Staying In Going Out - April 2012 by Staying in Going out

stayingin W

nks ve tha Massi r editor o ou goes t inal s her f on thi taygo. All fS e issue o t Lisa for th s m e a b e T the ! Lee & future

iles Lisa M

and it’s goodbye from me...

It’s been a great experience working on StayGo but I’m moving on to pastures new. I’m handing over to our brilliant new editor Caroline Sargent and, as ever, if there's anything you'd like to see featured in StayGo, email Caroline at editor@ staygo.co.uk. She’s waiting to hear from you...

APril 2012

elcome to the April issue of Staying In & Going Out magazine. We give you our usual mix of features, events and dates for your diary, plus lots of ideas for Easter activities! wHAt's inside...

Interview with Peter Owen-Jones,

Anglican vicar, TV presenter and inspirational speaker Feature on Peppa Pig’s new live show, with an interview from renowned puppeteer Nigel Plaskitt A history of the Tunbridge Wells branch of the RNLI – and an update on its recent successes

win tHese fAb PriZes...

Two family tickets to see Peppa

Pig’s new live show at the Assembly Hall Theatre, plus a VIP ‘meet Peppa’ for one lucky winner. See page 7 of Going Out for details of how to enter Our usual £10 'ﬁrst-out-of-thebag' prizes for the crossword and the kids' puzzle. Check them out on pages 9 & 10 For Staying In ideas read on from here. For Going Out, just flip over...

Zac, Lisa & Team plan another great issue!

%OTEote th 5 2F QUyoueq.u..

Lisa Miles editor@staygo.co.uk 020 7348 9868 Twitter: @StayGoEditor

n OFwhe e cod

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Lee Smith sales@staygo.co.uk Phone: 020 7348 9868 EDIToR: Caroline Sargent editor@staygo.co.uk ARTS EDIToR: Zac Thraves

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2 stayingin

/ April 2012

tunbridge wells edition

A few of our...

favourite things

CAlling All...

Brides & Grooms

trACkleMents MustArd stuffed CHiCken

You will need... 100g mascarpone cheese 50g strong Cheddar cheese – grated 2 dessert spoons Tracklements Original Mustard 8 rashers streaky bacon (or Parma ham if preferred) 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

3. Stretch the bacon rashers by pressing the back of a knife along the rasher, then wrap two rashers around each stuffed chicken breast just ﬁrmly enough to hold the parcel together.

Preheat the oven to 200oC/400oF/ gas mark 6.

4. Season, and place in a lightly oiled shallow casserole dish, cook in the centre of the oven for 2025 minutes.

now do tHis...

And serve!

1. In a bowl, mix the cheeses and Original Mustard together.

For a taste of spring, serve this dish with fresh vegetables such as new potatoes and green beans. For more great recipes go to www.tracklements.co.uk

salt and pepper to season

2. Cut a slit into the side of each chicken breast, then stuff with the mustard mixture.

lamb’s larder now on fACebook...

You can ﬁnd the Tracklements range of relishes and sauces at Lamb’s Larder convenience store and farm shop in Bells Yew Green. Open (almost!) all hours, you’ll also ﬁnd a wealth of the best local produce there, including fresh meat, superb seafood and great wine at a good price. Visit the Facebook page and hit "Like" to tunbridge wells edition

receive updates regularly when new stock arrives. Go on, take a look! www.facebook.com/ LambsLarder

Do you want to get married in 2012? Do you fancy being on TV? Don’t Tell the Bride is now going in to series 6 and, for the uninitiated, this is what happens: BBC3 give a few lucky couples £12K to spend on their wedding; but the groom must do all the spending and he’s not allowed to speak to the bride or her family while he makes all the arrangements. And, of course, everyone gets ﬁlmed for the show! Brides, if you think your man could make a good job of organising a wedding – and Grooms, if you fancy having a go with £12K, then all you have to do is apply. Email weddings@renegadepictures. co.uk. Applicants must be 18 years of age and over. Closing date: 30th April 2012. And if you get picked, we’ll put your wedding pic in StayGo!

April 2012 / stayingin

Kicking off a whole NEW gameplan bY sArAH bond Apart from almost making the grade as a footballer with Queen’s Park Rangers, being made redundant 20 years ago was the best thing that ever happened to sales rep Dave Luckhurst. CoACH And Courses “I decided to do something I enjoy,” says Dave, who lives in Wadhurst. “In my youth I had a real chance to play for QPR, but a knee injury put paid to that. So I played in the Kent League and other local leagues, and then I turned to coaching. “I gained qualiﬁcations in football, rugby, cricket, basketball, athletics, handball and trigolf. I can cover the whole PE curriculum." After 15 years teaching sport in schools, the next best thing Dave ever did was to start his own out-of-school sporting initiative – Kiddy Kix – which has really taken off.

tunbridge wells edition

eAster legs This Easter, Kiddy Kix is running a special football course for 4-8 year olds at Uplands Sports Centre in Wadhurst from 10-13 April (10am-2pm). It’s just one of several Spring courses listed on their website (below). Kiddy Kix’s pre-school courses are among their most successful. “The youngest pupil I ever had was 20 months,” laughs Dave (which leads us to wonder if David Beckham was also doing both kinds of dribbling from the moment he could walk). “There’s a lot of interest in preschool coaching, for both boys and girls,” says Dave. “With boys in particular, parents seem keen on them having good interaction with other boys at an early age. Kiddy Kix gives them the chance to develop social as well as sporting skills. "Some have never kicked a football before and now we are starting to have minitournaments. on tHe bAll “If I am having fun, then the kids are having fun. And they are all equally important, whatever their ability," he says. We all know football, rugby and cricket are popular, but handball is the UK's fastest growing sport. Luckily, Mr Luckhurst picked up the ball on this one back in 2003.

fun e h t n i n Joi He ran his own club, and once put a player forward for the England Handball trials. Now everyone can have a go at handball at The Skinners’ School gym in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesdays from 5.306.30pm. Again as luck would have it, a new 15-week course starts on 18 April. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner – you can quickly build up your skills. “Handball is easy,” promises Dave. "You move the ball like a basketball. It’s water polo without the water,” he laughs. Watch a video at www. kiddykix.co.uk Because so many parents envy their kids' classes, Dave has now dreamed up Big Kix – a weekend workout for adults for just £2.50 an hour. Join in the 'green ﬁtness' in the playing ﬁelds at Uplands, Wadhurst, on Sundays, from 9.3010.30am. It's a lot more fun than the gym!

www.kiddykix.co.uk Tel: 07761 007 685 Email: enquiries@kiddykix.co.uk Twitter: @kiddykix

April 2012 / stayingin

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NOTHING IS TOO MUCH TIME OR TROUBLE – RELAX AND ENJOY THE ATMOSPHERE

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RNLI

A nAtionAl CHAritY witH loCAl suCCess!

RNLI volunteers rescue walkers from incoming tide, Eastbourne, January 2012

bY JoAn HAMilton-sMitH

he RNLI Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch is delighted to announce that 2011 was its best ever year for fundraising, managing to raise the fantastic amount of £20,516! This is the ﬁrst time the £20k ﬁgure has been attained.

A long HistorY Records for the Royal Tunbridge Wells branch of the RNLI go back to 1911 although they are, to say the least, rather limited. However, a summary of annual accounts going back all the way to 1928 is still held by the branch. In the early years, the main source of income was from subscriptions and donations, usually between £30 and £100 per annum, sometimes reaching £200 and once or twice even £400! A Lifeboat Day in 1928 raised £38 and doubled the income for that year. The next such day was in 1939 and this was then repeated on a biennial basis. House-to-house collections ﬁrst appeared in 1940 and then every other year, alternating with Lifeboat Days. House-tohouse collections only became an annual event from 1954. tunbridge wells edition

Collection boxes existed from the start with income rising from £1 18s 10d in 1928 to £169 in 1978. 'Works appeals' were regular contributors in the early years, too. Fundraising events were spasmodic and generally modest, but the period from 1928 to 1978 included golf competitions, jumble sales, home coffee mornings, 'American teas', bridge drives etc. Notable events were Weybridge Male Voice Choir in both 1969 and 1970 and Golf Dinner Dances in 1976 and 1977. Sales of souvenirs show modest contributions from 1955 but then dwindled to zero after 1967. on tHe uP Total annual income from 1928 to 1978 ﬁrst exceeded £100 in 1938. Mind you, £100 in 1938 is the equivalent of £4,250 today! From then things really started to get going and income in 1981 was all but £7k rising to £15k in 1988. By then both souvenir sales and Shoreline were making healthy contributions. As a thank you for all this hard work, Honorary Secretary/ Souvenir Secretary Jan and PR/ Collections Organiser Joan have been awarded the RNLI's Bronze Award 'in recognition of their

A Lifeboat fundraising day in the 1930s

devotion to the Tunbridge Wells Branch', so it's a great honour not only for us, but for the branch as well. The presentation will be at the Lifeboat College at Poole in June this year.

did You know? The RNLI receives no government help and for that reason, as a branch, we are dedicated to raising as much money as we can. The main sources of income are voluntary contributions and legacies, and we are extremely grateful to the people of Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area for their generosity when we have our various collections and events in and around the area. We will be hard pushed to beat the 2011 total in future years, but there is no doubt in any of our minds that we will deﬁnitely give it our very best shot!

April 2012 / stayingin

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PuZZled ?! S D I K win! enter our kids’ PuZZle And win £10 wH sMitH vouCHer!

There are now TWO ways to enter our kids’ puzzle. Cut it out and send it in as usual OR email us the the key number. To ﬁnd the key number, take all the numbers in the highlighted squares and add them up. Email the answer to competitions@ staygo.co.uk

StayGo Kids Stuff, 2nd Floor, Lee House, 109 Hammersmith Road, London, W14 0QH. Closing date 30th April 2012. The ﬁrst correct entry out of the bag wins! You must be 12 or under to enter. See website for full terms and conditions

sPot tHe differenCe

5 1 3 6 4 4 5 2

5 2 4 1 5 3 4 2

nAMe:

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telePHone:

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Address:

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Find ﬁve differences between these two piles of Easter eggs!

it’s A Joke... Q: How many Easter eggs can you put in one basket? A: One – after that it's not empty! Q:Why can't you tell an Easter egg a joke? A: It might crack up! Q: What's yellow, has long ears and grows on trees? A: The Easter bunana!

word MiX uP Unscramble the letters to make a word to do with Easter!

YOLHIDA

Check the website for competition winners and answers!

www.staygo.co.uk tunbridge wells edition

April 2012 / stayingin

PuZZled?!

win!

NEW 2-in-1 crossword, By David Harrison: cryptic & quick clues!

£10 M&s vouCHer

ACross

CrYPtiC Clues

1. He's taken off breeches, agitated, before accountant presents girl (7) 5. If craft constructed trade will be generated (7) 9. Eggs discovered by unorthodox boxer, unknown quantity (5) 10. Locomotive with flatten animal (4, 5) 11. So i enter names erroneously but showing eagerness (10) 12. You go into the doctor as one who changes colour (4) 14. Pulse in athletes - they take pole position 18. Insufﬁently ﬁnely milled tube (11) 21. In naturism leaves cover return to the woods (4) 22. Unusually, cranes loth to dance (10) 25. Given offense farm aniaml I love obstructs distibution of bonus (9) 26. Rather then prate, come to the point (5) 27. Or back to see about race as a favour (7) 28. No that is Kylie, in Channel Island - sings beautifully (7)

down ACross

QuiCk s 1. A slice of bacon (6) Clue down

1. A novel by Daphne du Maurier (7) 5. Moving vehicles (7) 9. Eggs of animals that live in the water (5) 10. An old-fashioned name for a train (4, 5) 11. Great excitement and interest in something (10) 12. 18th century British poet, John ____(4) 14. Long green vegetables (6, 5) 18. Song title by The Jam, Going __________(11) 21. Trees that suffered from a Dutch disease (4) 22. A dance named after a city in America (10) 25. Highly objectionable! (9) 26. A long wick used for lighting candles (5) 27. You win one at a horse show (7) 28. Small brown bird known for its song (7)

2. A novel by Anna Sewell, Black______ (6) 3. Ones who overcome others (10) 4. Proof that you weren’t there (5) 5. Things collected by a bride for when she gets married (9) 6. A dull pain (4) 7. In Greek mythology, Charon did this job! (8) 8. The most easily seen (8) 13. Doing something just the way you’re told! (10) 15. Top of the world! (5, 4) 16. Goodbye in French (2, 6) 17. Collection of left-overs (8) 19. An ideal community (6) 20. British slang for geek or nerd (6) 23. Babies eat them! (5) 24. Way out (4)

1. Be quiet in the back (turned over) it might be! (6) 2. Spot beastly companion (6) 3. Company with norse origins encompasses short question- Normans? (10) 4. I was in an ancient Cathar town in South France, honest, ofﬁcer (5) 5. Model philospher for bride (9) 6. Each extra excercise gives pain inside (4) 7. Stephen carries queen to isle in the guise (8) 8. Stir treacle about with pole, it will become most limpid (8) 13. Blind eye to order? Just the opposite way (10) 15. Cold stick falling amongst National Hunt starters Trollope loses pounds (5, 4) 16. Initially, at university remember everyone's very offended if Raoul says goodbye (8) 17. Dost mend incomplete sets? (8) 19. Knocking pot back in australian university i am in perfect dream world (6) 20. Batty, perhaps in a grand coat (6) 23. For a knight in a truss, no tea we heart, just biscuits. 24. Team gobbled by alien - its way out (4)

Send Crosswords to...

enter our Crossword There are now And win £10 TWO ways to enter our great M&s vouCHer! crossword. Cut-out and send as usual OR email in the keyword. Use the nAMe: ..................................................................... telePHone: ................................................... highlighted letters, unscramble them to make a Address: ............................................................................................................................................. 5-letter word. Send to competitions@staygo. .................................................................................... PostCode: ..................................................... co.uk And don’t forget, there are two sets of eMAil: .................................................................... keYword: clues, quick and cryptic to choose from!

10stayingin

2nd Floor, Lee House, 109 Hammersmith Road, London, W14 0QH.

Check our website for competition winners & answers! www.staygo.co.uk | Closing date 30th April 2012.

/ April 2012

tunbridge wells edition

www.sudoku-PuZZles.net

word wizard & sudoku… Turn these numbers into letters and

Place the numbers 1 to 9

ﬁnd the missing 9-letter word. Each

in each empty cell, so that

number represents a letter. Use the

each row, column and each

clues to work out what they are.

3 x 3 block contains all the

9 7 4 4 9 5 2 4 9 7 8 3 5 7 6 8 4 3 2 2 6 5 4 8 1 3 5 8 2

numbers to solve the puzzle.

4 – A group of languages

– One who takes the the money

or a cow

it's A breeZe..

eAster fACts

Easterquotes

The traditional act of painting eggs is called Pysanka.

"easter is a time to rejoice, be thankful, be assured that all is forgiven so life extends beyond the soil of earth." Byron Pulsifer

The custom of giving eggs at Easter time is traced back to Egyptians, Persians, Gauls, Greeks and Romans, to whom the egg was a symbol of life.

"You give but little when you give of your possessions. it is when you give of yourself that you truly give." Kahlil Gibran "life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." Danny Kaye

tunbridge & wells Are disgusted! bY: MArk sMitH

eAster Jokes

Q: What do you call a rabbit with ﬂeas? A: Bugs Bunny Q: Why do rabbits like calculators? A: Because they both multiply really fast. Q: What do you call rabbits that live at the North Pole? A: Cold

Catch up with our curmudgeonly residents on twitter now too... @TWdisgusted

tunbridge wells edition

Later... Children try & ﬁnd large egg-shaped objects...

Q: How does the Easter Bunny stay ﬁt? A: EGG-xercise and HARE-robics

Idea! Pantiles Easter egg hunt?

Capital idea Tunbridge, shall we attend?

3 5 8 1 6 7

– A recess

In medieval times a festival of eggthrowing was held in church, of which the priest throws an egg to one of the choir boys then tossed from one choir boy to the next and whoever held the egg when the clock struck 12 was the winner and retained the egg.

Mummy, this one won't budge, grrrrr

Disgusting!!!

April 2012 / stayingin

www.staygo.co.uk

directory ARTS, MUSIC & THEATRE ASSEMBLY HALL Theatre and entertainment, including music and dance, for all the family address: Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LU telephone: 01892 530613 website: www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

TRINITY THEATRE Theatre and arts centre with a wide range of events and great café address: Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP telephone: 01892 678678 website: www.trinitytheatre.net

business services van rouge EXPRESS couriers Friendly, efficient and reliable courier service, delivery in the UK and Europe address: 9 High Street, Frant, Kent, TN3 9DT. telephone: 07860 597107

Wells, TN2 5QL telephone: 01892 550750 website: www.smith-western.co.uk

soup-urb

Urban café offering a daily range of seven soups to eat in or take away address: 11 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1LS telephone: 01892 514074 website: www.soup-urb.co.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BAR & GRILL

Stylish restuarant and cocktail bar address: 84 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 IYB telephone: 01892 522963 website: www.therestaurantbarandgrill. co.uk/tunbridge.html

events h-van showmobile Classic Citroen H-Van for hire, for all your events and special occasions telephone: 07860 597107 or 01892 752210 website: www.hvanshowmobile.co.uk

Food cafÉs and eating out ARte bianca

Café and Italian deli, with a wide range of authentic produce address: 1 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YQ telephone: 01892 510554 website: www.artebianca.co.uk

Traditional family butcher with quality meat products and friendly service address: 5 Nelson Road, Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5AW telephone: 01892 526563 website: www. fuller-butcher.co.uk

LAMBS LARDER

THE BEACON Pub and restaurant with stunning views in a quiet backwater of Tunbridge Wells address: Tea Garden Lane, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JH telephone: 01892 524252 website: www.the-beacon.co.uk

CAFÉ PERK

Coffee house, lunches and home-made cakes, complete with friendly service address: 120 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2QZ telephone: 01892 541638 website: www.camdenperk.co.uk

THE GREY LADY

Music lounge with Mediterranean style menu for lunch and dinner address: 70-72, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TW telephone: 01892 544700 website: www.thegreylady.co.uk

SMITH & WESTERN Wild West themed bar, diner and grill, serving American favourites for all the family address: Linden Park Road, Tunbridge

12stayingin

A. FULLER BUTCHERS

/ April 2012

Family-owned convenience store and farm shop. address: Corner Broomfield and Bayham Roads, Bells Yew Green, East Sussex, TN3 9AF telephone: 01892 752093 website: www.lambslarder.co.uk

HAIR & FASHION donna Hair stylist, colourist and special occasion hair, 18 years experience, 20% off cuts and colours to new clients with this ad. address: Happy Hair, 24 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8AU. telephone/ text: 07852 355507. email donna. shepp1@gmail.com

ECO Long established hair studio in the High Street address: 52a High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1XF telephone: 01892 543484

HAIR WORKSHOP

Friendly hairdressing salon and beauty room

address: 26 London Road, Southborough, Kent TN4 0QB telephone: 01892 530195

stampede

Footwear for mums and kids with a range of on-trend styles for all occasions address: 48 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9NY telephone: 01892 511651

HEALTH & FITNESS AXA PPP Healthcare For great deals on health insurance website: www.axappphealthcare.co.uk

HEART Licensed provider of the HeartMath System to relieve stress and anxiety problems address: The Salt Cave, 10 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1BP telephone: 01892 512818 website: www.coherentheart.co.uk

STAR COMMUNITIES

Online community and forum for alternative health practitioners, wellbeing workshops and festivals telephone: 01273 380504 website: www.starcommunities.com

victoria conway

Complementary therapist and reflexologist telephone: 07940 533103 email: victoriaconway@hotmail.com

Home & Cooking FLOWERS@COLONNADE Providing flowers for every occasion, floristry workshops, plus a delightful café in-store. address: 10 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1ND telephone: 01892 549919 website: www.flowersatcolonnade.co.uk

GARDENER & COOK Stylish homewear and gifts, new and vintage, for home and garden address: 38 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TN telephone: 01892 525941 website: www. gardenerandcook.co.uk

purple flour Handcrafted cakes and biscuits, plus cakemaking workshops telephone: 01892 520219 website: www. purpleflour.co.uk

MOTORING AUTO BAVARIA Fully trained technicians are ready to solve any motoring problems for all major brands address: 1 North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3DH telephone: 01892 522242 website: www.auto-bavaria.com

PEMBURY AUTO CENTRE Fully trained technicians are ready to solve any motoring problems for all major brands address: 1 North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3DH telephone: 01892 522242 website: www.pemburyautocentre.co.uk

tunbridge wells edition

classiﬁed CHildren

MArCH Answers!

BABY EQuIPMENT FoR SALE

KIDS

Leapfrog Learn & Groove baby activity station, from 6 months. vgc. £40

airgate with carry case, expands to ﬁt, vgc. £10 phone: Lisa, Heathﬁeld, on 07779 313 841

g tHinkin inside ! tHe boX

The mystery word is DOLPHIN

WoRD WIZARD The mystery word is ALCHEMIST

ToDDLER'S TRIcYcLE

and yellow - suit boy or girl. Made byRed German brand PUKY. With push-along

e’s ﬁnd us! Her ng It’s easy to er-expandi ev r ou of just a few ated tu si s on ti ca list of box lo Wells area: Tunbridge around the

handle for parent and tipper at back. vgc. £30. phone: Lisa, Heathﬁeld, on 07779 313 841

HolidAYs sudoku

coPPERHILL HouSE, ÅRE, SWEDEN

Exclusive apartments in one of Sweden's top ski resorts. Excellent for families / groups. Luxurious accomodation right next to ski slopes. For hire or to buy. phone to enquire: 0207 348 9867

LuX* ISLAND RESoRTS

Crossword

A choice of ﬁve island resorts in the Indian Ocean, for simple, relaxed luxury. website: www.luxislandresorts.com

MisCellAneous DARTH vADER coSTuME

Adult size (mask not included). £5 phone: Dan, Tun Wells, on 07584 320080 Men's medium size. Worn once. In perfect condition. £30 phone: Dan, Tun Wells, on 07584 320080

SoNY Tv AND DvD PLAYER Widescreen TV, 8 years old, plus separate DVD. All good working order. £30 for both. Heathﬁeld. phone: Antony on 07970 591043

februArY winners! Real winners, real prizes! Congratulations on winning our prize puzzles go to...

Mrs P Ballard, Tunbridge Wells James Worley, Tunbridge Wells winners!

SHEEPSKIN coAT

ClAssified Ads DoNNA Hair stylist, colourist and special occasion hair, 18 years experience, 20% off cuts and colours to new clients with this ad. address: Happy Hair, 24 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8AU. telephone/ text: 07852 355507. email donna.shepp1@ gmail.com

l & family Well done! Phi

© 2012 The Exclusive Edge Ltd. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. See website for Competition Entry Terms and Conditions. PHOTO CREDITS: shutterstock.com GOING OUT: shutterstock.com STAYING IN: shutterstock.com; p7 left RNLI/Bob Jeffrey; p7 right RNLI

tunbridge wells edition

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April 2012 / stayingin

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April at…

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beacon

Peter Owen-Jones

ANOTHER STAYGO EXCLUSIVE! WE MEET THE BBC'S...

everend Peter OwenJones is an Anglican vicar in the parishes of Glynde, West Firle and Beddingham, near Lewes, and is also an author and BBC presenter. He recently spoke at the Winter Wellbeing Festival in Tunbridge Wells and we caught up with him to ﬁnd out more. STAYGO: Your parishes occupy a beautiful spot nestled in the South Downs. What do you ﬁnd inspiring about the area?

but also Ashdown Forest and the Weald.

STAYGO: You've worked in advertising and done all sorts of other jobs. Did you always have a calling to become a vicar? PETER: I always had a calling since I was a little boy but it took a while for me to resolve that and ﬁnd my way. I wasn’t the usual priest material! STAYGO: How did you happen to enter into TV presenting?

PETER: I ﬁnd it inspiring in all ways. I think it’s one of the most vivid landscapes in Europe. We’re so lucky here: we have a lot that we take for granted, not only the South Downs,

PETER: The BBC was looking for a presenter and I’d written a couple of books. The director saw what I’d written and came to see me, and so it all started from there. I found it quite surreal to ﬁnd myself on TV at ﬁrst. You have to make

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Peter receiving a broadcasting award

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it look effortless and be relaxed in front of the camera, and luckily that’s something I can do. STAYGO: In the 2009 series, Around the World in 80 Faiths, you encountered everything from urban witches in the USA to Aboriginal dreaming in Australia. Was it possible to draw common threads? PETER: Yes, there are definitely common threads. All cultures have a yearning for the divine and the need to answer common questions about the miracle of life and this extraordinary planet of ours that is floating around the Sun. How we choose to answer those huge questions depends on different cultural perspectives and different religious experiences. STAYGO: In the 2010 series How to Live a Simple Life, you tried to live without money for a few months in your village, Firle. How how hard was that? PETER: It was very hard. Our society is predicated on the exchange of goods and services for money and we are not fluent in any other system. When living without money, you begin to understand that it’s not necessarily a freedom to be able to buy anything you want. We are living an unsustainable life and that a growing economy year on year is not achievable. STAYGO: Did the experience help you to focus less on money and consumerism in the longterm?

TUNBRIDGE WELLS edition

Peter on set

PETER: Yes, I weaned myself off money! I now try to live on as little as possible. Our understanding of a successful life is based on how much money someone has made. But this can be at the expense of the environment and other people. We need to ﬁnd a different model of a successful life, based on an individual’s capacity for love rather than to make money. STAYGO: Easter will soon be here – an important event in the Christian calendar. Do you think that people have lost sight of this, in the rush of consumerism? PETER: I absolutely love the festivals of Christmas and Easter but we have to be real about our economic system. These festivals have become commercial opportunities and we need to generate new ideas about what’s sacred for our future. STAYGO: To strike another chord, though, many people ﬁnd Easter an inspiring time, as it marks Christ's rebirth and also the coming of spring. How do you personally celebrate Easter? PETER: We all go up to Firle Beacon and have a sunrise service; it’s wonderful up there although it’s often misty! Then we return

to the church and have a huge celebration there and explore what Easter is all about. Celebrating both indoors and outdoors helps us to recognise both the incredible story of the Resurrection and also the rebirth of the natural world. STAYGO: And what's your favourite time of year? PETER: I love autumn. Living without money brought me closer to the seasons, as I worked on the land in return for meals. We live at such an extraordinary pace and so much is demanded of us nowadays, but autumn provides three months in which we can rest, read and sleep. We can journey inwards to ourselves. It’s a gift, so we should go with it and not complain about the cold and wet! STAYGO: And if there were one aspect of human life and spirituality that you'd like to explore in another book or TV programme, what would it be? PETER: Our relationship with the environment and the religious and spiritual ideas that surround that relationship. We are entering a time in which the greatest movement of spirit is to do with the environment – and that’s very exciting.

April 2012 / going out

THE PAUL DUNTON

gig guide

PAUL SAYS... April is jam-packed with fantastic live music... roll on spring! PAUL'S GIG OF THE MONTH: THE LOCAL & LIVE SESSIONS April 28th at Trinity Theatre The Standard Lamps, The Violet Jive & The Paul Dunton Orchestra The next Local & Live concert takes place on Saturday 28th April and features popular local groups The Standard Lamps and The Violet Jive. Support comes Paul Dunton's 20-piece orchestra. Paul says, “Both bands are superb live acts and are writing songs

The Standard Lamps

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April 2012

The Paul Dunton Orchestra

of real quality. Their collective musicianship is truly mind-blowing and they are both thoroughly entertaining to watch. Steve Spall (The Violet Jive) and Mike Wilton (The Standard Lamps) are regarded by many as two of the best electric guitarists and front men to have ever played the local scene.” HEADLINE ACT: 10PM THE STANDARD LAMPS Formed in 2009 by Mike Wilton, The Standard Lamps believe that it's about time that we took things back to basics. During the last two years, Mike has been experimenting with various musicians to produce The Standard Lamps, which currently consists of James Livett on bass and Robin O’Keeffe (Origami Dinosaur) on drums. Playing countless gigs in the south east, The Standard Lamps have been pleasing audiences since early 2010. Their music can be described as a mixture of melodic tunes with a raw blues edge, and with their ﬁrst EP Portland ﬁnished in August 2010, they are now recording their debut album set for release at The Local & Live Sessions on 28th April!

www.myspace.com/ thestandardlampsband MAIN SUPPORT: 9PM THE VIOLET JIVE The band was formed by musical 'mixologist' Steve 'Spallington' Spall (guitar/vocals), as a platform for his outside the box yet melody friendly, intoxicating creations. The dynamic trio features Dr. B'Ching (Paul Beeching) on the 'cupboard of love' aka double bass, and rhythmic rebel Matt Wilson on drums, completing the voluptuous love triangle of sound alongside Spallington's mesmerising vocal shades and highly revered 'filthy spy-esque' swing/alternative guitar prowess! Influences include 50s swing, alternative rock, trip-hop, Latin, exotica, blues, hip-hop, rockabilly, salsa, countless movie scores, Tiki culture, film noir... strange but deliciously intoxicating! www.thevioletjive.co.uk Tickets £10, available from The Trinity Theatre | Box Office 01892 678 678 | www.trinitytheatre.net | Concert enquiries email paul@pauldunton.co.uk

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PAUL DUNTON & GUESTS Local music by Candlelight at The Grey Lady Music Lounge, every Wednesday & Sunday evening Entry £5 | Doors at 7.15pm | Music from 7.40pm Sunday April 1st Quietly Spoken Gentlemen, James Lattimer, Drifting Embers, Bella McKendree Wednesday April 4th Zoe May, Kyla & Natalie Stroud, Freddy Green (+band), Zoe Konez Sunday April 8th Sophie Draper, The Ackerleys, Paul Dunton Ensemble, The Breretons Wednesday April 11th Chloe Martyn, Phoebe Katis, Ant & Fie

Sunday April 15th

Pimlico Road, Three four A Girl, James Kirby Wednesday April 18th Gemm, Zoe Deighton Smythe, Ollie Collard, Burning Shapes Sunday April 22nd Louis Nevison, Luke Bacon, The Good Ship Band Wednesday April 25th Jono Harrison, Jake Boyle, Corey Fox-Fardell, Son of Kirk Sunday April 29th The Hoolie Moolies, Will Cook, Towma

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THE FORUM www.twforum.co.uk Monday 2nd April Pianos Become The Teeth, Bastions, Brotherhood Of The Lake, Goodtime Boys | £7 Thursday 5th April Sharks, Crowns, Electric River, Safe Hands | £7 Thursday 12th April 2:54, Guests, Slaves | £7 Sunday 15th April Acoustic Sessions | £4/£5 Thursday 19th April Mystery Jets SOLD OUT Friday 20th April Of Mice And Men, Bury Tomorrow | £10

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April 2012 / going out

Peppa Pig 'live' on stage!

eppa Pig is one of the most popular children’s characters of the current moment and it has successfully made the leap from our TV screens to the theatre. The live show is coming soon to the Assembly Hall Theatre and we asked consultant, Nigel Plaskitt, all about the show and his own amazing career in TV and theatre.

STAYGO: You’re currently working as consultant and assistant director for the live stage show, Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt. Was Peppa an easy character to bring to life? NIGEL: Yes, very easy, due to both Richard Lewis’s script and the fantastic writing in the original TV show. The style of the live show reflects the TV show faithfully and I think that’s one of its successes. Creating the puppets, though, was a little more difficult. STAYGO: The animations are quirky and flat in style. How has that been translated into the actual puppets?

scale. Body suits are quite large and very young children sometimes ﬁnd them a little too big and scary. STAYGO: Peppa Pig is hugely popular right now. What do you think is particularly appealing about the characters? NIGEL: I think it’s several things, including the kids’ voices plus the fact that they are pigs and they sometimes make rude noises, such as ‘Oink!’ They have their moments, but they are never really naughty and there’s always a resolution at the end of each episode. The TV show is very well thought-out and it’s also slightly off the wall. For that reason the characters also appeal to grownups, so parents enjoy watching along with their kids. STAYGO: You’ve worked as an actor and puppet performer in many famous TV and stage shows. How did you get to become a ‘puppeteer’? NIGEL: I was an actor ﬁrst and I was asked to perform the character voice for Hartley Hare in the

children’s show Pipkins, back in the 70s. I was then asked to actually work the puppet too, so I said ‘yes’ as actors always do! We did that show for nine years and it was very successful. We ﬁlmed it at Elstree Studios, and then The Muppets moved into the studio next door. I made friends there too, and it all went from there... STAYGO: You’ve had a fascinating career, from creating Hartley Hare to performing in Spitting Image and also The Muppets ﬁlms. Is there a particular career highlight that stands out for you? NIGEL: I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in iconic TV and theatre and it’s hard to draw one out above the others, as each job is special at the time that you are doing it. In Spitting Image, John Major was one of my favourites and I’m also enjoying the monkey in the PG Tips advert that I'm doing right now. STAYGO: You’ve also recently been involved with the UK tour of Avenue Q, the highly-successful musical. What is your role when a show is on tour?

Peppa Pig and the whole cast

NIGEL: The creator Paul Jomain did a terriﬁc job. He managed to take the ﬂat cartoon characters and recreate them in 3D in a way that children will instantly recognise and identify with. The original animators loved it when they saw the puppets, so we knew we had a great starting point. We decided to use puppets instead of actors in body suits mainly because of the

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April 2012

TUNBRIDGE WELLS edition

NIGEL: I worked as the puppet coach for Avenue Q, so I don’t actually go on tour but I spend all the rehearsal period with the cast and I go and see the shows from time to time to see how things are working out. I really enjoy theatre, as it makes such a change from TV. You get an instant rapport with your audience and that’s very rewarding. When I started out in TV in the 70s, it was like working in a vacuum with no audience interaction at all, but I have recently started to receive emails from Pipkins fans, so that’s been rather nice – thanks to social media! But Avenue Q is a great show – it’s coming to the Theatre Royal in Brighton in June, so I’d recommend it. It’s very funny! STAYGO: And ﬁnally, what’s your all-time favourite children’s TV character (apart from Peppa Pig, of course!)? NIGEL: I’m going to be a little bit narcissitic and say Hartley Hare [in Hartley’s voice] "because that’s the kind of thing he would say"!

FAMILY FUN AT PEPPA PIG’S NEW THEATRE SHOW

Win!

eppa Pig fans will not want to miss this! Not only have we got To win this amazing prize, all family tickets to see you have to do is answer this Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt, at question and email the answer the Assembly Hall Theatre but to competitions@staygo.co.uk one lucky family will win a VIP by the closing date of April 16th. ﬁrst prize to meet Peppa after the performance on Saturday 21st What’s the name of Peppa April at 10am! One runner-up will Pig’s little brother? also win a family ticket each to see same show. PPthe Treasure Hunt A5 4 Venues_Layout 1 08/08/2011 16:33 Page 1 Peppa Pig’s Treasure In this new theatre production Hunt runs at the Assembly Peppa Pig and her friends set off Hall Theatre on Friday 20th on a treasure hunt. Peppa, her and Saturday 21st of April. For brother George and friend Danny further information on the Dog get up to fun and games on show please go to a day out on Grandad Dog's boat. www.peppapiglive.com There are clues aplenty as Pedro Pony, Polly Parrot and Zoe Zebra A family ticket is for 4 people, help them ﬁnd their treasure as minimum 1 adult. No cash they all enjoy a day of adventure. alternatives, accommodation or travel are provided in this Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt competition. The tickets are nonfeatures true-to-life puppets, transferable. Peppa Pig’s Treasure perfect sing-along songs and a Hunt is produced by Fiery Angel new story that will charm and and Limelight Productions. Peppa Pig © Astley Baker Davies Ltd / E1 delight all her fans. Entertainment Ltd 2003. Full sail! Ahoy!

STAYGO: Nigel, it’s been wonderful to speak to you. Thank you – and good luck with Peppa Pig.

l Plaskitt Peppa Pig's Nige

April 2012 / going out

art for

art's sake... BY ZAC THRAVES

e start off with Opera By Definition – a local production company that is celebrating a 10th anniversary gala at Trinity Theatre this month. This wonderful company has staged opera at Trinity before, as well as productions at the Assembly Hall Theatre, the Opera House and Hotel du Vin. This year it presents a gala evening of arias from a selection of popular operas, including Mozart’s The Magic Flute. If you’ve never seen opera before, or have been put off by the inverted snobbery, then this would be a great opportunity to give the artform a try. The performance is on 14th April and tickets are £35 which includes a reception and, of course, a glass of sparkling. Opera by Definition also holds auditions for aspiring opera singers. For more information please visit www. operabydefinition.co.uk

Opera by Deﬁnition

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April 2012

Left: Carmen by French painter Henri-Lucien Doucet Above: Finchcocks

OPERA FOR BEGINNERS... It would be fair to say that opera does have a reputation of being exclusive rather than inclusive, but don’t let this put you off; operas offer performances of high emotion and wonderful drama. If you fancy a taste of opera then here are some that I would recommend as a starting point: The Magic Flute by Mozart: a beautiful fairy story Carmen by Bizet: full of passion and you’ll probably know the music Madam Butterﬂy by Puccini: a tale of a doomed love affair in Japan La Bohème by Puccini: a tragic love story with powerful music The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart: regarded by some as the greatest comic opera. These are widely regarded as the most popular operas and are regularly performed around the country; you may be able to catch one or more of these during the summer when companies come together to perform outdoor opera. Keep a check on these pages in the next few coming months.

SHAKESPEARE AT FINCHCOCKS William Shakespeare and St George both share a day of celebration on the 23rd April. To mark the 23rd (which is both Shakespeare's birth and death day), Finchcocks in Goudhurst is hosting a Shakespeare in Music afternoon on the 21st. Finchcocks is a music museum boasting a huge collection of pianos and Jean Phillips will be presenting an afternoon that includes a lecture and a tour of the museum at 2pm, with the concert starting at 5.30pm. Tickets cost £20.00, please check website for details at www.ﬁnchcocks.co.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS edition

theatre in April... NEW AT TWODS Our local operatic and dramatic society, TWODS, will be presenting their new production this month. Starting on Tuesday 24th April and running until the Saturday 28th, 42nd Street is a fast-paced and delightful musical that has Broadway written all over it, telling the story of a theatre producer who attempts to stage a musical during the great depression in 1930s USA. TWODS regularly produces high-standard shows and the company can do this kind of thing in their sleep, so expect laughs, belted-out numbers and many smiles on leaving the theatre. TWODS perform at the Assembly Hall Theatre, tickets available at the box ofﬁce or via the website. AND FINALLY... A small mention to The Oast, which is performing Alan Bennett’s The Lady In The Van from 21st April. This play is based on real

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When he's not acting, Zac keeps busy with arts events, so if you have an event coming up and would like a mention in the magazine, contact arts@staygo .co.uk or on Twitter @Hary828

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Easter

family fun!

aster is a time of year to re-energise – it’s getting lighter and brighter, and it’s an opportunity for families get together and people to take a bit of time out. So here’s our special Easter round-up of things to do around town...

THE NATIONAL TRUST AT EASTER We’re extremely lucky in this area to have so many wonderful National Trust properties. Many of them are re-opening after the winter break, and the gardens are starting to bloom for spring, so now is a great time to get out and explore. Of course, Easter wouldn’t be Easter without an Easter Egg hunt – and there are plenty to choose from. From 6th to 9th April, there’s a Cadbury’s Easter egg trail at Scotney Castle. It’s £2 to join in and there’s lots of family activities including face painting, egg and spoon races, drawing competitions and space hoppers. From 11am to 4pm.

Sissinghurst Castle is running its new Easter Trail from Monday 2nd to Sunday 15th April and children will be able to follow the clues, answer the questions and complete the challenges across the picturesque estate by the lakes and through the woods, also leading to a Cadbury chocolate egg prize! The trail will run from 11am to 4pm and will cost £2 per trail. Then on Sunday 8th and Monday 9th April, children visiting Sissinghurst Castle will also be treated to the ever-popular face painting where they can transform into their favourite character for free. Visitors can enjoy seeing lambs on the estate too! Smallhythe Place will be running its Easter trail from Monday 2nd to Friday 13th April through the pretty orchards, ﬁlled with swathes of gold and cream narcissi and a fantastic display of snake's head fritillary: the perfect small environment for small people!

The trail will run from 11am to 4pm at £1.50 per trail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk EASTER BUNNY AT THE PANTILES Easter marks the start of the summer calendar of events at The Pantiles. From Good Friday through to Easter Monday, there’s a family fun event, where numbered eggs are hidden around The Pantiles. Track them down and ﬁll in your answers on the clue sheet. There’s also a colouring competition and a few extra surprises as well! Clue sheets available form the Shiraz café in The Corn Exchange or from the Easter bunny himself! www.pantilestraders.co.uk DROP IN TO BEDGBURY FOREST At Bedgebury Forest and Pinetum, from Tuesday 3rd through to Thursday 5th of April, families can follow a self-guiding Easter Egg trail. The trail leads back to the classroom, where they can make an Easter card to take home and enjoy a sweet treat. £3 per child. www.forestry.gov.uk/ bedgebury Please note, for all these events, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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CELEBRATE LIFE AT THE HEART OF...

Ashdown Forest costume-makers and performers are all invited to participate.

his spring, Hartfield in East Sussex is preparing to host its own community theatre production and first ever Children’s Book Festival. Hartfield is an area well-known as the home of A.A. Milne and the inspiration for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Lesser known are its other literary connections to W.B Yeats, Ezra Pound and Christopher Fry, all of whom have been residents of the village. Using this heritage, a team of professional theatre-makers is moving to the village from 1st April and inviting anyone who’d like to take part to get in touch. Stage managers, set designers,

GET IN TOUCH The programme of events, including the community play and lead-in Children’s Book Festival Storyfest, is being funded by Arts Council England and through the generosity of other local trusts, foundations and individual givers. If you’d like to ﬁnd out about ways of sponsoring the project, please contact Liz on 07891 661100

TUNBRIDGE WELLS edition

OPEN TO ALL A group of local people has been researching and planning these events for the past two years in partnership with Claque Theatre, a professional production company based in Tunbridge Wells. “What makes this play special is the fact it is open to anyone and has been written specifically for and about Hartfield” says Claque’s Company Manager, Liz Carter. “No matter what your skills, experience, age or where you live, everyone is invited to take part. It’s a really good opportunity to make friends, learn new skills and have lots of fun”. The Hartfield play follows a long tradition of community plays produced by Claque Theatre in local towns and villages including The Vanishing Elephant in Tunbridge

Wells in 2009. Jon Oram has been writing a promenade play for Hartfield that spans three time periods in the twentieth century from 1913 to the Great Storm of 1987. “Hartfield is synonymous with A.A. Milne but it is much more than the world of Winnie-the-Pooh” says playwright Jon Oram. “Hartfield’s true story is inexorably linked to the history of agricultural England from early feudalism through the battles of commoners’ rights to the influx of ‘townies’ to the countryside. In search of fresh stories, I discovered that the poets William Butler Yeats and Ezra Pound rented a cottage in Coleman’s Hatch for three consecutive winters between 1913 and 1917. I also started seeking out local characters to mould the play around and became interested in the events around the building of Holy Trinity in Coleman’s Hatch. I hope the play I’ve written bears resonance for Ashdown Forest people today”.

or go to www.claquetheatre.com/ support Storyfest is on the weekend of 12th-13th May on the Town Croft. For details of attending children’s authors, please go to: www.storyfest.co.uk The community play runs for twelve performances from 25th June – 7th July in St Mary’s Church. For tickets, please call the box ofﬁce on 07714 249232 or visit: www.hartﬁeldplay.co.uk

April 2012 / going out

what's on this month APRIL...

elcome to our StayGo April listings page: our pick of music, theatre and events for your enjoyment. Don't forget, if you have any dates that you'd like to see entered, then email them to editor@staygo.co.ukSU NDAY SUNDAY 1ST Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra with Guy Johnston at the Assembly Hall Theatre | £10, £14, £17 & £19.50 | Children & students £1 | www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk 15TH MONDAY 2ND An evening with Curtis Stigers, internationally famed singer-songwriter. £22.50 | www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk Colonade Flower School, Easter demonstration, 6.45 - 8.00pm. Join Chelsea awardwinning owner Sharon Wood NDSF and Emma Bouch ICSF for a truly inspiring evening of demonstrations for spring and Easter time | £15 | www. flowersatcolonnade.co.uk

THURSDAY 5TH

Jim Davidson: The Legend at

the Assembly Hall Theatre | £20 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk FRIDAY 6TH Lee Nelson Live at the Assembly Hall Theatre | £22.50 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

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April 2012

FRIDAY 6TH TO MONDAY 9TH Bodiam Castle’s Dragon’s Lair Easter weekend. Hosted by professional entertainers from Alchemy Entertainments, featuring story-telling sessions expertly bringing to life ancient tales about fierce, fire-breathing dragons. Dragon Quest Trail taking place between 11am and 4pm. No booking required |£2 per child plus normal castle admission | www. nationaltrust.org.uk/ bodiamcastle

SATURDAY 14TH AND SUNDAY 15TH Children can treat grandparents to a nostalgic day out for free on the Kent & East Sussex Railway during a special grandparents’ weekend. Every child rover ticket purchased (costing £10) entitles a grandparent to travel for free. Every ticket includes a return train ride from Tenterden station on one of the steam or diesel trains | www.kesr.org.uk

FRIDAY 13TH

The Scott Hamilton Quartet

at the Tunbridge Wells Jazz Club, Masonic Centre, St Johns Road | £14 | www.twjazzclub. co.uk SATURDAY 14TH Knole Singers Concert at St Barnabus Church, 7.30pm, featuring works by Mozart, Tallis, Bruckner and Fauré. All proceeds to Build Africa | £7.50 for adults, £5 for students/ seniors and £2.50 for under 18s | Can be purchased on the door | For advance booking contact Rebecca Hawley 01892 506037, Eleanor Black 01892 506353 or Piers Woods 01892 506280. Farmers' Market, Civic Way, 9am-2pm. | www2. tunbridgewells.gov.uk

SUNDAY 15TH Vintage tea dance in aid of Friends of Chernobyl's Children. 3pm to 6pm in High Hurstwood Village Hall near Crowborough. Afternoon tea, sandwiches and cupcakes, served on vintage crockery. Dance teachers are demonstrating moves from a by-gone era... Adults £10 | Children £7.50 | Tickets from 01444 892149 or 01892 669567 | www. foccmidsussex.co.uk Kent Chorus perform Handel's Messiah in their spring concert at Trinity Theatre | Adults £14 | Under 18s £6 | www. trinitytheatre.net

TUNBRIDGE WELLS edition

SUNDAY 15TH Beacon Wedding Fair at the Beacon Hotel. Everything you need to make the perfect wedding day will be on display, including an opportunity to taste house wines and the resident DJ on hand to discuss music ideas. Wedding information packs available for you to take away | www.the-beacon.co.uk

TUESDAY 17TH Trinity Theatre presents the Royal Opera House Live: Rigoletto. | £15 | www. trinitytheatre.net 15TH

FRIDAY 20TH RNLI Tunbridge Wells Branch get-together and annual meeting at 5 Forest Way, Tunbridge Wells, 7.30pm. RNLI souvenirs for sale and refreshments. Everyone welcome | Contact: Joan 01892 539551 or cjay13@hotmail.co.uk

SATURDAY 21ST Showaddywaddy: Greatest Hits Tour at the Assembly Hall Theatre | £18 | www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 1

MONDAY 23RD Les Sullivan at the Beacon Folk Club, Beacon Hotel. Details to follow via www.the-beacon.co.uk.

SATURDAY 28TH Farmers' Market, Civic Way, 9am-2pm | www2. tunbridgewells.gov.uk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS edition

GREAT EXPECTATIONS ... AT SMALLHYTHE PLACE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY SUNDAY 22ND APRIL Hotbuckle explode onto the Barn Theatre stage with this new, innovative adaptation of Great Expectations, one of Dickens’s greatest novels, and now a new play written and directed by Adrian Preater. On Sunday 22nd April, audiences at Smallhythe Place are in for a real treat with all the comedy, mystery, violent melodrama, suspense and poignancy of the original novel. With the bicentenary of Dickens’s birth in 2012, this electrifying, exhilarating and moving production is a mustsee. It tells of Pip’s journey from boyhood to manhood as he seeks to discover who he is and ﬁnd his place in an inhospitable world. It is a story of love and loss, of guilt and shame, of fear and courage and has some of the most vivid and memorable characters in all of English literature. ELLEN TERRY AND SMALLHYTHE PLACE Smallhythe Place near Tenterden is the quintessential English cottage and was once the home of renowned Victorian actress Ellen Terry. It's now owned by the National Trust and includes the theatre situated in the old barn – a ﬁtting venue for theatre-lovers and which makes a wonderfully atmospheric theatrical experience. Inside the house itself you can see a fabulous costume exhibition, including Ellen

Terry's famous beetle-wing dress. You can also enjoy the cottage grounds, including the rose garden, orchard, nuttery and, of course, the Barn Theatre. ABOUT HOTBUCKLE Hotbuckle Productions Community Interest Company is a professional theatre company created by actors Adrian Preater and Gemma Aston. Hotbuckle's purpose is to bring excellent theatrical productions to the general public at an affordable price. Appearances in Gosford Park and Enigma were notable career highs before Adrian founded Hotbuckle Productions with his wife Gemma. “…these creative, versatile and visionary actors excel, delighting the audience... this production is a clever and novel re-birth of a famous classic that does not fail to grip you through its contemporary approach.” The Public Reviews Tickets cost £12. To book, please call 0844 2491895.

April 2012 / going out

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

APRIL 2012 APULL OU

ND K T EEP Cale ! ndar ADD YOU RO

APRIL FOOL!

We love April. We're full of the joys of spring!

Happy 51st Birthday Susan Boyle

WN DAT ES!

SUNDAY

COLONNADE FLOWERS

Join our Easter demo only £15! www.flowersatcolonnade.co.uk

EASTER SUNDAY

GOOD FRIDAY

Happy 22nd Birthday Emma Watson

BANK HOLIDAY

25 Happy 72nd Birthday Al Pacino

From the first moment through the turnstiles at Highbury, Nick Hornby was hooked… Friday 20th April www.trinitytheatre.net

Proudly presents their UK première Yin Yang, 16th-18th April www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

20 FEVER PITCH

THE CHINESE STATE CIRCUS

LOCAL & LIVE SESSIONS

Saturday 28th April www.trinitytheatre.net

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

WILDBOYS

Happy 29th Birthday Jennifer Ellison

SATURDAY

4th May, for more details visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

WILL TAYLOR

“Natural Studies” is an exploration of the science of natural forms… Tuesday 24 Apr - Saturday 12 May www.trinitytheatre.net

BANK HOLIDAY

Stag22

Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells 12th-20th May www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

SALLY MORGAN

Happy 46th Birthday Janet Jackson

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS: THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

18th May, for more details visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

community arts centre sevenoaks

BAND mayPALMER – august 2012 THE CARL

Legendary ELP drummer Carl Palmer has thrilled audiences for nearly four decades.… Tuesday 22nd May www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

RACE FOR LIFE

Sunday 27th May at Dunorlan Park... Be part of the biggest fight against cancer

MAY 2012 MAY QUEEN

Happy 37th Birthday Noel Gallagher

A warm welcome goes out to Caroline, our NEW StayGo editor! come & get say hi... May 31st Thursday editor@staygo.co.uk tre.co.uk blyhallthea www.assem

JOOLS HOLLAND

Shoes for kids, mums and school 48 St. Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9NY • 01892 511651

ever been to a festival...

underwater? STAY AT LUX* MALDIVES AND DO JUST THAT!

fter the successful opening of a multifunctional Marine Biology Centre in the South Ari Atoll in the Maldives, exclusive holiday company LUX* Island Resorts invites guests to a thrilling week of underwater exploration, by hosting the ﬁrst ‘Underwater Festival’ in the Maldives from 14th to 20th May. Boasting a gathering of marine experts on a global scale, the festival offers amazing opportunities to keen divers. Highlights include underwater photography sessions led by award-winning photographers, plus ground-breaking

introductory courses on freediving. There’s also a chance to try out the innovative technique of fluo-diving. LUX* Maldives partners with Eurodivers during the festival to launch this night-diving activity, which uses fluorescent light to gain new insights into how creatures communicate under water. In fact, there’s a packed ensemble of water activities stretched over one whole week for anyone who loves being in the water – or even just for curious guests who want to try something different. And set amidst an impressive variety of dive sites, pristine waters and abundant marine life, who can resist?

FESTIVAL FORUMS AND FANTASTIC PRIZES! But even the most determined divers must surface now and then and, for those moments on land, LUX* Maldives is hosting stimulating workshops and forums during the festival with the resident marine biologist Chiara Fumagalli. Having monitored the marine life within the South Ari Marine Protected Area, Chiara presents an array of insightful facts with tailored projections and discussions under the stars. Documentaries about the biodiversity of marine life, engaging underwater ﬁlms and news regarding the on-going research on the wonderful whale sharks are just some of the topics of conversation planned for this ‘toes-in the-sand’ setting. There will also be a professional photography judging panel at the Underwater Festival and festivalgoers will have the opportunity to win substantial prizes, including a ﬁve-night complimentary stay in one of the LUX* Island Resorts.

INTERESTED? Special packages are available for those interested in taking part in the Underwater Festival from 14th-20th May at LUX* Maldives. For more information please contact LUX* Island Resorts via email at sales@luxislandresorts.co.uk or call 020 7348 4880.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS edition

April 2012 / going out