowances by 15 per cent, but what has that got to do with our own parish council?

An opinion stated by the Labour consortium is that a parish councillor should be local, an ideal as long as someone can be found with the needed skill set and availability to meet the demands of this voluntary role.

Our Labour candidate is supported by another local town and borough councillor who highlights the unsuccessful attempts at preserving the dilapidated Royal Victoria Hall, along with the inference that if their ‘party’ were in control of the Town Hall, we would be protected from parking problems, traffic congestion and pollution. This vastly overexaggerates the powers of a parish council, and besides, the horse has previously bolted.

Putting all the name-calling and playground antics to one side, what is it that our local Labour councillors are proposing to do as an alternative, and how are they going to achieve it? Or are they asking us to vote one shambles off and another shambles on?

As an ordinary, everyday person, the political rhetoric landing on my doormat is tedious and far from impressive. I would suggest that we, the voters, would be better served if our town council came into line with others and stopped declaring their political alliances, leaving us to decide by their knowledge and skill sets.

Rev Steven Farthing Via email

I can only speak from my own experience, but when G4S healthcare services brought me back to Tunbridge Wells from St Martin’s Hospital, Canterbury, in mid-May they were excellent.

We got back in one hour and 20 minutes without any problems, and I had a very interesting conversation with the driver, who was very involved in charity work.

The previous time I was hospitalised in Maidstone Hospital in 2013 I had to make my own way there on the bus, and due to my mental state that journey was difficult.

I see the Commercial Director of G4S mentions ever increasing demand as well as traffic congestion and last minute journey requests. And we all know why patient transport has been outsourced.

Dave Rose Tunbridge wells

We deserve a second referendum I am a remain voter and very disappointed with what is being conveyed to the public about Brexit, in particular about MPs and ministers who voted in their constituencies to remain, and then it appears that in Parliament they can just change to support leaving.

Do you not think that there is an ethical point here, that voters should be given another chance to vote on the issue? Because, not unlike Members of Parliament, members of the voting public may like to change their vote as well?

Ray Parkes Via email

Feeding the homeless or the problem?

I read the article in your August 30 edition concerning giving money to rough sleepers with interest, as I had also listened to debates on radio about this very thing the previous week, and I have also been asked the same question.

In essence, I agree with the views expressed in the article that advocated ‘effective generosity’ to homelessness charities, rather than giving directly to homeless people on the streets.

I also agree that giving some food or a hot drink may be a better alternative to money.

However, it strikes me that I am being slightly hypocritical here, as I have given money to rough sleepers myself (albeit after chatting to them to try and gauge what they are about).

So maybe there is another option that no one mentioned – why do we have to give to a rough sleeper or a charity – give to both!

John Handley CEO, The Bridge Trust

Heed the voices of the local people Your support for last weekend’s Local & Live music festival in Calverley Grounds made me wonder what is the future for such events there if individuals like Cllr Moore get their way and build on part of the park?

When Ms Moore, a former finance sector worker from America, settled in the town a few years ago, it was presumably because she liked what she saw.

So why, along with former Cllr Bullock, was she active in the failed attempt to turn the Town Hall into a commercial complex, and now supports an unwanted costly scheme that again will give financial gain to the few and debt to the rest of us?

Mr Bullock had to go after the successful ‘no’ campaign to that Town Hall scheme; he has heard the electorate and is now against the Calverley project. Likewise, please Ms Moore, hear the voices of residents and go. Or at least support a referendum on the subject.

John Elliott via email

The decline of pubs and football…

The Sir Alf Ramsey, the pub built in the early 70s, to commemorate England’s first and probably only win in the World Cup, closed its doors on August 31.

Following a spate of pub closures all Sir Alf over the country it Ramsey should not be a surprise, but nevertheless it is very sad for those whose local it has become over the years.

I moved into the area in 1970 and still live within walking distance of the pub, although walking is not an option for me these days. However, I still enjoyed my visits every Sunday lunchtime, talking to friends old and new. It is always sad when a local pub closes, but I should like to wish Carol and Roger all the best in their retirement and thank them for their services over the years.

As for Sir Alf, he must be turning in his grave now to see how football has changed over the past 51 years! He was just getting used to having four national divisions, having seen the merging of Three South and North, and nowadays we have five, ranging from the French-sounding Premiership through to the Championship, One, Two and now a National.

With ridiculous transfer fees and wages, I can see big-time football, sponsored mainly by bookmakers and a large bank, crashing one day soon, and when I read recently that the next round of the Carabao League Cup was being drawn in China at 4.15 in the morning, I thought to myself ‘thank goodness I’m a live supporter’.

And although I’ve supported Tonbridge Angels for 65 years, I would rather watch Rusthall play Crowborough Athleic than pay to watch a bunch of non-English millionaires on television.

Dave Brennan Tunbridge Wells Calverley is away on holiday – yet again

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

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NEWS

Weekly Comment

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Martin Betts Labour Party local campaign co-ordinator

Labour Party member Martin Betts lives in Southborough and has long been active in local politics. He retired after a long career in the Civil Service, where his last job at the Department for Work and Pensions was in communications. He qualified at Leicester University in human resources and training and development. The Times also publishes regular opinions from Conservative and Lib Dems and members of the Green Party

More local consultation needed on summer festivals AFTER the recent negative Flamefest publicity, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council must sharpen up its approval procedures for outdoor events and involve local councillors at an early stage.

Flamefest – ‘the festival for enlightened, kinky partygoers’ – promised an outdoor S&M dungeon and ‘adult play area’ in a ‘secret location in Kent… an area of outstanding natural beauty less than an hour from London’.

Allegedly, the site was ‘mystical’, ‘where witches’ covens have met for centuries’.

More prosaically, it turned out to be Brokes Wood in High Brooms, accessed through a residential area down a narrow lane totally unsuitable for the traffic bringing in the hundreds of people who attended.

Tragically, a man was found dead in a tent and a woman was rushed to hospital. Police had to be called in to stop over 140 gatecrashers from getting in. Neighbours complained about music and loud noises

throughout the night. And many residents told local councillors that they did not want the festival back.

The combination of lurid sexual references, Tunbridge Wells’ ‘disgusted’ stereotype and the August silly season proved irresistible to The Sun, Daily Mail, The Guardian and the London Evening Standard, who all reported it.

Distress Public complaints and press queries flooded in to High Brooms Labour councillor Dianne Hill.

She asked the council why she and local residents had not been informed of the event in advance so that people could have raised any concerns and lodged objections.

She thought this was not an unreasonable request, bearing in mind the aspiration of the borough’s Five Year Plan ‘to assist local communities to take more control; managing events and

community activities in their area’.

The Flamefest event was authorised by a Temporary Event Notice under the provisions of Section 100 of the Licensing Act 2003. An applicant wishing to hold an ad hoc event involving no more than 499 people is merely required to submit a completed form up to ten days in advance.

The council can’t refuse a notice unless the police or Environmental Health object to it, and any objection has to be raised within three working days. They can only object if they think the event could: Lead to crime and disorder, cause a public nuisance, be a threat to public safety, or put children at risk of harm.

Flamefest proves the approval procedure is inadequate. As well as Environmental Health and the police, the council must alert borough councillors and parish councils that a festival is being organised in their area.

This will allow any concerns and objections to be quickly raised within

Martin Coffin Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Cabinet member

FLAMEFEST Residents objected to the controversial festival staged in High Brooms

the timescale and help prevent the sort of distress caused by the Flamefest incident.

This is not about being prudish, killjoy, or trying to deny organisers

their legal right to run events. It is about local residents being given the chance to have a say in how commercial activities in their neighbourhood impact on their lives.

Martin Coffin was elected a member for Wrotham ward in May 2003, and now represents Wrotham, Ightham and Stansted. He is Cabinet member for Finance, Innovation and Property and is Deputy Executive Leader. He is married with two children, and lives and works in the village, running his own business providing fireworks displays nationally. Previously he was involved in IT, running a large team for a national firm selling tools. He has also had shops in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks

We have been forced to juggle funding reductions with continuing services IT IS now close to ten years since the financial crash that rocked the global markets. For this country, the impact has been a programme of austerity.

For Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, maintaining services against the backdrop of reduced government grants stretches beyond 2008 and continues, as this authority has been forced to juggle significant reductions in government funding with delivering those services we know are valued by our residents.

The government is moving towards ceasing the payment of the revenue support grant to local authorities in England by 2020; this council was one of only 15 that stopped receiving any revenue support grant from April this year. In order to deliver local services, the council is becoming increasingly reliant on council tax, fees and charges and investment income.

We have been upfront for many years as to the scale of the savings that are required – the present position is to find a further £1.6million of savings or new income each year by 2021, assuming that there are no further changes to government funding arrangements. Nor have we put our head in the sand about the challenge, having achieved in

excess of £3million savings per year by the end of the last financial year.

In the early 1990s, like a number of councils, Tonbridge & Malling sold its council housing to a housing association, resulting in a significant capital receipt. Back then, the authority chose to invest that money into the borough for the benefit of our residents – examples are the award-winning leisure centres and swimming pools, sports facilities, Tonbridge Castle, contributions to local infrastructure projects and to facilitate the increased supply of social/affordable housing.

And following the introduction and continuing programme of austerity, Tonbridge & Malling made a deliberate decision to take a structured and phased approach to the impact on services locally; maintaining service levels for key services as long as possible as opposed to taking immediate and dramatic action to cut services.

Indeed, the independent auditors, Grant Thornton, have commented that the borough council ‘continues to address the significant financial pressures faced in a structured way’.

Recently, there have been assertions made about the finance and investment strategy of this author-

BALANCING INCOME AND DEMAND Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council ity, and comparisons made with neighbouring authorities. Historically, we chose to invest in the facilities and infrastructure within our borough.

Others didn’t and kept the money in the bank.

There are not large sums available for those longer-term investments which provide higher financial returns. Ironically, the sale of some

assets will provide capital receipts to enable longer-term investments to be made, enabling a revenue income for many years to come.

What is clear, as with many councils, Tonbridge & Malling is faced with a significant financial challenge where undoubtedly some difficult choices will have to be made.

WITH THE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

EDUCATION SPECIAL E G A P 0 2

T U O L L U P

In association with

Take your pick

In conversation

Open season

Comprehensive guide to some of the top local schools

Two head teachers weigh in on the great arts debate

Note all the necessary dates for any parent’s diary

page 68

page 74

from page 22

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Education Special

It’s still education, education, education Choosing the best school for your child can be one of the most important decisions affecting their lives. As the new academic year begins – the Times brings you a comprehensive guide…

ARDINGLY COLLEGE

Tel: 01444 893001 Web: www.ardingly.com Email: registrar@ardingly.com Year founded: 1858 Number of pupils: 940 Number of staff: 125 teaching Age at intake: 2-18 years. We accept students in all years, but the common entry points are Reception, Year 3, Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Our students excel with a strong academic choice of A Level or IB. Following an outstanding set of recent A Level and IB results of 88% A*- B and record-breaking GCSE results of 89% A*- B, we are delighted to attract both top performers and also

BEDE’S SENIOR SCHOOL

Co-educational independent day and boarding school, Upper Dicker, East Sussex BN27 3QH Tel: 01323 843252 Web: www.bedes.org Email: admissions@bedes.org Year founded: 1978 Number of pupils: 750 Number of staff: 106 (teaching); 346 (overall Senior School Staff) Age at intake: 13 and 16 years ETHOS: Bede’s aims to provide an outstanding education for all of its pupils, such that they leave as well-rounded, confident and successful members of the global community.

Co-educational Independent School; 2- 18 years College Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6SQ

ETHOS: No child excels at everything, but every child can excel at something. We work with our children to discover their qualities and prepare them for their future beyond school.

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Ardingly College late bloomers who are prepared to graft with a strong work ethic and apply a good attitude to school. We work together to nurture both academic ability and outstanding life skills to build future success beyond school.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Every child is unique, each possessing hidden talents which wait, like treasure, longing to be unearthed.

At Bede’s, we foster a community of discovery which encourages every individual to find and develop these passions, seek new horizons, develop lasting friendships and achieve their potential.

By presenting our pupils with the prospect of innovation, exploration and experimentation, all the while championing choice at every turn, we imbue each Bedian with the confidence to say that they excel at those things which they value most.

Bede’s Senior School

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

BEECHWOOD SACRED HEART SCHOOL

Independent, co-educational; 3-18 Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3QD Tel: 01892 532747 Web: www.beechwood.org.uk Email: registrar@beechwood.org.uk Year founded: 1915 Number of pupils: 380 Number of staff: 85 Age at intake: 3-18 ETHOS: Big enough to challenge, small enough to care

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MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Beechwood is a 3-18 years independent Catholic co-educational day and boarding school located in Tunbridge Wells, and set in an idyllic campus bordering Dunorlan Park. If you are considering independent education for your son or daughter, then do please join us at one of our open events or daily appointments to view the school and learn more about the difference an independent Prep or Senior education makes. Class sizes are small and education is personalised; we provide an atmosphere that facilitates learning and inspires our pupils to explore new ideas. All of our students make excellent progress both in terms of academic and personal development.

Beechwood Sacred Heart School

Education Special BENENDEN SCHOOL

Independent girls’ boarding school Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AA Tel: 01580 240592 Web: Benenden.kent.sch.uk Email: registry@benenden.kent.sch.uk Year founded: 1923 Number of pupils: 550 Number of staff: 300 Age at intake: 11-18 ETHOS: Benenden aims to give each girl a complete education in which she achieves her academic potential and grows as an individual. We want her to relish all that school life has to offer so that she leaves us as a confident, positive young woman truly prepared for her future MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: We are passionate about education in its broadest sense, so that every girl who studies and lives here receives a complete education and enjoys her schooldays. While instilling within the girls the values to which we hold firm – of confidence, compassion, and courage – we prepare them to be professional young women in whatever field of work they choose to pursue in later life. Above all, Benenden is a home where our girls benefit from outstanding facilities and the extensive grounds they can enjoy, together with the intimacy and care that come from being a community of no more than 550.

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Benenden School

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Education Special

BENNETT MEMORIAL DIOCESAN SCHOOL

Mixed Secondary Church of England Culverden Down Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SH Tel: 01892 521595 Web: www.bennettmemorial.co.uk Email: enquiries@bennett.kent.sch.uk Year founded: 1951 Number of pupils: 1,500 Number of staff: 150 Age at intake: 11 ETHOS: At Bennett, we believe that each and every one of our students was created for a unique purpose. We

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believe that every child has uncapped potential for both achievement and personal development MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Bennett is a school with rare qualities. We are a Church of England school, academically highly successful, and we also set great store by the development of character and values. We expect commitment and high standards both in lessons and beyond lessons, where students benefit from a vast range of wider opportunities, especially in music and sport. At Bennett, Christian values run through all we do. We are a happy, tolerant, and inclusive school, yet unshakeably clear about our distinctive character and ethos. We hope you will want to find out more about our school.

Bennett Memorial School

CLAREMONT SENIOR SCHOOL

Independent Day and Boarding School Claremont Senior School, Bodiam, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN38 0TZ Tel: 01580 830396 Web: www.claremontschool.co.uk Email: enquiries@claremontschool.co.uk

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Claremont is such a wonderful environment in which to learn, and we are so pleased that that our pupils make such rapid and sustained progress.

With our tremendously positive Ofsted report, it is a very exciting time to be a pupil at Claremont School.

Year founded: 2011 Number of pupils: 310 Number of staff: 70 Age at intake: 13 - 18 ETHOS: It is our aim for every child to develop a positive and proactive attitude towards learning which will support them throughout their lives. Our strong academic, co-curricular, extracurricular and pastoral teams ensure that each individual has the opportunity to develop knowledge, confidence, self-esteem, good learning habits, and a moral sense within a busy and vibrant environment. This is enhanced by small class sizes and vibrant, imaginative teaching MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Nestling in 100 acres of stunning East Sussex countryside, Claremont Senior School and Sixth Form offers a stimulating and personal education to students aged 13 to 18. At Claremont, there is a genuine focus on nurturing the talents of individual pupils and the school has a warm, family atmosphere. At the heart of the curriculum is a challenging programme of academic subjects taught by subject specialists, but Claremont also celebrates its pupils’ successes throughout the broad curriculum, with genuine excellence cultivated in music, drama, art and sport. We focus on promoting outstanding teaching and learning throughout the school, as well as ensuring that the most able pupils are stretched and challenged.

Giles Perrin, Headmaster Claremont Senior School

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

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Education Special HILLVIEW SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

All girls state school Brionne Gardens, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2HE Tel: 01732 352793 Web: http://www.hillview.kent.sch.uk Email: admin@hillview.kent.sch.uk Year founded: 1854 (current site 1936) Number of pupils: 1200 Number of staff: 115 Age at intake: 11 ETHOS: To provide outstanding and inspirational teaching by cultivating a holistic, creative approach to learning; to promote purposeful learning through excellent behaviour and discipline; to foster a

Cranbrook School

CRANBROOK SCHOOL

Co-ed state day & boarding secondary grammar Waterloo Road, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3JD Tel: 01580 711800 Web: www.cranbrookschool.co.uk Email: registrar@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk Year founded: 1518 Number of pupils: 750 Number of staff: 240 Age at intake: 11, 13 & 16 ETHOS: Our motto for some time has been: Respect, Aspire, Achieve. This is to remind everyone that respect for each other and our community outweighs everything else we do. It is the basis for aspiration and achievement – both of which are also a major part of our mission. As a school, our key focus is to ensure our students are happy, fulfilled and confident. We like to think, as a

result, that our students emerge from the school as rounded and grounded young people who are capable of making a mark in their chosen careers and of helping us build a better society.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Cranbrook for me is the jewel in the crown of this country’s grammar and boarding systems. It combines all those qualities which make truly great schools: Outstanding students, staff and support teams; a strong sense of tradition, but a willingness also to embrace change when necessary; and immense potential. We could rest on our laurels – Outstanding Ofsted inspections, excellent A Level results, remarkable Oxbridge and Higher Education successes – but we don’t, because everyone at Cranbrook knows that the best is yet to come. Being part of the Fifth Centenary celebrations (1518-2018) is excitement enough. Overseeing the first intake for several generations of 11 year olds via the Kent 11 plus this year is equally momentous.

Hillview School for Girls

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caring environment where all children feel safe and happy MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Hillview School for Girls is proud to be the leading and highest achieving non-selective girls’ school in Kent. We pride ourselves on our friendly and supportive ethos, giving students the confidence to explore and develop their passions across one of the widest curriculums in the local area. We are supported by our extremely dedicated staff who support each individual student’s personal development from the moment they arrive on their first day to when they leave at the end of their Sixth Form studies. We are passionate about our Performing Arts specialism, which achieves exceptional standards with direct links into industry and higher education.

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Education Special

KENT COLLEGE

An Independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 Old Church Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4AX 01892 820218 Web: www.kent-college.co.uk Email: admissions@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk Year founded: 1886 Number of pupils: 580 Number of staff: 210 Age at intake: rising 3 through to 18 ETHOS: Kent College inspires girls with a love of learning so that they may grow in mind and

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spirit. Individuality is celebrated at Kent College and girls are encouraged to live adventurously and to make the most of every opportunity available to them

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Mayfield School

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: I firmly believe that a child’s ability is not fixed.

Given the right support, all have the potential to grow and excel. The task of our teachers is to work carefully with each girl to understand her changing strengths and needs. For everyone, life has ups and downs. The supportive atmosphere of Kent College gives girls the courage and confidence to make mistakes, persevere and grow. Girls are provided with a broad curriculum and varied extra-curricular programme, so they can pursue their passions, as well as achieve their personal best in all areas of school life.

Kent College

MAYFIELD SCHOOL

Independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18 Address: The Old Palace, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6PH Tel: 01435 874600 Web: www.mayfieldgirls.org Email: registrar@mayfieldgirls.org Year founded: 1872 Number of pupils: 370 Number of staff: 220 Age at intake: 11+ 13+ and 16+ ETHOS: Mayfield’s ethos reflects its Catholic foundation and encourages integrity, initiative, respect and a

desire to be the best you can be within a vibrant and supportive community, which welcomes all MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: At Mayfield, we are successful in developing the unique potential and talent of each girl in an inspiring and nurturing environment. The school has an excellent academic record, exceptional pastoral care and an extensive co-curricular programme, ensuring breadth and depth from the scientific to the creative. The vision of our founder, Cornelia Connelly, to educate young women to respond to the needs of the age remains at the core of a Mayfield education.

Mayfield girls develop a lifelong love of learning, a range of skills that will prepare them well for their future, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

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THE MEAD SCHOOL

every day is a new adventure. We learn to ‘treat others as we would wish to be treated’ and aim for all Meadites to feel success

Tel: 01892 525837 Web: www.themeadschool.co.uk Email: office@themeadschool.co.uk

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: The Mead School is a thriving co-educational prep school situated in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. The school, which was rated excellent in all areas in its most recent ISI Inspection Report, operates as a large family living and working under one roof. Academic standards are high, with a large percentage moving on to local grammar schools. Music, drama and sport provision are exceptional, we fly the green flag and have more than 30 extra-curricular clubs.

Fully catered wrap-around care is available between 7.40 am and 6 pm.

Independent preparatory 16 Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5SN

Year founded: 1987 Number of pupils: 233 Number of staff: 43 + 12 Peripatetic Staff Age at intake: 3 – 11, boys and girls ETHOS: A child who is happy and secure in school is one who is going to learn, thrive and aspire. School must be an exciting, fulfilling and safe place where The Mead School

Education Special

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Rose Hill School

ROSE HILL SCHOOL

Independent co-education; from 3-13 Coniston Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SY Tel: 01892 525591 Web: www.rosehillschool.co.uk Email: admissions@rosehillschool.co.uk Year founded: 1832 Number of pupils: 303 Number of staff: 70 Age at intake: 3+ for Kindergarten ETHOS: To provide a quality all-round education for all pupils which enables them to reach their true potential. Within a secure environment, based on clear Christian principles, children are

encouraged to meet new challenges with confidence and resilience MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: Rose Hill School is an inspiring place to learn: A warm, caring school with inspirational teachers, an enriching curriculum, first-class facilities and creative indoor and outdoor learning spaces. With 303 pupils, everyone knows each other well. All the faces in the corridor are familiar and every teacher knows every pupil. A modern school rich with tradition, we offer a rare mix: Academic excellence; sporting achievement; exceptional pastoral care and the freedom to explore the creative arts. Set in 18 acres of grass and woodland, the school has countryside on its doorstep, and yet the town centre is just five minutes away.

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Wednesday September 6 | 2017

The Skinners’ Kent Academy

THE SKINNERS’ KENT ACADEMY

participation, and an emotionally rich learning environment. It is also inclusive, where every child is known and every learner supported

Tel: 01892 534377 Web: www.skinnerskentacademy.org.uk Email: info@skinnerskentacademy.org.uk

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: We ensure our curriculum offers breadth and depth. We are the first non-selective school in England to become an authorised International Baccalaureate World School for the Middle Years Programme, Years 7 to 11, and the Career-related Programme in the Sixth Form. The IB provides an academic challenge to encourage all students to understand the connections between their subjects and the real world. The dedication from our students and staff was shown through our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating in June 2016, where they said: “The very high quality of teaching leads to pupils making outstanding progress.”

All ability, non-fee paying education Sandown Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4PY

Year founded: 2009 Number of students: 865 students in Years 7-11, 45 in Sixth Form Number of staff: 110 Age at intake: 11-18 years ETHOS: The Skinners’ Kent Academy is founded on the principles of a culture of high standards and high aspirations, a culture of active

Walthamstow Hall Junior School and Senior School

WALTHAMSTOW HALL JUNIOR SCHOOL AND WALTHAMSTOW HALL SENIOR SCHOOL

Independent girls’ day school on two separate sites in Sevenoaks, Kent Senior School: Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks TN13 3UL Junior School: Brandbourne Park Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3LD Tel: 01732 451334 Web: www.walthamstow-hall.co.uk Email: registrar@whall.school Year founded: 1838 Number of pupils: 620 Number of staff: 124 (excludes visiting music and drama teachers) Age at intake: Junior School 3-5 Senior School 11, 13 and 16 ETHOS: The belief that every student, given the right

opportunities, can excel, is central to everything we do MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD: We are a thriving school. Respect for others and a strong community make this a school where each girl flourishes, discovers her talents and forges lifelong friendships. Our record of academic, sporting and artistic achievement is well-established. In 2017 we were 48th in the UK for GCSE results, 82.5% A*-A and 22nd in School Sport magazine’s table of the UK’s most successful sporting schools. Students leave as accomplished, happy and dynamic young women ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Most go to Russell Group universities. Inspiring teaching, wonderful facilities and the partnerships between parents, staff and girls lie at the heart of our success.

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FEATURES

Education Special

In association with

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Cool for school Make sure your children are fully kitted out for learning, both at home and in the classroom LITTLE FOLKS FURNITURE Children's desk, £225 www.littlefolksfurniture.co.uk

SOPHIE ALLPORT Children's backpacks, £22 www.sophieallport.com

BERRY RED Bloomingville rabbit pin board, £23 www.berryred.co.uk

GETTING PERSONAL Personalised stationery set £39.99 www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

BABATUDE BOUTIQUE Tess large tree storage/bookcase £800 www.babatude.com

SMITHERS OF STAMFORD Red baron airplane shelves, £1,200 www.smithersofstamford.com

Continued on page 67 

R U YO PAGE

8 E H E T R N F D MO FOO

Life is sweet Savour some dream desserts

Burger King

Restaurateur Sean Marlowe’s perfect recipe for success

We’ll drink to that A toast to the best bars around town

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FEATURES

Food Month Special

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Welcome to Royal Tunbridge Wells September Food Month

The Pantiles Food Festival

By Royal Tunbridge Wells Together THE latest quarterly Business Intelligence Report by Royal Tunbridge Wells Together has identified ‘food and drink’ establishments as the most prominent type of business in the town centre. In total, 128 outlets offer ‘food and drink’ services, far exceeding the next biggest category, ‘health and beauty’.

And for centuries, this corner of West Kent has played an important role in the UK’s food production, with its mild weather and fertile soils contributing to abundant crops and harvests.

There are still remnants of ancient orchards visible today in and around Tunbridge Wells, and for the past few years there

The Warren

has been a renaissance in artisan food and drink producers throughout the county.

This has led to Tunbridge Wells becoming a magnet for lovers of food and drink. Whether it’s touring award-winning vineyards, educating yourself at Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery School, foraging from hedgerows, fishing for trout, eating fresh game or enjoying superb independent restaurants, this town is a foodie paradise.

Visitors can select their favourite gin from more than 120 types at Chapel Place bar, dine at Thackeray’s (named after William Makepeace Thackeray, who spent time there), eat game at The Warren, where all the meat comes from their own private estate just a stone’s throw away, enjoy superb fish dishes at Sankey’s or take afternoon tea at Hattons on The Pantiles.

At the other end of town, in Camden Road, watch your pasta being made at Pasta Madre, try cutting-edge British food at Vittle and Swig, enjoy Italian cuisine at family-run restaurant Il Vesuvio, or experience mouthwatering vegan dishes at Plant Base.

It’s a banquet of brilliance, and this September Royal Tunbridge Wells Together wants to start celebrating our superb epicurean offering and shouting about it to a wider audience.

In the space of three weeks, the town is hosting two food festivals, three markets, a superb pop-up restaurant in a heritage steam railway station, and many restaurants will have promotions, special menus and offers.

It’s time to tuck in, read on overleaf… www.tunbridgewellstogether.co.uk

Chapel Place bar

Food Month Special

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

WHAT’S ON FOOD GUIDE

A taste of what’s to come There’s a lot to savour over September in Tunbridge Wells, and Hannah Patterson has the rundown of where to be and what to eat during a mouthwatering three weeks… walks to sample the abundance of local produce from over 40 exhibiting traders. If that wasn’t enough to tingle your taste buds, there will be live cooking demonstrations for the foodies who need some new inspiration in the kitchen, as well as live music and family-friendly events. Probably best of all, it’s completely free to attend, so you can save the pennies for what they are meant to be spent on – delicious local food and drink. www.visittunbridgewells.com

Fuggles Beer Café >> SEPTEMBER 1–30, ALL WEEK The Royal Hillbilly, Marlowe’s Burger Bar To mark a month celebrating all things foodie, Marlowe’s Burger Bar has a special treat for those who aren’t taking their calories too seriously. Tuck into a monster of a burger that’s topped with roasted red pepper and oozing goat’s cheese and pestamole. Their beef patty really is something to shout about, but there’s an equally tasty vegetarian option for those who aren’t into their meat. You can read our interview with owner Sean Marlowe on page 63. www.marlowes.co

>> SEPTEMBER 1–30, ALL WEEK Cheese and wine promotion, Fromage & French Enjoy the glorious taste of France right on your doorstep. Reminisce about the last time you were in a picturesque village in the sunny South of France the moment you step through the door,

with the overwhelming smell of really great cheese. During September, this little piece of France will be running promotions on their extensive ranges of cheese and wine, so pop in to check out the options and stock up. www.fromageandfrench.com >> SEPTEMBER 1–30, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY Special menu, The Warren Ideally located just across the road from Tunbridge Wells mainline railway station, but positioned high above the hustle and bustle of the High Street below, The Warren restaurant is something of a hidden gem in the town. In honour of Food Month, they will be continuing their trend of redefining fine dining by offering a ‘Taste of the Warren’ special menu every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can expect to see a wide selection of produce that comes directly from the Warren Estate to your plate – via the kitchen, obviously! www.thewarren.restaurant >> SEPTEMBER 8, 9 & 10 The Pantiles Harvest Food Festival If you haven’t already been, the food festivals on The Pantiles are certainly something to behold.

The town and beyond descend upon the historic

>> SEPTEMBER 9 Special Harvest Supper, Woods Restaurant Still in The Pantiles, we have Woods Restaurant, which will be holding a special charity Harvest Supper for those wanting to taste delicious food prepared with the freshest produce from the new season. The venue is warm and cosy, and is trendy enough to make it on to the account of the coolest blogger. With all the food prepared on the premises, and £5 per person going to Nourish Community Foodbank, this is an event that’s good for both the stomach and the soul. www.woodsrestaurant.co.uk >> SEPTEMBER 9 & 23 Tasting Event, COOK COOK is no stranger to samplers. Anyone who has been into the premises in Monson Road will be well acquainted with the tasting station. But for Food Month, Julia and her team are going above and beyond with a feast of tasters to try from their seasonal line. Pop in on the 9th or 23rd and help yourself to an indulgent selection of quiches, patés, dips and puddings. www.cookfood.net >> SEPTEMBER 9 & 23 Farmers’ Market, Civic Way After the Kent Farmers’ Market Association [KFMA] held their first event in September 1999, the Tunbridge Wells market has become a twice-monthly occurrence due to its popularity.

With around 40 stalls to browse packed full of fresh produce straight from the suppliers, this is a must-attend for anyone who takes their food seriously, or flies the flag for local. You can be assured of the quality, too, as all stallholders are visited by the KFMA to ensure everything is in tip-top condition.

Continued on page 34  www.kfma.org.uk The Pantiles

FEATURES

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FEATURES

Food Month Special

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Basil café >> SEPTEMBER 13 British Cheese Spectacular, Fuggles Beer Café Not that you need an excuse to visit this hugely popular establishment, but Fuggles Beer Café will be treating us to the ultimate night of indulgence with a British Cheese Spectacular. Put the diet on hold and devour some utterly delicious local cheeses that pair perfectly with their marvellous selection of wines. If wine isn’t your thing, Fuggles specialise in the best British and European beers that can be found. Bottoms up! www.fugglesbeercafe.co.uk

>> SEPTEMBER 17 Modern British Cooking, Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery School

Rosemary Shrager

Fuggles beer café >> SEPTEMBER 16 & 17 No Fixed Abode & Fuggles Pop-up, Spa Valley Railway No Fixed Abode is an experimental pop-up restaurant team that is focused on producing seasonal tasting menus in amazing spaces across Kent. For Tunbridge Wells Food Month, they will be ‘popping up’ at the Spa Valley Railway for a real treat for all the family. The menus are designed by Head Chef Will Devlin, and the dishes will be made with the best foraged and farmed ingredients from the county’s extensive larder. Fuggles Beer Café will be joining them to make sure you have something thirst quenching to wash it all down with. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk The Spa Valley Railway

Cooking is an art form, and one that the staff at the Rosemary Shrager Cookery School are keen to teach. This course is about taking your skills to the next level by focusing on technique and presentation – knowledge that you will be able to apply to your dishes at home. Consider it an investment in your future dinners. This day course costs £160, begins at 10am, and should last until approximately 3pm.

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. www.rosemaryshrager.com >> SEPTEMBER 28 Quiche Masterclass, Basil Tunbridge Wells Basil are very secretive about their quiche recipes – and rightly so! They are generally considered the Holy Grail by those who lunch in town. But how are they so good? The Tunbridge Wells eatery is offering you the opportunity to try and create the taste for yourself with a quiche masterclass.

Spaces are sure to go quickly, so pop into the café for more information.

Continued on page 63  www.foodbybasil.com

WEST KENT’S ULTIMATE PROPERTY GUIDE – FREE EVERY WEDNESDAY A MUST-READ FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUY, LET OR SELL

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PROPERTY

To suit your budget

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Your at-a-glance guide to

PARK ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS £870,000

UNDER £300,000 DRY BANK COURT, TONBRIDGE

£269,950 LEASEHOLD Close to the town centre, and within walking distance of the station, this two-bed apartment is positioned on the second floor and has far reaching views. There is an entrance hall and living room, plus a kitchen offering a range of fitted cupboards and drawers with ample work surfaces

and space for white goods. Bedroom one includes Hammonds fitted furniture and has extensive views, while bedroom two includes a built-in wardrobe cupboard. There is also a modern fitted bathroom with white suite and spa bath. Externally, there is a garage in a block and communal gardens and grounds.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

UNDER £400,000 EATON PLACE, LARKFIELD AYLESFORD

£355,000 A five-bedroom end-of-terrace townhouse conveniently located close to amenities. Arranged over three floors, there is a kitchen fitted with white storage units and dark worktops along with a fitted oven, gas hob, canopy extractor and

integrated fridge/freezer. There is a dining area with double doors opening on to the decked terrace and garden as well as three bedrooms, two of which are double, on the first floor, and a master bedroom with en suite on the top floor, as well as the final double bedroom. There is a brick-block driveway for parking.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01732 771616 www.bkestateagents.com

To suit your budget

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

PROPERTY

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great properties by price range…

UNDER £450,000 NEW COTTAGES, TONBRIDGE

£375,000-£425,000 GUIDE PRICE A semi-detached cottage in need of complete modernisation, but offered ‘chain free’. The property currently comprises an entrance porch and hall, dining room, kitchen, sitting room, conservatory, two bedrooms, first floor bathroom and a good sized rear garden.

Most of the windows are double glazed and some rooms have electric heaters.

The present owners have also had a garage built and have used a right of way to the side to access this.

CONTACT Bracketts 01732 350503 www.bracketts.co.uk

UNDER £600,000 HENWOOD GREEN ROAD, PEMBURY

£530,000

A well-presented 1930s semi-detached house with a flexible ground floor layout. There are high quality bathroom fitments as well as a modern kitchen decorated in neutral tones. There is a good sized study and a main sitting room with a bay window and attractive iron fireplace. The kitchen opens into the breakfast room with sliding doors to a decked terrace. The property also has a family room and four double bedrooms. There is parking for 2-3 cars and a garden.

CONTACT Barnes Kingsnorth 01892 822880 www.bkestateagents.com

UNDER £1MILLION

UNDER £800,000

PARK ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

CASTLEWOOD COTTAGES, BRENCHLEY

£870,000 A well-presented semi-detached Victorian family house situated close to the town centre and dating back from around 1850. The accommodation is arranged over three floors and includes features such as original fireplaces, moulded cornicing and sash windows.

The accommodation includes a sitting room, dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room, four bedrooms and

£680,000 GUIDE PRICE a family bathroom. There is a gravelled parking area to the front of the house and a paved terrace leading to lawn and further terrace at the rear.

CONTACT Hamptons 01892 516611 www.hamptons.co.uk

A semi-rural property with Victorian attributes and modern facilities, set in an acre of grounds. There are two reception rooms as well as a fitted kitchen, utility area and cloakroom.

There are four bedrooms (three of which are doubles) and a bathroom.

Features include two wood-burning stoves, an electric Aga, exposed beams and large garden with additional land purchased by the current owners.

CONTACT Firefly Properties 01892 838363 www.fireflyproperties.co.uk

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

The Manor House

PROPERTY

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Historic village house with superb views in the Cranbrook School catchment area AT A GLANCE

THE MANOR HOUSE HIGH STREET, GOUDHURST n Grade II listed n Entrance hall n Drawing room n Dining room n Study n Sitting room n Kitchen/breakfast room n Laundry room n Cloakroom n Extensive cellarage, including wine cellar n Games room n Master bedroom with dressing room and en-suite shower room n 6 further bedrooms n 2 bathrooms n Separate WC n Storerooms n Gardens and outbuildings n Part-walled garden n Garden shed n Off-road parking n 0.32 acres in total

ÂŁ1,250,000 Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.co.uk

This Grade II listed former Wealden Hall house dates from the 16th century with later 18th-century additions

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PROPERTY

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Wednesday September 6 | 2017

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PROPERTY

Birchley House West

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

BIRCHLEY HOUSE WEST FOSTEN LANE, BIDDENDEN ■ Built 1905, Grade II listed ■ Entrance hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room/playroom ■ Cloakroom ■ Kitchen/breakfast room & utility room ■ 4 double bedrooms, including guest bedroom suite ■ Family bathroom & shower room ■ Garden and courtyard garden with natural swimming pond ■ Unconverted period barn ■ Double garage

Impressive attached wing to a Tudor house has a natural swimming pond

■ Cranbrook School catchment area

O.I.E.O £995,000 Available for sale through Savills Cranbrook 01580 720161 www.savills.com

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

The White Cottage

PROPERTY

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Stylishly renovated in New England style with heated pool and pavilion AT A GLANCE

THE WHITE COTTAGE DUDDLESWELL ASHDOWN FOREST ■ Entrance hall ■ Drawing room ■ Dining room ■ Family room ■ Kitchen/breakfast room ■ Study ■ Utility room & boot room ■ Cloakroom ■ Principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom, dressing room and verandah

An immaculate country house tucked away in the heart of Ashdown Forest

■ Guest room with en-suite shower ■ 3 further bedrooms ■ Family bathroom ■ Landscaped gardens ■ Heated swimming pool ■ Pool pavilion ■ Large timber shed ■ Just over 0.85 acres

£1,850,000 Available for sale through Hamptons International Haywards Heath 01444 360054 www.hamptons.co.uk

Food Month Special

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

FEATURES

63

Keeping it simple… and successful After leaving his previous job, Sean Marlowe knew what he wanted – a burger bar. So he went out into the world to discover what makes the best burger possible, and how he could bring it to Tunbridge Wells. And he succeeded! Here, Hannah Patterson meets up with the burger king to hear about his bar’s first few months

Photo: Jez Timms, Torpedo Juice

IT’S 8am when I meet Sean GETTING TO THE Marlowe of Marlowe’s Burgers MEAT OF THE MATTER for a coffee. His eyes are Sean says the secret blurry and he’s sipping the is in the beef drink like it’s his life source.

I ask him if it was a late night celebrating the fact that he’s off on holiday for a week later that day, but no – it was a very late night at work.

Although his relatively new eatery has been open since April, Marlowe’s Burgers has been in development for a significantly long time, and he’s not unfamiliar with the dedication required to successfully run a hospitality business in this town. So how did it all begin? The answer is simple – Sean loves burgers.

“I was extremely lucky as I had the opportunity to travel and spend a lot of time in the States, especially “The beef we use is real quality. It’s 100 per cent Vegas, so I got to try a whole range of burgers and pure grass-fed organic and aged for 28 days. We work out what I wanted to create myself,” he says. have options for those who are vegetarian or don’t So, out of all the burger bars in all the world, eat red meat, but if you’re going to ask me in my why should you go to Marlowe’s? personal opinion why our burgers are good – I’m Although Sean won’t give much away in terms of going to say the beef.” his recipes, he can tell me that the real secret to a But another secret is the bun – a predominantly brilliant burger is in the beef. milk-based brioche variety. The difference is that

the milk gives it an extra fluffy texture. It is evidently delicious, as Sean looks slightly wistful when he speaks about it.

There are five staple burgers on the menu with a whole lot of extras that can be added on top, but you can always expect some new and exciting offerings on the specials board, and there’s a new burger especially for Tunbridge Wells Food Month.

Named The Royal Hillbilly, it looks appealing – roasted red pepper, goat’s cheese and pestamole, all piled on top of a beef or vegetarian patty.

‘The beef we use is real quality.

It’s 100 per cent pure grass-fed organic and aged for 28 days’ “As it was for Tunbridge Wells Food Month, we wanted to leave the new burger’s name up to the people of the town. We’ve had a great response and some brilliant suggestions.”

When asked about his involvement with Food Month, Sean speaks candidly about the importance of supporting local business, and the real struggles they face in the town.

“The expectation is high. There is no tolerance for inconsistency or low standards, so the pressure is certainly felt, especially as a new business.

“Of course, there’s a positive side to a town which wants nothing but the best, but it’s important to

support also. Other restaurants in the area have been so supportive and have offered a whole wealth of advice and knowledge. You’d be a fool not to listen to them.”

As many other businesses owners have said before him, Tunbridge Wells is a difficult town to predict.

“Before I opened or found my ideal location, I set myself up at various spots around the town and tried to track footfall. This was back when I had the time to do so.”

And what did he learn?

“There’s no pattern, certainly no obvious one, and footfall cannot be predicted. There will be hype, then it will die down, then it will rise again.

You can’t try and guess – only ride the wave.

“I’ve been told by other business owners to ignore everything that you would typically not expect to ignore. Setting up a business here is the easy part, comparatively at least, but you cannot rest on your laurels. Keeping a business going requires constant dedication.”

Sean’s business is a popular one, and he’s clearly doing something right. Marlowe’s Burgers is in it for the long haul, and he’s passionate about making sure local businesses get the support they deserve. It’s evident he wants to listen and learn, so what’s the best advice he’s received so far?

“Don’t take anything personally. Keep your head in the game and work hard.” www.marlowes.co

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Food Festival Special

GOOD TASTE

Come alive at an event bursting with flavour JO BANKS, from Alive with Flavour, took part in the Tonbridge Food & Drink Festival this summer, and will be back for the Tunbridge Wells version with her ‘hands on’ area dedicated to learning more about food, cookery skills and unusual ingredients.

Jo is passionate about the education side of food when it comes to her local events, supper clubs and classes.

For more information, please visit www.alivewithflavour.com

Great Kentish Cake-Off

Let the festivities begin Food Festival Royal Tunbridge Wells will serve up a Food Festival this month filled with the best produce, drink and a lot of fun. Here is a round-up of what to expect…

FOLLOWING the success of the Tonbridge Food & Drink festival in May, the event is now coming to Calverley Grounds on September 23 and 24.

The two-day extravaganza, held in association with Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, will mark the culmination of Tunbridge Wells Food Month and has the backing of the town’s major businesses, pubs and eateries.

Stephen Wood, from Tonbridge Farmers’ Market

READY, steady, cake! Calverley Grounds will be thrilled to welcome the Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake-Off on September 23 and 24.

There are three classes to enter: 5-11yrs, 11-15yrs and 16yrs+. To enter, simply bake the best homemade cake from scratch and deliver to the main stage by 1.30pm on the day of entry. May the best cake win!

Feeling nourished AS REPORTED on page 8, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together has become a new town centre drop-off point for the Nourish Community Foodbank. Donations can be taken to RTW Together’s offices in Ely Court, Royal Victoria Place. Gifts of canned and other non-perishable foods, as well as pet food and toiletries, will be transported by the organisation to the Nourish site at Big Yellow Storage. RTW Together’s offices are open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

ORGANISER: Farmers’ market trader Stephen Wood

and a member of the Kent Farmers’ Market Association [KFMA], has been working hard to make sure the Royal Tunbridge Wells Food & Drink Festival will be one of the best family events in the calendar.

In addition to featuring a veritable feast of local, national and international food, the aim is to promote local traders and producers.

“Having been involved with local food and farmers’ markets for many years, I think local food is far more important than most people realise,” says Stephen. “It is better for the environment, better for the consumer, and adds more value to the local economy.

“It is important to understand where your food comes from and how the supply chain works, which is far easier to do with local food.”

More than 70 stallholders are expected to be showcasing their produce, and an array of talent will be hosting live cooking demonstrations.

On top of various spectator sports, attendees are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in with events such as the ‘Posh Omelette Challenge’, where participants are sent around the stalls to grab as much fresh produce as they need to make the very best omelette.

Not to be outdone, the would-be bakers in town can rise to the challenge of a cake-off.

Other attractions include the Pink Pavilion, which will showcase local food promoted by Produced in Kent, a beer and cider festival boasting over 30 local tipples, and a tasty street food area.

What’s On… MAIN STAGE | SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23 11am 12noon 1pm 2pm 2.30pm

3pm 3.30pm 4pm 5pm

The Posh Omelette Challenge Bruce McMichael – The Lemon Grove Will Devlin from No Fixed Abode Sam’s Kitchen – Gingerbread Man Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake-Off – winners announced Hilary Steel – The Comedy Cook Fine Grind – Coffee and Latte Art Jo Banks – Alive with Flavour Natalie Miller – Hopscoff Bespoke Cakes

MAIN STAGE | SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24 11am The Posh Omelette Challenge 12noon Bruce McMichael – The Lemon Grove 1pm Will Devlin from No Fixed Abode 2pm Sam’s Kitchen – Gingerbread Man 2.30pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake-Off –

winners announced 3pm Natalie Miller – Hopscoff Bespoke Cakes 3.30pm Fine Grind – Coffee and Latte Art 4pm Jo Banks – Alive with Flavour 5pm Kieran Jones – Senior Winner of Kent

Young Chef at Produced in Kent 2016 ALIVE WITH FLAVOUR HANDS ON AREA SATURDAY 23 & SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 11am Temper Temper – Make your own

Chocolate Pizza 1.30pm Make your own apple and dessert 3.30pm Sam’s Kitchen- Sussex Lemonade and Gingerbread

Food Month Special

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Supporting local is a countryside game

By Hannah Patterson SEPTEMBER marked the beginning of Game Season, kicking off with partridges and duck before the pheasants are introduced in October.

Shooting is one of the most traditional country pursuits, not just in Kent but nationwide, as many estates and businesses trade game.

One such person is Adam Hall, along with his brother Hugo, who trade fresh game from the

heart of the Kentish countryside through their company, Hedgerow Game.

Although the pair have only been trading commercially for the past two years, they have been participating in shoots for most of their lives.

They process pigeons, rabbits, pheasants, ducks and partridges, boar and venison and more.

For Adam, supporting local is not just something to be encouraged, but a life philosophy.

“We live by it. Anything we can buy locally, we will buy locally” he says.

“Supporting the local economy is one of the single most important things you can do.”

Spoils

Adam and Hugo Hall

Every person Adam and Hugo work with is local. They pick up the spoils from small local shoots and process the meat themselves before selling on to gastro pubs and small businesses.

One of the benefits of this is that political turmoil has not affected their business.

“It’s had no impact because we trade in an English product. We pick up on the shoot. We deal locally with local people. If people stop going to gastro pubs and start heading to McDonald’s instead, then we may have a problem.

“You’re making sure the money stays in your environment so it can be reinvested in other restaurants and shops. I’m not talking national brands, but small independent businesses.

“When it’s the big corporate wheel that’s turning, the smaller guys can get lost in red tape.”

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Harvest Festival is ripe for return

Julian Leefe-Griffiths, one of the organisers of this weekend’s Pantiles Harvest Food Festival, reveals what it’s all about it Can you tell us how important this festival is to The Pantiles?

Yes. What’s lovely about The Pantiles is that it’s great for markets and festivals. We have the main festival in May, but for the past three years we’ve also done the Harvest Food Festival in September.

That’s when you get all the new produce coming in with the change of season, like the first game and mushrooms from Ashdown Forest.

What goes into organising such an event?

All of our traders get checked to make sure their products are up to scratch. There are a lot of traders from previous events who return, but we do still find new participants. That’s what makes it all so exciting – the new, younger, fresh suppliers always have something unique in store to show.

We have a cocktail maker who creates lighter flavours like elderflower in the spring, then moves to more autumnal concoctions, like sloe gin.

It’s always nice to welcome new traders, but we have great people who’ve been coming for years – expect some excellent bread and cheese producers in particular.

It’s a great day out in The Pantiles, and hopefully we will get some good weather!

Can you tell us who will be doing some of the cooking demonstrations on the bandstand?

It’s all yet to be confirmed, but I can tell you that we’ve got The Kentish Hare from Bidborough Ridge, and they always create something interesting. The Tunbridge Wells Bar & Grill are going to do some cocktail making, and Fuller’s Butchers always do a brilliant demonstration.  The Pantiles Harvest Food Festival runs from

Friday September 8 to Sunday September 10

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FEATURES

Education Special

In association with

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Talking Heads: Two views on the arts

Encouraging imagination is vital, so we asked the Heads of Marlborough House and Kent College what they can offer pupils to boost their all-important creativity

MARTYN WARD, HEADMASTER MARLBOROUGH HOUSE SCHOOL, HAWKHURST WE NOT only develop children’s love and appreciation of the creative arts but, wherever possible, take a cross-curricular approach so that knowledge and skills can be transferred from one subject to enhance learning potential in another.

Visiting artists teach children that there is art in appreciation as much as in action, while trips to art galleries promote further curiosity, enquiry and debate – not just in the study of visual

expression but in history, architecture, poetry, the classics and the English language.

Performing in the Year 3 play is often a defining moment for pupils. It not only helps to consolidate their learning to date, but gives them a live platform to further develop their confidence, self-esteem, team building and communication skills – just in time for the more rigorous academic challenges of middle school and beyond.

Opportunities to not only study and compose music but regularly perform for local audiences and hospital residents, teach children the values of working collaboratively and a greater sense of their place in the wider community.

We have heads of department who are not only experts in their respective fields, but who bring real world experience into the classroom, enabling children to work in much greater depth, broadening their understanding of a subject beyond what can be evidenced in more formal tests and examinations.

Our Head of Art, for example, still makes, exhibits and sells her own ceramics, the MHS Director of Music is a professional opera singer, and our Head of Drama has worked as a television presenter and an actor.

Their experience and overwhelming passion for the subjects they teach go beyond the four walls of the classroom, and when combined with an extensive after-school club programme this makes for a very rich and varied arts curriculum.

JULIE LODRICK, HEADMISTRESS KENT COLLEGE, PEMBURY THIS generation of young people will have to deal with an increasingly complex world, and what is more, the jobs that we enjoy will not necessarily either exist or be open to this generation of pupils – the workplace is going to look very different for them.

Exam grades will still play a significant role, but it will not be enough – they will need to be

creative, critical and socially skilled. Employers will be interested in applicants’ characteristics, abilities and personalities.

Those with a creative background will stand a greater chance of a successful career – it will open more doors than it is ever going to close.

Having trained as a singer and pianist myself and performed a great deal, I know how much all that training helps me in my current role as a Headmistress on a daily basis.

Not only has it given me the confidence to stand up and present to an audience, I know the effort it takes to reach a certain standard. When exposed to a range of artistic disciplines, pupils are able to find an outlet to express themselves and develop the skills that will set them apart.

We have worked hard to ensure that the arts subjects have retained their place in the curriculum. For example, on arrival in the Senior School, Year 7 girls have a weekly dance lesson, along with drama, music, art and textiles – all of which are on offer as extra-curricular activities.

Time is given to providing as many opportunities as possible for the girls to perform and exhibit their work. The arts are also there to challenge our thinking, and this year senior girls took hold of ‘Ghetto’, Sobol’s challenging play about the holocaust, and captured the essence of wartime atrocities with a maturity beyond their years.

A broad and balanced curriculum that includes the arts is always going to allow a child to be a more successful and confident version of themselves.

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Why keeping students’ wellbeing in mind is a vital element in education

As GCSE reforms take their toll, it is essential that young people have better access to mental health services, says Samantha Price, Headmistress of Benenden and Chair of the Wellbeing Working Group at the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference NEARLY five and a half million 17 year olds awoke at the end of last month either filled with relief or disappointment, depending on the GCSE results they received.

This year in particular, those of us with responsibility for their welfare will need to pay close attention to how they are coping post results.

Of course, exam seasons come and go, and a little bit of unexpected failure can be a good thing.

However, these students are coping not only with the normal stresses and strains, but with some new GCSEs where the curriculum is harder and the results are more difficult to understand.

This, coming as it does at a time of significant worry about the mental health of our young people, could become a toxic mix if not managed very carefully.

The reforms which replace the old A* to E grades with 9 to 1s for English and Maths are designed to pull UK education further up the world rankings and differentiate more at the top end of ability.

While there is no harm in that, this change brings with it an inevitable dip in overall results alongside confusion about the mark and what it means.

And to make matters worse, the exam regulator has warned of what they euphemistically call ‘centre volatility’ – meaning

‘My chief concern is that with the uncertainty of a new system comes the risk of young people feeling as if they have underperformed, particularly when they compare themselves to older siblings or friends’

that in the new English Language and Literature exams in particular, the grade may not be correct and may need to be challenged.

So where does this leave pupils? Well, it seems to me they are receiving mixed messages. We cannot in one breath aim to ease pressure on young people, while in the next confuse them and put even more focus on exam results. These issues cannot be seen in isolation.

At Benenden we have decided to wait for the time being and stick with the international GCSE [iGCSE] in English and Maths.

As an independent school, we are fortunate to have that choice.

This means we can assess the impact of these initial changes and learn any lessons to help our pupils best adapt for next year.

My chief concern is that with the uncertainty of a new system comes the risk of young people feeling as if they have underperformed, particularly

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

when they compare themselves to older siblings or friends.

At the top end, a student who would have received a clutch of As and A*s may now receive 7s. Fewer than three per cent gain the top grade in English and Maths. More students may feel their grades do not seem worthy of great jubilation – even though they are.

This means families have a particularly important role this year. We know that many pupils are terrified of letting down their parents.

Telling our children we are proud of them, come what may, is our first job. Making sure we all understand the true nature of the changes and, if necessary, working with schools to fight on their behalf through the appeals system, may come a close second this year.

It leaves me to wonder who the new 9-1 system is aimed at. While some of the most able are musing on what a 7 actually means, those in the middle may feel even more vulnerable.

It is essential that, at a time when anxiety about gaining a place at university or another institute for higher education, and thereafter gaining employment, is a recorded cause of anxiety for our young people today, universities and employers also quickly understand the new system and are prepared to show flexibility.

If pupils are to be used as guinea pigs for what is essentially a political purpose, they must expect an even higher level of care from the adults around them.

Those who have instigated these changes should consider they have a particular duty of care.

Raising academic and pastoral care standards for this generation must work in tandem.

Schools exist to get the very best for their pupils. We simply cannot focus on the brain at the expense of the mind.

This article has been reproduced from The Daily Telegraph with the permission of Mrs Price

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THE NEW GCSES EXPLAINED n GCSEs have

been reformed to include more challenging content and a new marking system

n In

stages, GCSEs will be graded 9-1, rather than A*-G, with 9 being the highest score and 1 the lowest

n Education Secretary Justine

Greening says a grade 4 will be seen as a ‘standard pass’ and a grade 5 as a ‘strong pass’

n The

new and old scales do not directly compare.

Grades 9, 8 and 7 are loosely in line with an A* and A, grades 6, 5 and 4 with B and C, and grades 3, 2 and 1 with D, E, F and G

n The

new GCSEs are said to provide a stronger qualification, and fewer 9s will be awarded than A*s

n The

‘Schools exist to get the very best for their pupils. We simply cannot focus on the brain at the expense of the mind’

changes will be gradually phased in, with English Literature, English Language and Maths courses being the first to change under the new system. All other subjects will follow by 2020.

Students will receive a mix of letter and number grades for different subjects in the interim period.

Information supplied by the Department for Education and Ofqual

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Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Tonbridge welcomes primary The new Bishop Chavasse Church of England Primary School opened its doors this week with an intake of 60 reception pupils. Head Teacher Donna Weeks tells the Times why she is so excited to be part of this new school, and reveals its key educational ethos THE new Bishop Chavasse School in Tonbridge opened yesterday [Tuesday, September 6] welcoming 60 pupils into the Reception class.

The primary, which is part of the Tenax Schools Trust, which also includes Bennett Memorial in Tunbridge Wells within its portfolio, is currently operating from a group of temporary buildings at its location in Somerhill, with work on the school’s state-of-the-art new building set to be completed by 2018.

The Tenax Trust submitted a bid to the

Department for Education for a new primary school in Tonbridge in 2014 and, according to a spokesperson, the bid had three key aims.

Firstly, to enable Tonbridge parents to have the choice of a Church of England Primary School as one did not exist in the town.

The second was to cater for the rapid population growth and lack of sufficient places for receptionaged children in the area.

The final reason was to improve the offering of good and outstanding primary schools in the area.

The Tenax Schools Trust bid also promised a traditional primary education underpinned by a Christian ethos, and in terms of admissions, up to 25 per cent of places (up to 15 places annually) would be allocated on the basis on parental attendance at a Church of England Church.

ALL SET FOR SCHOOL The project was (l-r) New pupil Hugo with his mother, Alicja Czeplina, supported by Kent Headteacher Donna Weeks, Cllr Richard Long, Tenax Schools County Council as a Trust CEO Ian Bauckham and Chair of Governors Cherie Sargent key element of their

strategy to meet demand for much-needed primary places in Tonbridge, and was given the green light last year.

Now the school has welcomed its first intake of students in Reception, and Headteacher Donna Weeks is very excited about what the school will be able to offer its pupils.

“I am thrilled to be the founding Headteacher of Bishop Chavasse Church of England School at such an exciting time in the school’s history,” she said.

“Opening a new school is such a unique opportunity, and one I am proud to be part of.

“I am passionate about all children receiving the very best education so that each can flourish and excel, and this is exactly what we will be offering our pupils.”

Mrs Weeks previously taught at St John’s Primary in Tunbridge Wells and St Saviour’s School in Lambeth, and worked for Oasis, a national Christian academy group.

She also helped turn around a failing school, Oasis Skinners’ Street in Gillingham, where she was Deputy then Acting Head, transforming it from a school rated by Ofsted as being in Special Measures to obtaining a ‘Good’ rating.

Her potential for official headship was recognised by the national school leadership organisation Future Leaders, who have since worked with Mrs Weeks in preparation for her leading her own school – Bishop Chavasse.

Ahead of its opening, she said that courtesy of

Headteacher Donna Weeks ‘an exciting mastery curriculum and opportunities for enrichment, children will have raised aspirations for all that they can achieve’.

“Bishop Chavasse will provide a strong culture of engagement and learning for our pupils through its passion of providing excellence for all,” she added.

“As a new Church of England school, growing year by year, we will have the unique opportunity to offer a school community based on the model of a Christian family, promoting attitudes of mutual respect and responsibility where spiritual and moral development are a high priority.

“Despite starting with only our Reception children this year, our founding families will bring a rich multicultural diversity – something we celebrate – and as a result this will enhance the lives of the whole school community.

“I look forward to welcoming visitors to our school, where every child and adult are valued, and where visitors will be drawn into the learning, enjoyment and life of Bishop Chavasse School.”

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

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Thinking outside the box

The Head of Science at Marlborough House School, Toby Payne-Cook, shares his thoughts on creativity and innovation in education with us IN 1988, when interviewed about his 25 years in the Rolling Stones, Charlie Watts said: “Well, I’ve spent five years playing the drums and the other 20 hanging around!”

I can identify with Mr Watts’ words when I consider my 17 years as an industrial scientist: About two years of science, two years applying maths, two years applying English, and the rest drinking coffee!

The coffee drinking was the most important part, as it was when I got to share, quash and develop new ideas and learn from the experience of others.

I learnt the importance of collaboration, curiosity and creativity in successful product development, and that when you dedicate more time to developing the imagination and creativity in the workplace, innovative ideas are born and problems can be solved.

Creativity underpins innovation in product, building or vehicle design; it underpins discovery in science,

smart improvements to existing products, processes or organisations, and it underpins invention – creating something new.

Ultimately, creativity underpins problem-solving – identifying the root causes of a problem and drawing upon numerous perspectives and ideas to develop a lasting solution.

In just the last 30 years, computers have advanced exponentially, with infinitely superior processing capacity to our own, and although it can seem as though the internet and social media have taken over our world, they have enabled us to share more ideas with more people more often than ever before.

Imagine what the next 30 years will bring.

Industry, science and business need the most nimble thinkers to navigate the complex ethics and technologies in this fast-changing world, and as paths to careers become less linear and the workplace demands increasingly broader skill-sets, I believe only the most creative, adaptable and resilient will thrive.

In the classroom, children can be at their most curious and courageous, always asking questions and often sufficiently confident to try out new ideas with no fear of failure, or very little.

This is the perfect environment to unlock their creative potential, and in doing so help them to start developing life skills and abilities that will stand the test of time.

Primary school-age children are a long way from developing the specific skills and

understanding of concepts they may need to succeed in the workplace, but by nurturing a learning environment where creativity has time and space to grow, children won’t have to wait for a good day at the ‘office’ to understand the scope of what can be achieved through collaborative working, or the association between risk-taking and generating an original idea.

More art, more drama, more cross-curricular learning and encouraging children to connect

and fuse their creative and scientific minds, will not only help develop their problem-solving skills across ALL subjects, but their resilience, confidence, decision-making and adaptability – essential characteristics we need to turn a world of change into a world of opportunity.

When we give children more time to imagine, wonder, explore, experiment, play, build and question, I believe we can help to sow the seeds of our future innovators – before they are 12.

‘When we give children more time to imagine, wonder, explore, experiment, play, build and question, I believe we can help to sow the seeds of our future innovators’

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Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Open for inspection

Find out what these local education establishments have to offer your child by visiting them on one of their open days >> SEPTEMBER 16th Ardingly College Open morning (sixth form only) www.ardingly.com 16th St Bede’s Senior School Open morning www.bedes.org 20th Cranbrook School (Years 7 & 9) Open evening www.cranbrookschool.co.uk 20th Mayfield School Open morning www.mayfieldgirls.org 21st Benenden (13+) Open morning www.benenden.kent.sch.uk 22nd Cranbrook School (Year 7) Open morning www.cranbrookschool.co.uk

26th Cranbrook School (Year 9) Open morning www.kent-college.co.uk

30th Brighton College (Pre-prep and prep) Open morning www.brightoncollege.org.uk

26th Lingfield College Year 8 experience day www.lingfieldcollege.co.uk

>> OCTOBER

27th Cranbrook School Open morning (year 9) www.cranbrookschool.co.uk 28th Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Open evening www.bennettmemorial.co.uk 29th Ardingly College Open morning (pre-prep) www.ardingly.com 30th King’s College Rochester Open morning www.kings-rochester.co.uk

23rd Walthamstow Hall Senior school Open morning www.walthamstow-hall.co.uk

30th Kent College Pembury (Prep and senior) Open morning www.kent-college.co.uk

26th Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Open evening www.bennettmemorial.co.uk

30th St Bede’s Prep School Open morning www.bedes.org

4th Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Open evening www.bennettmemorial.co.uk 4th Rose Hill School Open morning www.rosehillschool.co.uk 5th Dulwich Prep School Open morning www.dcpskent.org

7th Ardingly College Open morning (Senior school and sixth form) www.ardingly.com 7th Beechwood Sacred Heart School Open day (whole school) www.beechwood.org.uk

6th Claremont School (Prep and nursery) Open morning www.claremontschool.co.uk

7th Claremont School Open morning (Senior and sixth form) www.claremontschool.co.uk

6th Marlborough House School Open morning www.marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk

7th Hilden Grange Prep School Open morning www.hildengrange.co.uk 7th Lingfield College (Senior school) Open day www.lingfieldcollege.co.uk 10th Kent College Open morning (whole school) www.kent-college.co.uk

12th The Mead School Open day www.meadschool.info 12th Benenden School Open morning (11+ candidates only) www.benenden.kent.sch.uk 12th Kent College Information evening (sixth form) www.kent-college.co.uk 13th Ardingly College Open morning (prep school) www.ardingly.com 13th Marlborough House School Open morning www.marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk 14th Benenden School Open morning www.benenden.kent.sch.uk 17th Cranbrook School Open morning (year 7) www.cranbrookschool.co.uk

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Travel

Chasing the Komodo dragons – and more

WAVES OF WONDER Snorkelling in the Indonesian islands

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Indonesia is a land for wildlife adventure, as Ed Elliot discovers…

“Quick, look in the trees – just above the bank,” whispers our jovial, middle-aged guide Ameer.

The growl of the boat’s engine is instantly killed as he directs my eyes to the edge of the narrow, murky river. I follow his outstretched arm until I spy a female orang-utan with the early-morning sun shining brightly on her craggy, brown face.

We’re a few hours into a journey through the jungle of Tanjung Puting National Park in Indonesian Borneo, chugging through the crocodile-infested Sekonyer River on a traditional two-tiered wooden boat known as a Klotok.

Our initial excitement increases when the big, dark eyes of a tiny, one-year-old infant peep out from behind its mother’s back. Our looks of awe and amazement are returned with a mix of bemusement and indifference by the adults.

Indonesia is the largest archipelagic nation on Earth and stretches in excess of 3,000 miles from east to west along the equator. It’s made up of more than 17,500 islands, and a bit of hopping about is necessary to experience the best it has to offer.

Cheap internal flights costing as little as £20 mean it is easy to do so, providing opportunities to the see the weird and wonderful creatures of this country’s diverse ecosystems.

Almost every area contains different habitats and animals, making it an ideal destination for an adventurous trip in search of wildlife.

Borneo – divided between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesian Kalimantan – and nearby Sumatra are the only two places in the world to encounter wild orang-utans. The critically-endangered creatures, which share around 97 per cent of their DNA with humans, lead solitary lifestyles and, according to our hosts, move nests every few

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Wednesday September 6 | 2017

days, which makes them more difficult to spot.

There are reportedly just over 100,000 orangutans in Borneo, with around 6,000 found in this part of the national park, including ones formerly held in captivity. A couple of feeding stations a little further upstream provide prime places to see some of the rehabilitated animals close up.

As daylight fades, our attention switches to spotting another endangered mammal endemic to this part of the world. Known locally as the bekantan, the reddish-brown proboscis monkey is characterised by an unflatteringly long nose.

We catch glimpses of small troops gathering at sleeping sites high in the canopy before the light fades and we are left with a clear, starry sky disturbed only by the effervescent glow of fireflies along the river’s edge.

Leaving behind Pangkalan Bun in Borneo, we travel to the island of Flores, almost in the centre of the archipelago.

The journey – via the Javan city of Surabaya and Denpasar in Bali – requires three short flights.

We arrive in Labuan Bajo, a fishing town on the western tip of Flores which is

WARY A baby orang-utan

TAKE A PEAK Uninhabited Padar Island

‘I turn to see the claycoloured scaly skin of a three-foot dragon patrolling its patch’ renowned for its sunsets and, more importantly, is the gateway to the Komodo dragons of Komodo National Park.

Comprising 29 islands, this conservation area is spread across the tempestuous Flores Sea. Komodo and Rinca, with a combined population of around 4,000, are the major ones, along with uninhabited Padar.

Spending the afternoon in close proximity to the world’s largest lizard is our main goal, but there are plenty of enjoyable distractions.

A 40-minute hike to the top of the western peak of rugged Padar is hard work in the baking heat, but the views more than justify the exertion.

A narrow stretch of volcanic earth holds the place together, while hilly terrain branches off in different directions amid the turquoise sea which laps at numerous pristine coves and inlets.

One of the beaches has a pink appearance due to the mix of red coral and white sand, and it offers an excellent opportunity for a snorkelling expedition to explore hidden treasures.

Manta rays, turtles, whales, dolphins and dugongs make it an enticing area for divers, and there are also more than 1,000 species of tropical fish and occasional sightings of whale sharks.

Slipping into my mask, snorkel and flippers, I spot the black, white and yellow bands of Moorish idols, follow the energetic darts of a bright blue damsel fish and catch sight of a couple of orange and white clown fish.

After an hour spent face down in the warm

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waters, we are soon back on dry land ready to continue our primary quest.

There are more than 2,000 dragons on Komodo.

These fearsome, carnivorous creatures dominate, preying on much larger animals such as water buffalo and deer, along with wild boar and goats.

Despite being able to run reasonably fast in short bursts, their main hunting technique is to hide in long grass and ambush anything which ventures too near, biting with razor-sharp teeth and infecting with bacteria-filled saliva.

Visitors, understandably, must be accompanied by a guide and, as we follow a series of trails, ours quickly leads us to a couple of dragons lounging by a watering hole. They appear languid, but I’m told this is a way to regulate body temperature rather than idleness.

“There’s another one behind you,” smiles the guide with a nod in my direction.

I turn to see the clay-coloured scaly skin of a three-foot dragon patrolling its patch, a forked tongue darting in and out of its mouth. It’s another unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Safely back on Flores, I tuck into fresh crab coated in spicy Padang sauce while watching the setting sun turn the sky various shades of red and orange above the silvery sea.

As I pick out the dark silhouettes of fishing boats dotted the bay, I can’t help but wonder what other great mysteries Indonesia might hold…

HOW TO GET THERE  Ed Elliot was a guest of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism. Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways. com) fly from London Heathrow to Denpasar, Bali from £576. Flights are also available from Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

For more information on the destination, visit the Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism (www.indonesia.travel/en)

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Advertorial Feature

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Full of imaginative ideas for outdoors With forward-thinking products and an ear firmly pressed to the ground, outdoor living and landscape supplies specialist Corker, of Paddock Wood, is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. It’s no wonder people are travelling from miles around to realise their dream gardens. Hannah Patterson meets the owner of the family business, Michael Corkery, to talk about ‘bringing the inside out’ Tell us about Corker and how it came to be It all began with a company we started called Small Loads Ltd. That was the original concept that led us to where we are now.

We had one lorry until demand started to grow and people required more and more.

It was evident that the market was there for garden supplies and what we were offering.

When it became a necessity to expand, we got ourselves an office in Paddock Wood along with a separate yard for stock. It was all a little disjointed at that point; it wasn’t until we combined the office and yard that it started to take off properly for us and we became the business we are today.

So Corker was a natural progression?

Yes, we were just getting bigger and bigger, and we could see the market heading in the direction of outdoor living.

Gardens are no longer gardens but an extra room of the house – an extension. Things like bifolding doors and outdoor furniture were really taking off and we knew that was where we needed to be.

Keeping current was important. Consequently, we attended a range of trade shows to learn about the latest products available.

Gardening’s popularity has grown in leaps and bounds. Nowadays people don’t see their garden as something that’s just for the summer; you can get a nice wood burner and some throws and

MODERN FAMILY (l-r) Oliver Corkery, Michael Corkery, co-founder Alice Corkery and Harry Corkery enjoy a glass of wine out there in mid-November.

Do you find you get a lot of browsing customers or do people come here for specific items?

It’s a real mix, but largely people come here because they are trying to take the first steps in realising their dream garden.

The customer we are trying to appeal to, and the concept we want to get across, is that we are the

place to come to when you are staring out of your patio doors and thinking about ways to reinvent your garden.

You can take yourself to an outdoor store, buy a few bits, and struggle yourself, but mostly people don’t know who to contact for landscaping or where to source the items they are imagining.

If you come to us, you can choose the items, browse our show gardens, and then we can link

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Wednesday September 6 | 2017

you with the landscapers to see the whole process through. Having said that, we are always happy for people to just come along and enjoy browsing.

We would never be the place to have a salesperson chase you around with a brochure. We’re a small team of about ten, so it’s not like that here.

How do you choose which products to sell when doing your market research?

Our staff know what they’re doing. They are so creative and we can rely on them to pick out the very best products every time.

We like to set trends here rather than follow them – that’s a lot of the appeal we have. We see customers come here and fall in love with something they’ve never heard of before. They’re often shocked at the size of this place and the amount of stock available.

Do you sell many smaller, everyday products, as opposed to whole gardens?

Yes, we have a variety of the usual things you’d expect to find in an outdoor store. We have some lovely colourful pots and mirrors out the front at the moment, and we recently just sold the last of

SITTING PRETTY A peaceful perch

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our driftwood Reindeer.

We don’t sell plants, but we have a great working relationship with Capel Cottage Garden Nursery next door – we send people to them and they send customers to us.

What do you predict will be the big seller this autumn and winter?

The Irish Peat we’ve got is flying off the shelves!

Used in Ireland for centuries, it’s a natural product that is cultivated from specialist fields and shipped over to us by the sole authorised supplier. It burns beautifully and has an amazing earthy, peat aroma. We are also the only stockists in Kent of the Brackettes, as seen on BBC Countryfile, which are proving to be another massive seller for us at the minute.

With such exclusivity, do you find customers travel great distances to visit you?

People come from all over the place – the designers of some of the pieces we stock often send clients directly to us to have a look at their items in one of our display gardens.

We get people travelling from places as far out as Bromley to check out something that has caught their eye, or to have a look around for inspiration.

Do the show gardens have a big impact on sales you make?

Definitely. There are ten show gardens on site at the moment, but it’s soon to be 13.

There are not so many places that display like this. It’s one thing to look at a slab of

MIRROR MIRROR Bringing the inside out material that you’re interested in, but it’s always better to be able to walk on it yourself to experience it. The porcelain tiles have really taken off that way – it used to be that everyone wanted the Indian Sandstone, but now we have the porcelain out for people to see in a garden setting and it’s really taken off.

The display gardens are spectacular! Do you find people make impulse buys as a result of seeing them?

The items such as the outdoor paintings and the mirrors always amaze people and tempt them into a last-minute buy.

It’s something often not considered as an option but, thanks to a secret formula of outdoor coating, these are the extra additions that truly make an outdoor space come to life.

We’ve trademarked ‘bringing the inside out’ and that’s really what it’s all about.

A lot of the outdoor sofas are the same style as

those you find indoors, and having that alongside an amazing water feature is really just the icing on the cake, and it’s something people don’t always realise can be done until they are here seeing it for themselves.

There’s nothing better than surprising customers with what can be done – our outdoor sunroom has a rotation device so you can turn it to always be facing the sun, and even with these I feel that we’re still scraping the surface.

There’s so much more to come!

CONTACT Corker Outdoor Living & Landscape Supplies Westdene, Whetsted Road, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6SD Tel: 01892 833 325 Email: sales@corker.co.uk

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Motoring

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

TEST DRIVE

Lexus RC300h F Sport Dave Samuels puts the hybrid Lexus RC to the test

M

OTORING has reached a crucial point, with hybrid electric and all-electric tipped to take us into a greener future.

So has Lexus read the crystal ball better than others, by creating a keenly priced and eye-catching coupé that majors on greenness as much as sportiness?

Admittedly, the Lexus RC line-up (from £37,145) does offer a fire-breathing five-litre V8 ‘F’ model (from around £61,000) for a few incorrigible petrolhead buyers, but most RCs sold have the familiar ‘real world’ Lexus format of smooth petrol engine and electric motor.

And this latter model, the RC300h, appeals on several levels. On one it is a handsome coupé, led by the increasingly familiar Lexus ‘spindle’ grille. On another, it is a green machine to ease the conscience of an owner who wants to be seen as doing his or her bit for the environment by lowering emissions, while rewarding the fruits of their labours with a sporty and image-building new car.

And finally, it is a car for holidays and high days that rewards ‘press-on’ driving yet doesn’t become a chore to be in every day, perhaps inching through heavy traffic

or bashing the motorway to a distant business meeting.

Yes, there must be compromise in a car that manages to touch so many bases. The RC300h isn’t the sportiest car in its class, but it could be the best crowd-pleaser.

The test car was the performance flagship model and best-selling RC model in the range, the £42,265 F Sport – with all the styling accoutrements of the V8 F model mentioned earlier.

And demand for the F Sport comes as no surprise when you consider the comprehensive list of standard equipment, including a driving format selector which allows a standard set-up as well as ‘sport’ and ‘sport+’.

Standard is what you would want when flogging up that motorway. The RC feels refined and quiet, with wind, road and engine noise barely ruffling your drive – you could be in an executive saloon wafting you to your business meeting, fresh and unruffled.

Select either of the sport modes, though, and power delivery and response are cranked up – just what you want for a more challenging road – while a more suitable engine soundtrack is piped into

the cabin. Sounds cheesy? No, it works, and sport+ also beefs up the suspension settings so that the rear-wheel drive RC can be piled into bends with real purpose.

As I said above, it cannot be the best in that department when it has been designed to cosset as well, and the silky smoothness of the CVT (continuously variable transmission) auto gearbox is far away from the screaming gear shifts that sporty drivers crave. But if you want a smart sports coupé for all seasons and reasons, the RC’s on-road versatility is a winner.

And that’s without considering the car’s visual charms inside and out, and its easyliving cabin.

The RC’s styling is up with the best in the sector, while the interior looks smart and well-arranged, with that Lexus air of quality that looks good for hundreds of thousands of miles.

The big touchscreen

is easy to use on the move too, via the central console ‘navigator’.

It is also spacious for its type and has four seats, though Lexus makes no claims of it being more than a 2+2. You will get the kids in there, but they will ask ‘are we there yet?’ sooner rather than later.

However, there is a decent boot despite the hybrid system’s battery pack being stowed beneath it.

FACTS AT A GLANCE: MODEL: Lexus RC300h F Sport ENGINE: 2.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid TRANSMISSION: CVT automatic PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, top speed 155mph POWER: 227PS (223bhp) combined from 2.5-litre V6 and electric motor ECONOMY: 56.5mpg (official combined cycle) EMISSIONS: 116g/km CO2 PRICE: Starting from £37,145. Test car £42,265

GREEN WITH ENVY A sports coupé for all seasons and reasons

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Advertising

FEATURES

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Motoring News

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Volkswagen premiers new T-Roc SUV

Call for moves to save young lives RURAL driving lessons should be compulsory for all learner drivers, according to a road safety charity.

Figures from the Department for Transport show that 120 young drivers lost their lives in 2015 – the last year for which statistics are available – with 80 per cent of these deaths occurring on country roads.

In comparison, 16 per cent took place on urban roads and just 4 per cent on motorways.

Jason Wakeford, Director of Campaigns for road safety charity Brake, said: “High speeds, sharp bends, narrow lanes, risky overtaking and the presence of vulnerable road users like cyclists make rural roads the most dangerous by far. The combination of rural roads and novice drivers is lethal – a staggering 80 per cent of all young car driver fatalities occur in rural locations.

“Brake is calling for a total overhaul of the learning to drive system to help cut fatalities and injuries. A graduated licensing system, including a minimum learning period, mandatory training on rural roads and restrictions for newly qualified drivers – such as a zero drink-drive limit – will allow new drivers to build up more skills and experience over a longer period.”

Wakeford said similar systems in Australia and New Zealand had ‘dramatically reduced road casualties’ and could save as many as 400 lives per year if introduced in Britain.

He added: “Brake is also calling for a review of rural speed limits and for voluntary intelligent speed adaptation systems, which help drivers

keep within the limit, to be fitted as standard to new cars. There is also the need for better and more affordable public transport, so fewer young people see starting driving in their teens as a necessity.”

However, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport ruled out rural lessons being introduced.

“We have some of the safest roads in the world and we are determined to do everything we can to make them even safer,” the spokesperson said.

“We encourage learner drivers to experience as many driving conditions and road types as possible before taking their test, however making lessons compulsory on rural roads would be impractical for people due to geographical distances and potential associated costs.

“We are constantly taking action to help keep young drivers safe, including allowing learner drivers to take lessons on motorways with an approved instructor, tightening the laws on drug driving and using a mobile phone behind the wheel, and we are spending £175million upgrading 50 of England’s most dangerous local A-roads.”

FEATURES

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There’s plenty of choice in the range, starting with six engines VOLKSWAGEN has revealed the T-Roc, the latest SUV to join its range.

Designed for the compact SUV market, the T-Roc will enter the German manufacturer’s line-up below the Tiguan, and is the latest vehicle to be based on the VW Group’s MQB platform.

The crossover will be offered with six engines at launch – three petrol and three diesels.

No figures have been announced, but the power units will be offered in front-wheel drive with a manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, or all-wheel drive coupled to the automatic.

As standard, the car will come with air conditioning, a full-colour infotainment system, LED tail lights and daytime running lights.

The T-Roc will be available in a base spec, or with two higher trim levels: Sport and Style.

Rather than one being superior, the trims are equal, offered as alternatives.

Style focuses on visual touches, such as a variety of interior colour options, whereas Sport includes more driving

focused features, like sports seats.

According to Volkswagen, the T-Roc is ‘in a league of its own’ for driver assistance systems.

Standard features on all models include automatic post-collision braking, lane assist, pedestrian monitoring and city emergency braking.

As for practicality, with all five seats occupied, the T-Roc offers 445 litres of luggage space, increasing to 1,290 with the rear seats folded down.

Milestone Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Volkswagen brand board of management, said: “The T-Roc sets a new benchmark in the booming SUV segment.

“With its functionality, dynamic handling and technology, the T-Roc embodies all good Volkswagen qualities. It marks a milestone in our SUV offensive.”

UK prices for the T-Roc have yet to be announced, but in Europe orders start at €20,000 (about £18,000) and will begin in November.

The stunning new Ferrari Portofino makes its world debut in Germany next week FERRARI has pulled the wraps off its new Portofino, the replacement for the convertible California T. Named after the famous Italian tourist port, the Portofino is powered by Ferrari’s 3.9-litre turbocharged V8, which now produces 592bhp and 760Nm of torque. This represents an increase of 32bhp and 5Nm of torque over the outgoing car.

This boost in performance enables the Portofino to complete the benchmark dash from 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds, before hitting a top speed or more than 199mph.

The Portofino is based on a new chassis, which Ferrari claims features a significant weight saving compared with the California T, although this exact figure has not been revealed. Torsional rigidity has also been improved.

Ferrari claims the ‘extensive use of modern production technologies’ has allowed the gains in rigidity and the loss in weight.

The new Portofino also benefits from the introduction of Ferrari’s third-generation electronic rear differential [E-Diff3], improving mechanical grip and control on the limit.

Styling-wise, it has been brought in line with Ferrari’s other GT cars, with a front end that references the new 812 Superfast.

Overall, the new hard-top convertible features far more aggressive looks than the car it replaces.

The cabin has also been treated to upgrades, with Ferrari adding a new 10.2-inch touchscreen display and an air-conditioning system designed to improve comfort with the roof in place or folded away.

A new wind deflector cuts air flow in the cabin by 30 per cent when the roof is open, reducing buffeting when travelling at speed.

The new Ferrari Portofino will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which runs from September 14-24.

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Life & Style

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

WHY TAKE PART IN THE 10K RUN? It’s only four weeks until the Hospice in the Weald’s 10k run on Saturday 24th September at the Lower Cricket Ground Tunbridge Wells. Carla Ferdinando, who will be running in memory of her father Don Ferdinando shares her story: “After my father died in December last year, I decide to do this run as a thank you for all the care the Hospice in the Home team had given my father and the support the Hospice has given me. The whole experience was a real life changer and I am so grateful for everything the Hospice has done.” Carla not only found her motivation but also inspired others to join her on the run through her work as a personal trainer in Crowborough. She has been hosting once a week training sessions in which people have been donating to her Justgiving page as a form of payment. She says she is “so excited” to be part of the run this year and to help raise funds in memory of her father.

VETERINARY NURSE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Based in East Malling, the Central College of Animal Studies specialise in training programmes for the veterinary profession.

With close links to practices, they provide full and part-time veterinary nursing programmes and apprenticeships.

If you want to run in the race and help provide vital services to patients with terminal illnesses then visit www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk to make a difference.

Veterinary nursing courses combine learning with practice-based training. For a list of all courses, clinical placements help ensure that graduates are confident and competent working in a veterinary environment.

SAVVY SKIN CARE

The aim is to teach students essential life skills that can be used for both personal and professional development, focusing on each individual and their abilities.

All of the programmes use a variety of teaching strategies, to ensure students can undertake clinical tasks in a skilled and professional manner. Learning comprises a range of subjects, from general and surgical nursing, anaesthetic techniques, radiography, and functional anatomy to professional relationships, communication, and ethics.

As well as ensuring students gain the necessary knowledge to practice veterinary nursing safely and proficiently, these courses also allow students to develop as individuals and take charge of their own professional development.

To find out more about any of these courses, please contact enquiries@ccoas.org.uk or visit our website www.ccoas.org.uk

VIDEOS LAUNCHED TO SHOW OFF JOURNEY OF LOCAL BUSINESS, CORKER Outdoor living and landscape suppliers, Corker, have launched two new videos to showcase their recent site transformation and journey. 2017 has been a busy year for this family business, which is situated on the A228 near Paddock Wood. Previously known as Small Loads, the re-brand and unveiling of their new name took place in early spring.

Along with the re-brand came the transformation of their 3-acre site with the introduction of 10 inspiring show gardens. One of the videos which is in a time-lapse style shows the creation of these show gardens, allowing viewers to see just how far the site has come. The second video focuses on the longer journey that the business has been on since it was first set up in 2001.

Oliver Corkery, Creative Director at Corker says “Whilst the videos only offer a small snapshot of the journey that our family has been on and how we’ve got to where we are today hopefully it will inspire people to pay us a visit!”

Corker worked closely with their appointed marketing agency, Cheeky Communications, who are based in Tunbridge Wells, to bring the videos to life.

You can view the videos by searching YouTube channel ‘corkeruk’

www.corker.co.uk

TBC. Skin Atelier is an exciting new retail skin concept store in Tunbridge Wells. Our philosophy is to promote skin health in all its forms and give you a healthy, luminous complexion.

Our mission to source the world’s finest skin care ingredients and sun creams for our customers and we are passionate about this. We have curated a wide range of products including products from Australia, the States and home-grown from the UK too. We are delighted to offer state of the art computer skin imaging analysis, tailored skin care regimes, UV protection for summer & winter holidays and associated bespoke luxury facial treatments .

‘Women and men are definitely becoming more savvy regarding their skin. Here at TBC we are delighted to be offering advanced skin care and sun protection from around the world to residents in Tunbridge Wells. We are proud of our fashionable retail space and we welcome everyone. Pop in and say hello!’ Georgie Gibb, Store Manager.

Our artisan’s skin studio is situated opposite Hotel Du Vin in the heart of Tunbridge Wells with ample parking only a few steps away, open Tuesday to Saturday. For further information, please phone 01892 535202 or email help@tbcskinatelier.co.uk

TBC. Skin Atelier, 17 Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU www.tbcskinatelier.co.uk

Puzzles

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

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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.

7

8

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S T S T U N F A M H I

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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7 6 8 4 9

4 4

Codeword:

5 4 7 9 1 4 6 8

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OC Z B E C T H

3 9

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4 2 6

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

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

Puzzle solutions will be published in next week’s paper

A C C A T O O O P S R R N U P C L I E L E A G N S I RWA E M N G E D Q U I L U C U L T I J T O R C U A T U P K N I O U E C A N P E R V E

5 8 7 1 2 9 6 3 4

2 4 1 7 6 3 5 9 8

R K E U N N V E L R S

Y G S E

Jigsaw Sudoku:

Sudoku:

9 6 3 8 5 4 2 7 1

X E N B M B S E N D A

7 3 6 2 9 8 1 4 5

8 9 5 4 3 1 7 6 2

1 2 4 5 7 6 9 8 3

3 7 8 9 1 5 4 2 6

4 1 2 6 8 7 3 5 9

6 5 9 3 4 2 8 1 7

1 4 2 3 6 8 7 9 5

9 6 3 7 5 1 8 4 2

5 8 7 2 4 9 6 3 1

7 1 9 4 8 2 3 5 6

8 2 5 6 9 3 1 7 4

4 3 6 1 7 5 2 8 9

2 7 4 5 3 6 9 1 8

6 5 8 9 1 7 4 2 3

3 9 1 8 2 4 5 6 7

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

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© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

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DIFFICULTY RATING: ★★★I

2

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

DIFFICULTY RATING: ★III

1

SUDOKU & JIGSAW SUDOKU

© 2016 Syndicated Puzzles

CODEWORD

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FEATURES

Recruitment

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

NEWS

WITH THE

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

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND TONBRIDGE

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FEATURES

Arts & Culture

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Building a picture of our town’s past The Heritage Open Days are back again in Tunbridge Wells and beyond, and from tomorrow [Thursday] until Sunday residents will have the chance to explore inside some of the area’s grandest buildings, as well as some of its smaller ones. Pat Wilson, who is on the local organising committee, explains the benefits of opening up these historic places

High Rocks

Just down the road at Capel there are some rare 13th-century wall paintings to enjoy at the normally closed Church of St Thomas à Becket.

Memorials and mementoes are everywhere, including Princess Victoria’s personal seat at King Charles the Martyr Church by The Pantiles, and mementoes of Edith Cavell at St Thomas’s in Southborough.

Mabledon, the childhood home of Decimus Burton, was last year’s coup and proved immensely popular. It’s on the border between Southborough and Tonbridge and was designed and built by Decimus’s father, James.

Calverley Terrace Photos: David Bartholomew

T

HIS year, the mosque in Camden Road will be included in our collection of places of historical interest which open up their doors for Heritage Open Days.

It is the first time it has been open to the public generally, and they are in the middle of a £300,000 appeal to extend the mosque to make more room for their growing number of children.

Before it became a mosque it was The Roebuck pub.

There will also be plenty of churches to explore.

Stained glass enthusiasts will enjoy the nationally celebrated High Victorian Burne Jones windows in Speldhurst, and Chagall’s modernist memorials to a drowned girl at All Saints’ Church, Tudeley.

Tours As usual, there will be a number of conducted tours taking place over the four-day period, and booking is essential so as not to be disappointed.

A tour that has proved to be very popular over the years is backstage at the Opera House in Mount Pleasant. Although it’s now a pub, it was the predecessor to Glyndebourne and still provides a full opera once a year.

The top cemetery tour has to be the one at Woodbury Park, where visitors can see ornate tombs of heroes of Empire or Victorian dignitaries – which include Jane Austen’s brother.

You can also take a steam train ride on the Spa Valley Railway along to High Rocks, which boasts

eight acres of sandstone rock, all free to explore.

Or you can get right down into the sandstone and mud courtesy of the Southborough Archaeological Society, who will take you to the dig site just off Vauxhall Lane to find out what our Neolithic ancestors were up to.

There’s also the working windmill in Cranbrook to explore, and not far from there is prize-winning blacksmith Michael Hart, who will demonstrate his skills at his forge in Horsmonden.

But these are just a few of the events taking place. To find more, and to book tours, visit www.tunbridgewellsheritageopendays.org

The Opera House

Arts & Culture

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

BRANCHING OUT The Quirky Tree

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Seeing double A one-woman show about the life of 1930s screen idol Marlene Dietrich is coming to Trinity Theatre next Thursday. ‘Doppel Dietrich’ is being staged by Patricia Hartshorne, and Eileen Leahy asks her why she decided to pay tribute to the infamous German star…

Art for everyone’s sake Next week, The Rusthall Arts Festival is on once again from September 15-17. One of its organisers, Suzy Phillips, is excited about the new events that are planned for this year. Here she explains what’s happening where, and when and how you can be part of a free event that celebrates the area’s creative community

VOLUNTEER-LED Rusthall Community Arts is a non-profit organisation which hosts the annual Rusthall Arts Festival. This happens alongside an additional programme of events and workshops throughout the year. We are supported by Rusthall Parish Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent County Council and by donations from local businesses and residents.

This is the second year the festival has taken place, and I can confidently say that it will be bigger and more vibrant than ever, with a greater range of free activities and workshops planned.

Following the success of last year’s event, which was dubbed ‘Art Smash’, this year’s theme will be ‘Look What’s Flourished in Rusthall’.

This chimes in with the launch of our Quirky Tree event in February, when we asked local residents and young children to tie messages and artistic sketches to a designated oak tree on the common,

which we will be revisiting this September to ‘see how it has flourished’.

Other exciting events on the agenda include a barn dance for all ages, courtesy of the brilliant Foot Down Ceilidh Band, as well as a children’s guided nature walk to view the unusual parts of Rusthall Common, which ends with a quiz at the Quirky Tree. This ramble will be followed by an art collage workshop using found objects from the walk.

There will also be improvised comedy sketches from Claque Theatre; live music from Band Without Boundaries; a collection of oral history monologues from some of Rusthall’s residents; and a series of well-being sessions, which include a talk from local experts Botanica. This will be followed by a Laughter Workshop with Caroline Hart, and I will be undertaking a demonstration of Life Coaching.

Additionally, you can also see artwork from the Abstract Art Group and children’s drawings from St Paul’s Primary School, and there will be a show titled ‘King Charles and The Oak Tree’at the Pet Shop.

All venues are in Rusthall and include locations such as the Daily Bread Café, The A* Rusthall Café, Sunnyside Hall and Toad Rock.

For further information, visit www.rusthallcommunityarts.org.uk

ACCORDING to Patricia Hartshorne, the woman who will be performing Doppel Dietrich at Trinity Theatre on Thursday, September 14, the show is a ‘humorous and haunting’ look at the colourful life, loves and songs of sultry Marlene Dietrich.

The award-winning performer and writer doubles as the German-born Hollywood legend for an evening of Dietrich anecdotes and the reprisal of some of her classic songs.

She also reveals there will be a ‘few surprises’ along the way as she relives some key moments from the infamous life of the star who was known for her ‘bedroom eyes’, numerous affairs, and for spending the last 12 years of her life hiding away THE ORIGINAL in bed as a recluse in Paris.

A typical Dietrich ‘look’ So what got Patricia interested in Marlene, who first found fame in the early 1930s doing cabaret, and went on to star in a classic Dietrich numbers such as Lili Marleen, number of silent movies, including Boys in the Backroom, La Vie en Rose, Falling in The Blue Angel and Morocco?

Love Again and many more.”

“In my first appearance at the She also says that her audiences have Edinburgh Fringe, I included a short been known to both laugh and cry when Dietrich sketch and a few of her they discover Dietrich’s eventful life, songs, which went down which spanned the majority of the wonderfully with audiences and 20th century, seeing her transform reviewers alike,” says Patricia. from a wartime cabaret entertainer to “As a result, I wrote a full show Hollywood star. about her, which I’ve toured “People will also see how she goes throughout the UK and also from an outrageous selftaken to Dublin and publicist to uncompromising California.” recluse,” adds Patricia.

Patricia, who recently “Come along and meet a moved from Manchester woman who was way ahead to St Leonard’s, will be of her time and answered to joined at Trinity Theatre nobody – not even Adolf next week by virtuoso Hitler,” concludes the pianist John Miles, with performer, who is sure, just whom she has worked like her movie star muse, to on many occasions. captivate her audience. � You can see Doppel “He will be travelling Dietrich at Trinity Theatre south to make a special on Thursday, September appearance at my BLONDE VENUS 14. Tickets cost £18. performance in Patricia plays Marlene For further information, visit Tunbridge Wells and www.trinitytheatre.net accompanying me on

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FEATURES

What’s On

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

WHATS ON WITH THE

Eileen Leahy Local events

>> WEDNESDAY The Tonbridge Philharmonic gather for the first time since the summer holiday break this evening at 7.45pm, to rehearse Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius.

If you fancy joining them, whether as a musician or singer, then the good news is the first taster rehearsal is free to attend. To arrange, just email Carol at: chchair@tonphil.org.uk The Hitman’s Bodyguard, which stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L Jackson, is playing at the Hop Farm’s Moonlight Drive-in Cinema tonight and tomorrow from 8.15pm. It tells the tale of a hit man who enlists the services of the world’s toughest bodyguard, but will their obvious differences end in disaster? Tickets cost £25 per vehicle and can be booked via www.moonlightcinema.com >> THURSDAY As part of the area’s annual Heritage Open Days, the Rusthall Local History Group will be hosting a series of presentations on the story of Rusthall Lodge – from 1850 to the present day – at St Paul’s Parish Church on Langton Road. It will be open from 2-4pm today and tomorrow and then from 10am until noon and 2-4pm on Saturday and from 2-5pm on Sunday. Admission is free and no booking is required.

Trinity Theatre will host John le Carré: An Evening

FEELGOOD FESTIVAL Live it up at Livestock in Penshurst

If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages, please email eileen@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

With George Smiley at 7.45pm. This live transmission will be broadcast from London’s Royal Festival Hall in order to celebrate the work and inspiration behind of one of the world’s greatest writers and his most famous character, and to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors without Borders. Tickets cost £19 and can be booked at www.trinitytheatre.net

holding an Open Day from 9am until 4pm at the Masonic Centre in the Cadogan playing fields, St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9UY. Free access to the whole building will be provided and there will be an exhibition of historical artefacts from the Kent Museum of Freemasonry, Canterbury. The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Julia Soyke, will be present.

Also taking part in the area’s Heritage Open Days is St Peter’s Church, Southborough Common, which >> FRIDAY will be open today from 10am till 5pm. There will Every Friday, The Angel Flea Market takes place be historical information and photos on display, from 8am until 1pm at the Angel and between 2pm and 4.30pm teas, coffees and Centre in Tonbridge. Visitors can scones will be on sale in aid of the church building expect to see offerings from around repair fund, along with a sale of small ‘Good as New’ 25 stallholders selling a huge items. Admission is free and no booking is required. variety of bargains. Entrance is free.

The popular Livestock festival returns today for This is the final weekend of Pashley its fifth and, according to organisers, its Manor’s Dahlia Days, a delightful event ‘most colourful’ year. Taking place in which celebrates this most beautiful and Penshurst, Livestock is a familyvaried of blooms. It’s on friendly event with lots of local every day until Sunday bands playing as well as from 10am until 5pm, plenty of food, music and and visitors can expect hand paintballing on to see the Ticehurst offer. garden’s borders ablaze There with a riot of colour. They will also CATCH IT IF YOU CAN… will also have the chance to be free The Tunbridge Wells buy bulbs and cut dahlias from parking Juggling Club meet-up Bloms Bulbs, and camping in Southborough who will be available on running a pop-up site. All profits shop. Entrance costs made go to local £10pp. For further charities. Tickets cost information, visit www. £15 and under 12s go pashleymanorgardens.com free. For more details, see www.lsfestival.com >> SATURDAY Today and The United Grand tomorrow, there Lodge of England is will be hopping celebrating the fun as Kent & East 300th anniversary Sussex Railway of the founding host a Hop of the first Festival Weekend Freemasons at Bodiam station.

Grand Lodge The railway’s in 1717. Locally, heritage steam trains will run the Freemasons each day through the beautiful are marking the Wealden countryside between anniversary by Tenterden and Bodiam stations

GO CRUISING At the Drive-in with trains every 45 minutes, and visitors will have the chance to take a walk through Bodiam’s hop gardens and try their hand at picking. Local musicians The Sideboard Men and a classic Punch and Judy show will provide the entertainment and there will also be a delicious BBQ to enjoy. For more information, see www.kesr.org.uk Today marks the 20th annual Dragon Boat Festival at Bewl Water. Last year, the event raised over £80,000 for 50 different charities with more than 1,000 people taking part in an amazing display of paddle power and fun activities. The event, which began in 1998, has so far raised over £2.6million for more than 380 local, national and international charities. For more information, visit www.bewlwater.co.uk >> SUNDAY Chiddingstone Castle is holding its popular annual Country Fair today between 11am and 5pm. The event is a celebration of the traditions of the countryside and sports associated with it. This year, there will be a giant Tractor Ted bouncy castle and slide for young children, and the opportunity to watch a display from the horses and hounds of the Old Surrey Burstow & West Kent Hunt. There will also be a display of vintage tractors in the main event arena. www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

What’s On

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

There’s another Support Local pop-up event happening at One Warwick Park Hotel today from 10am until 4pm. Go along and see some of the town’s start-up and small businesses showcasing their work.

Edgar Wright’s latest film, the much acclaimed Baby Driver, is on at Trinity Theatre this evening from 5pm. Starring Ansel Elgort, Lily James and Kevin Spacey, it tells the tale of getaway driver (Elgort) who relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. But after meeting the woman of his dreams (Lily James), will he be able to turn over a new leaf? Tickets cost £9.50. Book at: www.trinitytheatre.net >> MONDAY The Moonlight Drive-in Cinema at The Hop Farm will be screening the new Tom Cruise spy movie American Made until September 14. Loosely based on the true story of former TWA pilot Barry Seals, who ran drugs and arms for the CIA in the late 1970s, it promises lots of edge-of-your-seat action.

Showing at 8pm, tickets cost £25 per vehicle and can be booked at www.moonlightcinema.com >> TUESDAY Hildenborough Farmers’ Market is on every Tuesday from 9am until 11am at St John’s Church PADDLE POWER At Bewl’s Dragon Boat Festival

Paul Dunton Live music

Deep South Music & Arts Festival Colebrook Lakes, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3UP September 8, 9 and 10 If you go down to Colebrook lakes this weekend, you’ll stumble on the uber cool Deep South Music & Arts festival which is happening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Featuring a huge number of acts, including Dark Sky, The Reflex and Rayko, it’s an al fresco celebration of the best live music and DJs South London’s musical community has to offer. Tickets start at £50 for a day pass with full weekend ones for £90. For details, see www.deepsouthfestival.com Centre in the middle of the village. Visitors can expect a great variety of local produce for sale, as well as some unique crafts, too.

The Tunbridge Wells Juggling Club meets every Tuesday at St Dunstan’s Church Hall, Southborough, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. They are celebrating their 25th year later this month and are very keen to welcome new members. Find out more at www.twjc.co.uk The UK’s longest and highest tree-top walkway recently opened at Groombridge Place. It costs an additional £5 per person on top of the usual entrance fee. www.GroombridgePlace.com

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A ROUND-UP OF THIS WEEK’S MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Andrew Ashong

PICK OF THE WEEK

FEATURES

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

THE GREY LADY MUSIC LOUNGE

THE DUKE OF YORK

The Pantiles, doors 7.15pm, entry £6/£7, Websites www.pdag.co.uk & www.thegreylady.co.uk

The Pantiles

MONDAY Open Mic Night

FRIDAY MK and the Misters SATURDAY The Violet Jive

THE GEORGE

THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM

Mount Ephraim, open from noon, free entry Website www.thegeorgepubtunbridgewells.co.uk

Event information at www.twforum.co.uk

MONDAY TWUNT: Ukulele Jam Session

FRIDAY Boogie Nights SUNDAY Little Cub

THE SUSSEX ARMS

THE BEDFORD

Sussex Mews, music from 8pm till late. For more information, visit www.twforum.co.uk

2 High Street, open all day, free entry More information at www.thebedfordtw.co.uk

SATURDAY Jason Lines TRINITY THEATRE

Church Road, event information and tickets from www.trinitytheatre.net

SATURDAY The John Hackett Band + Bea Everett THE BEAU NASH TAVERN

Mount Ephraim, open all day, free entry, music from 8.30pm till late

FRIDAY Broken Bones SATURDAY Total Recall THE PANTILES BANDSTAND

The Pantiles, open all day, donations welcome Music from 7pm

THURSDAY Ray Gelato

SATURDAY Crimson Throne, Asherah THE ROYAL OAK

Prospect Road

SATURDAY 5: 15’s The John Hackett Band

94

NEWS

Sporting Times

CONTACT US:

Please send your sports stories to newsdesk@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk or newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk

TOUCH OF CLASS Dylan Barkas sprints down the wing for the final try

Tunbridge Wells 39 Shelford 19

By Roger Clarke RUGBY: TUNBRIDGE WELLS enjoyed an excellent start to their first campaign in the London & SouthEast Premier after their promotion last season.

It was not the best of starts as visiting Shelford turned up late after heading for Tonbridge Juddians’ ground by mistake.

The hosts wasted no time in making their presence felt. They were down to 14 men after just four minutes when hooker Luke Hawkins was yellow-carded for a high tackle.

But they made amends just two minutes later, as quick and precise handling in the backs released centre Dylan Barkas, who went over powerfully.

Ryan Taylor-Dennehy, back in the team after a spell in China, burst through the middle to score, leaving several players in his wake.

And on 38 minutes fly-half Frank Reynolds got in

on the act, supporting his centres Barkas and Shadyn Osgood to score and convert his own try.

Shelford scored their second try on the stroke of half-time, so Wells went in at the interval 24-12 up.

Turnovers under pressure dogged the home side, who saw a second yellow card for Charlie Dagwell.

Immense tackling from Shadyn Osgood and Taylor-Dennehy managed to save two tries at the corner flag but the Wells defence was tiring.

Centre Grant Anderson scored under the posts for Shelford to reduce the deficit to 24-19 and the visitors were a try away from snatching victory.

Wells had to wait until the closing minutes before opening their second-half account with a long-range penalty from Reynolds.

Shelford threw caution to the wind and after another crunching tackle by Osgood, Hayden Pengelly released left wing Matt Spicer to score again for Wells in the 83rd minute.

Wells face a stiff challenge on Saturday (September 9) when they visit Barnes, who were relegated from National Two South last season.

PHOTOS: Bruce Elliott

Barkas double book-ends exciting first chapter of Wells’ adventure In great Nick – and in exalted company NICK DOHERTY, Tunbridge Wells RFC’s exciting No 8, and his girlfriend Chloe Salter met England and British & Irish Lions hooker Jamie George at the Rugby Football Union players’ awards night at Twickenham on August 30.

Nick was nominated for the category of National Amateur Player of the Year after his outstanding season with Wells. He was pipped to the award by Sam Neave of West Leeds RFC. His mother and eight club members also attended the gala dinner.

Nick had the chance to rub shoulders with Owen Farrell, the England fly-half who won the professional player award, along with a host of other famous rugby names including Chris Robshaw, the Vunipola brothers, Sevens star Dan Norton and Maggie Alphonsi, the former England women’s player who commentated at the World Cup in Ireland. Last year Tunbridge Wells won the Team of the Year award.

Galbraigh-Lowe hits heights with TJ half-century Bury St Edmunds 17 Tonbridge Juddians 50

By Adam Hookway RUGBY: TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS began their new season in the higher reaches with what was described as ‘an absolute cracker of a result’, beating hosts who had finished fifth in National Two South last season.

Many of last season’s title winning TJ squad remain and they have added a sprinkling of extras to give greater depth. Judging by the physical effort they put in, they will need it.

Bury St Edmunds had recruited heavily in the summer and added a new coaching team to boot.

In their first real foray upfield TJs made ground on the left and Mike O’Sullivan offloaded for Murray Galbraith-Lowe to scamper over, Liam Prescott converting.

The second try was a copy of the first after solid defence saw O’Sullivan go down the left again, sending Hugo Watson over in the corner.

Smooth BSE’s No 8 was the put under pick-up pressure at the scrum, and was turned over to allow Cole Campbell to go over from inches out.

Galbraith-Lowe scythed through and scored with smooth acceleration to make it 26-0 to TJs at the break, leaving the large crowd losing their voice.

A nicely worked try in the BSE backs gave the

hosts a foothold and their up and under plans seemed to be working.

Liam Prescott scored with a penalty but BSE hit straight back from the restart to make it 14-29.

Things got a little ragged for both sides for 10 mins and neither seemed too sure of whether to go for a BSE fightback or a TJ runaway win.

Fortunately Galbraith-Lowe made the choice and went through for his hat-trick.

Duncan Tout added a debut try down the left and O’Sullivan added the coup de grace. Nathan Holmes added the conversion to take TJs to their half-century and a bonus point win on their National Two South debut.

The display augurs well for the campaign ahead.

On Saturday (September 9) Canterbury visit The Slade for TJ’s first home game of the new season.

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

Smith’s five-wicket haul fails to stop all-rounder Laraman

By Alan Cutts CRICKET:

THE Kent Premier League season ended with a low-scoring game at the Nevill dominated by an all-round display from Jack Laraman.

Wells chose to bat first and the opening over from Basit Raja was hammered for 17 by Chris Williams, showing the superb touch he has been in all through the second half of the season.

But it was to prove a false dawn. Raja (4 for 43) swiftly recovered and proceeded to remove the top order and leave the hosts teetering on 42 for 4.

Christian Davis (41) and Marcus O’Riordan (27) forged a fighting stand of 68 before Laraman (3 for 26) broke through with a double strike.

Michael Churchill rallied the tailenders to raise a solitary batting bonus point at 151 all out.

Despite a relatively straightforward task, the visitors contrived to lose three wickets with David Smith grabbing 3 for 3 in three overs.

But at the other end, Laraman and Fabian Cowdrey (30) raised an untroubled stand of 65 to tilt the game in favour of Lordswood.

Cowdrey fell first to Chris Williams and then Laraman skied a short ball from brother Alex and was well caught on the fence by Julian O’Riordan.

Smith (5 for 23) returned to cause more mayhem, and duly achieved his five-wicket haul but by now the required total had almost been reached.

Former England player Amjad Khan completed the victory as Lordswood reached 154 for 7 and won by three wickets.

In Division One Linden Park ended the season with an easy win at Dartford’s Hesketh Park.

They bowled out the hosts for 108 with Freddie Hulbert taking 4 for 32 and Usman Sahar 3 for 32, and won by eight wickets on 110 for 3.

Tonbridge avoided relegation from Division Four as visitors Old Williamsonians were dismissed for 79, Nadeem Shehzad taking 5 for 20 and Khurram Shehzad 4 for 25. Tonbridge struggled to a four-wicket victory on 81 for 6.

Cowdrey ended with a win over OC Cuaco, making 142 at Swanmead and bowling out the visitors for 97 to ensure fourth place – on equal points with Addington in third.

VINE JUST SURVIVE THE DROP Sevenoaks Vine avoided relegation from the Kent Premier League on the last day of the season with a strong performance at Blackheath.

Oliver Durell opened up with 82 in an opening stand of 100 with John Bowden (38) as the Vine posted 228 for 7.

Karl Pearson (3 for 33) and Tom Coldman (3 for 30) whittled away the top order to leave the hosts 61 runs short on 167 at Rectory Field.

It was Hartley (110) who suffered the drop along with Holmesdale, four points adrift of the Vine, after losing to second-placed Bexley (191 for 6).

However, that win was not enough to allow Bexley to leapfrog Beckenham, who put in a mighty performance to ensure the title.

Kent’s Alex Blake scored a monumental 146 off 104 balls with 14 fours and seven sixes as the champions thrashed Holmesdale by 158 runs.

Sporting Times

Wednesday September 6 | 2017

NEWS

95

Angels prove wide of the mark as cup run ends PHOTOS: David Couldridge

Faversham Town 3 Tonbridge Angels 1

By James Rowe FOOTBALL: TONBRIDGE ANGELS made an early exit in the FA Cup at the hands of Bostik South club Faversham Town.

They were guilty of gifting all three goals because of a lack of marking at the back, while their strike force was lacking bite again.

The Angels made a slow start and found themselves a goal down after just six minutes following a succession of Faversham corners, Mark Lovell coming up with the decisive header.

The visitors carved out their first opening midway through the first half when Andre McCollin’s shot from the edge of the area struck the base of a Faversham post.

But Faversham went 2-0 up on the half-hour. A fine crossfield pass from Danny Walder found Lovell, who controlled the ball well and slotted it past the advancing Jonny Henly.

Seven minutes later the visitors pulled a goal back with Tom Beere putting through McCollin, who took his chance well.

GOAL THREAT: Andre McCollin (left) scored and also hit the post

After that boost going into half-time, the Angels were starting to ask the questions in the second half with chances for Chris Kinnear, McCollin and Joe Turner.

Faversham’s troublesome centre-forward Liam King forced a double save from Henly with the ball going out for a corner.

From the set-piece the ball wasn’t cleared properly and another cross found central defender Matt Bourne unmarked. He restored Faversham’s two-goal advantage in the 67th minute.

The Angels lost a great chance to get back in the game when they missed a penalty in the 77th minute after George Beavan was pushed over in the box.

Tonbridge kept going with Kinnear and Turner, in particular, trying to find that elusive opening but it was to prove in vain.

Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “They have had perhaps four clear-cut chances and have taken three of them, with probably the help of poor defending, whereas we have created a lot of good openings but only taken one of them. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

“We will have possibly the frustration of a blank Saturday when others will be enjoying FA Cup action, but we will work hard on the training pitch to get this right and we will get it right.”

Rustics denied in thriller Nwoko thwarted by late strike Rusthall 2 Canterbury City 2 FOOTBALL: CANTERBURY CITY scored deep in stoppage time to snatch a thrilling draw at Jockey Farm after Rusthall had seemingly secured an unlikely victory themselves in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.

On 27 minutes Stephen Harper’s fierce shot rattled the outside of the visitors’ post.

Rustics keeper Chris Christie launched himself at full stretch to beat out Dave Pilcher’s shot.

Another 40-yard effort by Pilcher saw Christie push the ball to safety over the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken in the second half when Matt Martin pulled the ball back for Pilcher. His shot was deflected by Stuart King from close range past a stranded Christie.

The home side responded well to going a goal

behind and a low header was saved by Delo. The woodwork saved City again as a bullet header from a free-kick thumped against their bar, Gary Clarke bravely blocking the follow-up shot.

A deserved equaliser came in the 87th minute when a corner was sent in and Dan Mitchell saw his header pushed away to safety by Jack Delo.

The second ball was swung into the box and this time Mitchell buried his header in the top corner.

Three minutes into injury time, Danny Powell attacked in the left channel and his shot took a deflection to wrong-foot Delo and fly into the net.

From the restart, City piled forward and a high ball into the box was knocked down by Laurence Harvey. It fell invitingly for Patrick Nzuzi to slam the ball home off the underside of the bar.

Rusthall now face a big local derby at Crowborough on Thursday (September 7).

Reece seeks a perfect nine GOLF: REECE HUNT of Nevill Golf Club has secured last two holes. His display puts Reece in contention qualification for the Grand Final of the American for the Tournament of Champions in Mauritius, if he Golf Nine-Hole Championship. succeeds at the iconic Midland venue.

Reece contests the showpiece at Ryder Cup venue “Our Nine-Hole Championship is hugely popular,” The Belfry in front of the Sky Sports cameras this said Daniel Gathercole, Director of Marketing at American Golf. “It gives golfers the chance to week (September 7-8) in a bid to be recognised play Championship Golf after work and still be as the best nine-hole golfer in Britain.

He went through to the final by virtue of home at a reasonable time.

“Golf has struggled to find a place in finishing as runner-up over the front nine people’s busy lives over recent years. It’s clear holes at Basildon Golf Club, putting to us that golfers’ love of the game is still there, together some impressive play in a tightly we’re just finding new ways to help them get fought south-east qualifying event.

Reece pushed the eventual winner, Dean out on the course more often.”

The Manager of Tonbridge’s Scott from Chelmsford Golf Club, all American Golf, Timothy Flint, the way as the players matched commented: “We’ve got a each other stroke for stroke.

When the final cards were fantastic golfing community in the region and I’m delighted that Amercompared, both had recorded nineican Golf can give local golfers hole scores of 20 points.

It was only after a final analysis the chance to play at an iconic of the cards that Dean was venue like the Belfry against declared the winner having qualifiers from all over the UK SHORT GAME Reece Hunt scored one more point over the and Ireland.”

Haywards Heath Town 2 Tunbridge Wells 2 FOOTBALL: TUNBRIDGE WELLS had to settle for a replay in the FA Cup Preliminary Round after Haywards Heath Town forced a late equaliser.

The hosts almost scored in the first minute when Max Miller cut in from the right but hit the post.

Soon Joe Nwoko proved a handful, and he went close twice before Wells eventually took the lead.

On 18 minutes he latched on to a back pass and Steven Ita slotted the ball past a stranded keeper.

Wells’ joy was short lived as almost immediately Town were back on level terms. Scott Chamberlain was allowed to run into the penalty area and he placed his shot in the bottom right-hand corner.

In the 32nd minute Town forced a corner and Trevor McCreadie’s header looked to be going in before Jamie Lawrence cleared off the line.

Right at the end of the first half Nwoko’s shot beat the keeper only to see a defender scramble his shot off the line.

Wells were strong in the second half, creating many chances, and in the 80th minute Ita’s free-kick hit the wall and bounced out to Jamie Lawrence, whose fierce shot clipped the bar.

The visitors thought they had won the tie in the 85th minute when Nwoko beat three defenders and powered a shot into the top left-hand corner.

But the hosts threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and in the 90th minute McCreadie scored with a shot from outside the area to earn a replay at Culverden Stadium.

On Saturday Tunbridge Wells are back in league action when they travel to Cray Valley.