Wealden Times | WT217 | March 2020 | Good Living supplement inside

PRICELESS
AUGUST MARCH 2020 2019
WT Logo Kent and Sussex.indd 7 14/09/2018 14:10
GOOD LIVING SUPPLEMENT inside
Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

Designed to stand the test of time
The difference is in the detail

Please call for a brochure or visit our showrooms
Unit 9, Chart Farm, Seal Chart
Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0ES
Tel: 01732 762682
81 Calverley Road
Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY
Tel: 01892 520730
www.rencraft.co.uk

01580 291221 jminteriorsuk.uk
Please call to arrange an appointment at our Biddenden showroom

THIS MOTHER’S DAY MAKE SURE YOU TAKE YOUR
SOMEONE SPECIAL TO SOMEWHERE SPECIAL
STEEPED IN HISTORY AND HERITAGE AND WITH
BEAUTIFUL HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND BARS,
ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS OFFERS THAT LITTLE
SOMETHING EXTRA ON MOTHER’S DAY
£2 SUNDAY PARKING SO YOU CAN LINGER FOR LONGER
FUNDED BY BUSINESSES IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS THROUGH TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOGETHER

Welcome to to Heronden Veterinary Practice, Practice,
the the only only independent Veterinary Practice Practice in in Tenterden, owned owned
and and run run by a by local a local family family with with help help from from an amazing an amazing team. team.
No No matter your
shape or or size...
.... .... We’ll We’ll love love you you at at Heronden Vets! Vets!
ABOUT US US
We We are are a NEW a NEW AND AND INDEPENDENT
Veterinary Practice providing an an
empathetic service service to the to the local local
community
WHERE WE WE ARE ARE
Pickhill Pickhill Business Centre,
Smallhythe Road, Road, Tenterden TN30 TN30 7LZ 7LZ
CONTACT US US
01580 763303
info@herondenvets.co.uk
www.herondenvets.co.uk
HerondenVeterinaryWT195.indd 1 24/04/2018 11:32
5 High Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3EB
01580 715144
Email: kld@kingsfords.net www.kingsfords-solicitors.com
We offer an excellent, swift and friendly service.
Conveyancing - Wills & Estates - Commercial Law -
Matrimonial Law - Prenuptial Agreements - Litigation -
Employment Law - Family Law - French Property
Conveyancing Services from £550.00+VAT
Wills from £220.00+VAT / Mirror Wills from £350.00+VAT
Lasting Power Of Attorney (LPA's) from £250.00+VAT
(Initial fixed-fee appointments also available at our Cranbrook offices)
Litigation Solicitor from £200.00+VAT
Matrimonial Solicitor from £150.00+VAT
We will always try and match any quotation
Kingsfords Solicitors Limited registered office address 2 Elwick Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PD
Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority 621466
wealdentimes.co.uk
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Contents
March 2020
26
41
52
75
80
105
52
WHOLE LOT OF HISTORY
Maggie Alderson finds historical
treasures on the Wealden
property market now
NOTEBOOK
This month take note of a
murder mystery, the new self
build and Women’s Day
THE HOUSE OF
MAGICAL OBJECTS
Maggie Alderson tours the
home of acclaimed children’s
writer, Sally Gardner
GET THE LOOK
Our guide to Sally’s
signature style
THE FOREVER HOME
Take a look inside a cottage
with interiors designed by
Justine Hodgson-Barker
GET THE LOOK
Imitate Justine’s fresh styling
108
108
116
121
123
124
132
138
SUSTAINABLE STYLE
Proof that preloved pieces
can be fashion forward
SUPERPRODUCTS
The star products of 2020’s
Beauty Bible awards revealed
RESETTING THE
BALANCE
How to ease or prevent
Endometriosis
THE FEAR OF FITNESS
Sarah Maxwell puts an end
to exercise intimidation
A PIECE OF CAKE
Mums will love Nicci
Gurr’s beautiful bakes
EASY EDIBLES
Jo Arnell’s expert guide to
growing edible garden goodies
IT’S A WILD WORLD
We celebrate biodiversity
Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street,
Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@wealdentimes.co.uk
Visit wealdentimes.co.uk Copyright © 2020 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of
the advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd.
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153
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163
164
124
JOIN THE CLUB
Explore exciting extra curriculars
FRESH THINKING
Hilary Wilce examines the significance
of learning environment
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Find out about New Beacon School’s
child wellbeing conference
WHAT’S ON
Get excited about March’s best events
COMPETITION
Win a wardrobe edit, outfit building
or apersonal shopping service
FABLES FROM THE FARM
Cooper’s Farm welcomes
this years’ calves
GOOD LIVING
SUPPLEMENT
28 pages of
holidays, hobbies
and health for
over 50s. After
page 106.
Sponsored by
7
Fabulous 50+ fashion • Adventurous holidays • Exciting hobbies

‘Our Focus Determines Your Reality’
HARPERS AND HURLINGHAM
RURAL STAPLEHURST £1,095,000
DELIGHTFUL GRADE II LISTED COUNTRY HOME
• Entrance hall • Three reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • Five bedrooms (four ensuite)
• Annexe with kitchen/sitting room • Bedroom • Enclosed garden • EPC: n/a
Additional land available by separate negotiation
Sales & Lettings Team
Harpers&Hurlingham
The Cornerhouse, Stone Street, Cranbrook
01580 715400
www.harpersandhurlingham.com
Jane Emilie Chez Cathy Sara Debbie Debbie S Sharon Caroline Dianne
Wendy

HOMES READY TO MOVE INTO
Welcome to Ambersey Green, a sought-after collection of 3 & 4 bedroom homes close to Hailsham.
• Beautiful 4-bed ‘Chicory’ and ‘Honeysuckle’ homes ready to move into, with stamp duty paid on selected plots!*
• Get the keys to your new home with 5% mortgage deposits from £18,750 with Help to Buy!**
• Inclusive finish as standard, meaning no need for expensive extras
4 bed ‘Honeysuckle’ from £375,000 | 4 bed ‘Chicory’ from £440,000
AMBERSEYGREEN.COM | 01323 459 744
WE’RE OPEN: DAILY 10AM - 5PM
OUR ADDRESS: AMBERSTONE ROAD | HAILSHAM | EAST SUSSEX | BN27 1PE
*Offer subject to terms and conditions and available and only available on selected plots. **Deposit calculated based on a 5% mortgage deposit on a property valued at £375,000.
Ask a member of the sales team for more details. Information correct at time of print. Show home imagery is indicative only.

SALES / LETTINGS / MANAGEMENT
VISIT US AT HUNTERS.COM
HERE TO GET you THERE
NEWING GREEN, HYTHE £550,000
An impressive fi ve bedroom detached family home with just over 2,700
Sq Ft of accommodation, and located in a semi rural area with delightful
views, and close to Westernhanger which is a London mainline train
station, and the delightful town of Hythe. EPC E
BURMARSH, ROMNEY MARSH £525,000
This property is situated in the popular Village of Burmarsh on the sought
after Romney Marsh with popular country pub, picturesque village church
and many walks and rides in the vicinity. Close by is the seaside town of
Dymchurch with local shops, pubs and eating places. EPC: E
WAREHORNE £675,000
A striking three bedroom Grade II listed white weather boarded
detached cottage with a wealth of period features, three reception
rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, bathroom and shower
room. EPC Exempt.
SMITH WAY. PRICES FROM £400,000
Smith Way is a PRIVATE collection of just 14 simply STUNNING
appointed FAMILY HOMES in the middle of the Kent countryside, but
with Headcorn Train Station less than half a mile down the road.
ONLY 2 PLOTS REMAINING
WEAVERS PARK PRICES FROM £795,000
JUST LAUNCHED THE LAST REMAINING 5 BED DETACHED,
DOUBLE GARAGE, DRIVEWAY PARKING, 2 EN SUITES, KITCHEN/
FAMILY ROOM, FLOORING & TILING INCLUDED
Weavers Park is an exclusive GATED development which offers an
EXCEPTIONAL range of 4 & 5 bedroom LUXURY homes built &
designed by Clarendon Homes.
MEET YOUR LOCAL Tenterden Team!
HERE TO GET you THERE
Over 150 independently owned branches across the UK. Jake, Andrew & Laura
TENTERDEN
HYTHE
01580 763 278
01303 261 557
ASHFORD
FOLKESTONE
01233 613 613
01303 210 335
Over 200 independently owned branches across the UK.

SPECIALISTS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY PROPERTIES
VALUERS • ESTATE AGENTS • LETTINGS
TENTERDEN
ORO £1.3 million
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with stunning countryside views, a
beautifully presented five bedroom house of almost 4,000 sq ft with a stylish
detached 3 bed holiday let, double garage with gym/office and a self-contained
summerhouse. In all about 1.06 acres (tbv) set on the edge of this historic town.
NORTHIAM OIEO £575,000
Located close to the village centre, a wonderful unlisted four bedroom period
property that offers accommodation of 2,200 sq ft, exuding warmth and character
with a contemporary, stylish interior making this a charming family home. Two
good sized gardens, off road parking and two single garages.
TENTERDEN ORO £775,000
An attractive four bedroom detached property with spacious reception rooms
including a conservatory, in a small select cul-de-sac setting just a short distance
from the town centre. Attached double garage - ideal for car enthusiasts, large
terrace and well stocked garden. No chain.
APPLEDORE OIEO £600,000
A deceptively spacious individual detached property in tucked away setting just a
short stroll from the village. The accommodation comprises an open plan sitting /
dining room, conservatory, study and well-designed kitchen, 4 beds and 2 bath /
shower rooms. Double garage, parking and pretty south facing garden.
TENTERDEN OIEO £700,000
This stunning detached property was built to exacting standards 10 years ago
by the vendors being in a tucked away position close to the town centre. The
accommodation is light and bright, the epitome of low maintenance, contemporary
living and viewing is recommended to fully appreciate all on offer.
TENTERDEN ORO £900,000
Standing in a wonderful plot of about 1.5 acres (tbv) this substantial and versatile 5
bedroom offers enormous potential for flexibility of use. Driveway with extensive
parking, double garage / pottery studio and covered heated swimming pool. Within
easy reach of the town centre.
Tenterden 01580 766044 | www.warnergray.co.uk | info@warnergray.co.uk

MAXIMISE THE VALUE
OF YOUR LAND
Have you got a large
garden or plot of land?
We are experts at working
with owners to maximise
the full value of their land
Industry leading experts
We take care of the planning permission!
The risk-free way to maximise your land
Zero cost to you!
Planning laws are changing
Act now before its too late!
What our clients say…
"The team had a huge amount of
knowledge and every step was handled
in a professional manner. Their excellent
relationship with the local planning
department helped achieve a fantastic
result for us. We would have no
hesitation in recommending them to
anyone who wants to achieve planning".
Amanda and Robert Petch
June 2016
"The cost involved to try and
get planning on our land
were just not feasible for us.
Working with Country House
meant we didn’t have to risk
our money as they took care
of everything"
Mr C Partridge (Loose, Kent)
September 2016
For a free appraisal call 0843 557 4080
www.maximisemyland.co.uk
sales@countryhousehomes.co.uk
“Guy and team at CHH did a fantastic
job securing planning permission on
our rear garden plot. Although a fairly
problematic application (which took
over 18 months), they kept us informed
throughout the entire process.
I would certainly use them again”
David J (Oxted, Surrey)
January 2017

DISCOVER NEW HOMES
CHURCH VIEW
TENTERDEN
1 & 2 BED
APARTMENTS
2 & 3 BED
HOMES
4 BED
HOMES
5 BED
HOMES
PRICES FROM
£255,000
PRICES FROM
£345,000
PRICES FROM
£510,000
PRICES FROM
£599,000
Beautiful homes surrounded by green open spaces and excellent local amenities just
400 metres from Tenterden’s boutique High Street. Church View offers an enviable
lifestyle that features the very best of town and country living.
Assisted Move Available | Help to Buy Available
PART-EXCHANGE AVAILABLE ON SELECTED PLOTS*
2 BED SHOW APARTMENT NOW OPEN
Show homes open by appointment:
Visit dandara.com or call 01580 854076
discover
Church View Sales & Marketing Suite, Recreation Ground Road, Tenterden, TN30 6RA
Specification may vary subject to house type and build stage. Full details available on request. Price and details correct at time of going to print. Computer Generated Images shown are indicative only.
Interior image shown is the 2 bed show apartment. *Part-exchange subject to availability and terms and conditions.

A.T. Palmer Ltd
Restoration Specialists Est.1949
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS
| Employed Skilled Workforce
| Renovations & Extensions
| Conversions & Alterations
| Design & Build
T: 01233 770077
Smarden Business Estate, TN27 8QL
atpalmer.co.uk

YOUR HOME, YOUR WAY
DESIGN YOUR INTERIOR TO SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE
LAUNCHING MAY 2020
Hillside Park
LINTON HILL, KENT
Introducing the first ever Fernham Bespoke Homes collection. These luxurious four and five bedroom detached
houses can be internally customised to a buyer’s design needs, and may qualify for a reduced stamp duty benefit. *
• Hand-pick your specification • Alter the internal layout to suit you and your family
• Features include working fireplaces, bifold doors & double-height galleried hallways
• Authentic village setting for sustainable living • Community facilities within walking distance
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY
01732 379947 | hillside.park@fernham-homes.co.uk | fernham-homes.co.uk
*Subject to the build schedule at time of reservation. Computer generated image.

DESIGN & PLANNING | RESTORATION | NEW BUILD | BARN CONVERSIONS | EXTENSIONS | JOINERY
For a brochure or home consultation call 01797 366895
www.anthony-hicks.co.uk

Residential Sales
#TheGardenOfEngland
Estate Agents
Egerton
Guide £1,250,000
A wonderful Grade II listed former Yeoman’s
House commanding fabulous far reaching views
across the Weald of Kent. In all about 8 acres.
EPC Rating NA
Crundale
Guide £1,095,000
A lovely period farmhouse and superb separate
annexe in a charming North Downs location.
In all about 1.36 acres. EPC Rating NA
Westwell
Guide £1,750,000
A quintessential Kentish farmstead with
development opportunity. Farmhouse, Kent
barn and Oast house. Also available in lots.
Land available. EPC Rating NA
Rolvenden Layne
Guide £845,000
A pretty Edwardian country cottage set in the
most beautiful location along a quiet country
lane, gardens, paddocks, woodland and outbuildings.
In all about 4.5 acres. EPC Rating E
High Halden
OIEO £695,000
A stylish Kentish oast house conversion set in
delightful garden with pretty duck pond, good
proximity to Tenterden/Ashford HS1.
EPC Rating E
Smarden
Guide £875,000
A south facing rural farmhouse set in 0.75 acre
gardens with natural pond, electric gates, small
barn, space to build garaging or annexe, lovely
views. EPC Rating F
Hobbs Parker Estate Agents www.hobbsparker.co.uk
Ashford 01233 506260 Tenterden 01580 766766

Design & Planning
Restoration
New Build
Barn Conversions
Extensions
Joinery
For a free consultation please contact: www.coxrestorations.co.uk
01233 714950
www.coxdevelopmentscharing.co
NATIONAL AWARD WINNER COX DEVELOPM
(CHARING) LIMITED – BEST SMALL DEVELOP
For a free consultation please contact: 01233 7
www.coxrestorations.co.uk
Established 1986

COX
Developments
(Charing) Limited
.uk
Design & Planning
Restoration
New Build
Design & Planning
Restoration
New Build
Barn Conversions
Extensions
Joinery
COX
Developments
(Charing) Limited
Barn Conversions
Extensions
Joinery
ENTS www.coxrestorations.co.uk
MENT
14950
www.coxrestorations.co.uk
Established 1986

TAILORED HOME INSURANCE
COVER RIGHT DOWN TO
THE FINEST DETAIL
Hand-upholstered sofa, diamond bracelet, original artwork...
Whatever treasures adorn your home, our Bespoke Insurance
has it covered.
To discuss your high value home insurance, call the
Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield Agency on 01233 884109 to
speak with our Bespoke Insurance Consultant, Lee Phillips.
Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.

BUILDING YOUR DREAMS FOR OVER 25 YEARS
Experience that allows us to design & build any project that you are planning.
For the past 55 years the Norton family have been involved in the timber and construction industry in Kent, with three
generations now working in the company. Our involvement in all the various layers of our industry enables Norton Timber
to offer a wide range of services. By building on our strengths and maintaining the high quality of our products and service
we are confident that Norton Timber will be able to help to make your dreams a reality.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Enjoy watching our case study films that perfectly show what we can offer you.
See how our skills using traditional construction techniques, encompassing a range of building designs, from
extensions, to wedding venues to turn-key home builds, come to fruition in buildings of the highest quality.
Our regularly updated media platforms will provide you with an insight into the design process, what goes on inside
the workshops where our frames are created and see the dream become reality as the frames are raised.
www.nortontimber.co.uk 01304 832525 nortontimber@hotmail.co.uk

We are the UK’s leading
restorer and repairer of
traditional, distinctive
oast cowls & kiln roofs.
WingGalleryWT217.indd 1 17/02/2020 11:55
New cowl construction. Painting
& cleaning. Repair & maintenance.
Also specialising in Kent peg tile
roof repairs and kiln tile repairs.
Trusted over four family
generations by royalty, businesses
& homeowners alike.
Oast owners
Book a no-obligation visit
01622 725 898 / 07973 332 790
www.dudeandarnette.co.uk
est
wealdentimes.co.uk
22
Dude&ArnetteWT215.indd 1 10/12/2019 11:53

VISIT US IN SEVENOAKS - 5000 SQ FT OF BEAUTIFUL FURNITURE AND GIFTS OVER 3 FLOORS!
W W W. L O N D O N R O A D F U R N I T U R E . C O . U K
TEL 01959 533433 - LONDON ROAD, HALSTEAD, SEVENOAKS, KENT TN14 7AA
FarninghamPineOakWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 11:38
Rett Syndrome is a creep.
A neurological condition mainly
attacking very young girls.
Leaving them unable to walk or talk.
Even eat or breathe without help.
Taking away their life before it has
truly begun.
We need your help to deliver a cure for
Rett Syndrome. To stop the creep.
reverserett.org.uk #StopTheCreep
Text RETT to 70331
to donate £3
Registered charity in England & Wales, charity number 1136809 and in
Scotland, charity number SC046735. In addition to any text donation, you will
incur your standard network message charge (based on your service provider
rates). For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org
ReverseRett_WT_185mmx130mm.indd 1 13/12/2019 13:41
23 wealdentimes.co.uk
ReverseRettWT215.indd 1 16/12/2019 12:40

MAIDSTONE REMOVALS
GET A QUOTE: 0800 611 8990
monarchoak
Oak Frame Buildings
Over 50 years’ experience making oak frame buildings
Free, no obligation quotation
Dismantle and reassemble service at no extra cost
Unplumb & replumb large kitchen appliances
No charge for key waiting
No extra charges for cancellations
01622 205738 l info@maidstoneremovals.co.uk
www.maidstoneremovals.co.uk @MaidstoneremovalsUK
• Garages
• Garden Rooms
• Complexes
• Gazebos
• Bespoke Buildings
01323 765410 Quality in its finest form
www.monarchoak.co.uk
MaidstoneRemovalsWT216.indd 1 21/01/2020 MonarchOakWT147.indd 15:02
1 26/07/2018 12:30
Precision, your local independant Porsche Specialists.
Service whilst still under warranty?
At Precision Porsche Specialists we service and maintain all Porsche
models, using genuine Porsche parts to protect your manufacturer’s
warranty. Along with our Porsche trained technicians and the latest
diagnostic equipment, your Porsche is in safe hands.
We’ve got you covered...
• Modern Workshop
• Insurance Approved Bodywork Repairs
• Servicing, Repairs & MOTs • Tyres & Wheel Alignment
• Collection & Delivery Service • Vehicle Detailing
Address: Unit B1, Bluebell Business Estate, Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3HQ | Phone: +44 (0) 1825 721 205
Email: info@precisionporsche.co.uk | Web: www.precisionporsche.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
24
PrecisionPorscheWT213.indd 1 31/10/2019 15:35

PLOT OR NOT?
If you think your land or property has development potential,
why not give us a call without obligation and in confidence.
WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR LAND AND PROPERTY WITH DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Many of our clients retain our services and, in the majority of
cases, pay our fees saving property owners significant costs.
Commercial buildings for residential conversion, former public houses, redundant
buildings for redevelopment, buildings for conversion or replacement, houses
for improvement, large sites on the edge of town, barn conversions, large
gardens in residential areas and major regeneration projects.
Contact Stephen Donnelly on
07739 514350 or 01892 579937
website: sjd-projects.com
email: steve@sjd-projects.com
For regular updates, visit us at
twitter.com/projects
SJDprojectsWT214.indd 1 01/11/2019 14:49
Repairs & Renovation I Building Maintenance
Loft Conversions I Extensions
A STEM accredited company
Creative Model Holly Person wears needed a dress
Cross Builders repair and renovate all kinds of
traditional
made
buildings
using
and their
reflective
team of highly
trained
insulation
and exceptional
material.
staff will rely
We
on you
can
for
managing interior design projects, structural
install repair enquiries this and inside major renovations. your loft
Credit control and frequent contact with
to customers, reflect architects warmth and suppliers back will into be
your
part of
home
your usual
to
duties.
save
We can
money
offer flexible
on
and part-time working hours for someone
passionate heating about costs, being a and Project help Manager save for a
STEM accredited company based in Folkestone.
the environment too.
If you have energy, ideas and vision then
Make we would your like to home hear from more you.
Why not call now on 07966 496911
sustainable
for more
-
information?
call us now for
more information.
Breathing new life into your home…
www.cross-builders.co.uk
Telephone 01303 211 805 Mobile: 07966 496 911
Company Registration No 08268605 UTR 234474345 KCC Cert No 1001328
Free estimates with no obligation.
Detailed structural surveys and building
reports are available at your request.
We work in England and the South of France.
25 wealdentimes.co.uk
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1
12/12/2018
15/02/2019
16:23
10:20

House
Month
of the
£2,500,000
Whole lot of history
Maggie Alderson tracks down historical treasures
Bleak House
The dream: If you have enjoyed the
recent film of David Copperfield,
maybe you would like to live where
part of it was written. Grade II-listed
Bleak House – or Fort House, as it
was known when originally built in
1801 – was once Charles Dickens’
seaside residence. With castellated
battlements and a tower, the house
has amazing character. It has been in
use as a B&B and a wedding venue,
with room to seat 65 inside, 200 in
a marquee on the lawn, but would
make a standout family home.
Where: On the cliff on the north
side of lovely Broadstairs.
Setting: Looking out to sea and
across the picturesque town over
the lovely curve of Viking Bay
and the Victoria Gardens.
Beds: 7 Baths: 5
Pleasing details: Charles Dickens’
study. From the desk, on a clear day,
you can see all the way to France.
Special features: On the
lower ground floor there is
a Smugglers’ Museum.
Outside: Large private
garden behind flint walls.
Time to town: From an hour and
twenty to St Pancras, also routes
to Victoria and Cannon Street.
Agent: Fine & Country, Canterbury
01227 479317 fineandcountry.com
wealdentimes.co.uk
26

Ulley Farmhouse
£1,350,000
The dream: An adorable red brick,
quirkily chimney-ed Grade-II listed
farmhouse, with pretty outbuildings and
lovely original features. The spacious
kitchen/breakfast room opens into the
family room, for the modern living
ideal in a characterful old setting.
Where: In a hamlet of four houses,
on the edge of the village of
Kennington, just outside Ashford.
Setting: Lovely farmland and woods.
Beds: 5 Baths: 3
Pleasing details: The arched
‘Dery’ windows.
Special features: Beams, panelling,
inglenooks… the full monty.
Outside: Delightful cottage-style gardens,
with a stream, a tennis court – and a vineyard
planted with 3,000 vines: Reichensteiner,
Bacchus, Pinot Gris and Pinot noir, with
potential for 3,500 bottles of fizzy joy.
Time to town: Drive 15 minutes to
Ashford, then train 37 to St Pancras.
Agent: Savills, Cranbrook
01580 720161 savills.com
Little Tiffenden Barn
£1,450,000
The dream: An exceptional barn conversion
that makes the most of the building’s origins,
rather than trying to force it to look like a
normal ‘house’. From the front the eaves
hang gloriously low, but from the back
there are huge windows onto the views. It
is currently divided into two (as a family
home/‘granny flat’) but there is planning
permission to knock through into one.
Where: On the outskirts of the village of
Woodchurch, a few minutes from Tenterden.
Setting: A long way off the main
road, with panoramic rural views.
Beds: 6 Baths: 4
Pleasing details: The vaulted space
of the kitchen/living room.
Special features: Oak-framed heaven.
Outside: Seven acres of beautiful
gardens and grounds.
Time to town: 15 minutes drive to Ashford
International and then 37 to St Pancras.
Agent: Weald Property
01580 242700 wealdproperty.net
27 wealdentimes.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Arrangements for children following separation
Parents are often confused about the effects of a divorce or separation on their
responsibilities for their children.
Hopefully it will be possible for parents
to agree on arrangements for their
children, but if this is not possible,
generally, it is advisable to take legal
advice on the issues in dispute. In
many cases, parents will be advised
to try to reach an agreement via
family mediation. This allows them
to discuss their concerns with an
independent third party who can
help them resolve any differences. If
an agreement cannot be reached in
mediation, either parent can make an
application to the Court for a Child
Arrangements Order, a Specific Issue
Order or a Prohibited Steps Order.
A Child Arrangements Order is the
order which replaces the old residence
and contact orders (which in turn
replaced custody and access orders!)
A Child Arrangements Order sets
out where the children are to live and/
or how much time they will spend
with the other parent. If both parents
want the children to live with them,
either can apply to the Court to make
a decision. If the parent who is not
the primary carer wants to spend
more time with them than the other
parent is prepared to agree to, again
he or she can apply to the Court for
an order setting out arrangements.
A Specific Issue Order can deal
with issues such as which school a
child should attend, or whether a
parent can take the child away on
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A Prohibited Steps Order on the other
hand could prevent a parent moving
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name, from choosing a particular
course of medical treatment, or from
taking the child from the primary
carer without their consent. The good
news is that in most cases, parents will
be able to reach agreement without
applying to the Court, and most will
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However in those cases which cannot
be resolved any other way, parents
may need a Judge to decide on an
issue. In these cases a Family solicitor
can explain the process and provide
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If you would like further advice, we
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quote ‘Wealden Times - March 2020’
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Local Company, ‘XL Pools’ Collect
Top National 2020 British Pool & Hot Tub Award
Only ‘
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The combined swimming pool, spa, hot
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Presenting the top awards on the night
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Local company XL Pools, based
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XL Pools were awarded a top SPATA
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Common questions on disputing a Will
Challenging a Will can
be complex, and, at an
already difficult time, it is
a topic around which there
is a lot of confusion. Expert
Philip Youdan, from law
firm Cripps Pemberton
Greenish, answers some
common questions
about Will disputes.
Who can contest a Will?
Normally a person who wants
to challenge a Will would be
somebody who stands to benefit
from the deceased’s estate if
they succeed in their claim. They
might, for instance, benefit under
a previous Will which would
then come back into existence.
Alternatively, they might benefit
under the rules which apply when
somebody dies without a Will.
When is a Will invalid?
A Will is invalid if it has not been
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In particular, the person making
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Are there any other grounds
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Claims can be made seeking to
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Under the Inheritance (Provision
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The person to whom the promise
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What do I do if I think I
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Act promptly. There are time limits
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If you would like more information
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philip.youdan@crippspg.co.uk.
www.crippspg.co.uk @crippslaw This article gives examples and is intended for general guidance only

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Notebook
What to do and see near you this month
Step UP
POW!
Sunday 8 March is international women’s day
and that means it’s time for POW!’s annual
festival. POW! stands for Power of Women
and they work all year to organise events and
community projects in Thanet, but this is the
time of the year that they really shine. There are
so many ways to celebrate the power of women,
and recognise female achievement and progress,
so it’s no surprise that this is a multi-faceted
diamond of a festival. Flex your grey matter in
a pub quiz. Create feminist slogan art. Take in
a cabaret. Try a beer tasting. Go roller dancing.
Support females in all the many ways they are
brilliant – as actors, singers, artists, comedians,
dancers, storytellers and just as people who deserve
rights, admiration and equality. powthanet.com
The renowned graduate performing
company of the Central School
of Ballet returns to Tonbridge on
Saturday 28 March as part of their
UK wide tour. The annual Ballet
Central tour offers the chance
to see the company’s young and
dynamic dancers showcase the
best dance theatre from current
industry professionals alongside
newly commissioned work and
refreshed classics from the world’s
top choreographers. Ballet Central’s
graduates go on to join the world’s
premier dance companies, so this
is a fantastic opportunity to see
these hugely talented dancers on the
cusp of their professional careers.
emftheatre.com
Dog Days
Bewl Water in
Lamberhurst is hosting
their Big Dog Day Out
on Saturday 28 March – a
fabulous day for four-legged
friends and their humans.
There will be a doggy treasure
trail, agility course, professional
photography opportunities, a
number of stalls and experts and
plenty of refreshments at the
Waterfront Café. bewlwater.co.uk
41 wealdentimes.co.uk

Notebook
MURDER AT THE CASTLE
Have you got what it takes to be a Peaky Blinder? Leeds Castle is taking its guests back in
time on Saturday 28 March with their Peak or Blinded 1920s Murder Mystery House
Party. Get your flat caps and flapper dresses ready for a thrilling night of drinks and music
before The Derby, but look out, a gang has sent someone to throw a spanner in the works.
Actors will set the scene, for an interactive evening of dinner theatre. It’s a night to solve a
crime, eat three-courses of delicious food, try some cocktails, and
all whilst living your best 20s gangster life. Tickets are £109,
and you can also get accommodation from £275. leeds-castle.com
Macarons
with Mum
In a slight twist on the
traditional Mother’s Day cream
tea, The Kent Cookery School
is offering a day of baking over
some Buck’s Fizz. Put a smile
on Mum’s face as you learn to
bake some delightful macarons
by first making a paste, piping it
and then learning about
some wonderful fillings.
The price is £125 for two
people, and there are two
time slots 10am-12.30pm
and 2.30pm-5pm on
Sunday 22 March.
kentcookeryschool.co.uk
The new-self build
Self-builds can be
stressful and new-builds can
be impersonal. It’s time to find a
middle ground and Fernham Homes
may have the solution. Early this spring they
will be launching Fernham Bespoke Homes.
In their first scheme, Hillside Park, in Linton
village near Maidstone, you can purchase one
of 13 plots of land, which already has planning
permission to build a four- or five-bedroom
home. After that you simply enter a separate
contract with Fernham and they will
help you to build your perfect family
home. fernham-homes.co.uk.
Care of
Magical
Creatures
Bedgebury Pinetum is filled with
dragon and damselflies in the summer,
so, before the season starts, they are
teaching visitors all about these magical
creatures. Odonata specialists John and Gill
Brook will lead an illustrated talk covering dragon and
damselfly habits, identification techniques and lifecycle, as
well as information about some of the very special species
that can be seen at Bedgebury Pinetum. The
talk will run from 2-4pm and costs £8 per
person for members, or £10 per person for
non-members. bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
LOOK FORWARD: APRIL
Next month we are thoroughly looking forward to the Cadbury Easter Egg hunt with National
Trust. Wealden National Trust locations including Bodiam Castle, Scotney Castle, Chartwell,
Bateman’s and Ightham Mote will be stocking up on Cadbury goodies and hosting quests, trails
and adventures to celebrate Easter in delicious style. The only question is which National Trust
location to choose. Will you help Princess Acorn and Knight Sir Oakley find baby animals
at Bodiam Castle? Explore Churchill’s childhood with maps and compasses at Chartwell? See
Kipling’s poetry brought to life in an interactive sensory experience at Batemans? Whatever you
choose there is bound to be chocolate involved so there is really no losing. cadbury.co.uk/easter
wealdentimes.co.uk
42

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Milbourn Equine Vets is a local
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Garolla(Ton/TunbridgeArea)WT217.indd 1 13/02/2020 12:00
Studio Open by
Appointment
Etchings, watercolours, posters, books, cards
See also works by Jason Clarke
Up the Garden Studio, Green Lane,
Boughton Monchelsea, Kent, ME17 4LF
01622 743938 wendy@grahamclarke.co.uk
www.grahamclarke.co.uk
Where there’s a Will
there’s a way
Your Will can be a very powerful tool to help your loved
ones. It can:
• Ensure your assets are left to the people you choose
• Protect your family - appoint guardians for your children
• Save your family tax
• Give you peace of mind, a very valuable commodity
Just as you take expert advice when buying a new house
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If you don’t have a Will – now is the time to discuss your
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To review your current Will at no charge contact us today.
Canterbury 01227 643250
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Whitehead Monckton Limited (no. 08366029), registered in
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WT 10/18
47 wealdentimes.co.uk
GrahamClarkeS64.indd 1 21/01/2020 WhiteheadMoncktonWT216.indd 12:36
1 24/01/2020 15:00

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Greener Pastures
Veterinary Surgeon, Amy Baskerville BVSc MRCVS, explains how
seasonal and dietary changes can effect equine health.
With the days getting longer
and the grass growing fast,
winter is nearly over. However,
as much as we all love spring, the new
flush of sugar rich grass can have serious
implications for some of our equine friends.
Laminitis means ‘inflammation of
the laminae’. These are the tubular tissues
which support the pedal (coffin) bone
within the hoof to the hoof wall. When
these laminae become inflamed,
it can be incredibly painful. The
typical laminitic clinical signs are; leaning
back to reduce weight load through
the front feet, reluctance to move,
depression and inappetence, lying down
more or a reluctance to pick up feet. Some
horses can be more subtle, simply seeming
‘pottery’ on their front feet and painful to
turn tightly. The front feet are more affected
as approximately 70% of a horse’s weight
is carried through the forelimbs. But the
hind feet will be affected too.
With acute laminitis, it is important to
remove the horse from the pasture, stable
on a deep, bed of shavings (shavings pack
into the foot better and provide more
support) and call your vet. It is important to
restrict movement in this acute stage. With
the laminae inflamed, there is a possibility
the pedal bone may sink and rotate within
the hoof capsule, this has more serious longterm
implications and a poorer prognosis.
Your vet will use indicators such as
clinical signs, increased pulses to the feet
and reaction to gentle pressure to the sole
using hoof testers to diagnose laminitis.
Anti-inflammatories will be administered
to try and counter the changes within the
laminae and to provide pain relief. Foot
padding and frog supports can provide
elevation of the heel to reduce the pull
of the flexor tendon on the pedal bone.
We may suggest taking some
radiographs of the feet. This will give us an
idea whether there has been movement of
the pedal bone and give you a better idea
of what to expect in terms of rehabilitation
and prognosis. These radiographs can
also aid your farrier. Once the initial
pain has eased, your farrier and vet can
work together to discuss trimming the
foot as well as specialised shoeing to help
your horse feel more comfortable.
Box rest is important, even if your
horse appears better, it is important to be
guided by veterinary advice as to when
turn out is allowable. Movement increases
the risk of the pedal bone rotating and
sinking. Feeds must be reduced and
adapted to contain low non-structural
carbohydrates, look out for the laminitis
trust approved sticker on the bag. Access
to well soaked hay is important. Although
rations need to be reduced and weight
loss is a key factor in recovery, starving a
horse can lead to other complications.
It is about finding a happy balance.
Traditionally it was thought of as
simply fat horses having too much good
grazing. There is an element of that, but
we now know that laminitis is not just a
foot issue and is not that simple! There
are three main underlying causes:
Diseases and conditions that lead to
whole body inflammatory conditions such
as severe diarrhoea and lung infections.
Hormonal disorders like ‘Cushing’s
disease’ and Equine Metabolic Syndrome
(EMS) and the resultant insulin resistance
these conditions create. These horses cannot
control their blood glucose effectively,
leading to a range of side effects.
Uneven weight bearing after an injury
on a different limb for instance, can cause a
mechanical laminitis in the supporting limb.
Prevention is better than cure. Once a
horse has had laminitis, they are at a higher
risk of being affected in the future. Keep
your horses ‘fit not fat’. Restricted grazing
and grass muzzles are good methods of
reducing grass intake. Remember, a clever
horse can learn to eat as much grass in a few
hours as they can eat in a day. So simply
reducing grazing hours is often not enough!
Winter time is a good time of year to try
and get the weight off the more rotund!
The Subtle signs of laminitis
If you’re concerned about your horse contact your vet
• Reluctance to turn
• A shortened stride / a stiffened gait
• Shifting weight from foot to foot
• Being careful on hard ground
or preferring soft ground
• Change in behaviour / temperament
• Reluctant to pick up their feet
• Abnormal heat at the hoof wall or coronet
• A strong pounding digital pulse
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Editor’s
Letter
We’re proud to introduce a brand new Supplement
this issue, centred around making the most of a wellearned
retirement with a focus on luxury living. Take
a break with stunning holiday destinations – both home and
away – get in shape with tips from fitness guru Sarah Maxwell
and get the low-down on buying a property in France.
Every month we’re lucky to get to explore stunning homes
and gather info. on decorating tips, tricks and bargains that we
wouldn’t necessarily have happened upon had we been researching
the conventional way. See how children’s author Sally Gardner has
projected her writer’s imagination onto the décor of a Georgian
Cottage in the heart of Hastings and find out why Andy and
Ran turned to interior design friend Justine Hodgson-Barker to
transform their run-down Brighton house into a family home.
If vintage is your bag when it comes to fashion, you’ll love
Kate Liz Watts’ round-up of premium pre-loved. Beauty addicts
take note as Josephine Fairley reveals the winners of the 2020
Beauty Bible Awards, sharing her ‘Beauty Bible Superstars’
– outstanding skincare with the highest reviewer scores.
Plus, don’t forget Mother’s Day! In celebration of
lovely mums across the Weald, Nicci Gurr from Home
Gurr’Own has shared three sensationally tasty cake
recipes to treat them on Sunday 22 March.
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ThomasMansfieldWT216.indd 1 16/01/2020 14:11

Words: Maggie Alderson
Photographs: David Merewether
Styling: Holly Levett
wealdentimes.co.uk
52

The House of
Magical Objects
Maggie Alderson takes a step
through the looking glass into
this Hastings writer’s home
53 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Above left: The gilded mirror over the fireplace with ferns,
candles in place, came from Norman Road in St Leonards
Above right: The bear cubs holding up a slice of a tree trunk are
from Graham & Green Left: The sitting room is painted in a
dark rich purple (Farrow & Ball’s Pelt)
Sally Gardner writes award-winning children’s books of
extraordinary imagination – and has the house to match.
Some houses are family homes, some are private havens,
others are works of art, displays of status, or expressions
of lifelong dreams. Cuckoo Cottage is a fairy tale.
The sense of something special begins in finding it,
tucked away in a central part of Hastings near the chainstore
shopping hub, in what feels like a secret little row of
Georgian cottages, that has somehow escaped 200 years of
wrecking balls and bulldozers, up some steps and along.
Tucked windward of the castle, it has the air of a pocket
of the town that you might stumble across by accident
one day – then never be able to find again. Which is just
the sort of thing that happens in one of Sally’s books.
Her most recent release, Invisible In A Bright Light, is
so intriguing and gripping, I was awake most of the
night finishing it – and it’s aimed at ages 10 and up.
It’s set in a theatre in a city resembling Copenhagen,
55 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Sally’s life in the theatre is as apparent in the
house as her writer’s imagination
57 wealdentimes.co.uk

This page: The classic woven plastic Swedish rugs in the dining room are by Pappelina
which has a huge crystal chandelier in the shape of a galleon
hanging in the dome over the auditorium. When you walk
into the sitting room of Cuckoo Cottage, there is just such a
crystal galleon, but it’s inside a bottle on the mantelpiece.
Any ship in a bottle is a thing of wonder – but a crystal
galleon takes it to another level. It’s the kind of object that
exerts a magnetic pull on the viewer. You have to go and have
a closer look, to be sure you are seeing what you think you are.
Sally grins at such a reaction. “There is a crystal galleon
chandelier at the Royal Opera house in Copenhagen, which
I discovered when I was designing The Mikado there in the
late 1970s, when I was a theatre designer, which was my first
career. I have always wanted to put it in a book. When I saw
this one in the auction in Essex Road I had to have it.”
Sally’s life in the theatre is as apparent in the house
as her writer’s imagination. Starting with the red velvet
curtain hung in the hallway to block draughts from
the front door which is romantically hooked back
wealdentimes.co.uk
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This page: In the dining room, varied lengths of bright orange corded cable stretch out from the central
ceiling rose with bare bulbs hanging from hooks
against the wall, in a style reminiscent of stage curtains.
I’m sure that curtain wasn’t there the last time I
visited Cuckoo Cottage and the hallway is one of many
elements in the house that contribute to my feeling
– and I am lucky to be a regular visitor here – that
every time I come to the house, it’s a bit different.
In this case it’s because Sally is gradually studding
the soft green hall walls with seven-point gold stars and
a few more have been added each time I drop in.
Another new development since my last visit are the
wall hooks, used for hats and leads for Sally’s adorable
Yorkshire terrier, Sparrow, which are in the shape of
three classic chairs – a Thonet bentwood, a school chair
and the Emeco 1006 Navy chair – in miniature.
These objects of wonder turn out to be from IKEA,
painted by Sally to match the walls. With a stand containing
umbrellas and fox-headed walking canes worthy of Mary
Poppins – and a feather duster for good measure – the tone
of the house is set the moment you take two steps inside.
And two steps does take you quite a long way into this
cottage, which really is very modest in size – Thumbelina
would feel very much at home – but the Georgian
proportions, combined with Sally’s wonderfully bold
décor, stop it feeling in any way cramped. Thinking big,
as she does with such aplomb, makes a space feel bigger.
The sitting room – one of those very special rooms, which
I never want to leave once I sit down there – is painted in a
dark rich purple (Farrow & Ball’s Pelt), a colour so bold only
someone with Sally’s professional design confidence might
have dared to choose it for such a small room. Certainly,
her painter and decorator tried to talk her out of it.
“The painter said: ‘I think you are making a big mistake
painting with this colour. It’s going to make it very small and
claustrophobic…’ Then he painted it and said, ‘Bloody hell!
How did you know it was going to look this good?!’”
It looks simply wonderful, creating a cocooning
61 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Above: In the kitchen, Sally has found room to pack in plenty of her magical objects, including some lifesize
wooden ducks and a large metal orange squeezer, that she brought back from Mexico
atmosphere and the perfect backdrop to set off
all the fascinating objects in the room. Wherever
your eye falls, it lights upon something which
looks as though it could tell you a story.
To the side of the purple velvet-upholstered, canesided
armchair that I sit in to chat to Sally is one
of two side tables in the form of bear cubs holding
up a slice of a tree trunk, complete with bark.
They are from Graham & Green, but seem
like something right out of the Brothers Grimm.
Sally is delighted at the idea – fairy stories are her
passion and the inspiration for her writing.
She collects volumes of them, along with other very specific
and fascinating books about folklore in Transylvania and the
like. The bookcase to the left of the fireplace – one of two
glass-doored IKEA Billys, which she had painted dark blue –
contains part of her book collection and another she inherited.
It also displays a collection of china parrots that
belonged to her mother. The symmetrical cupboard
in the other recess contains a collection of Pollocks
toy theatres and a chess set of Chinese figures.
Sitting on top of the bear table next to me, in his
own little chair, is a wooden figure of a naked man,
with articulated arms and legs, like one of those artist’s
manikins, except this one has a very characterful face,
with hair and a beard (and shoes). “He is Joseph from
a church display in Italy. I bought it in an antique shop
there and brought it home. I have to save these things.”
In a similar spirit there is a Dutch figure of
the Madonna that Sally came across in France.
“I brought her home on the plane.”
From closer to home, the gilded mirror over the fireplace
with ferns, candles in place, came from Norman Road
in St Leonards, around the corner from the cottage Sally
rented when she first moved down from London. “It
was broken when I found it and I had it restored by
63 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Sally found her cottage –
her next challenge was to
find furniture to scale with
it. “All my furniture was
really big, I thought ‘what
have I done? I’ve bought
a little mouse house…’”
Thinking big, as she
does with such aplomb,
makes a space feel bigger
This page: There are pillars on either side of the kitchen entrance – where Sally plans to add a theatrical curtain,
currently drawn on the wall with pencil – and three working cuckoo clocks
people in St Leonards who do restoration for the V&A.”
As for what prompted Sally to rent that first cottage
– similar in feel, if slightly later in period, than the
one she now lives in – I can claim a small part in it.
I was coming down for a writers’ lunch club, which I
was one of the organisers of, which made Sally think
that St Leonards-on-Sea really was the place to be.
“I was living in a 1930s flat in Stoke Newington and the
freeholders decided to renovate the building and there were
suddenly massive fees, so I started to think about moving.
I knew Hastings because I went to boarding school here for
two and a half years. I hated the school, but every weekend
I would run away to St Leonards beach and I still had happy
memories of that.
“When I came down to that lunch I immediately
thought, ‘I could live here’. I started browsing Rightmove,
saw a house to rent in Burton St Leonards and took
it on the spot. After that it was a no brainer.”
There was a brief sidestep to possibly moving to
neighbouring Bexhill-on-Sea, when Sally took part in an
episode of Homes by the Sea, with fellow author Jane Harris
– who had also been at that now rather legendary writers’
65 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Above left: Sally is gradually studding the soft green hall walls with seven-point gold stars Middle: Sally has emphasised
the steep staircase by positioning a tiny wardrobe and a top hat on top of a cupboard beneath it Right: A large portrait of
Lillie Langtry by Richard Jack hangs on the landing below another striking Ikea paper lampshade
lunch – and decided she wanted to move down too.
The researchers found Sally a very nice house in
Bexhill, but for various reasons it fell through and
she decided it had to be St Leonards or Hastings.
“There are so many interesting people living here.
People speak to you. I thought they might be snotty
about Londoners ‘moving down here, taking our
houses…’ but you couldn’t find nicer, kinder, genuinely
pleasant people, once they know you are moving
down to live here, not buying a place to Airbnb.”
After a search, at times nail biting, Sally found her
cottage – her next challenge was to find furniture to
scale with it. “All my furniture was really big, this
room would have died and I thought, ‘what have
I done? I’ve bought a little mouse house…’”
But after finding the armchairs at Ben Southgate
(formerly in Kings Road, St Leonards, now online) and
a small sofa on eBay, she was set up. The finishing touch
was to add a very large chandelier, from Norman Road.
“Part of it is Georgian and it has the original crystals.
It’s not connected to the electricity, it’s purely ornamental
and pulls the whole room together. It’s magical with tea
lights lit in it. I love chandeliers, they are like dreams.”
Stepping back through to the dining room – along classic
woven plastic Swedish rugs, by Pappelina, in their bold
geometric designs – there is another example of Sally’s
skill with lighting, learned from her theatrical days.
Multiple and varied lengths of bright orange corded
67 wealdentimes.co.uk

Above: The Goldilocks bedding of red and white gingham is from Debenhams and the black Afghan
sequined bedspread is from Shop in Norman Road
cable stretch out from the central ceiling rose, over the
round dining table, with bare bulbs hanging from hooks. It
brilliantly brings together a space that is almost like a square
corridor, with a door going off each corner, into the hall,
pantry, courtyard and kitchen. “If you have good lighting you
can get away with anything. I hate central ceiling lights.”
She has done the same dangling lights in the kitchen
– a space for which the term ‘galley’ is almost an
overstatement. Yet, with the sink and cooker on one side,
looking out to the courtyard, and a dresser built on the
back wall, it’s a brilliantly efficient space to cook in.
However, even in such a compact area, Sally has found
room to pack in plenty of her magical objects, including
a witch’s ball, an angel hanging from the pan rack, some
life-size wooden ducks and a large metal orange squeezer,
that she brought back (in the cabin) from Mexico.
Also, in this spirit of not everything needing to have a
purpose, apart from being interesting, on the end wall of the
kitchen she had the carpenter build a kind of altar piece, that
they have in houses in Romania. “It doesn’t do anything,
but it provides a focal point, gives the space a personality.”
Adding to that are the pillars on either side of the
kitchen entrance – where she plans to add another
theatrical curtain, currently drawn on the wall with
pencil – and three working cuckoo clocks. “They are
my new obsession. I’m writing a book about snow that
has a cuckoo clock in it. I want more, at least five…”
Upstairs, the fairy tale references continue, with the
wealdentimes.co.uk
68

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01435 866435
info@jonesbritain.co.uk
jonesbritain.co.uk

01797 226 478
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70
CurveGardenRoomsWT212.indd 1 02/09/2019 10:44

This page: Sally’s bedroom. An oversized
wall hanging of flowers, from which a swan
protudes, adds to the fairytale feel
very large brass bed, in the very modestly-sized main
bedroom, made up with Goldilocks bedding of red
and white gingham (from Debenhams) and a black
Afghan sequined bedspread from Shop in Norman
Road. Keeping up Sally’s love of juggling scale, there
is an oversized wall hanging of flowers behind the
bed. “I think it looks like a Dutch still life,” says
Sally. Which it does, but as seen by Tom Thumb.
The huge handkerchief light fitting over the bed
is another of her IKEA finds – but it’s never turned
on. The room is lit instead by more dangling light
bulbs hanging from hooks on either side of the bed.
“I like them, because you can move them around…”
Heading back out onto the landing, the house seems
to sprinkle a little magic of its own, in the wonderfully
characterful steep staircase heading up to the attic
guest room, its curved undercarriage creating lovely
shapes at eye level, which Sally has emphasised by
71 wealdentimes.co.uk

This page: Sally’s workroom complete
with teddy on his own chair, a crow in a
snow dome and a pair of cornflower blue
button boots
positioning a tiny wardrobe and a top
hat on top of a cupboard beneath it.
From this spot you step into Sally’s
workroom, where again your eye hops
from the teddy on his own chair, to a
snow dome containing a crow, a pair of
cornflower blue button boots and, on
the desk itself, bookends in the shape of
a little mermaid. All part of the fairy tale
setting, where magical stories are made.
Address Book:
Ben Southgate bsouthgate.co.uk
Graham & Green grahamandgreen.co.uk
Pappelina pappelina.com/en
wealdentimes.co.uk
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The Forever Home
When it came to renovating their dream house, Andy and
Ran turned to their friend and interior designer
Justine Hodgson-Barker to ensure they ended up with a home
fit to start the next chapter of their life
Words: Antonia Methuen
Photographs: David Merewether
Styling: Lucy Fleming
This page: What was once the garage space was further
opened up to create a spacious dining area
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“It looked a bit like an old
pub. We needed to keep the
sense of natural wood and
texture but get rid of the
faux-Tudor look. As soon as
we did that it immediately
changed the entire
atmosphere of the house”
Above: Justine restructured the interior, taking out internal walls and replacing windows with French doors and tri-folds to let
light flood in from the front, the side and rear of the house
Andy Clark and Ran Bradu were looking for
their forever home when they first arrived in
Rottingdean, near Brighton. Leaving their life
in East Dulwich of 22 years behind, the journey that
took them to the East Sussex coast had actually started
thousands of miles and several continents away. Andy
had spent his formative years living in Australia and
Ran was born in Israel and grew up in South Africa.
However, it was the lure of dog ownership that finally
made the couple take the plunge, packing their bags and
leaving their south-east London home behind them.
Nestled on the edge of the South Downs, one look at
Andy and Ran’s 19th century cottage and you can see why
the couple jumped feet first into their new life. We are sitting
in their living room, the rest of their four-legged family are
firmly in place, dogs Dylan and Alfie are curled up on the
sofas beside us. “I grew up by the sea,” explains Andy. “I
missed it living in London and so it’s nice to be back.”
Indeed once Andy and Ran made the decision to leave
London, it took them only six weeks to find the house
83 wealdentimes.co.uk

Luxury Kitchens since 1892
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Above: The house is filled with natural fabrics, coupled with indoor planting there’s a strong sense of vitality throughout
and get their offer accepted. “I looked in central Brighton,”
says Andy “but the estate agent suggested Rottingdean.
As soon as I saw it, I just knew it was the one. I fell in
love and I knew we would buy it. Well, at least from the
outside… the inside was another matter entirely.” Andy
slightly winces at the memory. “The former owners were
lovely but they had done much of the DIY themselves over
the years. There was an ageing conservatory that had rickety
windows with ivy growing straight through them. There
were radiators halfway up the wall and there seemed to be
steps, walls and doors where they had no right to be! It
really was a bit of a mess, so that’s when I called Justine.”
Andy and Ran tasked the renovation to friend and interior
designer Justine Hodgson-Barker, based in Tunbridge Wells.
Justine had helped re-model the couple’s apartment in
East Dulwich, so she already knew their taste, their likes
and also their dislikes. She jumped at the chance to help
them re-model and bring much-needed light into what
had become a rather dark interior. All the timbers had
been painted dark brown, so one of the first jobs Justine
did was to get the beams, the doors and the woodwork
sandblasted. “It was pretty oppressive with that dark colour
everywhere,” says Justine. “It looked a bit like an old pub.
We needed to keep the sense of natural wood and texture
but get rid of the faux-Tudor look. As soon as we did that it
immediately changed the entire atmosphere of the house.”
Justine then worked on the restructure of the interior,
taking out internal walls and replacing windows with French
doors and tri-folds to let light flood in from the front, the
side and rear of the house, opening the inside to the
85 wealdentimes.co.uk

“Even when elements were entirely replaced like the floor, we
tried to find something that felt authentic, so we went for an
aged and tumbled wood floor by Antares in Lewes.”
wealdentimes.co.uk
86

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Kitchens
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Studies
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wealdentimes.co.uk
88
GeorgeandJamesWT217.indd 1 18/02/2020 14:40

Right: Sassy Luke’s image of the Queen blowing
bubble gum casts a gaze over the main bedroom
Below: Large-scale artworks line the stairway walls.
The sisal-style carpet continues the natural theme
outside and offering views over the terraced garden and side
deck. The kitchen was also opened up, the downstairs loo
(now with under-floor heating) was moved to under the
stairs, enabling a kitchen island and another set of French
doors to be installed. The kitchen, which was once small
and dark, is now the heart of the home. The old fireplace
now houses the large Rangemaster oven, new ceiling beams
were created to match the newly sandblasted beams in the
rest of the house. A kitchen, by Krieder, was given a sense
of texture with leather handles from Turnstyle and yet
more texture in the worktops which Justine’s contractor
created from scaffolding boards stained with Osmo oil. A
dresser from Designer Vintage, rattan baskets and hand
made spotlights create a space that is functional yet tactile.
Justine also kept a sense of industrial in the wall lights by
Industville and the lights above the island by Trainspotters.
“I’m an ex-chef,” says Andy, “so I needed all my gadgets
and spices, the Kilner jars and the crockery, Justine has
89 wealdentimes.co.uk

Above: The staggering gold portrait hanging above the bed was accidentally cut in two by the builder, then thankfully salvaged by the artist
created the perfect place for everything. It just works so well.”
Another room that had previously been the garage for the
house, was further opened up to create a spacious dining
area and the wall of the staircase was removed to again
create a sense of space and flow. “We stripped out anything
that felt inappropriate, like the really dark joinery, but kept
everything that had integrity,” says Justine. “Even when
elements were entirely replaced like the floor, we tried to
find something that felt authentic so we went for an aged
and tumbled wood floor by Antares in Lewes.” The entire
house has now been transformed into a working, connected
family home with a sense of flow from one area to the
next. Rooms that had once been redundant are now used;
spaces that were once dark and uninviting are flooded with
light and purpose. “It’s not the most massive of houses
and yet there were entire areas we ignored, which seems
crazy,” says Andy. “Now every space has a function.”
Being so close to the couple, Justine was able to work with
Andy and Ran to create an overall colour palette that they
could work off, setting the foundations and specifying
wealdentimes.co.uk
90

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wealdentimes.co.uk
92
EnsorInteriorDesignWT217.indd 1 10/02/2020 12:31

“Justine was also really
helpful with the furniture.
We like to repurpose pieces,
wherever possible,” says Andy
Above left and right: Justine has turned the small bathroom into a hotel-standard space, with a vintage free-standing vanity unit
and brushed brass taps that perfectly reflect the aesthetic in the rest of the house. More houseplants lend a vibrant feel
the furniture. Colours from Little Green and Mylands,
including Pearl Colour Dark, Normandy Grey and Stonelime,
effortlessly flow from one room to the next. “Justine was
also really helpful with the furniture. We like to repurpose
pieces, wherever possible,” says Andy. “This coffee table was
originally a dining table but we took the legs off and had
the table shortened with pin legs. The benches have the
old table legs on them and we now use it as a console table
in the summer house.” A sense of mindfulness is apparent
throughout the interior, both in the upcycled and recycled
pieces that the couple have created as well as in the overall
Scandinavian aesthetic, which is both clean and uncluttered,
mirroring the couple’s lifestyle as vegetarian/vegans. Natural
fibres are visible throughout the house in curtains, rugs,
cushions and throws as well as indoor planting that adds
vitality in every area. “We needed the house to be practical,”
says Andy. “We have dogs, who have muddy paws and
sit on the sofas, so we couldn’t be too precious. The stair
carpet is a polypropylene that looks like sisal and we had
to source items that would last, these are incredibly comfy
sofas, although perhaps a pale chenille and two dogs wasn’t
the best idea so we always have covers on them now!”
The artwork in the house reflects Andy and Ran’s travels:
Thai brass rubbings, photographs from their travels and of
93 wealdentimes.co.uk

Above and left: The dressing room
houses a trundle bed for guests cleverly
concealed behind louvred doors
their families, South African tribal art
and various souvenirs and mementos
are all subtly on show, showing off
the couple’s past. A chubby Balinese
Buddha sits on the stairs that lead
up to the bedrooms. In the master
bedroom, a staggering gold portrait
of a woman in red overlooks the bed.
“That is the most expensive piece
of art I have ever bought,” says Andy.
“So you can imagine my horror when
the builder cut it in two!” Luckily,
the tale has a happy ending and the
artist, based in Tunbridge Wells,
was able to repair and repaint over
the damage. Indeed, the size of the
painting is such that to hang it in the
bedroom was only made possible by
yet another of Justine’s ingenious
wealdentimes.co.uk
94

the benchmark’ Good Schools Guide
Opening eyes,
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L O N D O N
Tunbridge Wells . 79 Calverley Road . TN1 2UY . 01892 548111
Oxshott . 1 High Street . KT22 0JN . 01372 841730

Left: The kitchen by Krieder, was
given a sense of texture with leather
handles from Turnstyle
ideas. Where once there was a
small and faceless room there
is now a soaring spacious
and deliciously theatrical
bedroom, the ceiling having
been removed all the way to
the eaves. It is a bedroom
worthy of any boutique hotel.
One thing not visible in the
bedroom is any cupboards.
That is because the couple’s
clothes have in fact been
given their own room entirely.
The third bedroom has been
generously converted into a
dressing room, a trundle bed for
overnight guests cleverly hidden
behind wooden louvered
doors, a look that was big in
the 1970s and well overdue a
comeback. A series of stunning
smoked ceramic handles
on the doors, from Granby
Workshop, offer another touch
of detail and a wonderful
sense of texture. A spacious
second bedroom will shortly
be taking in the couple’s first
foster child whilst Justine has
once again worked her magic,
turning the small bathroom
into a hotel-standard space,
with a vintage free-standing
vanity unit and brushed brass
taps that perfectly reflect
97 wealdentimes.co.uk

The kitchen, which was once small and dark, is now the heart of the home
wealdentimes.co.uk
98

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100
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Above: The loo has moved under the stairs, freeing up space elsewhere and is now blessed with underfloor heating
the aesthetic found in the rest of the house.
It can be seen in every room and is the backdrop
to their new life, so it was no surprise that when
Andy and Ran came into an inheritance last year,
they chose to invest in their garden, which rises
steeply from the back of the house. “We used to be
perched on the edge of a terrace and could hardly get
the barbecue on it,” says Andy. “Look at it now!”
Larch timbered decking, weathered steel panels
and evergreen planting has created a vista from
every room at the back of the house. “I spend so
much time outside now, I am out there every day
during the summer which is having an amazing
effect on my mood – I always have a smile on
101 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Specialist litigation solicitors
Tunbridge Wells - Maidstone - London
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Our woodland rejuvenation
services are as follows:
Woodland coppicing | Woodland thinning | Ancient woodland restoration
Woodland ride creation and management | Invasive species removal | Ash Dieback felling and removal (large amounts only)
Vegetation and scrub clearance | Rhododendron clearance | Wildlife management
Managed woodland captures more carbon dioxide than unmanaged woodland. Active management
ensures a wide range of species, genetic diversity and age structure. By using locally
sourced sustainable timber a smaller carbon footprint is created than imported timber.
Managing woodland also creates employment in the rural economy.
01580 819179 07759 567801 www.southeastforestry.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
102
SouthEastForrestryWT217.indd 1 13/02/2020 10:45

my face. I have no stress now, my life is completely calm.”
Designer Tina Vallis has created a masterpiece of
wide terraces that lead you from the house up towards a
summerhouse that is perched high above the roofline of
the house, overlooking the south It’s not surprising that the
garden will soon be providing the backdrop to the couple’s
latest great production, their forthcoming summer wedding.
As Andy and Ran start the next chapter of their life,
getting married and offering a family home to children,
many of whom will not have experienced positive family
life before, one can only think how lucky they will be to
come to a space so full of love, calm and serenity, in the
heart of the Sussex coast. I for one, wish them all well.
Address Book:
For more information on Justine Hodgson-Barker
please visit barker-design.com
Antares antareswoodfloors.com
Granby Workshop granbyworkshop.co.uk
Industville industville.co.uk
Krieder krieder.com
Tina vallis tinavallis.co.uk
Trainspotters trainspotters.co.uk
Turnstyle turnstyledesigns.com
Above: Evergreen planting schemes and wide terraces designed by Tina Vallis lead up towards the summerhouse
103 wealdentimes.co.uk

Classic interior design for contemporary living.
From single rooms to whole house projects.
Supply of an extensive range of
designer fabrics and furnishings.
Specialist Bespoke Planning Advice
Assist – Develop – Growth – Care – Opportunity
Start your planning
journey with us
CRANBROOK
01580 201888
www.therpp.co.uk
office@therpp.co.uk
CIRENCESTER
01285 323200
Tel 01233 513878 07789 863488
www.crabtreedesigns.co.uk
3 Wood Floor Restoration
3 Wood Floor Sanding & Oiling
3 Wood Floor Installation
RuralPlanningPracticeWT217.indd 1 10/02/2020 CrabtreeDesignWT216.indd 10:12
1 10/01/2020 09:47
99.9% dust free service
Affordable Kent Wood Floor Restorations.
Fully trained, qualified and affiliates of the ultimate floor sanding company.
If you’re looking for a floor sanding expert, look no further!
OUR SERVICES OPERATE IN THE WHOLE OF KENT AND SURROUNDING AREAS
EST. 1975
01732 872199
07860 100295
Family run business
Family run business
E: info@rolincleaningservices.co.uk W: www.rolincleaningservices.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
104
RolinCleaningWT215.indd 1 11/12/2019 14:45

Get the
LOOK
Freshen Up
1 Como wall storage system, £2,030.65, BoConcept boconcept.com 2 Let’s Get Naked Print, £19, Rocket
Jack, rocketjack.co.uk 3 Remy Tripod Floor Lamp, £94.99, MY Furniture my-furniture.com 4 Trailing Plant in
Ceramic Pot, £19.50, M&S marksandspencer.com 5 Bubblegum Queenie by Sassy Luke, price on application,
Etsy: sassyluke sassylukeartworks.com 6 Set of three Japanese Kokeshi dolls, £803.97, 1stdibs 1stdibs.co.uk
7 Teak Side Table, £145, Trading Boundaries tradingboundaries.com 8 Coral Velvet Footstall, £49, Cult Furniture
cultfurniture.com 9 Scintilla Sapphire Star Pattern Tiles, £24.95, Walls and Floors wallsandfloors.co.uk 10 Artificial
Cheese Plant in Ceramic Pot, £39.50, M&S marksandspencer.com
105 wealdentimes.co.uk

For Sale
sitsmart
intelligent seating
Rangemaster Classic Duel
Fuel Cooker 110 cream in
pristine condition - £670
Rangemaster Classic
Extractor Hood and
Chimney - £75
Service instructions available
Selling due to move - Collection only from St. Leonards.
07533 940441
Valeriekna@gmail.com
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK
SHOWROOM: 14 DECIMUS PARK, KINGSTANDING
WAY, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN2 3GP
T: 01892 510202 SALES@SITSMART.CO.UK
FREE TRIAL > FREE FITTING > PERSONAL SERVICE
What is Eating Your Roof?
ValerieKnappWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 SitSmartWT217.indd 11:12
1 20/02/2020 09:32
Bacteria in the form of mosses, lichens and moulds are
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When you want the exterior of your
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wealdentimes.co.uk
106
PurpleRhinoWT217.indd 1 06/02/2020 15:22

Fabulous 50+ fashion • Adventurous holidays • Exciting hobbies
Sponsored by

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
PegasusLife is delighted to present a collection of 31 one and two
bedroom apartments in the meticulously refurbished historic Grade II listed
Wildernesse House, set in the sprawling Wildernesse Estate, Sevenoaks.
Nineteen of these renovated age-exclusive apartments are located on the
upper floors of the extraordinary main house, alongside four luxurious ‘legacy’
apartments on the ground floor and eight two-bedroom mews houses in the
newly built stable block. The manor house boasts a grand hall, resident’s bar,
library, alongside magnificent character details that really bring this historic
destination to life.
Each residence has been thoughtfully renovated by luxury
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From bespoke built in wardrobes, walk-in showers and
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To find out more about Wildernesse House or to book an appointment, please call 01732 608 144.
*Price correct at time of going to print.

5
12
Dominic Walmsley
jewellery
Hinged
Contents
5 HOLIDAY DREAMS
From a railtrail in India to a golfing getaway
in Kent, find your dream holiday adventure
9 IT’S GOOD TO TALK
Anna Murdoch explains wills and
inheritance
11 FIT OVER 50!
Sarah Maxwell’s excercise advice for over 50s
12 YOU’RE SO CLASSIC
Timeless fashion picks from Rebecca Cuffe
15 COURSES & HOBBIES
Hobbies to begin at 50
18 BENENDEN HOSPITAL – THE
WEALD’S HIDDEN GEM
We proudly present our Wealden Times
Midsummer Fair Sponsor
21 THE EVOLUTION OF BEAUTY
Expert tips and tricks on how to update
your beauty routines
25 RETIRE IN STYLE
Retirement gets glamorous
28 DREAMING OF A FRENCH ESCAPE?
We get clued up on buying
property in France
At last, a solution to
arthritic fingers for
jewellery lovers.
3 The Square • Riverhead
01732 779 555 • www.dominicwalmsley.com
Est London 1991
DominicWalmsleyWT216.indd 1 17/01/2020 15:28
Wealden Times Hinged ring.indd 1 16/01/2020 18:18:51
21
15
Make your spare
room work for you
& earn an income
from home!
Hosting suits everyone;
single people,
couples with or
without children &
retired people.
Groups arrive
mid-week & stay 3-4
nights, leaving your
weekends free!
Hosting fits around
busy lives with
early morning
drop off & evening
pick-up.
25
TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT
Stephanie Heymer
01892 514504
07555 548470
info@isegb.co.uk
isegb.co.uk
3 wealdentimes.co.uk
JOUJOUPAP.indd 1 22/01/2020 09:42

Discover the
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and more are included in the rent!
Why RENT?:
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or
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The perfect venue from which
to relax, celebrate and explore…
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the heart of Hastings Old Town.
Georgian elegance with contemporary ‘Twists’.
The Laindons Guest House,
23 High Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EY
01424 437710 | www.thelaindons.com
GirlingsWT217.indd 1 05/02/2020 LaindonsGuestHouseWT217.indd 10:49
1 06/02/2020 17:52
Cap Masion,
St.Lucia
SAVE up to 15%, plus FREE
upgrade to Half Board and
$250 Resort Credit
7 nights from
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Call 01732 810372 Quoting MWT920
Or visit www.simplycaribbeanholidays.co.uk
Prices and offers are correct at the time of going to print, and are subject to change. The from price is per person and is based on 2 adults sharing a Garden View Room, including return schedule economy flights and return transfers departing in May 2020. Only applicable for new bookings, offer ends 31st March 2020. For full terms and conditions on all offers and booking conditions, please visit www.simplycaribbeanholidays.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
4
SimplyCaribbeanWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 10:48

Holiday Dreams
Relax, unwind and take in the sights with
our pick of stunning holiday destinations,
both home and away
Taj Mahal
The Golden Temple
Exclusive & Exotic India
with Railtrail Tours
Book early for a new (and totally unique) Indian
adventure. This 18-day tour uncovers the best of this
wonderful country. India has it all, from bustling Delhi
to charming Jaipur. Visit the Taj Mahal at Agra, enjoy the
colourful spice markets, see the colourful lowering of the
flag ceremony, the Dalai Lama Temple, the illuminated
Golden Temple by night or go on a jeep safari to discover
Bengal tigers. This is a real once in a lifetime experience!
Stay at superior quality hotels (including two former
Royal Palaces) with dinner every evening. The small
group will be fully accompanied by a knowledgeable
Tour Manager and locally based guides enabling
clients to get the very best out of their trip.
Numbers on this tour are limited and early
booking is essential. The tour departs on 11
November and fares are available either with flights
included or without as a ground only fare.
railtrail.co.uk 01538 382323
5 wealdentimes.co.uk

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
Island hopping with Simply
Caribbean Holidays
Escape to the Caribbean
for a trip of a lifetime…
but instead of going to
one beautiful island,
why not go to three?
Depart the UK with Virgin
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Two in Barbados for 3 nights,
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all inclusive. Transfer to Port
Elizabeth and take 'The
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Palm Island in the Grenadines.
Grenadines
Stay at Palm Island for 8
nights, all inclusive. Take
a flight from Union Island
to Barbados, operated by
SVG for your international
flight back to the UK.
from £5,995 per person
call 01732 810372
quoting mwT 920
simplycaribbeanholidays.co.uk
Barbados
Bequia
The Stables at The White House
with Kent and Sussex Cottages
Located in Eastry, near Sandwich,
Kent, just four miles from Royal St
George’s golf club where the 149th Open
Championship will be held this July,
is this stunning property which sleeps
4 guests in 2 luxurious bedrooms. Set
within private grounds and with access
to a heated pool, The Stables at The
White House is exclusively available for
The Open. Exceptionally decorated with
antique furniture, vintage radiators and a
wrought-iron spiral staircase this property
offers a truly unique self-catering stay.
Available between 10-20 July
at £6,040
Visit kentandsussexcottages.
co.uk/golf-open-2020
for more information and to book
wealdentimes.co.uk
6

Equity Release: Good or Bad?
Sarah Ferrell, local Equity Release Adviser,
spends much of her time talking to people
who are retired, or approaching retirement,
and are considering their financial options.
Despite lots of television and newspaper
coverage there is still confusion as to whether
Equity Release is a “good thing” or not.
Over the years there has been a significant
amount of bad press on the subject, yet
now adverts are encouraging people to use
the equity in their homes to help finance
their retirement….so which is right?
Why do so many people still think Equity
Release is a “bad thing”
The schemes of 40+ years ago were
predominantly “Home Reversion” schemes
which involved selling the property to the
finance company in return for a lump sum.
This meant that any potential inheritance was
immediately lost. Whilst there are still some
schemes of this nature available today, most
people opt for schemes where you retain the
ownership of the property, with the lender having
a first charge - just like any other mortgage.
I have heard I could lose my house
or leave a debt to my children
With the “no negative equity” guarantees
available today, there is no fear of any onward
debt. Equally, as you still own the property,
there is no fear of losing your home.
What if I want to move house?
Most of todays’ scheme are “portable” so
they can be transferred. There are a number
of factors, and potential costs, if somebody is
considering moving, however most schemes are
flexible and can be moved to another property.
Sarah says, “There are massive benefits to
Equity Release in the right circumstances,
however there can be long term implications
that clients need to be aware of. It is important
to be clear about all the factors so we can
choose the RIGHT option for them.”
“I am a great advocate of Equity Release as
it has changed people’s lives when they have
been able pay for Home Improvements that
would have been otherwise unaffordable. It has
kept people in their homes when they felt the
only option was to sell and I have also helped
parents release equity to help their children
buy homes or help family in other ways.”
In Sarah’s opinion, somebody considering Equity
Release needs advice, guidance and information
that is relevant to their particular situation.
“There are so many different schemes available
that it can be confusing without the right advice”.
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Equity Release can reduce the value of your estate and can affect your eligibility for means tested benefits.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
With 27 years’ experience in finance and over
6 years specialising in Equity Release, Sarah
takes pride in the time and care she takes
with her clients. She is happy to visit your
home and she is not just available 9-5 but
will offer flexible times to suit her clients.
Call Sarah on
07789 007447 / 01622 631372
info@sarahferrell-equityrelease.co.uk
www.sarahferrell-equityrelease.co.uk
MORTGAGES
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SarahFerrellWT217.indd 1 11/02/2020 15:00
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76 Castle Street, Canterbury, CT1 2QD
7 wealdentimes.co.uk
KentAndSussexHolidayCottagesWT217.indd 1 05/02/2020 11:14

From
generation to
generation
We look after your
wealth so you can
nurture your passions.
Call us to learn how we can help
build the future you want to see.
020 7600 1660
Follow us on: +44 (0) 20 7600 1660
info@jmfinn.com
www.jmfinn.com
The value of investments and the income from
them can go down as well as up and investors
may not get back the amount originally invested.
JM Finn and JM Finn & Co are trading names of J.M. Finn & Co. Ltd which is registered in
England with number 05772581. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
It’s good to talk
With the baby boomer generation set to pass on a significant
amount of wealth, discussing plans and goals with beneficiaries
can give everyone a head start, as Anna Murdock explains
In my 15 years of giving individuals
advice on their wealth and financial
wellbeing, one of the biggest issues
I experience is the surprise, shock and
disappointment that can come following
a death in the family. The one piece of
advice that I try to hammer home is to
discuss your inheritance
plans with your family; the
last thing you want is to
be embroiled in conflict
at a time when you want
to be left to grieve.
Communication is
something we as a nation
have always been good
at, but not when it comes
to airing our views or
concerns about money.
I believe that it’s a generational
thing, as in my experience baby
boomers often adopt the view
that having a conversation with
someone about wealth and money
“Communication
is something we
as a nation have
always been
good at, but not
when it comes
to money”
is definitely one of life’s taboos.
Many believe that leaving a will
counts as communicating with one’s
beneficiaries. I know that when
imparting my advice on someone’s
pension options, for example, it is far
better to do so on a face-to-face basis.
You learn so much more
about someone’s reaction
to your decision whether
it be in their facial
expressions or their verbal
response; it is human
nature to scan faces and
look for reactions.
Ask anyone in business.
All (successful) CEOs
will tell you, and their
staff will tell you, your
children, your spouse, everyone will
tell you that communication is key. If
you put communication into the books
section of Amazon it will return over
70,000 results on self-help books, all
teaching you to
communicate
better.
With a huge
amount of wealth transfer on the
horizon, my advice would be to discuss
your requests and bequests and explain
to your children, grandchildren and any
other beneficiaries what your plans are.
You may not be able to pay for a deposit
for a house, or you may not want to, but
either way it is not worth letting that be
a disappointment once you have gone.
As a wealth planner who advises on
all aspects of individuals’ wealth, all
the advice I give is on a personal basis.
I strongly encour age families to learn
more about each other’s individual
attitudes to money and wealth and,
if appropriate, set expectations for
any inheritance while you still can.
Anna Murdock is Head of Wealth
Planning at JM Finn jmfinn.com
9 wealdentimes.co.uk

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As we all grow older and gradually slow down, it’s likely a
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WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
Fit over 50!
Sarah Maxwell explains how it’s time to ramp things up when it comes to exercise
Are you 50+ and think it’s about
time that you slowed down
and took things easier?
I’m going to disappoint a few
of you now because, 50+ is the
time to speed things up!
We lose muscle mass, bone density,
mobility and flexibility naturally as we
age, belly fat becomes an issue as we
start thickening around the middle.
Even if you are naturally slim,
you could have excess visceral fat.
Visceral fat is fat that you can’t see,
the fat wraps around the vital organs,
heart, liver and underused muscle.
An excess of visceral fat
greatly increases the risk of:
• Heart attack and
heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stroke
• Breast cancer
• Alzheimer’s
The link below will show you how to go
about measuring your level and give you
an indication of your visceral fat levels.
healthline.com/health/waistto-hip-ratio#calculate
Now let me tell you the good news!
Regular exercise, combining
aerobic activity and weight
bearing exercises will go a long
way to reducing your fat levels.
A well balanced diet, reducing
sugar, processed food and upping the
vegetables is the way to go. Reducing
stress levels, regular exercise, relaxation,
a good sleep pattern, meditation and
me-time are all essential ingredients.
Regular exercise will make a huge
difference to your mental health
whether it is a steady walk with friends
or a training session at the gym or
class. You will
build muscle, lose
fat, increase bone
density, mobility and
flexibility – there is
no reason why in
your 50s and beyond
you can’t be as strong
and flexible as you
were in your 30s!
People who take this approach
will look younger, have better
skin, more energy and a much
more positive outlook along with
an increased quality of life.
“We lose muscle
mass, bone
density, mobility
and flexibility
naturally as
we age”
Here is my recipe for being fit
and fabulous at 50 and beyond:
Regular aerobic exercise:
2-3 times a week
This can be walking, dancing, climbing
the stairs (anything that gets your heart
rate up). Try to get outside as often as
possible for around 15 minutes a day
to boost your vitamin D levels and to
make you feel good inside and out.
Strength training/interval training:
2-3 times a week (this doesn’t have to
take long, 10-15 minutes is good)
You don’t need to use weights,
your body weight is just fine.
Stretch and mobilise every day (I do this
before my morning shower every day)
Exercise can be done in stages
throughout the day and is just as
effective. If you don’t have time for a
20-minute walk, do 10 minutes and
some more or something different later
in the day. Dance around your kitchen,
walk around the supermarket instead
of shopping online. It all helps.
You don’t have to be a gym bunny, but
if you want to bounce now and through
old age, the time to think about your
physical and mental health is now!
Sarah is running a free two-day 10-minute fitness course – you can sign
up at sarahmaxwell.teachable.com/p/free10minutefitness
11 wealdentimes.co.uk

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
See Katie
Mullally and
Funky Readers at
Wealden Times
Midsummer Fair
this June
You’re so classic
Timeless pieces that never go out of style make a wardrobe that is easy to mix and match
First Row: Farthing pendant, £90, Katie Mullally katiemullally.co.uk; blue reading glasses, £27, Funky Readers funkyreaders.co.uk; cross
body bag £59, Experience the Difference experiencethedifference.co.uk; Hinged ring £4,100 Dominic Walmsley dominicwalmsley.com
Second Row: White shirt, £149, The Gate Boutique thegateboutique.co.uk; cotton striped t-shirt, £45, The White Company
thewhitecompany.com; Camellia camel coat, £219, Hobbs hobbs.com; Mos Mosh Lizza knit, £119, The Courtyard courtyarduk.co.uk
Third Row: J Brand Josie trouser, £230, Hall & Co. halland.co; Modern Rarity silk slip skirt, £120, John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com;
Symons skinny jeans, £89, The White Company thewhitecompany.com; wide leg bay pant, £59.50, Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com
Bottom Row: Juliana loafers, £139.99, Blue Velvet Shoes bluevelvetshoes.com; gold lightening bolt leather trainer, £65, Oliver Bonas
oliverbonas.com; black Hudson boot, £120, The Gate Boutique thegateboutique.co.uk; Andina courts, £80, Dune London dunelondon.com
wealdentimes.co.uk
12

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
Making you,
more you.
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the inside? Young, fresh and vibrant.
Sagging jowls & jawline, deepening
lines & wrinkles? We can help.
Arrange a complimentary consultation
& start your journey today
t: 01892 257 357
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Before you consider any procedure you should consult with a physician to check your
medical suitability. The above information is only a brief overview and typical of most
patients’ experiences. Errors and omissions excepted. © Bella Vou Ltd. All rights reserved.

Try something
different...
come curling
& love it!
Staff Outings
Entertaining Clients
Birthday Parties
find us on facebook & twitter
Christmas Parties
Stag & Hen Parties
Social Events
FUN on ice!
LOVE CURLING IN KENT!
Dundale Farm, Dundale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9AQ • 01892 826004 • info@curlinginkent.co.uk • www.curlinginkent.co.uk
M arden Sports Club
FentonsRinkWT163.indd 1 18/08/2015 16:33
Welcome to our wonderful new club with sports for all
a bilities and all ages. We offer hockey, cricket, tennis and
netball in a fun, supportive environment where everyone
c a n find a level that suits them, regardless of experience.
membership@mardensportsclub.co.uk
01622 822656 I Search 'Marden Sports Club'
wealdentimes.co.uk
14
MardenSportsClubWT217.indd 1 12/02/2020 14:19

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
Photo for Lucie Bennett by Claudia Goedke
Courses &
Hobbies
Our rundown of five of the best
from across the South East
Cook Smart...
Last month, The Limpsfield Cookery
School in Surrey opened its doors
for the first time to provide a
range of classes focusing on various
culinary skills, taught by top chefs.
The brainchild of Jacqueline
Derbyshire, the School’s aim is to
provide pupils with the tools and
knowledge to create dishes with a huge
selection of courses throughout the
year, from bread and cake making, to
mastering international cuisines. “I have
always considered myself proficient
in the kitchen,” says Jacqueline, “and
indeed have usually been the go-to
person to cater for family parties and
events. However, after my daughter
married a Michelin-trained chef, I
was made very aware that there was a
huge range of skills and dishes that I
was lacking. I found that there were
either no courses available to help
me learn, or those that were available
were more geared to professional chefs
and felt cold and unwelcoming. This
is where the idea for The Limpsfield
Cookery School was born!”
Alongside the courses, once every
month, Jacqueline will be hosting a
Friday night Supper Club where up to
35 guests can enjoy a casual, informal
buffet-style gathering, focused on
fresh, seasonal produce – the perfect
way to kick-start the weekend.
thelimpsfieldcookeryschool.co.uk
Wonky waltz..?
(or never even tried?)
We tracked down Jack from
jackdavidson.co.uk to ask him
about his popular ballroom classes:
What can you expect from a
Jack Davidson dance class?
“Well, firstly, great dancing
technique, followed by lots of
fun and a whole new social
community you never expected
to meet! Our aim is to add some
Strictly magic to your dancing. We
cater for beginners to advanced
and beyond. Our dance classes
in Tenterden and Rolvenden
teach so much more than just
ballroom and latin dancing – the
steps are just the beginning of
the journey, technique along
with fun and socialising are
at the core of what we do.”
Why do people seem to
like dancing so much?
“We all lead busy and stressful
lives but dancing can be such
an immersive experience and
benefit you in so many ways.
For instance, helping you
to stay active both mentally
and physically, meeting new
people, pushing yourself out
of your comfort zone (gently)
and providing an environment
with like-minded people all
sharing the joy of dance.”
Do I need a partner?
“They say it takes two to tango
but at a Jack Davidson dance class
it doesn’t matter if you come as
a couple or by yourself, we are
accessible to all. We understand
that it can take a lot of courage
to try something new or just start
dancing again, but we aim to
put all your worries at ease and
help you leave class smiling and
wanting to come back for more.”
You can visit jackdavidson.co.uk
for class times and more info or
call him on 07863 132920.
15 wealdentimes.co.uk

Ashford Golf Club
Special 2020 Open Package
The 2020 open will return to
Royal St Georges in July for
the fi rst time since 2011.
Celebrate in style with a game
of golf at Ashford Golf Club, a
beautiful Parkland Course just
minutes’ from the M20 (Junction
9) either on your way to the
Open or on your return having
seen some entertaining golf.
Want to dance...
well here’s your chance!
LEARN TO BALLROOM DANCE
Adult Ballroom, Latin
and Argentine Tango
With many local hotels within
easy reach, this venue is
ideal for those wishing to
play a challenging course in
the Heart of Kent to add to
their overall experience.
Golf Package
Just £55 per person for 18
holes of Golf (including bacon
roll and coffee on arrival).
To book a tee time and any
further catering requirements,
phone the Pro Shop on
01233 622655 - Group
bookings welcome.
Sandyhurst Lane, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4NT
www.ashfordgolfclub.co.uk
Our dance school based in Tenterden, Kent offers adult
dance classes in Ballroom and Latin and Argentine
Tango. Whether you're a beginner, an improver, coming
back to dance or just think you'd like to give it a go,
we have a range of classes to cater for all levels.
All of our beginners classes are just £7 per session
per person and offer a no pressure introduction.
07863 132920
jack@jackdavidson.co.uk
www.jackdavidson.co.uk
JACK DAVIDSON
Dance Teacher
AshfordGolfClubWT215.indd 1 16/12/2019 WonkyWaltzWT217.indd 14:43
1 10/02/2020 14:23
BE WISE
WHEN YOU ADVERTISE
Everyone wants to get what they paid for. Wealden Times is independently
verified by ABC, because we want our advertisers to know they’re getting the
exposure they’ve been promised.
ABC. See it. Believe it. Trust it.
www.abc.org.uk
Gardening Courses
STARTING IN
MARCH
Join Jo Arnell at her garden
in Woodchurch for the 2020
gardening courses
- booking now
Contact Jo 01233 861149
hornbrookmanor.co.uk
2018_be wise when you advertise_full A4.indd 2 08/11/2018 11:31:31
wealdentimes.co.uk
16
ABC.indd 1 12/12/2018 HornbrookManorWT216.indd 17:15
1 14/01/2020 09:49

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
The Pro Approach...
This spring, tennis fans should check out the Château
Lou Casteou and Rose Tennis Academy, which will
be running from 14-19 April in a stunning château
set in the beautiful Côte d’Azur countryside. It is
structured to welcome all levels of tennis players – from
beginners to advanced – with coaches James Rose and
Richie Baker leading an experienced team of tennis
pros. Six hours’ daily coaching and tournaments,
luxe all-inclusive accommodation and a ticket to the
ATP Tournament in Monaco is priced at £1,998
single occupancy, or £1,750 pp for two sharing.
If you’re after something more fitness-orientated,
you could try Body Tonic at Lou Casteou, a
luxurious, four-night all-inclusive fitness retreat,
which provides energetic training classes, vibrant
Latin dance parties, stunning coastal treks, a tennis
workshop, private chef and pampered chateau
accommodation. Upcoming retreats are 27-31 May,
24-18 June or 16-20 September. loucasteou.eu
Fun with Fitness...
If you’re keen to up your fitness levels and enjoyment of
exercise, but are daunted by the gym or just lacking in
motivation, Wealden Times columnist Sarah Maxwell runs
a series of online fitness courses alongside ballet barre and
personal and group training classes at her studio in Cranbrook.
Sarah’s fun, action-packed sessions are filled with laughter and
positivity and offer the perfect chance to reap the benefits
of a whole body workout under her expert supervision.
Sarah will be hosting a very special health and fitness retreat
with a difference in Palermo, Sicily (European capital of
culture 2018) from 9-13 September. The retreat will be for a
maximum of eight people and will be based in elegant and stylish
accommodation with a wide variety of room options (your own
room and bathroom as standard). Sarah’s private air-conditioned
fitness studio is ideal for Pilates, barre, Ariel fitness and yoga.
Enjoy a few days surrounded by wonderful people, great food
– “No starvation juice here,” says Sarah – and fabulous wine,
“Yes, that too!” It’s suitable for all abilities. Contact Sarah to be
one of the first to receive full details about this retreat and future
dates. sarahmaxwell.com / Instagram @sarahmaxwelllifestyle
Fancy Broomwork...
England’s first ever dedicated curling rink is
tucked down a country lane, just three miles
from Tunbridge Wells. Fenton’s Rink welcomes a
wide range of people, all keen to try their hand
at this fascinating Winter Olympic sport.
The 50-metre ice rink has been specially
designed for curling, so everyone gets to try the
real thing, complete with curling stones, brushes
and shoes – as you would see on televised games.
Beginners can use rubber-soled shoes to get the
hang of throwing the stone before advancing to
sliding on the ice – if you want to try that, too.
For elderly visitors, or those with a bad back, you
can just push the stone along with our specially
designed cues, so everyone can have a go!
The season runs until the end of April, so there’s
still plenty of time to try something really different.
Check out Fenton’s website and online booking
system at fentonsrink.co.uk for current availability.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Benenden Hospital –
The Weald’s Hidden Jewel
Visit the Benenden
Hospital stand
at this June’s
Wealden Times
Midsummer Fair
Possibly one of the best kept secrets, Benenden Hospital
has been caring for the Wealden community and those
across the UK for over 112 years. So it’s with great
pleasure that Wealden Times is proud to announce
this award-winning Hospital as our Midsummer Fair
sponsor and a valued partner throughout 2020.
AHistory of Benenden Hospital
Founded in 1907 as a mutual
organisation to help others,
Benenden Hospital was originally a
sanatorium for Post Office workers
suffering from tuberculosis.
At the turn of the last century, about
300,000 people nationally were suffering
from the illness but only 22,000 a year
could be treated. At the time, there
were only 500 beds in England and
Wales where treatment was provided,
so a new sanatorium was needed.
Ideal location
Benenden, near Cranbrook, located in
the High Weald of Kent, was chosen
because of its rural location in the
beautiful open countryside, a location
that today is a designated Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
It was ideal for TB patients for whom
it was thought fresh, clean air and
bed rest were key to their recovery.
Changing with the times
The Society evolved into Benenden
Health, offering a range of discretionary
healthcare and well-being services to
individual and business healthcare
members, now numbering over
817,000 across the UK.
Whilst Benenden Hospital continued
to provide quality care for Benenden
Health Members, in the 1970s it
also opened to the public, providing
a wide range of surgical services.
In 2017, the Hospital completed a
multi-million pound redevelopment,
including two new wards, luxury private
rooms with ensuite bathrooms, new CT,
MRI, and diagnostic imaging facilities,
a new physiotherapy suite, and an
award winning waiting area (designed
and built around patient experience).
Benenden today
Benenden Hospital today is an
independent not-for-profit hospital with
charitable status, which continues the
principle of providing first-class treatment
for a wide range of specialties. The
Hospital provides treatment to patients
whether they self-pay, are privately
insured, or those referred through the
NHS or Benenden Health Members.
The Hospital continually extends
its services and now has over 140
treatments and services, including
hip and knee replacements, cataracts
treatments, weight loss surgery, varicose
vein removal and breast reduction.
Recognition of outstanding care
Benenden Hospital is the only
private hospital in Kent to be
rated “Outstanding” by the Care
Quality Commission (CQC), the
independent regulator who ensures
that health and social care services
provide people with safe, effective,
compassionate and high-quality care.
Not only does the hospital benefit
from numerous awards, it boasts high
levels of patient satisfaction with more
than 98% saying they would recommend
the hospital to family and friends.
It is the first and currently the only
independent hospital in the UK to be
awarded the prestigious Anaesthesia
Clinical Services Accreditation
(ACSA) from the Royal College of
Anaesthetists (RCoA), providing
additional peace of mind for patients.
wealdentimes.co.uk
18

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
‘Patient-first’ experience
‘From the moment a patient walks
through the door everyone will go
the extra mile to ensure people feel
cared for, valued and special as we
recognise this is often a time of anxiety
and tension and we want to give each
and everyone the best experience we
can. Our culture is one of openness
and transparency where we live by
our values and recognise everyone
makes a valuable contribution to the
experience of our patients.’ Jane Abbott
– Hospital Director and Chief Nurse
Achieving excellence
Benenden Hospital is one of the
leading private hospitals for hip and
knee replacements in Kent and Sussex.
The Hospital is also one of the largest
providers of cataract care in the
South East, and has extensive clinical
expertise in Weight Loss Surgery.
Reassuringly for patients, Benenden
Hospital is proud to have exemplary
infection control rates, with no
cases of MRSA and very low rate of
postoperative infection (1% or below
– the national average is 6.4%).
Benenden Hospital and Wealden Times
Watch this space for lots more from
this special partnership in 2020.
To find out more about Benenden
Hospital visit benendenhospital.org.uk.
‘Benenden Hospital is located
in a truly beautiful area in the
Weald of Kent which creates
a therapeutic environment
for both patients and staff.
We are very proud of our rich
heritage as a hospital which
pre-dates the NHS by 40 years.
We have a strong history of
delivering high-quality care
which has evolved to meet the
changing healthcare needs of
our patients moving us from
our origins as a TB sanatorium
to a hospital primarily focused
on delivering surgical services.’
Jane Abbott, Hospital
Director and Chief Nurse
19 wealdentimes.co.uk

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The Evolution of Beauty
How does the way we look after our skin and hair change as we age? We go straight
to the experts for tips, tricks and treatments to maintain optimum condition
Hair...
Russell Barradell, owner of
William Charles Hair, Tenterden
How does our hair
change as we age?
As we age our hair ages too.
There are many changes in our
hair over different periods of
our lives. The most common
change in our hair is that it
can go grey. Hair goes grey
due to the lack of melanin
production, which gives hair
its colour. The texture of the
hair can change as well, due
to the lack of protein. Grey
hair will feel a lot coarser and
drier than natural coloured
hair. Thinning hair is another
major concern as we get
older due to the density and
volume of the hair decreasing.
Are there any styles or
colours I should avoid
once I reach 55+?
There are not any specific
rules on styles for the over 55s.
It depends on the individual
guest. At William Charles Hair
we offer a full consultation
to our guests to determine
their desired style and colour,
which they will be able to
manage within their lifestyle.
Does ageing hair need
more maintenance?
Ageing hair will need more
maintenance especially if the
guest wants to colour their
hair. At William Charles
Hair we would recommend
repeat appointments every
4-6 weeks to maintain your
hair colour and style. Visits to
the salon to have treatments
is also recommended as this
will help drier/coarser hair to
feel softer and look shinier.
Could you recommend
an essential hair care
product/treatment?
At Aveda we have a whole
range of home care products
to manage all hair concerns
i.e. colour, dry, and damaged.
Some great examples of the
products we have are: Invati
advanced system, to help guests
with thinning hair solutions;
Damage remedy range which
will reduce breakage by 90% in
just 1 week, plus our new Nutri-
Plenish range which hydrates
the hair for 72 hours after using.
01580 762564
williamcharleshair.co.uk
Skin...
Uma Jeyanathan
BDS, MFDS RCS (Ed)
Skin Health & Facial Aesthetics
at Bella Vou, Pantiles Clinic
What changes as your skin
ages? The skin loses collagen
and elastin as we age, this
means the plumpness and
bounce we see in younger
skin diminishes. The skin
gets more fragile and thin
over time and pigmentation
can be more apparent.
Will this affect my skincare
regime? We need to tailor
our skincare routine to the
changes that are happening in
the ageing skin. We can use
products that will improve
collagen stimulation, help
thicken the skin and build
resilience. There are also
skincare products which
reduce pigmentation and
protect from solar radiation,
which contributes to 90%
of premature ageing.
Are there any treatments
that are particularly
beneficial for over 50s?
Skin health treatments, which
improve collagen content
dramatically, are Profhilo®,
a pure hyaluronic acid skin
booster, which bio-remodels
skin cells. This is a true
investment in the skin.
Micro-needling is also a great
way to rejuvenate collagen
within the skin. This can be
repeated monthly to start with
to produce the optimal results.
How can I keep my skin
in optimum condition?
The best course of
action is prevention, so
where possible protect
from sun damage, eat
a balanced healthy diet
and hydrate well.
I would advise an effective
SPF cream daily, with a
tailored skin care regime.
Light facial peels and microneedling
are a great start on
your skin health journey.
Call Bella Vou’s Pantiles Clinic
on 01892 257357 to arrange a
complimentary consultation with
Uma. bellavou.co.uk
21 wealdentimes.co.uk

Makeup...
Hair & Makeup
Artist, Nina Gregory
Now I’m over 50,
can I still wear the
same makeup as I
did in my 30s and 40s? Do I need
more? I wouldn’t say you need more
coverage, but you do need the correct
products and the know-how in product
application. Getting the application
right will make a huge difference to the
way you look. If you’ve always had a
signature look like a red lip, black liquid
liner, nude lip, smudgy 60s liner… these
can all be adapted to suit more mature
looks without losing your personality.
You need two looks, one for
daytime and a more evening look
with a bolder lip or accent of the eye.
Stay away from shimmers or glittery
products at all costs. These will only
sit in the creases and lines we all try
so much to hide and look dated.
What should I be filling my makeup
bag with? Heavily invest in a good
skincare regime for more mature
skin then your products should
really consist of the following:
Tinted Moisturiser / Water Light
Foundations, these are new to the market
and the colour matching for these are so
much easier than typical foundations.
A lighter tone concealer – but not
too pale. Choose your usual skin
tone colour and apply it to any slight
imperfections, dabbing it on with a
fluffy brush or lightly with your finger.
A great liner pen in brown or
navy blue. Opt for a soft twist up
rather than a sharp pencil as these
are harsh on the skin to smudge
into the eye socket for definition.
A great blush and bronzer duo,
these are great for subtle colour
or more colour for evenings or
holidays if you tend to tan.
Cream blush and bronze are
great and easy to apply. Stay away
from the glittery blushes – use a
slightly more matte version.
Always get an eyebrow pencil that
will accent your brows rather than
make a focal point of them. Choose
one with a brush at the end so you can
keep brushing through your brows to
soften the colour but still give your face
definition and accent your features.
Invest in a good waterproof
mascara, this will last all day and not
transfer to lids or under the eye. I’m
a great lover of black mascara for
all ages, but if not a dark brown.
Lip colour should be either satin finish
or a creamier consistency. Steer clear of
matte shades as these sit in lines and bleed
and are hard to upkeep during the day.
For the more daring of you, investigate
treatments such as eyelash extensions or
microblading for your brows. Always seek
professional advice and take in pictures
Concept
Hair
salon
Private Care Service
50 High Street, Tenterden 01580 762 564
Book online at www.williamcharleshair.co.uk
or through our facebook page
Our Private Care Service offers
tailored packages of personal care
that can help people stay in their
own home for as long as possible,
rather than going into a care home
before it’s really needed. We assist
those who need help due to
fraility, disability or illness to live
as independently as possible, with
comfort & dignity, in their own home.
www.townandcountryhomecare.co.uk
Domestic
Care
£9.77
per hour
For a free assessment
of your care needs or to
receive your brochure
Call us on 01580 762244
Town & Country Homecare Limited
102a High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HT
wealdentimes.co.uk
22
WilliamCharlesWT216.indd 1 06/01/2020 TownCountryHomecareWT133.indd 16:50
5 04/02/2013 16:20

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
of how you want your treatment to
look that will suit your individual needs.
These treatments are great and very easy
for mature looks, not just youngsters!
Finally… the tools of the trade.
Invest in a great set of brushes, you’ll
notice the difference immediately.
What should I be steering clear of at
the makeup counter? Anything that
says matte or full coverage. Trust your
own judgement and try products on
the back of your hand for an hour or
so before you buy. See how the product
feels, how the air has oxidised the
colour – it’s a good indication of how
the colour will transfer on your face.
Skin tends to become slightly drier the
older we get so go for nourishing, light
reflecting or moisturising products. Avoid
facial powders in any format – these
will be appearing chalky and ageing.
I would also browse all the products
in the store, just because you like one
brand, or have used it for years, it doesn’t
always mean it’s the right one. There
are so many brands on offer which can
be daunting, but ask some advice from
some of the newer, ‘younger’ brands.
All makeup companies will make
something that will be suitable for all
age ranges. Be brave! You really don’t
have to spend a fortune either, high
street brands are amazing these days.
How can I keep my look fresh and on
trend? Don’t be stuck in a rut! There
is such a variety of images, advice,
online tutorials, products, magazines,
advertisements etc. to take inspiration
from and explore trends at any age. Try
one of the many online tutorials on
YouTube and other social media outlets.
Use the consultants on the counters
for advice, book a makeup lesson, book
a shopping lesson, too. Lots of makeup
artists offer a shopping service. They
will meet you for a coffee and take
you through an informed shopping
list – whatever your budget – to work
out a great list of cosmetics that work
for you. You can also pay to have a
lesson with your own makeup bag
contents – take notes, look and learn.
Be open minded and practise new
looks, you’ll soon find out what works
and doesn’t work for you. Have a few key
products that you use all the time instead
of hoarding a makeup bag of products
that haven’t seen the light of day in years.
We all love making the best of
ourselves and keeping
up with the latest trends
including make-up.
Remember knowledge is
power in the vast world
of makeup and skincare!
Nina is an award-winning
international freelance
Hair & Makeup Artist.
To see more of her
work, and to find out
about booking her, visit
ninagregorymakeup.com.
We invite you to a
Masterclass in Skincare
£25 including Champagne afternoon
tea, complimentary Goodie Bag
and a £10 product voucher
London has arrived
in the Weald...
March 26th, 31st & April 2nd
11.30-2.00 & 3.00-5.30
Gift Vouchers for Mother’s Day now available online at
www.knowlegrange.co.uk
Please book in advance by calling 01892 750055
Email: enquiriesknowle@gmail.com
Gillian Spooner, a senior Sassoon trained
stylist currently working at the Josh Wood
Atelier in London, is now based in your area.
Gillian’s superb level of expertise in cutting
and styling for ladies can be brought to you
by private appointment, with the benefit of a
free, no-obligation consultation beforehand.
For more information visit
www.gshair.co.uk or call to arrange a
free full consultation on 01622-862735
GS Spooner
Gillian
23 wealdentimes.co.uk
KnowleGrangeHealthWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 SteveCarmoWT140.indd 16:32
1 18/09/2013 14:50

DOWNSIZE THE RIGHT THINGS
- NOT YOUR RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE
You’ll want to enjoy your retirement that you’ve worked hard
for and not have to worry about the upkeep of the house, garden
and all the cooking and cleaning chores. So downsize on all those
responsibilities and give yourself the time to upsize your retirement!
All-inclusive living • Great amenities on site • Safe and Secure
Restaurant quality dining • Free all day café
For more call 01323 644111
Search ‘Hawthorns Eastbourne’ online or on
The Hawthorns Eastbourne | 4 Carew Road | East Sussex | BN21 2BF
AveryHealthcareWT217.indd
Discover
1 05/02/2020 11:20
the
Future
of Later
Living
Join us for our Discovery Day.
Monday 2nd March, 11am-3pm, at the
Hilton Hotel Maidstone, ME14 5AA to:
• View the village layout and
floor plans of apartments
• Learn about the ‘inspired way of life’
• Speak to our friendly sales advisers
• Reserve a new home and benefit
from our early bird incentives
To book your place visit:
www.lediangardens.co.uk/event
or call: 01622 805 943
Later living community coming soon near Leeds Castle, Maidstone
wealdentimes.co.uk
24
InspiredVillagesWT216.indd 1 10/01/2020 10:31

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
Retire in Style
Our retirement living picks
Sell for all feature pages
Stunning Surroundings at Wildernesse House
collection of 31 one- and twobedroom
apartments in the A
historic Grade II listed Wildernesse
House, and eight new mews houses set
in the sprawling Wildernesse Estate,
Sevenoaks, are now available from luxury
retirement home specialists PegasusLife.
Each apartment has been meticulously
renovated, with impressive details and
little luxuries that make these homes
so welcoming. The newly built twobedroom
mews houses offer large, light
living spaces, with peaceful outdoor areas
to be enjoyed throughout the season.
The Wildernesse Estate offers a wealth
of enriching activities and facilities
literally on your doorstep; from a
pleasant stroll through the surrounding
parklands, or a visit to the luxurious
wellness centre, spanning the lower
ground floor of the house, offering a
pool, sauna and steam rooms, treatment
rooms, fully equipped gym and studio.
The affluent town of Sevenoaks is
less than two miles away, and has so
much to offer all year round, including
a variety of independent and high
street shops and dining. With easy
transport links to London and beyond,
and surrounded by stunning Kentish
countryside, Wildernesse House
offers the very best in later living.
Prices start from £610,000. To
find out more about Wildernesse
House or to book an appointment,
call 01732 608144. pegasuslife.co.uk
Holistic wellbeing at Inspired Valley
Work has just begun on the
first of ‘Inspired Villages’
retirement villages in Kent, just
up the road from the picturesque
Leeds Castle, near Maidstone.
Inspired Villages are so-called for good
reason: their plush, quality interiors are
designed to ensure your retirement years
truly are the best years of your life.
The Inspired philosophy is centred
around each and every resident’s
holistic wellbeing – looking after
both their physical and mental health
and encouraging them to enjoy a
healthy, happy and independent life.
Moving to an Inspired Village has
been compared to living permanently
in a 5-star hotel – but with your own
front door. This is not downsizing
– it’s rightsizing. Does your present
home have its own fabulous
restaurant, bistro, library, beauty
room, swimming pool and spa?
All apartments offer plenty of storage,
with carefully thought out kitchens and
bathrooms using only the finest fixtures
and fittings, while the easy maintenance,
landscaped gardens are all taken care
of, enabling you to make the most
of every minute of your later years.
For more information, visit inspiredvillages.
co.uk/village/ledian-gardens.
25 wealdentimes.co.uk

Emerson Park Retirement Village
and Care Home Open Day
Saturday 28th March (10am - 4pm)
Join us at our Open Day to find out more about Emerson Park - luxury retirement
apartments with a range of high class facilities alongside an exclusive care home.
View the stunning show apartments and unrivalled on-site facilities including Clubhouse
Lounge and Restaurant, Bar, Fitness Suite, Hair & Beauty Salon and Cinema. Take a tour of
the impressive Emerson Grange Care Home and talk to the Manager and his dedicated team.
Speak to our Events & Activities Manager and hear about the various daily social events at
Emerson Park and, while you’re there, enjoy the refreshments prepared by our chef.
OUR TEAM WILL BE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME YOU – NO NEED TO BOOK
Emerson Park, Rowhill Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7FP
tel: 01322 515417 www.cinnamoncc.com/emersonpark

WT Good Living Supplement sponsored by
Retirement Luxury at Emerson Park
Emerson Park in Hextable, Kent,
offers an exclusive collection of
47 luxurious retirement apartments,
accompanied by a range of first-class
retirement village facilities and services.
Hextable is a thriving, traditional
English village with the benefit of great
transport links – central London is just
over half an hour’s train journey away.
Paul Hart, manager at Emerson
Park, comments: “Many people have
the preconceived idea that retirement
apartments are small, pokey flats
with very little or no support or
facilities. This certainly isn’t the case
at Emerson Park; large well-designed
apartments with the very highest
quality specification are complemented
with luxury amenities, such as the
Club House Room where you can meet
friends for a coffee or enjoy a threecourse
meal, obviously after enjoying a
G&T in the bar first! You can keep in
shape in the gym, be pampered in the
hair and beauty salon or enjoy a good
film in the cinema. Or why not take
up a new hobby? Our dedicated Events
& Activities team arrange a whole host
of social events tailored around the
interests of the people living here.”
As well as having all these
facilities on your doorstep a move
to such a retirement community
not only means you can enjoy the
independence of a new home but
also live without the worry of the
ongoing upkeep and maintenance
associated with an older property.
The exclusive apartments feature a
spacious, flowing layout and the finest
quality materials, finishes and fittings
creating an elegant, contemporary
ambience with all the mod-cons.
“It’s not only the apartment and
facilities which people are buying
into at Emerson Park,” continues
Paul, “but also the services. Our
driver will provide scheduled trips,
either to the local supermarket or to
places of interest, such as National
Trust properties, or a theatre trip.
The Good Life at The
Hawthorns Eastbourne
This gem of a retirement
community offers a unique
approach to all-inclusive retirement
living. It’s all done for you, with no
housekeeping, garden maintenance,
or cooking, so you get to focus on
enjoying life. There’s quality dining
three times daily, exercise classes
and trips out in a private minibus,
plus a wonderful range of on-site
amenities. Staffed 24/7, this friendly,
safe and secure village has studio,
Our gardeners and maintenance
team will ensure the site looks its
best throughout the year. Plus, all
apartments have the reassurance
of an emergency call system which
are answered by members of staff
who are on-site 24-hours.”
For further information on Emerson
Park call 01322 515415 or visit
cinnamoncc.com/emersonpark
1-bed and 2-bed apartments, plus
bungalows in the landscaped gardens.
Resident, Valerie Stokoe, explains
why she chose Hawthorns Eastbourne:
“If I could speak with potential
residents who aren’t sure if they are
ready, I would advise them not to
leave it too late, make the move whilst
you are still able to enjoy all that is
on offer! I’m glad that I moved here
when I did. I love my apartment and
all the activities that are provided.”
For more, search ‘Hawthorns
Eastbourne’ online or call 01323
644111. hawthornsretirement.co.uk
27 wealdentimes.co.uk

Dreaming of a
French Escape?
Are you lusting after the idea of owning a rural property in France,
but not sure how and where to start your search? WT asks the
advice of French property finders, Country Homes France
How does Country Home s France work? “Country
Homes France work in partnership with a network
of independent French estate agents, built up over
many years and mostly family run, this enables us to provide a
personalised service to our clients. Our service starts from the
initial contact to discuss property search requirements, advice
with property selection, arrange viewing appointments, assist
with offer negotiation, through to the purchase completion.
We have extensive knowledge of French regions and are happy
to share this with our clients to provide them with as much
information about properties and their search criteria.”
What do you specialise in? “Country Homes France
specialise in country and village property from barns and
houses to renovate, through to fully renovated country
houses, manor houses and small chateaux. Our clients
may be looking for a second home, retiring or making a
permanent move to France to enjoy the French lifestyle and
climate. Many of those looking to relocate to France are
seeking a home with income potential and a house with gite
accommodation is often the first choice – we have helped
many clients who are now running successful gite businesses.”
Which regions prove the most popular? “The most popular
regions to purchase a property in France fall into two
categories. For those who want to have easy access or be close
to the UK, then the regions of Normandy, Brittany, Picardy
and the Pas de Calais are the natural choices and where it
is still possible to buy a renovated 2-4 bedroom home for
€125,000. For those looking to be further south, the most
popular regions are the Charente, Charente-Maritime,
Dordogne, Garonne, Lot and Lot et Garonne areas that
enjoy a good year-round climate and which currently offer
very good value for money and regular flights to the UK.”
The National Trust offer senior
members a concession of 25 per
cent off their adult rates. If you’re
60 or over and you’ve held an
individual or joint membership for
at least five of the last ten years,
you’ll be eligible for the reduced
fee. nationaltrust.org.uk
English Heritage offer a variety of
reduced rates – Adult & Senior (1
adult under 65 and 1 senior over
65), Joint Senior (2 adults aged
65+), Senior Individual and Senior
Lifetime. Plus, membership includes
six accompanying children per adult
member english-heritage.org.uk
✁Cost Cutters – Discounts for over 60s
wealdentimes.co.uk
28

Do French properties tend to hold their value?
“French properties tend to hold their value and have
always appreciated over a longer period than in the
UK. Prices in France did suffer following the global
financial crisis in 2008 and have remained level since.
However last year there were a record number of property
sales in France and we continue to see an upturn in
confidence and property demand from both French
and UK buyers which will ultimately have a positive
effect on property values. At the present time prices
in France still represent very good value for money.”
How do you go about getting a mortgage for a
property in France? “Country Homes France have
worked in partnership for many years with a Paris-based
mortgage broker who works with the major French banks
and lenders (UK banks will not lend against a property in
France) and who we are happy to recommend to clients.
Mortgages are available for both permanent and second
homes and interest rates are comparable with those in
the UK. Our partners are English speaking and are able
to give pre-agreement indications before you make a
viewing trip so that you are in a position to offer on your
new home in France during your visit if you wish.”
Has Brexit affected the rules and regulations
surrounding buying a property in France? “Buying
a property in France will always be possible, and the
French have no wish to place unnecessary obstacles
in the way, however some of the rules and regulations
will change with regard to owning property in France
following Brexit. For a permanent move to France, UK
passport holders will need to obtain a residents permit
which we understand can be applied for online from
July 2020 and before July 2021. For second home
owners using their property less than 90 consecutive
days per year there are no changes. For those wanting to
use their property for more than 90 days and less than
180 days it may be necessary to apply for a visitor’s visa
similar to the ESTA form when visiting the USA.”
Brighten up your winter with the International Garden
Photographer of the Year exhibition, open every day between
11am-4pm.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
4 January—8 March 2020
©Richard Bloom
©Manuela Göhner
TN17 2AB / 01580 710700 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle
©Claire Takacs
t
SissinghurstCastleWT216.indd 1 15/01/2020 10:45
Find your dream home in France
Follow this website link for information:
gov.uk/guidance/living-in-france#visas-and-residency
Get in touch with the Country Homes
France team at countryhomesfrance.co.uk.
Over 60s can claim a large chunk
off the cost of lifetime membership
of Royal Horticultural Society
at £835 for Individual (usually
£1,395) and £1,255 for Joint
(usually £1,945) rhs.org.uk
Kino Hawkhurst & Rye: Seniors
60+ can save £1 per ticket on the
regular adult price kinodigital.co.uk
Everyman Cinemas offer off-peak
senior citizen concessions for 60+
at all their cinemas. Silver Screen
is a weekly matinee screening of a
current release for film fans aged
55 and over. Ticket prices include
a free hot drink and a slice of cake!
everymancinema.com
✁
+44 (0) 1233 800 200
countryhomesfrance.co.uk
29 wealdentimes.co.uk
CountryHomesFranceWT217.indd 1 14/02/2020 16:57

This page: 1970s silk dress,
£145, vintage earrings, £25,
Kathryn Vintage; Nine West
leather boots, £32, Déjà Vu.
Next page: Aquascutum Trench,
£85, Betty Jackson for Autograph
linen suit, £60, Ghost silk ruffle
blouse, £45, Déjà Vu; vintage
earrings, £25, Kathryn Vintage

Sustainable Style
Shop sustainably for your new season spring/summer wardrobe.
Kate Liz Watts styles this season’s trends using preloved and vintage pieces
Photographs: David Merewether Styling: Kate Liz Watts
109 wealdentimes.co.uk

Who’s Wearing What
boutique
The independent boutique
in the heart of St Leonards-on-Sea
Understated womenswear
in natural fabrics
SPRING SUMMER 2020
A new collection of striking
fashion for any occasion
Noted for quality, style,
comfort and fi t
Who’s Wearing What boutique
34 London Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 6AN
01424 272925 Open 7 days a week
@whoswearingwhatboutique
facebook.com/whoswearingwhatboutique
www.whoswearingwhat-boutique.co.uk
Aquascutum Trench,
£85, Betty Jackson for
Autograph linen suit,
£60, Ghost silk ruffle
blouse, £45, Zara silver
flatform shoes, £20, Déjà
Vu; vintage earrings,
£25, Kathryn Vintage
wealdentimes.co.uk
whoswearingwhatboutiqueWT217.indd 1 06/02/2020 11:31
110

Munthe blush blazer, £220,
Hermes silk scarf, £105, Bond
Street to Your Street; Ines De La
Fressange x Uniqlo Polka Dot
shirt, £10, Zara leather mules,
£22, One Scoop Store; House of
CB velvet trousers, £50, Déjà Vu

dressing undeniable beauty
35 High St,
Cranbrook
www.odyl.co.uk
01580 714907
Hawkhurst - Rye - Lewes
cordeliajames.com
Untitled-6 1 10/02/2020 OdylWT217.indd 10:35 1 13/02/2020 16:33
Affordable Dental Plans Now Available
Affordable Dental Plans Now Available
for Adults for Adults and Children and Children
Dr Kaumudi Dhutia BDS
Opening Times:
Mon, Wed & Fri 8.15am - 6.00pm
Tues & Thurs 8.15am - 8.00pm
Sat 9.00am - 1.00pm
Emergencies seen on the day
SPECIAL OFFERS ON
Zoom Whitening, Facial Aesthetic
(fillers) and Invisalign
T: 01233 502 231
37 Avocet Way
Finberry,
Ashford,
Kent | TN25 7FR
starlitedental@btinternet.com
www.starlitedentalpractice.co.uk
10%
OFF
10%
OFF
on Registration
on First Visit on Registration Children
on under First 18, Visit get
FREE check up
with a registered
parent
07843 204544
FASHION l EDITORIAL l BRIDAL
BEAUTY l LIFESTYLE l T.V / FILM
Hourly & Day Rates - Quotation on enquiry
www.ninagregorymakeup.com
113 wealdentimes.co.uk
StarliteDentalFinberryWT217.indd 1 18/02/2020 NinaGregoryMakeUpWT217.indd 11:54
1 17/02/2020 11:12

Stripe pussybow blouse, £35,
original 1970s jeans, £55, vintage
waistcoat, £30, Hawk & Dove;
Mulberry shoe boots, £200, Bond
Street to Your Street; vintage ring,
£38, Kathryn Vintage

Selkie polka-dot crêpe tea dress, £60, Zara leather mules,
£22, vintage Art Deco inspired earrings, £10, One Scoop
Store; red original sombrero cordobés, £69, Déjà Vu
Vintage waistcoat two-piece, £25, Déjà Vu; volume sleeve
blouse, £40, silver necklace, £30, Kathryn Vintage
A special thanks to Sissinghurst Location House for letting us
shoot in their beautiful grounds. Sissinghurst Location House
is a 16th Century Farmhouse with Edwardian and modern
additions. The location is situated in 4 acres of gardens,
which include a stunning 60ft derelict Victorian greenhouse,
brick courtyard and two large weatherboard buildings.
The spacious house and garden can easily accommodate a
large crew, and is a versatile shoot location for a variety of
photo, TV and film requirements. For more information
contact Sally Littlestone on 07813 856361/ Instagram @
sissinghurstlocationhouse / sissinghurstlocationhouse.co.uk
A huge thank you to both Emma Garrow and Village Vintage
Hire for the floral arrangements and props. Emma grows seasonal
natural flowers and styles them for any occasion, runs creative
workshops and offers fresh flowers for door delivery. Village
Vintage Hire holds a beautiful collection of rustic and vintage
furniture and accessories available to hire for any location or event.
Address Book:
Bond Street to your Street
Cranbrook 01580 712900
Facebook @bondstreettoyourstreet
Déjà vu Instagram @dejavu_reloved,
dejavu_reloved@outlook.com, 07787
148783, also available to buy in
Pearl & Queenie, 10 Marine Court,
St Leonards-on-Sea TN38 0DX
Emma Garrow 07967 087165
Instagram @emmasflowerdesign,
Fresh Agents freshagents.co.uk
Hawk & Dove Hastings Old
Town hawkanddove.shop, Etsy:
hawkanddovehastings
Kathryn vintage Instagram @
kathrynvintage.shop
Nina Gregory Make up 07843 204544
ninagregorymakeup.com / Instagram
@ninagregorymakeup/
One Scoop Store London
onescoopstore.com
village vintage Hire
Sarah Andrew 07976 359344
Instagram @villagevintagehire
115 wealdentimes.co.uk

Superproducts
Josephine Fairley reveals the winners of the 2020 Beauty Bible Awards
For the past 25 years, bobbing
alongside everything else I’ve
ever worked on, my Beauty Bible
co-author Sarah Stacey and I have
organised The Beauty Bible Awards,
sending real products to real women
to trial in real life. Astonishingly,
we’ve now had almost 30,000 women
testing products for us, the results of
which initially appeared in our series
of books, and are now available for
all to see online at beautybible.com.
(There are skincare, haircare, make-up
and bodycare categories to peruse.)
We have literally just unveiled
the latest line-up of winners, from
thousands of products trialled. We give
Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards – and
in many cases, more than one, because
we just get such darned great scores.
The reason, we’ve always believed,
is because when women are taking
part in our trials – over a period of
three to four months – they are really
asked to use the products in line with
the beauty companies’ instructions.
And it’s that regular use and diligence
which, we think, delivers really mindblowing
average scores and comments
about effectiveness. (We ask women
to use treatment products on one
side of the face, for comparison.)
Fact: when you chop and change
your regime all the time, nothing gets
the chance to work properly. (And a
few days or a week isn’t enough; you
really need to leave it for an entire
skin cycle – around 28 days – to
see the longer-term benefits.) Fact:
neck creams and eye creams can be
super-effective and deliver impressive
results – but again, they need to be
used daily/nightly, not whenever you
can be faffed. This year, for whatever
reason, we had the highest-ever scores
we’ve ever seen, with many notching
up 9/10 average (or above) across a
panel of 10 women. We’re calling them
the Beauty Bible Superstars – and
I’m delighted to share some of these
ultra-high-scoring products, below.
wealdentimes.co.uk
116

Beauty
Body loTion
D’Alchemy Essential Body Balm,
£58.60 for 200ml dalchemyskincare.
uk. With an average of 9.14/10,
an outstanding score for an allnatural,
pump-action body lotion
blending shea and shorea butter,
hop extract, acerola, cranberry and
guarana, argan and almond oils,
with a fab uplifting scent of sweet
orange, grapefruit and tangerine.
Comments: ‘Applying it felt
like soft silk – I could hear
myself saying “ooooh” and
“aaaahh.”’ • ‘Whenever I use
it I feel a million dollars.’
‘My skin over the
weeks has improved
so much in appearance.
I was even told I look
younger, and my skin feels
really soft and fresh’
Body oil
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
All Over Miracle Oil, £29 for 100ml.
A stonking 9.14/10 for a body oil
that’s higher in natural ingredients
than most of Elizabeth Arden’s
creations, including rice bran,
grapeseed, camellia, sunflower, olive,
avocado and castor oils, spritzed
onto the body as a nourishing mist.
Comments: ‘Great product; I
usually hate using body oils but
this is the lightest I’ve ever come
across. It’s gently scented, easy to
dispense, absorbs well and is so
versatile. Just about perfect!’ • ‘Skin
felt much more moisturised, softer
and smoother, less tight. I loved
the pleasant, subtle fragrance.’
‘If you love soft,
smooth, beautifully
clean skin then
you will love this
product.’
cleAnSing milk
Beauty Pie Jeju Daily, £28 for 190ml. By sourcing direct from
factories and selling direct to the beauty-hound, Beauty Pie founder
Marcia Kilgore keeps prices lean and keen. The £28 price is the top
price you’d pay for this high-scorer – which notched up 9.57/10
– but if you sign up to one of the different tiers of membership,
starting at a fiver a month, the price drops dramatically.
Comments: ‘I was blown away by this formulation. It felt super
gentle yet totally effective a.m./p.m. on my combination skin –
shiny T-zone, with open pores and comedones, then drier and red
across cheeks and neck. Makeup was removed quickly and easily,
and it was delightful to use’ • ‘Talk about cult beauty; this product
deserves to be worshipped and I would be a dedicated preacher.’
‘My skin felt more
supple and healthy
within days. It’s very easy to
spread and absorbs quickly.
All in all it’s amazing. I
would definitely buy and
recommend to others’
117 wealdentimes.co.uk

BrigHTening fAce mASk
Rituals Renewing AHA Glow Mask, £29.50 for
50ml. Rituals – probably better known as a home
fragrance/fragrance line – scored super-high
marks for several entries in this year’s Beauty
Bible Awards, here for a peach-toned mask with
natural alpha-hydroxy ‘fruit’ acids, including
lactic acid, to dissolve pore-clogging dead cells.
Comments: ‘A winner for me leaving my normal
skin with a “just out of the spa” freshness and
glow, which gets compliments from friends.’
• ‘I love this mask, which smells delicious
and leaves my combination skin visibly
clearer and glowing. My make-up goes on so
much better in the days after using this.’
‘A noticeable
difference in brightness and
radiance, which lasts a couple
of days. Softness is improved as the
mask is slightly exfoliating, and also
plumpness. It promised radiance
and illumination with smoothed
skin and absolutely delivered
on all counts. Love it!’
‘I couldn’t believe
how soft my feet felt after
one application. My feet
touched when I woke up and I
almost felt like they were someone
else’s feet as the skin was so soft
and supple and the overall
condition improved’
fooT TreAT
Margaret Dabbs Foot Hygiene Cream, £20 for 100g. The
cornerstone of award-winning foot expert Margaret
Dabbs’s range, this is described as a ‘miracle in a
jar’, whose effects go way beyond the cosmetic.
Comments: ‘10/10. I have really dry feet and have
used two products recently, each for over a month;
neither gave any real results, but this is fantastic.’ •
‘My job entails me being on my feet much of the day
and I have a baby. This left my feet feeling amazing
after application especially if they had a tough day, the
main thing was how soft my skin was and how easily
my toes glided when I rubbed them together. My
feet were very soft, refreshed and smelling lovely.’
nigHT TreATmenT
Tropic Skin Dream Age-Defying Firming Cream
Concentrate, £42 for 50ml. A truly incredible score,
here – an average of 9.75/10 across the 10-strong panel
– for a luxurious, skin-plumping formula which, as
Tropic put it, is ‘supercharged with intelligent plant
ceramide complexes and a blend of exotic butters.’
Comments: ‘A few people have already asked what I was
using and I have had compliments on how well I look.
This is a fantastic product, which I loved
immediately. After two weeks, then four, the
reduction in fine lines is very noticeable.
The best night cream I‘ve ever tried;
massive improvement in tone, lines and
wrinkles. I can’t fault this in any way it
made me feel fantastic. My skin looked
like I‘d had a salon treatment. It was
bright and soft and a lot of my fine
lines had all but gone; even my “11”
frown lines looked filled out.’
‘After the first use
I noticed that the treated
side of my face appeared more
firm and taut with less lines. It
was visibly firmer that the other
untreated side. After two weeks, there
was a marked difference between
the two sides with definitely
fewer lines and wrinkles
on the treated side’
‘Brilliant for my
lips, which can be dry and
chapped at times. It smooths
on beautifully from the tiny tube
and you only need a tiny amount.
It doesn’t absorb immediately which
I like because it looks like a nice
lip gloss; in fact I stopped using
lipstick because my lips
look nice without’
lip BAlm
Weleda Skin Food Lip Balm, £6.95 for 8ml.
This all-natural high-scorer is so affordable
you could pop one in every coat pocket
and never be without its protective blend of
glycerine, beeswax, sunflower oil and lanolin.
Comments: ‘I loved this product and will be buying
it again. There is a definite improvement in the
condition of my lips after using for a fortnight.’
• ‘Over two weeks the condition of my lips has
definitely improved. I’m addicted to this now!’

Put your best
face
forward
••
Advanced Wrinkle Reducing Treatments
•• Dermal Filler Treatments ••
•• Lip Enhancement ••
www.drchristine.co.uk christine@drchristine.co.uk
07928 971683 17 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1UT
BESPOKE AESTHETIC
TREATMENTS WITH A A
WHOLE FACE APPROACH
Year 2016
DrChristineWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 10:41
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Book
before
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Join Bupa Dental Care Cranbrook today
Call 01580 715 786 and quote “New10”
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*Terms and conditions: 1. Offer only available at Bupa Dental Care Cranbrook between 01/01/2020 - 31/03/2020 inclusive to new private patients
only. 2. Discount is made to the full price of a private check-up. 3. Appointments subject to availability. 4. Patients must be 18 years of age or over
and quote “New10” at the time of booking. 5. One offer per eligible patient. 6. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. 7. Offer may be
withdrawn or amended at any time. 8. No cash alternative is available.
Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Healthcare Limited. Registered in England and Wales, no: 03257078. Registered office: Bupa Dental
Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS16 1GW.
DUK03226 | Dec19
119 wealdentimes.co.uk
BupaUkWT215.indd 1 11/12/2019 14:50

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Tried Everything
to Lose Weight?
An Interview with Rachel Ricketts, a Leading Weight Loss Consultant.
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Wellbeing
Resetting the Balance
March is Endometriosis Month. Henrietta Norton explores the beneficial
effects that a considered diet can have on this painful condition
¹ Marziali M et al (2012) Gluten-free diet: a new strategy for management of painful endometriosis related symptoms? Minerva Chirurgica. 2012 Dec; 67(6):499-504. 2 U.S EPA, (1985) Health
Assessment document for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins. Office of Health and Environmental Assessment. EPA/600-8-84/014f 3 DeVito MJ and Schecter A. (2002) Exposure assessment to
dioxins from the use of tampons and diapers. Environmental Health Perspectives. 110:23-28 4 Nassar S. (2003) Tampon Safety. National Centre for Policy Research (CPR) for women and Families.
Approximately 10% of all
premenopausal women
within the UK have been
diagnosed with endometriosis, a
complex disorder of the female
reproductive tract. There are
also many more women with
the condition who remain
undiagnosed – the average length
of time for diagnosis is 7½ years.
Endometriosis is where cells,
similar to those found in the lining
of the womb, are found elsewhere
in the body. During the female
monthly cycle the fluctuation in
hormones stimulates these cells to
grow, then break down and bleed,
as they would in the lining of the
womb, leading to inflammation, pain
and the formation of scar tissue.
Research published in Fertility &
Sterility demonstrated that nutritional
therapy through diet and supplements
was more effective at obtaining relief
of pain and improving the quality
of life of sufferers, than medical
hormonal treatment post-surgery.
There are five important dietary
and lifestyle changes that can
help to manage endometriosis:
EAT COLOuR
Research shows women who
ate green vegetables 13 times or
more per week (roughly twice
a day) were 70% less likely to
have endometriosis. A study
published earlier this year
concluded that Carotenoid rich
foods (especially citrus fruit) also
positively affected symptoms of
endometriosis. Use smoothies,
juicing or soups to deeply nourish.
BEFRIEND yOuR GuT
Incorporate natural, organic yogurt
into your daily diet either on its
own or use it to make dressings
and sauces. Fermented foods such
as sauerkraut or Kefir are excellent
sources of beneficial bacteria too,
or take a probiotic supplement
(min 10 billion CFU – Colony-
Forming Unit is a measure of
viable bacterial or fungal cells).
FATS ARE ESSENTIAL
Use of essential fatty acids are
blocked by processed oils and
margarines, as well as white
flour, sugar, excessive animal
and monounsaturated fats,
alcohol, poor nutrition and stress.
Keeping these to a minimum is
vital to reduce inflammation.
CONSIDER GLuTEN
More recently, research has
documented an improved response
in those following a glutenfree
diet; 75% of participants
found a significant decrease in
symptoms over 12 months¹.
BE CONSCIOuS OF WHAT yOu
PuT IN AND ON yOuR BODy
Tampons use bleached paper
products that contain dioxins2,
proven to have an adverse effect on
the hormonal system3/4. Chemicals,
such as parabens and phthalates,
found in your toiletries and
cosmetics have also been linked with
development of endometriosis.
REDuCE SyMPTOMS
WITH SuPPLEMENTS
Research shows that taking the
right nutrients in food supplements
can reduce the symptoms of
endometriosis significantly (98%
of the women in one study
experienced improvements). An
expertly formulated supplement
that addresses the complexity
of the condition affecting the
immune system, digestive system
and hormonal stability, such as
Wild Nutrition’s Endo Complex,
can be very supportive.
Visit wildnutrition.com for Food-Grown®
supplements and information on Nutritional
Therapists at clinics in Lewes and London.
121 wealdentimes.co.uk

SEVENOAKS
ACTUALLY HAS
8 OAK TREES
A WOOD-YOU-
BELIEVE IT
NUMBER, SURE.
BUT NOT A LIFE-
SAVING ONE.
We’re CALM and we’re leading a
movement against suicide. If you’re
finding life tough, our number is:
0800 58 58 58
We’re open 5pm-midnight every day
Number hungry? CALM is a registered charity no. 1110621 (England & Wales) and SC044347 (Scotland).
This interesting number was taken from kentonline.co.uk

The fear of f itness
Don’t be put off before you’ve begun, Sarah Maxwell
explains how realistic goals will get you on track
I
recently ran a 10-day quit sugar
course on Facebook with many
people from all around the world.
As well as looking at how sugar is
now in the most unlikely everyday
foods, finding out from our food
diaries just how much hidden sugar
we were all eating, supporting each
other in our journeys of discovery and
sharing sugar-free recipes, I included
videos with 10 minutes of exercise
for people to follow each day.
Everyone who signed up to the
course wanted to feel good about
themselves and learn to incorporate a
little exercise into their life – especially
after the Christmas excesses.
Everyone engaged wholeheartedly
with the nutrition, food diaries,
sharing recipes and supporting
each other. The one thing that was
really apparent though, was that
many were reluctant to begin the
exercises, even though they had
been enthusiastic before the start.
Exercise can be a scary word for
many and often we have a rigid view
of what constitutes exercise. Picture
perfect fit bodies on Instagram,
daily Facebook updates on how
many miles your fit friend ran the
previous day... It’s no wonder you
can be put off before you even start!
This is why it is so important to
change your perception of what
physical fitness is supposed to be and
in particular what it means for you.
So, if you’ve been thinking about
exercise but instead have just
found yourself going through all
the reasons why you can’t exercise,
don’t like gyms, don’t know where
to start and don’t have enough
time, trust me, you are not alone!
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Let me show you how…
1Have an honest conversation
with yourself about the value
of your health. Regardless of how
rich, successful and beautiful you
are, none of this matters if you’re not
healthy enough to enjoy it. If you see
exercise as maintaining or improving
your health, you have more of a
motivator and are less likely to see it
as something to punish yourself with.
2Start your day with a positive
mindset. As soon as you get out
of bed do some mobility exercises
loosening your shoulders, circling
your hips and gently warming
your body up. This is not only a
great way to gently wake yourself
up it will also start your positive
mental process for the day ahead.
manage your expectations.
3
I have found that after many
years of being a fitness trainer one
of the common reasons for failure is
over commitment. The idea behind
fitness isn’t to make a quick change
it is about creating something that is
sustainable and enjoyable. I’m all for
goals, but don’t set yourself up for
failure, be realistic about what you
have time and the ability to achieve.
4Be aware of social media and take
it with a pinch of salt. Unrealistic
images can play havoc with selfesteem.
Those just-got-out-of-bedwithout-my-make-up-shots?
There is a
team of specialists behind them. These
are people who want you to think
they look like that all of the time.
5find a personal Trainer who
can motivate you. If you really
can’t motivate yourself to get started,
consider taking on a personal
trainer for a few sessions either
on your own or with a few likeminded
friends. This can be a great
way to get you started, motivated
and enable you to start exercising
in a safe and effective way.
“One of the common
reasons for failure is
over commitment”
6There are so many great online
fitness courses and classes
available. You don’t even have
to leave the house to get fit. The
bottom line? Exercise shouldn’t
be stressful so don’t force yourself
to do something you don’t enjoy.
Don’t forget, a short walk counts as
exercise, find something that makes
you feel great, doesn’t add to your
stress levels and is realistic for you.
Exercise of the month:
5 MINUTES OF MOVEMENT EVERY DAY
This can be dancing to your favourite
song, going up and down the stairs,
following an online exercise class.
Whatever it is, enjoy it, it’s only 5 minutes!
Sarah Maxwell is a multiple awardwinning
Fitness and Lifestyle coach
and mum of two who juggles a lot
of balls. Find out more about Sarah
and her work at sarahmaxwell.com
Sarah shares her Fitness and
Lifestyle tips on Instagram
@sarahmaxwelllifestyle
123 wealdentimes.co.uk

A Piece
of Cake
Home Gurr’own’s Nicci Gurr dishes up
tempting Mother’s Day bakes, each with
a tasty twist
Recipes: Nicci Gurr
Photographs: David Merewether
Styling: Lucy Fleming

Cinnamon ‘Breakfast in Bed Cake’
Serves 10-14 Prep Time: 60
mins including cooking time
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 250ml milk
• 200g butter
• 200g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 500g self-raising flour
Preheat oven to 160°C,
1 fan140°C, gas 3. Oil and
line an 8 inch spring form
cake tin. Mix cinnamon,
salt and brown sugar in a
bowl and leave to one side.
2Add the lemon juice
to the milk.
Beat your butter and
3 caster sugar together until
light and fluffy. (An electric
stand alone beater is best.)
Slowly add your eggs, adding
a spoonful of flour if the mix
looks like it is separating,
then slowly add rest of flour.
Now slowly add the milk and
lemon juice mix to the batter.
4Layer the wet cake mix and
sugary cinnamon mix into
the cake tin, swirling as you go
to create a marbled effect. Bake
in the oven for 45 mins.
wealdentimes.co.uk

Rhubarb Crumble
and Custard Cake
Serves 8-10 Prep Time: 90 mins including
cooking time
Crumble topping:
• 20g plain flour
• 20g porridge oats
• 20g salted butter
• 20g brown sugar
For the cake:
• 600g rhubarb – trimmed and
cut into small pieces
• 350g plain flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 100g ground almonds
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 250g salted butter
• 150g caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 400ml milk
For the buttercream:
• 50ml double cream
• 50g custard powder
• 1 vanilla pod
• 150g salted butter
• 350g icing sugar
To make the crumble:
1Put all crumble ingredients into a bowl and
rub until it resembles chunky breadcrumbs.
To make the cake:
2Preheat your oven to 160°C, fan 140°C,
gas 3. Oil and line 2 x 8 inch spring form
cake tins. Sift all the dry ingredients together
and set aside. Beat your butter and caster sugar
together until light and fluffy (an electric stand
alone beater is best). Now beat in the eggs
one by one and add vanilla and the milk..
3Stir the rhubarb in with the dry
ingredients, then fold slowly into the
egg mix. Divide the mix between the 2 tins
and sprinkle the crumble mix on top.
4Bake in the oven for 50-55 min. When
a skewer comes out clean remove
from oven and leave to cool in tins for 10
mins before moving to cooling racks.
128
To make the buttercream filling:
5Add some of the cream to the custard powder
to make a paste. Heat the rest of the cream
and scraped vanilla pod, until almost to the boil.
6Remove pod and slowly mix in the
custard paste. Bring to boil and set
to one side to cool completely.
7Beat the butter until fluffy and add cooled
double cream and custard mix slowly. Spread
between the two layers of cake and serve.

Located in the heart of the Isle of Oxney near Rye,
we are a traditional, yet modern country inn situated
just a couple of miles from the coast. We serve the
very best and freshest food, drinks and recreation.
Our home cooked meals are created using local
produce and the freshest fruits and vegetables grown
in our very own veg patch. We have an exotic range
of wines and beers that come from as far afield as
Argentina to as local as 5 minutes down the road!
01233 758246
www.oxneyferry.com
FerryInnWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 KentishHareWT217.indd 12:48
1 11/02/2020 14:47
Park Farm Butchers & Graziers
Where Quality Comes Naturally
From our traditionally managed farm
Here in Hawkhurst, we produce free range, grass
fed beef and lamb. We are Farm Assured and our
livestock are reared in harmony with the countryside.
Romney Lamb
TAKING ORDERS FOR EASTER
FROM OUR FARM
21 day matured Sussex beef · Quality Romney Lamb
HOMEMADE
Burgers · Dry Cured & Oak Smoked Bacon
Chipolatas & Sausagemeat · Sausages · Cooked Hams
The Romney ewes are excellent forage converters readily turning
traditional grasses into tasty lamb. The flavour of the grass-fed
lamb is hard to beat, and can be available all year round.
Sussex Beef
FRUIT & VEGETABLE SELECTION
- LOCAL & SEASONAL
Tel: 01580 753558
The Colonnade, Hawkhurst, Kent
www.parkfarmbutchers.co.uk
The cows happily graze on the extensive grasslands whilst the
growing and finishing cattle thrive on the rich water meadows to
create the very best flavoured beef.
129 wealdentimes.co.uk
ParkFarmWT217.indd 1 14/02/2020 11:28

Mothers' Day
31st March
Bookings now
being taken.
The Hop Pole
Nettlestead Green
Mark and Kirsty welcome you to The Hop Pole Inn
located in Nettlestead Green.
We pride ourselves on our freshly cooked food and
homemade desserts.
A carvery is served six days a week Tuesday
to Sunday and our a la carte menu is
also available. Large parties are catered
for and we have a large
conservatory dining area.
01622 816916
Maidstone Rd, Nettlestead Green,
Maidstone, ME18 5HH
Merriments Loves Mums !
HopPole,TheWT217A.indd 1 13/02/2020 16:11
It’s the time of year to thank the amazing
women in your life & we’re here to help!
· Mothering Sunday - March 22nd ·
· Classic Afternoon Teas (from 3pm) £12.5o* ·
· A selection of freshly made Sandwiches ·
· Sultana Scones, Strawberry Jam & Clotted Cream ·
· A selection of traditional Cakes ·
∙ All served with your choice of Tea or Coffee ·
Make it a Luxury Classic Tea & add a glass of Prosecco
*Price per person
Merriments Gardens
Hawkhurst Rd Hurst Green
East Sussex TN19 7RA
wealdentimes.co.uk
01580 860666
info@merriments.co.uk
www.merriments.co.uk
BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR MOTHER’S DAY
Merriments1/4WT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 10:25
130

Banana Loaf
Rope in some extra help – this recipe is great for the kids to get messy with
Serves 8 Prep Time: 60 mins
including cooking time
• 3 ripe bananas
• 130g butter
• 130g soft brown sugar
• 2 medium eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 70g chocolate chips
• 130g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
Preheat your oven to 180°C, fan
1160°C, gas 4. Oil and line a 2lb loaf
cake tin. Put the bananas still in their
skins in a pan with 1 tbsp of water and
cook in the oven until the skins go black.
Take out of the oven and remove the
bananas from their skins. Leave to cool.
2Beat your butter and brown sugar
together until light and fluffy.
If the kids are helping give them a
bowl and a wooden spoon, and let
them at it (it will take longer but
doesn’t have to be perfect). You can
soften the butter in the microwave
a bit first if using this approach.
3With a fork, mash the cooled
bananas with the eggs and vanilla
essence. Then with a wooden spoon,
slowly add your egg and banana mix
to the butter and sugar (add a spoonful
of flour if the mix is separating). Stir
in 50g of the chocolate chips.
4Fold in the rest of the flour and
baking powder. When thoroughly
mixed, spoon into the loaf tin – it’s
a thick mix. Bake in the oven for
45 mins until a skewer inserted
in the cake comes out clean.
5Sprinkle with the rest of
the chocolate chips while
warm so they melt on top.
Nicci Gurr is Head Chef at Home
Gurr’own, who cater for rustic
rural weddings and events in
Kent using locally-sourced and
hown grown produce. To find out
more visit homegurrown.co.uk
or call 07747 816541.

Easy
E
dibles
Read Jo Arnell’s words of wisdom and
your gardening confidence will grow
alongside your supply of home grown veg
wealdentimes.co.uk
132

Garden
Whatever anyone tells you about growing your own
vegetables – it’s a lot of hard work, things often
go wrong, pests are everywhere, they’re cheaper
to buy… well, they are right. Some vegetables are hard to
grow (cauliflowers and Brussels sprouts go to the back of the
room and hang your button and curdy heads), there are pesky
pests lurking around waiting to picnic in your patch and, if
you added up all the time you spent out there, your precious
harvest might be equable to diamonds. Don’t let any of this
put you off. There are lots of really easy – and delicious crops
to grow too. I promise that it is worth it, but if you are new
to vegetable growing, start with the simpler things and build
from there. Nothing can beat the taste of fresh, homegrown
vegetables, garnished with a little pinch of triumph.
Plotting Ahead
You will need to assess how much space in your garden
that you want to give over to growing vegetables,
where that space will be and how much time you will
realistically have to care for them. Few crops thrive in
the shade, in exposed, windy conditions or poor soil,
so find a sunny, sheltered spot for your edibles.
It is totally possible to grow crops in pots, window boxes,
on balconies and patios, but you will need to take extra care
of them, feeding and watering – quite a lot. In general, most
will prefer to be planted out into enriched garden soil, as
vegetable plants tend to be fairly greedy. Raised beds will
Left page top: Chard pink flamingo Bottom: Peas in pods This
page top: Planting out a row of salad Above: Pea seedlings in a
root trainer
Nothing can beat the taste of fresh,
homegrown vegetables, garnished
with a little pinch of triumph
make the whole process much easier and (in theory) tidier,
but many varieties can be grown in garden borders among
the flowers too. In fact, this is how our domestic gardens
came about in the first place, and a true cottage garden is
supposed to be a joyful jumble of flowers, fruit and vegetables.
The Soil, The Soil, The Soil
I would like to spend the rest of this piece talking about how
important the soil is, how little we know about the complex
relationships between the soil microbiome and the roots of
plants – and how the quality of the soil will dictate not just
the health of the soil, but how healthy and nutritious your
vegetables will be. For now I’ll just say look after your soil.
The best way to improve soil is to add organic matter
in the form of well-rotted manure, spent mushroom
compost, or your own (weed-free) compost. If the soil
in your garden is heavy (clay), you may need to add this
as a mulch in the autumn and let the soil organisms
incorporate it over the winter – and do the digging in for
you. If your soil is light, add the mulch in the spring to
stop the nutrients leaching away in winter. Concentrated
organic fertilisers like diluted liquid seaweed, chicken
133 wealdentimes.co.uk

merriments gardens
Merriments Garden RHS Partner Garden
re-opens for the 2020 Season on
Sunday 22 nd March at 10am
Kate Ball
Garden Design & Planting Plans
Individual and bespoke garden spaces
07870 627145
www.kateballgardendesign.co.uk
4 acres of creative design to inspire
visitors through the Seasons creating
a hidden treasure for garden lovers
KateBallWT210.indd 1 10/07/2019 11:10
10% discount on all
delivered in Bulk Bags throughout March
Topsoils Composts Barks Aggregates
Small Bags, Bulk Bags or Loose Loads - Delivered or Collected
GARDEN · PLANTS · RESTAURANT · SHOP
Merriments Gardens | Hawkhurst Road
Hurst Green | East Sussex | TN19 7RA
01580-860666 | www.merriments.co.uk
www.gardenscapedirect.co.uk
Freephone 0800 854663
The Wharf, Rye Road, Newenden, TN18 5QG
wealdentimes.co.uk
134
MerrimentsWT217.indd 1 10/02/2020 GardenscapeWT217.indd 09:59
1 05/02/2020 14:29

Garden
manure pellets and blood fish and bone can be added
at planting time if the crop requires an extra boost.
Easy Peas-y
The least troublesome crops to grow will depend to a
certain extent on your soil, but some well-behaved plants
manage to do well whatever the circumstances. On my
light soil I’m usually successful with leeks and onions,
roots, such as beetroot and carrots, and also salads and
herbs. On heavier clay soils, which are more nutrientrich,
brassicas – cabbage, broccoli and, if you firm them
in really well, Brussels sprouts – should flourish. Soil type
aside, the list below would make a general starter pack:
Peas and broad beans – start these off directly in the
ground now, but only if mice can’t detect them (remember the
mouse in Mr McGregor’s garden with the pea in her mouth?).
Beetroot and perpetual spinach – sow this early or
Top left: Beetroot Top right: Cabbages and kale Above: Small
Chantenay carrots can be grown in containers
late and avoid the height of the summer when these
crops can bolt (or buy bolt-resistant varieties).
Loose leaved lettuce – you can harvest this over a long
period by picking the outer leaves and allowing the rest to
keep growing. Loose leaved, as opposed to varieties with
‘hearts’, won’t run to seed so quickly in hot weather.
Short carrots – these are much easier and quicker to
grow than the longer ones and are good in containers.
Kale – can be grown all year and is as handsome as it
is nutritious, but watch out for pests such as white fly
and cabbage white caterpillars in the summer months.
You can grow the above all from seed, or buy them as
little plug plants and plant them straight out. Buying
plants isn’t cheating – it is the quickest, simplest way to a
successful harvest, but remember that the garden centres,
a bit like the supermarkets, are choosing varieties for their
own reasons, so flavour might come lower down the list than
something like heavy cropping, or uniform shape and size.
Best Value
The vegetables that will give you the best value for money are
those that crop prolifically, such as courgettes, climbing beans
and tomatoes. Go easy on these super producers (you’ll know
if you’ve overdone it if you catch your neighbours crossing
the road when they see you). One or two courgette plants is
definitely enough to feed a family, if not the neighbourhood.
Gluts also have a habit of appearing just when you go on
holiday too – avoid this by picking heavily just before you
go, which should give you a small gap for a week or so.
These crops are tender and won’t tolerate frosts, so
don’t be tempted to plant them out too early (or too
late). Late May is usually when half-hardy vegetable
(and bedding) plants are safe to be left outside.
Water-wise
Plants that bear fruits and pods may need watering in dry
spells once they start to flower and set fruit. I try to keep
watering to a minimum, and dig a ‘bean trench’ under beans,
courgettes and squashes. This involves digging a hole/trench
18-24 inches deep earlier in the season and filling it with
kitchen scraps, cardboard, organic matter – the sort of things
you’d put on a compost heap. Then finish with a layer of
earth to plant into. The vegetables will have a nutritious and
moisture retaining root run, so you won’t have to water
135 wealdentimes.co.uk

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136
KibblewhiteWT167.indd 3 27/11/2015 12:46

them as much. Only water if it gets exceptionally dry – and
it is better to water deeply once a week than little and often.
Un-buyable Taste
There are some vegetables you just can’t buy, and a few that
when homegrown have a very different taste to those bought
in shops. Peas and sweetcorn start to lose their sweetness as
soon as they are picked because the sugars in them turn into
starch and by the time they get to the shops they are often
woolly and tasteless. Frozen peas are always better to buy than
fresh, because they are harvested and frozen out in the fields.
Sun ripened homegrown tomatoes are unbeatable for
flavour – from tiny cherry style up to big and beefy, your
own tomatoes will always be better than those in the
shops. Then there are things like courgette flowers, tiny
artichokes and pea tips (the first few leaves that appear).
Living Larders
One of the many joys of vegetable growing is that you will have
fresh veg on tap – just waiting outside on the patch for you
to harvest when you need it. Some crops need to be picked as
soon as they are ripe but others, especially those that are happy
to sit in the ground through winter, really do become like a
living larder. I find that leeks, kale, perpetual spinach (spinach
beet), winter-hardy salad leaves and most herbs just tick away
for months, ready to be picked – until the following spring
that is, when they will suddenly rush into flower and set seed.
Forking Hell
The things that go wrong are usually related either to the
soil and weather conditions, or to attack from pests. Carrots
and parsnips will fork into un-peelable little monsters if the
soil is too rich, or too stony. Brussels sprouts may ‘blow’ and
cauliflowers fail to produce curds in light, friable soil. If it
gets very hot and dry then rocket, spinach, beetroot and some
lettuces will ‘bolt’ and run to seed – these are best grown in
the spring or early autumn when the weather is cooler.
Pests are numerous so, if possible, net susceptible crops at
vulnerable times in the year. Most importantly encourage a
healthy ecosystem so your allies – birds, frogs, hedgehogs,
wasps and beetles – do a lot of your pest control for you.
It is still a little early to be sowing crops directly outside
– the exception being hardy things like broad beans, peas,
spinach onions and leeks, but many can be started off under
cover this month. Like much in life, vegetable growing
is an adventure; nothing ventured, nothing to harvest.
With any luck and a favourable wind, some sunshine and
rain (at night please) this could be a bumper year…
For details of Jo’s gardening courses visit
hornbrookmanor.co.uk
or contact Jo on 01233 861149
Top: Leeks and celeriac Above left: Mixed salad Above right: Cabbage
137 wealdentimes.co.uk

Garden
It’s a Wild
World
Sue Whigham discusses the measures we
can all take to protect biodiversity
Above: Common Red Soldier Beetles, often seen on umbelifer flowers
Last week, squeezed in amongst
the newspaper supplements, I
spotted a report on comments
made by the new President of the
British Ecological Society. In it she
urges us to take ‘meaningful action’ to
protect our pollinators by not digging
out or spraying dandelions with
noxious substances the moment you
spot them in or near your garden. She
emphasises that they are a fantastic
source of both nectar and pollen
for the early pollinators, hence her
suggestion to try to resist eradicating
them. She also quotes the depressing
statistic that in a 30-year period from
1980, a third of more than 300 of our
pollinators have seen large declines in
their populations. A sobering thought.
There used to be a patch of
dandelions, complete with buzzing
pollinators, on one of my dog walks
until a couple of years ago. They seem
wealdentimes.co.uk
138

Garden
to have disappeared and their demise
coincided with the local farmer’s ‘slash
and burn’ policy of that year. I wonder
what happened there. However, with a
bit of luck, they may pop up somewhere
else and flourish. Let’s hope so.
But maybe things are looking up with
attitudes changing towards conserving
the biodiversity we have and the need
there is to preserve it; to realise the
importance of biodiversity’s contribution
to all aspects of our wellbeing. It seems
contrary that despite this, human
actions worldwide are still very much
contributing to all the factors that lead
to biodiversity being under siege.
However, there is no obvious sign
that the current loss of biodiversity
and changes in the environment is
actively slowing down, but I think
that if we all stopped to think and
did what we could, even in a small
way, the direction of travel could be
deflected. We need to spread the word.
We all know that both natural and
human induced factors (referred to as
‘drivers’) contribute to both species
decline and climate change – although
of course we have some, unfortunately
in positions of power internationally,
who seem to have their heads in the
sand as they see making
money as the default
position come what may.
The culprits, or main
‘drivers’ are endless;
from habitat loss, to over
exploitation of natural
landscapes, destruction
of forests, pollution and careless use
of our soil and water resources.
I recently read a report of a speech
that the then Environmental Minister,
Theresa Villiers, gave last autumn from
the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in
Barnes. One or two remarks stood out,
“Protect our
pollinators by
not digging
out or spraying
dandelions”
one being ‘that we are utterly reliant
on nature, from the most fortunate
of us to the most vulnerable, not least
because wildlife pollinates the crops that
account for over a third of global food
supply’. She stressed the belief that we
have solutions for loss of diversity and
climate change, despite the fact that the
scale of the challenge is
huge and that our global
response leaves quite a
lot to be desired. I know
that the international
push to plant more trees
– trees in their millions
– seems to be gaining
momentum. And we can do that too
even if we have the tiniest of patches.
My son, who lives in a particularly
polluted part of London, showed me an
old photograph of where he lives taken
at the beginning of the 20th century.
Most noticeable of course was the
139 wealdentimes.co.uk

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140
WCLandcraftWT209.indd 1 17/06/2019 14:46

Garden
lack of vehicles and the children playing
in the street but also the street trees.
More recently, the local council have
been making some effort to plant new
saplings on their patch so as long as
the trees survive their formative years,
aftercare being a bit hit and miss, maybe
things are looking up. But what can
we do to save the day?
Organisations, such
as the CPRE, (Council
for the Preservation of
Rural England), set up
to help preserve our
landscape, are worth
joining and actively
supporting. In a report last year, they
explained, or at least confirmed, how
critical to all life on earth is the all too
thin layer of top soil covering the planet.
Each square inch of soil contains myriad
single organisms, all manner of minute
insects, and fungi through to animals,
such as voles, moles and badgers. They
are all interconnected and have a reason
“Organisations, such
as the CPRE, are
worth joining and
actively supporting”
for being there. We have so many vole
runs in part of the garden that the lawn
has collapsed, but at least we know
that we are providing a habitat for
one of the main food sources for barn
owls. It’s good to see that ploughing
is being reduced and that farmers are
encouraged to leave wildlife corridors
round their fields.
And hopefully the
use of pesticides and
fertilisers will gradually
be replaced with more
organic products,
which are nontoxic
to the natural
world, one of these days.
In October 2019, Great Dixter
published an in-depth Biodiversity
Audit for the period 2017/19. It is well
worth a read. A grant from the Heritage
Lottery Fund, plus monies from private
donors, enabled Great Dixter to have a
wide ranging audit done by experts in
their particular field, of the habitat
Above: A field vole peeps out from its woodland cover
Right: A butterfly and bee enjoying cosmos pollen
141 wealdentimes.co.uk

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FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICING PHONE US FOR A QUOTE
Call now 01892 890364 or come and visit us at
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142
GardenproudWT211.indd 1 21/08/2019 GreatCompGardenWT217.indd 12:32
1 07/02/2020 14:43

Garden
Top left: Insect hotel Middle left: Sedum
heads Right: Lichen
Bottom: Lichen on garden bench
in and around the gardens, farmland
and woodland that make up the estate.
The whole estate is already a haven for
all manner of wildlife and the ethos of
working with nature there has proved to
pay such dividends. It’s such a good time
for us all to follow their lead if we don’t
already, leaving the edges of our gardens
a little less manicured (and frankly, less
boring) and letting biodiversity have a
bit of a chance. I did a little recce of my
own patch when I was thinking about
this subject and despite it being a rather
cold and wet afternoon, it gave me a
chance to appreciate the beauty of the
lichen growing thickly on some of my
old garden furniture and the moss on
the huge old tree stump that I managed
to drag out of the woods some years ago!
We’re all so lucky too to have the
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, which
is celebrating its 50th Anniversary
this year, on our patch. The Reserve
covers a vast area (1,149 acres) of
coastal land with many diverse habitats,
including shingle, salt marsh, salt water
lagoons, freshwater gravel pits, grazing
marsh and reed beds (to provide the
perfect habitat for bitterns) which in
turn attract a huge variety of species
including ‘more than 300 which are
considered rare and endangered in
Britain’. It has been recognised as
a SSSI, a Site of Special Scientific
Interest, and all biodiversity is there.
Throughout the year, and especially
in this celebratory year, there are
walks and talks on everything from
winter owls, to bumblebees and
bitterns, waders and shingle birds
and flowers and invertebrates such as
damselflies, dragonflies, spiders and
moths. And it is all on our doorstep.
sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/ryeharbour
greatdixter.co.uk
cpre.org.uk
Sue Whigham can be contacted on
07810 457948 for gardening advice
and help in the sourcing and supply of
interesting garden plants.
143 wealdentimes.co.uk

WHO THEY WILL BE STARTS HERE
At St Andrew’s Prep we encourage our pupils
to build lines of character that help them be
who they want to be.
Visit our open mornings on
24 and 25 April, 9.30am to 12 noon
Book your place today
www.standrewsprep.co.uk/whats-on/open-days
STA_Blazer_WealdenTimes_v1.indd 1 27/01/2020 11:16
A School Full
of Opportunities
TASTER BOARDING
13TH - 14TH MARCH
StAndrewsPrepWT217.indd 1 27/01/2020 14:30
Grandparents’ Day and Harvest Festival
OPEN MORNING
6TH MARCH 9.30AM -12PM
admissions@vinehallschool.com
Vinehall
ROBERTSBRIDGE EAST SUSSEX
VINEHALLSCHOOL.COM
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To come and see what Skippers is all about, visit:
www.skippershill.com/visit
Five Ashes, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6HR
145 wealdentimes.co.uk
SkippersHillWT217.indd 1 13/02/2020 09:55

Education
Join the Club
We talk to schools about what goes on outside the classroom
Marlborough House, Kent
Mayfield School, East Sussex
“Mayfield School has a tradition of developing academic
excellence. Our curriculum encourages questioning,
reflection, creativity and the freedom to learn from mistakes.
While maths and science are among our most popular and
successful subjects at A Level, we have a first-class reputation
for creativity, and excel in the creative and performing arts.
We strongly believe in the benefits of studying a broad
range of subjects. The humanities afford an opportunity
for students to develop their own considered opinions
on some of the most important areas of life; globalisation
amplifies the importance of studying languages; and
the creative and performing arts have an extremely
positive impact on mental wellbeing, inspiring pupils
and allowing them to use their imaginations.
From dance to debating, drama to music, and a full
programme of sporting opportunities that includes
cricket, fencing, and top class equestrian facilities,
girls are challenged and supported to realise their
full potential, endowing them with a lifelong love of
learning and the opportunity to grow as individuals.
Mayfield girls are encouraged to “give everything a go” so
that they can find out where their passions, strengths and
weaknesses lie, while developing creative thinking, problem
solving skills, discipline, commitment and resilience.
At Mayfield, we believe the breadth and depth of our
curriculum, our extensive extra-curricular programme,
the nurturing, supportive and aspirational environment,
together with inspirational
teaching, all contribute
to enabling our girls
to be successful in
whatever they choose.”
“Life at Marlborough House School (MHS) extends well
beyond the classroom, where extra-curricular activities
enrich children’s experiences, developing the skills
children will need to thrive as adults in the 21st century.
Clubs at Marlborough House, including
mindfulness colouring to entrepreneurship, offer a
wide range of extra-curricular activities for pupils
to get stuck in to. The old favourites of chess, arts
and crafts, and karate are complemented by new
clubs such as construction and music technology.
Speech and drama, ballet, tap, street dance and
nine music clubs (including rock band and samba),
complete the selection for the performing arts
clubs, providing pupils with confidence building
experiences of public speaking and performing
either solo or as a part of an ensemble.
Marlborough House School also provides a great array
of sports clubs all taught by the school’s professional
sports teachers, including hockey, badminton,
shooting, tennis and cricket. On the topic of cricket,
MHS alumnus David Gower returned to the school
in 1999 to open the new Sports Hall and revisit the
cricket pitch where he scored his fir st century.
Prep School pupils have the opportunity to join
residential trips, this year includes a visit to France, a
classics trip to Pompeii and skiing in Italy. The school
also participates in national projects with Year 7s taking
part in the Young Entrepreneur Scheme, which aims
to inspire them to think big and shoot for the stars.”
marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk
mayfieldgirls.org

YEAR 7 ENTRY
SCHOLARSHIPS
OFFERED
ENJOYING TODAY
EDUCATING FOR TOMORROW
PRE-PREP & PREP | BOYS & GIRLS 3-13 YEARS | DAY & FLEXI BOARDING
Open Morning
Friday 15th May, 9.30am – 12pm
Pre-register online
marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk
Marlborough House School, Hawkhurst,
Cranbrook, Kent, TN18 4PY
70% success rate for senior
school scholarships
‘Excellent’ academic and
pastoral care (ISI rated)
Pre-Senior Baccalaureate
for Years 7 and 8
150 years of traditional
values and family ethos

Hurst College, West Sussex
“At Hurst, we now use the term co-curricular rather than
extra-curricular because we believe that these activities should
form part of, and run alongside, the academic curriculum.
We value what goes on outside of the classroom as much
as what goes on inside, as skills that are learnt through cocurricular
activities can be transferable to the classroom.
Sport is compulsory throughout the week and our service
afternoon is compulsory for students in Years 10 and 11.
Dance, music and drama are compulsory for Year 9 students
and have protected slots as part of the weekly timetable.
Specialist sports during timetabled games sessions include
archery, climbing, rowing, sailing and mountain-biking.
We encourage our students to engage in as much of
the co-curricular programme as possible – whether that
is as a member of one of our dance companies or sports
teams, performing in one of our drama productions
or taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
We have highly qualified staff to deliver the activities and to
bring out the best in each student – and some students discover
talents they didn’t realise they had. For example, first team rugby
players have also taken lead roles in our Dance Showcase. By the
time students leave Hurst, the majority will have performed in
a sports team, on a dance floor, on the stage, as well as having
marched with the CCF and been involved with recycling or
another environmental activity as part of the service afternoon.
Education at Hurst is deliberately outward-looking.
The range of activities provide many opportunities for our
students to try new ventures, confront risks and learn from
experience. The aim of our co-curricular programme is to
equip our students with the skills and experience to make a
success of their lives beyond Hurst. Respect, responsibility,
resilience and reflection are learnt through the programme,
and students also learn how to communicate with each other
as part of a team and in leading a team. The various activities
also help them to become accurate decision-makers, another
important asset for later life. Benefits from the more physical
activities help to improve students’ health, wellbeing and
fitness levels in order to maintain a balanced lifestyle.”
HildenOakSchoolWT217.indd 1 11/02/2020 15:08
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE
hppc.co.uk
149 wealdentimes.co.uk
ADLLearningWT216.indd 1 16/01/2020 09:50

100
‘A great place to grow’
for children aged
2 to 11 years
Scholarships available for September 2020
Scholarship assessment day Tuesday 10 March
for entry into Years 3, 4 & 5
INSPIRING MINDS,
Creating
futures
Independent Prep School
for Boys & Girls aged 3 -11
Open
days
.....................
SAT 7TH
& TUES 10TH
MARCH
Scholarships
available
01233 812337
Wye, near Ashford, Kent
www.springgroveschool.co.uk
admissions@springgroveschool.co.uk
Bricklehurst Manor School
Bardown Road, Stonegate, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 7EL
Tel: 01580 200 448 www.bricklehurst.co.uk
SpringGroveSchoolWT217.indd 1 06/02/2020 BricklehurstManorWT217.indd 15:10
1 06/02/2020 09:54
WE SEEK,
WE STRIVE,
WE SOAR.
Affordable Independent Education
Reception places from as little as £18.50 a day
Why Battle Abbey Prep School?
• A caring School with happy and confident pupils
• Inspiring teaching
• All curriculum trips included
• PE every day, swimming lessons twice a week
• Maximum 20 pupils per class, individual attention
• Extensive range of over 28 after school activities
• Hot, two course meal daily and all snacks
Wrap-around care from 07:45 to 17:45
Fully inclusive fees; no ‘hidden extras’
March
07
SATURDAY
OPEN DAY
10.30am - 12.30pm
Senior School
(Ages 11-18 years)
March
14
SATURDAY
OPEN DAY
10.00am - 12.00 noon
Prep and Nursery School
(Ages 3 months -11 years)
Years
Battle Abbey School
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Tel: 01424 219674 www.battleabbeyschool.com
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150
BattleAbbeySchoolWT216.indd 1 27/01/2020 10:16

Reigate Grammar, Surrey
Education
“At Reigate Grammar School, a good education is about so much
more than a list of exam grades. Headmaster Shaun Fenton says:
‘The emphasis we place on the arts, sport and multiple adventurous
activities provides the heartbeat of the school.’ Indeed, the review
of Reigate Grammar School (RGS) by The Good Schools Guide
2019 observed that ‘extracurricular leaves no stone unturned,
with clubs and activities getting a brochure of their own’.
Music is at the heart of life at RGS. Throughout the autumn term,
musicians took part in over 30 events including concerts, church services,
ensemble arrangements, a cathedral tour and numerous individual
performances. Many students also took the Associated Board of the
Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exams just before Christmas.
In sport, the girls’ teams have had notable successes, with the U13 girls’
hockey team through to Finals Day at the Independent Schools Hockey
Cup (ISHC) for the third year in a row, and netball going from strength
to strength with the U15 girls reaching the final at national level too.
December 2019 saw the hotly anticipated production of Les
Misérables, performed in-the-round in front of an appreciative audience.
Throughout a week of sell-out performances, the play went from
strength to strength, with brilliant orchestral playing, live fire, explosions,
fights, weddings, battles, and, of course, superb singing throughout.
A host of activities on the Charity and Community Engagement
front – much of it overseen by the Sixth Form Charity Committee
– has involved all age groups, including the Head and Deputy
Head, who both dressed as Pudsey Bear and acted as goalkeepers,
contributing towards almost £1,000 raised for Children in
Need. Local charities Loveworks and Live at Home, as well as
national charities Lepra and Macmillan, have benefitted from
fundraising and volunteering efforts from students and staff.”
reigategrammar.org
Hilden Oaks, Kent
“At Hilden Oaks Prep, dedicated teaching staff are able to
ensure individual focus is given to each child to help them
reach their full potential, be it academic, sporting, creative
or musical. Children joining Marlborough the school at any House stage,
even mid-term, are made to feel at home very quickly as
they are in small classes, in a small and friendly school.
There are many extra-curricular clubs and activities
on offer during morning break, lunch-time and after
school including a wide range of musical, creative
and sporting activities. These clubs vary each term
and our children are encouraged to sign up for as
many or as few as they wish. Many of the clubs are
run by our own teaching staff, and we also bring
in specialists from outside to allow our children to
enjoy as wide a range of clubs as much as possible.
Children from Form 1 to Form 6 who are keen to
advance their sporting skills are encouraged to take part in
extra-curricular clubs. These include badminton, fencing,
POP lacrosse, netball, golf, hockey, cross country, cricket,
athletics, private tennis coaching, tag rugby, and bike skills.
Unlike many schools, Hilden Oaks offers wrap-around
care from 7.45am to 6.30pm,
50 weeks of the year. This
also includes a wide range
of extra-curricular activities
and clubs, which support
and enhance the curriculum,
thus ensuring that by the
time pupils reach Year 6,
they are ready for the next
stage of their academic life.
The latest report by the Independent Schools
Inspectorate for Hilden Oaks, from December 2017,
states: ‘Pre-Prep and Prep pupils make significant
progress and attain very highly, particularly in
English, mathematics, science and PE.’
Hilden Oaks is immensely proud of its academic
success, with most pupils moving on to the secondary
school of their choice, including the excellent local
grammar and independent senior schools.”
hildenoaks.co.uk

Be Yourself
at Claremont
OPEN DAYS
Nursery & Prep School
Fri 13 & Sat 14 March, 9.30am -1pm
St Leonards, East Sussex
TN37 7PW
01424 751555
Senior School & Sixth Form
Sat 14 March, 9.30am - 1pm
Bodiam, East Sussex
TN32 5UJ
01580 830396
2019
enquiries@claremontschool.co.uk . claremontschool.co.uk/events
LAST CALL FOR YEAR 7 SCHOLARSHIPS, DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2020

Education
Fresh Thinking
Hilary Wilce looks at the impact of
environment on learning outcomes
March winds and April showers bring forth May
flowers, the old rhyme tells us. But according
to many teachers March winds bring forth
something altogether less welcome – classrooms full of
excited, wild-eyed children who find it hard to settle
down and concentrate. “You’re definitely scraping them
off the ceiling when it’s windy outside,” one teacher says.
There’s actually little hard evidence for this, but since
animals are known to respond to atmospheric pressure,
and psychiatric hospitals report increased admissions
ahead of storms and winds, it would be surprising if
children didn’t react to the weather around them.
And we know for a fact that hot summers take their
toll. Students grow lethargic and irritable
as temperatures rise, and they learn
significantly less well. When researchers
working for the US’s National Bureau
of Economic Research matched the test
scores of 10 million high school pupils
with weather records they found that
learning dropped on average by 1% for every one degree
temperature rise the year before an exam. The effect
was particularly noticeable for pupils in deprived areas
where schools were less likely to be air-conditioned.
In this country, new school buildings are adapted
for heatwaves, but old ones are a nightmare for pupils
and teachers. Teachers say they can just about get
students through morning lessons but by the afternoon,
everyone is dehydrated, overheated and headachy. And
studies have shown that very hot weather affects us all,
decreasing our ability to make decisions or cope with
new information, as well as keeping us indoors and away
from outdoor exercise – all things which impact directly
on children’s ability to do their best in the classroom.
Alas, cold weather is not much better. Classrooms
have, by law, to reach 18 degrees Celsius to be
usable and when schools fear that their buildings
will be too cold or that school travel will be
dangerous, they close. Bad winters can see multiple
school closures, with added school absences for
less well-off children who don’t have good warm
clothes, or a parent’s car to get them to school.
All of which means that the more extreme
climate swings we are seeing now will bring new
challenges for parents, teachers and children.
Meanwhile, a recent study has added significantly
“Noise directly
impacts how
well children
learn to read”
to the existing evidence that air pollution impacts
children’s learning. When 18 schools in Los Angeles
began to filter their air following a natural gas leak,
researchers were astonished to see that test scores
leapt up. The effect of air filters was, they estimated,
the equivalent of students getting two and a half
months of extra learning before taking their tests.
Already many UK schools are trying to
keep their air clean by planting screens of ivy
around their playgrounds, and telling parents
to turn off car engines at the school gate.
But all sorts of environmental factors can affect school
performance. Noise directly impacts how well children
learn to read and acquire language – so
pity the children whose schools are near
major airports – while exposure to lead,
mercury and other metals damages
children’s brains and nervous systems.
Of course, we’re so lucky here in
The Weald where lots of schools enjoy
quiet settings, where our many woods and hedgerows
filter the air, and where most of us live very far away
from the worst ravages of industrial pollution.
But we still need to remember that children are
not little human robots, easily programmed for test
success. They are living, breathing human animals,
affected by every aspect of their environment,
whose ability to learn may sometimes be greatly
challenged by the world around them.

Open Day
Friday 13th March, 9am-12pm
Meet the staff, see the school and be hosted by the boys!
Come and find out what makes The New Beacon such a
wonderful place for boys.
BOYS AT THEIR BEST
www.newbeacon.org.uk/admissions/open-days

Education
Mental Health Matters
New Beacon School will host a children’s wellbeing
conference in April, Emily Pavey finds out more
N
ew Beacon School is shining a light on child
mental health. In April they host Helping
Young People Navigate the 21st Century, a
conference incorporating impressive keynote speakers and
potentially life-changing workshops. The two-day public
event is open to parents and educators alike and is part
of a collaboration across schools in the Sevenoaks area.
Headteacher, Mike Piercy, is proud to bring the
subject into sharp focus. He says, “I think young people
are under more pressure than they’ve ever been.”
In Piercy’s view, today’s children experience more anxiety
due to a number of factors. There are academic pressures and
expectations from an increasingly early age, the complexities
of social media, along with changing parental working
patterns. The in/out assessments many youngsters face can
lead children to feel they have ‘failed’ at ages as young as
11 – Piercy prefers to speak of “disappointment rather than
failure.” All this before the challenges of GCSEs, A Levels,
university places and careers have even been introduced.
The Helping Young Minds event is structured to equip
attendees with skills to identify childhood mental health issues
and recognise the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
(ACE) and then give valuable tools to help, information
about where to turn for more assistance and the confidence
to move the situation forward in a positive direction.
This is an opportunity to hear from those at
the forefront of children’s mental health.
Keynote speaker Dr Pooky Knightsmith, is an
internationally renowned speaker on child and adolescent
mental health. Pooky prides herself on her ability to
break complex and challenging ideas down into practical
strategies that can be put into practice right away.
Richard Burnett, of Tonbridge School, is the founder of the
Mindfulness in Schools Project. He has taught mindfulness
to over a thousand adolescents in the past 15 years. Richard’s
TEDx talk helped define the landscape of mindfulness in
education and he was an expert witness at the All Party
Parliamentary Group that led to Mindful Nation UK.
Find out more: newbeacon.org.uk/mental-health
Event Programme
THURSDAY 23 APRIL
9am-3pm
‘Drawing & Talking’ workshop
which is for professionals
working in education.
9am-4pm
‘Mental Health First Aid’
(MHFA) is an accredited course
focusing on awareness and ways
to support young people with
mental health difficulties.
7.30pm-9.30pm
An evening talk by Dick Moore, a global
speaker on young people’s mental health
and wellbeing (in conjunction with
the Charlie Waller Memorial trust).
FRIDAY 24 APRIL
9.00am until 4.30pm
All day conference featuring a
range of internationally respected
speakers and professionals.
155 wealdentimes.co.uk

DON’T MISS
The Wealden Times and Surrey Homes
Education Annual
PRICELESS
SUMMER 2019
6
SUMMER 2019
Kent | Sussex | Surrey
ED-OutsideCovers.indd 3 13/12/2019 11:37
88 pages packed with everything you need to know about
giving your child the best possible start in life
June 2020

Sutton Valence School
svs.org.uk
Open
Mornings
Quality Mark
EARLY YEARS
AWARD
Prep School
Friday 13th March 2020
Senior School
Saturday 14th March 2020
Book online now @ www.svs.org.uk

Verdi
Requiem
Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses
and elevated platforms.
Commercial & International commissions welcomed
Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society
with Soloists and RTWCS Orchestra
Conducted by Robyn Sevastos
Sunday 19th April 2020 at 3pm
Assembly Hall Theatre
Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU
Tickets £10 - £22 from the Assembly Hall
Theatre box office on 01892 530613
www.rtwcs.org.uk
registered charity 273310
Tel: 01403 262219
www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.co.uk
RoyalTunbridgeWellsChoralSoceityWT217.indd 1 10/02/2020 CheekyMonkeyS40.indd 14:54
1 25/01/2018 15:42
TUNE UP - TURN LOUD
ROCK
Classically trained, grade expert,
overly serious, likes rollnecks
Jimi Hendrix
Johnny Marr
Ed Sheeran
They didn’t do grades...why should you?
Non-graded rock guitar coaching for all ages
and standards.
Teaching your choice of songs.
Play what you want to play.
If it rocks, we can teach it
acoustic guitar - electric guitar - piano - vocals
email: pluckandstrummusic@gmail.com
07976 897916
wealdentimes.co.uk
158
SindenTheatreWT217.indd 1 18/02/2020 BrownlowGuitersWT217.indd 10:47
1 19/02/2020 16:30

What’s On in March
ART
Sat 29 Feb – Sat 28 Mar
(10 - 5 Monday - Saturday)
WING Gallery, High Street,
Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6AA
First Equinox
WING gallery looks forward to
spring with artists, Jane Ford,
Jeni Clarke, Dani Humberstone,
George Underwood and Gavin
Roweth, who have all created
new works for the gallery.
01892 783665 @wingartgallery /
wingart_gallery@btconnect.com /
wingartgallery.com
Tue 17 – Fri 20 Mar (excl.
Mondays & Sundays)
10am-4pm, The Smallhythe
Studio Gallery, Smallhythe
Road, Tenterden TN30 7NB
Perspectives
The Smallhythe Studio Gallery is an
exciting gallery and art centre which
exhibits contemporary work of artists
in the south east. This month sees its
latest solo exhibition of recent work.
smallhythestudio.com
Weekdays until Thu 19 Mar
Canterbury Cathedral, Cathedral
House, 11 The Precincts,
Canterbury CT1 2EH
Portfolio: Art Rebels
Turner Contemporary’s Art Rebels
exhibition is coming to Canterbury.
Featuring winning entries from
students, teachers and community
groups across Kent and Medway,
the tour will celebrate the creative
talent of young people. Art Rebels
has taken its inspiration from
one of the most daring visual art
prizes in the world, The Turner
Prize, at Turner Contemporary
until 2020. The selected works
explore what it means to be an
art rebel in this exhibition that is
guaranteed to get people talking.
Entry: Free
01227 762862 /
canterbury-cathedral.org
Sat 21 Mar – Sun 14 Jun
Chatham Historic
Dockyard, Main Gate Road,
Chatham ME4 4TZ
Tattoo: British
Tattoo Art ReveAled
A ground-breaking look into
the history of British tattooing,
featuring over 400 original artworks,
photographs and historic artefacts,
it tells a story that challenges
the most deeply-held myths and
pre-conceptions about tattooing.
Displaying the work of major tattoo
artists, including George Burchett,
via the Bristol Tattoo Club, Alex
Binnie and Lal Hardy, the exhibition
showcases the largest gathering
of real objects and original tattoo
artwork ever assembled in the UK.
01634 823800 /
thedockyard.co.uk
Children & Families
Sat 28 Mar
Bewl Water Estate Office,
Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst,
Kent TN3 8JH
Bewl’s Big Dog Day Out
Expect a doggy treasure trail and
agility course to face-painting,
professional photography
opportunities and refreshments
available all throughout the day at
The Waterfront Café. There will
be plenty of stalls and activities
to enjoy and experts on hand
to advise you on nutrition and
training for your furry friends.
You’d be barking mad to miss out!
bewlwater.co.uk
Sat 28 Mar – Sun 19 Apr
Various Locations
Cadbury Easter
Egg Hunt
National Trust has teamed up with
Cadbury once again for their great
Easter egg hunt. Visit locations
including Bodiam Castle, Scotney
Castle, Chartwell, Bateman’s and
Ightham Mote for fun family days
exploring nature and supporting the
Trust, protecting Kent’s natural and
historic places for everyone to enjoy.
Plus there will be chocolate prizes!
cadbury.co.uk/easter
Entertainment
Sat 28 Mar
Leeds Castle, Broomfield,
Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL
Peak or Blinded 1920s
Murder Mystery
House Party
Got what it takes to be a peaky
blinder? Travel back in time for a
thrilling night of drinks and music
before The Derby. But look out,
a gang has sent someone to throw
a spanner in the works. Actors
will help set the scene, for a truly
interactive evening of dinner theatre
in which you can decide just how
involved you want to be. It’s a
night to have fun, solve a crime,
eat some delicious food, try some
cocktails, and all whilst wearing a
traditional flat cap if the hat fits!
Entry: £109, accomodation
from £275
leeds-castle.com
Mother’s Day
Sun 22 Mar 12-3.30pm
The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road,
Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6PY
Mother’s Day Special
Afternoon Tea
Treat Mum to afternoon tea at the
Hop Farm’s Shires function suite,
which opens out to the manicured
wedding terrace and lawns. There
will be finger rolls and sandwiches
(smoked salmon, ham, mustard,
mature Cheddar, tomato, egg
mayonnaise), scones, clotted cream,
fresh strawberries, macaroons, mini
cakes, and the finest tea and coffee.
Entry: Adults £16, children £8
(minimum two adults per booking)
thehopfarm.co.uk
Music & Theatre
Sun 29 Mar 2pm
Theatre Royal Margate,
Addington St, Margate,
Kent CT9 1PW
MR MEN & LITTLE
MISS STAGE SHOW
All your favourite Mr Men and
Little Miss characters are leaping
from page to stage. Explore
Happyland as it bursts into life in
a series of colourful and timeless
stories told through puppetry and
music in this beautifully crafted
and hilarious live stage show.
margate-live.com
Sat 14 Mar
St Mary The Virgin, Churchyard,
Ashford, Kent TN23 1QG
ROALD DAHL AND THE
IMAGINATION SEEKERS
All around the world Roald Dahl’s
words are disappearing, and only
an organisation known as the
Ancient Guild of Tale Tenders
can save the stories – and they
need your help. It’s a thrilling
immersive family experience that
explores Roald Dahl’s extraordinary
stories, including Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory, The BFG
and The Twits along the way.
revelationashford.co.uk
Fri 20 Mar 7.30pm
Groves Hall, Sutton Valence
School, North Street,
Sutton Valence, Maidstone,
Kent ME17 3HL
SUTTON VALENCE
MUSIC SOCIETY
Hear Bruch, Beethoven, Poulenc
and Brahms with three expert
musicians. Timothy Orpen the
principal clarinetist of the Royal
Opera House, Victoria Simonsen
on cello, who was was described
by The Strad as “a musician of rare
quality” and John Reid, a pianist of
notable versatility and range and an
outstanding chamber musician.
Entry: £12.50 at door
01622 843325
Gardens
Tue 31 Mar
Poulton Wood, 2 Forge
Hill, Aldington, Ashford,
Kent TN25 7DT
Poulton Wood Reopens
This month sees the reopening
of Poulton Wood, an awardwinning
conservation project
set in 28 acres of beautiful
bluebell woodland with adjoining
garden, fields, ponds, hedgerows,
willow plots and poly tunnel.
c-o-t.org.uk
Sat 7 Mar 10:30am-1pm
Tyland Barn, Sandling,
Maidstone, Kent ME14 3BD
Kent Wildlife Trust
Our gardens are becoming wildlife
havens, learn about how to improve
yours by providing shelter for
animals and discovering how
water or a pond is vital for the
wildlife in your garden. Suitable for
beginners and anyone with a general
159 wealdentimes.co.uk

“My dad works
for Stagecoach
please be
kind to him.”
Noah (aged 6)
Son of Dan
We’re proud to serve
our community. We want
everyone to feel safe on the
bus - including our staff.
Abuse of any kind won’t
be tolerated and we will
seek to prosecute.
Joel Mitchell, Managing Director
Stagecoach South East
A proud partnership between

interest in gardening for wildlife.
Entry: £17.50
01622 662012 /
kentwildlifetrust.org.uk
Wellbeing
Fri 13 Mar
Green Farm, Duck Lane
Shadoxhurst, Kent TN26 1LT
Wellness &
Pilates Retreat
Spend a weekend in Green Farm’s
beautifully restored 15th Century
farmhouse, enjoying nutritious
home-grown food, relaxing in
spa facilities. Green Farm offer
retreats with all sorts of themes but
this one is all about relaxing the
mind and body with four pilates
sessions included. Tali Swart teaches
mat based Pilates, using small
equipment, including magic rings,
dyno bands and wobble boards.
It is suitable for all levels, with a
focus on spine health and mobility.
01233 733 997 /
greenfarmkent.co.uk
Workshops
Thu 19 Mar 10am-12pm
Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne
Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ
Painting the Place 1 –
Perspective in Drawing
The first of this year’s ‘Painting the
Place’ art classes at Hall Place &
Gardens. These art classes are run by
accomplished artist and illustrator
Anthony Nield and are a great way
to hone your skills in various areas of
art. This particular session will focus
on understanding and developing
your skills in relation to drawing
perspective building and landscapes.
Advance booking is essential as
Tony is a very popular teacher.
Further instructions including what
equipment to bring with you will be
e-mailed to you prior to the event.
Other sessions will include
Watercolour Skills, Aerial perspective
using monochrome, and Drawing
architectural plants in Pen and Wash.
Entry: £12pp
01322 621238 /
hallplace.org.uk
What’s On in March
Look Forward:
April
Fri 24 Apr 10.30-4pm
Godinton House, Godinton
Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BP
CERAMIC SCULPTURE
WORKSHOP
Join Brenda Burgess for a friendly,
fun and deeply informative
workshop which will look at the
human form and the theme of
‘Mother Nature’ or ‘Mother and
Child’. All abilities truly welcome.
Entry: £65
brendaburgess@brendaburgessarts.
co.uk / brendaburgessarts.co.uk
Wed 8 Apr 5.45-9pm
Port Lympne, Aldington Rd,
Lympne, Hythe, Kent CT21 4LR
Dusk Safaris
Next month sees the first of Port
Lympne’s breathtaking monthly
dusk safaris for 2020. On these
unique evenings, guests journey to
the safari park’s authentic savannahs,
alive with South American, Asian
and African animals, whilst taking
in the stunning views, before
enjoying a three-course meal
at the Port Lympne Hotel.
Entry: £49.50
aspinallfoundation.org
Listings are correct at time of going to
press but may be subject to change.
Readers are advised to check with
venues before making arrangements.
We can list your event in the next
issue of Wealden Times for only
£15+VAT. Please supply up to 200
words that should include date, time,
venue, contact for enquiries and any
entry price to whatson@wealdentimes.
co.uk or send with payment (cheques
payable to Priceless Media Ltd.) to
What’s On, Wealden Times, Kettle
Chambers, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook,
Kent TN17 3HF. Wealden Times
reserves the right to edit text to fit
space allocated. If you would like
your event listing to be accompanied
by a full colour reproduction (42.5
x 62.5mm) of a poster or other
pictorial image, the total charge
will be £95+VAT. Deadline for the
April issue is 10 March 2020.
THU 19 MARCH
FRI 20 MARCH
FRI 27 MAR - SAT 4 APR
MON 6 - SAT 11 APRIL
THE ADELE
SONGBOOK
THU 23
APRIL
TUE 14 - SAT 18 APRIL
MON 20 APRIL
SUN 3 MAY
NEWLY
REFURBISHED
AUDITORIUM
/The Orchard Theatre @OrchardTheatre theorchardtheatre
TICKET OFFICE 01322 220000
161 wealdentimes.co.uk
OrchardTheatreWT217.indd 1 24/01/2020 15:04

secondary Primary logo logo & pattern
JessicaHendersonWT217.indd 1 03/02/2020 15:57
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Made to measure curtains, I N T E Rblinds I O R Sand soft furnishings
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Association House, St David’s Bridge,
Association
Cranbrook,
House,
Kent,
St David’s
TN17 3HL
Bridge,
Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3HL
ClareLangdonWT200.indd 1 12/09/2018 17:10
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Caleigh
Ibbett Mosely
AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS
Limited Liability Partnership
Early Viewing
Tuesday 7th April 2020 12.00 p.m - 7 p.m
The Auctioneer's Next Sale Will Be On
Wednesday 8th April 2020
Commencing at 12.30pm | Viewing 10.00am - 12.30pm
The Auction Rooms, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HJ
Tel: 01732 456731 Web: www.ibbettmosely.co.uk
125 High St, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1UT
Registered in England No. 0C341637 Regulated by RICS Registered at the Sevenoaks office as Ibbett Mosely Surveyors LLP
IbbettMoselyWT217.indd 1 06/02/2020 12:26
www.dhallcabinetmaker.co.uk
David Hall
Cabinet Maker
&
Antique Restorer
* High Quality Bespoke Furniture
* Antique Restoration of all types
* Carving and Copy Carving
* Polishing
NO VAT
Phone 01797 270761
Email: hallcrocket@aol.com
GARDENING COURSES
DavidHallWT108.indd 1 14/01/2011 15:27
BORDER
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Book onto a gardening
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No experience needed
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DESIGN DAYS: APRIL 25th
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01233 861149
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HornbrookManorWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 12:02
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Serving London & the South-East since 1984
wealdentimes.co.uk
162
HastingsBeatlesDayWT217.indd 1 12/02/2020 09:52
KitchenDoctorWT145.indd 1 28/01/2014 10:12

Competition
Win A Wardrobe edit, an outfit
building or personal shopping
service with Beckyswardrobe.com
Becky Leeson lives in Sutton Valence with
her husband Steve and her well-managed
walk-in wardrobe and dressing room.
Beckyswardrobe.com was born following her
22-year career in fashion buying. As a Buyer for
Top Shop, a Buying Director for Office, Head
of Buying for Asos and, most recently, a Creative
Director and Brand Director for a couple of
start-ups, her journey has led her to what she
loves – spending time with people, helping people
find their confidence through their own style
and marrying her passion with her purpose.
Becky is dedicated to a new approach to dressing
and the way in which we consume. Her mission
is to positively connect you with your wardrobe.
She offers services that help you to edit and
shop your existing wardrobe, making you feel
organised and re-energised. Build new reimagined
outfits with what you already own to rediscover
and define your own unique style identity.
Find out where to look, what to try and how
to buy considerately with her personal shopping
service, finding quality pieces to complement your
existing wardrobe, including vintage and secondhand
one-off finds. Becky loves to unearth a
treasure through her unique network of
vintage shops. This is followed up with
a bespoke report personal to you.
Becky understands that your
wardrobe is personal to you and
that sharing can be a daunting
prospect, which is why she
approaches every wardrobe
edit with understanding,
energy and warmth.
It is also possible to
rent pieces from Becky’s
own personal wardrobe of
designer and vintage pieces.
For bookings and
more information visit:
beckyswardrobe.com, email
becky@beckyswardrobe.
com, or call 07739 460827.
How to enter:
For your chance to win just answer
the following question: How long was
Becky’s career in fashion buying? Enter
your answer with your contact details in the
online form at wealdentimes.co.uk/competition
by 31 March 2020. Becky will travel up to a
25 mile radius from Sutton Valence, Kent, in
her car if she is visiting the winner’s house or
shopping in their local area. She is also happy
to head into London if the winner would like
a personal shopping service in town. Becky
will be offering the winner her usual 3 hour
service, along with a bespoke report. There
is no cash alternative and the prize must be
taken by the end of 30 September 2020.
You must be over the age of 18 to enter.
Congratulations to Alison Moppett who
wins our January competition for a Louise
Deluxe Waxed Jacket from Welligogs.
163 wealdentimes.co.uk

Jane Howard’s
Fables from
the Farm
Jane gets set to welcome this year’s calves to
the farm and clarifies the difference between
grass-fed and intensively reared beef
Excitement is rising at Coopers
Farm. It’s nine months now since
our new bull Captain Fantastic
ran out with the cows and hopefully
he’ll live up to his name and produce
some suitably impressive calves. I’ve
been shopping in anticipation of the
patter of tiny hooves. Lubricant, ropes,
iodine and some calf starter paste –
effectively a tube of concentrated Red
Bull – to help the ones exhausted
by a tricky birth get up and get on
with the business of surviving.
It couldn’t be more important. New
calves, like lambs and piglets, are
delivered into a world that is far from
hygienic – no clean sheets or sterilised
bottles for them. Immunity comes
from their mother’s colostrum – the
first thick milk which is stuffed with
antibodies – but the problem is they
can only absorb it for the first six or
seven hours of life. After that, the
lining of their gut changes and they
Captain Fantastic
himself
can no longer absorb the big antibody
molecules. So in the first few hours
they must consume at least two litres
of colostrum and if they don’t, then
the likelihood of them succumbing to
infection in the weeks ahead is high.
And it’s not just the calves that need
to get going; the mother also has to
be a willing partner. So imagine, it’s
three in the morning you’ve pulled and
tugged a healthy calf into the world
and left it with mum to vigorously
lick dry (it’s where the saying lick into
shape comes from) and then push and
nudge to encourage it
to stand up and drink.
Time for a cup of tea.
It’s sooo annoying then
to return back half an
hour later to discover
nothing has happened,
the wet confused calf is
still lying where it was
born and the mother is
nonchalantly munching
hay with the other cows as though
nothing much has happened. This is
most common with heifers – first time
mums – who are far from impressed
by the effort of giving birth and see
no good reason to pursue motherhood
and its associated responsibilities
any further, thank you very much.
What then follows is an hour of
making a slippery, wet, heavy (about
40kg) calf stand up with its head by
her udder. If you open its mouth
and squirt milk from a teat down
its throat, trying to avoid a faceful
yourself, it gets the message and starts
sucking. And then nature takes over
and it doesn’t stop. In these situations,
the only way to encourage mum’s
“Immunity comes
from their mother’s
colostrum – the
first thick milk
which is stuffed
with antibodies”
participation is by bribing her with
food. Give her a bucket of grub and
you usually have about 10 minutes
when she’s more interested in the
bucket than kicking you away, to
get the calf on and sucking. Phew.
We usually calve the heifers first and
then move on to the cows which is all
round less eventful. Not surprisingly if
you’ve already had six or seven calves,
number eight is likely to pop out fairly
quickly and you know exactly what the
job description involves. Happy days.
Except this year there are a few clouds
on the horizon for all
British beef farmers.
I don’t think the beef
industry has done a
good job of explaining
to you, the consumer,
the difference between
eating grass-fed beef
living an outdoor life
pretty much as nature
intended, and eating
intensively reared beef that is fed
inside on a high protein diet – which
pretty much describes all supermarket
beef. It’s important we all eat less
meat, but truth is a plate of grassfed
locally produced steak and chips
has far less environmental impact
in terms of carbon footprint, water
used and food miles travelled than an
avocado (Mexico), tomato (polythene
hothouse in Spain at this time of
year) and mozzarella (Italy) salad
washed down with an almond milk
(California) latte. Food for thought.
Follow Jane Howard – and the farm – on
Instagram @coopersfarm
wealdentimes.co.uk
164

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take control for a better you
We offer fast access to the specialist
treatment you need. Our expert
consultants and experienced team
will support you through diagnosis,
treatment and recovery. Benenden
Hospital, your trusted partner on the
journey to better health.
Call now to take the first step:
01580 238 466
benendenhospital.org.uk
Cataracts | Hips and knees
Weight loss surgery | Varicose veins
We are recognised by all major healthcare insurers.

Sissinghurst
A pillow top mattress with 2850 pocket springs, standard tension non turn
3 rows of side stitching, wool tufts, cashmere and silk fibres as a sumptuous upholstery.
4’6” 2 drawer standard double divan set
AEP £2699 special offer £999!!!!
5’ king size 2 drawer divan set
AEP £2999 special offer £1099!!!!
BEDDING & INTERIORS
The furniture experts since 1925