Parish Cake - Spring 2019

IN ASSOCIATION WITH 

SPRING 2019 

Parish 

Cake 

YOUR SLICE OF CRANBROOK & SISSINGHURST LIFE 

FREE 

Excellence on 

your Doorstep 

BENENDEN HOSPITAL 

PUBLISHED BY CRANBROOK AND SISSINGHURST PARISH COUNCIL

Do you need help at home? 

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bedtimes 

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Domestic 

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Our Private Care Services provides tailored packages of 

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it’s really needed. We assist those who need due to frailty, 

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with comfort and dignity, in their own homes. 

For a free assessment of your care needs or to 

receive your brochure call us on 01580 762244 

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Parish Cake 

YOUR SLICE OF CRANBROOK & SISSINGHURST LIFE 

EDITOR: 

Cllr. Brian Clifford 

brian@brianclifford.net 

FEATURES EDITOR & CHIEF 

FEATURE WRITER: 

Cllr. Trisha Fermor 

trisha@parishcake.co.uk 

ADVERTISING SALES: 

Mignon Brian 

07779 185870 

mignon@parishcake.co.uk 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: 

Cllr. Graham Holmes 

graham@parishcake.co.uk 

PUBLISHED BY: 

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council 

01580 713112 

www.cranbrookandsissinghurstpc.co.uk 

PRODUCED BY: 

Tally Wade 

Coffee Shop Media Ltd 

01580 848555 

www.coffeeshopmedia.com 

FRONT COVER: 

Benenden Hospital in Spring. 

What’s on at the Benenden Hospital in 

2019: 

Saturday, 23 March: Hip and knee 

replacement surgery Open Event, 

10.30am–12.30pm. Benenden Hospital is 

offering FREE consultations for hip and knee 

replacements until 30 April plus 10% discount 

on the treatment price! 

Sunday, 19 May: Open Day, 11am–3pm. 

Benenden Hospital will again be welcoming 

visitors to its annual Open Day with tours of 

the multi-million pound re-development and 

free health and eye checks. Find out about a 

range of Self-Pay services such as hip and knee 

surgery, eye surgery, weight loss, gynaecology 

and varicose veins. 

www.benendenhospital.org.uk 

Whilst every effort is made 

to ensure accuracy, the 

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst 

Parish Council, editor and 

authors cannot be held 

responsible for published errors. The views or 

opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect 

views of the Cranbrook and Sissinghurst 

Parish Council. Inclusion of any advertising 

material does not constitute a guarantee or 

endorsement of any products or services or 

claims made. 

welcome 

Your Slice of the Community 

THE TOWN is so very lucky to have two 

ambassadors who travel the world sharing their 

delight for the joy that coming to Cranbrook 

provides. Joan and Mike Wootton from 

California, USA, came specially 

to share with all of us the World 

War 1 Commemoration, because 

Cranbrook to them is a community 

that provides the very best of 

English life. Since that’s their view 

just how much I wonder do we realise 

how lucky we are. 

In this Spring edition of Parish Cake when 

we were selecting stories for publication, our 

range of opportunity portraying everyday life 

in Cranbrook and Sissinghurst really proved 

the point. 

Not only do we have Pickleball sports 

champions, cricket, rugby and tennis facilities 

contents 

REGULARS 

4 Through the Lens 

5 Directory & What’s On 

7 Chairman’s Views 

8 Letters 

10 Parish News 

14 Club News 

20 Event News 

22 Youth Column 

49 Parish Council Round-up 

FEATURES 

24 Mental Health – GP 

promotes community 

initiatives 

but also volunteers, who in so many ways 

enhance our environment and make our part of 

the Weald such an enjoyable community place 

to live in, especially with the Parish 

Council, Crane Valley Land Trust and 

the Neighbourhood Plan committee 

engaging your views together for 

the future. 

Parish Cake magazine is your 

slice of the community, and thanks 

to our sponsor Buss Murton and 

advertisers the cost to the Parish Council to 

produce your Parish Cake is zero. 

I very much hope that you enjoy this Spring 

edition. 

ISSUE 8 SPRING 2019 

27 No to Community Hub 

– Cllr. Matt Hartley shares 

his views 

28 Cranbrook Museum – 

some interesting finds 

31 Kitchen & Garden - 

Fritillaria meleagris and 

kedgeree 

33 Fruit Growers – local 

apple champions 

37 Going Electric – vehicle 

charging points in Jockey 

Lane 

39 Equine Assisted 

Learning – and its health 

benefits 

Cllr. Brian Clifford - Editor 

40 Online Chatter – Mignon 

Brian has the latest 

43 The Crane Valley – 

managing our nature 

reserve 

44 Gemma Humphries 

– from weather girl to 

boutique owner 

45 Charity Auction – in aid 

of Ellie Soutter 

47 From our Sponsor – legal 

advice from Buss Murton 

50 Local Legends – twins 

Sally Whiting and Sue 

Brown 

Parish Cake • Spring 2019 3

throughthelens 

The Union Mill at sunset, captured by Fraser Allen fraserallenphotography.co.uk 

4 Parish Cake • Spring 2019

what’son 

The 

Parish Cake guide to events 

in Cranbrook and Sissinghurst 

REGULAR EVENTS 

• Farmers’ Market every fourth 

Saturday in the month, 9am 

-12 noon 

• Tempo Singing every Saturday 

morning at Cranbrook School 

Music Centre, 10.30-11am 

• Messy Church Children and 

Parent Group, second Friday 

each month, 3.30-5.30pm 

• Mobile Library, The Street, 

Sissinghurst, every Friday 

Morning in December, January 

and February, 11.40am 

• The Children’s Centre, 

Cranbrook offers free sessions 

for parents and children 

throughout the week. Call 

03000 411035 for a timetable 

• Compass Community Choir, 

Wednesday evenings 7.30pm, 

St. Dunstan’s Church, everyone 

welcome! 

MARCH 

SATURDAY 2 

Lashenden Air Warfare 

Museum at Headcorn opens 

for the summer 

THURSDAY 7 

1pm Friends of St. Dunstan’s 

lunchtime concert, 

Benenden School Girls’ 

Choir, St. Dunstan’s Church 

SATURDAY 9 


Quiz Night, Vestry Hall 

THURSDAY 14 

7.30pm Full Parish Council 

meeting, everyone welcome 

– Council Chamber 

APRIL 

THURSDAY 4 

1pm Lunchtime concert 

poetry reading by Hubert 

Moore with musical 

interludes – St. Dunstan’s 

Church 

MON 8 – FRI 12 

10am–4pm Children’s 

Workshop, Joseph and 

the Amazing Technicolor 

Dreamcoat, St. Mary’s 

Church, Goudhurst, 

Christina 07899 983090 

THURSDAY 11 

Full Parish Council meeting, 

everyone welcome - Council 

Chamber 

THURS 11 – SAT 13 

CODS Production, Leo 

Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, 

Queens Hall Theatre, 

Cranbrook 

TUESDAY 23 

12.30pm onwards, Sausage 

& Mash lunch at the 

Vicarage in aid of Re-Wiring 

Fund 

WEDNESDAY 24 

7.30pm Annual Parish 

Council meeting CAB 

Speaker, Vestry Hall, Cranbrook 

MAY 

THURSDAY 2 

Parish and Borough Council 

Elections 


lunchtime concert, music by 

Cranbrook School pupils, St. 

Dustan’s Church 

SATURDAY 4 

Evening Folk Concert 

by ‘Show Of Hands’, St. 

Dunstan’s Church. Tickets 

from Happy and Glorious 

and Larkins Alehouse 

THURSDAY 9 

7.45pm The Bohemians 

re-enact Queens greatest 

hits, Queen’s Hall Theatre, 

Cranbrook 

SATURDAY 11 

Sissinghurst School May Fair 

SATURDAY 18 

Evening Fashion Show by 

Cranbrook’s fashion shops – 

St. Dunstan’s Church 

SUNDAY 19 

2.30pm Cranbrook Town 

Band in aid of Re-Wiring, St. 

Dunstan’s Church 

SUNDAY 26 

Cranbrook Goes Nuts In May 

While every effort is made to 

ensure accuracy, dates and 

times may change. If you 

are organising an event in 

the parish why not drop us a 

line and we might be able to 

include you in the listings too 

– editorial@parishcake.co.uk 

directory 


Parish Council 

The Old Fire Station 

Stone Street, Cranbrook 

KENT TN17 3HF 

Clerk – Mrs. L. Ham 

Deputy Clerk – Mrs. L. Thirkell 

01580 713112 / clerk@ 

cranbrookandsissinghurstpc. 

co.uk 

BOROUGH & COUNTY 

COUNCILS 

Tunbridge Wells Borough 

Council 

01892 526121 

www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk 

Kent County Council 

03000 41 41 41 

www.kent.gov.uk 

USEFUL NUMBERS 

UTILITIES 

Electricity: 0800 727282 

(24 hrs) 

Gas: 0800 111 999 

Water: South East Water 

(drinking water) 0800 

0283399, Southern Water 

(waste water) 0800 820999 

(24 hrs), Emergency leak 0800 

0283399, Floodline 0845 

9881188 (24 hrs) 

CRIME 

Non-Emergency Police: 101 

Crime Stoppers: 0800 555111 

KCC Community Warden: 

Adam Osbourn 

07813 695741 

PCSO: Lee Jules 

07772 226048 

Neighbourhood Watch Area 

Co-ordinator: 01622 604395 

ROOMS & HALLS TO HIRE 

St George’s Institute, 

Sissinghurst: Ursula O’Connor 

01580 713938 

The Parish Room, 

Sissinghurst: Sue Crowe 

01580 712567 

ts.crowe74@gmail.com 

The Vestry Hall, Council 

Chamber and Addison VC 

Room, Cranbrook: 

01580 713112 (10am-12pm 

weekdays). 

A full list of over 30 venues for 

hire in the parish is available 

from the parish office 

USEFUL CONTACTS 

CHURCHES 

Congregational Church, 

Cranbrook: 01580 388070 

St. Dunstan’s, Cranbrook: 

01580 715861 

St. Theodore’s RC, Cranbrook: 

01580 713364 

Strict Baptist Church, 

Cranbrook: 01580 713212 

Trinity Church, Sissinghurst: 

01580 852275 

Vine Church, Cranbrook: 

01580 712620 

SCHOOLS AND PRE 

SCHOOLS 

Colliers Green CE Primary: 

01580 211335 

Cranbrook CE Primary: 

01580 713249 

Cranbrook Children’s Centre: 

03000 41 10 35 

Cranbrook School: 

01580 711800 

Dulwich Preparatory School: 

01580 712179 

High Weald Academy: 

01580 712754 

Rainbow Pre School, 

Cranbrook: 01580 715570 

Sissinghurst CE Primary: 

01580 713895 

Woodpeckers Pre School, 

Cranbrook: 01580 720195 

DOCTORS 

Jockey Lane Surgery, 

Cranbrook: 01580 713032 

Old School Surgery, 

Cranbrook: 01580 712476 

Orchard End Surgery, 

Cranbrook: 01580 713622 

DEFIBRILLATORS 

Cranbrook Medical Centre, 

Cranbrook 

Cricket Club, Sissinghurst 

Parish Council office 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

St. George’s Institute, 

Sissinghurst 

Tennis Club, Sissinghurst 

The George Hotel, Cranbrook 

The Milkhouse, Sissinghurst 


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Help your Community – 

Stand for Election 

Says Cllr. Bridget Veitch, chairman of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council 

out chairman’s & about 

view 

DO YOU care about your 

community? Do you 

care about new housing 

developments? Do care 

about our environment? 

Do you care about 

parking? 

If the answer is “yes”, 

then please get involved 

and stand for election to 

the parish council. You 

can then influence the 

decisions on all of the 

above and many, many 

more issues. 

Every four years all the 

parish councillors stand 

down and a new list of 

nominees is created 

giving everyone of voting 

age the opportunity to 

join the parish council. 

The role of a councillor 

is what you make it. 

Everybody brings their 

own unique contribution. 

Council meetings 

are once a 

month in the 

evening and 

members 

can belong 

to as many 

committees 

as they 

wish – from 

planning to 

environmental 

management, policy and 

resources (which handles 

finances) and burial 

grounds and properties. 

Two is the usual amount. 

Members can opt to 

be a council delegate on 

a number of charities 

including Age Concern, 

the Katherine Elizabeth 

Wood Trust for girls 

which supports the 

education of school 

leavers, and the John 

Spicer Trust which 

is the same but for 

young boys. There is 

also a representative 

on the Tomlin Murton 

Trust connected to the 

Cranbrook Sports Club 

for which the parish 

council is the only 

trustee, and delegates for 

the King George V Jubilee 

Field in Sissinghurst. 

As parish councillors 

you will be part of a 

team. Eleven represent 

Cranbrook and four 

Sissinghurst and the 

team needs to have a 

variety of backgrounds, 

view-points and 

expertise. We work as a 

team, recognising and 

respecting differing 

opinions and believing in 

democracy. 

It is a great way of 

finding out what is going 

on in the community, 

what is planned for the 

community and what 

we can achieve for the 

community and how to 

work with a great bunch 

of people. 

Make a note in 

your diary to get your 

nomination paper 

into the Tunbridge 

Wells Borough Council 

Town Hall by 4pm on 

Wednesday 3 April 2019. 

I am sure the clerks 

would be very happy to 

answer any questions you 

may have and to meet 

with you if you so wish 

Elections for borough 

and county councillors 

will be held on the same 

day Thursday May 2. 

Good luck to all the 

nominees! 


Letters 

www.bussmurton.co.uk | T: 01580 712 215 

Star Letter 

Star Letter 

The author will receive 

a voucher for a hot drink 

and slice of cake from 

Cranbrook café 

Cocolicious! 

www.cocolicious.co.uk 

Shouldn’t be the Parish Council’s Job 

Why is it that dog owning residents of Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst who exercise their dogs in the cemeteries can’t 

bring themselves to pick up dog mess? At least they normally 

keep them on a lead. I discovered that it is the parish council 

that is responsible for cemetery maintenance and it does a great 

job in so many other ways I do not think that it should need to 

include dog droppings. Penny Jefferies, Cranbrook 

Speed Watch Research 

One thing that Sissinghurst 

very much enjoyed and 

appreciated was seeing the 

Speed Watch team recording 

the registration numbers of 

vehicles speeding through 

the village. What ever 

happened to all of that 

research because presently 

speeding has not slowed 

down, in fact some might say 

that it’s known as a speed 

free road. Mike Thompson, 

Sissinghurst (a car owner 

who lost a rear view mirror 

to a speeding car) 

DAVID MEREWETHER 

Sharing in your 

Heartfelt Remembrance 

It was our great pleasure 

to once again visit 

Cranbrook and participate 

in the town’s World 

War 1 Commemoration 

ceremonies. As we have on 

previous visits, we felt such 

a part of your community. 

We were so pleased to 

share your heartfelt and 

moving remembrances of 

those who served in World 

War I. We were impressed 

by the turn out of so many 

Cranbrookians, young and 

old alike, particularly during 

the services at St. Dunstan’s 

and the procession to the 

World War I Memorial. 

It gives one pause to 

think of all those lives lost 

over a hundred years ago 

lovingly and respectfully 

remembered. Through your 

efforts you acknowledge 

their sacrifice was not 

in vain and honor their 

sense of duty. We won’t 

soon forget all of you and 

this most meaningful 

experience. Joan and Mike 

Wootton, California, USA 

Tim Ivinson 

TRADITIONAL WINDOW CLEANING 

Est. 2004 

Services include: 

• Exterior and Interior Window Cleaning, 

• Soffits and Fascias Cleaned, 

• Gutters cleared and cleaned 

If you would like your windows cleaned the 

traditional way call Tim on 07974 450069 

Sissinghurst 

C E Primary School 

MAY 

fair 

Windows cleaned using 

modern pole fed system 

Call Aldo on 07812 787307 

E 

Saturday 11th May 

v12 noon w3 pm 

F 

All welcome - Come and enjoy the fun!! 


Call for Church Tower Volunteers 

St. Dunstan’s Church tower is normally open from April to mid 

September on Saturday mornings from 11am to 1pm to raise 

money for the upkeep of the church buildings. We would like to 

open in the afternoons from 2pm to 4pm but for this we need 

more volunteers. You don’t have to be a church member, just 

somebody who wants to help preserve our beautiful church (the 

Cathedral of the Weald). 

If you would like to join our band of volunteers (for downstairs 

or up) please contact me on pv.mummery@btinternet.com / 

01580 713072. Phil Mummery, Cranbrook 

Now taking bookings for our 2019 

creative workshops in Cranbrook! 

A Garden Waste Solution 

I entirely agree with Mr Swann on his comments, in the last 

edition of Parish Cake, on the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 

£52 charge for garden waste collection. For the question of a food 

waste bin I have the perfect solution. Pigs, we are a country town 

so every garden should have a pig sty. Just imagine two little 

piglets; they eat anything, and as for the delicate aroma wafting 

from their abode, you won’t notice it because the whole town will 

bask in the same gentle perfume. So the borough can keep their 

waste bins. 

In the next issue of the cake I will be advertising my special 

offer of a complete starter pack to grow your own pork, with an 

instructional DVD which includes an episode of Peppa Pig. 

Name and address supplied 

Please send your letters to 

editorial@parishcake.co.uk or by post 

to Parish Cake, Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish 

Council, The Old Fire Station, Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, TN17 3HF. Please note, letters may 

be published in a shortened form at the 

discretion of the editor. 

www.happyglorious.co.uk 

47b High Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3EE 

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The oak-beamed setting of Castle View Restaurant at Leeds 

Castle offers delicious meals served in a relaxed atmosphere, 

enjoyed with spectacular views across the terrace to the 

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Leeds Castle is not required to dine in the evening. 

To book a table online at 

leeds-castle.com/restaurant or call 01622 767777 

Professional mobile service. Discount for under 25’s 


newsbites 

News 

and views from 


Vicar Learns 

the Ropes 

THE REV. Ann Pollington was 

spotted recently in St. Dunstan’s 

Church being taught the art of 

bell ringing. The vicar said she 

wanted to learn and is making 

steady progress. 

The church is urgently in need 

of more bell ringers and anyone 

interested can contact robert. 

munn@hotmail.co.uk 

Working with the Land Trust 

can only Benefit the Parish 

Agreement reached to work together to deliver the future... 

AT A JANUARY meeting hosted 

by the Crane Valley Land Trust 

(CVLT), in conjunction with 

the parish council, previous 

misconceptions about the 

trust were put to rest. 

Trust chair Mark Wade, 

explained how community 

land trusts work for the 

benefit of their local 

community. The CVLT stands 

ready to follow on from the 

work of the Neighbourhood 

Development Plan (NDP), 

which is setting out the needs 

of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst 

following many meetings and 

discussions with residents 

under the chairmanship of 

Cllr. Nancy Warne. 

Mr Wade explained how 

the parish council, CVLT and 

NDP can and should all pull 

together for the benefit of the 

community whilst respecting 

the roles and responsibilities 

of each group. He gave 

numerous examples of how 

this is done successfully in 

parishes across the UK. 

Following an extensive 

question and answer session 

and discussion people left, 

positive in their minds that 

the anticipated referendum 

on the NDP proposals this 

coming autumn would 

provide the basis of a 

collective mission to enhance 

the lives of parishioners. All 

agreed that a critical part will 

be in meeting the need for 

affordable homes for local 

people. Mr Wade emphasised 

that the CVLT was a not-forprofit 

organisation focused 

on providing expertise and 

investment to help deliver 

much-needed homes. 

Parish Council chairman, 

Cllr. Bridget Veitch, said 

that the aim of providing 

affordable homes to a high 

design was very welcome 

and laudable. She thanked 

everyone for their hard 

work and support for the 

community. Brian Clifford 

To view the slides from the 

presentation, visit www.cvlt. 

org.uk 

Co-op Customers Help Children 

THE LATEST donations from the Co-Op supermarket’s community fund 

included £10,547 for the Cranbrook Out of School and Holiday Club and 

£10,483 for the primary school. 

Each time customers spend at the Cranbrook branch one per cent of what 

they pay on own-brand products goes to help fund community projects in the 

town and surrounding villages. TF 


news 

Cranbrook’s Neglected Tennis Courts 

THE CLOSURE of four tennis 

courts in Cranbrook which 

have been locked for more 

than two years has robbed the 

community of a vital asset, 

claim players. 

The courts, partially funded 

by the Lawn Tennis Association 

(LTA) and a grant of £2,000 

from the parish council, were 

built by the then Angley School 

in the 1980s and managed by 

the Weald Sports Centre. But 

two years ago, due to the poor 

state of the surface, they were 

closed. 

The chair of Sissinghurst 

Tennis Club, Lou James, and 

membership secretary Paul 

Tully are launching a campaign 

to see the courts resurfaced 

and opened again. 

Mrs James said: “We would 

like to take over the courts as 

it would give us extra facilities 

for our club. When we have 

Mrs James and Mr Tully 

coaching sessions, our two 

courts are used and there is 

nowhere else for people to 

have a game. 

“If there was an application 

for 10 houses to be built on 

that site people would be up in 

arms.” 

Mr Tully said: “It would cost 

about £60,000 to resurface 

the courts and we could get 

grants from the LTA and Sport 

England. It is a huge loss to the 

community to just keep them 

closed. We have tried to find 

out what is going on but are 

getting nowhere.” 

A statement from the school 

said: “There are no current 

plans to re-open the tennis 

courts, however, the situation 

is under review and we will 

of course consult the local 

community regarding any 

future use of the courts.” TF 

God Speed the Plough! 

A PLOUGH which has been used for more than 80 years in Weald 

fields was the star attraction at a special service at St. Dunstan’s 

Church in January to mark Plough Sunday. 

Following the centuries-old rural tradition of blessing the plough, 

the vicar the Rev. Ann Pollington and the congregation walked to the 

top of the churchyard to say prayers for a good harvest and for those 

who work the land. Gardening tools from spades to shears brought by 

worshippers were also blessed. TF 

Cranbrook’s Town 

Market is here to Stay 

Based on the successful launch of Cranbrook’s first outdoor 

market held in the car park of the White Horse public house 

before Christmas, stallholders now have the opportunity 

to book space each month on forthcoming Saturday’s 

beginning on 9 March. 

Organised by Wendy Waters, Elaine Beck and Julie Sales 

the market attracted stalls selling many local items including 

honey, fresh vegetables, pickles, gifts, cheese, live music and 

much more. Forthcoming dates will be advertised locally. BC 


news 

The Hidden History 

of Cranbrook 

Revealed 

Archivist shares town’s rich history 

PICK UP Mike Huxley’s book 

Glimpses of Cranbrook to have 

a short sit down with a cup of 

coffee soon becomes hours of 

fascinating history. 

Mike, archivist and volunteer 

at Cranbrook Museum, has filled 

this book to overflowing with 

fascinating stories, photographs 

and drawings of times long 

forgotten but recorded for 

posterity at the museum. 

It all began in 2010 when 

Mike visited the beautiful 

building in Carriers Road to 

carry out some family research. 

He soon joined as a volunteer 

being overwhelmed by the 

town’s historical heritage. 

The book covers town life 

from the 19th century and is 

crammed full of fascinating 

photographs from early 

firefighters and policemen, to 

features on the Evernden family 

and their much-loved hardware 

shop in Stone Street, and 

“clippings” of every-day town 

life. These report trials in 1928 

at the Cranbrook Petty Sessions 

when a “motor driver” was up 

for driving a heavy motor at a 

speed exceeding 12mph. It does 

not give his fate. 

In 1869, Edward Reed was 

“the wrong side of the hedge” 

when he was caught by 

gamekeeper Henry Smith having 

set snares on land belonging to 

Lord Helmsdale at Sissinghurst. 

He was fined 10s 11d or, in 

default, one month’s hard 

labour. 

Perhaps the most amazing 

story is that of Edith Owlett 

(1920-2006) who took on the 

mammoth task of transcribing 

tens of thousands of records 

relating to Cranbrook. These 

included births, deaths and 

marriages as well as land 

transfers and census returns. 

They were all put into date and 

alphabetic order. 

Glimpses of Cranbrook 

is the third in a series – the 

last printed 30 years ago – 

and is available at £5 from 

Pages Newsagents or from 

April 2 when the museum in 

Carriers Road opens for the 

season. It can also be ordered 

online at publications@ 

cranbrookmuseum.org. TF 

Tins and Tinsel is all it Takes 

THREE YEARS ago an appeal was 

started in Cranbrook to support some 

families within the community that 

were financially struggling, especially 

at Christmas time. Two Cranbrook 

residents, Chloe Hammond and 

Nemone Goodman, set about the 

task of engaging local people and 

businesses to support them. A huge 

amount of support was received from the Co-op and 

Ovenclean Weald, as well as non financial gifts including pantomime 

tickets from CODS and Christmas trees and decorations from others. 

Since the appeal was launched, 22 families have been supported. 

Nemone said: “Support from the community has been wonderful and 

has made all of the difference for the families we have been able to 

help.” Cranbrook Children’s Centre and Cranbrook Primary School 

have also played their part, referring families who need help. BC 

Search ‘Toys, Tins & Tinsel Appeal’ on Facebook for more. 

Well, Hello Dolly it’s so Nice... 

THE LOCAL branch of the 

MS Society, who rely upon 

local financial generosity 

to enhance the lives of its 

members with MS, were 

overwhelmed to receive a 

major contribution from 

Assembly Hall theatre 

goers. 

Committee member 

Sandra Armstrong 

received, at a group social 

evening, a fantastic cheque 

for £3,000, from the 

Tunbridge Wells Operatic 

and Dramatic Society 

(TWODS) chairman Kevin 

Denman. The local operatic 

group had generously 

named us as its official 

charity for its November 

show, Hello Dolly! at the 

Assembly Hall Theatre 

in Tunbridge Wells. The 

cheque was the result of 

the audience’s amazing 

generosity over the fiveday 

run. 

So a huge thank you to 

Kevin and all of the team 

at TWODS for giving us 

this incredible fundraising 

opportunity. TWODS’ next 

show is Legally Blonde 

(7–11 May) and if it is half 

as good as Hello Dolly it 

will be amazing! Brian 

Clifford 


clubnews 

A round-up of news from 

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst clubs, 

groups and associations 

League Leaders Played 

9 Won 8 – Good eh! 

CRANBROOK LADIES 

continue to grow from 

strength to strength. We 

currently have around 

40 registered players 

which is absolutely 

astonishing. Our secret? 

The ladies themselves 

are supportive and 

encouraging of each 

other, we have two great 

coaches, Nigel Posey and 

John Smith, who work 

tirelessly and last but 

not least a fantastic club 

that supports us in every 

aspect. 

Our season so far has 

been extraordinary, with 

everything just clicking 

in to place. We have 

played nine fixtures so far 

and won eight, currently 

Gills Green Cricket 

Club - 100 Years 

and Still Not Out 

ATTENTION ALL cricketers! We are 

a small club in Gills Green running a 

friendly weekend side and occasional 

weeknight T20 team, looking for new 

players for the 2019 season. 

The club will be celebrating its 

centenary in 2020 having been 

established after the end of the First 

World War with help of the Santer 

family who provided land next to 

the family owned saw mill in Gills 

sitting at the top of the 

league - it’s very close at 

the top though! There 

is no pressure for us to 

win the league, as long 

as everyone is enjoying 

playing the game, that’s a 

huge win for us. 

Cranbrook RFC are 

looking to kick off the 

girls section ages 11-17 

- please email for details. 

Aged 18 and above train 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 

8pm-9pm. 

If you would like to 

be part of something 

amazing contact 

me at ladiesrugby@ 

cranbrookrugby.com / 

07850 388491. Lyndsey 

Posey 

Green. It has been played on every 

year since with Brian Santer, owner 

and groundsman, still producing one 

of the best wickets in Kent on what 

visiting teams say is one of the most 

picturesque grounds in the county. 

Cricketers of all abilities and ages 

plus their families, who may wish just 

to sit in the sun and watch, are welcome 

and catered for. Games are nonleague, 

enjoyable but still competitive. 

Interested? Then feel free to telephone 

either Chris Wolfe (chairman) on 07788 

783894 or Roger Velvick (club captain) 

on 07792 340547 if you would like more 

information about playing or joining us 

for winter nets. 

It’s Your Choice 

SOME PEOPLE have all the luck. 

Whatever they do, they win. Even when 

they lose, they still win! 

It’s not just the luck of the draw. The 

attitude we use to approach life changes 

everything. Whether you describe 

yourself as an optimist or a pessimist 

really matters. That simple choice will 

affect your future. 

Recently we studied how King 

Jehoshaphat found himself in a situation 

he didn’t want, having to make a 

decision in the face of great adversity 

(2 Chronicles ch20). Of all the options 

available to him, this man chose 

gratitude. The account ends by telling of 

his dramatic success. 

Our choices affect what happens 

around us, but, more importantly, they 

affect what goes on inside. We can 

change the person we are becoming by 

the choices we make. 

At a pivotal time in their history, 

another Biblical character chose to nail 

his colours to the mast. When people all 

around were faltering Joshua declared, 

“As for me and my house, we will serve 

the Lord” (Joshua ch24). He went on to 

become a successful national leader. 

Our choices may not affect nations but, 

just as God urged people in the Bible, the 

challenge comes to us all, “choose life”. 


club news 

Anyone for 

Pickleball? 

AN UNUSUAL sport has come to the 

Weald bringing trophy success to its 

devotees. 

Pickleball, played with racket, 

paddle and ball, has drawn 

enthusiasts from Cranbrook and 

surrounding villages, leading to a 

host of medals at an international 

tournament in Madrid. 

Taking on teams, including those 

from USA and Spain, Martin Hobbs 

and Chris Mitchell took the gold in 

the men’s doubles 50+ category with 

Chris also winning gold in the men’s 

singles. 

Chris Whincup and Juliet Walkden- 

Smith took silver in the 50+ women’s 

doubles and Chris also won silver 

in the 50+ mixed doubles with Mike 

Seely. 

Michael Taylor and Wendy Marks 

won silver in the 60+ mixed doubles 

and Michael achieved bronze in the 

60+ men’s doubles with Janin Campos. 

About 50 players are based at 

the sports centre and 2018 saw the 

start of the Kent Pickleball League. 

Cranbrook has two teams competing 

against sides from Maidstone and 

Eastbourne. 

Martin said: “We are delighted at 

the outstanding result and to have 

achieved more medals than any other 

single British club, particularly in this 

world-class tournament.” 

Anyone interested in joining can 

contact Janin on 01580 852261. TF 

Tennis in the Heart of the Village 

SISSINGHURST TENNIS Club is hidden 

away at the back of the Jubilee Field in the 

centre of Sissinghurst. We offer tennis all 

year round and our courts and facilities are 

always maintained to a high standard. It is 

a hub of activity with matches, coaching 

and play. 

Our head coach, Suzanne Tully, has been 

a Sissinghurst resident for many years and 

offers coaching to all ages. We are an LTA 

approved centre for tennis and currently 

have mens, ladies, mixed and junior teams 

competing in county leagues. 

If you want to exercise in the fresh air, 

have a laugh with friends or if you would 

like to revisit a long lost sport then we 

welcome you to give tennis a go. We are 

open to all ages and abilities. Members 

have full access to the courts and nonmembers 

are welcome to join one of 

our coaching programs or ‘pay and play’ 

coaching sessions. We are always on the 

look-out for new members and unlike some 

Cranbrook 

Bowls Club 

THE GREAT War of 1914- 

1918 saw Cranbrook Bowls 

Club lose several members, 

resulting in the club 

reforming in 1921. 

The club is situated in 

the centre of Cranbrook 

at the top of Jockey Lane 

Car Park, behind the 

doctor’s surgeries. The 

parish council at present 

is renewing the lease to 

the bowls club, hopefully 

for a bit longer than the 

previous lease. 

For 2019 we are seeking 

new members regardless 

of gender or age, novice or 

to a proficient standard, 

to add to our membership. 

The club has two qualified 

County Coaches to assist 

you in learning the art of 

bowls, plus there are bowls 

for you to use at the green. 

Coaching is on Thursdays 

from 5pm. 

We play 60 friendly 

matches in the season 

but if you like a more 

competitive game of 

bowls, we play in the 

Weald League and Men’s 

Maidstone Triples League. 

In 2019 Cranbrook 

will be holding three 

clubs, there is no “playing-in” (to see how 

good or bad you are) - as long as you know 

which end of a tennis racquet is which 

you’re in! 

Joining the club is simple – all 

membership packages are available 

online at www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/ 

SissinghurstTennisClub and our rates are 

extremely competitive. 

Kent County Bowling 

Association events, plus 

our own two Open Bowls 

Tournaments. 

More information 

can be found at www. 

cranbrookbowls.co.uk 

and Facebook under 

‘Cranbrook Bowls Club’. 

For further information 

contact David 01580 

388846 or Tony 01580 

714085. We look forward 

to welcoming you in 2019. 

Tony Platts, chairman 


Cranbrook Cricket Club 

THERE HAS been cricket at Cranbrook CC 

for over a century and the junior section 

is now the strongest it has ever been. 

We have approximately 100 children, 

between the ages of 4-16, taking part 

in weekly training sessions which are 

designed to be fun and inclusive for all, 

with professional coaches delivering 

modern coaching focused on key 

cricketing skills. 

Boys and girls of all abilities are 

very welcome and there is plenty of 

opportunity for matches, with teams 

competing at every age group in local 

leagues. We had our first silverware last 

season, with the U13s winning the Invicta 

Championship South League – hopefully 

the first of many! 

Pre-season training has started and runs 

weekly through until Easter, when we move 

outside for the summer. New players are 

always warmly welcomed at the club and 

for more information please contact us at 

cranbrookcricketers@gmail.com 

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Hartley Dyke, Cranbrook • Coombe Lane, Tenterden

events 

inpictures 

Cranbrook’s WWI Commemorations 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID MEREWETHER 


7 High Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3EB 

Phone: 07917 252 585 

07786 707 476 

info@larkins-alehouse.co.uk 

www.larkins-alehouse.co.uk 

b Larkins’ Alehouse a @larkinsalehouse 

LARKINS’ ALEHOUSE 

Cranbrook’s first Micropub 

It’s a place to meet up with friends, chat 

and enjoy a pint of real ale straight from 

the cask. Local ciders and wines are also 

available, as are soft drinks. Free from TV, 

music and mobile phones. 

We now have our back garden open for 

customers. 

Check out the daily updated Facebook or 

Twitter pages to see which ales and ciders 

are currently available. 

Opening Times: 

Mon and Tue 14.00 - 21.00 

Wednesday 14.00 - 21.00 

Thur to Fri 12.00 - 22.00 

Saturday 12.00 - 22.30 

Sunday 12.00 - 18.00 

Exciting New Market - The White Horse Car 

Park, Cranbrook, Saturdays - 10am - 2pm 

2019 dates: 

March 9th July 13th 

April 6th September 14th 

May 11th October 12thh 

June 1st November 9th 

Christmas Market Friday 6th December 

3.30pm - 7.30pm 

For more information contact 

Julie 07917 252585, Wendy 07803 340682, 

Elaine 07803 340682 

info@larkins-alehouse.co.uk 


eventnews 

Some 

of the great events 

we are rightly proud of! 

Massive Turnout for New Choir 

MORE THAN 100 people answered 

the call to join the Compass Choir, a 

well-being group set up in Cranbrook 

following the suicide of teenager Sam 

West. 

Town GP Dr Dineli Charlesworth 

spearheaded the idea and following four 

nights of rehearsals under conductor 

Ginger Millington the massed singers 

gave a stunning concert to a packed St. 

Dunstan’s Church. 

Among the inspirational songs were 

Bill Withers’ We All Need Somebody To 

Lean On, and Labi Siffre’s, Something 

Inside so Strong. 

Dr Dineli said she was amazed at the 

number of people who had answered the 

call to join. The choir meets at 5.30pm 

every Wednesday in St Dunstan’s 

Church. TF 

High Sheriff of Kent 

with Lee Rankin 

at Trinity Church 

Christmas tree festival 

Christmas Trees 

Light up Church 

VISITORS TO Trinity Church, Sissinghurst, 

helped raise £2,700 at the Christmas Tree 

Festival. 

The interior of the church was filled with 

entries from village organisations. The 

High Sheriff of Kent Jane Ashton picked the 

winning tree – a beautifully decorated entry 

by Lee Rankin from the village-based Rankins 

Catering. 

Cranbrook Art Show 

Art show goes from strength to strength 

NOW IN its 26th year the Cranbrook Art Show continues 

to exhibit a wide range of art from painting, printmaking, 

photography and drawing to sculpture, ceramics and 

jewellery. Each year different artists are selected ensuring the 

show is fresh and new with exceptionally high and diverse 

standards of work. 

The show is curated so that the work is varied not only in 

media and style, but also in price. This year record breaking 

sales were achieved. TF 


events 

Scarlett Woodman 

Spotlight 

Cranbrook 

Art Show 

Weald artist 

Scarlett 

Woodman sold 

six works at the 

Cranbrook Art Show 

I GRADUATED from Camberwell 

College of Arts in 2017 with 

a BA in painting and now 

work from my home studio in 

Biddenden. 

Whilst studying, I exhibited 

regularly in London, and since 

have shown at London art fairs 

including The Grid, Southbank, 

and Paralex, Chelsea. I have 

also exhibited much locally, 

including most recently with 

the Pure Arts Group, at the 

Powdermills Hotel in Battle, 

and at the Cranbrook Art Show. 

Although I studied painting 

I have always been drawn to 

different materials, especially 

those that have aged and 

deteriorated, intrigued by their 

colours, textures and stories. 

For most of my degree I actually 

worked with concrete to create 

more sculptural works, making 

an entire ruin with live plants 

breaking through concrete 

blocks for my final show! 

My current work reflects the 

natural world by using both 

natural and reclaimed building 

materials and a variety of both 

constructive and destructive 

processes. I work from my 

studio and in and around 

the surrounding Kentish 

countryside, though sometimes 

I find inspiration on my travels 

too. 

Trees have become my most 

prominent subject and replaced 

concrete as my new obsession. 

Like anchors of time, they 

show the slow growth of nature 

against the rush of human 

activity that they witness with 

their trailing branches etched 

across materials meant for 

construction, soften the harsh 

surfaces, making these hard, 

heavy objects look somehow 

delicate. 

I will be showing my work at 

the Benenden Art Show in April 

and my studio will be open for 

three weeks in June as part of 

the South East Open Studios 

where you will be very welcome 

to see my work, there is also 

more to be seen on my website 

www.scarlettwoodman.co.uk 


youth 

YOUTH 

COMMENT 

Welcome to our new youth editor, 18-year-old Zachary 

Phillpot-Brian, who has his say on Cranbrook 

CRANBROOK IN a word for me 

is “safe” – I believe it’s a place 

that anyone can walk around, 

even at night, and almost 

always be safe. And I’m grateful 

for that. But does that mean 

Cranbrook is the “go to place” 

for young people? 

From my perspective, no. 

As a young person, you can’t 

really have fun in Cranbrook. 

You probably think I mean 

places to drink alcohol. Would 

a nightclub be great? Sure. But 

I’m talking more about the 

mainstream. I think Cranbrook 

needs shops like a GAP, Argos 

or a CEX. There isn’t even a 

McDonalds or KFC! Cranbrook 

is going in the right direction 

with the Costa, but there 

needs to be more places for 

young people to eat, shop and 

socialise with their friends. 

Perhaps Cranbrook should 

branch out and welcome 

mainline eateries and stores to 

open in the town? This would 

FRAME PLACE 

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outside Cranbrook, choose to 

live here? Almost everything 

in Cranbrook is geared towards 

meeting the needs of people 

over 30. 

I know what I am saying 

won’t be popular with the 

small business owners or even 

the townspeople. But this is a 

young person’s point of view, 

so I am being honest. I need 

to travel to Tenterden, or go 

to Staplehurst to catch a train 

to London or Ashford, just so 

I can shop, go out to eat, or 

just have some fun. Eventually, 

I will probably need to look 

outside Cranbrook for a job. 

Cranbrook is where I grew up 

and on the whole, it is a decent 

place. I realise that there are 

kids across the country who 

live with the daily worry that 

they might be assaulted or 

even stabbed. Kids here are 

relatively safe from all that. If 

only Cranbrook had more of 

the mainstream, then it would 

be ideal. 


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health 

GP Promotes 

Mental Health 

Looking after our mental health with two 

community initiatives. Trisha Fermor reports 

DR DINELI Charlesworth is no 

stranger to depression. She readily 

admits that she has suffered bouts 

herself and is determined to help 

look after the “well-being of the 

Weald”. 

The English born mother-of-two 

of Sri Lankan descent become a 

trustee of the Sam West Foundation 

after the tragic death of the 15-yearold 

Cranbrook School pupil who 

took his own life last year having 

been diagnosed with depression. 

Now, his brother Ben, from 

Frittenden, is petitioning the 

government to make it mandatory 

for every schoolteacher to complete 

a mental health course to help 

youngsters who are suffering 

depression and anxiety. His 

campaign has even attracted the 

support of the Prime Minister 

Theresa May. 

At her Orchard End surgery in 

Cranbrook, Dr Charlesworth, said: “I 

have been a GP for 23 years and in 

that time I have seen how medicine 

has changed. There is now an 

epidemic of loneliness and mental 

health problems. There is pressure 

from social media for people to be 

perfect but we need to get back to 

basics and look after our mental 

as well as physical health. Not all 

patients require a diagnosis or 

indeed a pill. 

“I am keen to promote self-care 

and resilience through community 

initiatives like Wellbeing in the 

Weald [www.wellbeingintheweald. 

co.uk] that a group of us set up in 

November 2018.” 

The GP is also supporting a 

number of projects in and around 

the town, one of them, the Compass 

Community Choir [compasschoir@ 

hotmail.com], launched in January. 

More than 150 people whose ages 

ranged from 11 months to 85 years, 

gathered for five days of rehearsals 

before staging a concert in a packed 

St. Dunstan’s Church. More than 

£2,000 was raised, half donated to 

the Sam West Foundation, the rest 

to the running of the choir which 

should be accessible to all. 

Wellbeing in the Weald will start 

Wellness Walks in mid-February. 

The idea is for free walks starting 

from various venues with different 

distances for people of all physical 

ability. 

Elderly people, too often 

lonely, needed help too, said Dr 

Charlesworth who praised such 

organisations as U3A in Cranbrook 

with its varied courses and the 

Memory Lane Café which was set up 

at Evernden House in Rope Walk to 

help people suffering from memory 

problems. 

She said: “Older people have a 

lot to offer us all. They could teach 

someone to knit or ballroom dance. 

Experienced vegetable growers 

could pass on their skills to the 

younger generation on a community 

allotment. While teenagers could 

teach their elders how to text! There 

are lots of lonely people around 

here; the key is to encourage mixing 

Dr Dineli Charlesworth 

“OLDER 

PEOPLE 

HAVE A 

LOT TO 

OFFER US 

ALL. THEY 

COULD 

TEACH 

SOMEONE 

TO KNIT OR 

BALLROOM 

DANCE” 

Ben’s Key 

Statistics 

of the generations.” 

More than 250,000 people have 

supported Ben’s petition and on the 

site he has written: 

“If you think you are beaten, you are. 

If you think you dare not, you don’t. 

If you’d like to win but think you can’t, 

it’s almost certain you won’t. 

Life’s battles don’t always go to the 

stronger or faster man, but in the end, 

the man who wins is the man who 

thinks he can.” 

• One in 10 children aged between 

five and 16 has been diagnosed 

with/shows signs of a mental health 

problem and many continue to have 

these problems into adulthood. 

• Over half of all mental ill health starts before the age of 14 

and 75% of this has developed by the age of 18. 

• NHS England estimates that poor mental health costs the 

NHS and society £105 billion a year in England alone. 

The statistics are shocking, yet whilst there is a whole subject 

in the curriculum around our physical health in the form of 

PE, our young people are left without any knowledge of even 

the most common mental illnesses. 

Not only does this leave them unprepared and vulnerable 

when it comes to looking out for their own mental health, 

but also sets the standard that mental health should not be 

discussed. This plants a seed of stigma that many carry for 

their whole lives. 


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comment 

Against the 

Community Hub 

Councillor Matt Hartley tells the Parish 

Cake why he will not support the parish 

council in its ambition to build the 

proposed community hub 

TAYLOR ROBERTS 

IN COUNCILLOR Veitch’s 

piece on page 7 of the Winter 

edition of Parish Cake, the 

parish council chair refers to 

the October 2018 Cranbrook 

and Sissinghurst Parish 

Council (CSPC) meeting 

voting 11-1 to proceed with 

the Cranbrook Community 

Hub project. 

I am not embarrassed to 

reveal that mine was the 

single vote against and I list 

below some of the concerns 

that explain my opposition to 

this project: 

• The need/demand for such 

a facility has been assumed 

rather than established and 

is questionable 

• CSPC does not have the £3- 

4M construction cost of the 

large and complex building 

for which it has obtained 

planning permission 

• The 2015 parish loan poll 

clearly signals that residents 

do not want CSPC to borrow 

money to pay for the project 

• The 2016 fundraising study 

commissioned by CSPC 

concluded that this sum 

could not be raised 

• The ‘business plan’ for 

the centre is neither 

professionally produced nor 

adequate for proper control 

of such a risky project 

• In the absence of sufficient 

money the historic Vestry 

PICTURED: Site Plan for the 

Community Hub project and Cllr. 

Matthew Hartley. 

Hall/Council Chamber 

complex is in danger of 

being sold off to fund the 

project shortfall, with 

Cranbrook library similarly 

threatened 

• The Hub’s revenue earning 

functions (café/meeting 

facilities) will take trade 

from established businesses 

• Vehicular access to the 

Hub and some associated 

housing through the Regal 

Car Park has both safety and 

environmental implications 

• The public benefit of 

TWBC’s transfer of the 

land occupied by the public 

toilets to the developer and 

CSPC is not explained 

• The possible tenure of 

KCC Social Services in the 

Hub and why its proposed 

activities therein are 

apparently incompatible 

with a police presence in 

the building has not been 

properly addressed. 

CSPC continues to spend 

public money pursuing this 

project with an enthusiasm 

matched only by that with 

which it bats away concerns 

that I and others have 

raised. So convinced has it 

become that the Hub is the 

answer to the parish’s needs 

it is determined to proceed 

regardless of the risks. 

Cllr. Bridget Veitch, chairman, 

responds: “A schedule of public 

consultations on the re-design 

will enable all viewpoints to be 

made known and accurate facts 

shared.” 

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feature 

No Time Like the... Past 

Says Mike Huxley, volunteer and archivist at Cranbrook Museum 

EVIDENCE OF Cranbrook’s past is 

everywhere to be seen and many of us 

take it for granted. However, a visit to 

Cranbrook Museum will give you a glimpse 

of our town’s fascinating history and our 

precious heritage. Set in a stunning 15th 

century building close to the centre of the 

town, you will find it opposite the Jockey 

Lane car park in Carriers Road. 

The cottages came into the possession 

of Cranbrook Rural District Council (now 

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) who, 

at a peppercorn rent, made them available 

to the Local History Society to convert 

into a museum to preserve and record 

the town’s heritage. The museum and 

archives now fill the entire building and is 

run by volunteers who are keen to share 

this rich past with the community. This 

goes far beyond the parish boundaries, 

with visitors from across the world coming 

to find out more about the locality or 

contacting the archives’ team to discover 

their own family histories. 

The museum opens for this season on 2 

April, on Tuesdays through to Saturdays, 

2–4.30pm. During July and August it is 

also open on Sundays. Entrance is free 

with last year seeing a big rise in visitor 

numbers including archive enquiries and 

families with children coming on the 

hugely popular trail of Wheels of Time as 

well as the Children’s University. 

We continue to support schools in a 

variety of ways and there is always an 

exhibition in the reception area. This year 

we will start with Cranbrook’s past shown 

through the art of postcards. 

Research is currently under way for the 

summer exhibition, which will feature 

the extraordinary life and art of Michael 

“Louis” Woodford. Many readers will 

remember him as the caretaker at the 

primary school where he worked for many 

years, but he also painted, designed the 

stained glass windows in the Golford 

Cemetery Chapel and collected works of 

art which included Picasso, Matisse and 

Sutherland, now in the Pallant House 

Gallery, Chichester. 

So if you haven’t visited the museum 

before, make a point of coming along 

this year. Cranbrook Museum and Local 

History Society is at the heart of our 

fantastic heritage of which we are all heirs 

and there’s no time like the present – to 

catch up with the past! 

www.cranbrookmuseum.org 

SPONJEM UK Limited 

Capital Allowances Consultants 

Helping people in the area save money upon 

their commercial buildings such as offices, 

shops, restaurants, hotels and holiday let cottages 

07916 140683 

jack.vine@hotmail.co.uk 

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For Information contact Paul Jempson on 

Tel: 0800 954 5081 

Mob: 07957 822110 


BLOOMSBURY 

G A R D E N S 

SISSINGHURST, KENT 

TN17 2JR

In the 

Garden 

ABOUT THIS time of the year I can be 

spotted wandering around the damper 

parts of the garden peering at the 

grass. 

I am not looking for mice footprints or 

the left-overs of the sparrow-hawk’s 

last snack but the emergence of one of 

the most beautiful spring flowers. 

Fritillaria meleagris – from the 

Latin fritillus for chequer-board and 

meleagris derived from the Latin for 

guinea-fowl with its speckled feathers 

– is a little gem. 

With its stunning, drooping flower 

heads painted in a chequer-board 

fashion, it pops its delicate narrow, 

sword-like leaves out of the ground 

first before rewarding us with its 

amazing flowers. 

These beauties are shy harbingers 

of spring as they sprinkle their 

loveliness across damp shady lawns 

or around ponds. One of the best 

fritillary meadows in the country is in 

Oxford where acres of flood meadow 

are transformed every spring into a 

tapestry of colour from red, to white 

and purple. The backdrop for this 

spectacle is the university’s dreaming 

spires. 

Most people might be forgiven 

for thinking they are exotics from 

some far off land but they are a true 

native of Britain. They masquerade 

under a variety of local names from 

snakeshead to Sullen Lady and even 

Leper’s Bell, an unkind name for such 

a lovely flower. 

It is hard to believe that this fragile 

beauty, which stand about eight 

inches high, is related to the much 

showier Fritillaria imperialis, or 

Crown Imperial, whose roots are in 

Persia. A much taller and statelier 

plant with a stiff appearance it was 

much beloved by flower painters of 

old. It sports an exotic coronet of 

ground-facing bell-like flowers, either 

yellow or orange, each with a small 

crucifix and what many believe are the 

tears of Christ inside. 

But imperialis is not so easy to grow 

while its tiny cousin never fails to 

announce that spring has arrived in 

my garden. Good bulb growers sell the 

tiny bulbs which should be planted 

at least six inches deep, preferably in 

informal drifts in grass or a woodland 

setting. They are not too fussy about 

soil-type and it is a good idea not to 

cut off the dead flowers but allow 

them to produce their own seed 

packets which happily produce more 

of these gorgeous flowers fit for a 

Persian emperor. Penny Royal 

Let’s Cook! 

Kedgeree 

That wonderful Indian dish, kedgeree, has taken 

many forms since it started life centuries ago as 

khichri, a simple mix of rice and dahl. The colonial 

British, thinking it needed livening up, added 

fish and eggs and the dish became a staple of 

breakfast tables across India. This is my 21st 

century take on a much-maligned meal. 

INGREDIENTS 

Feeds 4/5 

400g cold cooked 

fish – salmon, smoked 

haddock, hake or cod 

50g butter 

1 onion finely chopped 

150g button mushrooms 

thinly sliced 

Good pinch of medium 

curry powder, or more to 

your taste 

30g flour 

600ml of milk 

1 tbsp lemon juice 

180g cooked basmati rice 

130g cooked petit pois 

225g shelled prawns or 

150g potted shrimps 

6 hard-boiled eggs, 

halved 

Fresh tarragon or 

parsley finely chopped to 

decorate 

1 Flake the fish, 

removing skin and 

bones. 

2 Melt the butter 

in a frying pan and 

cook the onions until 

transparent. Add 

mushrooms and cook 

for 3-4 minutes. 

3 Add the curry 

powder and flour and 

cook for a few more 

minutes. Gradually 

add the milk, stirring 

all the time until the 

sauce is smooth. 

4 Bring to the boil, 

add the lemon juice 

and seasoning. Lower 

the heat, add the rice 

and peas then the 

fish, taking care not to 

break it up. 

5 Shortly before 

serving add the 

seafood and hardboiled 

eggs. Put the 

kedgeree into a warm 

serving dish, sprinkle 

over the herbs and 

watch your guests 

tuck in. Bon appetite! 

Emma Fraser 


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feature 

Apple Growing 

in the Weald 

Sarah Calcutt shines the spotlight 

on Weald grown apples 

PLEASE DON’T think that our 

parishes aren’t still part of the 

beating heart of the Garden 

of England. Just because 

they aren’t huge any more 

doesn’t mean that there aren’t 

thousands of very productive 

trees hidden behind hedges 

all around the parishes. 

Award winning orchards and 

nationally renowned apples 

no less too. Did you know that 

Chris Levett and Baretilt farms 

grew Britain’s tastiest apple last 

year? It was a Jazz and you’ll be 

able find some in his beautiful 

farm shop. 

It’s always quite a challenge 

growing fruit in Weald clay 

but when you get it right the 

flavour and quality are rarely 

beaten. We are surrounded 

by orchards that are alive 

with beneficial insects – 

around 40 different species 

of pollinators were recorded 

in Weald orchards in 2016 

not to mention all those that 

lunch on those that would 

damage our fruit. Integrated 

pest management (IPM) 

strategies have been developed 

to manage orchards more in 

tune with nature (to be honest 

it’s also too expensive to use 

plant protection products so 

medicating is the last resort as 

policy these days). 

All orchards are accredited 

by the Red Tractor scheme 

– a rigorous 

assurance 

scheme where 

every element 

of the farm 

business is 

scrutinised to 

ensure that the 

highest standards are 

conformed with. Hedges 

are dense, planted with a wide 

range of indigenous species, 

both good for farm birds, 

beneficial insects and also as 

wind breaks creating those 

beautiful little micro-climates 

that make our fruit taste better 

than apples grown anywhere 

else. 

There are a great number of 

varieties grown locally; some 

small pockets of the older 

traditional varieties but most 

orchards are planted with 

Cox, Gala, Braeburn, Cabaret, 

Kentish Kiss and Russets 

to name a few and several 

different pear varieties. All 

these make up a commercial 

and hopefully profitable 

offering to consumers, profit 

being the operative word. 

When you pick up a bag of 

apples have you considered 

what you would have spent 

10 years ago? I bet it wasn’t a 

dissimilar amount of money, 

please now think about how 

much more everything else 

now seems to be. The basic 

ABOVE: Chris Levett, grower of Britain’s tastiest apple 

answer is that it’s 

really hard for fruit 

growers to make profit 

and we need British 

consumers to demand nothing 

but home grown fruit please 

but also to understand that it’s 

an expensive crop to grow. We 

are delivering the quality and 

the varieties that consumers 

tell us they want and we can 

get home grown fruit to you all 

year round. Please be loyal and 

demand local or British. 

WATERLOO HOUSE TEAROOMS 

The Waterloo House tearooms has a hosting capability of 26 seats with a 

further outside seating of 12. Spread out over three floors in a mezzanine 

setting overlooking the antique retail section below. 

Our A3 rated kitchen allows us to provide a seasonal menu with more choice 

in hot meals along with sandwiches and classic fried breakfasts, all sourced 

within the High Street. 

We use local produce in our menus, from fresh milk and High Street 

butchered meat to local and in-house baked cakes and scones, suitable for all 

dietary requirements (GF/Celiac/Lactose intolerant . 

Currently Looking for more antique traders to join our team - enquire via email or call. 

01580 713802 (we take bookings) 

waterloohousetearooms@gmail.com 

www.waterloohouseantiquitea.com 

Find us at the bottom of Cranbrook high street, towards the windmill 

Two floors of 

antiques to peruse 


podiatry 

Our new service is now available, so why 

not get in touch to find out more. 

Podiatry 

Orthopaedics 

New 

imaging suite 

Physiotherapy 

In-house 

pharmacy 

Blood 

testing 

Whether you’re an athlete, sporty or just like 

to be able to indulge in a bit of shopping or 

walking the dog, it’s easy to forget how much 

we ask of our feet until there is a problem. 

Our new podiatry service offers a full range of diagnosis and 

treatments, including preventative care, for a range of problems 

affecting your feet, ankles and lower legs. 

Our highly experienced specialists in foot and ankle care can assess, 

diagnose and treat a range of podiatry issues and create a specific 

care and intervention plan just for you. 

Podiatry is one of a range of services at Benenden Hospital including 

physiotherapy, orthopaedics, a brand new diagnostics suite and an 

in-house pharmacy, offering quick on-site referrals if needed and 

access to prescriptions before you leave. Free tea/coffee at the 

Pavillion restaurant and free parking mean you can take your time 

before or after your appointment. 

Self pay patients call us on 01580 242 521 

Members call 0800 414 8100 or visit 

benendenhospital.org.uk/podiatry 

The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 3454120. Registered charity number 1065995, 

Registered Office, The Benenden Hospital Trust, Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX

sponsored feature 

Benenden Hospital 

Making people feel better since 1907 

AS YOUR local hospital, 

Benenden Hospital near 

Cranbrook has an expert 

team of consultants offering 

a wide range of healthcare 

consultations, treatments and 

diagnostic services. 

Following a multi-million 

pound re-development, the 

hospital is now a modern 

facility fitted with the latest 

equipment serving three 

state-of-the-art theatres, 

an ambulatory care unit, 

38 single patient rooms, an 

MRI and CT Suite and a large 

fully-equipped outpatient and 

diagnostic department. 

The Quinlan Centre is 

the latest addition to the 

extensively re-developed 

site and is available for hire 

by local businesses, groups, 

clubs, societies and other 

organisations. 

The centre has a number 

of conferencing, meeting and 

training rooms for up to 170 

people with free parking set in 

20 acres. 

Featuring WiFi, air 

conditioning, wide screen TVs, 

controlled lighting and flip 

charts, it also has a kitchen 

and catering provided by the 

hospital’s popular Pavillion 

restaurant team including 

mixed buffets and platters. 

Rated “outstanding” by the 

Care Quality Commission 

(CQC) in 2017 and recognised 

for providing excellent service 

with great clinical 

outcomes for its 

patients, 

the hospital 

is a leading 

provider of 

cataract, 

veins and orthopaedic services . 

The hospital also provides 

bariatric surgery, a private GP 

service, physiotherapy and 

podiatry. 

At Benenden, patients have 

no need to wait in pain and 

uncertainty for an operation 

or procedure and services are 

available to Self-Pay patients, 

more than 800,000 members 

throughout the UK and those 

with private health insurance. 

Some services may also be 

available to NHS patients via 

e-referral. 

The hospital has a team of 

really friendly and caring staff 

with great patient feedback in 

its long history of caring since 

it was founded in 1907. 

Benenden is unique in that 

it gives patients the time and 

space to get better in a calm 

and healing environment 

helped by its rural location 

in a designated Area of 

Outstanding Natural Beauty 

(AONB). 

This year, the hospital 

will be introducing the 

Rafaelo procedure - a safe 

and reliable haemorrhoid 

treatment which requires only 

a local anaesthetic. It takes just 

a few minutes and the patient 

can walk in and out of hospital 

on the same day and return to 

normal daily activities straight 

away. 

Benenden will also be 

launching a breast reduction 

service led by Consultant 

Oncoplastic Surgeon Ash 

Subramanian. 

On 19 May, the hospital will 

again be holding its annual 

Open Day with an opportunity 

for members of the public to 

have a tour of the Bensan and 

Garland wards and theatres and 

find out about its range of Self- 

Pay services. 

Benenden Hospital is an 

independent hospital with 

charitable status and is proud 

to sponsor this year’s Action 

Medical Research Castle 100 

bike ride, and join the fight for 

little lives. 

The hospital will also 

continue to support its chosen 

charity Porchlight to help 

homeless and vulnerable 

people in Kent. 

Last year, the hospital 

sponsored Cranbrook School’s 

quincentenary Ball and 

Cranbrook Primary School’s 10 

and 15k runs. 

For more information about 

Benenden Hospital, go to www. 

benendenhospital.org.uk or call 

01580 240333. Benenden Hospital – 

“designed to make you feel better”. 


feature 

Cranbrook 

goes 

Electric! 

Parish councillor Kim Fletcher announces 

the coming of electric vehicle charging 

points to the town 

THE PARISH council has 

successfully applied for a 

£15,000 government grant 

from the Office of Low 

Emission Vehicles, part 

of the Department of the 

Environment, to install six 

charging points for electric 

vehicles in the Jockey Lane car 

park. 

We have also arranged for 

an extra six parking places 

on roads in Cranbrook so 

that points can be reserved 

exclusively for EVs. These will 

encourage local users, increase 

tourism and ultimately be a 

cash generator for the council. 

You might think that EVs are 

all about the environment, but 

they’re also a great way to help 

save money. With fuel costs as 

low as 2p/mile (vs 12p/mile for 

a small diesel car), someone 

commuting from Cranbrook 

to Tunbridge Wells could save 

more than £700 per year in fuel 

alone. 

So, if that’s piqued your 

interest, here’s the truth about 

the top five EV myths… 

• ECs are too expensive: 

While the headlines are 

grabbed by luxury models 

costing more than £100,000, 

there’s a growing range of cars 

for less than £20,000. With a 

£3,500 grant available from the 

government to help buy a new 

one, it’s a great time to buy. 

Used UVs are also affordable, 

starting at around £5,000; no 

more than an equivalent petrol 

or diesel car. 

• The batteries wear out very 

quickly: The batteries in EVs 

aren’t quite like the ones in 

mobile phones, so last much 

longer. Many taxi companies 

are now using electric cars to 

travel 40-50,000 miles a year 

with no problems, and new cars 

come with battery warranties 

covering eight years and 

100,000 miles so you can drive 

with confidence. 

• They don’t go far enough 

– they’re fine for cities, 

but why bother around 

Cranbrook? Some modern 

EVs have ranges of more than 

300 miles, which is plenty for 

most journeys. However, even 

an older EV with a shorter 

range of 70-80 miles will do 

most people’s daily journeys 

with ease – that’s two return 

journeys to Tonbridge, with 

extra range to spare, from just 

one charge… 

• They take too long to 

charge: Charging an EV isn’t 

like filling your car with petrol; 

you don’t have to wait around 

next to it while it’s happening. 

The idea is you plug your car in 

while you’re doing something 

else – like shopping, if you’re 

out and about, or sleeping if 

you’re at home - and the car is 

topped up. 

• They just move the 

pollution to a different 

more info 

place: It’s true – electricity 

production isn’t emissions free 

just yet. However, even with 

the current electricity sources 

used in the UK, an EV emits 

less than half the CO2 of an 

equivalent diesel. 

In future, our energy will be 

even greener (Cranbrook is no 

stranger to wind power!) and 

these emissions will fall even 

more. 

For more information, have a look at 

www.renault.co.uk, or www.nissan.co.uk 

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LETTINGS AND SALES 

PROPERTY EXPERTS 

George Cottage, High Street, Cranbrook 

Cranbrook has free car parking 

t 01580 720003 

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www.shersbys.co.uk 

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MOWER PLANT SERVICES LTD. 

www.mowerplantservices.co.uk 

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Sat 8.30am – 1pm 


feature 

Don’t Look a 

Gift Horse in 

the Mouth 

Emma O’Rourke 

writes on the benefits 

of equine assisted 

learning 

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL said 

“there is something about the 

outside of a horse that is good 

for the inside of a man”. 

Horses are amazing animals 

who have carried mankind 

on their backs for centuries, 

the relationships they offer 

can teach us so much about 

ourselves as they mirror us 

emotionally. Horses are nonjudgemental, 

they accept us 

the way we show up in the 

world, they don’t live in the 

past, nor plan or worry about 

the future. They live in the 

present and react to what is 

now. They are great teachers. 

It is impossible to hide 

your emotions from a horse, 

as social, flight animals, they 

give us an honest picture of 

what we are really like, not 

what we portray to others 

or even tell ourselves. They 

teach us about the way we 

come across, and how we 

communicate with others, 

sensing subtle shifts in our 

feelings and behaviour. 

They show us how to be 

still, not just in our bodies, but 

also our minds, encouraging 

us to regulate ourselves to find 

a more balanced approach to 

the way we think and behave, 

promoting self-awareness, 

confidence, and improving our 

stress levels, and relationships. 

In today’s fast paced, 

technological world, having 

a still mind is something 

we find difficult to achieve. 

Equine assisted learning 

is a scientifically proven 

way of learning to live a 

more balanced life. It has 

great results with anxiety, 

depression, PTSD, grief and 

confidence. You don’t always 

have to have a particular 

problem to enjoy the benefits 

that equine assisted learning 

can bring to our well-being. 

If any of this resonates with 

you, why not give it a try? All 

you need is to be open and 

curious. 

What have you got to lose 

but your stress? 

Be Still 

&Know 

Hephzibah Horses 

With Emma Rourke 

IFEAL Safe Professional, MNCP 

Saturday 13th April 2019, 

9.30am-2pm, Woodchurch 

An Introduction to Equine 

Assisted Personal Development. 

Time out to connect with yourself, nature and horses. 

For more information book online – see below. 

Lunch included, small group, places limited - £49 

Spend time with us to recharge your battery. Learn how to be still in 

your body/mind/spirit. A reflective half day to connect with yourself, 

nature and horses. Spend time away from a screen or phone or life's 

demands to gain some clarity and peace. 

See our website for all upcoming events and news 

www.hephzibahuk.com 

or contact emma@hephzibahuk.com / 07769 682320 

PHOTOS BY NATALIE SHIRLAW 


mignonpicks... 

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst online chatter 

WITH THE internet serving as 

an easy and instant platform to 

spread the word about local issues, 

more and more Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst residents are becoming 

members of local online community 

chat-groups and forums. 

Their posts on local social 

media groups are typically used 

for requests, giveaways, jobs, 

warnings, jokes and the inevitable 

and numerous complaints. 

But one thing is for sure: 

Cranbrook locals are loyal, 

conscientious, generous and 

very funny! Here are a few 

posts that caught my eye: 

“I’ve recently been made homeless and only have the clothes on my back. I start a new job 

tomorrow and desperately need clothes for outdoor type work. Does anyone have a sweatshirt and 

combat type trousers they could donate?” 

The member was inundated with over 60 messages of encouragement and offers of the 

type of clothes he needed. 

“Huge thank you to everyone, for all the comments and to those who took the time to come and 

meet me. Has been overwhelming and words can’t express how grateful I am.” 

Member received so many donations, they gave some of them to a local homeless charity. 

Member is currently working and getting “back on his feet.” 

“To the person who stole the Christmas lights from my 

tree outside, not only were you caught on CCTV, you left 

your phone that you used as a torch on my windowsill.” 

Christmas Karma 

“A quick shout to mystery person 

who found my stepson’s phone in the 

churchyard and texted to return the phone. 

So nice that there are kind and honest 

young people willing to put themselves out 

for others.” 

I agree! 

“I ordered ice-cream for my 

dessert at ? and it was served 

to me on a warm slate!” 

The horror and who do you 

think will play you in the 

movie? 

“If the alarm in the 

unmanned police 

station keeps going off 

and waking me up at 

stupid o’clock, I will call 

the emergency irony 

services.” 

Davina McCall 

stumbled across 

a copy of her own 

fitness DVD for sale 

in a Cranbrook shop. 

She posted a video 

of herself signing it 

and informed locals 

where it was, for 

purchase. 

Is this criminal 

damage? 

“Traffic lights in Sissinghurst, 

stuck on red. Traffic at a complete 

standstill. So I’ve stuck this sign 

under the lights. It seems to have 

worked with the traffic flow. Hope 

I don’t get in trouble but I’ve got 

to deliver the post to Sissinghurst 

and Frittenden somehow. From 

Local Postie.” 

As I was stuck in said traffic jam, 

I give you a 


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dedicated team who can help you manage your financial needs. 

Our directors, Janet Pierce and Mark Howard have direct experience 

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Suite 1 Bedgebury Business Park, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 2QX 

Nevill Estate Yard, Eridge, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JR 

01892 543233 

The best selection of pianos in 

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Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9JR 

Tel. 01892 543233 

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Parish Cake • Spring 2019 41 

Piano Shop Kent.indd 1 13/03/2017 11:04

FurGet Me Knots 

DOG GROOMING 

Nail clipping spa treatments hair styling bathing 

teeth treatments and hand stripping. 

MEET 

YOUR MP 

Helen Grant 

Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone 

and the Weald, holds regular 

surgeries around the 

constituency. 

GIFT VOUCHERS 

AVAILABLE 

2b Carriers Road, Cranbrook, TN17 3JU 

07596 911331 

furgetmeknotsgrace@gmail.com 

If you would like to arrange 

an appointment to discuss 

an issue of concern to you, 

please e-mail Helen at helen. 

grant.mp@parliament.uk or 

telephone 020 7219 7107. 

helengrant.org 

@HelenGrantMP 

HelenGrantMP 

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out & about 

Crane Valley 

Nature Reserve 

An update from the 

team that looks after this 

little haven in Cranbrook 

THE CRANE Valley was the first 

of many sites to be managed by 

the Kent High Weald Partnership 

(KHWP): some of you may remember 

us from the days when our centre 

was in the old council offices in 

Cranbrook. 

We now manage several reserves 

and greenspaces across the 

Tunbridge Wells borough and at 

based at Bedgebury Pinetum. 

Crane Valley local 

nature reserve is a lovely 

little 1.5ha haven with 

woodland, a wet meadow 

and a stream, set just 

behind the Co-op car 

park and adjacent to the 

recreation ground. 

Being the smallest of our nature 

reserves you would think there 

wouldn’t be lot of work to do but you 

are wrong! The reserve has some 

wonderful ancient features from 

the beautiful Crane brook, which is 

surrounded by wildflowers in the 

spring, the dam which has a peaceful 

view across the meadow, and a large 

rustic bench to enjoy it from. Last 

season you will have noticed more 

boardwalk going down, adding to the 

existing circular walkway. 

CLOCKWISE FROM 

ABOVE: Nick Willow 

Feller; Boardwalk 

and rail; Boardwalk 

being built February 

2018; Volunteers 

take a tea break 

BELOW: Meadow 

view lunch 

Ninety five per cent of the work 

at the Crane Valley is carried out by 

volunteers who do a fantastic job 

and are the reason the area does so 

well as a wildlife haven. They spend 

two days a year cutting and clearing 

the meadow by hand which is a very 

warm job indeed. 

I get a lot of comments about 

antisocial behaviour. This is 

something that happens across 

all the sites we manage but, with 

help from the local warden, the 

parish council and feedback from 

the public we have been making 

changes to the site to reduce this 

and so far with good results. 

Thanks to funding we have added 

new signage, boardwalk sections and 

steps from the Co-op car park which 

have seen an increase in footfall 

from dog walkers and families 

during the past few months 

We have succeeded in gaining 

further funding for 2019 to help to 

further improve the access into and 

around the site as well as adding 

even more diversity to the already 

interesting habitats. 

We started in January by adding 

to and de silting the existing scrapes 

created in the wet meadow. In the 

spring and summer months a range 

of floral species can be spotted 

flourishing here, such as ragged 

robin, bog stitchwort, common 

marsh bedstraw and different 

species of horsetail. We will do 

further seeding along the entrance 

and carry on looking after the laid 

hedge. 

Our next task day in the valley 

will be 20 March. Join us for sowing 

wildflowers and boardwalk building 

along the brook. Come and find us! 

We are there from 10am-3pm. The 

KHWP provides fully-trained staff, 

all the tools and training as well as 

hot drinks and biscuits! Visit www. 

khwp.org.uk for more. 


shopping 

From Clouds and Rain 

to Catwalk Trends 

Gemma Humphries writes how she 

came to run a Cranbrook boutique 

SOME WOULD say the leap from 

weather presenting to going 

into retail was huge. 

But the way that I saw it was 

that both jobs need elements 

of “forecasting”, good people 

skills and the ability to take 

a risk, which is exactly what 

I did when I left my weather 

presenting career nine years 

ago. 

I certainly couldn’t have 

predicted then how different 

my life would be today! 

I now run a ladies’ clothing 

boutique on Cranbrook High 

dressing undeniable beauty 

35 High Street, 

Cranbrook 

01580 714907 

www.odyldesign.com 

Street, our wonderful Wealden 

town that still has a fabulous 

sense of community spirit 

and is one of the prettiest and 

diverse shopping destinations 

in the area. 

I left Meridian 

TV with heavy 

heart but the 

commute had 

taken its toll 

especially 

as the last 

few months 

were spent 

driving for five 

hours a day 

whilst newly 

pregnant. 

I have always 

loved fashion and 

had enjoyed helping 

friends with their shopping 

trips and styling so I followed 

my heart and took the step into 

retail. 

My boutique, which was 

originally at home, outgrew 

its space and so the search 

began to find a new premises. 

The search quickly turned to 

Cranbrook and I found our new 

retail home at 35 High Street. 

At ITV I was used to working 

in a large team, each day 

bouncing off friends in the 

newsroom and loving the 

thrill of live television. One 

of my fears was that it would 

be lonely working on my own; 

little did I know that my small 

boutique would become a bit 

of a social hub and many a 

Saturday is filled with lovely 

ladies popping in just to say hi 

and share news and stories. 

I could never have foreseen 

how rewarding it is helping 

ladies regain their confidence 

through clothing and providing 

inspiration for all ages and 

sizes. I love keeping up with 

catwalk trends that eventually 

end up in my little boutique. I 

have searched far and wide for 

the labels that I carry, some are 

European and one comes from 

as far as Australia! 

I have a wonderful and loyal 

customer base who I’m now 

privileged to call friends. I try 

to cater for all budgets and 

stock everything from occasion 

wear to casuals. This year we 

have some really exciting plans 

which will be unveiled this 

spring, so keep an eye on our 

social media. 

So what trends and colours are 

big this summer? Yellow is a 

key colour, it can be a difficult 

shade but this season it comes 

in many guises. I have ordered 

lots of prints and vibrant 

colours for the warmer weather 

so watch the window and 

pop in and say hello if you’re 

passing, there’s never any 

pressure to buy and the kettle is 

always on! 


feature 

Teenager’s Tragic Story 

Prompts Luxury Auction 

Celebs support charity night for well-being 

THE TRAGIC suicide of an 18-year-old girl 

on her birthday has prompted a Cranbrook 

boutique owner to organise a celebrity 

auction. 

Ellie Soutter, a team GB snowboarder, 

was tipped for the forthcoming winter 

Olympics. Her death, the day before her 

father’s 50th birthday, followed Ellie’s 

struggle with depression and anxiety. 

Family friend Emma Povey a mother-offour 

and owner of Bond Street to High 

Street, said: “Darling Ellie was my angel,” 

and she could empathise with her as she 

too suffered in the past with the same 

mental health issues. 

She added: “I can’t imagine being in a 

place where there is no way out. We had 

no idea this was coming, we are all so 

devastated.” 

Ellie’s father, Tony, who 

lives in France, will be at the 

auction at the Bell and Jorrocks 

pub, Frittenden, on March 29. The 

auctioneer will be Michael Hogben from 

television’s Dickinson’s Real Deal. Other 

celebrities who are friends of Emma have 

offered their time, commitments allowing. 

Among the amazing lots she has secured 

are a helicopter flight for two, a week 

in a sea-front apartment in Marbella, a 

Mulberry handbag, private rugby training 

with an English player, an exclusive piece 

of jewellery from Justine Cullen, and a 

week’s fully-paid ski-ing holiday. 

Emma added: “I do hope as many people 

as possible will come along. There will 

also 

be a raffle and 

live music. It’s 

going to be a 

fantastic night.” 

Money raised will be shared between a 

foundation set up in Ellie’s name to help 

young athletes financially, and the Sam 

West Foundation (see more on page 24). 

Auction of Dreams 

In support of the Ellie Soutter Foundation and the Sam West Foundation 

Friday 29th March - 7.30pm 

Bell and Jorrocks, 

Frittenden, Kent TN17 2EJ 

Hosted by Celebrity Auctioneer 

Michael Hogben, raffle to follow 

Afterwards join us in the bar for a 

host of live music and dancing 

Lots to include: 

♥ Helicopter flight for two 

England signed rugby shirt 

♥ A week’s skiing in Les Gets, 

penthouse suite, transfers, ski hire 

and passes included for eight people 

♥ Cashmere jumper donated by 

Wyse of London 

♥ A meal and a night’s stay at The 

Three Chimneys, Biddenden 

♥ A long weekend in a beach front 

apartment in Marbella 

♥ Two nights stay at Glenrowan 

House, Bearsted 

♥ Signed print by acclaimed artist 

and comedian Vic Reeves 

♥ Luxury designer handbag 


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banking 

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lives up to its name. Our simple aim is to 

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• A wide range of products and services, including 

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legal 

From our 

Friendly Experts 

Buss Murton’s lawyers offer their expert advice 

PRIVATE CLIENT 

Probate Fee Increases 

As of April 2019, the probate fees paid 

to the government Probate Registry will 

likely rise. The probate fee is only paid on 

estates worth £5,000 or more presently. 

The threshold will likely increase after 

April to £50,000. So, if you have an estate 

worth £49,000 there will be no Probate 

Registry fee. The fees will then be as 

follows: 

• estates worth between £50,000 and 

£300,000 a fee of £250; 

• estates worth between £300,000 and 

£500,000 a fee of £750 and 

• estates worth more than £2,000,000 a 

fee of £6,000. 

It may therefore be time to plan how you 

wish your estate to be managed by way of 

a programme of gifting or other measures 

such as trusts to maximise the inheritance 

tax benefits and most efficiently manage 

the value of the estate on death which will 

minimise the probate fees due. 

KERRY CARTER 

Partner, Property and Private Client 

For further information 

or to book an initial 

appointment, please 

contact Kerry Carter, 

Partner, Property and 

Private Client on 01892 

502304 or by email at 

kcarter@bussmurton.co.uk 

FAMILY LAW 

Q 

I am getting married in June. I am 

very excited, but my fiancé has asked 

me to get some legal advice as he has 

asked for a pre-nuptial agreement. What 

should I do? 

AFirstly many congratulations! There 

are many reasons for entering into 

a pre-nuptial agreement especially if you 

have been married previously, have children 

from a previous relationship or either of you 

have assets from before you met. You have 

not mentioned the detail so you should take 

some initial legal advice as soon as possible. 

To be most effective the agreement needs 

to be signed by both of you at least 21 days 

before the wedding ceremony. 

A pre-nuptial agreement is often helpful 

to a couple to clearly set out their wishes for 

the future. It can also provide peace of mind 

and a solid foundation on which to start 

their life together. A pre-nuptial agreement 

is a formal written agreement entered into 

before a marriage or civil partnership which 

sets out all sorts of matters to include the 

ownership of belongings (including money, 

assets and property) and debts. It will also 

explain how it will be divided in the event of 

a relationship breakdown. 

My partner and I are currently buying 

Q a house together and this is the first 

time we will be living together. We are 

not intending to get married and I am 

wondering whether there is anything I need 

to think about? 

AThat is very exciting news. As you 

are not intending to marry please 

note there is no such thing as a ‘common 

law’ husband or wife and there are not the 

same legal rights for unmarried couples. It 

is a good idea to discuss how the finances 

are to be arranged and set everything 

out clearly with your partner so you both 

know the other’s expectations from the 

start. A cohabitation agreement or ‘living 

together’ agreement can provide unmarried 

couples with a cost-effective way in which 

to provide each other with peace of mind 

and clarity. Cohabitation agreements can 

set out how day-to-day finances will be 

managed and how each of you contribute 

to the household bills. It can also cover 

how children will be supported and how 

joint assets will be managed. Cohabitation 

agreements can also be drawn up for friends 

or family members that choose to live 

together. 

A great number of couples are 

deciding to live together without the 

formal commitment of marriage or civil 

partnership. There has been a rise of almost 

30% in the last decade which has led to a 

rise in complex legal disputes after breakup. 

A cohabitation agreement will help 

avoid future costly disputes. 

JULIE TAYLOR 

Partner, Family 

If you would like a free 

30-minute meeting to 

discuss any matters of 

cohabitation, pre-nuptial 

agreements, separation, 

divorce or children 

matters please contact 

me on 01892 502354 or 

by email at jtaylor@bussmurton.co.uk 

further 

info 

Find Buss Murton Law at 

31 High Street, Cranbrook. 

01580 712 215 info@bussmurton.co.uk 

www.bussmurton.co.uk 


update 

News 

and views from Cranbrook 

& Sissinghurst Parish Council 

Environmental Committee 

Cllr. Andy Fairweather, chair of the Environmental Committee, gives an update on recent activity 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL management committee sits four 

times a year with the aim of safeguarding and enhancing the 

natural environment and character of Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst. Here are some of the decisions and 

discussion my committee have been focused on. 

Parishioners who have an allotment and are 

in receipt of a state pension qualify for a 50% 

reduction in charges so can rent plots for £12.50 

for five rods. 

In the Regal Car Park some of the recycling bins 

will be removed when doorstep glass collections 

start later this year. When all of the bins are gone more 

parking spaces will follow. 

Improvement and up-keep of the Crane Valley continues with 

special thanks to the Kent High Weald Project. However, we 

have suffered from persistent vandalism to lights in the Crane 

Valley. Vandal-resistant lanterns have been ordered and will be 

installed soon. 

The car park is to have some significant works 

undertaken including the re-painting of zebra 

crossings which have eroded, together with new 

lining and pot-hole and surface repairs. All of the 

town’s car parks are also scheduled to have gullies 

cleaned. 

A grant for the installation of electric car charging 

points has been awarded to the council. These will be 

situated in the Jockey Lane Car Park. On page 37 Cllr. Kim 

Fletcher explains what has been achieved by the parish council. 

The litter bin, which has been removed from outside Lloyd’s 

Pharmacy after vehicle damage, will be replaced. 

Neighbourhood Plan Progress 

THIS IS a critical time for the 

Neighbourhood Plan – by early summer 

2019 we aim to have ready a draft plan 

which will contain both policies to guide 

planning applications and proposals 

on sites for development in our parish. 

All residents will have the chance to 

let us know their views over a six-week 

consultation period. 

Our challenge is that large housebuilding 

targets have been set by 

government. TWBC then has to work out 

how to distribute these throughout the 

borough in the writing of their new Local 

Plan. Are these being shared out fairly or 

are we being asked to take too many, given 

our own housing needs? 

Over the past two years we have been 

listening to your concerns and the things 

that are most important to you – including 

affordable housing, landscape and 

heritage protection, traffic and adequate 

service provision. 

How can we share out and distribute 

development within our parish? Can we 

grow our settlements in a sustainable 

way that maintains the character and 

landscape that defines them? 

At last summer’s exhibition we put 

forward ideas about smaller more 

dispersed growth rather than the urban 

sprawl of large expansions on the outskirts 

of the town and village, which could lead 

to the of merging one settlement with 

another and a loss of identity. 

Over the autumn and winter, the NDP 

team has been listening to your reactions 

to these ideas and has held further 

public engagement evenings at Colliers 

Green and Hartley. These events proved 

successful in helping to understand 

the challenges we face and in raising 

awareness about the opportunities the 

Neighbourhood Plan offers us all to have 

a say in how our communities grow in the 

future. 

So don’t miss out and watch this space for 

announcements of when we will have the 

draft Neighbourhood Plan ready for you 

to have your say! Cllr. Nancy Warne, chair 

of the Neighbourhood Development Plan 

Steering Group. 


More Time Tall Ships 

Racing for Brian! 

Council’s finance man calls it a day, writes 

Trisha Fermor 

AFTER CLOCKING up 24 

years’ service on Cranbrook 

and Sissinghurst Parish 

Council, most of it looking 

after the finances, Cllr. Brian 

Swann has decided to hang 

up his calculator at the next 

elections. 

He moved to Cranbrook 

in 1973 and as a former 

manager with Lloyds Bank 

he was the ideal candidate 

for taking on the council’s 

finances. He remembers 

the days when he and clerk 

Brenda Cooper devised a 

new system for recording 

transactions and did away 

with the “back of the 

envelope accounting”. The 

system is still in use today. 

In his time, he has taken 

a keen interest in many 

local organisations, from 

the Scouts and CODS, to 

responsibility for footpaths 

and the upkeep of the Crane 

Valley. During the years 

he also taught hundreds 

of children to swim in the 

former open air pool in the 

town. 

A keen traveller, he 

has visited such far flung 

places as Sri Lanka, the 

Caribbean and Kenya. One 

of his greatest pastimes is 

supporting the Jubilee Trust, 

helping disabled people on 

many voyages to enjoy life 

at sea in tall ships. As part 

of his role he even helps 

wheelchair users to the top 

of the crow’s nest. 

He said: “I shall miss the 

council terribly. It keeps my 

mind going. To me it is like 

running a business but after 

24 years I think it is time to 

pursue other things.” 

No Increase in Precept 

AT THE end of each financial year 

the parish council committees 

discuss potential expenditure 

for the forthcoming year, and 

once agreed are put to the full 

parish council for approval and 

confirmation. 

The good news is that by careful 

budgeting the annual precept, 

the amount each household pays 

towards parish council expenditure, 

will not be increased for the coming 

financial year. For an average Band 

D property the cost will be £128.43 

(give or take few pence). 

The parish council budgeting for 

the 2019/2020 financial year also 

includes expenditure of £10,000 

for the continued provision of the 

public toilet in Cranbrook. Cllr. 

Brian Swann 

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local legends 

LOCAL 

LEGENDS 

Twins Sally Whiting and Sue Brown, 

renowned animal lovers and unpaid 

carers of our town’s streets 

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? 

Sally: At Kench Hill Nursing 

Home in September 1944. 

We moved to Tilsden Lane 

Cottage when we were three. 

It was called something like 

Sinket Weasel or Tweasel! 

WHERE DID YOU GO TO 

SCHOOL? 

Sue: We went to Cranbrook 

RIGHT: L-R Sue 

with ferrets Trixie, 

Honey and Hope 

and Sally with her 

dog Rodney. 

VILLAGE PUB • ROOMS • DINING 

DRINK, DINE, DREAM 

THE STREET, SISSINGHURST TN17 2JG 

WWW.THEMILKHOUSE.CO.UK 

primary. We had exams and 

got some right and some 

wrong! We then went to the 

all-girls Mary Sheafe followed 

by Angley which is now the 

High Weald Academy. It 

didn’t have the farm then. We 

were very good at domestic 

science and anything to do 

with animals. The boys’ school 

Swattenden had three ponies 

but our school didn’t have 

animals then. 

WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU 

LEFT SCHOOL? 

Sue: We worked at Benenden 

Riding Establishment at 

Great Nineveh for Cpt 

Kendall whose daughter 

Cherry Hatton-Hall ran the 

Moat riding stables not far 

away where my daughter 

worked. Sally and I used to 

do everything from grooming 

to riding and mucking out as 

well as getting horses ready 

for Badminton. We also had 

an ex-Olympic dressage horse 

and I liked horses that were 

naughty! Sometimes we had 

to get 20 horses ready for a 

day’s hunting in an hour. We 

had to plait them and woe 

betide anyone not to use a 

needle and thread and make 

them look right, no rubber 

bands! 

WHAT ANIMALS DO YOU LIKE 

BEST? 

Sally: We like any animal. 

We get the ferrets from the 

vets and I have also had them 

brought to the door. The 

first was Freddie and we had 

Ernie, Big Eddie. We also have 

Honey, Trixie and Hope who 

was found like a skeleton and 

John Sauvage, the Cranbrook 

vet saved her. Rodney my dog 

was rehomed by me. 

HOW DO YOU UNWIND? 

We don’t have time! 

WHY DO YOU CLEAN THE 

TOWN’S STREETS? 

Sally: No-one else would do it. 

Someone came up to us once 

and said “I wouldn’t mind 

doing that. How much are you 

paid?” I said “nothing” and 

they walked off. 

Sue: We like doing it to keep 

the town nice but for us it is 

animals and family first. 


lancefrench.com/air 

01580 852 727

Parish Cake - Spring 2019

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