IN ASSOCIATION WITH WINTER 2018 Parish Cake YOUR SLICE OF CRANBROOK & SISSINGHURST LIFE
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EDITOR: Cllr. Brian Cliff ord welcome brian@briancliff ord.net FEATURES EDITOR & CHIEF FEATURE WRITER: Cllr. Trisha Fermor Support our Shops at Christmas [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES: WITH CELEBRATIONS shortly upon us, we parishioners keep an eye on committee Mignon Brian asked some residents for their favourite discussions, events, how money is spent [email protected] pieces of music at Christmas – maybe and a whole host of other information – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: they are yours too? Have a look on www.cranbrookandsissinghurstpc. Cllr. Graham Holmes [email protected] page 18. As for festive treats, the co.uk is our website address, if it’s offerings from Scotney Castle news to you why not have look? PUBLISHED BY: Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council this season are sure to prepare Yes it’s Christmas – from 01580 713112 you for a Happy Christmas – my brilliant Parish Cake www.cranbrookandsissinghurstpc.co.uk see more on page 43. production team, Tally Wade, PRODUCED BY: Strolling around Cranbrook Mignon Brian, Trisha Fermor Tally Wade and Sissinghurst is a reminder and me, we wish you all that you Coff ee Shop Media Ltd 01580 848555 about how our shopkeepers make wish for yourself at Christmas and www.coff eeshopmedia.com every effort to provide what we might the New Year. need. It’s so important that we use FRONT COVER: What’s on our local shops otherwise we may at Scotney Castle this lose them! Christmas? Hussey family Having just studied the usage Christmas eve: Saturday reports from our parish council website, 1 December - Sunday 6 it has proved to me just how many Cllr. Brian Cli ord - Editor January, 11am-3pm. Storytelling with Father Christmas & Mrs Claus: Saturday and Sunday 1, 2, 8, 9 & Saturday 15 - Sunday 23 December, 9.30am & 12noon. Child £9. Booking essential (please note a customer contents ISSUE 7 WINTER 2018 booking fee of 5% applies). Christmas lunches: Monday 26 November – Friday 21 December (Monday-Friday only). REGULARS 22 Old Cranbrookian Talks Sissinghurst Castle Garden Two courses £22.95, three courses £25.95. 4 Through the Lens – speakers to celebrate 37 Tracy Moore – an update Booking essential. 500 years Noah’s ark children’s trail: Saturday 5 Directory & What’s On from the borough 1 - Monday 31 December, 10am-4pm. £2 7 Chairman’s Views 27 Local Heros – our 39 Droning On – Lance per trail. voluntary fi re crew French on drone Christmas shopping: Monday 5 November 8 Letters onwards. 10 Parish News 28 Cranbrook In Bloom – technology Cranbrook takes gold For more information or to book, call 01892 13 NDP Update 40 Helen Grant – the latest 893869 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ 29 Quakers Lane – how it from our MP scotney-castle Crane Valley Land Trust got its name 14 Club News 44 Business News – a 31 Kitchen & Garden – new business hub in 20 Event News Whilst every eff ort is made dealing with weeds and Cranbrook to ensure accuracy, the 24 Short Story Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Christmas in a mouthful 47 From our Sponsor – legal Parish Council, editor and 48 Parish Council Round-up authors cannot be held 33 Have Your Say – advice from Buss Murton responsible for published commenting on planning 50 Local Legend – Linda errors. The views or opinions expressed FEATURES do not necessarily refl ect views of the applications Cliff ord Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council. 18 Christmas Favourites – 35 Delos at the Castle– Inclusion of any advertising material does our favourite festive songs not constitute a guarantee or endorsement a new addition to of any products or services or claims made.
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 3 throughthelens Stone Street at Christmas, captured by Fraser Allen fraserallenphotography.co.uk
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4 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f Thef f Parish f f Cakef f guidef f fto eventsf f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f inf Cranbrookf f f f andf f Sissinghurst f f f f f f f f f fwhat’s f f f f f f f f f f f f f f fon f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f
DECEMBER WEDNESDAY 12 the Nativity), 11.30pm - Vestry Hall. Everyone Stone Street at Christmas, captured by Fraser Allen fraserallenphotography.co.uk REGULAR EVENTS Midnight Mass with carols welcome • Farmers’ Market every FRIDAY 7 12pm Pudding Club Christmas Lunch (with TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY fourth Saturday in the month, 5pm Nativity Parade, 9am -12 noon pudding!), George Hotel, Cranbrook High Street Christmas Day, St. THURSDAY 7 • Tempo Singing every Cranbrook 7pm Pudding Club Dunstan’s Church. 8am 7.30pm Cranbrook School Saturday morning at THURSDAY 13 Holy Communion (a said Presents Hairspray the Cranbrook School Music Christmas Party, The service using The Book of Centre, 10.30-11am George Hotel, Cranbrook, 7.30pm Full Parish Council Musical, Queen’s Hall Common Prayer), 10am Theatre • Messy Church Children and for an evening of fizz, Meeting, Council Chamber - Vestry Hall. Everyone Sung Eucharist (a Sung Parent Group, second Friday nibbles and dancing THURSDAY 14 welcome Service with carols and each month, 3.30-5.30pm 7.30pm Full Parish Council SUNDAY 9 communion) • Mobile Library, The Street, SUNDAY 23 Meeting, Council Chamber Sissinghurst, every Friday 2pm Cranbrook Ladies FRIDAY 28 – SUNDAY 30 6pm Carols by - Vestry Hall. Everyone Morning in December, Rugby Team V New Ash 2.30pm Cinderella the welcome January and February, Candlelight, St. Dunstan’s Green Ladies at Cranbrook Pantomime, Performing 11.40am Church Rugby Club Arts Centre Cranbrook While every effort is made to • The Children’s Centre, MONDAY 24 School ensure accuracy, dates and Cranbrook offers free 7pm Folk concert – Peter Christmas Eve, St. times may change. If you sessions for parents and JANUARY Knight & Jon Spiers at Dunstan’s Church. 4pm are organising an event in children throughout the the parish why not drop us a St. Dunstan’s Church. For Crib Service (for the young THURSDAY 10 week. Call 03000 411035 for a line and we might be able to timetable ticket details see www. at heart, come dressed 7.30pm Full Parish Council include you in the listings too stedithfolk.co.uk as a character from Meeting, Council Chamber – [email protected]
USEFUL NUMBERS ROOMS & HALLS TO HIRE St. Theodore’s RC, Cranbrook: Rainbow Pre School, directory St George’s Institute, 01580 713364 Cranbrook: 01580 715570 UTILITIES Sissinghurst: Ursula O’Connor Strict Baptist Church, Sissinghurst CE Primary: Electricity: 0800 727282 01580 713895 01580 713938 Cranbrook: 01580 713212 Cranbrook and Sissinghurst (24 hrs) Woodpeckers Pre School, The Parish Room, Trinity Church, Sissinghurst: Parish Council Gas: 0800 111 999 Cranbrook: 01580 720195 Sissinghurst: Sue Crowe 01580 852275 Water: South East Water The Old Fire Station 01580 712901 DOCTORS (drinking water) 0800 Vine Church, Cranbrook: Stone Street, Cranbrook [email protected] Jockey Lane Surgery, KENT TN17 3HF 0283399, Southern Water 01580 712620 The Vestry Hall, Council Cranbrook: 01580 713032 Clerk – Mrs. L. Ham (waste water) 0800 820999 Chamber and Addison VC SCHOOLS AND PRE Old School Surgery, Deputy Clerk – Mrs. L. Thirkell (24 hrs), Emergency leak 0800 Room, Cranbrook: SCHOOLS Cranbrook: 01580 712476 01580 713112 / clerk@ 0283399, Floodline 0845 01580 713112 (10am-12pm Colliers Green CE Primary: Orchard End Surgery, cranbrookandsissinghurstpc. 9881188 (24 hrs) Cranbrook: 01580 713622 weekdays). 01580 211335 co.uk CRIME DEFIBRILLATORS A full list of over 30 venues for Cranbrook CE Primary: Non-Emergency Police: 101 BOROUGH & COUNTY hire in the parish is available 01580 713249 Cranbrook Medical Centre, Cranbrook COUNCILS Crime Stoppers: 0800 555111 from the parish office Cranbrook Children’s Centre: Cricket Club, Sissinghurst KCC Community Warden: 03000 41 10 35 Tunbridge Wells Borough Parish Council office Adam Osbourn USEFUL CONTACTS Cranbrook School: Council Sissinghurst Castle Garden 07813 695741 01580 711800 01892 526121 CHURCHES St. George’s Institute, www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk PCSO: Lee Jules Congregational Church, Dulwich Preparatory School: Sissinghurst Kent County Council 07772 226048 Cranbrook: 01580 388070 01580 712179 Tennis Club, Sissinghurst 03000 41 41 41 Neighbourhood Watch Area St. Dunstan’s, Cranbrook: High Weald Academy: The George Hotel, Cranbrook www.kent.gov.uk Co-ordinator: 01622 604395 01580 715861 01580 712754 The Milkhouse, Sissinghurst
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 5 Feel Good Fly High
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6 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 outchairman’s & about Feel Good view Fly High Plans for community centre take a leap forward Heads get together to finalise vital details
AFTER DECADES of aspirations of access documents, and 20 years the centre is now that a community centre will those relating to the transfer much closer to being realised. be built in Cranbrook, the of land for a portion of Wilkes’ We have sufficient money parish council has agreed to a Field and land that is part of set aside to undertake the first dulwichprepcranbrook.org joint, project-managed scheme the toilet block. I hope final stages involving the architect as a huge step forward. agreement can be achieved and project manager. It is Important meetings have by the end of the year with all good to report that we are very been held with interested parties, including the Co- nearly there. parties, including Guy Johnson, operative Group. On a festive note, I would the landowner who wants to At the full parish council like to wish everyone a happy gift part of Wilkes’ Field to meeting in October the Christmas and a healthy and that Cranbrook in Bloom’s the town, and parish, borough plan for a professionally- prosperous new year. I would tremendous efforts have been and Kent County Council managed scheme was given encourage those of you who recognised with a gold award representatives. the go ahead, and also the would wish to give something from South and South East in The four sets of solicitors authority to approve the legal back to the community to Bloom and a silver gilt from have been looking at the rights documents by 11-1 votes. After consider seriously standing Britain in Bloom. The town as parish councillors in May. looked beautiful and the I would be happy to meet group’s efforts were admired informally and discuss it with not only by residents but anyone who is interested. tourists to our lovely town. We are all delighted Cllr. Bridget Veitch, chairman
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Parish Cake • Winter 2018 7 Letters www.bussmurton.co.uk | T: 01580 712 215
Star Letter A Wasted Amenity… Star Letter The author will receive Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is holding us all to ransom. a voucher for a hot drink They are withdrawing the Saturday amenity vehicle for and slice of cake from garden waste and they are charging £52 per year for a bin to Hawkhurst Cranbrook café Cocolicious! dispose of it. www.cocolicious.co.uk They are also giving us no option but to have a waste food Ladies Who Latte bin, which few of us need – who wastes food? After running two women’s This is all a money making venture forcing us to pay twice networking meetings I am for collecting our bins. convinced that women who Brian Swann (a very disgruntled council tax payer) actually go after their dreams and reach their goals are those who surround themselves with the right crowd. And don’t just take Come and Volunteer – my word for it, there’s enough A Reminder Friday 7 December - Wednesday 2 January evidence that surrounding Volunteers continue to be needed at some of our tourist yourself with the right people is attractions. If you have some spare time please make the fastest way to success. contact with.... Women’s networks are not just about inspiration and Windmill: Chris Lear – 01580 891821/[email protected] Ice Skating learning from each other, a good tribe of like-minded people will boost your mood, help you believe Museum: Rodney Dann – 01580 712475/curator@ at Calverley Grounds in your dream and give perspective to the decisions and cranbrookmuseum.org challenges ahead in all areas of your life. It is the collective Cranbrook in Bloom: Friday 16 November to Wednesday 2 January energy of many that often defi nes whether you are going to Linda Page – give up on your project or carry on and persevere. We share 01580 713604/ info@ our progress, keep each other accountable and inspire each cranbrookinbloom.co.uk other in monthly group meetings. So why not come along Friends of St.Dunstan’s: on the fi rst Wednesday of each month 10am at The Queen’s Brian Awford – 01580 715556/ Inn Hawkhurst? Alison Ede [email protected] Cllr. Graham Holmes
tunbridgewellsatchristmas rtw_xmas tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com Rebecca Manford BSc MSST 07923 965601 ● Graduate Sports Therapist Please send your letters to supported by [email protected] or by post to Aching from work? • Injury and posture assessment Parish Cake, Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council, Injured from sport? • Deep and soft tissue massage The Old Fire Station, Stone Street, Want to improve • Taping for joint and muscle support Cranbrook, TN17 3HF. Please note, letters may be your posture? Just • Exercise rehabilitation including range of motion, need a massage? strength, balance, exibility, power and coordination published in a shortened form at the discretion of the editor. Box Office: 01892 530613 Professional mobile service. Discount for under 25’s assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
8 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 Friday 7 December - Wednesday 2 January Ice Skating at Calverley Grounds Friday 16 November to Wednesday 2 January
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Box Office: 01892 530613 assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk News and views from newsbites Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Couple say Goodbye to their Delicatessen AFTER 30 years running what must be the businesses in Cranbrook, adding: “The best Sissinghurst smallest shop in Cranbrook, Richard and years were in 2005 to 2008. We were doing Speedwatch Rosemary Clarke are closing the door for well and so were others like antique shops. I good. think when Cranbrook School stopped Takes a Break Perfect Partners in Stone Street classes on Saturdays it had a knock has been the go-to place for top on effect.” SIX YEARS after it was started, wines, interesting cheeses and Before taking over the tiny Sissinghurst Speedwatch other culinary delights but the shop, Richard worked in the wine members have agreed to take a couple have put the business on trade and was once asked to fly to break from monitoring drivers’ the market. Sri Lanka to teach airline stewards speeds through the village. Shortly before Parish Cake went to all about wine. The group has seen press Richard said they wanted to retire His family business was brewing and volunteers dropping out and and he was hoping to sell the shop and the his mother Isobel had lived for a time at the calls for replacements have flat above which has been their home since town’s converted forge. The couple, who have gone unanswered. Villagers they moved there in 1988. two girls and five grandchildren are hoping to complain that speeding Richard said times were harder now for stay in Cranbrook. TF continues, particularly in Common Road and The Street, and believe more effective methods such as cameras and Plantsman’s Illness Prompts Huge Support regular police activity are now AFTER JEREMY Homewood collapsed at his his son Will, 30, took over the running of the called for. home with a life-threatening illness customers business and others stepped in to help. There is also a minority who feared it might lead to the closure of his Will put his own job as a logistics manager do not recognise the problems popular plant nursery Bumbles. for a beer import company on hold and turned that speeding can cause. In October last year Mr Homewood, the clock back 12 years to when he and his Members have decided to stand 57, suffered an attack of vasculitis, a life- father started the nursery together. down until next March when it threatening inflammation of the blood vessels. With “plants in my blood” – Will’s great is hoped more volunteers will He will never walk again and has spent almost grandfather set up Springfields Nursery in step forward and that, in the the whole of this year in Haywards Heath Hawkhurst – he added: “My father lives for the meantime, a way is found to Hospital. business.” introduce more permanent and But he is now living in a care home and He went on: “People have been very kind constructive deterrents on the has already made visits to the nursery in his and their kind words have been passed on to village roads. TF wheelchair and planning to return at least Dad. He much appreciated them and I am so once a week. grateful to people for their support. We had While Mr Homewood was being treated the best spring we have ever had.” TF
many apprentices and university else, could be offered some are under 25-years-of-age they The Fiennes students with books, tools financial help by the trust. should apply for further details Stanley Wykeham and materials needed for their If applicants fit the following and an application form. various courses. criteria of going on to Please contact Mrs Mellor Cornwallis Trust Students who may have further education, university at sissinghurstawards@gmail. ESTABLISHED IN the mid-1980s chosen to study medicine, or an apprenticeship, live com or telephone 01580 714618. from the sale of No 1 and 2 law, or to become a mechanic, in Sissinghurst, attended The closing date for applications School Cottages in Sissinghurst, electrician or plumber, an Sissinghurst Primary School for is 28 February 2018. the Cornwallis Trust has helped interior designer, or something a minimum of two years and Juliet Mellor
10 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 news
Friends Need Help Creatures Great AN URGENT call has gone record of more than £400. secretary who moved away and Small... out in Sissinghurst for more The Friends were set from the village and appeals CHURCHGOERS WERE forgiven committee members to help up 10 years ago by retired for a replacement have gone for thinking they were seeing the Friends of Sissinghurst clergyman Canon Doug unheeded as have calls for things when animals of all Church (FoSCH) to survive. Redman who handed over the more villagers to join the kinds met at St Dunstan’s Currently there are reins of chairman to parish committee. Church. only four members of the councillor Trisha Fermor “I would stress we do The vicar of Cranbrook, the committee and they are shortly before his death. The not have any plans to close Rev Ann Pollington, presided fi nding it more and more charity has donated several FoSCH and we hope more over a special pet blessing on diffi cult to come up with thousand pounds on a variety people will join to help one of the hottest days of the ideas for fundraising and, of improvements to Trinity maintain our lovely church. year. Among the more unusual more importantly, to help Church including decorating, But reluctantly we feel we pets were two ferrets who run such events. the installation of bespoke cannot continue to organise rested quietly in their owners’ Under threat is the popular new oak cupboards, the events without more help.” arms, while dogs of all shapes annual FoSCH village garden area, and latterly Anyone who would like and sizes made up most of lunch, which needs more the kitchenette in the new to join the committee can the congregation. Among the committee members to help extension to the Parish contact Cllr. Fermor at hymns were All Things Bright organise and run it. This Room. [email protected] and Beautiful in honour of the year’s FoSCH book stall at Cllr. Fermor said: “I feel or membership secretary/ pets. TF the village fête raised only I am letting down Canon treasurer Peter Mellor at £168 compared to a previous Redman. We lost our hon. [email protected]
New Partner at Buss Murton Law BUSS MURTON Law is Partner at Buss Murton Law delighted to announce the LLP. I would like to thank appointment of Julie Taylor to the partners and my fellow the role of partner based at its colleagues for their continued Cranbrook offi ce. support which has “Julie has worked helped me achieve tirelessly over this promotion. I the last three look forward to years to grow working with and develop the team in the the fi rm’s many exciting matrimonial opportunities for
BRIAN CLIFFORD BRIAN services across the future of the the Weald as well as business.” Rickshaw continuing to strengthen and Buss Murton Law is based Challenge expand the fi rm’s presence in Tunbridge Wells with offi ces and commitment within the in Cranbrook, Dartford and East Visiting local community”, said Andrew Grinstead. With nine partners Linton, the fi rm’s managing and 28 fee earners, the fi rm Sissinghurst works with commercial and partner. private clients across the South Raises £1,655 Commenting on her East of England. for Children promotion, Julie said: “I am honoured and privileged to For further information go to In Need accept the appointment of www.bussmurton.co.uk
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 11 news
Troy Scott Smith to Leave Councillor Turns his Sissinghurst Castle Garden Back on Tunbridge AFTER 12 years at gardener and has helped Wells’ Tory Group Sissinghurst Castle – four of shape and set direction for them as head gardener – Troy the garden by introducing JAMES HANNAM Scott Smith is to leave. the renewal project which claims the The announcement was commenced four years ago… “contempt” made just days after he “To be in charge of one the borough helped renowned garden of the fi nest gardens in the has shown for designer Dan Pearson present world has I know been a huge Working for the National villagers he a scheme to restore the Delos privilege and one that Troy Trust in total for 30 years represents forced garden to its former Greek has done with a huge amount she added: “I have loved my his hand. glory. of professionalism and time with the trust, working In his letter of Mr Scott Smith had his fi rst careful consideration.” in some fantastic gardens resignation. Cllr Hannam, who encounter with Sissinghurst Hard on the heels of the with great people but I have is TWBC’s member for Sissinghurst more than 26 years ago resignation of Sissinghurst been thinking about making and Frittenden, said his views on when he worked there as a Castle Garden’s head a change for some time now the council borrowing £91million to gardener. gardener Troy Scott Smith, and decided my birthday next build a new theatre and offi ce block “I had no thought then that his assistant Wendy year in March would be an were well known. one day I would return and be Tremenheere handed in her appropriate time to leave and He has also criticised the council responsible for the garden as notice after 20 years’ service. follow other ventures.” for going ahead with a new refuse head gardener,” he said. Wendy said: Castle manager Philip contract which sees householders He returned to Sissinghurst “Unfortunately, purely Barnes said it was hard to paying a starting price of £52 a year 4 years ago and has been co-incidentally, my articulate how important to have their garden waste collected. heading up a seven-year plan announcement closely Wendy’s contribution has This, he said, is far higher than the for the future of the gardens. follows Troy’s. However, I am been. previous fi gure of £30. He will be leaving in July next confi dent the garden will be “Staff and volunteers have The weekend refuse service, he year to take up a job as head left in good hands with an a huge amount of respect for wrote, will be further restricted and gardener in a private garden. experienced, enthusiastic and her and a huge part of the will not accept garden waste. Sissinghurst’s manager professional team. I will miss garden’s success must be “The result of these new Philip Barnes said: “Troy has all of them as much as I will attributed to her dedication initiatives will bring in £600,000 been an outstanding head miss the garden.” and care.” TF which will go to paying off the interest payments on the new theatre,” he said. However, new appointments may not “I believe that this treats the GP Hours Extended always be provided at patients’ own GP residents of Frittenden and AS PART of a nationwide drive to improve practices but full medical records will be Sissinghurst with contempt, making access to GPs, Weald surgeries are now available at another surgery in West Kent. us cash cows to fund a vanity project opening for longer. Dr Bob Bowes, chairman of the NHS many miles away that few of us will To combat long waiting times to see a West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group, ever use.” said: “We know that sometimes people doctor, a new system has been launched His attempts at fi nding ways a have a long wait to see their doctor and which will allow people to make an new waste contract could serve we believe the new longer hours service appointment between 8am and 8pm the needs of residents had been will be of particular help to commuters, Mondays to Friday and on Saturdays, “brushed aside” and he could no parents with young families and other longer sit with the Conservative Sundays and Bank holidays. people who fi nd it diffi cult to get to their group. Appointments can be pre-booked for practice during normal working hours.” He said he would remain on the routine matters or at short notice for less Patients are being encouraged to tell the council as an independent and will routine needs. Nurses and other health group about their experiences of the new not seek re-election in May. TF professionals will also be available in the system by emailing nelcsu.engagement@ evenings and on Saturdays. nhs.net. TF
12 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 cvlt
Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Update ALL NDP groups have the right to council must decide whether it is better which best meet the needs of Cranbrook decide which sites are allocated for to proceed with our plan without these and Sissinghurst parish. We identified a development (housing, business etc), allocations to enable us to move forward need for more affordable housing and for but each site needs to be assessed by to the public consultation of the first full more smaller housing units for entry- the local planning authority and KCC draft of the plan. level and downsizers. We recognise that Highways. A Strategic Environmental Through a series of workshops between to enable these we need to encourage and Assessment is also undertaken which members of the Steering Group and support alternative methods of housing involves consultation with Natural TWBC Planning Policy department delivery, such as community land trusts, England, Historic England and the we are working collaboratively on co-housing and self builds. Cllr. Nancy Environment Agency. This inevitably this allocations process to allow the Warne, chair, Cranbrook & Sissinghurst causes delays to the process, and we community to have the greatest input. NDP Steering Group worry that our neighbourhood plan will Based on the evidence gathered lose momentum. through the engagement process, the For more information visit www. Our NDP Steering Group and parish NDP will support development schemes cranbrookandsissinghurstndp.co.uk Affordable Homes with a Difference The Crane Valley Land Trust doesn’t settle for the ordinary, writes Mark Wade THE NEED for affordability has never things national developers do: buy been greater with a shortfall of at land and build homes. That is where least 300 affordable homes within the the similarities end. As a trust, we parish. Our research shows a ratio of can also accept donations, receive 1:19 of average incomes to average government grants, access social (AONB) and by the Committee for house prices locally. This is one of the investment funds and attract the Protection of Rural England highest in the UK, making it virtually favourable financing. (CPRE) to maximise economic and impossible for aspirant workers to Our directors work for free. cultural benefit by putting our people, live and work here – unless we as a As a not-for-profit company, the businesses and nature first – no community do something about it. CVLT does not have to return a 20 per ordinary approach. The Crane Valley Land Trust (CVLT) cent profit to shareholders; unlike PICTURED ABOVE: We are your community trust. We was formed to help tackle this critical its commercial counterparts. This A passivhaus are proud to be working with the NDP need – and not just in an ordinary means we can afford to build to much development of to find ways of meeting the aggressive affordable and way. We stand for affordability to higher standards than commercial housing targets for the parish in ways full market homes rent or own and run by building to developers, while offering discounted in Norwich by that offer a real alternative to the Passivhaus standards – almost zero ways for local people to rent or own Broadland Growth, mass executive, dormitory estates heating bills. their own home. Homes that will design by Hamson of risible quality and no community We are all local volunteers remain affordable and in community Barron Smith value being foisted upon us. who freely donate our time and ownership in perpetuity. effort because we care. We are The CVLT and Neighbourhood one of more than 290 community Development Plan (NDP) are land trusts across the UK: www. dedicated to environmental more info For more information on the trust and how communitylandtrusts.org.uk/ enhancement, not just protection. to become a member visit: www.cvlt.org.uk As a registered community benefit We are guided by the High Weald society, we can do all the usual Area of Outstanding National Beauty
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 13 A round-up of news from Cranbrook and Sissinghurst clubs, clubnews groups and associations
It’s time to think bigger
WHAT LIMITS you? What’s preventing you from fulfi lling your dreams? Often it’s not the obvious… concerts a year, and has raised funds We were recently privileged to host Reinhard Cranbrook for local charities – Hospice in the Hirtler, an international speaker from Brazil. Weald and Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Reinhard visits The Vine each year and Symphony Ambulance. Concert programmes whenever he’s here he brings inspirational have featured a wide repertoire stories and motivational Bible teaching. This year was no exception. – violin, cello, piano and trumpet Orchestra In addition to his busy speaking schedule, concertos, and overtures and Reinhard and his wife, Debi, have a dream to CRANBROOK SYMPHONY symphonies from many different open 100 homes for street-children. In Brazil Orchestra’s regular members are composers. there’s no state funding for orphanages, the drawn from Kent and Keen to encourage bureaucracy a maze and corruption is rife. Sussex – some have young musicians, People said they were crazy, that there was been playing for the orchestra has no hope and that they’d never get anywhere many years, others enjoyed performing with their dream. In spite of this they’ve just have taken up concertos with the started building the fourth home for another 30 an instrument cellist Laura van children, and it’s already fully funded! in later life - but der Heijden, winner Whatever your dream, the naysayers will all have a passion tell you it can’t be done. There will always be of BBC Young for rehearsing and “insurmountable” problems and reasons you Musician of the Year performing classical shouldn’t pursue your dream. But, as Reinhard in 2012, and pianist music. reminded us from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said, Martin James Bartlett, Members rehearse on a “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed... Monday evening during school winner in 2014. nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mt 17:20) term-time at High Weald Academy Our last two winter concerts So, if “faith comes from hearing” what God in Cranbrook with Michael have welcomed Freddie Flintoff, says, what does He say about your dream? Chris Hitchcock – a much sought-after Benenden School Music Scholar, as a Goodchild. conductor and orchestral trainer soloist performing the Mendelssohn For more information on the Vine Church, call and a former Director of Kent Music Violin Concerto. Jackie Bell 01580 712620 or visit www.vinechurch.org.uk School. New members are always welcome, The orchestra performs two visit www.thecso.org.uk
14 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 club news CRANBROOK RUGBY CLUB PLANS FOR a new clubhouse their coaching programme. To on the Tomlin Ground have attract funding for clubhouse been published. facilities, we must show that We are now planning our these are widely used and fundraising and preparing needed so are looking to to make applications to a involve more sports, especially number of sources, including for mid-week users. We the National Lottery, Sports already have regular use from England and the local the Triathlon Club and various authority. exercise classes. our membership and clubhouse – with discounted Since the merger of the We would like to hear from actively become more of a drinks for club members. rugby and cricket clubs others who might want to use community club. To this end, Tim Fagg, chairman in 2012, we have worked the proposed clubhouse which we have introduced a new Further information is on our on improving the playing includes a bar and kitchen and social membership - annual website – www.cranbrook facilities and now have a function room able to seat subscription £50 - which we rugby.com. Enquiries about excellent rugby and cricket 150 people. This area will have hope will encourage many membership should be facilities for our playing a portable screen so the space to join. There are matches to made to Peter Jovanovic members, including our ladies’ can be divided into two areas. watch and always a welcome (07720 260770). peter@ team, junior members and We also want to boost at the bar in the present cranbrookrugby.com
16 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 WATERLOO HOUSE TEAROOMS
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Parish Cake • Winter 2018 17 feature
CHRISTMAS Favourites We asked some Cranbrook and Sissinghurst residents to share the music they enjoy listening to during the festive season.
Good King Wenceslas – It provides the ancient tradition of sacrificing me back to when my oldest two me with the vision of snow and winter a boar and presenting its head at a children were young, I have really weather and charity to all people are Christmas time feast. It brings back fond memories of them singing it my thoughts of Christmas. Linda memories of school when the boar’s and the excitement of Christmas Page head is carried on a platter carried by coming! Lori Ham four Sacristans and preceded by the Rockin’ Around The Christmas mustard pot carried by a fifth. Peter Once In Royal David`s City – was Tree - reminds me of watching Mellor composed by HJ Gauntlett who was Home Alone and being all warm and my wife Sarah`s great, great great, snug indoors as a kid surrounded by O Come All Ye Faithful – my first great grandfather; an opportunity Christmas decs and presents! Julie memory of attending Midnight Mass to reflect on past times, friends and Taylor when I was all grown up and allowed relations who have passed to the to stay up late was this carol! It was other side before, of course, getting The Shepherd’s Farewell – I the hymn in the middle of the service stuck in to the turkey. Hugh Ellison particularly like the different choral and I noticed we started singing it harmonies and the whole piece has when it was still Christmas Eve. When And from staff at the Buss Murton a wonderful calmness. I’ve enjoyed the final verse came and we sang ‘Yea Law offices in Cranbrook, Dartford, singing it with the Cranbrook Choral Lord we greet thee, born this East Grinstead and Tunbridge Society for over 20 years. Pat Stearns happy morning’… I looked at my Wells... watch again and saw it was just past While Shepherds Watch’d Their midnight, it was indeed Christmas Driving Home For Christmas I Flocks (to the tune ‘Cranbrook’) morn. Rev. Ann Pollington just love the melody all upbeat – It was written by Thomas Clark and happy. Winter’s Tale reminds of Canterbury for another hymn Good King Wenceslas – When we me of staying with my lovely Nan altogether. You might know it as were young, it was always snowy at during the Christmas holidays. Last “On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at”. It’s such Christmas. We used to go out in the Christmas gives me wonderful a joyous tune and the repetition of dark singing this carol with torches teenage Christmas memories. lines emphasises ‘And Glory Shone and explore the garden and the copse Little Donkey reminds me when Around.’ Cranbrook is the tune for and look for animal footprints like my children were small. It Came Christmas. Rev. Peter Michell rabbits and our chickens. Happy Upon The Midnight Clear such memories. It was fun. Anne Marley beautiful words, so relevant. Jingle Boar’s Head Carol – is a melodious Bells what’s not to love? Silent and haunting macaronic 15th century Fairytale of New York – by The Night a classic with beautiful
GETTY IMAGES English Christmas carol that describes Pogues & Kirsty McColl, it takes harmonies.
18 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 feature Let There be Light! Urgent work needed as fi re hazard increases, writes Trisha Fermor
AS PART of plans to make St. Dunstan’s enterprise and to be Church safer a scheme has been launched more sustainable to raise £132,000 to completely overhaul fi nancially…” the wiring. The vicar, the Rev The present system was installed 40 Ann Pollington said: years ago and has deteriorated, according “We have been told to a report made in 2009, and a further one that people going this year which noted the effectiveness of out to various bodies the insulation has resulted in increased to raise grants can fi re hazard. expect only 29 per cent of the total which Parochial church council member Nye leaves us with £71,000 to fi nd. Jones said the future of the “Cathedral “Recently I asked the congregation of the Weald” relied on making the if any of them had made a will leaving community, the worshippers, local and building safer, fi t for purpose and ready money to the church would they consider national businesses as well and charities to accommodate future needs of the donating it now so they can see how it is and grant making bodies. community and congregation. being spent.” Anyone who would like to donate can He said: “Our plan is for the unique The Let There Be Light campaign make out a cheque to St Dunstan’s PCC asset of St. Dunstan’s…to engage more aims to raise the money in 2019 and is and send it to the vicar at The Vicarage, with culture and the arts, to create looking to the generosity of the Cranbrook Waterloo Road, Cranbrook TN17 3JG.
LARKINS’ ALEHOUSE Cranbrook’s first Micropub It’s a place to meet up with friends, chat and enjoy a pint of real ale straight from the cask. Local ciders and wines are also Calling all Stall Holders! available, as are soft drinks. Free from TV, We are looking at holding an outdoor music and mobile phones. Market in The White Horse Car Park, We now have our back garden open for Cranbrook customers. If you’d like to join us - please call either Check out the daily updated Webpage, Wendy – 07786 707476 Facebook or Twitter pages to see which Julie – 07717 252585 or ales and ciders are currently available. Elaine – 07803 340682 7 High Street, Opening Times: Or email: [email protected] Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3EB Mon and Tue 14.00 - 21.00 Phone: 07917 252 585 Wednesday 12.00 - 21.00 Thur to Fri 12.00 - 22.00 07786 707 476 Saturday 12.00 - 22.30 [email protected] Sunday 12.00 - 18.00 www.larkins-alehouse.co.uk b Larkins’ Alehouse a @larkinsalehouse
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 19 Some of the great events eventnews we are rightly proud of!
Second Literary Festival a Huge Success
THE TOWN was buzzing for two days with all things “booky” when the second Cranbrook Literature Festival was held in September. It was a real community event and the aim of the organisers was to promote the joy of reading and the written word to people of all CODS - Guys and Dolls Review ages, said founder Christine Newman. OVER A four-show run Cranbrook Operatic debut CODS performances for Duncan The not-for-profi t festival sees all the and Drama Society (CODS) played to Fryer as Nathan Detroit, Monika Green as money raised from ticket sales being ploughed packed audiences at the Queen’s Hall Sgt. Sarah Brown and Louise Franklin as back into events for schools in the area to Theatre in Cranbrook. Often described as Miss Adelaide. Simon Tomlinson starred as provide them with an author to spend time the best-ever American musical, it was the smooth Sky Masterson. with pupils. directed by Annie Hatcher with support The famous number, Sit Down, You’re This year, six local schools benefi ted from from her musical director John Williams. Rockin’ the Boat was superbly delivered visits by authors Sarah Driver, Jonny Duddle, The show opened with a great overture by old favourite Robin Harrison playing Kevin Brooks and Natasha Farrant. Festival played by the in-house 10 piece orchestra. Nicely-Nicely Johnson. An encore ensued founder Christine Newman said: “They Cleverly placed at the rear of the stage mid-show which is a rarity in any theatre. all thoroughly enjoyed their time with the both in view and then hidden behind The whole cast clearly enjoyed students.” a tasteful white curtain when scenes performing and a packed house left into a Events for adults included an evening with dictated. cold night chattering about another great BBC presenter, journalist and writer Jeremy This production had strong CODS autumn musical. Vine, a talk about her recipe books from TV performances from leading roles, including Andy Fairweather celebrity Davina McCall, and poetry theatre with renowned performance poet Luke Wright. The festival also ran creative writing workshops, poetry sessions and talks from authors including Alison Weir, Ann Morgan, Louise Dean, Jane Thynne and Mimi Anderson. There were also competitions for children of all ages, including writing short stories and creating book mark designs. Twenty four shop owners took part in in pictures creating a Guess the Book Title design in their Sissinghurst windows. James Steel was the winner with 23 Fête correct answers, Debbie Bell second and the Lock family third. Mrs Newman said: “All in all, a terrifi c community event, all organised by hard working The event was joint runner up volunteers to help promote with the Weald Literary the love of the written word Festival in the Cultural – and hopefully keep people Event of the Year of all ages off their electronic 2017 devices for a while!”
20 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 events Sissinghurst Flower Show Success – Again for Beryl! THERE WAS strong competition needed two men to carry into in some classes, not least the the hall, was produced by the children’s efforts to raise a few Sissinghurst Scout Group. laughs at the village’s autumn Its leader Jan Ashley proved fl ower show. how big it was by trying to get The long and very hot summer her arms around it. Charlotte led to problems with many Crabtree showed off her weird fl owering plants being past their looking Trompeta de Albenga, best but entrants still managed which looked more like a snake Nancy, she was like family.” to fi nd plenty of colourful plants than something to eat. In her later years, Mrs to fi ll the primary school hall. Stalwart member Beryl Bancroft cared for Mrs Congreve The children, however, Bancroft was delighted to be along with Deirdre Robb. TF managed to create some of the the fi rst recipient of the Nancy most intriguing offerings from Congreve Memorial Trophy for vegetables and fruit to decorate the most points in the three several tables. shows of 2018. Vegetable growers produced She said: “I was so pleased, some prize winning specimens. I did want to win the trophy A giant pumpkin, which because I was very fond of
in pictures Cranbrook Apple Fair PHOTOS BY TRISHA FERMOR BY PHOTOS
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 21 schools 500th Anniversary Talks at Cranbrook School Headmaster Dr. John Weeds reports on two of the talks given by Old Cranbrookians this year in celebration of the school’s quincentenary.
SARAH KEITH-LUCAS A packed Queen’s Hall Theatre was treated to an excellent talk by BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas. The former head of Scott House gave a highly-informative talk focussed primarily on her PTOLEMY MANN talk with sumptuous images of scientific background and career Ptolemy Mann studied at gloriously colourful building path at the Met Office and then Central St Martin’s and the designs, wall coverings, carpets, the BBC. The audience was Royal College of Art after Bauhaus-style furniture and treated not only to a nostalgic her secondary education and even the odd John Lewis cushion glance at the school in Sarah’s A-levels at Cranbrook School cover! time at Cranbrook, when she behind the satellite-style and a foundation art course in She spoke glowingly of the was taught geography by current weather maps which were Maidstone. influence Cranbrook School had assistant head David Swinburne introduced recently by the BBC, She has gone onto create a had on her artistic development, and, now sadly deceased, Tim apparently causing quite a bit of myriad of stunning images in especially the expedition to Hartley. controversy. textiles and position herself a Tanzania. Clearly both had a big The mixed audience of leading textiles designer and She provided inspiration to impression on Sarah as she students, current and former, entrepreneur. A good sized students by stressing the need went on to read the subject teachers, parents and other local audience of students, staff, to marry “art” with “craft” in at university, specialising in people also had an opportunity parents and people from the their artistic pursuits. Equally the meteorology which has to ask Sarah a whole range of local community were treated telling was her candour about formed the basis of her highly questions. One such revealed to a highly absorbing slide show the ups and downs of the successful career. In addition that, according to Sarah and of the most beautiful pieces of business world and her major to the scientific insights, Sarah the scientific data, Gravesend Ptolemy’s work. influences – Bauhaus, Anni gave a real flavour of life on the is officially the driest place in At the root of her artistic Albers and the Ikat school of other side of the cameras. Britain. All in all, a fascinating philosophy is a deep-seated fabric design. The talk was a In particular we got to know and hugely enjoyable evening love of weaving, in which craft very worthy addition to an of some of the unsociable – another wonderful example she has developed outstanding outstanding series of lectures hours, including 3am starts, the of Old Cranbrookians stepping technical skills. Secondly, by Old Cranbrookians this year unscripted nature of weather up to the national stage in their Ptolemy is a great advocate on a stunningly diverse range of broadcasts and the technology chosen field. of colour and illustrated her topics.
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Parish Cake • Winter 2018 23 short story The Battle of Brian Part two of our new short fiction feature by local author Minnie Rowland
THE LOCAL obituaries have just He looked up to see a painfully thin I won’t hide this time, thought informed eighty-three-year-old and pale woman, standing behind Brian as he strode to the door and Brian Pilpott that his best-friend the shop counter. She smiled at him placed a trembling hand on the from childhood, Laurence Ledger without warmth and then loftily doorknob. Just then, the sound has died on September 20th. The declared: “How often do you hear from a low flying plane, filled the exact date that in 1943 both he about elderly people wandering air. The people outside stopped and Laurence were nearly killed. off appearing upset or confused or what they were doing and looked Laurence emerged from that day both? Patronisingly family deem up. “It’s not one of ours,” Brain a local hero; inwardly Brian felt them lost. Are they? Or have they whispered, tragically. second best. But did Laurence been found? By me.” She tilted her No, it was is a German Focke- die on that specific date by head. “I, mercifully, take them to Wulf 190 flying level with the coincidence? Lost in memories the exact moment of their precious buildings on the Cranbrook High of the past, Brian finds he has past that they obsess, I mean, Street, preparing to perform a ‘tip wandered to the Cranbrook High reminisce, about the most.” and run’ on the local residents Street shop, with the cement step below. ‘A hit ‘n’ run,’ Laurence that is so old it is sunken in the had savagely named these middle. “BRIAN?” SHE ASKED SMUGLY. spontaneous, pilot-initiated Brian peered down at his “DO YOU EVER WONDER IF YOUR attacks. orthopaedic, brown leather shoe WIFE, CLEMENTINE, WISHED THAT The locals outside began to that rest in the groove of the LARRY-LOVELY-LEDGER, AS THE scatter in panic. Like an explosion, sunken-step. For so long, he had GIRLS USED TO CALL HIM, HAD the rolling-roar of cannon fire actively tried to avoid this shop OF PROPOSED, FIRST!?” filled Brian’s ears. The street and the memories it held. But below burst open with spraying not today. Brian placed a shaky, asphalt, flying glass and screams. swollen jointed hand on the silver “Who are you,” Brian demanded Determined, Brian flung the door doorknob, took a breath and then in a shaky voice. open. The window of the shop burst inside. “I’m the string in the music of exploded and the noise of war He took in his surroundings. As time, Brian.” She pointed a long, filled the world. an eight-year-old, this had been bony finger to the clock. “At eleven- Two young boys, sprinting for Brian’s favourite shop mainly due past-three precisely, you know what their lives, barrelled towards the to the selection of Beano comics happens.” Brain saw it was now shop. It was Laurence and Brain. and the pick and mix lolly jars. So nine-past-three. She pointed to the Boy-Brain unseeing of the elderly to see nothing had changed, at all, door. “You can open that door, step man on the stoop, dove into was, well –disconcerting. Even the outside and re-enter September the sunken groove of the shop lolly jars, due to sugar rationing, 20th, 1943. Become a child again. doorstep and folded himself up were mostly empty or just a quarter Become the local hero. You can into a ball. Brian looked down on filled. change your fate,” she keened. himself and wanted to scream: ‘get He turned his gaze to the bay This feels wrong! Brian’s stomach up and be a man!’ But the little- window. Outside on the High Street, bubbled with fear. boy was shaking and crying so men wore hats, women wore victory “Brian? Do you ever wonder if ferociously, Brian was surprised roll hair-styles and ragamuffin your wife, Clementine, wished that by a sudden surge of compassion. children wore hand-me-down Larry-Lovely-Ledger, as the girls Poor wee thing! Brian reached out clothes. I’m back. So I’m… used to call him, had of proposed, to place a reassuring hand on the “Not dead,” said a female voice. first!?” boy’s shoulder. But the boy was
24 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 short story
gone. That was when Brian noticed Laurence and the now screaming Brian. his reassuring hand was now small, mother and child beneath him “Larry!” yelled Brian, holding out with unblemished skin and that of and soared up into the air, then a gnarled hand, “now let me save an eight-year-old. The tiredness of disappeared. And just like that, it you, my friend.” Hope washed over age lifted from Brian like a weight. was over. Larry’s young face as he sprinted I’m young again! His knees no A moment of horrifi ed then leapt up into Brian’s open longer hurt and he bent them silence before the shocked and arms. Brian stumbled backward as in readiness. It would be Brian traumatised locals began to peer he pulled Larry over the threshold. who would see that a young around owlishly. Those who could There was a fl ash of the elderly mother pushing a bucket pram stand, did so. Some could not and Larry who mouthed ‘thank you’ had frozen statue-still in shock others…they did not move at all… before he faded away. with her eyes bulging impotently “You COWARD!” shrieked the “Weren’t we two old fools?” at the approaching plane. Just as woman behind him. Brian whispered to thin air. Brian began his launch a terrifi ed “There are no cowards in war,” “Pardon?” asked a nervous voice looking Boy-Laurence pushed Brian roared and heard his voice he didn’t recognise. A woman, sat him backwards, then pelted past. was old again. He turned around behind a small desk clutching a Cannon fi re stabbed the pavement and was surprised to see the shop mobile phone. in his wake. An explosion of now contained modern women’s Brian’s face split open into a asphalt sent Laurence fl ying into clothing. But outside, it was still large and happy smile, as he strode the mother knocking her down 1943. Then Brian noticed the to the door. “I said, I’m going and tipping the pram onto its side. dejected looking young-Larry, home.” The German plane whizzed over staring wistfully at the elderly- They took a step.
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Parish Cake • Winter 2018 25 podiatry
Our new service is now available, so why not get in touch to fi nd out more.
Whether you’re an athlete, sporty or just like to be able to indulge in a bit of shopping or walking the dog, it’s easy to forget how much we ask of our feet until there is a problem. Podiatry Physiotherapy Our new podiatry service o ers a full range of diagnosis and treatments, including preventative care, for a range of problems a ecting your feet, ankles and lower legs.
Our highly experienced specialists in foot and ankle care can assess, diagnose and treat a range of podiatry issues and create a specifi c care and intervention plan just for you.
Orthopaedics In-house Podiatry is one of a range of services at Benenden Hospital including pharmacy physiotherapy, orthopaedics, a brand new diagnostics suite and an in-house pharmacy, o ering quick on-site referrals if needed and access to prescriptions before you leave. Free tea/co ee at the Pavillion restaurant and free parking mean you can take your time before or after your appointment.
New Blood Call us on: 01580 242 521 or visit us at imaging suite testing benendenhospital.org.uk/podiatry
The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 3454120. Registered charity number 1065995, Registered O ce, The Benenden Hospital Trust, Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX feature Tinker, Tailor, Soldier – Firefighter!
Our parish’s firefighters are a close- podiatry knit team. Trisha Fermor reports THE ROLE of firefighters has numerous The a shop manager. They are Phil changed dramatically since people team at Gower, Scott Spencer, David the days of horse drawn water throughout Cranbrook Howell, Steve Mummery, Paul Our new service is now available, so why pumps and hand-rung brass a wide area ranges Munday, Ben Neal, Mike Bailey, warning bells. covered by from a Fred Lineham and Tom Snell. not get in touch to fi nd out more. Cranbrook Fire Station has Cranbrook butcher Anyone wanting to become a been in the town more years to be treated to a window firefighter can go to the Kent than anyone can remember – quickly especially cleaner and a Fire and Rescue website (www. once housed in what is now the when an ambulance with transport manager to kent.fire-uk.org) and apply. parish council’s office at the paramedics was too far away or Vestry Hall. Then there were already treating someone. moves to sites at Baker’s Cross Mr Parkes was keen to stress Whether you’re an athlete, sporty or just like and the Regal Car Park. that the crew was a close- to be able to indulge in a bit of shopping or Since 1988, the 13 men who knit team with the emphasis Get Me Kn walking the dog, it’s easy to forget how much make up the team have had a on supporting each other ur ot purpose-built station to house particularly after incidents F DOG GROOMING s we ask of our feet until there is a problem. the appliance at the top of the involving fatalities. Nail clipping spa treatments hair styling bathing Podiatry Physiotherapy High Street. It carries all the “If someone is a bit down or teeth treatments and hand stripping. Our new podiatry service o ers a full range of diagnosis and latest equipment to tackle jobs very quiet after an incident we treatments, including preventative care, for a range of problems from fighting fires to cutting support them. There is good a ecting your feet, ankles and lower legs. crash victims out of vehicles camaraderie and much more Our highly experienced specialists in foot and ankle care can assess, and saving heart attack victims support now than before about diagnose and treat a range of podiatry issues and create a specifi c with a defibrillator. mental illness and trauma care and intervention plan just for you. According to Andy Parkes, training,” he said. watch manager, between 1 Tuesdays is training night Podiatry is one of a range of services at Benenden Hospital including Orthopaedics In-house April and 2 October this year, and jobs can include cutting up pharmacy physiotherapy, orthopaedics, a brand new diagnostics suite and an in-house pharmacy, o ering quick on-site referrals if needed and the crew has been called out cars with the latest equipment access to prescriptions before you leave. Free tea/co ee at the 323 times, the majority of calls or covering the high tower in Pavillion restaurant and free parking mean you can take your time having nothing to do with fires foam. Christmas before or after your appointment. or car crashes. The crew all live within GIFT VOUCHERS He said: “Seventy per cent five minutes of the station AVAILABLE of call-outs are for medical and there is always room New Blood Call us on: 01580 242 521 or visit us at problems. It is not uncommon for more to join. The latest imaging suite testing for us to turn up at someone’s recruit is Scott Spencer, 27, 2b Carriers Road, Cranbrook, TN17 3JU benendenhospital.org.uk/podiatry house before an ambulance.” who said: “Being a firefighter 07596 911331 This new role as first was something I have always [email protected] The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, number 3454120. Registered charity number 1065995, Registered O ce, The Benenden Hospital Trust, Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX responders has helped wanted to do.”
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 27 in bloom Awards Double For Cranbrook Bloomers! Gold and Silver Gilt for green-fingered enthusiasts, writes Trisha Fermor
THERE WERE two very good Britain in Bloom reasons for celebrating contest. Cranbrook in Bloom’s successes Only seven small towns this year. in Kent were invited to take Not only did it win gold again part in the latter competition in the South and South East in with Tunbridge Wells and Deal Bloom competition for making also awarded silver gilt. the town look so stunning The judges were bowled over but also a silver gilt in the by the hard work people in invitation-only nationwide Cranbrook had put in to make
the town look colourful and Council, who presented some of clean. Among the judges’ the many awards. remarks were “no sign of dog Eleven certificates of excellence mess, graffiti or litter seen”. were given to clubs and They were also impressed by businesses, as recommended the windmill and commented by the judges of South and Hypnotherapy & NLP on the “innovative idea” of South East in bloom. The Cubs, for Adults, Teens & Kids. sculptures around the town. Rainbow pre-school, Cranbrook Helen Evans CiB chairwoman Linda Page, Primary School gardening club DipCHyp, NLP, NLP4Kids, speaking at the October and forest school also received GHR, ANLP, CNHC presentation night, praised certificates. • Thyroid Condition Support everyone who had worked so Other winners were • Gastric Band Hypnotherapy hard. Certificates were given to Travis Perkins, Hurstways • Overcome Anxiety & Stress adults and children alike who Construction, Food for • Conquer Fears & Phobias • Manage Anger had joined in the community Thought, White Horse, George • Boost Confidence effort. She also praised those Hotel, Cranbrook School • Regain Self Esteem who had supported CiB’s Combined Cadet Force, and • Lift Depression fundraising events, the garden Cranbrook Guides. • Manage Test & Exam Worries • Give up Smoking safari, apple fair and the Linda and Brian Swann won Chelsea fringe Nuts in May. a silver gilt for their front Therapy rooms in Among those at the celebration garden entry and 42 were Sandhurst & Tenterden evening were the mayor of entered altogether. Eleven Tunbridge Wells Cllr. Len gold awards were presented, 16 Telephone: 07807 885 099 Email: [email protected] Horwood and Cllr. Bridget silver gilt and some silver and www.hevanstherapy.co.uk Veitch, chairman of Cranbrook bronze. Eight certificates of and Sissinghurst Parish appreciation were also given.
28 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 feature
Cllr. Robin Beck FROM THE How Wind-mill Lane ARCHIVES on the history of Quaker Became Quaker Lane Lane in Cranbrook
QUAKERISM IN Cranbrook began in 1655 vendor of the land was persuaded to retract with the arrival to the town of William the sale. Caton and John Stubbs, two prominent A site was then located at Courtstile in Quaker leaders in Kent. 1672 which is still called the Quaker Burial Folklore tells of gatherings of the Ground, located at the corner of Quaker converted beneath a large oak tree at Lane nearly opposite the Long Field the top of Whitewell Lane and at private gate. dwellings including John Colville’s house at By 1722, the ground was Wilsley. nearly full and the owner of the In 1659 Andrew Rimmington of the Glassenbury Estate, was asked Cranbrook Quakers purchased land to for an extension to the plot the freehold to Walter Horsley provide a burial ground as the clergy had which was granted in November of Wilsley. In 1946 the site refused to bury those who had taken to the that year. But by this time and surrounding plots were Quaker beliefs. The quarter acre plot was Quakerism was beginning to decline auctioned, without any mention of located on what is now the Ball Field. and the last meeting was held in 1751. the burial ground being the fi nal resting However, any dissident groups that had Local records denote that well over 100 place of many believers. separated from the established church Quakers were buried over the two sites, with It appears the name changed from The suffered intolerance, animosity and legal last ceremony in 1807 of Thomas Brown. Wind-mill Lane to Quaker Lane around persecution. As the site was considered The Courtstile site remained the property 1900, according to the memories of Charles to be too public a location for burials, the of the Quaker Society but in 1922 it sold Kennard, a local octogenarian.
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Parish Cake • Winter 2018 29
In the Garden
GARDENING IN the tremendous heat of this Saharan summer must have affected people in different ways. I am sure I am not alone in coming up with some bizarre thoughts while trying to eradicate unwanted weeds and pests and avoiding sunstroke. Looking back on this particularly diffi cult growing year I found my mind wondering to remedies (rather than brute force or poisons) for such Let’s Cook! annoyances as slugs, ground elder, bind weed, and other nuisances German bicarbonate of soda which have plagued us for years. Lebkuchen – and allow to stand Top of my “most unwanted” list then add cooled sugar Christmas in a and molasses mix. would be Aegopodium podagraria mouthful! – a rather grand sounding Latin 2 Add the rest of the To my mind Christmas name for an irritating plant which ingredients to make Aegopodium podagraria (Ground Elder) is never better can spread faster than Mo Farah a dough. Allow to celebrated than in can run. problem too but I am at a loss as to rest overnight in the Germany and thanks One day when temperatures again what culinary purpose I could put fridge (this is the most to my mother for this these irritants who make their home important part). hit 33C, I was doing battle with this wonderful recipe for in my borders, under pots and in the 3 Preheat the oven interloper, pulling out handfuls of festive biscuits which I cold frame. I have yet to fi nd a recipe to 180C/350F/Gas4. long white roots and wondering have enjoyed since my for these fi ends and to be honest I Use just enough fl our what other use they could be put to. childhood. Well, foraging is now the trendy way am not sure how I could make them when rolling out to INGEDIENTS make sure the dough to go. exciting enough to serve. Then there does not stick. Roll out With more and more people are the earwigs… Makes 30 biscuits to thickness of a pound turning their backs on conventional Perhaps the idea of eating 225g brown sugar coin. Use a round or food, perhaps these white wonders unwanted creepy crawlies to our 225g honey 225g light molasses heart-shaped cutter could fi nd their way as a substitute gardens is not the way forward 250g sour cream and place on baking for spaghetti or noodles? but foraging plants is certainly the 2 tbsp butter paper on a baking This led me to wondering how culinary trend of the moment. 1 tbsp bicarbonate of sheet. Bake for 15mins. else we could avoid trips to the Just imagine - fl ower beds alive soda 4 Mix half the lemon supermarket for comestibles. Snails with nettles, docks, dandelions, wild 1 tbsp cinnamon with the same quantity were pretty annoying this year garlic, heartsease and countless 1 tbsp cloves of water with icing and rather than buying prepacked other nibbles waiting to be 1 tbsp cocoa sugar and thinly frost harvested? molluscs from trendy fooderies 200g candied mixed peel the cooled biscuits or No more scrabbling around with we could start our own snail farm, 100g slivered almonds cover with chocolate “broken dinner knives” but the especially if we grow lots of dahlias 225g our. icing. Store in an sheer bliss of cutting and snipping which seem to be their favourite Juice of 1 lemon airtight container to let among the roses and lavender before food. We would obviously have to 1 Warm the brown the fl avours develop. grow our own garlic and parsley as harvesting another handful of tasty sugar, honey, molasses Frohe Weihnachten and Aegopodium podagraria for dinner. the traditional garnish. and butter. Cool. Mix a Happy Christmas! But it’s not just snails which Happy Christmas! the sour cream and Emma Fraser are sent to try us. Slugs are a huge Penny Royal
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32 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 planning Your Views are Important! Peter Mellor explains how to add your opinion about developments “bombarding”the parish
CRANBROOK, SISSINGHURST For those on the internet - and their surroundings search for our borough council are experiencing an website and select Search unprecedented bombardment for Planning Applications, of planning applications by read Comment on a Planning various housing developers. Application and then carry out They are all jumping in a Simple Search to bring up prior to our Neighbourhood ABOVE: The yellow planning notice placed adjacent to possible the details of the application. development sites will give basic details and the planning reference Development Plan (NDP) and To comment online you will number the borough-wide Local Plan need to register with the being determined. borough. Both Cranbrook and particularly Sissinghurst It is important to download and read the useful TWBC ELBA have never faced such huge expansion that will affect all leaflet Having your Say before our lives and the resulting commenting. Wishing you a consequences on the local For those not on the infrastructure. internet - write a letter to the MERRY CHRISTMAS It is extremely important borough, quoting the planning and a Prosperous New Year that when a planning application reference number application is submitted to and the site name, and Tunbridge Wells Borough send to: Planning Services, Council (TWBC), particularly Tunbridge Wells Borough by a developer who will likely Council, Town Hall, Tunbridge affect the quality of life in Wells TN1 1RS. your own surroundings and/or Your views are important that of the local community, and are taken into that you take the time and "We go that extra mile" consideration by the borough trouble to write or email your Lady & Gentlemen Drivers council – every comment, views to TWBC. email or letter counts - so Town and Country Allows you to Drink The yellow planning notice Travel in Style Like a Lord please just don’t leave it to placed adjacent to the possible Business and Social Pleasure Leave Like a Lady! development site will give others. basic details and the planning Don’t let developers do To Book Text: 07785 11 20 21 or Call: 01580 441 302 reference number – which what they want; if land has Email: [email protected] should always be quoted in to be developed, it should be www.elbaprivatehire.com any written response. what we want!
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 33 SUNDAY LUNCH WITH SANTA
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34 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 planning Vita and Harold’s Delos Replica Sissinghurst Castle Gardens’ latest project to be Restored recreates a landscape from the Greek island of Delos. Trisha Fermor reports
WORLD-RENOWNED garden designer Dan Pearson is behind an ambitious plan to re-create an historic part of Greece in the grounds of Sissinghurst Castle. The section of garden, named Delos after the World Heritage site, was originally laid out by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson in 1935 after a visit to the island. Mr Pearson, who has designed gardens all over the world, has offered his services free to the National Trust and presented his ideas to invited guests at the castle in October. He explained the plan – which includes tons of Kentish WE HAVE ragstone to replicate the landscape and ruins of Delos MOVED - was ambitious, but added: “You have to break a few eggs to make an omelette.” He went on: “The garden is a piece of theatre, a creation. even pomegranates. Much- Fresh Fruit & Vegetables • Flowers Delos is one of the most needed drainage will also be important archaeological, installed. It is hoped work can Plants • Shrubs • Hot & Cold Food historical and mythological start in February and take up Drinks • Groceries & Delicatessen sites in the world.” to two years. The current garden, said Mr At the end of Mr Pearson’s Pearson, had lost its way presentation he was asked if Open 7 Days a Week over the years and bore no the garden would sit uneasily Charity Farm Swattenden Lane resemblance to what had been next to the ancient castle there. buildings. Tel: 01580 712546 • www.hartleydyke.co.uk Some trees will be removed He said: “We need to be while others will be replaced confident about what we do. so the area can be opened up We don’t want to be tentative. to maximise light and sun. It will work because it is The plan is to create terraces confident. of stone and planting will “It is not going to be a Chelsea be “ephemeral” to include show garden in the wrong grasses, euphorbias, Judas place. I am sure we can get it trees, columnar junipers and right.”
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 35 36 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 update Update from Cllr. Tracy Moore Councillor Tracy Moore, cabinet member for economic development, on Cranbrook as a unique asset
I AM very aware that I have strategically focused and the responsibility for healthy local vision of the Five Year Plan economies across our beautiful 2017-2022 can be distilled into borough. Although Royal ‘Shaping the borough, making Tunbridge Wells is the largest a difference’, encompassing town, and gets a proportional the day to day services the share of attention, the borough council provides and also eight has other unique assets which big projects. The Cranbrook should not be forgotten. community centre is one of This is something that’s been these strategically important “THE HUB two is really productive, and in the forefront of my mind in projects where we are shaping PRESENTS demonstrates a much more recent weeks as I’ve had the the borough. SOME collaborative approach to pleasure of attending not one, The hub presents some COMPLEX planning policy formation for but two, networking events complex legal issues and the LEGAL Cranbrook and Sissinghurst than in beautiful Cranbrook. I was council has been working with ISSUES has existed in the past. delighted to be present for news the parish council to find a way AND THE There’s day-to-day interaction of the launch of The Hive, a forward. It looks like we now have COUNCIL between the council and new co-working space opening an agreement, a project board HAS BEEN the parish and residents of in early 2019. This was closely has been set up and a project WORKING Cranbrook and Sissinghurst, followed by my first Pudding Club manager will be recruited shortly WITH THE through planning decisions and lunch hosted by Buss Murton. – progress indeed. PARISH interventions, conservation Speaking to local businesses was The planning department COUNCIL advice and more, which all leads very informative and, I hope, the has been working very closely TO FIND to ensuring that Cranbrook beginning of a closer working with the parish council on A WAY retains its unique qualities while relationship. the Neighbourhood Plan. FORWARD” remaining part of the wider The borough council is The cooperation between the borough.
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38 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 feature
area of great excitement and development and there is even talk of creating a new fl ight level Droning On... for drone-only traffi c. Given the current rules and battery Drones – their uses, some myths technology, it may be a while debunked and a look to the future. before the skies are full of them, but drone delivery will come. Lance French reports The CAA is working with the industry to prevent chaos over Cranbrook. Do not expect to see the skies full of drones spying on us in the foreseeable future although they will certainly be part of our lives. There will be drone delivery of urgent medical supplies, search and rescue services, fi lming, and maybe even personal fl ying taxi drones, all in the name of “progress”. Remember – most drones are just people out having fun, they are not interested in spying on you. WITH DRONES set to be in the “DELIVERY BY DRONE top 10 Christmas gifts this year, IS AN AREA OF GREAT it is time to de-mystify the EXCITEMENT AND Your Country Lifestyle ever-growing market for these DEVELOPMENT AND must-have gadgets. Department Store! Flying drones is made easy THERE IS EVEN TALK by the use of complete fl ight OF CREATING A controller electronics that do NEW FLIGHT LEVEL Our departments are: much of the fl ying for the pilot. FOR DRONE-ONLY Equine • Small Holder • Pets & Wild Birds The modern technology is well- TRAFFIC” Garden • Gifts and Cards • Fuel proven and reliable and while accidents do happen, they are permission to take off and Clothing including: thankfully very rare. land. There is no such thing as Joules, Seasalt, White Stu , Toggi, Jack Wolfskin, Hoggs, Most drones are electric private airspace. What drones Thought, Jack Murphy, Hunter Outdoor and more... powered, relatively quiet photograph and fi lm is covered We have plenty of free parking, and we o er a free local compared to aircraft and are by privacy laws and it is no delivery for orders over £50 (£2.50 charge for under £50) very small. It is hard to imagine different to using a camera that the noise and sight of in the street – the same rules Open 8.30-5.30 weekdays, 9-5 Satudays and 10-4 Sundays apply. them can really be considered a Swattenden Lane Cranbrook, TN17 3PS nuisance. The CAA’s remit is limited All non-military UK airspace to safety and does not include is controlled by the Civil concern over privacy or Aviation Authority (CAA) and broadcast rights. Privacy issues no matter what you might be are covered by the Information told, they make the rules which Commissioners Offi ce, not the 01580 713189 | [email protected] are enforceable by the police. CAA. www.charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk Pilots need the landowners’ Delivery by drone is an
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 39 out & about Helen Grant Helen’s update on her work as MP for Maidstone and The Weald HELLO AGAIN everyone. 2018 has, inescapably, been the year of the ‘B’ word for us all and it seems certain that the Brexit saga will run for many more episodes, all the way into the next decade. This is a sea-change for our country and I will continue at restricting HGVs from to work with local authorities traversing our rural lanes and and the business community bridges. A new multilateral to ensure that we minimise committee has been convened the threats and maximise the for this purpose and I am very opportunities for our county. pleased to be a member of the Arterial highways after team. I thank John Wilson and Brexit is a work in progress, Councillor Sean Holden for but there’s also been a huge their leadership in this task. amount of effort targeted Across the Low and High Weald I have been lobbying continuously for improvements in our mobile Centre, and I was pleased phone and broadband to be asked to get involved communications. Alongside in the fundraising effort by copious correspondence I Chairman Tim Fagg. Turning also met with the Minister of to the action on the pitch, I State for Digital to progress watched the number 14 player that agenda. Some major with particular interest; Katy Personalised Home strides have been made with Allen is my wonderful diary Visiting Veterinary Service the provision of fibre services secretary, a longstanding in Cranbrook but there’s still Cranbrook resident and a Nicola is a local vet and believes in providing much to do in and around former Benenden school a stress free as possible service for your villages such as Sissinghurst student. I am proud to report beloved pets. and Frittenden and I continue she was cited for her sterling to push for faster and more efforts after the match! consistent services in these As we look toward 2019, if you • At home consultations • Geriatric care and blood • Dog, Cat, Rabbit vaccinations, pressure monitoring locations. think I can help you, please get • End of life care and • Pet Health Plan available On a recent visit to Cranbrook in touch - I am at your service. compassionate, digni ed • Puppy and Kitten welcome Rugby and Cricket Club, Call my constituency office at home euthanasia packs to watch the ladies rugby on 01622 669623, my London match, I learned of planning office on 020 7219 7107 or Consultations also available at Pets World permission success for a grand email helen.grant.mp@ Please call 01580 230585 to book an appointment. new clubhouse. It will provide parliament.uk. the town with marvellous I wish you all a very happy E [email protected] | www.wealdhomevets.com new facilities, complimentary Christmas. to the proposed Community Helen
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42 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 sponsored feature Scotney at Castle
Christmas STOTHARD ROB IMAGES/ TRUST NATIONAL Festive treats for everyone this Christmas at Scotney Castle
THIS CHRISTMAS there is children’s something for everyone toys under at Scotney Castle. the Christmas Join in a traditional tree, enjoy Victorian Christmas traditional inside the house, let decorations someone else do the sparkling in cooking and treat the low light, yourself to a traditional dance in the two or three course hall and see the festive lunch in the cosy dining room set tea room, or simply enjoy up for family NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES/WILLIAM SHAW IMAGES/WILLIAM TRUST NATIONAL a hot chocolate and Christmas HAMMOND IMAGES/JOHN TRUST NATIONAL mince pie after a winter celebrations. NOAH’S ARK stroll in the garden. Don’t CHILDREN’S TRAIL forget to avoid the busy STORYTELLING WITH Saturday 1 - Monday 31 high streets and fi nish off FATHER CHRISTMAS Dec, 10am-4pm. your day with a visit to AND MRS CLAUS Take part in our festive our gift shop for all those Saturday and Sunday 1, family trail around the last minute Christmas 2, 8, 9 & Saturday 15 - garden inspired by our goodies you need. Sunday 23 Dec, 9.30am & Victorian Noah’s ark, If you are visiting with 12noon. which will be on display the kids then why not Father Christmas will in the mansion. £2 per complete our festive be visiting Scotney and CASTLE IMAGES/SCOTNEY TRUST NATIONAL trail. family Noah’s ark trail in helping families feel even mince pies. We have got the garden, visit Father more festive this season. plenty of indoor seating BEAT THE CROWDS Christmas and Mrs Claus There’s storytelling and and a cosy log burner to Monday 5 Nov onwards. for storytelling in the gifts to add a sprinkle warm you up after your Your Christmas shopping Old Castle or wrap up of magic to all who visit to the garden. If you is made easy with us. warm for a visit to our visit (child £9, booking are looking for something Don’t battle the busy high children’s play area. essential - please note a more traditional you street but instead enjoy customer booking fee of can book a two or three the relaxing atmosphere HUSSEY FAMILY 5% applies). course Christmas lunch we can offer with a visit CHRISTMAS EVE For more in our tea room between to our exhibition inside Saturday 1 Dec- Sunday 6 CHRISTMAS LUNCHES information and 26 November and 21 the collection followed to book Christmas Jan, 11am-3pm. AND FESTIVE TREATS December (Monday- by lunch in our tearoom, experiences, please Celebrate the Victorian There are plenty of call 01892 893869 Friday only). Two before buying all you Christmas that the options available in our or visit www. courses £22.95, three need with our fantastic Hussey family would tea room, from light nationaltrust.org. courses £25.95. Booking range of Christmas have enjoyed. Play with snacks, hot meals or just uk/scotney-castle essential. goodies.
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 43 businessnews WOW What an Evening! Geo Rabbatt (Direct Electrical) and Tracy Moore MULTI MEDIA events promotion company, The Big (cabinet member TWBC) WOW, held its fi rst social networking event in the former Wilsley Hotel, once the studio and gallery of the Royal Academy and Cranbrook Colony artist John Calcott Horsley.
David Northcroft ( nance director – retired) and Tracy Moore (cabinet member TWBC) ABOVE: (left to right) Julie Taylor (Buss Murton Law), Roger Keech (Let’s Do Business and Start Up Loans Company), Deborah Martin (Lloyd Joe Mallion (Engine Room), Jo Mark Ellis (Federation of Small Martin), Dan Jones (Angel Fish Travel), Pearce (Angel Fish Travel) and Businesses and TWBC) and Julie Laura Clarke (Lloyd Martin) and Judy Dan Jones (Angel Fish Travel) Taylor (Buss Murton Law) Bishop-Lund (Arctic Fox) BRIAN CLIFFORD BRIAN
ABOVE: Roger Keech (Let’s Do Business and Start Up Loans Company) with Liz Goodfellow-Wil- FRAME PLACE liams (Wonder Women Network). Bespoke framing services Designed to create a buzz around business at the heart of the Weald, the Now open in Cranbrook, providing bespoke framing of original artwork, evening attracted many active and prints, photography and memorabilia. Visit us at the workshop on Dorothy infl uential members of the business Avenue for an estimate to create the perfect frame for whatever you want community. to display, wherever you’re displaying it. Among those that attended were representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses, Let’s Do Business Group and the Start Up Loans Company. Bottlers, The Old Brewery, Dorothy Avenue, Cranbrook. TN27 3AL. (t) (01580) 714220; (e) [email protected]; (f) @FramePlaceCranbrook Parish and borough councillors together www.frameplace.co.uk; with many business people also attended.
44 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 business
be a Smartzone providing members with The Hive business hub their own secure IP, hyper-fast symmetrical service and integrated telecoms. Emma explained: “Our aim is to create businessnews to open in Stone Street a vibrant and friendly hub, where anyone starting or running their own business THE WAY people work and where has can come for interaction, advice, support, changed in the past few years. Technology funding, solutions to problems and and changes to employment laws have led company. Many who work at home alone to a rapidly expanding workforce that is are in need of interaction with others. It more flexible and often functions remotely. will also be an advantage to be able to work There is also a record number of new, in a way that suits them knowing they can small companies being registered and connect to a superior internet service.” feedback shows they feel inadequately The couple worked hard building supported. This is evident in areas such as New Hub to relationships with organisations including the Weald. Create a Buzz banks, enterprise-funds, investors and In 2016 Emma Wood and Stuart Smith The couple formed Flexi-Hubs and advisors to build a support network for started looking for premises to launch a have secured premises in Stone Street, members. The Hive will also offer help hub to serve the business communities Cranbrook, to launch The Hive. to sixth form students to give them bridging the Kent and Sussex border. experience of a co-working environment, The aim was to create a centre offering Due to open next month, (January) it and exhibit art by Wealden artists. co-working, business support services will offer a wide range of choices including and a place for those running their own guest hot-desking, a confidential business For more information visit www.flexihubs. businesses to be able to socialise and booth, a meeting and presentation suite co.uk and hivehubs on Facebook and network. and an Anglo-Greek eatery. The centre will Twitter.
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Parish Cake • Winter 2018 45
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FAMILY LAW difficult, consider engaging a Tips: How to Prepare For Your family counsellor who will be able to provide a Ask our Divorce The Christmas holidays will safe environment for you to soon be here. It is this time of do so. year when people re-evaluate • Consider alternative Friendly their lives and the New Year methods of resolution. can bring an increase in Consider the alternative the number of new divorce methods of resolution, applications. If you find such as mediation or a Experts yourself considering making an collaborative approach which appointment in January here is likely to result in lower Buss Murton’s solicitors offer their expert advice are points to consider: costs. • Gather your Financial • Compromise PROPERTY LAW the homeowner. Information The outcome of divorce is Before your appointment compromise. Being prepared Private Drainage Systems – On the sale of your property gather details of your to discuss matters openly Matters to Consider you must inform the new financial information. will simplify proceedings and Many rural properties are not owner in writing that they are Include estimates for reduce costs. If you can both connected to mains drainage responsible for a septic tank the value of your home, maintain this frame of mind for foul and surface water discharge, providing records mortgage, bank accounts, it is likely you will be able to drainage and instead have a for maintenance and other savings, credit cards, loans, agree a resolution acceptable cesspool, septic tank or sewage information about the tank, its pensions and earnings. to you both. treatment plant in place. The location and any changes made Environment Agency have in to the system. • Take care of yourself If you would like further legal place ‘General Binding Rules’ When buying property, you It is extremely important advice we offer a free 30 minute which must be followed if you must also consider (if the septic to take care of your mental meeting for initial enquiries on own a property with a septic tank or treatment plant is not health. Your friends will any family law matter. tank or sewage treatment on land you will own) what be able to support you plant. Changes imposed by rights you have to use, maintain especially when frustrations and access the system. If the arise but consider the Environment Agency to JULIE TAYLOR system does not meet the obtaining the support of a septic tanks discharging to a Partner, Family and General Binding Rules then professional counsellor or watercourse may leave many Employment homeowners with a large bill to you would also need to enquire psychotherapist to help you If you would upgrade their systems. whether an Environmental through the process. like to A septic tank is an Permit is required. • Communicate with your discuss any If you would like to discuss spouse family or underground tank made of employ- any aspect of selling or buying Understandably two chambers where solids ment issues sink to the bottom and a property then please do get in communication tends to then please liquids flow over the top into contact with us. break down and it will help feel free to a drainage field. These tanks the process if you can both contact me still discuss matters. If on 01892 502 354 or by email are not permitted to discharge [email protected] into any watercourse. If the KERRY CARTER you are going to find this existing system does drain to Partner, Property and Private a watercourse then under the Client We are happy General Binding Rules, you to assist with further Find Buss must replace or upgrade your any questions Murton Law at septic tank treatment system – please info 31 High Street, to a sewage treatment plant feel free to Cranbrook. 01580 712 215 by 1 January 2020, or when contact me on 01892 [email protected] you sell your property, if it 502 304 or by email kcarter@ www.bussmurton.co.uk is before this date. This may bussmurton.co.uk therefore prove expensive to
Parish Cake • Winter 2018 47 News and views from Cranbrook update & Sissinghurst Parish Council Do you Know a Community Hero?
THE PARISH Council has what the contribution to the been invited to put forward community might be. The nominations for the Kent High Sheriff of Kent, Jane Association of Local Councils Ashton said: “There are many, (KALC) 2019 Community many unsung heroes in Kent Awards established to doing remarkable work for acknowledge and give the benefi t of others in their recognition to those selfl ess communities.” She added “The individuals from across the KALC Awards give recognition county that have made a to those individuals and it signifi cant contribution to gives me real pleasure to their local community. support them.” Local Councils make their Originally launched in 2013, own decisions about how among last year’s winners elderly and lonely people, and can be nominated - the person they want to identify those included volunteers who had a bell-ringer who maintains must live or work within the who have made a signifi cant spent many years organising the bells and winds the church parish. contribution to the local village activities, fundraising clock. The closing date for entries community and there are no for good causes, keeping Anyone that the parish is Thursday 31 January 2019. pre-determined criteria for villages clean, caring for the council thinks merits an award Cllr. Brian Clifford
Parish Council Our Committee Council Members Meetings – You’re Welcome! POLICY AND Cllr. David Cook ENVIRONMENTAL Cllr. Kim Fletcher RESOURCES Cllr. Trisha Fermor MANAGEMENT Cllr. Matt Hartley THE PUBLIC are welcome DEVELOPMENT Cllr. Tim Kemp Cllr. Andy Fairweather Cllr. Tim Kemp to all meetings. The Cllr. B Swann Cllr. John Smith (chairman) Cllr. John Smith next Full Parish Council (Chairman) Cllr. Nancy Warne. Cllr. Robin Beck meetings are on the 13 Cllr. Alison Bunyan Cllr. Brian Clifford Parish Council Tree December, 10 January Cllr. Brian Clifford BURIALS GROUNDS Cllr. Trisha Fermor Warden – Cllr. Trisha and the 14 February in Cllr. Andy Fairweather AND PROPERTIES Cllr. Andy Fletcher Fermor the Council Chamber at Cllr. Kim Fletcher Cllr. Brian Clifford Cllr. Graham Holmes Parish Warden – Ivor 7.30pm. The March and Cllr. Bridget Veitch (chairman) Cllr. John Smith Hatcher September Full Parish Cllr. Nancy Warne Cllr. Alison Bunyan Cllr. Brian Swann Council meetings are held Cllr. David Cook (Cllr. Linda Hall is PLANNING AND in the Parish Room in Cllr. Andy Fairweather NEIGHBOURHOOD not a member of a PRESERVATION Sissinghurst at 7.30pm. Cllr. Graham Holmes PLAN committee) MANAGEMENT Cllr. Nancy Warne Cllr. Alison Bunyan (chairman) (chairman)
48 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 Winter Strategy 2018–2019
IT IS the individual responsibility of every parishioner to take due care and attention in adverse weather conditions. The Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council has made no arrangements this winter for snow and ice clearance, salting or gritting of the Regal, Tanyard or Jockey Lane Car Parks. Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council will not undertake clearance of pavements within the parish. Residents GETTY IMAGES and businesses are encouraged to clear the areas in front of their own property, use by parishioners. Spreaders are available Sissinghurst must use the roads, car although this will be entirely at their own from the Parish Office at the corner of parks and pavements with due care and risk. Stone Street, under the Vestry Hall. attention. It must be clearly understood There are salt and grit bins throughout Throughout the winter season all that all users of the car parks do so at their the Cranbrook and Sissinghurst parish for residents and visitors to Cranbrook and own risk.
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Parish Cake • Winter 2018 49 local legend lancefrench.com/air 01580 852 727 LINDA CLIFFORD A Q&A with racehorse owner and former parish council chairman. As told to Trisha Fermor
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? RIGHT: LINDA AS Bettenham in the parish A YOUNG GIRL ON HER HORSE of Sissinghurst and then ZULEIKA WITH HER I progressed across the LATE BROTHER parish and went to live RICHARD in Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse. I now live in our Brian in London at the BBC. chairman from 1999-2002. present house on the estate. thoroughbreds and was I was also a governor of the WHEN DID YOU COME BACK lucky enough to have WHERE DID YOU GO TO village primary school for 17 TO SISSINGHURST? two wonderful horses, SCHOOL? years (chairman for three) and When we came back to the Sissinghurst Flyer and Little Stream Girls’ School was involved with planning village in 1976 we lived near Sissinghurst Storm who did and then Coursehorn which the building of the new school. the Three Chimneys and then well. They were in training became Dulwich Prep School. I was also on the committee of moved into our present home with Robin Dickin in I was one of the fi rst girls to St George’s Institute. I am very on the Sissinghurst Castle Stratford-upon-Avon. When go Little Stream. Later I went fond of the old building. estate. on to Walthamstow Hall and I was younger Vita Sackville- YOUR PREFERENCE: DOGS OR then Sheffi eld University WAS YOUR FAMILY West named my horse CATS? where I read sciences. I WELL-KNOWN? Zuleika. Oh dogs, particularly wanted to go up north. I was My grandfather Captain Beale, Labradors. I have had many WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV brought up in an area where who farmed at Sissinghurst, happy days beating and PROGRAMME? everyone votes Tory but at was a magistrate with Vita shooting. Coronation Street, I quite like heart I am a socialist. Sackville-West and my father it and it reminds me of my ANY CLOSE SHAVES? WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Stanley Stearns was chairman time up north [in a Yorkshire I was involved in a car Working for the Royal of the Kent National Farmers’ accent!] accident at Castleton’s Oak National Institute for the Union. James, my brother, which wrote off two antique WHAT DO YOU DO TO Blind. I wrote their weekly was on the parish council Belgian cars. The ambulance UNWIND? newspaper which was also and public service was in the came and I said I was OK but Read, history and biographies, available in Braille. I then family. the next two days I was in a I am not very keen on novels. went into publishing working Jack Moss encouraged me to lot of pain. for David and Charles and take his seat on the Cranbrook WHICH DAILY PAPER DO YOU ended up as paperback and Sissinghurst Parish WHAT IS THE MAIN READ? commissioning editor for Cape Council and suggested I carry HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LIFE? The sports bit of the Daily Chatto and Bodley Head. That on in the family tradition. I Winning my fi rst Telegraph and the Guardian was when I met my husband was a member in the 90s and steeplechase! I bred online.
50 Parish Cake • Winter 2018 lancefrench.com/air 01580 852 727