8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

1/24

LOCALTunbridge Wells Borough Council magazine

tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Spring 2015

inside:

Elections

Events

Competitions,news and loadsmore…

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

2/24

SUCCESSFULLY LETTING IN

TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND

SURROUNDING AREA

Katie Etheridge MARLALettings Manager

• Extensive range of good qualityapplicants

• Friendly and bespoke service

• Award-winning website• Comprehensive marketing

• Competitive rates

• Letting studios to large detachedproperties

• Working closely with our letting teamsin Sevenoaks, Cranbrook, Oxtedand Canterbury

01892 521740lettingstunwells@jackson-stops.co.ukwww.jackson-stops.co.uk

 

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

3/24

We have some regular features that appear in themagazine each spring; the Bloom campaign on p12–13and the Love Where We Live awards on p11 that havecontinued to go from strength to strength, and we arecondent this year will be no different.

In this issue, you'll also get the latest on the Council –the elections are only seven weeks away so look upall the important dates for registering, postal votes and

proxy votes on p5.The forthcoming shows at the Assembly Hall Theatrecan be found on p22–23, and read all about thecurrent exhibition at the Museum & Art Gallery,Material Obsessions that ends on 31 May. This will besucceeded by A Walk on the Wild Side: A social historyof our relationship with animals.

Happy reading!

Lizzie GoodwinEditor 

If you require Local magazine in large print or audio CD please phone 01892 554273

Local costs less than 9p a copy toproduce and deliver to your home.

 5 Elections

 22  Assembly Hall

Theatre shows

12 to 13Bloom

6 to 7Museum & Art Gallery

 8HealthyNews

 16ElectricCharging Points

TW198   3

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

4/24

Green Flag award winners for 10 yearsLocal magazine chatsto Mike Bassett fromSouthwood RoadAllotments, Rusthall …For those who aren’t aware,what is the Green Flag Award?

The award recognises and rewardsthe best green places. It’s abenchmark of a quality public place.In Keep Britain Tidy’s words ‘it strivesto ensure that everyone has accessto a safe, clean and pleasant spacewhere they can relax, meet, play orexercise. We have been immenselyproud of the Rusthall Community andYouth project for setting up the Zone

Garden in 2001, entering

this competition seemedlike the perfect way toreward their hard efforts.

Tell us about theZone Garden?

The garden is designedand developed by theyoung people and

managed by them. Itwas the kids’ idea todo something with theunused land and thereis real commitment andownership of the youth inthe village. 25 originallyattended on a regularbasis. Founders nowhave their own children

attending.

What makes the gardenspecial?

Over the years, young peoplehave planted and created themedgardens such as the chocolateand cream one and the seasideone. It’s educational, with young

people able to plant owers andvegetables, learn about rotating

crops, the trees and constructingthings for the garden. Birds and

bees have a special area too – sothey can nest and have food all yeararound.

It grew from strength to strength andfor 10 years we entered the KeepBritain Tidy Campaign and wereprivileged to win an award each time.

Not only is it a great place to learn,it’s a great place for young people tocome and interact with animals, havefun and be able to play games too.

I’m sure you’ll inspire ourreaders, how can they apply?

 Applications need to be submittedduring the winter months. We stoppedentering in 2010, but I urge othersto enter and showcase their greenspaces. It’s a good opportunity topromote what you’re doing and

reward everyone involved – it was funapplying.

More information can be found atkeepbritaintidy.org

4

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

5/24

KCC Community Warden Nigel Freeman, gives freepresentations on scams and what to look out forto any groups or organisations that would benet.Contact Nigel on 07969 584175 or e-mail nigel.freeman@kent.gov.uk 

Seven Weeks left untilthe General, Local andParish Elections

On Thursday 7 Mayeveryone will be votingfor their Member ofParliament and somepeople will also votefor their Borough andParish Councillors.

In order to vote you must

be on the electoral register.

The deadline to be added

to the electoral register is

Monday 20 April and you

can register online at

gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If you do not have access to 

A new scam knownas ‘number spoofing’is being used to trickpeople into partingwith their cash.Scammers persuade therecipient that they arespeaking to an organisationof trust, such as bank,by making a legitimatetelephone number appearon the caller ID display.They do this is by cloningthe telephone number of thecompany or organisationthey are impersonatingand drawing attention tothe number shown on thedisplay in order to gain the

victim’s trust and condenceand using this as proof oftheir identity.

This scam is a new variationon 'vishing’, where criminalscall people and pose as

bank staff, police ofcers orother trusted organisations

in order to persuade theirvictim to part with nancialand personal details, oftenon the pretence that fraudhas been detected on theiraccount.

Scammers will also tryto gain their victim'scondence in order to

extract information such astheir PIN, online passwords,sensitive information or willpersuade account holdersusing internet banking thattheir accounts are ‘beingcompromised’ and that theyneed to transfer funds to a‘safe account’. The moneytransferred then disappears.

Recent such scams inTunbridge Wells haveresulted in four residentslosing a total of £51,000and the bank is not liable forthese losses.

the internet, please contactus to nd out how you canregister another way –details below.

There was a change to the

registration system in thesummer and applicationsnow have to be veriedby the Department forWork and Pensions beforewe can add them to theelectoral register. This cantake several days, so if youneed to register please llin the online form as soonas possible. If you applyafter 6 April, please supplyevidence of your identityto help us process yourapplication quicker.

If you are unable to vote inperson on Thursday 7 May,

you can apply for a postal

or proxy vote. Completedpostal vote applications

need to be with us by 5pm

on Tuesday 21 April andcompleted proxy vote

applications need to be with

us by 5pm on Tuesday 28 Apri l. However, you must

be registered to apply.

You can nd more

information on our website

at tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

In addition you can contact

the Elections team onelections@tunbridgewells.

gov.uk or 01892 554025/554106/ 554403 to request

forms or to nd out what

identication we need.

Beware of  scamsphone 

Your bank (or the poli ce) will NEVER:

 ● Request your PIN or passwords over the phone or via

e-mail

 ● Send someone to your home to collect cash or bank

cards

 ● Ask you to e-mail or text personal banking information

 ● Send you an e-mail with a link to a page that asks you

to enter your login details ● Ask you to authorise a transfer of funds to a new

account.

If you have received such a call phone the

Police on 101 or   Action Fraud on 0300 123

2040 or visit actionfraud.police.uk

5

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

6/24

Material Obsessions: Britishfolk art in Tunbridge Wellsends 31 May 2015

Since January 2015, Tunbridge Wells Museum

& Art Gallery has been staging a major, newexhibition on British folk art.This exhibition celebrates the museum’s folk art collectionsreturning from an exhibition at Tate Britain and Compton Verney Art Gallery. It also celebrates the newly invigorated interest in thisoften unsung artistic genre.

Folk art is known as ‘people’s art’ or ‘popular art’ but who arethese folk artists and what makes their creations art? Material

Obsessions explores these questions through extraordinaryworks from the museum’s diverse folk art collection.

Exhibitions atTunbridge WellsMuseum & Art GalleryAn exciting range of exhibitions will be on displaythis year, completely free to the public. Here iswhat’s on now, and what’s coming up next:

 All photos on this page and opposite are courtesy of

the Trustees of the British Museum

6

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

7/24

A Walk on the WildSide: A social historyof our relationship withanimals12 June – 20 September 2015

What inspires artists to draw and paintanimals? What makes people want tocreate taxidermy from dead animals?

 A Walk on the Wild Side is an exhibition thatexplores our relationship with animals, from theearly renaissance period through to modern history. A mixture of natural history, ne art, and everydayobjects, this exhibition explores why humans havean enduring fascination and curiosity with the animalkingdom. Highlights of the exhibition are exciting loansfrom the British Museum and British Library, alongsideobjects from the collections at Tunbridge Wells

Museum & Art Gallery.

2015 Dates Month

2ndSaturday

4thSaturday

 FEBRUARY   14   28

 MARCH   14   28APRIL   11   25

 MAY   9   23

JUNE   13   27

JULY   11   25

AUGUST   8   22

SEPTEMBER   12   26

OCTOBER   10   24NOVEMBER   14   28

DECEMBER   12   NONE

7

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

8/24

Health andWellbeing...E-cigarette safetyApproximately 1.3 million peoplein the UK are now using electroniccigarettes instead of tobaccoproducts, as they consider them tobe safer and cheaper.E-cigarettes are relatively new and therefore wedon’t know the long-term effects of them. Testshave revealed that e-cigarettes can produce toxicchemicals, including some of the same cancercausing agents found in tobacco smoke. Atpresent, they are being researched by the UK’sMedicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority

(MHRA), as they are unregulated and unlicensedin the UK. All nicotine containing products, likee-cigarettes, will be regulated as a medicationin the UK by 2016. E-cigarettes should not beused during p regnancy.

They are battery operated devices that use a heating elementto vaporise a avoured liquid. Some liquid solutions contain acombination of nicotine and avourings. There have been rescaused by low quality e-cigarettes where the components haveoverheated and exploded in people’s homes.

Safety tips

  Do not leave e-cigarettes charging for long periods

of time, especially overnight

  Only use the charger that was supplied with your

e-cigarette when purchased

  Store nicotine capsules out of the reach of youngchildren, as high intakes of nicotine can cause death

Cutting down and quitting

E-cigarettes work best when used with support from yourlocal NHS Stop Smoking service, who can give the smokerfree support and tips on how to make the best use of nicotine

replacement therapy. You can also get patches and gum for thecost of a prescription charge. Details of your local stop smokingservice can be found at kenthealthandwellbeing.nhs.uk.

E-mail: kcht.sss@nhs.net Phone: 0300 123 1220 (option 1)Text: QUIT to 87023

Weight lossThe Council’s free Weight For It classes are

back this April, providing help and advice with

portions, fats, emotional eating, exercise and

food labelling. E-mail health@tunbridgewells.

gov.uk or call the Health team on 01892 554201

for details of classes running in Goudhurst

and Royal Tunbridge Wells.

This website aims to help people nd the rightservice for their health needs, especially whenthey need medical help fast, but not a life-threatening emergency.

The site lists common symptoms and offerssuggestions for treatment, with the one that worksbest for most people listed rst. Health Help Nowthen links through to local services, and showswhether they are open or closed, their locationand directions.

Take a look now… healthhelpnow-nhs.net/ 

8

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

9/24

Strictly isstaying in Royal

Tunbridge Wellsfor 2015

The Tunbridge Wells Tea Dances returnedearlier in the year. If you enjoy meeting newpeople, listening to live music and dancingthen the tea dances are just right for you.

They run once a month –Thursday’s at 2.30pm,

Camden Centre, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

For just £2.50 a session you will get music,dancing, refreshments and friendship. Youcan’t beat a cup of tea and a slice of cake withfriends.

You do not need to be a pro to come along,all are welcome. You also do not need tocome with a partner. The more the merrier, soplease tell all your friends and family.

For more information please telephoneLiz James at VAWK on 01892 530330.

Dance dates on Thursdays:

  23 April

28 May

  25 June

  23 July

  27 August

  24 September 

  22 October 

  26 November

The tea dances are run by VAWK inpartnership with TWBC.

What’s the vision for the

Southborough Hub?The Southborough Hub which has been an ongoingproject for over 20 years continues to make progress withSouthborough Town Council (STC), Kent County Counciland Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, working towardsa legally binding partnership which will bring all landholdings together as one.

STC’s main priority in bringing forward this development is to securea theatre. Whether that be a newly refurbished Royal Victoria Hall, ora new build, has yet to be determined and will be subject to detailedsurveys and analysis on viability. In addition to the theatre, there areplans for new council ofces, a football pavilion, library, cafe andpossibly a GP clinic. In order to pay for the hub an enabling residentialdevelopment will be created.

The councils are currently seeking suggestions on the developmentand if you would like to have you say on any particular aspect, please

e-mail jonathan.white@kent.gov.uk with your ideas and comments.

Looking towards the future,the councils are alsoconsidering various optionsfor how the managementof the hub might be setup to run the facility mosteffectively and ensure thebest outcome for the people

of Southborough.

9

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

10/24

Tonbridge Events 2015

Event Date Location

Easter Fun Fair 3 – 6 April Sovereign Way Mid Car Park  

Summer Carnival and Fete 21 June Tonbridge High Street/Castle

Tonbridge Arts Festival 10/11/12 July Tonbridge Castle

Hartley Morris Men 11/12 July Tonbridge Castle/Watergate

Tonbridge Lions Club Car Tour 19 July Upper Castle Field Car Park  

Iolanthe (Open Air Theatre) 22 July Tonbridge Castle

John Hamilton Big Band 2 August Tonbridge Castle

1st Whitstable Scout Group Brass Band 9 August Tonbridge Castle

Invicta Jazz Orchestra 16 August Tonbridge Castle

Second Wind Concert Band 23 August Tonbridge Castle

The Taming of the Shrew (Open Air Theatre) 27 August Tonbridge Castle

Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Concert Band 30 August Tonbridge Castle

Medieval Fair/Heritage Weekend 12/13 September Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Town Team’s Dragon Boat Race 13 September River Medway/Watergate

For more details on the above

visit www.tmbc.gov.uk 

  i

 We are on the A264, at the top of Groombridge Hill, (TN39LY). ere is plenty of off-road parking.

ree criteria separate us from others:Provenance: 90% of our produce is grown or manufactured within 20miles of the shopQuality : We select quality in our own and other produceTraceability : We can identify the source and ingredients of all produce

Opening Times: Mon - Sat 9am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5pmCredit Cards accepted 

email: groombridgefarmshop@btconnect.com

01892 861753

 

10

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

11/24

Site Allocations Development Plan…consultation ending soonThe final stage of publicconsultation on the SiteAllocations Development

Plan will end at 5pm onMonday 23 March.Should you wish to makerepresentations they must be receivedby this time as it will be at thediscretion of the Secretary of State’sappointed Inspector as to whether laterepresentations will be considered.

The consultation documents can beviewed three ways:

  The Council’s consultation portalconsult.tunbridgewells.gov.uk 

The Council’s websitetunbridgewells.gov.uk/allocations

  Local libraries, Tunbridge WellsGateway and Weald InformationCentre, Cranbrook.

Representations can also be made bye-mail to planning.policy@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk or by post toPlanning Policy, Planning Services,

TWBC, Town Hall TN1 1RS.

Please note that only thoserepresentations received electronicallywill be notied as received,response forms or letters will not beacknowledged.

REMEMBER Consultation ends 5pm on

Monday 23 March.

We need your views by then.

They’re back for the third consecutive year, so if you didn’tnominate previously, and wanted to, you’ll have a chance thisyear. As before, there will be eight categories to choose from

and the closing date is Friday 31 July – so plenty of time to bethinking of those worthy of recognition.

The lucky nalists will be invited to an awards ceremony onin the Assembly Hall Theatre. Full details will be in the nextedition of Local magazine. Main sponsor for 2015

Love Where We Live awards 2015

Need a venue in

Paddock Wood?The Wesley Centre is available forprivate hire and makes the perfectvenue for meetings and parties. At

 just £10.80 per hour, it’s the perfectprice too!

Bookings are made centrallythrough the Camden Centre, RoyalTunbridge Wells so call 01892521384 to arrange your nextmeeting or party.

11

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

12/24

Bloom is back,so dust off thosegardening gloves

and lets make RoyalTunbridge Wells‘Best in Show’!2014 was a good year forRoyal Tunbridge Wells withtwo Gold medal awards andBest in Kent in the Southand South East in BloomCompetition. Together with oursponsors Coolings Nurseries,Sodexo Horticultural Servicesand Cory Environmental wewill be working hard towardsretaining our Gold medalaward in 2015…

This year’s theme:

Bees – We are continuing withour bee theme this year – ‘plantsfor pollinators’ supporting the newBritain in Bloom ‘Green Streets;Better Lives’. This is a new threeyear campaign for all to get involvedin transforming grey spaces into

green places for people and wildlifeand can be something as simple asa planted pot on a balcony or paved

area to add colour and encouragewildlife. You could even userecycled materials such as old oiltins, coffee pots or boots, whateveryou have to hand!

How you can help:

The Bloom team needs lotsof community support andinvolvement from businesses,schools, local community groupsand neighbourhoods, friendsgroups, associations and residents.You can create colourful andimaginative displays, so plant upyour front gardens with pollinating

varieties to encourage bees andwildlife, shop and business frontsby using hanging baskets and tubsor any suitable recycled materials.

Let’s get started:

The Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloomlaunch days are planned for 10 and11 April in Calverley Precinct, Royal

Tunbridge Wells from 10am–3pm.Come long and see us to get adviceon how to get involved. We will havelots of ‘goodies’ to give away andthe team, all of our sponsors andthe Kent High Weald Partnership willbe on hand to offer planting advice.Full details of the launch days willbe advertised in the Kent & SussexCourier and on our website nearer

the time.

Full of ideas and readyto go?

Why not enter The Royal TunbridgeWells in Bloom competition. It’s freeto enter and open to people withlimited or no gardening experience

as well as experienced gardeners.There are prizes to be won foreach competition category aswell as voucher prizes from ourmain sponsor, Coolings. A specialawards ceremony will be held inSeptember to announce the winnersof each category and to celebratethe achievements of everyone who

takes part in the competition.

T hank s to our  main sponsor , 

each entr y  r eceiv ed w ill be sent a £5 

v oucher  to spend at Cooling s 

12

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

13/24

I f  you  ha ve a 

 B loom campa ign  in 

 your  to wn or  v i l lage 

 t h is summer,  le t  Loca

 l 

 Maga z ine  kno w a bou

 t  i t 

 b y  t he end o f Sep tem

 ber 

 2015 and ge t a men t io

n 

 in  t he  w in ter  issue 

(de ta i ls on 

page  3 )

 Judging for South and South East in Bloom and RoyalTunbridge Wells in Bloom will take place in July. Theallotment category will be judged in June.If you don’t have a garden or space for hanging baskets you can still get involved by:

 ● Volunteering to help with projects via friends groups at Dunorlan Park, CalverleyGrounds, The Grove, Woodbury Park Cemetery, Grosvenor and Hilbert Recreation

Park and The Kent High Weald Partnership.

 ● Sponsoring a hanging basket or tub in the Precinct.

● Becoming a Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom judge for local competition.

COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

Closing date: 1 June 2015

On receipt of your entry form you will be sent a £5 voucher to spendat Coolings Nurseries, our main sponsor.

Please tick which category you will be entering(You can tick more than one category)

 Best Basket Planter/Tub/Container Best Street

 Best Front Patio/ Best Community Best Commercial 

Balcony Allotment/ Garden Basket/Planter 

 Best Front Garden Best Business Ground Best Cafe/Pub/Club

 Best Shop Front Best Allotments Best Flats

 Best Wildlife Garden Best Flats 

Entrant’s name  ________________________________________________

 Address _____________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________

 ____________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________Postcode ___________

E-mail ______________________________________________________

Phone number  ________________________________________________

Leave at Gateway

or post to: Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RS

T he c ompet it ion is open t o any one liv ing w it hin a t hr ee mile r adius of  t he T ow n Hall, Roy al T unbr idge W ells so t his now  inc ludes Sout hbor ough and 

Rust hall

Website: royaltunbridgewellsinbloom.org.uk

E-mail: parksandopenspaces@tunbridgewells.gov.ukTelephone: 01892 554031

13

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

14/24

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

15/24

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

16/24

Are you aged 55 or over?

Would you like to move to a new homein Tunbridge Wells, Paddock Wood orCranbrook?Town & Country Housing Group are building four newsheltered housing schemes in Royal Tunbridge Wellstown centre, Sherwood, Paddock Wood and Cranbrook,and all are due to complete between spring and summer2015. Two of the schemes are suitable for people aged 55

and over, and the other two are suitable for those aged 65and over.

 All schemes have a mixture of one and two bedroom ats.Locations are:

  Kent & Sussex Site, Mount Ephraim, Royal TunbridgeWells: Suitable for over 55’s. Expected to completeapproximately March/April 2015

  Greggs Wood Road – Sherwood, Tunbridge Wells:

Suitable for over 55’s, and is a pet friendly scheme.Expected to complete approximately June 2015

  MacDonald Court, Paddock Wood: Suitable for over65’s. Expected to complete approximately March/

 April 2015

  Major Clarke’s House, Cranbrook: Suitable for over 65’s.Expected to complete approximately March/April 2015

If you would be interested in moving to one of these

new homes, you need to be registered for housingwith Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. They will all beadvertised for bidding through Kent Homechoice shortlybefore they are ready for completion.

If you are not already registered for housing andwant to see if you may be eligible to apply for them,you can complete a housing register application atkenthomechoice.org.uk by clicking on ‘register’ andcompleting the online form.

If you do not have access to the internet you could eithergo to the Tunbridge Wells Gateway at 8 GrosvenorRoad, or call the Allocations team at Tunbridge WellsBorough Council on 01892 554606 for more information orassistance.

Working in partnership with Kent County Council, we haveinstalled two free*-to-use fast charging points in RoyalTunbridge Wells. Each point can charge up two cars at thesame time.

You will need to be registered with Charge Your Car (CYC)and have cables compatible with a 7kW fast charger to usethe charging points, there are no cables provided on site.

The charging points are located in marked bays within:

  Crescent Road car park – Level 1

  Great Hall car park – Level 3

Please note: The bays can only be used for a maximum offour hours and normal parking charges apply.

Kent County Council is working to install more fastcharging points across Kent and a map with locations ofthe charging points will be available on the Charge Your

Car website.For the latest info please check:tunbridgewells.gov.uk/residents/parking-travel-and-streets/electric-vehicle-charging-points

You can get a grant towards the cost of each new electric(plug-in) car or van you buy.

To nd out how: gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants

*Free for use will be kept under review, if demand increases the

Council reserves the right to charge for the use of the electricity, notice

of intent will be given prior to a charge applying.

Electric VehicleCharging Points

16

Some highlights of the busy and varied life of the

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

17/24

O u t s i d e  t h e  T o w n  H al l  w i t h  t h e  R o y al  M ar i n e s  f o r  a B at o n  H an d o v e r  C e r e m o n y 

At the Post Office Sorting Officeat its busiest time of year 

B idd ing fare w ell  and  bo nvo yag e to  the  Blazing  Sad dle scy c le c lub  bef o re t he r ide toWie sbaden

 A  t   B  l   u

 e b  i   r  d  C  a r  e (   T  u n b  r  i   d  g e

 W e l   l   s  )   a w a r  d  s  p r  e s  e n t   i   n g P  h  y l   l   i   s 

 J   o n e s  w i   t   h  C  a r  e W o r  k  e r  O f   T  h  e

 Y  e a r  2  0  1  4 ’  

With pupils a

t St Barnabas C

E School 

at their Secret Ga

rden Art Exhib

ition

Mayor &Mayoress ofTunbridgeWells withPupils from StAugstine's RC

School LightCandle ofRemembrance 

O pening  t he new  Spa Mead ow s housi

ng  

d ev elopment  in Ramsly e

W i t h  c o l o u r f  u l  y o u n  g s t e r s  a n d  M i s s  

P a d d o c k  W o o d  a t  t h e  P a d d o c k  W o o d  c a r n i v a l  a n d  f  e t e 

With ladies in period costumeat the Drumhead service inCalverley Grounds 

High Five in the playgroundwith a pupil during a visit toSt Barnabas School 

Some highlights of the busy and varied life of theMayor & Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells,

Councillor Julian Stanyer and Mrs Anne Stanyer

17

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

18/24

The Tunbr idge Wells Fairtrade Town Group are delighted

to announce that AXA PPP Healthcare have become the

Fairtrade agship employer for Tunbridge Wells.

The company decided to take the initiative because it ts perfectly with their

ethical, environmental and sustainable ethos. This is a huge step forward in

the group’s bid to become a Fairtrade borough and they are hoping that many

other businesses might be encouraged to follow AXA’s example and to offer

Fairtrade products to their staff and customers.

Easter is the time forFairt rade chocolate...

... so before you rush out tobuy your chocolate Easteregg, take a moment to thinkabout where your favouritetreat comes from and the

growers that produce thecocoa beans.

The main cocoa growing regions are Africa, Asia and Latin America but60% of the global supply is producedin Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Most ofthe world’s cocoa is grown on smallfamily farms by about six millionfarmers. They earn their living from

growing and selling cocoa beans, butthe work is difcult for many reasons.

Cocoa trees are delicate and needlots of care as they grow, they don’tstart to produce owers until threeto four years after they are plantedand peak cropping is from ve to tenyears. Many cocoa trees are olderand less productive, this coupled with

the problems of disease means thatyields are dropping.

Price uctuations make it difcult forfarmers to plan for the future anddespite the increasing demand forchocolate, cocoa farmers gain verylittle from the protable global cocoatrade.

They aren’t benetting sufcientlyfrom the rise in prices and remain inpoverty. Consequently the number of

farmers is falling because the benetsare so poor and fewer young peoplewant to stay in the profession – theaverage age of a cocoa farmer is 50!

Fairtrade helps to make cocoafarming more sustainable providingfarmers with a guaranteed minimumprice plus an additional premiumwhich they can invest in their

businesses and communities toprovide a better future for themselvesand their families.

Think Fairtrade, you can make ahuge difference to the lives of cocoafarmers and their families around theworld.

Did you know…

 

The cacao bean naturally containsalmost 300 different avours and400 separate aromas.

  The Latin name for the cocoatree is Theobroma Cacao whichmeans ‘Food of the Gods’.

  The Aztecs and Mayas usedchocolate as currency.

 

On average, each person inBritain eats approx. 9.5 kg ofchocolate per year! Whilst toomuch chocolate can be bad foryou, eaten in moderation it can provide health benets.

  Dark chocolate contains powerfulantioxidant phenols, which canlower the risk of heart disease.

Research also suggests thatavonoids in dark chocolateboosts memory, attention span,reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing bloodow to the brain.

Increased demand for chocolatearound the world could lead toa shortage by 2020, if cocoa

production isn't increased.

Think Fairtrade…

18

Tunbridge Wells celebrated Fairtrade

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

19/24

All things greenKeeping the Council’s parks, gardensand open spaces looking good is anall-year-round task for the Council’scontractor Sodexo. They’re the teamwho help us ensure our parks retaintheir Green Flag status and help us do

so well in the Bloom awards.In 2011 the Council entered into a 10

year contract with Sodexo, regularinspections are made to ensure thecontract specications are met andwhere performance has not been tothe required standard in some areasrectication and default notices havebeen issued. 

Recently the condition of some sportspitches has not been to the level thatwe would have liked so we have put inplace measures to ensure that futuremaintenance operations are carried outappropriately.

We can’t control the weather but we canwork with our contractor and our Friendsgroups to ensure we get the best valuefor Council Tax payers and continue toget those award winning results.

Tunbridge Wells celebrated FairtradeFortnight with a Big Banana Day

Soroptimists International in partnership with Tunbridge WellsGirl Guides and the Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Groupheld the event to raise awareness of the plight of bananafarmers. Although every year in the UK over £550 million is

spent on more than ve billion bananas, only one in threeis sold on a Fairtrade basis. This means that many bananafarmers are trapped in poverty, unable to sell their bananasat a price which covers the cost of production. Over thepast 10 years, the price supermarkets charge for our loosebananas has halved, whilst the cost of producing them hasdoubled, leaving many banana farmers and workers caughtbelow the poverty line.

To make collecting money for the Hospice in the Weald even easier please show yoursupport by cutting out the glass jar sleeve below. Place the jar in the home, workplace or

elsewhere where others can add their donations.

O 2015/16 i iti

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

20/24

Our 2015/16 prioritiesEvery February, the Council agrees its budget for the following nancialyear and as part of that process agrees a number of priorities fordelivery. These priorities are not just about improving how we deliverservices but about making a positive difference to the borough.

2015/16 sees 14 community projects being delivered by the Council inpartnership with those agencies or groups best placed to deliver them.

Projects include:

Cultural & Learning HubWe'll be submitting the rst stage of a bid for Heritage Lottery fundingwith the intention of securing money to develop an excellent newfacility incorporating cultural and educational services.

 Assembly Hall Theat reListening to your feedback, we have allocated funding to completeessential works in 2015, specically to the seating and temperature.

Transport infrastructure improvements Although we're not the responsible authority for roads, we continueto work closely with partners to attract funding to the area to enableinfrastructure improvements. We know trafc congestion is a bigconcern for our residents. 2015 will see improvements being made toour most congested areas including North Farm, Yew Tree Road andSpeldhurst Road junctions on the A26 and Pembury Road (A264).

These are just a few of our priorities. To view the full list, please visit'Our Five Year Plan' web pages on the Council's website attunbridgewells.gov.uk

These are just some of the big issues thathave affected residents over the past twoyears and been brought to the attention ofOverview & Scrutiny Committee.

Reviewing these issues has resulted incampaigns led by Parish Councils to reducedog fouling and further work to consideraircraft noise, with meetings arranged formembers of the public to express their viewsin response to consultations run by Gatwick Airport.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee havean annual work programme, so if you havean issue of local concern that you would likeconsidered by your Council, let us know! Yourideas could end up in a public meeting.

Dog fouling,

sewerage capacityand aircraft noise!

Contact the Policy & Performance Manager

by e-mail at policy@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

or phone at 01892 554407.

20

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

21/24

The treatmentyou urgently need

- delivered byspecialistconsultants

A range of advancedprocedures for privatepatients.

For more information or to book a consultation

call 01580 230 410 (quote TWL) or visit us

online at www.benendenhospital.org.uk

The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Reg in England 3454120. Reg charity 1065995.Reg office, The Benenden Hospital Trust,Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX

There’s no need to sit at home waiting for treatment

a minute longer. You can receive a wide range of

treatments, including hip and knee replacement,

varicose vein treatment or cataract removal, as a

private patient at benenden hospital.

For many procedures you will be treated as a day care

patient, but if you do need an overnight stay, you will

stay in a comfortable, well equipped single private room.

We offer specialist treatment and care

Why Benenden? We’re well established as a centre

of excellence for a range of procedures as we perform

thousands of surgical treatments every year. Our safety

record is second to none. Our facilities are modern and

comfortable. Our staff are friendly and welcoming.

And, however you choose to travel, we’re easy to find.

You’re in safe, expert hands for a variety

of treatments including:

• Orthopaedics – such as hip and

knee replacement

• Cataract removal

• Varicose vein removal• Hernia repair

• ENT Surgery

• Gynaecology

• Paediatrics

• Physiotherapy

• Urology

As we’re not-for-profit, we can offer highly

competitive rates too.

Askyour GPto refer

you

21

T h i R l

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

22/24

THE WIZARD OF OZ – Easter Pantomime(Sun 5 – Mon 6 April )

When The Wizard of Oz rstpremiered, it stunned andamazed audiences worldwide. Itwas an enduring, powerful tale offriendship which everyone loved

and it is now being brought to thestage by Shone Productions thisEaster.

Starring winners of 'Britain's Got

Talent' Ashleigh and Pudseyas Dorothy and her dog Toto,the hilarious Lloyd Hollet as theScarecrow, and Hollyoaks’ LauraHandley as the Wicked Witchof the West. Watch Dorothyand her cute dog Toto enter themagical Land of Oz. They followthe Yellow Brick Road towardsthe Emerald City to meet the

Wizard and en route they meetthe bumbling Scarecrow whois desperate for a brain, thecowardly Lion who is in direneed of some courage, and theTin Man who wants more thananything to be a real man. Thiswon't be easy as the WickedWitch of the West is determined

to stop them by any meansnecessary!

With a strong cast, beautifulscenery and costumes, twinkle-toed dance routines, songsand plenty of laughs, this showpromises family fun for everyone.

SNOW WHITE ON ICE(Thu 21 – Sun 24 May)

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is thefairest one of all? The world-famousRussian Ice Stars will take you ona magical journey to the heart ofthe best loved fairy tale of all time,Snow White. The original tale of anenchanted mirror, a beautiful girl,

the ultimate Prince Charming and ashiny red apple comes to life on icewith ballet, gymnastics and aerialaerobatics to create a breathtakingand mesmerising experience.

BEN AND HOLLY’S LITTLEKINGDOM(Tue 14 – Wed 15 April)

‘Somewhere, hidden amongst the thornybranches is a little kingdom whereeveryone is very very small …’

Ben and Holly is about the friendshipbetween Princess Holly and Ben theElf, set in a magical kingdom. From themakers of Peppa Pig comes this BAFTAaward-winning television animation liveon stage. Ben and Holly have fun andgames helping Gaston the Ladybirdclean up his messy cave; they go on atrip into the Big World with tooth-fairyNanny Plum and even plan a surprise

birthday party for King Thistle, and oops,let’s hope there’s not another jelly ood!

Join Ben and Holly and their friends onthis exciting, enchanting and magicalmusical adventure packed full of games,songs and laughter. This beautiful storyof elves, princesses and childhoodinnocence will delight all the family!

Top shows in RoyalTunbridge Wells!Here are our Theatre Director, Brian’s, top picks from thenew season which he knows will wow Tunbridge Wellsaudiences.

Wonderful familyentertainment right on yourdoorstep and at affordable

prices. Book onlineassemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

or contact the AssemblyHall Theatre Box Office on

01892 530613.

22

WHAT’S ON

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

23/24

Assembly Hall Theatre

MARCHSun 1 Mar  RTWSOMon 2 Mar  Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

Tue 3 Mar  Big Dance Extravaganza

Wed 4 Mar  Banff Film Festival

Thu 5 Mar  Roy Chubby Brown

Fri 6 Mar   A Night of Di rty Dancing

Sat 7 Mar  Rigoletto

Mon 9 – Sat 14 Mar  The Full Monty

Sun 15 Mar  Milton Jones

Thu 19 Mar  The Platters

Fri 20 Mar  Benjamin Grosvenor

(Pianist)

Sat 21 – Sun 23 Mar  Lamberhurst School of

Dance

Thu 26 Mar  Glenn and Friends

Fri 27 Mar  Dr Hook

Sat 28 Mar  John Cooper Clarke

 APRILWed 1 Apr  Bobby Crush at the PianoWed 1 Apr  Lee Nelson

Thu 2 Apr  The Bootleg Beatles

Sun 5 – Mon 6 Apr  The Wizard o f Oz

Fri 10 Apr  T. Rextasy

Box Ofce 01892 530613 / 532072

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

For accessibiity information

please visit

WHAT S ON

Sun 12 Apr  RTWSO

Tue 14 – Wed 15 Apr  Ben and Holly’s LittleKingdom

Thu 16 Apr  Illegal Eagles

Fri 17 Apr  Dylan Moran

Sat 18 Apr  Sex in Suburbia

Tue 21 – Sat 25 Apr  TWODS – Sister Act

Sun 26 Apr  RTWCS – St Matthew

Passion

Wed 29 Apr  Count Arthur Strong

Thu 30 Apr  Reginald D Hunter 

MAYFri 1 May La Traviata

Sat 2 May Madama Butterfy

Sun 3 – Mon 4 May The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Tue 5 May Sally Morgan

Sat 9 May Tim Vine (returns only )

Thu 14 May Jools Holland

Fri 15 May Paul Merton’s Impro Chums

Sat 16 May Counterfeit Stones

Thu 21 – Sun 24 May Snow White On Ice

Wed 27 May Pasha Kovalev

Thu 28 May Sing-a-Long-a Frozen

Fri 29 May Stewart Francis

Sat 30 May  An Evening with

Russell Watson

Sun 31 May Ministry of Science

JUNEMon 1 – Sat 6 Jun  Avenue Q

Fri 12 Jun Killer Queen

Sat 13 Jun That’ll Be The Day

Sun 14 Jun Chuckles of Oz

JULYThu 2 – Sat 4 Jul  Absent Fr iends

Sun 5 Jul The Basil Brush Show

Fri 10 – Sat 11 Jul  Aliens Love Underpants

Tue 28 Jul – Sat 1 Aug Calamity Jane

Providing welfare forvulnerable customersduring power cutsIn Tunbridge Wells, it is UK PowerNetworks who own and maintain theelectricity network and who are responsiblefor keeping the lights on.

We hold a list – called Priority ServicesRegister – of customers who may feelmore vulnerable during a power cut and weprovide them with extra support if needed.

Who can apply?

Customers who are:

●  dependent on medical equipment

●  chronically sick or have a

disability;

●  who are blind, visually impaired

or deaf;

●  customers with young babies

● elderly customers

●  anyone who would need extra

support during a power cut

What we can do

We can’t get your power back onmore quickly but we can:

●  Offer a priority phone number tocall if you have a power cut

●  Keep you updated during apower cut, either by text orcalling you

●  With your agreement, we canask the British Red Cross to visityour home for extra help andsupport

How to apply

●  Call 0800 31 63 105 or 0333 32 32 105 (from a mobile)

●  E-mail psr@ukpowernetworks.co.uk

●  Online at www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority

23

8/17/2019 Local - Spring 2015

24/24

Conscious of Our

Social Responsibility 

Announcing our annual partnership withHospice in the Weald

Hospice in the Weald provides compassionate and supportive care for patients, their families andcarers. The hospice is proud to direct 90p from every £1 donated towards patient care.

 About Bluebird Care

We provide a range of services

which allow our customers to lead

comfortable and independent

lives in their own homes.

It is a privilege for us to do this.Our services include:

• Help getting up or going to bed• Personal Hygiene• Cleaning the home• Preparing meals• Assisting with medication• Washing and ironing• Trips to see friends and relatives• 24 hour live-in care

@carekent

For details call us on 01732 808 525

www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk 

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/tunbridge-wells