-
By Neill Barston
TOWN traders and businesses have high hopes that the reopening
of Tonbridge High Street to two-way traffic will provide a valuable
economic boost to the town.
Although companies are still counting the cost of losses
suffered during the nine months it has taken to complete the
2.65million scheme, it is still being seen as a key element of the
areas regeneration.
Speaking to the Times last week, Terry Hill, manager of Castle
Cars, said he had lost thousands because of the roadworks and was
disappointed that Kent County Council is refusing to pay any
compensation.
However, the taxi company owner believes the scheme will have a
positive impact on the town.
His views are shared by a number of businesses,
including Finch House cafe, located within the heart of the
works taking place in the High Street.
I think the work will make a difference for businesses, though
it has caused traffic flow problems for those vis-iting the town,
said the venues managing director Daron Goldfinch, who explained
his company had flour-ished in Tonbridge since setting up four
years ago.
Julie Reeves, of Gorgeous George gifts, added: We are relieved
that the High Street is open again and hope that it does bring more
trade, as many of our customers come from outside the area.
Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat, who had
criticised Kent County Council over delays to the High Street
works, said he was pleased the project was finally nearing
completion.
He said: Its great news that the High Street is finally open.
The traffic is flowing again, and Ive spoken to a lot of people who
have said the work is going to make a difference.
I think county councils should always ensure road-works are done
as quickly as possible to ensure the impact is minimal. It is great
that it has finally been done here.
Howard Porter, chairman of Tonbridge Town Team, felt the works,
which include a second phase later this summer to improve River
Walk, will benefit the town.
He said: Its a shame the work has taken this long, but the
2.65million invested will make an impact and we hope that it will
encourage business to invest in the town.
Tonbridge Castle
All the news that matters Local, National and
InternationalWednesday, May 25 2016
O F T O N B R I D G E
INSIDE
YOUR FREE
PAPER
LIFE SAVERNew defibrillator unveiled in town
PAGE 3
FOLLY FOR SALE Famous 19th Century landmark goes on the
market
PAGE 3New look town on highway to recovery despite the
delays
NEW RVP CINEMA Council is poised to invest 7million in shopping
centre
PAGE 6-7
MUSICAL WEEKENDBank Holiday Unfest still goingstrong after two
decades
PAGE 98-99
A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Thousands of people fl ocked to the fi rst Tonbridge Food and
Drink
Festival over the weekend. For a full story and more
photographs
turn to pages 78 & 79
Councils should always ensure roadworks are done as quickly as
possible
ACADEMY GIVESPUPILS LONGER
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Page 4
CAFE OWNER GIVES FOOD TO
HOMELESSPage 3
Want to
move home?
Contact
Tonbridge: 01732 771616
www.bkestateagents.com
NEW MAYOR TAKES OVER FROM HIS
LIFELONG FRIENDPage 2
CIDER WITH PHIL AT THE OLD FIRE
STATIONPage 2
CAFE OWNER GIVES FOOD TO
CIDER WITH PHIL AT THE OLD FIRE
NEW MAYOR TAKES
LIFELONG FRIEND
NEW MAYOR TAKES
LIFELONG FRIEND
CIDER WITH PHIL AT THE OLD FIRE
-
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Thursday
17CFriday
17CSaturday
17CSunday
18CMonday
17CTuesday
17C
Wednesday May 25, 2016
13CVisibility: Good Pollution: Low Humidity: 79%
Sunrise: 04.55am Sunset: 20.58pm Wind: 8mph
Cloudy with the odd spot of rain. Most parts staying dry, with
some brighter spells
Weather
By Neil Barston
TAKING over as Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling from his
lifelong friend Owen Baldock is a challenge Mark Rhodes is keenly
anticipating.
The two have known each other since their schooldays and Cllr
Baldock was also best man at Cllr Rhodes wedding.
Having represented Hildenborough for nearly 30 years on
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Cllr Rhodes is proud to
have been chosen by his colleagues for his latest role.
The research engineer, who works at QinetiQ in Sevenoaks, took
on his first mayoral duties last weekend when he officially opened
the Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival. Praising the organisers for
a great job, he said it had provided a fine start to his year.
He admitted he would be exceptionally busy. I know it sounds a
clich, but it really is a privilege and an honour to be doing this,
explained the 59-year-old on his appointment.
I dont have a particular theme I will be working to, but Ive
served on community boards and thats become a real area of
interest, so I will focus on issues bringing people together in the
borough. I think that it is going to
be hard work communicating that to people, but its going to be
enjoyable, he explained.
Cllr Rhodes and his wife Julie have made time to be part of the
community around them. The couple have two children, and they are
now proud grandparents which is also something that has seen them
extremely occupied outside
of their working lives. In what spare time he has, Mark enjoys
photography, sea fishing and being a local flood warden.
He added: Owen is going to be a tough act to follow, but as for
the task in hand as Mayor, if the first week is anything to go by
its going to be something special.
Wednesday 25th May 2016
2 LOCAL NEWS
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LAST MAN STANDINGThe cows predicted last
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CONTACTS
TWELVE-year-old Dan Brice and ten-year-old Caitlin Ebbage were
Tonbridge Swimming Clubs two representatives at the fi rst weekend
of the South East Regional 14 & Under Swimming Championships
(SER).
The event at the long course pool at K2, Crawley, saw them
compete in a tough age group against some of the top talent in the
country.
Caitlin swam fi rst in the girls category 100m backstroke making
it through to the fi nal where she took fi fth place.
Dan was taking part in the next event in the boys 11/12 years
50m backstroke. He swam a personal best (PB) time of 34.75sec,
beating his previous PB by 1.31sec, and fi nished in tenth place
overall.
Town swimming duo competeagainst top talent at champs
ALL YOURSOwen Baldock (left)
hands over the Mayors chain to Mark Rhodes
A taste of cider at Old Fire Station
WHILE the towns fi rst Food and Drink Festival was taking place
at Tonbridge Castle (see pages 78-79), another event was making
its
debut just around the corner at the Old Fire Station in Castle
Street.
The Tonbridge Cider Festival offered tastings
of more than 40 vintages, including several developed for the
venue by Phil Turner of Marden-based Turners Cider.
Old Fire Station spokesperson Sam Goode said: The festival just
came out of a conversation we had with Phil Turner and it has
turned out to be a really popular event.
Weve found that around 90 per cent of people say they are not
actually cider drinkers, but this festival has proved that people
do like it once they have had the chance to try it. Our elderfl
ower, medium and dry ciders went down really well.
Mr Turner said: It has been a brilliant festival, and it has
made a real difference that the Old Fire Station has its own
cider.
It has taken a while to get our business going, including
actually making the cider, but over the past six months we have
reached the point where it is a full-time venture now and it is
great fun.
A TOUCH OF GLASSOld Tonbridge Fire Station
owner Richard Collins with Alice Churchwood and Phil Turner
POOL VIEWDan and Caitlin at the K2 in Crawley
-
LOCAL NEWS 3
Wednesday 25th May 2016
NEWS IN BRIEF
Police hunt park attackersPOLICE are still appealing for
witnesses to come forward after a 16-year-old boy was left with
blood pouring from his head after being severely beaten with
hammers by a gang of men in Tonbridge Park.
The victims mother Nicki Rogers, from Southborough, was so
shocked by the state her son Harry Diamond had been left in, that
she posted pictures of his facial injuries on Facebook in the hope
of fi nding those responsible.
According to Police, offi cers were called to the scene at
Tonbridge Park just before 7pm on Sunday May 15, after receiving
reports of a disturbance involving a large group of people, but
could fi nd no one at the scene.
Soon after this, offi cers were alerted to reports of a teenager
receiving hospital treatment, claiming that he had been assaulted
in the park that evening.
At the time Detective Chief Inspector Neill Parker said: We are
carrying out a number of enquiries including reviewing CCTV, and if
you have any
information that can help us please get in touch.
After more than a week no descriptions of the attackers have
been released but there have been reports circulating locally that
the attackers may have come from Maidstone.
Anyone with information should call West Kent appeals line on
01622 604100, quoting reference YY/10338/16. Alternatively call
Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Cafes unsold food gives homeless hope for future
By Neill Barston
A POPULAR venue in Tonbridge has joined up with a community
scheme supporting young homeless people in the town by offering
them unsold food supplies.
Finch House Cafe and Bakery in the High Street has linked up
with Kent charity Porchlight to offer its users a range of
sandwiches, pastries and other
dishes which would otherwise have gone to waste. The company,
which set up in Tonbridge four years ago, is also advertising for
apprentices, which could be open to applicants using Porch-lights
services.
Daron Goldfinch, managing director of Finch House, said: We make
a lot of our products fresh on site and realised we had some
gourmet food stock left at the end of the day which would just go
in the bin.
We wanted to do something about it and after a few months of
looking for a worthwhile cause we found Porchlight, which is a
brilliant charity that has a hostel for young people in the
Tonbridge area.
Weve been working with them for the past few weeks, with people
from the charity making regu-lar collections, explained the
director, who hopes its apprenticeship campaign could potentially
offer further help through job prospects.
Since launching in Tonbridge, the company has opened a second
cafe in Orpington.
It has also been named for the third year running as a finalist
in the countywide KEIBA business awards.
Mr Goldfinch added: The scheme we have set up is helping young
college-age people who are clients of Porchlight. In having some
extra sand-wiches or pastries, it means they are able to save what
limited budgets they have towards other things like attending job
interviews and it seems to be working well for them so far.
Porchlight staff member Zara Hamid agreed the initiative had
been of real benefit.
She said: Were really grateful to Finch House. The companys
generosity allows us to put on a spread and invite the people
staying with us to come together for a chat and a bite to eat.
Some-times we work with people who feel isolated and things like
this help them to engage.
Its also great to hear Finch House is looking into
apprenticeships and work experience oppor-tunities. At Porchlight,
we believe employment is the best route out of poverty and
homelessness.
POLICE APPEALTonbridge Park
FOOD TRAYKaya Cadwallader of Porchlight collects a donation of
unsold goods for the charity from Daron Goldfi nch at Finch
House
Another lifesaverinstalled in townA POTENTIALLY life-saving
piece of medical equipment has been installed near Tonbridge High
Street.
Medischeme insurance, which is based at the Old Fire Station,
has provided a defi brillator that could prove vital in cases of
suspected heart attacks.
Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat unveiled the new kit,
which requires professional training to operate.
Richard Collins, managing director of Medischeme Health Ltd,
said: We hope that its something that doesnt have to be used, but
it could defi nitely save lives.
Hadlow Tower for sale ONE of the Tonbridge areas most
recognisable landmarks, the Hadlow Tower, has been placed on the
market.
The striking building was formerly owned by the Vivat Trust,
which won a 2.6million Heritage Lottery award for its full
restoration in 2008.
But since the organisation went into liquidation last month, the
19th century building, which had occasionally been open to the
public, has remained closed.
The Grade I listed property is now for sale through property
specialists Eddisons, which has not released a guide price, due to
its unique design.
The tower was built in 1839 by wealthy businessman Walter May to
house his wife, who he suspected was cheating on him.
New principal named THE Hayesbrook School in Tonbridge has
appointed Daniel Hatley as its new principal.
He joins having previously been a head at an academy within the
Ark Schools Network.
Mr Hatley said: When I first visited the academy, I was struck
by the dedication and commitment of the staff. The students are
superb ambassadors for their school, which indicated to me how
engaged they are and how much they believe in and appreciate all
that goes into ensuring they achieve their best.
Mr Hatley started his career as an English teacher in an
inner-city co-educational community school in Birmingham before
becoming part of the leadership team in schools in both Surrey and
Sussex.
We believe employment is the best route out of poverty and
homelessness
-
Wednesday 25th May 2016
4 LOCAL NEWS
Jon Platt argued that the fi ne he was told to pay for taking
his daughter to Disney World for a week in April 2015 was not legal
because she has a good overall attendance rate at school.
The Department for Education reacted with dismay to the
judgment, stating childrens attendance at school is non-negotiable,
and insisting it would seek to change legislation in order to
eradicate the loophole in the law.
The 60 fi ne was doubled when Mr Platt refused to pay it within
three weeks, but he was let off when the case went to the Isle of
Wight Magistrates Court last October.
The local council appealed against the deci-sion but Justice
Lloyd Jones and Mrs Justice Thirlwall ruled that the magistrates
had not erred in law in arriving at their judgment.
THE RULING
PARENTS in Chiddingstone have flown off for some early summer
sun after the villages primary school embarked on its revolutionary
two-week long half-term on Friday, a week earlier than other
pupils.
The academy schools decision to add 20 minutes to every school
day in order to reduce the length of its terms has given parents
hope of finding cheaper holiday deals.
Booking a vacation during school holidays has come to seem
markedly more expensive in recent years when compared to the huge
discounts on offer at other times of year. Such an imbalance has
seen parents defying the rules by removing their children from
school during school time.
Chiddingstones extended break comes a week after a High Court
ruling that saw the ban on parents in England taking term-time
holidays lifted.
Ground-breaking school schemelets parents book cheap
holidays
Chiddingstones ingenious strategy means the Church of England
school, which became an academy in 2011, can allow its 209 pupils
to take a longer half-term holiday in May and October without
reducing their attendance.
In the maintained sector, pupils must be in school for 190 days.
Adding a short period at the end of each day gives Chiddingstone
School an extra 60 hours; this equates to two weeks.
The headteacher Rachel Streatfeild said: In con-sultation with
parents and in response to parental
feedback, the school has restructured its academic year. It has
added an additional week on to the October and May half-terms,
enabling some parents to take advantage of cheaper holidays.
The move is also designed to reduce fatigue in the classroom,
which she said had become a problem during last years summer term.
We do not have a problem with our parents taking their children out
of school during term time, but we noticed that after last years
term six the children were exhausted.
The extended day ensures we deliver the curriculum more
effectively and meaningfully. It
also means that no term is longer than six to seven weeks,
preventing children from becoming too tired at the end of a seven
or eight-week term.
The changes took effect from January this year and the new
structure will be in place on a trial basis for 12 months before a
review is undertaken. The staff are also considering holiday
clubs.
Mrs Streatfeild, who took pupils on a school trip to Barcelona
before the holiday, insisted: The school enjoys a very positive
relationship with our parents and we will continue to work
in partnership with them to review the effectiveness of the
changes implemented, to ensure that our educational standards
remain outstanding.
This month, Jon Platt from the Isle of Wight won a victory for
parents after the High Court decided he did not have to pay a fine
for taking his daughter to Florida during term time.
Online travel website sunshine.co.uk reported an 88 per cent
increase in family
holiday bookings in term time.
Academy headteacher adds 20 minutes to each day in order to
reduce term time The Department for Education has said it
intends
to ensure the new legal loophole is rapidly closed. The rules
state that children can only be taken out of school in exceptional
circumstances.
Parents face a 60 fine, which rises to 120 if it is not paid
within three weeks. Those who still refuse to pay face prosecution,
and a maximum fine of 2,500 or up to three months in prison.
Academies such as Chiddingstone can decide their own term times
because they are no longer under the control of local education
authorities.
There is no likelihood of the state sector following suit
because children from the same family might be attending schools
with different holiday dates.
The new formula comes hot on the heels of the Governments U-turn
on compulsory academy status for all state schools earlier this
month.
Conservative MPs had voiced fears that small rural primaries
could close if they lose the support of local authorities and are
run instead by distant education charities.
SCHOOLS OUT Chiddingstone pupils are already on their
half-term
The extended day ensures we deliver the curriculum more
effectively
-
Wednesday 25th May 2016
LOCAL NEWS 5
WITH the Alps as the backdrop, the team representing The Chapel
hairdressing salon prepare to set off on their epic 1,000-mile
charity bike ride from Switzerland back home to Tunbridge Wells.
They hope to raise 50,000 for Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre and
Cancer Research UK. Five staff from the salon were diagnosed
with cancer in the last couple of years. Three of them, aged
between 26 and 34, passed away. The team is headed by salon
co-founders Toby and Amanda Dicker with son Bert taking part in the
fi nal leg of the eight-day cycle. If you would like to help them
reach the 50,000 fi nishing line, go to www.c4c4cc.co.uk
Charity riders cross six countries in memory of their
colleagues
Chilled family festival to put Hop Farm back on music
mapFESTIVAL fever returns to the Hop Farm near Paddock Wood this
summer with the arrival of the award-winning Chilled in a
Field.
The not-for-profit event, which was named as one of the UKs top
small festivals, has moved to West Kent after a successful period
in East Sussex. Running from July 29 to 31, it is described as a
festival for ex-ravers and their kids and has a family-orientated
flavour with activities all day long.
There will be three stages, including a secret woodland one
which showcases acoustic talent and a silent disco until dawn,
since the music ends at 11pm. Crowds are limited to 750 a day.
There will also be a real ale festival bar, with local beer and
cider, street food, a not-for-profit shop,warm showers, glamping
and camper van pitches with electric hook-up.
The farm ran its own music festival from 2008 to 2012, and again
in 2014 after a cancellation for poor ticket sales. Then the
company staging the show, Hop Farm Music Festival Ltd, went into
liquidation.
A host of world-famous acts rocked up to the rural location
including Bob Dylan, Prince and Neil Young. Despite hiring new
promoters it signed off two
years ago with Grace Jones and Brian Wilson of the Beach
Boys.
More recently the venue has been struggling, and last weekends
Silent Disco with Radio 1 DJ Greg James in aid of breast cancer
charity CoppaFeel! had to be cancelled.
It also hit the headlines in April after an online clip went
viral showing two men trading punches in what appeared to be a
semi-official bare knuckle fight at a boot fair.
The line-up for Chilled In A Field will feature the likes of The
Egg, Tankus The Henge, She Drew The Gun and Cocos Lovers.
Miguel Fenton, head of marketing at the Hop Farm, said: We are
delighted. Music festivals are the heart and soul of the Hop Farm.
This one is particularly fitting as it is a family festival.
Chilled in a Field Festival began in 2010 and director Sophie
Randles-Dunkley explained that it has grown from small beginnings,
with just 120 people in a field in Hawkhurst.
She added: We are also a not-for-profit social enterprise,
entirely run by volunteers, so you can really feel the love. The
festival is a great opportunity to have fun in a safe and happy
environment. www.chilledinafieldfestival.co.uk
FIELD OF VISION Last years Chilled in a Field Festival was held
at Halland in East Sussex
-
would need to exceed either the cost of capital, when the
council is using its own assets, or the cost of bor-rowing if we
thought doing so would be more advan-tageous for that purpose.
We are very mindful of the important role that the shopping
centre plays in the town.
6 LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
Wednesday 25th May 2016
By Adam Hignett [email protected]
THE 70million expansion of Royal Victoria Place shopping centre
will be one of the most significant developments for Tunbridge
Wells in decades.
When polled by the centre, almost 90 per cent of respondents
expressed enthusiasm for the scheme, which will add an additional
140,000 sq ft of retail space alongside a new multiplex cinema.
However, few people realise that right now within the council
discussions are being held on whether or not to invest up to
7million into the project.
Council is poised to spend 7million on the shopping centres new
cinemaPloughing money into a private enterprise might appear
controversial the reality is more complexSince this newspaper was
launched last year it has featured numerous local businesses from
small to medium enterprises to multimillion-pound operations. This
week we focus on a business that impacts all of our lives on a
daily basis Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
The idea of the council ploughing public money into a private
enterprise scheme is likely to appear controversial to many people
but the reality is more complex.
With government cuts to local authority grants hitting the
borough council particularly hard, it has become ever more
important for it to derive income through investment.
Regarded by the council as its greatest asset, its ownership of
Royal Victoria Place freehold currently yields hundreds of
thousands of pounds a year for the public purse.
But by making the investment, the council will have the
opportunity to renegotiate the terms of its lease, which have not
changed since 1992, to make them even more favourable.
These original terms state the council will be paid either ten
per cent of net rents or a minimum ground rent of 837,000 per year,
whichever is greater.
This means the council has received approximately 11.7million
since the centre opened in 1992; a sig-nificant income stream for a
local authority, but one with the potential to become even more
lucrative.
We have a number of options available and if we do decide to go
ahead with the investment then, quite rightly, we would be looking
for a return, explained Lee Colyer, the councils Director of
Finance and Corporate Services.
This would be a commercial type of return that
Because we have been told that Hermes (who are the leaseholders)
are willing to invest 70mil-lion, that is really compelling
evidence that the pri-vate sector is comfortable with putting money
into Tunbridge Wells.
This reflects a vibrant and well-run economy and we want to be
part of that.
The decision on whether or not to make a contri-bution is just
one of many which the council has to make when looking at how it
can ensure taxpayers money is well utilised.
Like many businesses, the council has two budgets; one for
revenue and another for capital expenditure.
As was widely reported in the Times at the start of the year,
the councils revenue budget, the one which deals with day-to-day
spending on services, salaries and benefits, is facing a series of
significant cuts in the coming years.
In order to avoid cutting services to the bone, and with only a
minimal increase in council tax avail-able, the council is looking
to its capital budget of approximately 20million to deliver an
income it can then use to plug the shortfall.
Investing in Royal Victoria Place is just one exam-ple of how
turning capital investment into income works.
As our grant from government disappears we will find ourselves
in two years time with no central
The private sector is comfortable with putting money into
Tunbridge Wells
NEW VISIONArchitects view of
how a revamped RVP might look
-
HOW WOULD TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL LOOK IF IT WERE A
COMPANY?
WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE PARKING FEES? THEY GO BACK INTO THE PUBLIC
PURSE
200MILLION IN TAXPAYERS MONEY AND 95MILLION IN AN ARRAY OF
ASSETS
Wednesday 25th May 2016
LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS 7
Parking is perhaps one of the most contentious issues in the
borough, with revenue from the
councils major car parks and off-street car parking is expected
to be around 3.1million this fi nancial year.
However, Mr Colyer said that although car parking provided
revenue, this goes back into the council to provide services that
dont cover their cost. He added: We are quite fortunate in this
town that the council controls many of the car parks. This helps us
manage supply and demand because we can set the tariffs
appropriately. Also, if they were run by private operators, the
income would not be reinvested into providing services, but would
instead go to shareholders or offshore companies, which is a loss
to the local economy.
We are frequently advised by members of the borough council that
they run it as a business, and that if it actually were one, it
would be a sizeable enterprise.
Each year it handles around 200million in taxpayers money and
controls an array of assets
Those councillors in cabinet would be the equivalent of the
board, elected by shareholders to represent their interests. They
would be headed by Council Leader David Jukes as Chairman.
The Chief Executive (same title) would be William Benson
currently the most senior local government offi cer in the council.
He would be tasked with overseeing the delivery of the boards
vision, a role similar to what he does now.
government support and will need to be self-sufficient. What we
do is invest capital in order to derive income, and we either fund
this through reserves, through heritage lottery grants, developer
contributions or borrowing, said Mr Colyer.
A second example of how this method has been employed is the
Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, run by Fusion Lifestyle.
Mr Colyer said the council has been lending money to Fusion at
favourable rates for them to reinvest into the sports centre, the
freehold of which is also owned by the council.
The council owns three leisure centres, he said. The one in St
Johns, one in Paddock Wood and one in Cranbrook. Only the centre in
Tunbridge Wells actually makes any money, while the other two
require a sub-sidy so what we do is pool all the income from them
together and share it out so we can provide consistent service
across them.
Fusion wanted to make improvements not only to the service but
also to the building in St Johns, so we entered a commercial
arrangement where we loaned them 1.6million to invest.
The benefit for the council is that we have the return from that
loan, which is higher than if we had invested it elsewhere, and at
the same time the money is invested in a council asset, extending
its lifespan and raising its value.
We also get a greater share of any uplift in activity from
people using the centre due to the improvements.
He explained that it was an example of where the council looks
to benefit from its investments in many ways while also supporting
the services provided to the people of Tunbridge Wells.
Not every investment is going to have an immediate financial
benefit for the council, but will instead pro-vide other benefits
for the town.
Mr Colyer said one example was the councils approved spending of
1.5million for a refurbishment of the Assembly Hall Theatre, money
which will never be made back.
Although the council would like to operate in as
business-like a manner as possible, our overarch-ing purpose is
civic responsibility.
The Assembly Hall is cherished by many people, so sometimes we
have to spend a substantial amount of money for no direct financial
return.
But even this will prove vital for the long-term health of the
local economy, he believes.
This town is thriving and successful and a lot of that is on the
back of being well run.
If you pick up one of the glossy brochures of developers
attracting people to the town, one of those pages is an aerial
photograph showing all the benefits of coming here.
All of those attractions have something in common, added Mr
Colyer. They are either pro-vided by, or funded by, the council the
theatre, the museum, the award-winning parks and the shopping
centre.
If the council didnt have the right financial resources, then it
would be very difficult to sustain these services.
Sometimes we have to spend money for no direct fi nancial
return
worth 95million, which consists of nearly 200 properties and 300
plots of land.
Combined with the employment of 239 full-time and 65 part-time
staff, as a business it far exceeds the European Commissions defi
nition of a medium-sized enterprise.
But perhaps the most important position would be that of Chief
Financial Offi cer, which would be Lee Colyer. His current title is
Director of Finance and Corporate Services.
With a statutory obligation to ensure that shareholders money
was well spent and invested, Mr Colyer would have the power to veto
any board decisions if he felt it breached these obligations much
as he does now.
MONEY MANLee Colyer, TWBCs Director of Finance
and Corporate Services
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Wednesday 25th May 2016
Artisan craft store finds its Voice by celebrating anniversary
relocation
THE VOICE finalist Charley Blue was on hand to celebrate the
first anni-versary of one of towns most artisan stores, which
marked the occasion by throwing a party for loyal customers.
Relocating to Monson Road from its original pop-up in Ely Court
last month, due to increasing demand for its products, The Silver
Sheep has proved a hit among local consumers.
Founded by Caroline Smith and Sylvia Kus, The Silver Sheep was
orig-inally intended as a place to show-case their handmade silver
jewellery and woollen clothes.
But the popularity of the store was also due to their extensive
range of products, all of which are handmade within the south
east.
Co-owner Mrs Smith said: We have had a terrific response to our
shop in Ely Court.
People loved that everything was handmade and they could even
see us making jewellery or knitting a sweater as they browsed. It
was a workshop, a gallery and a shop rolled into one.
Weve always given other local crafters and makers a chance to
sell wares at The Silver Sheep too from handmade chocolates to
ceramicists and glassware.
Mrs Kus added: We had a brilliant opening party, Charley Blue, a
finalist from the BBCs The Voice, did a fan-tastic set and the wine
was flowing it was a real party atmosphere.
We thank our established custom-ers for helping us celebrate and
our new location means that lots of new people will discover us,
too.
None of us would want to live in a place where we just drive to
an out-of-town supermarket to buy everything. Supporting local
shops and talented makers is something that will keep the town
thriving.
OPENING PARTY(L-R) Caroline Smith,
singer/violinist Charley Blue, guitarist Steve
McCormack and Sylvia Kus
Solicitor tipped for prestigious Law Society CHRISTINA BLACKLAWS
of Tunbridge Wells law firm Cripps is set to break the glass
ceiling in the legal profession after being elected as Deputy
Vice-President of the Law Society.
Ms Blacklaws, who was appointed as Cripps Chief Operating
Officer this month, will now become the Societys President in 2018,
making her only the fifth woman to hold the office in its 193-year
history.
She said: I am honoured, delighted and humbled to be elected.
These are challenging times.
Depots global awardA LOCAL depot in Paddock Wood has achieved
the Gold Standard Investors in People accreditation, making it one
of the top seven per cent of Investors in People organisations
worldwide.
The national award is the highest accolade in terms of people
management. The depot, run by the leading foodservice provider
Bidvest Foodservices, employs 343 people.
Buy-out helps firm adapt
BUSINESS IN BRIEF
Silver Sheep hires Charley Blue for Monson Road opening
party
8 LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
TUNBRIDGE WELLS telecommunications firm Adept Telecom has
announced its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of
Comms Group UK Limited. The firm said the strategic rationale
behind the 3.5million offer was the extension of Adepts IT
installation and support team capability. Chief Executive Ian
Fishwick said: We are delighted to have acquired such a high
quality and profitable business.
-
www.lifestyleford.co.uk Tunbridge Wells 01892739131
KentTN48AG
Tonbridge 01732 758 726 KentTN9 lTN
Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/lOOkm) for the Ford
S-Max range: urban 30.l (9.4) - 47.9 (5.9), extra urban 48.7 (5.8)
- 57.6 (4.9), combined 39.8 (7.1) - 54.3 (5.2). Official C02
emissions 17l-l22g/km.
The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated
test results, are provided for comparability purposes and may not
reflect your actual driving experience. Based on limited stock
vehicles only and must be ordered and registered between 01.04.16
and 30.06.16. *Finance example shown available over a finance
period of 48 months with 4,095.74 customer deposit. Amount of
credit 22,899.26. Charge for credit 1,932.74. Finance Facility fee
10. Purchase Fee 10. Total amount payable 28,947.74. Optional final
payment 10,480.00. 2.9% APR, 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage
charged at Bp per mile. When financed with Ford Credit. Finance
subject to status. Other charges for metallic paint and extra
factory options. Must be over 18 and a full UK resident.
Guarantees/indemnities may be required. Freepost Ford Credit.
Prices correct at time of going to print and are subject to change
without notice. Subject to availability at Lifestyle Ford.
Lifestyle Ford reserves the right to amend or withdraw offers at
any time and without notice. Lifestyle Ford Head Office 3 Mount
Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 BAG. Images for illustration
purposes only, metallic paint available at an extra cost.
-
Tunbridge Wells I Edenbridge I Lewes I Associated London
Office
-
Zoopla ~
-
12 BUSINESS AWARDS
Wednesday 25th May 2016
Today we reveal the winners of the ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
BUSINESS AWARDS from the glittering gala dinner on Thursday
12 BUSINESS AWARDS
bawardssiu ness
MAIN SPONSORS:
Awards night was a winnerLocal businesses and individuals stand
out at the inaugural eventBy Adam
[email protected]
BUSINESSES large and small came together last week at the Royal
Tun-bridge Wells Business Awards 2016. And it was an event that on
the evening was described on social media by those who attended as
a fun night that was great for local businesses.
Around 200 people, representing 40 companies, went along to
Salo-mons and enjoyed a champagne reception and a gala dinner at
the Decimus Burton country home.
The atmosphere was one of excite-
ment and anticipation as nominees for the awards mingled with
spon-sors and organisers swapping sto-ries and socialising.
They were finalists in a process that kicked off last year when
plans for the awards, organised by this news-paper, were
unveiled.
Prior to the start of the awards din-ner the audience heard from
Editorial Director Richard Moore, who was also one of the six
judges on the panel.
Mr Moore said he had been taken aback by the enthusiastic
response to the idea of the awards from local business and
congratulated all thosecompanies and entrepreneurs who
GUEST OF HONOUREdwina Currie
Phot
os: D
avid
Bar
thol
omew
-
BUSINESS AWARDS 13
Wednesday 25th May 2016
We are thrilled to have been recognised at the inaugural
business awards. We were very humbled, especially as all of the
entries across each category were outstanding in their
own way. It is always nice to be recognised and its a credit to
the hard-working team, both at our shop and headquarters. None of
this could have been possible without their continued energy and
supportMichele Harriman Smith, owner of Childrensalon winner of the
Outstanding Business of the Year award
OUTSTANDINGChildrensalons Chief
Creative Offi cer George Smith with Edwina Currie
-
14 BUSINESS AWARDS
Wednesday 25th May 2016
had been nominated for the awards.He said: Just the fact you
have made it
this far is a real achievement.Explaining why the paper had
decided
to host its own awards, he said: Before we launched the
newspaper just over a year ago, we had taken the decision that
in order to set us apart and fill a void in the printed media we
needed to
be business orientated. Every week we feature stories on
local
companies and individuals and it was a natural step
for us to follow through on that commitment and recognise the
business community with
its own awards.What we had not
expected was the fan-tastic response the
idea has received and the enthu-
siasm with which people right across the business spectrum have
embraced the initiative.
Following the meal Mr Moore introduced the guest of honour for
the evening and the person invited to present the actual
awards, Edwina Currie. Addressing the audience, the former
Junior Health Minister during the Thatcher government recalled her
expe-riences as a politician, then spoke of her life after politics
and of the importance of entrepreneurism.
She used an example of
Such admiration for those here tonight
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Richard Moore
WHAT YOU SAID ON TWITTER:
First Offi ce Systems @FirstOffi ceSyst Thanks ever so much for
the Event - great for local businesses and a lovely
evening!#TWBizAwards Cripps @crippslaw Congratulations to all of
tonights winners:@larrytechuk @Fullers_Butcher@MonitaCheung
@Fox_Mark_Serv @yoyodesign @Childrensalon
ThomsonSnellPassmore @pragmaticlawyer Congratulations to
@Fullers_Butcher on winning family business of the year
Fullers Butchers @Fullers_Butcher Thank you @timeslocalnews for
hosting a great night, what a fab night
TWKidsOnTheGo @TWKidsOn-TheGo We LOVE Fullers!! Many, many
congrats!
QueenFromage @QueenB_Belinda A fun night thank you! Very well
organised :)
Monita Cheung Design@MonitaCheung Over the moon to have won
#BusinessOfTheYear Award
easistore @easistoreCongratulations to the winners of
last nights #TWBizAwards, and @timeslocalnews for putting on
such a great event!
Mrs P @Love_TunWellsWell done to all the worthy winners & to
@timeslocalnews for organising their fi rst #TWBizAwards
Adrian JonesAnd its been a great night - thank you. See you next
year! @MWSolicitors
Thanks to@timeslocalnews for a great night Tunbridge Wells
business awards @SiggersGeorgie Jo Brett & Lou Whitehorn
Childrensalon@timeslocalnews @PCSolicitors Thank you very
much!
Digitom Ltd @DigitomTVDrinks on @larrytechuk as winners of
Creative Business of the Year, well done chaps!
Generating Interest @generating_intCongratulations to all the
worthy winners at the #TWBizAwards last night. An exceptional
evening thank you
Phot
os: D
avid
Bar
thol
omew
had been nominated for the awards.He said: Just the fact you
have made it
this far is a real achievement.Explaining why the paper had
decided
to host its own awards, he said: Before we launched the
newspaper just over a year ago, we had taken the decision that
in order to set us apart and fill a void in the printed media we
needed to
be business orientated. Every week we feature stories on
local
companies and individuals and it was a natural step
for us to follow through on that commitment and recognise the
business community with
its own awards.What we had not
expected was the fan-tastic response the
idea has received and the enthu-
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Richard Moore
siasm with which people right across the business spectrum have
embraced the initiative.
Following the meal Mr Moore introduced the guest of honour for
the evening and the person invited to present the actual
awards, Edwina Currie. Addressing the audience, the former
Junior Health Minister during the Thatcher government recalled her
expe-riences as a politician, then spoke of her life after politics
and of the importance of
She used an example of
Such admiration for those here tonight
Phot
os: D
avid
Bar
thol
omew
-
BUSINESS AWARDS 15
Wednesday 25th May 2016
Toyota setting up a new factory in her constituency of South
Derbyshire during the 1980s, after the collapse of the coal
industry, as an example of how business drives progress.
She said: If I had said, upon being elected, that within ten
years there would be no coal mines and those workers would be
making Japanese cars and selling them to Germany, they would have
thought I was mad.
But almost overnight, due to the educational requirements to
work at the Toyota factory, the rate at which young people stayed
on after 16 at school rose from 30 per cent to over 70 per cent, as
everyone wanted to work there.
Likewise, if we had said five years ago there would be a million
more businesses set up in this country and we would have record
numbers in
employment, everyone would have thought we were mad.
Mrs Currie said the lesson from all this is that you can never
predict what the future might hold, but: If you do your best, be
optimistic, take a chance and make the effort almost anything is
possible. That is why I have such admiration for those gathered
here tonight. Chair of the panel of
judges for the awards was Jo James, Chief Executive of the
Kent Invicta Chamber Of Com-merce, who took to the stage to
introduce the categories and those on the shortlist.
Mrs James spoke of her delight at being asked to host the event,
adding: The calibre of entries has been excep-tionally high, which
further enforces the entrepreneurial reputation of the local
business community.
Of course, this made our job on the judg-ing panel exceptionally
difficult. We had a number of very good potential finalists for
each category and selecting the eventual winners was not an easy
choice.
All awards have to have a winner. But to be selected as a
finalist is itself worthy
of congratulations, because in our minds all the finalists are
winners.
After Mrs James read out the three names on the shortlist it was
left to Edwina Currie to open the traditional envelope and declare
the winners.
To much fanfare and applause, each was invited on stage together
with the category sponsor to receive the award itself.
The evening ended in celebratory style, with the band Violet
Jive providing enter-tainment late into the night.
CHAMPAGNE RECEPTIONGuests gather before the gala dinner
educational requirements to work at the Toyota factory, the rate
at which young people stayed on after 16 at school rose from 30 per
cent to over 70 per cent, as everyone wanted to work there.
Likewise, if we had said five years ago there would be a million
more businesses set up in this country and we would have record
numbers in
employment, everyone would have thought we were mad.
Mrs Currie said the lesson from all this is that you can never
predict what the future might hold, but: If you do your best, be
optimistic, take a chance and make the effort almost anything is
possible. That is why I have such admiration for those gathered
here tonight. Chair of the panel of
judges for the awards was Jo James, Chief Executive of the
Kent Invicta Chamber Of Com-merce, who took to the stage to
introduce the categories and those on the shortlist.
EASISTORE TEAM(L to R) Paul Glenister, Stacey Bird and Simon
Bidgway
-
Wednesday 25th May 2016
16 EU DEBATE
DAVID CAMERON will be ousted in the event of a Brexit and face
murder within the Conservative Party even if he wins, warned the
renowned political journalist and commentator Matthew Parris.
The former Conservative MP made the remarks while speaking at a
sixth-form dinner at Benenden School last week.
He said that whichever way the vote went, the Prime Minister
would endure a tough time from his party.
The bitterness towards him from those campaigning for a Brexit
means Cameron would struggle to hold his party together in the
aftermath of a vote to stay in.
Mr Paris added: There will be murder within the Conservative
Party to get rid of Cameron as a revenge for winning the vote.
On the allegations of Project Fear the accusations that the
Remain
side, in particular, are using scare tactics to win the
referendum he said: Project Fear stops you falling off a cliff. Its
not necessarily wrong to warn people of the consequences that
affect them.
He was also critical of Boris Johnsons credentials as a future
Prime Minister and said he would prefer the Chancellor George
Osborne to succeed Mr Cameron.
Perhaps his most controversial analysis was that Labour leader
Jeremy Corbyn, despite the largely negative media coverage he has
received, stood a chance of winning the next General Election.
Benenden Headmistress Samantha Price said: He was a marvellously
entertaining speaker who was incredibly thought provoking and
offered us first-hand insight into the fascinating world of
politics.
Shadow minister tells why Labour now loves the EU
Brexit would lead to Tory murders
Adam [email protected]
LABOUR MPs backing Brexit were branded insignificant by the
shadow Europe minister on her recent visit to Tunbridge Wells.
Pat Glass made the remark during her tour of the town with local
party members, which saw her speak to pupils at St Gregorys
Catholic School, view the new Childrensalon warehouse and meet
volunteers providing aid to refugees.
The shadow minister insisted her party was united on the issue
of Europe and dismissed suggestions that Jeremy Corbyn had been
forced to back Remain by pressure from his cabinet.
I personally think Jeremy is closer to what most of the public
think than many politicians, she said. He is not ideologically
committed to the EU in the way someone like (Peter) Mandelson is.
He is pragmatic about it and can see its benefits, he is not a
reluctant supporter at all.
These benefits are quite different from those in the
Conservative Party who want to remain in, she said, which is why
Labour will not be sharing a platform with the government.
We are looking for structured reform within the EU, which is
quite different from the Tories. They are talking about big
business but were talking about jobs because we want the EU to
become a much more social union.
So we want to see the EU take further action on things like
exploitative zero-hour contracts and support for part-time workers,
who are mainly women.
The EU can also help us with things we cannot do well alone,
such as tackle tax avoidance from the Googles of this world, fight
climate change and protect against terrorism.
In addition, Labour will focus
on the emotional issues rather than just economics, with an
emphasis on the peace dividend. Since I started this job I have
realised how large the EU role is in conflict resolution and
Britain often leads the union on it from within, Ms Glass said. But
regarding David Camerons warning that
Brexit could trigger World War Three, she said: I wouldnt have
put it like that.
Despite Corbyn opposing EU membership prior to becoming Labour
leader, his views like many in the party have evolved since the
days of Tony Benn and Michael
Foot, she insisted.Like them, I actively campaigned during the
1975 referendum to leave the European
Economic Community [forerunner to the EU].
At the time it was an issue which divided our household, with my
father and I wanting out while my mother and brother campaigned to
remain. But it is totally different now, the Labour party has
evolved alongside the EU and this is what Jeremy has done.Whos to
say either Michael Foot
or Tony Benn would still be in favour of leaving
today?There are just
five Labour MPs campaigning for an Out vote, which is so
insignificant. No matter what problems we have as a party, on this
issue we are united.
The Labour Party has evolved
LABOUR UNITEDPat Glass
BOLD PREDICTION Matthew Parris
-
ONE WARWICK PARK HOTEL
-
18 NATIONAL NEWS
Wednesday 25th May 2016
ANTI-FRACKING campaigners have called for a nationwide response
to fight the controversial gas extraction technique after a
landmark decision to allow the process to start in North
Yorkshire.
Groups opposed to the development outside the village of Kirby
Misperton, near Pickering, have launched a Peoples Declaration in a
bid to stop fracking. Frack Free Ryedale, which led the campaign
against the application by the UK firm Third Energy, launched the
declaration along with Friends of the Earth.
It said in a statement: We urge and will support the Government
to develop a balanced long-term energy policy that will achieve our
globally agreed climate change targets.
Today we resolve to continue to fight to remain free from
fracking, to protect our communities, our beautiful countryside,
our air and water, and to protect the future of the planet. We ask
people across the country to join us by supporting this
declaration.
Councillors in Northallerton voted by 7-4 on Monday to give the
green light to the first fracking operation in the UK for five
years.
The controversial decision has been condemned as a travesty by
those opposed to the move, but a victory for pragmatism by those in
favour.
The vote allows Third Energy to frack for shale gas using an
existing two-mile deep well called KM8 drilled in 2013.
The fracking application is the first to be approved in the UK
since 2011, when tests on the Fylde coast, in Lancashire, were
found to have been the probable cause of minor earthquakes in the
area.
Since then, two high-profile applications to frack in Lancashire
have been rejected by councillors and are now the subject of
appeals.
One of the councillors who voted for the application, Tory Cliff
Trotter, confirmed he had received intimidating emails. In an
interview with BBC Radio 5 Live he defended his decision by saying:
We tried to look to the future, the best for the people of
England.
Friends of the Earth said it will look at whether the decision
can be challenged, and campaigner Simon Bowens said: This is an
absolute travesty of a decision but the battle is very far from
over.
Planners had recommended the application be approved, despite
acknowledging that the majority of representations received in
consultation were objections.
Opponents fear fracking in which liquid is pumped deep
underground at high pressure to fracture rock and release gas can
cause problems including water contamination, earthquakes and noise
and traffic pollution.
Environmentalists also warn that pursuing new sources of gas - a
fossil fuel is not compatible with efforts to tackle climate
change.
Rasik Valand, Chief Executive of Third Energy, said work would
not start at the site for months and months and would initially be
an exploration.
BRITISH expats have lost their battle in the Supreme Court for
the right to vote in the EU referendum.
The highest court in the land upheld decisions of both the High
Court and Court of Appeal that they are not eligible to vote on
June 23 because they have lived outside the UK for more than 15
years.
The test case ruling was a defeat for London-born war veteran
Harry Shindler, 95, who has lived in Italy for 35 years, and
solicitor Jacquelyn MacLennan (pictured), aged 54, from Inverness,
who has lived in Belgium since 1987.
They argued that the 15-year rule, contained in Section 2 of the
EU Referendum Act 2015, was an unjustifi ed restriction on their EU
right to freedom of movement and an infringement of their common
law right to vote.
Expats have no right to vote in EU referendum
Battle is far from over sayanti-fracking campaigners
CONTROVERSYFracking has been given the go ahead in North
Yorkshire
Today we resolve to continue to fi ght to remain free from
fracking and to
protect the future of the planet
TEST CASEJacquelyn MacLennan
-
NATIONAL NEWS 19
Wednesday 25th May 2016
NEWS IN BRIEF
Duchess given insight into female prison lifeTHE DUCHESS of
Cambridge has held a behind-the-scenes meeting to learn about the
support offered to women in prison.
Kate met representatives from non-governmental organisations to
hear about the addiction and mental health programmes helping
female prisoners in the UK.
The private meeting took place at Kensington Palace on Monday
ahead of the Duchesss appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Troops stay on drug THE MINISTRY of Defence is to continue
issuing Lariam, a controversial anti-malarial drug, to troops on
overseas operations, despite it being associated with depression,
hallucinations and panic attacks. The Commons Defence Committee
said there was strong anecdotal evidence that stringent conditions
laid down by the manufacturers for issuing Lariam had been ignored
by the armed forces.
Police investigation THE Independent Police Complaints
Commission is investigating claims that a fan was seriously injured
when he was struck on the head by a police baton after the first
leg of the League Two semi-final clash between Portsmouth and
Plymouth Argyle at Fratton Park on May 12.
A 30-year-old Portsmouth supporter has alleged he was hit by a
Devon and Cornwall Police officer as he was walking with his wife
after becoming involved in an altercation with a Plymouth fan.
Cool shack for sale AN ICE cream kiosk in a tourist hotspot made
famous by hit TV drama Broadchurch is to go under the hammer. The
Shack at West Bay, near Bridport, Dorset, is expected to fetch
between 55,000 and 65,000 when it is sold at auction on June 17.
Stars are currently filming the third and final series of
Broadchurch nearby on the picturesque beach, cliffs and busy
harbourside.
BURT KWOUK, best known for playing Cato Fong in the Pink Panther
films, has died peacefully at the age of 85.
Even though he is most recognisable for his big-screen role as
Inspector Clouseau's manservant in the popular Pink Panther films,
Kwouk was also a familiar fixture on the small screen.
He was born in Manchester in 1930 but was raised in Shanghai,
China, until he was 17, when he moved to the United States. He
returned to Britain in 1954 and began pursuing a career in
acting.
Kwouk has three James Bond credits to his name, in Goldfinger,
You Only Live Twice and the 1967 spoof Casino Royale. His
best-known TV work includes shows like The Avengers and Danger
Man.
In 1964 he was cast as the servant Kato, the spelling of which
was later changed to Cato, in the first Inspector Clouseau film, A
Shot In The Dark.
The character became a hit with fans as the quirky friendship
between the policeman and his servant and sometimes attacker
developed.
Kwouk continued in the role following the death of Clouseau
actor Peter Sellers in 1980.
He starred in seven films in the Pink Panther franchise,
appearing alongside Sellers, Roger Moore and Roberto Benigni in
their incarnations of the inept French detective Inspector
Clouseau.
Later in his career, Kwouk would join Harry Hill's eponymous TV
show and become the face of Channel 4's gaming show Banzai!
But he memorably returned to the small screen in BBC's Last Of
The Summer Wine as Chinese electrician Entwistle, from 2003 until
its end in 2010.
He was honoured with an OBE for his services to drama in the
2011 New Year's Honours list.
LONDON Underground maintenance and engineering workers have
voted to go on strike in a row linked to the new night Tube.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union backed
walkouts by 85 per cent, with a bigger majority in favour of other
forms of industrial action.
The union is in dispute over pay, staffing and pensions for
workers employed by Tube Lines, linked to the night Tube, which is
due to start on August 19.
The union's executive will consider the result of the ballot
before deciding its next move.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: RMT members have now shown
their anger at the way that Tube Lines have attempted to tie in
attacks
on pensions with the offer on pay and night Tube. There are also
major unresolved issues over the Tube Lines staffing arrangements
for the night Tube and over performance-related pay.
The ballot result will be considered by RMT's executive and, now
that the members have shown their anger, it is absolutely essential
that there is the earliest possible resumption of serious and
meaningful talks on these issues and the union is ready to engage
in those talks.
The all-night service was due to be launched last year but no
agreement was reached with unions, leading to strikes.
New London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on
Monday that the night Tube will start on two lines at weekends
from August 19.
The first services will run on the Central and Victoria lines.
Night services on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines will
follow in two separate phases later in the autumn as new Tube
drivers complete their training and final preparations are
made.
Around 200 part-time drivers are currently taking part in a
14-week training programme for the new service.
The engineers strike ballot result is the first faced by the new
mayor since he took over from Boris Johnson earlier this month. The
strike dates are yet to be announced.
Tube workers to strike over new night service
Pink Panther film actor passes away
FAMILIAR FACEBurt Kwouk appeared in three Bond films
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20 BUSINESS NEWS
Doubt still hanging over Hinkley Point decision
Wednesday 25th May 2016
NEWS IN BRIEF
Record lottery sales despite controversyNATIONAL Lottery annual
sales have hit a record 7.5billion, despite controversial changes
that signifi cantly decreased the chances of winning the Lotto
jackpot.
Operator Camelot said overall sales for 2015/16 were up
317million on the previous year, although sales of draw-based games
were down 6.2million to 4.6billion.
Scandal hits CYBG CLYDESDALE Bank has revealed another
450million hit from the payment protection insurance (PPI) scandal.
But the group offi cially known as CYBG as it also includes
Yorkshire Bank said only 44million of the additional bill had an
impact on its bottom line, because of cash set aside to cover
issues such as PPI.
Beurden gets pay dealSHAREHOLDERS in Royal Dutch Shell have
voted overwhelmingly in favour of chief executive Ben van Beurdens
4.3million pay packet as part of the companys remuneration report
at the oil giants annual general meeting.
Shareholders in BP recently voted to reject its remuneration
report, which included a pay deal of $19.6million (13.8million) for
chief executive Bob Dudley.
Screwfi x sales surge B&Q OWNER Kingfi sher has seen sales
at its trade outlet Screwfi x rise after it bolstered its product
range and opened new stores. This saw shares surge by nearly 2 per
cent.
THE Chief Executive of French energy giant EDF has said he is
confident the multibillion-pound Hinkley Point nuclear power
station will go ahead despite a fresh delay in making a final
investment decision.
Vincent de Rivaz told MPs on the Energy and Climate Change
Committee that money was in place and no project had been better
prepared. But the company is consulting French trade unions after
some of them called for a delay of two to three years because of
concerns over the impact of the firms finances on pressing ahead
with the development in Somerset.
The consultation started on May 2, and could take 60 days to
complete.
Mr de Rivaz told the committee in March that Hinkley Point would
definitely go ahead, pointing to a speech by French economy
minister Emmanuel Macron that the final investment decision would
be made in early May. But Mr Macron later said the green light may
not be given until September.
The French authorities remain fully behind Hinkley, said Mr
Macron, adding: I can appreciate that a certain amount of
impatience may be creeping in as the project is key for the UKs
energy and climate policy.
It is also necessary, in the interest of all, that EDF follows
due process before committing itself to an investment of this
magnitude. I have every confidence that a final investment decision
can be made rapidly after the end of the consultation.
Mr de Rivaz told MPs there was a difference of opinion with some
French unions over Hinkley.
He said: We hope those differences will be resolved during the
consultation.
He insisted the project was not on hold, and everything was set
for power to be generated by 2025.
Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom told the MPs
that the Government was fully confident that the Hinkley project
will go ahead.
She said there was no cost to UK billpayers until Hinkley starts
producing electricity, so there was no question of the Government
issuing a blank cheque.
BRITAIN saw borrowing fall last month, but offi cial fi gures
showed that Chancellor George Osborne missed his target for the
full year by more than previously thought.
The Offi ce for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net
borrowing excluding banks had dropped by 0.3billion to 7.2billion
in April, compared with the same month last year.
But in a blow to the Chancellor, the ONS said public sector net
borrowing excluding banks for the complete fi nancial year ending
in March was 76billion which is 2billion higher than its previous
estimate.
The Offi ce for Budget Responsibility had forecast borrowing to
hit 72.2billion for 2015/16, meaning the Chancellor has overshot
his borrowing target by 3.8billion.
The ONS said public sector net debt excluding banks
rose by 49.6billion to 1,596billion in April compared with
2015
equivalent to 83.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Economists had pencilled in borrowing to fall to 6.4billion in
April and the worse-than-expected
results come despite Government tax
receipts hitting
55.9billion last month, up 2.7 per cent compared with April
2015, as it was boosted by rises in VAT receipts, income tax, stamp
duty and National Insurance contributions.
However, corporation tax dropped by 5.1 per cent to 0.3billion
over the period, according to the offi cial fi gures.
The ONS said the fall in borrowing was triggered in the main by
a 0.7billion drop in local government borrowing, offset by a
0.5billion jump in central government net borrowing.
A Treasury spokesman said: Today's fi gures show further
progress in fi xing the record post-war defi cit we inherited:
borrowing is falling and we have the lowest April monthly defi cit
since the great recession.
But the fi scal repair job is not fi nished and it would be
dangerous to put this at risk.
As uncertainty ahead of the (EU)referendum weighs on our
outlook, Treasury analysis has shown that if the UK votes to leave
the EU on June 23, we would be tipped into a year-long recession
and receipts could fall by 36billion in the long term, unwinding
years of hard work.
MAKING A POINTEDF Chief Executive
Vincent de Rivaz
Osborne overshootshis borrowing target
TAXING TIMES Chancellor
George Osborne
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WORLD NEWS 21
NEWS IN BRIEF
Another FIFA director fired over financesFIFA, footballs
international governing body, has fired Deputy Secretary General
Markus Kattner after allegedly uncovering financial wrongdoing
during an internal investigation.
Mr Kattner, who joined FIFA as director of finance in 2003, has
been temporarily filling the top administrative job of world
footballs governing body since Jerome Valcke was suspended last
year before being fired himself.Mr Kattner handled the 2011 request
to pay Michel Platini two million Swiss Francs (1.4m) which led to
the UEFA President being banned from football for four years. FIFA
recently appointed its first female Secretary General, Senegals
Fatma Samoura, to replace Valcke.
Passionate embrace DONALD TRUMP and Boris Johnson have been
pictured kissing in a 15ft-high mural painted on to a building in
Bristol. It portrays the US and UK politicians, who both want
Britain to exit the EU, engaged in an embrace.
The image is reminiscent of the Berlin Wall graffiti artwork of
a kiss between ex-Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East Germanys
Erich Honecker
Refugees forced to move out of campGREEK authorities have sent
in more than 400 riot police to evacuate the countrys largest
informal refugee camp at Idomeni on the Macedonian border.
The camp, which sprang up at an informal pedestrian border
crossing for refugees and migrants heading north to Europe, housed
an estimated 8,400 people including hundreds of children mostly
from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
In recent weeks the camp had begun taking on an image of
semi-permanence, with refugees setting up small makeshift shops
selling everything from cooking utensils to falafel and bread. Beer
from the past A BREWERY kit for beer-making dating back 5,000 years
has been discovered among artefacts from an archaeological site in
northern China.
Yellowish remnants found inside wide-mouthed pots, funnels and
amphora jars suggest that the vessels were used for making,
filtering and storing beer, say scientists. The brewery was
uncovered in two pits at Mijaya, near a tributary of the Wei
River.
Wednesday 25th May 2016
FRENCH police dislodged protesters blocking a key fuel depot in
southern France this week, as petrol shortages spread around the
country amid increasingly tense strike action.
The CGT union reacted angrily to the overnight police action
which saw them tear down barricades outside the depot at
Fos-sur-Mer.
This enabled delivery lorries and other vehicles to get in and
out, although they still had to manoeuvre between the remains of
the barricades used by striking workers to block the entrance at
the refinery
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Europe-1 radio that the site
was liberated after days of blockades.
The striking workers want the government to abandon a reform
that extends the working week, and are blocking refineries and fuel
depots around the country.
Petrol stations throughout France are facing shortages and
unions are threatening to stop production at all of Frances eight
refineries.
Panic buying has already started and long queues of vehicles
have been forming at petrol stations which still have fuel.
Drivers have been pushing their cars on to the forecourts rather
than letting them idle while they wait, sometimes up to several
hours, to fill up.
Police liberateFrench fuel site
ROAD BLOCKThe remains of a
barricade
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22 SPORTS NEWS
Murray praise for Stepanek: I couldnt do that at his age
JOSE MOURINHO could make striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic his first
signing after he takes charge of Manchester United.
The Portuguese is set to be unveiled as the new manager at Old
Trafford today (Wednesday) after his representatives hammered out
the terms of his deal in London.
Ibrahimovic is out of contract after deciding to leave French
champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The 34-year-old Sweden international has received lucrative
offers from clubs in China.
But he has spoken warmly about working with Mourinho in the past
and United were desperately short of goals last season.
He won the Italian title with Mourinho at Inter Milan in 2009,
when he was named Serie As player of the year.
He is the kind of high-profile name that the board would like to
bring in to start the new era.
United can still afford to pay huge wages after posing a record
turnover in excess of 500million.
But their failure to qualify for the Champions League for a
second time in three years could hamper their ability to lure the
big players.
United and Liverpool have both been fined 40,000 euros (30,565)
each half of which has been suspended for illicit chanting by their
fans during Marchs two-legged Europa League encounter between the
two sides.
The clubs were fined an extra 13,000 each for setting off
fireworks, throwing objects and crowd disturbances.
Wednesday 25th May 2016
SPORT IN BRIEF
ANDY MURRAY paid tribute to his veteran opponent after he edged
through a five-set thriller in the first round of the French Open
yesterday.
The world No 2 had to come from two sets down to beat Radek
Stepanek of the Czech Republic 3-6 3-6 6-0 6-3 7-5.
Murray, who had not gone out in the first round of grand slam
for eight years, lost the first two sets to the 37-year-old
qualifier when the match began on Monday but led 4-2 in the fourth
when darkness caused the match to be held over.
He went on to win the fourth set yesterday but the fifth was
hugely tense and at one point Stepanek was two points away from
victory.
However, Murray held firm and took advantage of the first drop
in his opponents level to clinch victory after three hours and 41
minutes.
The Scot, who now plays Frenchman Mathias Bourgue in the second
round, said of Stepanek: Its unbelievable what hes doing. He had an
extremely bad injury last year and still at 37 coming out and
fighting like that, playing that way, its unbelievable.
I dont expect to be doing that myself at that age. Im just glad
I managed to get through.
Hes always been extremely difficult to play. I wasnt able to
dictate many of the points, I wasnt in a great rhythm, and thats
credit to him and the way that he played. I fought extremely hard
today and Ill get a chance to play again tomorrow.
Stepanek had been looking to become the oldest man to win a
grand slam singles match since Jimmy Connors at the US Open in
1992.
After the opening game of the deciding set, the world No 128
tried to work the crowd up into a frenzy, which clearly irritated
Murray.
He was able to threaten the Stepanek serve but not break it, and
when the Czech held for 5-4, Murray had to serve to stay in the
tournament. His opponent took him to deuce but he held on.
The effort of that appeared to affect Stepanek in his next
service game, allowing Murray to break.
That left the Scot serving for the match. Still it was not
straightforward and Murray double-faulted on his first match
point.
But on his second Stepanek netted a volley and Murray could
breathe a sigh of relief.
Ibrahimoviccan kickstartJoses reign
BACKHANDCOMPLIMENT Andy Murray clapped Radek Stepanek off
court
Tuilagi to miss tour of Australia after injuryMANU TUILAGI will
miss Englands tour to Australia next month with a hamstring injury
he sustained in Leicesters Premiership semi-final defeat at
Saracens.
A replacement will be named after Sundays Test against Wales at
Twickenham. Luther Burrell or Ollie Devoto will fill the vacancy in
Englands 32-man squad.
Willett worried by Zika MASTERS champion Danny Willett echoed
Rory McIlroys concerns about playing at this summers Olympics in
Rio due to Zika virus.
Willett won his first major at Augusta in April, 12 days after
his son Zachariah was born. The Englishman is concerned about Zikas
links to defects in newborn babies.
If it turns out that it would be a massive threat to myself or
to Nic (his wife Nicole) or to the little man, then I probably
wouldnt go, he said. Family comes first.
Barton signs for Rangers JOEY BARTON has joined Rangers on a
two-year contract. The midfielder, 33, turned down a years
extension to his deal with Burnley, who have been promoted to the
Premier League as Championship winners.
Alcohol ban for Euro fans ENGLAND and Wales football fans will
not be allowed to drink alcohol in Lens for 24 hours around their
Euro 2016 game on June 16.
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BY STEPHEN WILMOT
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Telephone: 01892 526442 or email [email protected]
Keene Marsland is a trading name of Parfitt Cresswell. Parfitt
Cresswell is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation
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FREE CONSULTATION Name
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Keene Marsland Solicitors, 6 Clanricarde Gardens, Royal
Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1PH
Appointments available in Tunbridge Wells, Haywards Heath,
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The right legal team is key to your emotional and nancial
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Wednesday 25th May 2016
ADVERTISING FEATURE 23
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Wednesday 25th May 2016
24 LETTERS
And another thingThe Times of Tunbridge Wells and the Times of
Tonbridge always want to hear your feedback, whether on reports we
have printed or any other issues you think we should know about.
Email us at [email protected] or write to the
Editor at 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU
CalverleyOBVIOUSLY the Times is essential reading even on
holiday! Calverley extends his thanks to the undercover mole who
snapped this shot of a young lady relaxing in Dubai. And shes
reading the current edition of her favourite local paper.
HAIL the newly elected leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
David Jukes. Yep, you might recognise the name. Its his fourth year
in the job. Not since Queen Victoria (or some such time) has
anybody clung on to (sorry, held) the role for so long. And its
nothing to do with his remuneration of 27,000pa. At the uncorking
of a bottle of red hell tell you that if you take into account the
number of hours he works in the job (he does also have a proper
job) he gets less than the minimum wage. Value for money?
Probably.
HES most defi nitely the oldest salesman in town. His name is
Ralph Williams, he works in Moss Bross next to the station, hes 91
and featured in this very newspaper 12 months ago. Following our
world exclusive he found instant fame and was featured on TV (see
people do actually read us). When Calverley popped in to replace
his wine-stained cummerbund (so many functions) he was informed by
Ralph, who survived the Nazi concentration camps, that Hollywood is
now making a 10million budgeted fi lm about his extraordinary life.
Mind you, he did have a twinkle in his eyes. So is it true?
CALVERLEY is always grateful to hear from his legion of moles
scattered across all levels of society. Witness the latest from one
of our charity shop operatives who reports that a donor walked in
and handed over a bag containing a mankini, a bottle of baby oil
and a back scratcher. Thats so Tunbridge Wells.
Chin, chin readersWe 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.
How William Shakespeares twin might have viewed the Wells
ALLS WELL WITH WILL THAT ENDS IN WELLS
Imagine how different it all would have beenIf Shakespeare had
had a modern-day twinMight he have settled in Tunbridge WellsWith
its beautiful parks and melodic church bells? With modern
technology hed be the bees kneesTwittering King Lear and then
Pericles,But would sonnets and plays have been such
crowd-pleasersComposed on The Pantiles with Bacardi Breezers?
Though with light pollution hed never discoverEven a single doomed
star-crossed lover.Ill met by moonlight indeed, it would seemTo
similarly rule out Midsummer Nights Dream. And would he have built
the Globe and the Curtain?Hed need Council planning permission, for
certain.Maybe hed lay claim to the cinema siteFor The Tempest,
Othello and even Twelfth Night. With his plays, set in Kent, wed be
held in thrall Two Gentlemen of Frant and The Merchant of
Rusthall.Stage directions, of course, are another affair How about
Brexit, pursued by a bear?
Helen MillsVia Email
Elections: Conservatives complacent I would like to take the
opportunity to reply