Parish Cake - Winter 2019

IN ASSOCIATION WITH 

Parish 

WINTER 2019 

Cake 

YOUR SLICE OF CRANBROOK & SISSINGHURST LIFE 

Beautifully designed, 

elegantly put together 

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PUBLISHED BY CRANBROOK AND SISSINGHURST PARISH COUNCIL

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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 

YOUTH EDITOR: 

Zachary Phillpot-Brian 

ADVERTISING SALES: 

Mignon Brian 

07779 185870 

mgnnbrian@gmail.com 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: 

Graham Holmes 

graham@parishcake.co.uk 

PUBLISHED BY: 

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council 

01580 713112 

www.cranbrookandsissinghurstpc.co.uk 

PRODUCED BY: 

Tally Wade 

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01580 848555 

www.coffeeshopmedia.com 

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FRONT COVER: 

Phoenix Design & 

Construction is a 

local construction 

company delivering 

a diverse range of projects. With its office 

and yard based in the Cranbrook area, 

it serves both the parish and further 

afield in the South East. Phoenix aims to 

streamline the construction process for 

customers to help alleviate the stress of 

commissioning or running a project and 

make it a memorable process for all the 

right reasons. 

Its extensive network of building 

professionals includes fully qualified trade 

teams and specialist sub-contractors and 

can deliver projects from planning and 

design to the finished build or installation. 

01580 857718 / www.phoenixdc.co.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 

THERE’S A real richness of 


community activity for you 

in this edition of Parish 

Cake, from a story about 

our ‘Posties’, Apple Fayre 

enjoyment, a Mayor of 

Cranbrook proposal and 

news of the resignation of 

our parish council chairman, 

Bridget Veitch. 

Bridget’s contribution on a daily 

basis leading the parish council is not 

widely known, but it is the fact that many 

projects, including the development of 

the community centre, have benefited 

enormously from Bridget’s wise counsel. 

Our Local Legend features parish warden 

Ivor Hatcher who really is a ‘Man of 

Cranbrook’, and in Sissinghurst not only 

has the Bun Penny Club been celebrating its 

60th anniversary but the village fete, junior 

cricket team and flower show success really 

contents 

BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, 

RESTORATIONS AND NEW BUILDS 

Get in touch today to talk to us about your project: 

01580 857718 | 07587 272928 | mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk 

REGULARS 

4 Directory & What’s On 

7 Chairman’s View 

8 Letters 

10 Parish News 

18 Club News 

21 Events 

29 Youth Comment 

48 Parish Council Update 

FEATURES 

14 TWBC Draft Local Plan 

– Cllrs. Kim Fletcher and 

Nancy Warne comment 

ISSUE 11 WINTER 2019 

17 It’s Christmas! – 

Cranbrook Christmas 

Market and some 

Christmas dinner advice 

27 Art in Cranbrook – 

spotlight on artists 

exhibiting this Christmas 

31 Cranbrook Posties – 

behind the scenes at 

the depot 

33 Sissinghurst Slice – 

the story behind the 

Milkhouse and a new Rev. 

37 Health and Wellbeing – a 

new GP facility and a 

charity fashion show 

produces an enviable community 

spirit. 

It just leaves me to say that 

on behalf of the magazine 

team – myself, Trisha, Tally, 

Mignon, Graham and deputy 

clerk Lynn – we wish you 

all that you would wish for 

yourself at Christmas and for 

the New Year. 

Cllr. Brian Clifford – Editor 

STOP PRESS 

Cllr. Kim Fletcher has been appointed as new 

chairman of the Parish Council with Cllr. Colin 

Gilbert as vice chairman. 

39 Canine Comment – ‘Santa’ 

looks forward to Christmas 

42 Kitchen & Garden – 

new head gardener for 

Sissinghurst and the best 

fruit cake 

44 Water Tips – winter advice 

for pipes and staying warm 

47 From our Sponsor – advice 

from lawyers at Buss 

Murton 

50 Local Legend – Ivor 

Hatcher 

Parish Cake • Winter 2019 3

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what’son 



f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f The f f Parish f f Cake f f guide f f to f events f f f f f f f 

f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f in f Cranbrook f f f f and f f Sissinghurst f f f f f f f f f 


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 5.30pm, Vestry 

Hall, everyone welcome! 

• Cranbrook Cemetery 

Chapel open every 

Wednesday until 3 

October 

• The Planning and 

Preservation Committee 

meets in the Council 

Office on the 1st and 

3rd Tuesday of every 

month 

• The Policy 

and Resources 

Development 

Committee meets in 

the Parish Council office 

at 5pm on the Tuesday 

preceding the Full 

Council meeting 

DECEMBER 

DAILY 

International Garden 

Photographer of the Year 

Exhibition, Sissinghurst Castle 

FRIDAY 2 

2.30pm Cranbrook U3A, Vestry 

Hall 

FRIDAY 6 

5pm Cranbrook Christmas Market 

and late night shopping, High 

Street (with a road closure) 

5.30pm Nativity Procession and 

tableaux from St. Theodore’s 

Church to St. Dunstan’s with 

carols, mince pies and mulled 

wine 

THURSDAY 12 

7.30pm Full Parish Council 

Meeting, Council Chamber - 

Everyone Welcome 

SATURDAY 14 

7.30pm Folk Concert, St. Agnes 

Fountain, St. Dunstan’s Church 

SUNDAY 16 

6pm Carol Service, St. Dunstan’s 

Church 

TUESDAY 24 

4pm Christmas Eve Crib service, 

St. Dunstan’s Church 

WEDNESDAY 25 

10am Carols, St. Dunstan’s Church 

SATURDAY 28 

10am Farmers’ Market, Vestry Hall 

SATURDAY 28–31 

2.30pm Treasure Island 

Pantomime, Queens Hall Theatre 

JANUARY 

THURSDAY 9 


Meeting, Council Chamber – 


SUNDAY 12 

9.30am Special Plough Sunday 

Service, St. Dunstan’s Church 

FRIDAY 17 

2.30pm Cranbrook U3A, Vestry Hall 

SATURDAY 25 


FRIDAY 31 

7.30pm Folk Festival, Ninebarrow, 

St.Dunstan’s Church 

FEBRUARY 

THURSDAY 13 


Meeting Council Chamber – 


SATURDAY 22 


MARCH 

SATURDAY 14 

Men’s Breakfast with Guest 

Speaker, Hartley Coffee Shop 

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 

4 Parish Cake • Winter 2019

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comment 

Stepping Down After Nine Years 

Due to health and family commitments, Bridget Veitch has stepped down as a councillor after 

nine years on the parish council and over four as chairman. As told to Trisha Fermor 

I HAVE always been community 

minded coming from a vicar’s 

family, as both my father and 

grandfather were vicars. 

I had no idea of the breadth 

and depth of the work and 

projects that the parish council 

gets involved in so I thought 

it would be a small-time 

commitment. I was mistaken, 

as I became really interested in 

everything that was going on. 

I have hugely enjoyed the 

knowledge I have gained about 

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst, 

its landscape, its history and 

the excellent people I have met 

during my years on the parish 

council. 

The roles of chairman and the 

role of the parish council have 

evolved and changed over the 

nine years, due to the increasing 

devolution and responsibilities 

of the parish council and the 

number of major projects 

we are taking on. The most 

obvious ones are the community 

centre and the Neighbourhood 

Development Plan. 

I got involved in the future 

of the car parks a year after I 

joined the council. The then 

chairman Peter North 

asked me to write a 

business plan for us 

taking over the car 

parks, to sidestep 

the plans that 

Tunbridge Wells 

Borough Council 

had for charging 

for parking. We took 

over responsibility of 

the Regal, the Tanyard and 

Jockey Lane car parks in August 

2013 ensuring parking remained 

free at the point of usage. 

Ratepayers are now paying 

for the maintenance and the 

business rates. The Regal and 

Tanyard car parks could be given 

back to Tunbridge Wells and 

parking charges could be applied 

if the parish council chooses to 

do so in the future. 

In 2014 the parish council 

took on responsibility for the 

community centre project. I 

knew the project had a difficult 

history but I was asked to take it 

on, so I did. Five and a half years 

later the end is still uncertain at 

the time of writing. It is a bit like 

Brexit. 

I remain convinced we would 

benefit from a focal point for the 

community on such a central 

location as Wilkes Field in 

Cranbrook. 

I have been impressed by 

the breadth of knowledge and 

experience of the members of 

the parish council and their 

willingness to contribute to the 

life of the community. 

I don’t believe that everyone 

really appreciates how much the 

parish councillors generously 

give of their time and 

commitment. I wish to express 

my personal sincere and grateful 

thanks to them, and to the clerks 

who provide so much support. 

There are also many other 

people who give of their time 

to put on events that we all 

enjoy, such as the Apple Fair, 

Cranbrook in Bloom, the Art 

Show, Literature Festival, CODS 

and the Sissinghurst Fete, to 

name just a few. There are, of 

course, also the volunteers that 

look after the popular Museum 

and Windmill, and the various 

sports clubs. These are the 

people who make the life of 

the community and should be 

applauded. 

Although my spell on the 

parish council has come to 

an end I am sure there will be 

occasions that arise for me 

to participate in community 

activities. 

I wish the parish council every 

success in its current and future 

projects and initiatives. 


Letters 

Perfect Candidate for 

MAYOR OF CRANBROOK 

When Phil Mummery was 

perfectly pronounced 

“Lord Mayor of Cranbrook” 

at the Apple Fayre this 

October, the great crowd 

of locals raised a massive 

Hurrarh! And three very big 

cheers. Let’s not waste this 

opportunity. Let’s make him 

Mayor for Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst properly. We 

need a Mayor. 

I always thought we used 

to have our own Mayor, but 

it turns out that Cranbrook 

has never had one. If 

Tenterden can have one, 

then why can’t we? There 

is so much going on in the 

town at the moment, what 

with 900 new houses and 

the shops and pubs regularly 

closing. Drug dealing 

everywhere! The centre 

looks tatty, abandoned cars, 

boarded up building sites. 

The old Windmill Pub looks 

like a horror movie set, to 

scare visitors away. The 

Providence Chapel falling 

to bits. The list goes on 

and on. Awful! No wonder 

Cranbrook is struggling 

to attract tourists, it looks 

unwelcoming. Someone 

ought to do something about 

it, but where do we start and 

who do we choose? 

I believe that we need 

Phil Mummery to be the 

first ceremonial Mayor of 

Cranbrook. He deserves 

the role for all the hard 

work he has done for our 

superb town over the 

many years. We can create 

the new position for him 

‘I BELIEVE 

THAT WE 

NEED PHIL 

MUMMERY TO 

BE THE FIRST 

CEREMONIAL 

MAYOR OF 

CRANBROOK’ 

and he could codify its 

responsibilities for those 

women and men that will 

follow him as future Mayors 

of Cranbrook. 

Phil is a free-thinking man 

of principle; old school, if 

you like, who can write the 

Mayoral role to suit what we 

Cranbrookians need. It could 

be ceremonial to start with, 

but it could also develop to 

become edgy, like the Mayor 

of London’s role. 

What would a Mayor 

of Cranbrook do? What I 

am suggesting is a person 

to rally local residents’ 

backing, to weaponise the 

councilors and help them 

to fight our causes in TWBC 

, getting us all to keep an 

eye on the baddies. Getting 

the Police out of their cars 

and on the pavements to 

be seen by those who need 

to see them. Tidying the 

place up. Being a tourist 

attraction figurehead and 

shaming the poorer quality 

tourist services in town and 

encouraging the good ones. 

There are plenty of 

wonderful people already 

doing good things - 

Neighborhood Watch, 

Keeping Cranbrook Tidy, 

Cranbrook in Bloom and 

those helping the infirm - 

but a Mayor would join 

them all up and 

make a real 

improvement. 

Anybody 

agree? 

Stuart Cleary 

A Building 

Must for the 

Future 

The Cranbrook and Sissinghurst 

Neighbourhood Development 

(NDP) Steering Group has 

adopted the concept of 

Passivhaus design. This building 

standard ensures buildings are 

incredibly well insulated and that 

their design maximises access to 

sunlight making them light and 

warm inside. 

The great news is that 

Goldsmith Street in Norwich, a 

council estate of 105 low-rise 

brick terraced houses, has won 

this year’s Stirling Prize, British 

architecture’s most prestigious 

award. This shows our local 

developers (Persimmon, Berkeley 

Homes, Jarvis Homes and 

Countryside) that it is possible to 

build really high quality homes in 

terraces, so there is a great sense 

of community and low cost rents. 

This is what the NDP is 

demanding, and we need 

local residents to support this 

proposal. 

Cllr. Kim Fletcher 

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

Local Charity Grant Made all the Difference 

By way of introduction, I’m Ginny. I am 21 

years old and studying towards a career at the 

Criminal Bar. I have recently graduated from 

the University of Birmingham with a 2:1 in 

Law with Criminology and have started my Bar 

Professional Training Course, which is part of 

my studies. 

During the summer of my first year, my 

family finances took a drastic turn when my 

mother remarried meaning my household 

income was technically double what it had 

previously been. Having grown up receiving 

low income support, as I was part of a singleparent 

family, I suddenly found myself 

receiving £6,000 less money due to the effect 

on my student finance and university based 

grants. 

Following this, I was desperately searching 

for external support to ensure that I could 

continue my studies at my wonderful 

university. The Katherine Elizabeth Wood 

Trust (KEWC) was brought to my attention by 

my old head of sixth form at Cranbrook School 

as a charity to assist local young women and 

girls in their educational pursuits. 

Having lived in Cranbrook for most of my 

life I was delighted to find them - it really 

made my love for our community grow 

even fonder. It is unfortunately less well 

known than the boys charity but is equally 

as beneficial and important. Following email 

conversations and an informal interview 

Note from the editor: 

The Katharine Elizabeth 

Wood Charity was established 

to benefit the poor of the 

parish of Cranbrook. The 

trustees have a broad 

remit to help the aged, sick, 

infirm, and those under 

the age of 21 years for the 

purpose of entering any 

calling, profession, trade or 

occupation. Over the past few 

years the charity has helped 

several students with their 

education and training costs. 

These have been very varied 

and included contributions 

to the costs of chef’s knives 

for a trainee chef, travel to 

training in Ashford to study 

discussion I was awarded funding and the 

charity has been helping me for the past 

two years. This support has been flexible, 

consistent and utterly fantastic. 

I will forever be indebted to the generosity 

of KEWC, which ensures that girls like me can 

reach their goals without financial burdens. I 

sincerely hope this piece raises the profile of 

its wonderful work so that other young women 

can be relieved of any money worries and 

achieve all that they’re capable of. 

Ginny Dear 

A Levels and a field trip to 

China. It has also supported 

older parishioners, including 

the purchase of a big button 

telephone. The Rev. Ann 

Pollington is the chair of the 

charity, and all requests for 

assistance should be directed 

to her at the Vicarage in 

Cranbrook. 

Financial 

Help with 

Further 

Education 

Are you leaving school 

and going onto university 

or further education and 

would benefit from some 

financial help? 

The Fiennes Stanley 

Wykeham Cornwallis 

Trust was set up in the 

1980s and has helped 

many apprentices and 

university students 

with books, tools and 

other materials for their 

courses. Whether you 

want to study medicine, 

law, become a mechanic, 

electrician, plumber or 

anything else, maybe 

some financial help might 

come your way. 

If you live in 

Sissinghurst or attended 

Sissinghurst Primary 

School for two years and 

are under 25 years of 

age, you fit the necessary 

criteria. 

Further details are 

available by email 

sissinghurstawards@ 

gmail.com or by telephone 

01580 714618. The closing 

date for applications is the 

29th February 2020. 

Mrs Mellor 


newsbites 

News 

and views from 


Museum Visit on 

Alderney Prompts 

New Thriller 

COLIN BATEMAN spent most of his 

life travelling the world reporting 

on everything from the Olympics to 

international cricket. But 

since retiring he has 

found another outlet 

for his writing 

skills – thrillers. 

His latest 

offering, Beyond 

the Waves, was 

inspired by real 

events and is set 

in the Channel 

Islands. 

Anti-hero Tom Kidd, 

who appeared in Colin’s first 

novel, is again almost out of money. He 

finds himself asking questions about the 

disappearance of an art gallery owner 

when police show little interest in 

looking for her. 

Set during the Second World War 

when the Nazis occupied the islands in 

the English Channel, the idea for the 

book came to Colin when he visited a 

museum in Alderney. 

Colin, 65, lives in Hawkhurst Road, 

Cranbrook, with his wife Brenda, a 

nurse. His first book, A Terrible Tale, 

was published last year and was 

dedicated to his grandson Oliver and 

the latest offering to another grandson, 

Max. 

An ideal Christmas present, the £9.95 

paperback is available at Arthur’s coffee 

shop in Stone Street, Cranbrook, or 

by emailing Colin at colinjbateman@ 

hotmail.com. TF 

Britain in Bloom Accolades 

THE HARD work put in 

by keen plant lovers to 

keep Cranbrook looking 

beautiful all the year round 

has been rewarded with 

two accolades this year. 

The efforts of Cranbrook 

in Bloom members, under 

the chairmanship of Linda 

Page, has been recognised 

with a gold in South and 

South East in Bloom 

and, for the second year 

running, a silver gilt in 

Britain in Bloom. 

Mrs Page praised 

the efforts of everyone 

involved in creating 

and looking after the 

town’s floral decorations, 

CRANBROOK OPERATIC and Dramatic 

Society (CODS) is gearing up to celebrate 

100 years of theatre. Since the first 

production of ‘Mikado’ in 1920, the 

members of CODS have been providing all 

forms of amateur theatre to local people. 

To begin its anniversary year, the 2019 

CODS Christmas pantomime ‘Treasure 

Island’ will run from 28-31 December 

with a New Year’s Eve party for members 

and guests to start an exciting year of 

celebrations. 

Other events include SING 100, a 

community event held on 15 March in 

St. Dunstan’s Church. All are welcome to 

join in, performing or as a member of the 

audience, for a charity evening of solos, 

duets and songs from the shows with 

sing-along choruses 

‘Arabian Nights’ runs from 28-30 May 

and ‘Kipps - the New Half a Sixpence 

Musical’ will be on in October. CODS has 

adding: “We need to forge 

ahead with inspiration, 

innovation and 

involvement.” 

She added: “Cranbrook 

in Bloom should be 

embraced more by 

business people and we 

are looking at having a big 

planter as a focal point. 

We need to decorate the 

railings at St David’s 

Bridge and enhance them 

with a wow factor.” TF 

1920-2020 – CODS’ Centenary 

lucky to get the rights for this exciting 

new show after its sell out run in the West 

End last year. 

CODS is a friendly group and is open to 

anyone, whether interested in performing 

or working backstage in wardrobe, props, 

stage management, set design/building, 

lighting, sound or even front of house. 

Tickets for all its shows are available from 

www.cods.ticketsource.co.uk or from its 

box offices in Cranbrook. 

www.cranbrookods.org.uk / 01580 388716. 


news 

MS Society Members Take to the Water 

MEMBERS OF the 

Tunbridge Wells and 

District Branch of the MS 

Society were invited for 

a super day of sailing by 

the Mariners of Bewl, a 

sailing club for people with 

physical impairments. 

Many of the members 

have MS themselves and 

this can means limitations 

with what they are able to 

do. But the Mariners have 

created a wonderfully safe 

and friendly environment, 

where people with all 

disabilities are able to have 

a go at sailing. Especially 

now that they have their 

new fancy hoist so people 

do not even have to worry 

about the more tricky part 

of getting in and out of the 

boats. 

Everyone was able to 

have a go at sailing on 

the beautiful, calm and 

tranquil water. Some of 

our members had previous 

sailing experience, but for 

others it was their very 

first time being out on the 

water! Despite one hairy 

moment when Carol, our 

transport secretary, feared 

she may end up in the 

water, everyone has an 

amazing time. 

The financial 

contribution the group 

made to enable the 

Mariners to purchase 

equipment so members 

could sail made such a 

difference to our day out 

on the water, said one 

member. 

As well as a splendid 

time sailing, the Mariners 

also set up a barbeque. 

This gave everyone the 

chance to enjoy a lovely 

lunch, chat with others 

and make new friends 

before heading back out 

onto the water for one 

final sail. 

The day was one which 

everyone will remember 

for a long time and we 

would like to thank the 

Mariners for putting 

on such a brilliant day, 

making us all feel so 

welcome, and showing 

how having a disability 

doesn’t have to stop you 

from getting out on the 

water with your sailing hat 

on. Brian Clifford 

Teenager Ploughs 

a Winning Furrow 

CRANBROOK TEENAGER Emily Watson 

was over the moon after sweeping the 

board at her first ploughing match. 

The 14-year-old, driving a 1938 

Fordson Standard tractor at the 

Romney Marsh Ploughing Match, was 

judged to be the best novice and the 

best under 25. 

No-one was more pleased than her 

father Martin Watson, who also enters 

ploughing matches. He said: “She 

did really well. She didn’t think she 

was going to win anything! I’m really 

proud of her.” 

Emily, who goes to High Weald 

Academy, spends much of her spare 

time looking after livestock at the 

school farm. TF 

CHRIS LAWSON 

Friends Need Friends 

WITH JUST four people running the Friends of Sissinghurst Church (FoSCh) an urgent call has gone out for more volunteers to get 

involved and help generate ideas and events to raise funds. 

The Friends have some 60 subscribing members in the village who have provided significant financial help towards maintenance 

and building improvements to Trinity Church and the adjoining Parish Rooms. 

During the past six years some £14,000 has been donated for various projects including total redecoration of the church, bespoke 

oak cupboards, a new kitchen, floor, windows, heating in the Parish Rooms and the creation of the new John Martin wing. 

We are fortunate to have a lovely church with superb facilities at the heart of our village. Our focus at FoSCh is to help keep it that 

way. The four of us have a very sociable evening meeting about four times a year. Would you like to join us to help with this very 

worthwhile project? If so please contact Peter Mellor 01580 715860 or email advice@petermellor.co.uk. 


news 

cupcakes 

l Cranbrook has been added to the list of 

towns where Aldi might build a store. The 

Parish Council has been in touch with the 

German-owned supermarket, which is fast 

gaining a big reputation. It said a suitable site 

would have to be more than 1.5 acres. 

l Cranbrook man Alan Ford wants to know 

if anyone would like to help him set up a 

photographic club in the town. If the answer 

is yes call him on 01580 713256. 

l Kent Police have been given more than 

£1.1m by the Home Office to boost the work 

of the Violence Reduction Unit which was set 

up to fight knife crime in the county. 

l Parish Council bound volumes from 1894 

are now retained by the KCC Archives Centre. 

l TWBC councillor Sean Holden has written 

to William Benson, chief executive of TWBC, 

concerning the lack of progress on the 

Cranbrook community centre development. 

l Planning for 2020 VE Day 

Commemorations in Cranbrook is underway 

with a committee planning various events 

in May. 

l TWBC has now vacated the Information 

Centre in Cranbrook and the Parish Council is 

deciding how the space can be best used in 

the future. 

l A High Weald Academy governor will be 

speaking at the full Parish Council meeting 

in December to which the public is invited to 

attend. 

l Serious concern about speeding in upper 

High Street in Cranbrook is being referred to 

the KCC by Cllr. Sean Holden. 

l At the AGM of the Tomlin Murton Playing 

Field , trustees have agreed that the grounds 

should in future be monitored by the Parish 

Council Environmental Committee. 

l TWBC has decided not to go ahead with 

the Caverley Square building project and a 

committee has been established to consider 

other opportunities. 

Sissinghurst Castle 

Garden Photo Winner 

OVER THE summer, Sissinghurst Castle 

Garden invited visitors to compete 

for a special award to celebrate the 

beauty of this world-renowned garden. 

Visitors were asked to use photography 

to capture the enduring beauty of the 

gardens that were the legacy of Vita 

Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson and 

the winning photographs will form part 

of an exclusive stand-alone exhibition 

at Sissinghurst until the 2 January 2020. 

The overall winner was Ingrid 

Help us to Make 

it Happen! 

Popplewell, who said: “I spent a 

week staying at The Priest’s House at 

Sissinghurst in July in order to enjoy 

the garden in the quiet of dawn and 

dusk. I am a passionate gardener 

myself.’’ 

The judges said: “Ingrid has 

beautifully captured this scene by using 

light, reflection and composition to 

create balance. The shape of the branch 

provides the finishing touch.” 

Brian Clifford 

A START has been made to establish the 

Cranbrook Branch of Guide Dogs and 

are looking for volunteers who would 

like to work with us in securing its future. 

The aim is to raise awareness of the work of Guide Dogs and to encourage others 

to support the charity. Your time and skills could help us make this new branch a 

success in Cranbrook. For further information please contact Kate Hunter on kate. 

hunter@guidedogs.org.uk / 07747 018959. 


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comment 

NDP Going Ahead 

Cllr. Nancy Warne on why Tunbridge Wells 

Borough Council still needs to listen to us 

LOCAL PLANNING 

Authorities (LPAs), 

like Tunbridge Wells 

Borough Council (TWBC), 

have been asked by the 

government to create 

a Local Plan for their 

borough. The creation of 

a plan seeks to create a 

vision of what the future 

will look like - where 

development will go and 

policies to guide future 

actions. 

Key to its thinking is the 

delivery of ‘sustainable 

development’ – where the 

goals of economic growth, 

environmental protection 

and the creation of happy 

and resilient communities 

are not mutually 

exclusive. This is easier 

said than done! 

Making a local plan is 

a huge task, which takes 

many years as it involves 

the gathering of many 

layers of evidence from a 

range of sources including 

population projections, 

land availability, market 

indicators, and an analysis 

and understanding of the 

options and impacts of 

development. 

Government housing 

targets and the National 

Planning Policy 

Framework (NPPF) are the 

key driving forces behind 

the making of these plans. 

LPAs are under immense 

pressure to deliver these 

targets, at a time when 

their ability to do so has 

been reduced by austerity 

measures which have 

dramatically cut their 

budgets. 

Planning policy 

officers from a range of 

fields of expertise have 

worked hard to produce 

all the evidence needed. 

Input from a host of 

infrastructure providers 

and other interest 

groups also need to be 

considered. 

DISAGREEMENT 

Crucial to the success 

of any Local Plan is 

the creation of a vision 

which is shared with the 

local community. The 

Localism Act (2011) has 

given local communities 

the chance to become 

more active in the 

participation of guiding 

where development goes 

through neighbourhood 

development plans 

(NDPs). This requires 

close and consensual 

collaboration, and 

mutual support between 

the LPAs and the local 

communities. 

This has not been the 

case for the Cranbrook 

and Sissinghurst NDP as 

disagreements have not 

been resolved. 

COMMUNITY VOICES 

MATTER 

Many residents 

have responded 

and objected to the 

proposals contained 

in TWBC’s draft Local 

Plan. Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst Parish 

Council and its NDP 

Steering Group have also 

submitted objections. 

The steering group 

agreed on 28 October 

to bring the results of 

the NDP’s community 

engagement to a public 

consultation early in 

the new year, presenting 

reasonable alternatives 

to those proposed in the 

draft Local Plan. This 

will be our vision of 

sustainable development 

in the parish, written 

by the community 

and voted on by the 

community. When 

passed by referendum, 

this becomes the 

document guiding 

development in the 

parish. 

Please keep an eye 

out for this in the new 

year as it will be your 

chance to have a say on 

future developments 

in Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst. 

“THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE FOR 

THE CRANBROOK AND SISSINGHURST 

NDP AS DISAGREEMENTS HAVE NOT 

BEEN RESOLVED” 

Our Views Ignored 

by Borough Council 

Tunbridge Well’s draft local plan 

does not reflect our views, or 

the work carried out on the 

neighbourhood development 

plan over the past two years, 

writes Cllr. Kim Fletcher 

The community of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst has 

been galvanised during the past two years with 

the neighbourhood development plan (NDP), but 

our views do not appear to have been considered. 

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) has not 

had the courtesy to explain why and this has led 

to concerns that the emerging NDP has not been 

taken seriously. 

The parish council noted several key strategic 

points in the borough’s local plan for Cranbrook 

and Sissinghurst, which go against people’s hopes. 

Cranbrook (and Hawkhurst) have both 

been designated as urban areas, enabling 

a disproportionate number of houses to be 

built, despite there being no rail links, no 

large employment estates and poor existing 

infrastructure. 

We live in a designated Area of Outstanding 

Natural Beauty (AONB) which should have 

protection in the National Planning Policy 

Framework (NPPF) but these protections have not 

been put in place by TWBC to limit the planned 

number of houses or their placement. 

While the plan is supposedly infrastructureled, 

there are plans for new employment land in 

Tunbridge Wells but 1,750 houses will be to the 

east of Goudhurst - with no sign of a relief road or 

improvements on the A21 between Lamberhurst 

and Kippings Cross. 

There appears no mechanism to force 

developers to masterplan areas, such as the Crane 

Valley in Cranbrook, to ensure future residents can 

walk or cycle and have access to nearby play areas. 

The parish council does not support a new area 

of a limit to build development (LBD) at Wilsley, as 

it increases the opportunity for development close 

to the LBD. 

The parish council thanks everyone who has 

contributed to the NDP and also registered their 

comments with TWBC. 


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WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER 

Wonderful wreath making with 

See Rose Floral Design 7–9.30 

SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 

Cracking Christmas crafting with TMH elves 4–6 

FRI D AY 1 3 DECEMBE R 

A chorus of carols with Trinity Church 7.30 PM 

WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 

A merry movie marathon of Christmas films 4–10 

T HUR S D AY 19 DECEMBER 

Christmas concert with Cranbrook Town Band 7.30 

FRI D AY 2 0 DECEMBE R 

Rock around the Christmas tree with Indigo Sea 8–10 

TUESD AY 24 DECEMBE R 

CHRI STMAS EVE 

Christmas feasting 12–9PM 

Go crackers! Christmas tinsel tunes 8PM – 

WEDNESD AY 25 DECEMBER 

C H R I STMAS D AY 

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(BAR OPEN 11AM – 2 PM) 

THURS D AY 26 DECEMBE R 

B OX ING D AY 

Fab-yule-us long lunch 12–6PM 

(TMH OPEN 9AM – 10 PM) 

TUESD AY 31 DECEMBE R 

NEW YEA R’S E V E 

Family roast with the most 12 – 4 PM 

Firework Fodder: hot dogs & DIY hot choc 4 – 7 

Out with a bang! Family fireworks 5 PM 

Dinner in the Dining Room 8PM – LATE 

Saddle up for The Outriders Band 8PM–LATE 

WEDNESD AY 1 J ANU A RY 

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f 

christmas 

f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f 





Cranbrook Town 

Christmas Market 

Based on the success of 

our first Christmas Market, 

this year the Cranbrook 

Christmas Market will be 

held on Friday 6 December 

from 5-9pm. The High Street 

will be closed off to cars from 

3pm and there will also be 

stalls in part of Stone Street 

selling Christmas goods, 

food, crafts and much, much 

more. 

Anna (from fancy dress 

shop Fancy Pants) and her 

friend Steph will be singing 

Christmas songs and a local 

choir will be adding to the 

fesitivites outside the Vestry 

Hall. 

The Nativity Procession 

will again make its way down 

the High Street, starting at 

5.30pm from St. Theodore’s 

Chruch and ending at St. 

Dunstan’s Church, where the 

final Nativity tableaux will 

be presented and Away in a 

Manger sung. Mulled wine 

and mince pies will be served 

at St. Dunctan’s and late 

night shopping will begin! 

The regular Saturday 

markets have now been 

re-located to the left side 

of the Co-op car park and 

2020 dates will follow soon. 

Wendy Waters 

PREPARED FOR 

Christmas Dinner? 

Sarah Calcutt from Lower Ladysden Farm 

offers her tips for a stress free festive feast 

DO NOT fear, this is not an 

exposition on the need for hospital 

corners on your presents, nor does 

it worship Saints Delia, Nigella, 

Mary or Kirsty… There is nothing 

worse than the imposed pressure 

of cooking lunch for a mother or 

two, a picky Aunt and a gaggle of 

sticky children. 

HOW MUCH WILL THEY 

ACTUALLY EAT? 

Vegetables – 80g is one portion 

(for ‘five a day’ counting purposes) 

so 340g of veg each 

Roast potatoes – 225g (three) 

each 

Stuffing balls – two 

Pigs in blankets – two 

Turkey – 150g/adult 

ORDER LOCAL 

Go to a farm shop, they know 

where everything comes from. 

Order the turkey now, along with 

stuffing, pigs in blankets, cheese 

and everything for the feast – a 

good farm shop will have a list that 

covers everything and you can 

collect your food for Christmas a 

couple of days in advance with no 

travelling or hassle! 

MAKE IN ADVANCE 

The following can all be cooked, 

frozen then reheated on the 

big day: 

• Carrots (with ginger or 

marmalade) 

• Parsnips (with parmesan or honey) 

• Red cabbage (Delia’s recipe is 

the best) 

• Stuffing, bread sauce and 

gravy 

SPROUTS 

Peel and prepare sprouts the night 

before and keep them in a bag 

in the fridge. For fussy eaters, try 

them shredded and cooked in 

cheese sauce and bacon so they 

don’t taste like sprouts… 

LOWER LADYSDEN FARM 

Fresh produce from the heart of the Weald 

Have you 

ordered your 

free range, 

Ladysden bronze 

turkey yet? 

LEFTOVERS 

Oh the best bit! Bubble and 

squeak on Boxing Day morning, 

sandwiches with a cheeky cold 

sausage watching TV on Christmas 

night, a turkey and ham pie, curry 

(a jar of sauce and an onion is all 

that is required) or just cold with 

cheese, pickles and a little salad – 

joyous. 

Happy Christmas, may it be 

merry, stress free and lots of fun! 

We have everything 

you need for 

Christmas from a 

beautiful tree to all 

the ingredients for 

the perfect feast 

Pop into the shop or visit our website to learn more 

Lower Ladysden Farm, Winchet Hill, Goudhurst TN17 1JX 

www.lowerladysden.co.uk | 01580 213529 


clubnews 

A round-up of news from 

Cranbrook and Sissinghurst clubs, 

groups and associations 

More than Meets the Eye 

BIG BOYS don’t cry, at least 

that’s what many of us were 

told growing up. Times have 

changed. The Rugby World 

Cup broadcast pictures of 

some of the world’s “big 

boys” crying. There were 

both tears of happiness and 

of sadness. 

Many ancient cultures 

are built around spirituality. 

In our relatively modern 

western mindset it has 

frequently been disregarded. 

Thankfully emotional, 

mental and spiritual health 

are beginning to get more of 

the attention they deserve. 

Great Year for 

Junior Cricketers 

SISSINGHURST CRICKET Club Junior Section 

has enjoyed another excellent summer with 

more than 100 youngsters, boys and girls, 

from five to 15 years of age having signed 

on. 

Our junior teams have had an outstanding 

season with the Under 9s reaching the Kent 

CC Mini Super 8s finals day that was played 

at The County Ground, Beckenham, on the 

15 September. 

The Under 11s hardball team finished 

third in the Weald of Kent league. They also 

made the cup final on 25 August at Sutton 

Valence School losing out to a strong Mote 

CC side. The Under 11 Development team 

finished top of their league. 

The Under 13 team has had an excellent 

season winning the Weald of Kent league 

and also the cup final against Linton Park 

at Sutton Valence. The U13s (pictured) 

finished the season unbeaten and Arthur 

In September a few 

members of The Vine 

Church took to the streets 

to find out what people in 

our community think about 

spirituality. Of those polled, 

over 60 per cent agreed they 

would consider themselves 

as “a spiritual person”. 

What’s more, 55 per cent 

acknowledged having had “a 

paranormal or supernatural 

experience” at some time. 

Although not statistically 

significant, the responses do 

suggest that many people 

believe there is more to us 

than meets the eye, and that 

churches are 

well placed 

to give 

spiritual guidance. 

Our wellbeing is 

comprised of physical, 

spiritual, mental and 

emotional factors. What can 

you do this week to look 

after each of those? 

To take part in our 

brief spiritual experience 

questionnaire, scan 

the QR code or visit 

wwwvinechurch.org.uk/ 

survey 

Chris Goodchild, 

Vine Church 

Under 13 team: Back row L-R, Henry Elliott, Tom 

Dyas, Seb Littlestone, Daniel Hammond, Archie 

Rees, Hector Powell, Simon Latham (coach). 

Front row L-R, James Steele, Charlie Streeten, Will 

Durtnell (captain), Arthur Elliott, Tom Hall. 

Elliott (front row, second from right) was 

named Junior Player of the Year for 2019 at 

the recent club awards’ dinner. 

For both Senior and Junior information 

on playing and coaching (including winter 

nets) at Sissinghurst CC please keep an eye 

on dates and updates via the club website at 

www.sissinghurstcricketclub.org.uk 

Bun Penny Club members in 1972 with 

Barbara Conway, the Bull Landlady 

Celebrating 60 

Years of Giving 

OVER A glass of ale in the then Bull pub 

in Sissinghurst four men decided to set 

up a Bun Penny Club to enable villagers 

aged over 65 and either single or 

widowed to receive a Christmas present. 

Thanks to Jack Cavanagh, Percy 

Foreman, Jim Hopperton and George 

Catsford, 60 years later the club is 

thriving, with over 50 members, 

providing a Christmas turkey dinner and 

a goodie bag for those unable to attend. 

Throughout the year the committee 

organise fundraising events, including 

a village quiz, to enable them to also 

provide an annual cream tea. 

Committee members are keeping their 

fingers crossed that a new Sissinghurst 

fete committee will be formed to enable 

more funds to be raised at the annual 

August Bank Holiday event. 

Pat Edwards, chair of the committee, 

said: “We are always looking for new 

ways of collecting funds so that we 

can continue to enhance the lives of 

our members who live alone – we’d 

be delighted to hear from you, simply 

telephone 01580 712118. 

She added: “We are a very proud 

committee to have maintained what 

Jack, Percy, Jim and George established 

60 years ago.” Brian Clifford 


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eventnews 

Some 

of the great events 

we are rightly proud of! 

Sissinghurst 

Fete Dog Show 

MP Helen Grant returns to Sissinghurst to judge 

the annual dog show as a search starts for a new 

organising committee, writes Alec Rolfe 

PHOTOS BY SIMON GRANT 

ON A glorious day Sissinghurst 

played host to the long-running 

annual dog show at the Bank 

Holiday fete. Reputedly running 

for more than 100 years the event 

attracts pooch lovers from all over 

Kent seeking plaudits for their furry 

friends. 

Welcomed back after a successful 

inaugural stint at judging the show 

last year was Maidstone and the 

Weald MP Helen Grant, a border 

terrier owner and general dog 

enthusiast. 

Classes included best male, 

best female, best cross-breed, 

best junior handler, best rescue, 

prettiest eyes, best oldie and the 

dog the judge would most like to 

take home. There were winners 

from Lamberhurst, Biddenden and 

Rolvenden as well as closer to home 

in Sissinghurst and Golford. Master 

of ceremonies was the eloquent 

Brian Clifford who kept proceedings 

moving with his characteristically 

brisk humour. 

Helen said: “The show is a delight 

and not just for its hounds – the 

surrounding stalls and attractions 

in the fete are always varied 

and fun too, this year featuring 

performances from the excellent 

vocalist Victoria Bass. There were 

equally varied entrants to the 

dog show and the parading and 

decision-making was a tough job 

for all of us, especially under such 

a hot sun. 

“In the end we found winners 

for all categories and I especially 

applaud Ramona Nisbet from 

ABOVE: Helen Grant 

MP with Ramona and 

‘Daisy’ at Sissinghurst 

dog show. 

BELOW: Entrants 

for the Best Male in 

Show, won by Sophie 

from Sissinghurst 

with her dog Ozzie 

(kneeling to Helen’s 

right) 

Golford with Daisy, a 12-week-old 

English springer spaniel and winner 

of three different classes, including 

dog the judge would most like to 

take home. 

After the competition Ramona 

said: ‘“The dog show is such a 

lovely event. Daisy and I had a great 

time. It was a very hot afternoon 

but all the dogs did so well. We will 

be back next year!” 

Chair of the fete’s organising 

committee and local councillor 

Andy Fairweather said: 

“‘It was another hugely 

successful fete despite the 32 

degree heat which did affect dog 

show entry numbers. 

“As for next year – we are seeking 

some new talent and if a willing 

chairman is forthcoming I will 

certainly sit on the committee to 

assist the transition and hand over. 

Some of the current volunteer 

committee have been organisers 

for over 20 years, myself for 14 and 

the last six as chairman. We need 

to hand the reigns to a new group 

and I hope some younger families 

will step up. If anyone is interested 

please contact me on 07976 290185 

or email fairweather.andy@ 

googlemail.com’ 


events 

Flowers and Veg Still 

Bringing in Entries 

PHOTOS BY TRISHA FERMOR 

SISSINGHURST Flower Show 

Society is proud to have been a 

‘slice of the village cake’ since 

1913. Over the years there have 

been many changes but we still 

hold to the principle of being a 

village event which welcomes 

everyone. 

The society’s spring, summer 

and autumn shows are very 

much part of the annual village 

calendar. This year, they were 

again well supported by entries 

from members and school 

children. Many enjoyed teas, 

homemade cakes, sideshows and 

a raffle during the afternoon. 

In July some members came 

to a special talk on 

flower arranging which 

we hope will encourage 

more members to enter 

the floral arrangement 

classes. 

The coconut shy was popular 

at the primary school’s summer 

fair and also at the annual fete 

with everyone, particularly the 

men and boys, eager to show off 

their bowling abilities. 

This year, as usual we have, 

with help from Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst Parish Council, 

twice planted up some 17 

troughs in the village with 

spring flowers and then 

with fuchsias, geraniums 

and pansies for the summer, 

providing colourful displays 

throughout the year to brighten 

up the Street and Common 

Road. 

We sent a team again to the 

annual Bun Penny Quiz, always 

an enjoyable and fun evening. 

It does us good to exercise our 

brains and we do not mind 

where we come in 

the results! Mitzi 

Newsom, chairman 

Show dates 

for 2020 

28th March, 

13 June and 12 

September 


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events 

Apple Fair 

PHOTOS BY TRISHA FERMOR AND DAVID MEREWETHER 

STILT WALKERS, marauding 

Vikings and a steel band 

made up just some of the 

entertainment staged at the 

annual Cranbrook Apple Fair in 

October. 

Celebrating its 13th year, 

this popular appley event saw 

the High Street packed with 

townsfolk and visitors who were 

eager to see what the many 

stallholders had to offer. The 

choices ranged from apple wood 

spoons fashioned by parish 

councillor Garry Pethurst to 

decorative iron work by Robert 

Longley. Also on offer were 

delicious nibbles in the form 

of cakes, vegan snacks, apple 

puddings, tarts and pies, as well 

as apple drinks galore. 

Members of the town’s 

Compass Choir entertained the 

crowds as did a steel band. One 

drummer had her little baby – 

wearing ear defenders – happily 

strapped to her back as she 

played away. 

Fancy dress was very much 

the order of the day and town 

stalwart Phil Mummery turned 

himself into a Viking for the day 

of fun. One of the highlights of 

the day was the pram race down 

the High Street. TF 


events 

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International Artists 

in Cranbrook 

feature 

PARISH CAKE art correspondent 

Annie Watsham introduces 

two local artists exhibiting in 

Cranbrook this Christmas 

Two artists who have sold 

their work worldwide will be 

exhibiting their work at the 

Grierson Galleries Christmas 

exhibition at The Hive in 

Cranbrook. 

Jane Gray from Lamberhurst, 

who describes her work as 

‘organic expressionism’, said: 

“My paintings evolve constantly 

and are essentially about spirit 

and energy creating order out of 

chaos. They are a celebration of 

the magic of life.” 

Jane’s work has been 

sold to collectors in 

South Africa, China, USA 

and other parts of the 

world. 

Also exhibiting is 

artist Karl Terry from 

Wittersham who paints 

landscapes, city and 

seascapes here in the 

UK and abroad. Painting came 

naturally to Karl and his work 

has attracted buyers in the USA, 

Israel and the UK. He said: “I 

paint outside in all weathers and 

my work is a response to what I 

see and feel in an ever-changing 

landscape.” 

More 

info 

Grierson Galleries’ 

Christmas Exhibition 

‘Outside Edge’ will be at 

The Hive, 19 Stone Street, Cranbrook, 

Kent TN17 3HF. 

Starting on 1 December until 26 

January, the Open Art Viewing will be on 

Saturday 7 December from 3pm-6pm. 

SPOTLIGHT ON… 

KARL TERRY 

MEMBER OF The Royal Society of 

Marine Artists, Karl terry’s studio 

is at The Old Gaol in Wittersham. 

Annie Watsham went to visit… 

Karl has been an artist ‘forever’ 

and paints outside (en plein 

air) in all weathers. He paints 

impressionist landscapes, 

cityscapes and seascapes both here 

in the UK and abroad. While he’s 

drawn and painted for most of his life, 

he has had no formal training. 

He has been fortunate to paint with 

many of the UK and USA’s finest living 

landscape painters and is proud to be 

an associate of The Wapping Group of Artists and the Rye Society 

of Artists. This camaraderie between painters continues to inspire 

and challenge him. He has exhibited in Kent, Sussex and London 

galleries and sold work to Israel and the USA. 

Karl said: “I paint outside in all weather and this process has 

opened my eyes to the beauty that can be found everywhere, even 

in the mundane.” 

British-made gifts, art exhibitions & 

creative workshops in Cranbrook 

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47b High Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3EE 


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youth 

YOUTH 

COMMENT 

19-year-old Zachary Phillpot-Brian has his say 

WE ALL have personal feelings 

about most things. From 

movies, TV shows, politics, 

games - and even people. We 

are especially emotive about 

certain groups that society 

likes to lump together because 

of various reasons - the blood 

in their veins, the colour of 

their skin, their backgrounds 

or whom they surround 

themselves with. 

They are the very same 

people who have homes in 

Cranbrook, who go to our 

schools, walk our streets; put 

simply, who live among us. 

Very recently, a certain group, 

who some in society have 

strong feelings about, decided 

to hold a large funeral in 

Cranbrook - what did many of 

us do that day? 

We stayed indoors. We 

closed shop. Pubs shut for 

days. Cranbrook basically went 

into lockdown. Why? Because 

of preconceived and bold 

assumptions about them. Even 

the Kent Police were involved 

in this preconceived ideology, 

advising businesses to close 

that day! 

Completely lumping 

together an entire group and a 

funeral service, we made this 

group ‘strawmen’ that day. 

Do you think that’s right? 

Because I don’t. 

Yes, there are the people 

among them who have helped 

to create this strawman. But we 

tend to look only at the surface 

of these particular people 

and if one does something 

wrong, we decide it’s the whole 

group. Everyone is lumped 

together. This breeds fear 

and intolerance and makes 

local society scared of them. 

Perhaps then, unfortunately, 

some of those vilified think to 

themselves, “if that’s how they 

want to view me then I will 

give them exactly what they 

expect.” Or, “I may as well be 

hung for a sheep as a lamb. I’ll 

be blamed anyway…” 

Is this because it’s in 

their nature? No. I think in 

some circumstances certain 

events occur from anger and 

justified anger at that. So, does 

justified anger make a person 

do something unjustifiable? 

Because that is what I see 

happening in Cranbrook. 

Justified anger creating 

unjustifiable actions. 

Instead of seeing a person 

for who they are by ‘group’ or 

from basic assumptions you’ve 

read in newspapers or online, 

look at that person. They are as 

their own man or woman, who 

live, breathe and think just like 

you. Try to understand who 

they are, beyond the strawman 

logo given to them by the 

system. Then decide if you 

think they should be treated 

differently. 

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CRANBROOK TOWN 

Christmas Market 

Friday 6th December 5pm-9pm 

High Street closed off and stalls in part of Stone Street 

Saturday markets have now re-located to the left side of 

the Co-op car park. 2020 dates to follow soon! 

Wendy Waters Julie Sales Elaine Beck 

07786 707476 07917 252585 07803 340682 

Christmas 

goods, food, 

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Nativity 

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St. Theodore's 

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Christmas 

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Late 

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Shopping and 

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feature 

Cranbrook Mail 

Trisha Fermor takes a look behind the scenes 

of the Royal Mail in Cranbrook as it ramps up 

for the busy festive season 

CHRISTMAS JUST wouldn’t be 

the same without our posties 

bringing us festive cards and 

parcels from all over the world 

and it was all thanks to Henry 

VIII. 

In 1516 the king appointed 

a Master of the Posts to handle 

the movement of regal papers, 

a job which went to Brian 

Tuke, secretary to the king and 

Cardinal Wolsey. The title was 

changed to Postmaster General 

200 years later and the last 

holder was disgraced MP John 

Stonehouse in 1969. 

In Henry’s time the horse was 

the preferred method of travel 

for posties but nowadays the 

40 men and women based at 

Cranbrook drive the distinctive 

red Royal Mail vans. No-one 

rides a bicycle any more, mainly 

due to the large amount of mail 

each postie has to deliver. 

The town’s team is managed 

by Ashley Peter, 24, who has 

been manager for a year, having 

previously worked for Royal 

Mail in Tonbridge, New Romney 

and Lenham. 

He said: “Christmas is a really 

busy time for us and we still 

decorate the sorting office and 

have a Christmas tree inside and 

outside. 

“The posties go out for a drink 

on Christmas eve when all the 

deliveries are done. While they 

are delivering a lot of customers 

give presents including little 

boxes of chocolates, biscuits, 

bottles of wine, crates of beer 

and even pheasants or turkeys.” 

Postie Daniel Hover, who 

has worked at Cranbrook for 

12 years, once received a whole 

cooked gammon. 

Ashley’s job is to handle the 

budget and recruitment and he 

said: “We are looking at making 

the business bigger and I also 

want to recruit more women big 

time.” 

Posties, some of whom are 

part-time, handle 120,000 

items weekly brought by Royal 

Mail lorries from Medway and 

Tonbridge. This number rises 

hugely nearer Christmas when 

parcel deliveries and festive 

cards make up the bulk of 

deliveries. 

Ashley said he was proud of 

the work force adding: “Royal 

Mail is a good employer and I 

am proud to work for it. A lot of 

our posties have been here for a 

long time.” 

He also praised them for 

setting up a Coffee Club at 

Arthur’s café in Stone Street to 

support a local business. He was 

also proud to have set up a gym 

at the depot. 

Postie Jamie Fox, who has 

clocked up 17 years’ service, 

said: “I like working outside. I 

do two hours sorting and then 

when you are outside delivering 

you are your own boss.” 

Other long-service men are 

Bill Williams, who has clocked 

up 32 years, and Phil Rimmer, 

33 years. The newest recruit is 

Chris Gummer. 

About 60 per cent of the men 

wear shorts throughout the 

year which amuses customers 

but Mr Fox said: “If it rains and 

you wear jeans they stay wet 

all day but when your legs are 

uncovered they soon dry out.” 

On the wall in the sorting 

office is a chart recording a 

number of incidents including 

van crashes and dog bites. By 

Week 26 there had been five 

dog incidents which Ashley said 

was five too many. 

Dogs, particularly small ones, 

he said, were the posties worst 

nightmare and if they did bite 

someone – whether it was 

Christmas or not – deliveries to 

that address would be stopped. 


BLOOMSBURY 

G A R D E N S

Sissinghurstspotlight 

Transforming 

Sissinghurst’s Pub 

IT’S BEEN a “steep learning curve” for 

globetrotting couple 

AFTER travelling the world catering 

for the tastes of everyone from royalty to 

Wimbledon tennis fans, Sarah Allchorne 

has turned around the fortunes of a 

Sissinghurst pub. 

Together with her New Zealand-born 

husband, chef Dane, the once tired and 

unloved Bull, was transformed into a dining 

pub with rooms and changed its name to 

The Milkhouse in 2013. 

Starting with a course at Prue Leith’s – 

the Great British Bake Off judge’s cookery 

school – Sarah met her husband-to-be while 

they both worked for catering company By 

Word of Mouth. They married in 2006 and 

have three children. 

Her career took her to Merrill Lynch as 

international events director, heading a 

team which organised events all over the 

globe. 

In 2011 Sarah’s parents, who live in Kent, 

told the couple about the closure of the 

Bull, the only pub in Sissinghurst, and after 

negotiating for two years with Enterprise 

Inns, they signed the lease. 

In 2016, the couple saved another pub 

– The Barrow House in Egerton – which 

was “empty and really sad”. It too has been 

transformed on the lines of the Milkhouse. 

Sarah said: “You have to take a new 

view of pubs, making them attractive to a 

much broader range of people, those who 

come to dine and families with children. 

We have a similar business model with 

accommodation, dining and garden and the 

same ethos at The Barrow House - a home 

from home feel.” 

She added: “It has been a huge learning 

curve and we did it together which was very 

important.” TF 

New Rector for 

Sissinghurst & 

Frittenden 

FATHER OF three, the Rev Pete 

Deaves, has been appointed the 

new rector of Sissinghurst and 

Frittenden. 

He is expected to take up his 

new post in February 2020 and 

fills the position left by the Rev 

Fred Olney who retired in the 

summer. 

The interview panel consisted of four churchwardens and three 

clergy including the Rev Ann Pollington, vicar of St. Dunstan’s 

Cranbrook. Their decision was unanimous. 

The Rev Deaves is currently assistant curate of Holy Trinity, 

Rudgwick, near Horsham. Married to Claire, a primary school 

teacher, they have three children. 

Brought up in Bookham, Surrey, the Rev Deaves spent three 

years in Minsk, Belarus, and Astana, Kazakstan, learning Russian 

and teaching English. Apart from a short time in a paper factory, 

he has always worked in education or alongside families. 

Cycling is his favourite way of getting around and he would “love 

to get better at keeping chickens”. TF 


sponsored feature 

Seasonal Magic 

at Scotney Castle 

Discover the magic of Scotney Castle this 

Christmas and New Year 

IT’S THE perfect time of year to start to make plans with family 

and friends to celebrate the festive season. At Scotney Castle this 

year, we’d like to invite you to experience Christmas as the three 

generations of Hussey family members would have done over 

the years, in the decorated house or around the garden and wider 

estate. 

With activities for children, carol singing, Christmas lunches 

and plenty of inspiring gifts in the shop for those perfect 

presents, why not put a date in the diary to visit? We’re open 

every day over the festive season (except Christmas Eve and 

Christmas Day). 

CHRISTMAS LUNCHES 

Monday 25 November – Friday 20 December 

(weekdays only) 12pm-2pm. Two courses 

£22.95, three courses £25.95. 

From Monday 25 November to Friday 20 

December, the tea-room will be serving 

two or three course Christmas lunches 

(weekdays only), accompanied by a selection 

of wines, local ales and soft drinks. Each course 

has a variety of options, including a traditional Christmas lunch 

or a vegetarian option, with tea or coffee to finish. The tea-room 

will be decorated for Christmas and you can sit back and relax 

as your meal is served to your table. 

Please visit our website to see the menus and download a 

booking form, or contact Mike Lynch (01892 893869 / 

mike.lynch@nationaltrust.org.uk) if you have any questions or 

to reserve your table. 

EXPERIENCE THE 

HUSSEY FAMILY’S 

CHRISTMAS EVE 

Saturday 23 November 

– Sunday 5 January, 

11am-3pm (last entry 

2.30pm). Normal 

admission applies. 

Step through the front 

door of the house into 

a world of decorated trees, gifts waiting to be opened, sparkling 

lights, cosy fires and the dining room set for a feast. It’s as if the 

family have just stepped out. Children can play with the toys under 

the Christmas tree and families can explore the rooms transformed 

for the festive season. 

In the library, the Hussey children’s Noah’s Ark will be set out 

with one hundred pairs of animals marching across the floor. 

The discovery of the ark was one of the highlights found in the 

attics. Most of the animals were found in the ark but several were 

scattered around the house in various drawers, boxes and biscuit tins. 

Many show the signs of years of enjoyment, some have a few missing 

ears or snapped off limbs, but most animals are now paired together 

and are in excellent condition. We still don’t know if we’ve found the 

complete set, as some of the pairs recently reunited have been found 

in different boxes, but we do have Noah and his wife!

STORYTELLING WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS 

Saturday 7, 14 and 21 December, Sunday 8, 15 and 22 

December, Monday 23 December, 9.30am-10.30am. 

£10 per child (pre-booking essential.) 

Father Christmas will be visiting Scotney Castle and 

helping families feel even more festive this season. 

Take a seat around the Christmas tree in the house 

to listen to a fun-filled Christmas story before each 

child receives a gift from the man himself. 

NOAH’S ARK CHILDREN’S TRAIL 

Saturday 23 November – Sunday 5 January, 10am- 

4pm. £2 per child, Normal admission applies. 

If you’re looking to get the kids outdoors and need 

something to entertain them, then try the Noah’s 

Ark children’s trail around the garden. Inspired by 

the ark on display in the house, follow the network 

of paths around the garden to find the missing 

animals and take a rubbing at each stop to fill up 

the ark. There’s a prize to claim at the end as well. 

e 

J 

d c 

x 

MEET AND GREET WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS 

Monday 16 – Friday 20 December, 9.30am-10.30am. 

£5 per child (pre-booking essential). 

Father Christmas will be waiting to greet you in our decorated house 

and find out what you’d like him to bring you on Christmas Eve. Make 

sure you’ve been good all year and have written your list! On booking 

you will be allocated a 15-minute time slot between 9.30-10.30am. 

Each slot will have a group of five children and each child will have 

an individual opportunity to speak with Father Christmas, collect a 

special gift and have a photograph taken in front of our decorated tree 

with Father Christmas. 

d 

CAROLS AT THE CASTLE 

Sunday 15 December, 11.30am and 

2pm. Normal admission applies. 

G 

We’re looking forward to welcoming 

a local Victorian carol singing group 7 

to Scotney Castle on Sunday 15 

December. Join us outside the front 

K 

of the house to sing some of your 

favourite carols and welcome in the 

c 

festive season. 

3 6 

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING 

From Friday 1 November. Shop open daily 

from 10am-4pm. 

For some stress-free shopping, why not 

come along to the shop at Scotney Castle? 

With plenty of parking, no admittance 

charge and a tea-room just next door for 

refreshments, it’s a perfect antidote to the 

High Street. 

There are food and drink items, personalised 

hampers, National Trust branded items, 

accessories, books, household items and 

Christmas decorations. There’s are also 

membership packs on sale – a gift that will 

give a year’s worth of days out and happy 

memories. 

So however you plan to celebrate 

the festive season... 

...make a date to visit Scotney Castle to soak 

up the magic and ambience of the house, 

Old Castle and estate. We look forward to 

welcoming you. 

For more information on events, please go to 

our website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotneycastle 

or call 01892 893820. 

EVENTS COMING 

UP IN 2020 

Make plans to visit next year 

when we will have children’s 

activities in the school 

holidays, Easter activities, 

estate walks, gardening talks, 

photography workshops, a 

flower festival in June, outdoor 

theatre, Hops and Harvest 

Festival in September and 

Christmas events at the end 

of the year. Please check our 

website for forthcoming 

events. 

GIVE THE GIFT OF 

MEMBERSHIP THIS 

CHRISTMAS 

For a gift that offers a year’s 

worth of days out, why not 

buy someone membership 

to the National Trust? With 

prices starting from £10 a 

year for a junior membership, 

to £6 a month for an adult 

membership, there’s one to 

suit every family or individual. 

Please call in to Scotney 

Castle to sign up and collect a 

membership pack. 


Need to see a GP fast before the 

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Choose our private GP at Benenden 

Hospital and see a doctor as soon as 

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Book a comprehensive 25-minute 

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healthnews 

Time is Ticking for 

Cranbrook GPs 

DOCTORS IN Cranbrook have suggested 

that a much-needed fit-for-purpose 

surgery would ideally be built as part of 

the community centre on Wilkes Field. 

Dr Justin Charlesworth, of the Orchard 

End practice in Dorothy Avenue, told 

parish councillors at their August meeting 

that a new GP centre was a “priority”. 

He believed local doctors faced three 

options: work with the parish council 

to develop a new surgery on Wilkes 

Field, approach a GP premises developer 

to find land and develop a building 

which would be leased to the doctors, 

or “the worst option” which would be 

to continue in their current practices 

until deciding to conclude their NHS 

contract. It would then be down to the 

Clinical Commissioning Group to find an 

alternative provider which would likely 

be a private company as happened in 

Staplehurst. 

He went on: “There are increasing 

demands on how we work and what we 

do. We are committed to continuity of 

care and I don’t think that will change if 

we build a new practice. 

“We are not sure of the numbers at the 

moment but in five years’ time we will 

lose three of our partners, possibly four. 

We have made a commitment to form 

together in one practice and would like to 

do it in three years. We don’t want it to be 

five years.” 

He added: “It would be really good 

for Cranbrook to have a joint centre.” 

Councillors have said they will investigate 

the possibility of incorporating the 

doctors’ surgery in the community 

centre. TF 

The Weald Goes Pink! 

A THINK Pink Weald 

tour included 

Cranbrook as one of 

its venues to raise 

awareness of breast 

cancer and raise 

funds for research 

into its cause, 

prevention, diagnosis, 

treatment and cure. 

The Ruby 

Rockit choir from 

Tenterden sang at 

the Vestry Hall and 

Gemma Holmes, 

the owner of Odyl, 

a fashion boutique 

in Cranbrook High 

Street, staged a 

fashion parade. A 

nurse was on hand 

to provide more 

information on 

what changes to 

note during selfexamination. 

Breast cancer is 

close to Gemma 

Holmes’ heart. She 

and her team were 

recently crowned 

champions in the 

race to raise money 

for the charity, Breast 

Cancer Kent, in the 

£1,000 challenge. 

The team raised 

£10,268 by holding 

a fashion show and 

auction. The money 

went to the charity, 

which is run purely 

by volunteers and 

was set up to provide 

help, information 

and support to Kent 

women suffering from 

breast cancer. TF 


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Fitness Training 

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Friday 

BoxFit – Goudhurst 

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STRENGTH IN MIND | STRENGTH IN BODY 

YOU’LL FIND YOURS I PROMISE. 

■ Daily coaching videos 

■ 9 Daily Kickstart workouts 

■ 2 Full body workouts 

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Karen Porter | 07930 425694 

karen@bodyandhealthbydesign.com 

www.bodyandhealthbydesign.com 

www.facebook.com/bodyandhealthbydesign 

38 Parish Cake • Winter 2018

comment 

Santa looks 

forward to 

CHRISTMAS! 

CHRISTMAS MEANS an awful 

lot to me ‘cos it was the time 

a total stranger picked me 

up from the snowy streets 

of London and took me to 

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. 

I would like to say, that at 

15-weeks-old I featured in 

Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of 

Dogs but I have my Hoomans 

to thank for giving me a terrific 

home. I heard them 

talking the other day 

and saying that one 

in four dogs now is a 

rescue dog which is 

terrific news for us 

abandoned canines. 

Staff at Battersea 

named me Santa and 

when Mr Hooman first saw 

me he said: “Have I really got 

to shout Santa when we are 

out on walks? I suppose it 

could be worse, Tinkerbell for 

instance...” 

But now, nine and a half 

years later, he is feeling less 

silly still shouting Santa 

because no-one could think of a 

different name. When I started 

dog agility I was registered as 

Santa Claws which I thought 

was pretty cool. I won oodles 

of rosettes and trophies. I 

made quite a name for myself, 

causing great hilarity when, on 

some days, I jumped one fence 

and left the ring or found a 

good smell to roll in half way 

round the course! 

With Christmas just around 

the corner, it reminds me of 

the first time I walked into my 

“HAVE I REALLY GOT TO 

SHOUT SANTA WHEN WE 

ARE OUT ON WALKS? I 

SUPPOSE IT COULD BE 

WORSE, TINKERBELL FOR 

INSTANCE...” 

new home. I pretended I was 

really cool but deep down it was 

all very strange. A large tree 

(what’s that doing indoors?) 

stood in the corner covered in 

sparkly things and the house 

smelled of spices. At the end 

of the room a fire was glowing 

which soon had me happy and 

snoring. 

I was somewhat taken back 

when, expecting to share in 

the Hoomans’ meals, there was 

a total ban on a lot of foods. 

Christmas pudding, something 

to do with some of the fruit 

being toxic, as are onions, 

chocolate, alcohol, broccoli, 

peanut butter with added 

sweeteners such as Xylitol and 

Aspartame, avocado, milk, 

grapes and mushrooms, to 

name but a few. 

Still, what you don’t have 

you don’t miss and my daily 

grub is great together with 

PROSECCO THURSDAYS 

Free bottle of prosecco when two or 

more guests dine with two courses 

“The Loveliest Castle in the World” 

my teeth cleaning chew 

sticks and the odd Bonio. I 

am really looking forward 

to another happy Christmas 

with my Hoomans and if you 

are thinking about getting 

a dog why not try a rescue 

centre? Have a safe and Merry 

Christmas! Santa Claws 

Note to self: must remember 

to water the Christmas tree 

using a watering can this year... 

oops. 

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 

magnificent Castle. Parking is free and an entrance ticket to 

Leeds Castle is not required to dine in the evening. 

To book a table online at 

leeds-castle.com/restaurant or call 01622 767777 


sponsored feature 

Phoenix 

Design and 

Construction 

Introducing Phoenix Design and Construction, 

a local construction company delivering a 

diverse range of projects. With its office and 

yard based in the Cranbrook area, it serves both 

the parish and further afield in the South East. 

OUR AIM 

When Phoenix started, the idea was 

to provide a tailored solution to 

our customers’ construction needs. 

Whether that meant taking on all 

the administration and organising 

of architects and other professionals 

required at the planning stage or 

fitting out a bathroom with the 

goods chosen by our client. 

In short, our aim is to streamline 

the whole construction process for 

our customers to help alleviate the 

stress of commissioning or running 

a project to make it a memorable 

process for all the right reasons. 

HOW WE DO THIS 

We have developed a network of 

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the pre planning/design phase and 

also have a combination of highly 

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teams along with specialist subcontractors, 

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fully flexible and adaptable to your 

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PROJECT PICTURES 

The pictures in the article relate to 

one of our first ever projects. This 

was a double barn restoration and 

conversion with a modern glass 

walkway to link the two. Several 

years later and we have been asked 

back to carry out the next phase of 

works; a new build barn linked to 

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JUST BARNS? 

While we love working on barns 

Contact 

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we aren’t just limited to this type 

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feature 

GRACE KELLY / NATIONAL TRUST 

From 

CLARINETS 

to CLAMATIS 

“Even now, I still don’t 

feel like I am the head 

gardener of Sissinghurst.” 

Michelle Cain talks 

exclusively to our garden 

writer Penny Royal 

LEONORA ENKING 

WHEN MICHELLE Cain’s 

grandmother inspired her to start 

gardening at the age of eight she 

never dreamed her passion for 

plants would see her in charge of 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden. 

A promising career playing the 

clarinet and time with the Leicester 

School Symphony Orchestra led to 

a degree in music at Oxford Brookes 

and jobs in the record industry. 

But a total change was round the 

corner. 

Michelle, 43, who lives with her 

partner Ciaran in a cottage on the 

estate, said: “After eight years I was 

made redundant and I thought I 

should do something else with my 

life. I considered being a teacher 

but decided I would be a gardener.” 

She has her grandmother to 

thank for making such a drastic 

move. 

“I started gardening when I was 

eight planting tulip bulbs with 

my nan. She was a really good 

gardener. She loved fuchsias which 

were all the rage. She could grow 

anything but she didn’t have a 

glasshouse. She grew 

seeds on the window 

sill. She was old-school, 

I DIDN’T 

KNOW THEN 

THAT MY 

FATHER, 

WHO LEFT 

WHEN I 

WAS TWO, 

WAS ALSO A 

GARDENER 

AND I 

DID THE 

GARDENING 

AT HOME 

FROM 

NECESSITY.” 

taking cuttings and I learned a lot 

from my nan. I didn’t know then 

that my father, who left when I 

was two, was also a gardener and 

I did the gardening at home from 

necessity.” 

Her love of gardening has been 

inspired by TV gardener Monty 

Don and she signed up to do a 

two-year course at Capel Manor – 

“I didn’t have the money to go to 

Kew or Wisley”. 

It was not long before Michelle 

found herself working at 

Theobalds Farmhouse Garden in 

Enfield. Owned by Alison Green, 

GRACE KELLY / NATIONAL TRUST 


Michelle helped to transform 

the land into the spectacular 

garden it is today. 

“Alison took her 

inspiration from Vita and 

Harold to make Theobalds 

into a series of garden rooms 

and I was head gardener with 

a small team. It is a mini 

Great Dixter and I am still 

not sure if even Sissinghurst 

beats Theobalds.” 

Her next project was 

working for an “ultra-high 

networth” Russian oligarch 

in what is believed to be the 

largest fully-private garden 

in London. The 11-acre 

estate had been worked 

on by Capability Brown in 

1780-1. 

After a spell at another 

property in Hertfordshires, 

Michelle said she wanted 

to “get back to proper 

gardening” and saw the 

Sissinghurst head gardener 

Troy Scott Smith’s post 

advertised. 

“I thought it would be 

the kind of job I would be 

applying for in 10 years’ time 

but I decided I’d go with it 

and throw my hat into the 

ring never thinking I would 

get it.” 

She sent her application 

at the last moment and was 

invited to the candidates’ 

open day. She said: “I 

thought there would be 

hoards of people applying 

but there weren’t.” 

After two more interviews, 

Michelle said she was 

amazed to be offered the job. 

She sees her role as taking 

cautious steps, keeping a 

balance between “tidy and 

romantically billowy, a 

managed organised chaos”. 

She is particularly 

interested in watching the 

two-year restoration of 

the Delos garden, created 

80 years ago by Vita and 

Harold after a visit to Greece, 

and also keen to address 

the increasing demands 

of greater output from the 

nursery. 

“I am new to the National 

Trust, new as someone who 

works in it and I still see it in 

the eyes of a visitor. It is all a 

learning curve.” 

With a footfall of 200,000 

visitors a year and an everstrong 

connection to Vita 

and Harold’s legacy, Michelle 

is conscious of keeping the 

magic they created while the 

garden moves further into 

the 21st century. 

Let’s Cook! 

Sally’s Dutch Cake 

I MAKE no apologies for sharing 

this recipe for the best fruit cake 

I have ever eaten and one we 

should all make at Christmas! The 

ingredients are sumptuous and 

well worth searching for but the 

end product will amaze you. As it 

is so rich dispense with marzipan 

and icing. 

Of Dutch West Indies origin, I first 

tasted it in Scotland! Like most 

recipes it has been handed down 

and lost its name so I have named 

it after the lovely friend who 

passed it on to me. 

INGREDIENTS 

SERVES 8 

8oz raisins 

8oz sultanas 

8oz glace cherries 

4oz candied pineapple 

4oz angelica 

4oz mixed peel 

4oz candied paw-paw (f you can 

get it!) 

4oz ginger in syrup 

4oz strawberry jam 

Half a teacup of dark honey 

8oz of cashew nuts 

1lb caster sugar 

8oz butter 

15 medium eggs (yes, 15) 

8oz semolina 

3tbs brandy 

A few drops of vanilla extract 

2tsp ground cardamom 

Level tbs mixed spices 

2tsp rose water 

1 Cut all fruit and nuts finely, mix 

well. 

2 Soak in half the extract and 

spices with brandy the day before 

baking, turning occasionally. 

3 Warm the semolina in a flat pan 

and add butter. Mix well and set 

aside. 

4 Separate the eggs. Mix yolks 

and sugar, beating well. Mix 

together the butter and semolina, 

add the eggs and all the fruits, 

nuts, jam etc. Beat the egg whites 

stiffly and gradually add to the 

mixture until it becomes a moist 

pouring consistency. Too much 

egg white will make the cake too 

dry. Add the remaining extract 

and more brandy to taste. 

5 Line a suitably sized tin with 

several layers of grease proof 

paper and put about six layers 

in the bottom. Tie paper around 

the outside of the tin to come 

six inches above the rim. Bake in 

the oven at Gas 2, Fan 140C or 

300F for 2-2.5 hours until a knife 

inserted in the middle comes out 

clean. 

Bon Appetite and Happy 

Christmas! 

Emma Fraser 

TONY HISGETT 


feature 

Are you 

winter ready? 

Tips from South East Water 

COLD WEATHER can have 

a big impact on your home and 

cause your water pipes to burst 

or freeze. Follow these five 

easy steps to avoid any 

unnecessary stress and expense 

this winter. 

PIPES – WRAP ‘EM UP 

Protecting your pipes may be 

the last thing on your mind with 

Christmas approaching, but it 

really is essential to prepare 

your home to prevent bursts. 

We recommend covering all of 

your water pipes – including 

those outside your home – with 

a foam tube called lagging. It’s 

cheap, easy to fit and available 

from most DIY stores. Just 

remember to use waterproof 

lagging for any outdoor pipes 

and protective tap guards. 

TIP 

We have free winter ready kits 

including lagging and tap guards at 

www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/ 

southeast/free-water 

-saving-products 

KEEP YOUR HOME NICE 

AND TOASTY 

If you can, try to keep your 

home snug at all times. Try 

putting draught excluders on 

doors or a thin sheet of card 

with tinfoil behind your radiator 

as this will reflect heat back into 

your room, meaning it warms 

up faster and retains more heat. 

We also recommend you keep 

your heating on low, even when 

you’re out of the house or on 

holiday, to help keep your home 

warm and prevent pipes from 

freezing. 

BLEED YOUR RADIATORS 

Trapped air causes radiators 

to have cold 

spots, 

reducing 

their 

efficiency. 

You can 

bleed your 

radiators 

yourself using a radiator key or 

a flat screwdriver, depending 

on your valve type, and slowly 

turning the valve counter 

clockwise until water starts 

dripping out. This will release 

trapped air and let hot water in, 

giving you a warmer home and 

cheaper energy bills. 

BE PREPARED 

Make sure you know where your 

stop tap is - most are under the 

kitchen sink or in the cupboard 

under the stairs - as you may 

need to turn your water off 

quickly if your pipes freeze 

or burst. It’s also a good idea 

to have the name and number 

of a qualified plumber to hand 

so if your pipes do freeze or 

burst you can call them straight 

away. 

TIP 

To find an approved plumber 

in your area, we recommend 

WaterSafe – a one-stop shop which 

brings together thousands of 

qualified plumbers. Visit 

www.watersafe.org.uk or 

call 0333 207 9030. 

SERVICE YOUR BOILER 

Make sure you get your 

boiler serviced regularly. We 

recommend you do this about 

once a year. Lots of modern 

boilers also have a frost setting, 

which is great for preventing 

frozen pipes when your central 

heating is not in full use. 

HELP FOR PRIORITY 

CUSTOMERS 

Please contact us at 

South East Water if you or 

someone you know could be 

vulnerable and needs extra 

assistance. Registering for our 

free Priority Service means 

we’ll be able to provide any 

additional support needed, and 

respond quickly to any queries. 

TIP 

It’s easy to register online 

for Priority Services. Call our 

dedicated Customer Care Team 

on 0333 000 2468 or apply 

online at www.southeastwater. 

co.uk/priority. All of our 

advisors are specially trained 

to offer confidential advice 

and support. Lines are open 

Monday to Friday between 

8am and 7pm, and Saturdays 

between 8am and 1pm. 


feature 

TIP 

From advice on driving 

during a cold snap to finding 

out about benefits and 

allowances you may be able 

to claim, there’s plenty of 

useful information and links to 

organisations which can help 

you at www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 

barometer/advice 

FROM HEALTH TO 

HEATING 

Wrapping up for winter isn’t 

just about your pipework – it’s 

also about making sure you 

and your family are ready for 

cold weather. 

REPORTING A LEAK 

Our extensive water network 

carries 517 million litres 

of drinking water everyday 

through 9,000 miles of mains 

and more than six million 

joints. If you see a leak or 

burst, you can report it to us by 

calling our dedicated Leakline 

on 0333 000 0002 or by visiting 

our interactive map found at 

www.inyourarea.digdat.co.uk/ 

southeastwater 

For more winter ready 

information go to 

www.southeastwater.co.uk/ 

percy 

PIPE CARE 

If your pipes have frozen 

1 Turn off the water supply at the stop tap 

2 Slowly thaw the pipe with either a warm towel 

starting at the end nearest to the tap. We 

recommend using your tumble dryer or soaking 

the towels in warm water. Never use a naked flame 

or blowtorch. 

If your pipes have burst 

1 Turn off the stop tap 

2 Open all taps to drain the system quickly 

3 Soak up/block off escaping water with thick towels 

4 If water has leaked near your electrics or into any 

electrical appliances, switch them off at the mains 

5 Call a qualified plumber. To find your 

nearest WaterSafe accredited plumber visit 

www.watersafe.org.uk or call 0333 207 9030 

6 Turn off taps once the pipework is repaired to 

avoid further flooding. 

Help on your 

doorstep 

Close to Hand is an online service 

connecting you to people in your 

local community who can lend a 

helping hand. 

Enjoy the flexibility & convenience of getting 

help and companionship when you require it. 

Choose the right person for you from local 

Home Helper profiles. 

www.closetohand.co.uk 


EST 

1900 

Chartered Accountants 

helping you, your business 

and your family 

We specialise in farms, families, trusts and estates and have a 

dedicated team who can help you manage your financial needs. 

Our directors, Janet Pierce and Mark Howard have direct experience 

with equestrian and farming matters, and we also offer an 

extensive range of services including:- 

Bookkeeping 

Succession planning 

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Inheritance tax advice 

Tax returns and VAT advice 

Estate planning 

Payroll 

Auto enrolment 

Please contact janet.pierce@charter-tax.com or 

mark.howard@charter-tax.com • Telephone 01580 313108 

www.charter-tax.com 

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

Local relationship 

banking 

At Handelsbanken, relationship banking still 

lives up to its name. Our simple aim is to 

provide the best possible service. 

• You deal with people you know 

• Key decisions are made locally by us at the 

Tunbridge Wells branch 

• A wide range of products and services, including 

everyday banking, mortgages and savings, tailored 

to suit your needs 

To find out how you might benefit from more personal 

banking, please contact Nigel Baldwin or Ray Keatley, 

Individual Banking Managers, on 01892 547702 or 

email: tunbridgewells@handelsbanken.co.uk 

Oakhurst House, 77 Mount Ephraim 

Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8BS 

handelsbanken.co.uk/tunbridgewells 

Handelsbanken is the trading name of Handelsbanken plc, which is incorporated in England 

and Wales with company number 11305395. Registered office: 3 Thomas More Square, 

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2892_RL_Parish_Magazine_Advert_TunbridgeWells.indd 1 21/01/2019 09:09:06 


legal 

From our 

Friendly Experts 

Buss Murton’s lawyers offer their expert advice 

Are court proceedings the only way 

Q to get a divorce? 

Married couples who have sadly 

A decided they wish to divorce are able 

to do so by alternative methods to the 

traditional court proceedings; one of which 

is using the collaborative law process. 

This approach means the couple decides 

what their new family life will look like 

through a series of discussions guided by 

their lawyers. Each spouse is supported by 

their own collaboratively trained lawyer. 

These lawyers work together as colleagues 

to support the couple in agreeing a fair 

arrangement for any children 

and finances. The aims behind this 

collaborative law approach are: 

• To have fully open discussions - there 

are no letters back and forth between 

lawyers; all discussions are held 

together in meetings saving time and 

money and allowing decisions to be 

made quickly. 

• To maintain good communications - 

this is so important where there are 

children involved as parents need to 

keep talking to each other throughout 

their children’s lives. 

• To agree the arrangements for children 

- research has shown that arrangements 

that have been agreed between a couple 

are likely to last longer than those 

imposed by a court. 

• To agree the sharing of financial 

resources - the collaborative approach 

means that people can be flexible in 

making decisions and put forward 

suggestions that may not be possible 

within the court process. 

• To stay out of court - everyone signs 

an agreement to say they are willing to 

work together towards an agreement 

and to stay out of the court proceedings, 

saving money and minimising emotional 

stress. 

JULIE TAYLOR 

Partner, Family 

For a free 30-minute 

consultation to discuss 

any matters involving 

separation, divorce, 

finances or arrangements for children, 

please contact Julie Taylor on T: 01892 502 

354 or E: jtaylor@bussmurton.co.uk and 

quote the reference ‘ParishCake’ 

QWhat are the key things I need to 

consider when taking a lease of a 

commercial property for the first time or 

moving premises? 

Taking business premises for the 

A first time or relocating is an exciting 

prospect, but also a daunting one. Even 

once the perfect premises have been 

identified, the tough job of agreeing the 

terms of the lease begins. A commitment 

from both parties to follow the Code 

for Leasing Business Premises provides 

an excellent starting point for keeping 

negotiations with the landlord on an 

even footing. 

It is also worth putting as much detail as 

possible in the Heads of Terms, which will 

reduce overall negotiation time and costs. 

Assessing the condition of the property 

is vital. Accepting a property in poor 

condition does not necessarily relieve 

the tenant of the obligation to put the 

premises in good repair and condition. A 

schedule of condition may be appropriate 

for properties in poor condition. 

A thorough due diligence process needs 

to be carried out to ensure that the tenant 

will be able to comply with the covenants 

in the lease and fully understands the title 

and their position. 

Taxes must also be considered. A Stamp 

Duty Land Tax liability applies to leasehold 

transactions over a certain rental value 

or where a premium is paid. VAT may also 

apply to the rent in certain circumstances. 

Advice should be taken before agreeing 

to exclude the statutory rights to renew a 

lease at the end of the lease term. 

A tenant must ensure the lease grants 

any rights required to fully use and enjoy 

the property, such as rights of way, or the 

right to install an air-conditioning plant 

outside the premises. 

The tough retail landscape makes 

landlords increasingly keen to protect 

their position and as such, a landlord may 

require a guarantor or rent deposit as 

security. 

FRASER RICKMAN 

Solicitor, Residential and 

Commercial Property 

We act for both landlords 

and tenants. Please feel 

free to get in contact if you 

require any advice on commercial property 

leases on T: 01580 712 215 or E: FRickman@ 

bussmurton.co.uk and quote the reference 

‘ParishCake’ 

further 

info 

Clermont House, High Street, 

Cranbrook, TN17 3DN 

01580 712 215 or info@bussmurton.co.uk 

www.bussmurton.co.uk 


update 

News 

and views from Cranbrook 

& Sissinghurst Parish Council 

Optimism About the Future 

Cllr. Kim Fletcher, new chair of the parish council, looks ahead 

AT A time when there is 

division and discord in 

the nation there are great 

reasons to feel optimistic 

about the future of the 

parish of Cranbrook and 

Sissinghurst. 

During the past five 

years Bridget Veitch 

has led us through 

tough times as austerity 

eviscerated public 

services and laid far more 

responsibilities on the 

parish council. However, 

there are many reasons 

to be cheerful because a 

number of organisations 

are really making a 

difference and some 

projects look as though 

they will finally come off. 

Cranbrook in Bloom 

is an organisation that 

goes from strength to 

strength, involving 

many people of all ages 

making a real difference 

to our environment. A 

gold award in South and 

South East in Bloom 

and a silver gilt in the 

national competition are 

remarkable achievements 

and anyone can join in. 

Cranbrook goes Nuts 

in May and the Apple 

Fayre are both unique, 

creative events when the 

real Cranbrook emerges 

from the shadows 

and expresses unique 

quirkiness and creativity, 

all created by small 

groups of hard-working 

people making fun for 

the rest of us. 

The Rugby Club is 

becoming a multi-sport 

club, with a new multiuser 

clubhouse coming 

to fruition. Beside the 

men’s and women’s 

teams, there are about 

ABOVE: Wellbeing in 

the Weald allotment 

holders 

300 children involved 

at the club each Sunday 

morning - a wonderful 

place to learn to work 

together at an early age. 

The NHS is changing 

the delivery of primary 

health care and our 

GPs are now part of a 

Primary Care Network 

(PCN). Part of this is the 

increase in encouraging 

people to interact with 

one another. We now 

have the magnificent 

Wellbeing in the Weald, 

which during the past 

year has created a new 

choir (the Compass Choir 

meets on Wednesdays 

at 5pm in the Vestry 

Hall), an allotment group 

(who won the second 

prize in the allotment 

competition in their first 

year), walking groups 

(meeting every Tuesday 

morning), plus other 

ideas in the pipeline. 

The parish council is 


keen to facilitate the 

delivery of the new 

health services and are 

working closely with the 

local director of the PCN 

to see if the Wilkes Field 

site for the community 

centre can accommodate 

a new medical centre as 

well. 

The community centre 

is beginning to look 

feasible, particularly if 

we can work to deliver a 

wide range of services to 

help you, the readers of 

this magazine. Hopefully 

some of you can help us 

realise the project? 

The replacement 

of the St. George’s 

Institute in Sissinghurst 

is progressing, but all 

hands are needed to the 

pump. We are also still 

looking for individuals to 

get together to organise 

the summer fete in 

Sissinghurst for 2020. 

Our retailers have 

been suffering from 

changing shopping 

habits, so hopefully the 

planned new housing will 

reinvigorate our High 

Street. 

The new housing poses 

a lot of issues, which 

are being addressed by 

the incredibly dedicated 

Neighbourhood 

Development Plan 

Steering Group, as well as 

many individuals in the 

community. 

The Tunbridge Wells 

Borough Council’s draft 

Local Plan has received 

a great deal of feedback, 

and we hope this is 

being taken on board. 

The parish council will 

“OUR RETAILERS HAVE BEEN SUFFERING 

FROM CHANGING SHOPPING HABITS, SO 

HOPEFULLY THE PLANNED NEW HOUSING 

WILL REINVIGORATE OUR HIGH STREET” 

ABOVE: Cllr. Kim 

Fletcher 

keep a close eye on the 

key issues, which are 

numbers of housing, 

masterplanning of access 

points, where people will 

work and travel, how 

much of the new housing 

will be truly affordable 

for local people, and the 

Get 

involved 

design and standard of 

the build. 

So we have a dynamic 

community, open to 

more involvement and 

a parish council which 

wants to get the best for 

the community. 

Cllr. Kim Fletcher 

Please get involved, and tell us how we 

can help you realise success with your 

group or organisation. Comments can 

be send to the parish office at the Old 

Fire Station, Stone St, Cranbrook 

TN17 3HF. 

FOX 

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local legend 

IVOR 

HATCHER 

The parish’s very own Mr Fix It, who admits 

he has Cranbrook in his DNA, talks to Trisha 

Fermor about his life as parish warden 

Where were you born? 

At Courtstyle on the Quaker 

estate. I had five sisters, 

three older than me and two 

younger. My mum was at 

home but worked in the fields 

seasonally and dad worked 

for the South East Electricity 

Board. 

Where did you go to school? 

Cranbrook Primary School and 

then Swattenden School for 

Boys before going on to Angley 

when it first opened. I left at 

14; you could say I was known 

as disruptive but I spent a lot 

of time on the school farm and 

years later I went on to manage 

it. Little did I know that 20 

years later I would be taking 

and gaining an Open University 

degree in social science. I think 

it was harder than going to 

university. 

When did you join the parish 

council? 

I have worked for them since 

1984 doing all sorts of jobs 

around the parish. In 1999 

they decided to put all the 

jobs under one umbrella and I 

became the parish warden. My 

responsibilities include looking 

after Golford Cemetery and 

Cranbrook churchyard as well 

as overseeing funerals, digging 

the ashes plots and caring for 

them all. 

At one time I used to dig 

graves; £60 for a single and 

£65 for a double. I also check 

the playground equipment 

and liaise with other agencies 

including Highways. I suppose 

I am really the eyes and ears of 

the council. 

What about your family? 

Hatchers go a long way back 

in Cranbrook. My wife Liz 

used to be the headteacher at 

Lamberhurst primary before 

taking over at Hawkhurst. We 

have two children. 

What do you do in your 

spare time? 

I love being out in the 

countryside. I used to ride my 

cob George around doing my 

job but he is now 26 and retired. 

I love looking after Forge 

Orchard at Wilsley, picking the 

apples and keeping it tidy. 

What do you like about the 

parish? 

Cranbrook is just in my blood. 

There is nothing you can put 

your finger on. I don’t see my 

job as work. Because I live in 

the parish it’s like having an 

extension of your garden. None 

of us own anything, we are just 

custodians, looking after it for 

the next generation. 

What are your fondest 

memories? 

For years I dressed as a clown 

with a friend of mine and we 

were called Muddle and Mushy. 

We travelled all over with a 

Shetland pony called Seamus 

and a donkey doing fetes and 

things all over Kent. We even 

worked with Leslie Crowther 

one time. We used to go on 

holiday to a circus in Wales 

which had alligators and we’d 

join in! 


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Growing with our Community 

Our Cranbrook Office is 

moving to larger premises 

just across the road. From 

mid-September 2019 our 

new address will be: 

Clermont House, 

High Street, 

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T: 01580 712 215 

E: info@bussmurton.co.uk 

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Property • Wills, Trusts and Probate • Family and Divorce • Employment Law 

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Parish Cake - Winter 2019

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