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MIRIAM STANDS BY HER MAN

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IN THE PINK THIS SEASON

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EMBRACING EXCESS IN JAKARTA

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INSIDETAXISDrivers call for action onillegal practices

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BUSINESSFears car park closure willaffect trade

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FARMERS MARKETEver-growing popularity oflocal produce

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EVENTSFood festival returns toThe Pantiles

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By David JarvisTHE heartbroken mother of one of the two young men killed in a horrific car accident has paid a tearful tribute to her number one son.

Kat Weston, Michael Owens mum said: My son, my friend, I wont say goodbye you will always be around in my eyes, a dad, a friend, and although youre gone, you will forever be my number one son.

Michael Owen and Kyle Careford were killed when their car ploughed into a church wall in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mr Owen, who had a four-year-old daughter, was 21 and Mr Careford was due to celebrate his 21st birthday today, Wednesday.

Tributes have poured in to the men, both from Tunbridge Wells.

Lauren Molloy, the mother of Mr Owens child, wrote

on social media: RIP to the most beautiful dad ever, you was an amazing daddy to our beautiful girl and I will make sure she remembers every amazing thing about you! We both love you! You was so perfect to both of us and Lily knows youre with the angels now and you will be looking down on her watching her grow up.

Mr Owens sister Rachel Weston added: My family and I are devastated and

were all struggling to come to terms with this terrible injustice. Michael was not only my sweet little brother but he was a loving dad, caring son and a great friend to many.

While Mr Carefords heartbroken sister Louise Turner simply posted a photograph of her late brother holding a little girl believed to be his niece.

For full story, turn to page 5

CLOSEKat Weston with Michael

TRAGICKyle Careford also died

My number one son Mums tearful tribute after two young men die in road tragedy

STANDS BY HER MAN

Wednesday 15th April 2015

2 NEWS

WEATHERTHE WEEK IN VIEW

THE nominations have closed and our main political parties have been unveiling their manifestos, one by one, in recent days.

There can have been fewer more sterile or more stage-managed campaigns in the history of British politics, where the main parties control the message and often hand-pick the messenger.

It means the press or broadcasters are often excluded or kept at barge-pole length from anything even approaching controversial.

No party dares having its juggernaut forced off the road by having a Gillian Duffy moment which so undermined Gordon Brown in 2010 when he was caught off camera (although with a mic still live) describing the Labour supporter as a bigoted woman.

Here in Kent, there has been little or controversy to speak of so far, either. Janice Atkinson, the Ukip candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, was given the order of the boot by

her party over an alleged expenses-fi ddling incident in Thanet.

Other than that, nothing of note has happened so far.

This has been amply displayed in the slightly fl at evening BBC Radio Kent election daily, Never Mind the Ballots.

The public service broadcaster has taken an undeniably safe and even-handed approach.

Unless something seismic happens between now and May 7, it is safe to assume that the Conservative Greg Clark will walk back into Westminster as MP with another thumping majority.

As an MP he is well-regarded and is seen as one for the future albeit not in the next government, if current polls are to be believed.

It will be interesting to see if Ukip can make any inroads into securing a larger stake in the vote at the expense of the Labour Party. Or will Labour benefi t from the Liberal

Democrats expected crash and burn?Perhaps the Greens can make capital from

the current trend towards its environmental, left-of-centre stance and popular, straight-talking national leader.

The Times will, however, be analysing the results ward by ward in the borough elections to see where the interesting trends might be.

OUR hearts go out to the families of the two young Tunbridge Wells men who died in Crowborough at the weekend. The Renault Clio they were travelling in crashed into a church wall and both were declared dead at the scene.

The details of why they died will doubtless emerge in the days, weeks and months to come.

But for the moment our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones.

Simon Finlay, Editor

EDITORS COMMENT

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WEDNESDAY SUNNY, FEELING WARM TODAY

APRIL 15 2015

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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CHECK OUT OUR CROSSWORDS, PUZZLES AND QUIZ ON PAGE 58. TO WHET YOUR APPETITE HERES A COUPLE OF CRYPTIC CLUES.

Firm politician is first on before he introduces acts (7) He doesnt do much to earn his reputation (5)

JUST TEASING

Rare migrant bird stopsoff for a tasty fish supper

A LARGE fish-eating raptor has been spotted hunting on Bewl Water, it was confirmed this week.

The impressive but very rare migrant osprey, also known as the fish eagle, has also been seen at various locations in Kent and East Sussex.

The ospreys are making their long and treacherous journey from Africa to Scotland and the north of England to breed this summer.

Bewls estate manager Howard Mackenzie said that the bird of prey was seen last Wednesday and Friday.

There have been further sightings near Hawkhurst and at the Arlington Reservoir near Polegate last Friday.

Ospreys will stop off at locations en route from their home territory to refuel as they head to the nesting sites in places like the Highlands and Cumbria.

They will often target well-stocked fisheries where there are easy pickings for the hunter, which makes dramatic feet-first lunges into the water to catch trout and other freshwater species.

The bird is so aerially proficient it is able to turn its catch in its talons so that the fishs head faces forward to make it easier to carry.

Mr Mackenzie said: One of the rangers saw them on Wednesday and Friday last week, which is slightly earlier than usual. They normally stop off for a day or two before moving on.

We might see them again in September when the adults and young start to make the return journey southwards.

Lucas Stephens, 57, spotted an osprey at the weekend near Hawkhurst.

The father of two said: I didnt see it for very long but it was definitely not a

buzzard and way too big to be any other bird of prey. I went straight home and looked it up.

The passage migrant has also been stopping over at the Arlington Reservoir where fly-fisherman have reported dramatic hunting expeditions by an osprey.

One said: It circled around a bit and made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to get a trout. It tried a third time and succeeded.

I watched with binoculars as it turned the fish round as it flew away. Id never seen one before so it was a very special moment.

Fewer than 500 birds make it to the United Kingdom each year and are regarded to have the threatened amber status by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The most famous nesting site is at Loch Garten in Scotland where pairs of ospreys have been returning for decades.

A RSPB spokesman said: The arrival of an osprey can cause quite a stir among birdwatchers. If youve missed them this time round, then theyll be coming through at the end of the summer.

Spectacular osprey seen hunting at Bewl

THE osprey is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to intentionally take, injure or kill an osprey or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young.

It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season. Violation of the law can attract fi nes up to 5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

LOCAL NEWS 3

Drivers want council to crack down on rule-breaking drivers

By Julie RaeTUNBRIDGE Wells taxi drivers have called on the council to clamp down on private hire cabs they claim are picking up people from the street illegally.

They say these cabbies are putting the public at risk by making their insurance invalid when they flout the rules of their licences.

Only hackney taxis licensed in the borough can pick up fares from anywhere within Tunbridge Wells without being pre-booked and they are the only cabs which can be flagged down on the street.

They can also only do street pick-ups within the borough or district authority which licenses them, and a private hire taxi can only carry customers booked in advance through its main office.

One of the cabbies, 45-year-old Rob Weiss from Rusthall who has been a hackney taxi

driver in the town for 12 years, told the Times: Theyre not insured if they have an accident.

God forbid they have an accident and injury occurs to the customer. They cannot claim as its an illegal hire. The council needs to put a stop to this.

Local cabbies claim they have seen private hire taxis outside kebab shops and bars at weekends, asking revellers if they want a taxi and touting for trade.

Monty Altinbas, a 47-year-old hackney driver who lives in the town centre, said: Some of these taxis have plates on them, they shouldnt be here. You can only work in the borough youre licensed in.

Ive watched them sit there from 11pm until 3am every weekend touting for fares. Ive heard them ask people if they want a taxi. Thats illegal.

Ahmad Ahmadi, 30, of High Brooms said: Were very angry. We would just like the council to support us and put a stop to these

taxis taking our business. I cant earn enough to pay my rent. Weve all phoned and emailed the licensing department repeatedly to make them aware of these illegal private hire taxis touting for business and the out-of-borough hackneys.

Ive sent them pictures of the taxis registration numbers, so have others. They havent even bothered to reply and dont seem to be interested. Even though its putting the people of Tunbridge Wells at risk.

In Tunbridge Wells both hackney and private hire taxis must display different coloured licence plates yellow for private hire and white for hackneys on the rear of the vehicle.

Every hackney cab must have a sign on its roof which is lit when plying for trade.

Private hire taxis should have stick on pre-booked only signs on their back doors.

julie@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

A FORMER local estate agent who wrote a book warning of the risks when selling a company is co-hosting a free seminar this month on how to exit a business.

Denise Barnes wrote Seller Beware How not to sell your Business after she lost money selling her Pembury-based estate agency chain. She blames the poor advice she received.

The How to Exit a Business The Good the Bad and the Ugly seminar and breakfast takes place on Tuesday, April 28 from 8 to 9am at The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells.

Miss Barnes will host the event with Philip Pilgrim and Chris Bushell, from business consultants Smart Support, and Filippa Connor, from insolvency and business rescue specialist RNF Business Advisory.

THE Spa Meadows development has had a positive impact on its surroundings, according to judges at this years Placemaking Awards.

The Town & County Housing project was highly commended in the southern England category of the awards, which seek to recognise best practice in the planning and delivery of placemaking projects.

There were more than 200 entries to the competition, in which judges looked for evidence that projects had had a positive impact on physical or environmental quality, or the wellbeing of a local community.

Town & Country director of development Colin Lissenden said: Its a great achievement for Town & Country and for our residents who supported us in the design of the scheme.

A WOMAN who was knocked off her bike a year ago and could not run for six months is taking on the London Marathon next weekend.

Siobhan Stirling suffered serious back and knee injuries in the accident, four days after she had raised 1,300 for the MS Society by completing the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon last spring.

The 47-year-old from Langton Green was given the all-clear to start running last

September but found training difficult.She said: Every time I got beyond five miles,

my back would become extremely painful again and I couldnt see how I would ever manage long distances again. Then I got an email from the MS Society saying they had some spare places for London. I wasnt sure what to do but decided to put my name in the hat, with a view that if I got a place it was a sign that my back would be OK.

Then in November I got the call saying I had got a place.

Mother of three Mrs Stirling, a former Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar pupil, has been training hard since.

She said: My back has gone from strength to strength. Ive managed to run 20 miles so hopefully Ill make it round the full 26.

My initial fundraising target for the MS Society was 2,000 but Im already broken that and Im up to 3,000.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/SiobhanStirling1

ACTION NEEDED From left, Ahmad Ahmadi, Yahya Nasir, Rob Weiss, Sachin Mandli, Beck Tadjibaev, Lek Smajlaj and Monty Altinbas

IN TRAINING Siobhan Stirling, pictured withson Eden and dog Honey

Mum beats injury to train for marathon

Spa Meadows receives award for development

Seminar on selling a business

THREE fire engines were called to a blaze across five acres of land in the Brenchley area last Friday. Crews were sent to the fire, in wood and grassland near Horsmonden Road, at about 2pm.

Firefighters spent two hours battling the blaze, while police were on hand to close the road and control traffic.

Crews battle fi ve-acre fi re

Tunbridge Wells cabbies call for action on the rogue taxis which flout the law

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APPROACHED by the Times with the cabbies concerns, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council issued a statement.

It said: The council would always advise people for their own safety to travel by taxi or pre-book with a private hire company as it is possible that illegal pick-ups would not be covered by insurance. Private hire vehicles licensed by TWBC have a licence plate that is predominantly yellow and hackney carriage, or taxi plates, are white.

TWBC has received a small number of complaints about private hire vehicles and has been sent photographs of vehicles licenced by neighbouring councils. A photograph of a private hire vehicle at a location is not evidence that the vehicle is plying for hire, it could be there to collect pre-booked passengers.

The council carries out regular taxi and private hire enforcement operations with Kent Police to ensure that regulations are complied with and could prosecute if it is established that private hire drivers are plying for hire.

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Wednesday 15th April 2015

4 GENERAL ELECTION 2015

GENERAL ELECTION 2015: THE CANDIDATES

PARTY CANDIDATE

CONSERVATIVE Greg Clark

LIBERAL Democrat James MacCleary

LABOUR Kevin Kerrigan

UKIP Colin Nicholson

GREEN Marie Jones

INDEPENDENT Graham Naismith

UKIP is set to become the main challenging party in Tunbridge Wells for the seat at Westminster, according to one polling prediction website.

The main challengers in 2010, the Liberal Democrats are forecast to be virtually wiped out into fourth place, says Electoral Calculus (EC).

Just six candidates have put their names forward to contest the Tunbridge Wells parliamentary seat at the general election on May 7.

But EC claims that MP Greg Clark will retain his seat with a 98 per cent likelihood of victory and a majority increased by six per cent to 37 per cent.

Ukip candidate Colin Nicholson would take his partys share of the vote from four per cent to more than 15 per cent, to leapfrog into second spot.

But the Lib Dems, according to EC, could slump from 25 per cent to 11 per cent on polling day.

The polling prediction service takes a poll of polls, trends and analysis to make its findings.

Electoral Calculus does not take into account local issues.

Lib Dem candidate James MacCleary said: I think it a little dangerous to draw conclusions from a national polling service.

We dont expect that result and its not what I am hearing on the doorsteps in Tunbridge Wells. Its clearly not realistic.

We are not detecting any backlash because of our involvement in the coalition and were getting some credit for what we have done in government in turning round the economy.

People recognised the countrys need before our own.

Labour is predicted to benefit according to

the website, by rising from 11 per cent to 15 per cent.

Candidate Kevin Kerrigan said: Im getting a lot of support out canvassing and doing street stalls, communicating with people.

We knock on doors in various parts of the borough. Historically this is a Conservative seat but there are a lot of people who do not want a Conservative MP.

Mr Clark said: Electoral Calculus is driven by national opinion polls not local factors.

He said that since the election race started the issue of mental health provision has featured high in the issues expressed by voters.

Tory Greg Clark and Lib Dem dismiss Electoral Calculus prediction

Ukip may come second in general election - poll

Democrat James MacCleary

Tory Greg Clark and Lib Dem dismiss Electoral Calculus prediction

in general election - pollin general election - poll

the website, by rising from 11 per cent to 15 per cent.

Candidate Kevin Kerrigan said: Im getting a lot of support out canvassing

James MacCleary

Colin Nicholson

Greg Clark

Kevin Kerrigan

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SUNDAY 21ST JUNE 2015 12PM ONWARDS

Wednesday 15th April 2015

LOCAL NEWS 5

By Julie Rae

MOVING tributes have poured in for two young friends who died in an early morning horror crash at a church on Sunday.

The young men, Michael Owen and Kyle Careford, both died when the Renault Clio they were travelling in hit the wall of St Michael and All Angels Church, Crowborough.

Both young men were from Tunbridge Wells. Mr Owen was 21 and Mr Careford would have celebrated his 21st birthday today, Wednesday.

The men were driving along Rotherfield Road at 12.40am on Sunday morning when the car hit a stone wall surrounding the church. Locals called emergency services but both young men were declared dead at the scene.

Floral tributes appeared near the church on Sunday afternoon and there was an outpouring of grief and tributes on social media.

Friend Jackson Marshall, said: Im so glad I

got back in contact with you both before this happened you was [sic] both good men and Mike you was my little brother growing up Im gutted I never did get to show ya how it done like I said I would r.i.p boys thanks for the memories Ill hold on to them Im gunna miss ya x

Jake Jenks wrote: Tears falling from my faceYou got at me boysId say rip but we know youre up there having it out. Ill carry this for life boys.

Zac Garty added: Another two lives lost rip Michael, its a shame we didnt sort out our differences. I am going to miss you. Sleep well fella x.

The vicar of St Michaels, Rev Alan Weaver, did not hear about the accident until the police called at about 2.30am.

He said: It is a terrible tragedy and my condolences go out to their families.

Sussex Police are still appealing for witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information should call 101, quoting Operation Lapwing.

On Facebook, Danni Parker wrote: Rest in paradise boys.

A CHARITY worker is calling for Tunbridge Wells streetlights to be switched back on, claiming the situation is a danger to women.

Kent County Council turned the lights off, in a number of streets, for part of the night to save cash and energy.

Volunteer Sue Rose said: The roads are pitch black once the streetlights go out.

Its definitely not safe. The darkness provides perfect places for people up to no good to hide. Victim Support advises women walking at night to stick to well-lit areas. How can they do that? The council has made the streets more dangerous.

Miss Rose, a volunteer with Tunbridge Wells-based charity Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services, said she does not feel safe at home when the streets are dark.

The 61-year-old added: My road becomes black and frightening. It makes it easier for burglars. I feel very unhappy and disappointed with the council. I understand they need to save money but I think theyre putting cash before safety.

The KCC scheme was completed in Tunbridge Wells in February 2014. Lights were turned off completely in some streets, or from midnight to 5.30am in winter and 1am to 6.30am in summer in others. The scheme will be reviewed next month.

A KCC spokesman said: KCC has not switched off lights in town centres, areas with CCTV, antisocial behaviour areas, at busy road junctions, roundabouts or sites with safety issues. KCC meets Kent Police regularly and they have indicated no overall increase in crime since the introduction of part-night lighting.

Many residents want all-night lighting and this will be affordable LED technology that will reduce KCCs energy and carbon tax spending by about 60 per cent allowing KCC to return to all-night lighting. Conversion to LED could start late this year or early 2016 starting with residential areas. This will take about a year.

Police appeal for witnesses to crash in which Michael and Kyle died

Sunshine over the floral tributes to the young men taken too soon

Charity worker wants street lights back on

TWENTY new jobs are to be created as a result of a 2.4m refurbishment of the Royal Wells Hotel.

The project, on which work started in January, includes a new orangery and courtyard garden, an extended Wells Bar and main ground floor function room and four new bedrooms, all en-suite.

Owing to the expansion of facilities, general manager Martin Lyall is recruiting for full and part-time positions, including chefs, front of house staff, supervisors and a receptionist.

He said: We have been overwhelmed by the response to our recruitment adverts, and are delighted to be able to provide an economic boost for the area.

Nigel Bunting, of Shepherd Neame which took over the hotel in 2012, added: We are confident that our new-look hotel will prove a popular choice for customers.

We cant wait to unveil it to the public.

The Royal Wells is due to reopen on Thursday, May 7.

Hotel expansion creates 20 jobs in the town centre

A 16-year-old from Tunbridge Wells has appeared in front of a court after an alleged mallet attack on fellow pupils at the Bennett Memorial Diocesan School.

The alleged attack happened on March 19 and the youngster was remanded to a secure unit at his first appearance before magistrates.

He was charged with grievous bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court last Friday where his case was adjourned again in preparation for a plea and case management hearing on June 17.

Mallet attack teen in court

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TRIBUTES Flowers and photographs have been left at the scene of the accident Kyle Careford

Michael Owen

Wednesday 15th April 2015

6 LOCAL NEWS

Commuter anger as rail bosses give staff shopping vouchers

By Julie RaeDISGUSTED commuters have called on Southeastern bosses to offer ticket refunds, after 4,000 staff were given shopping vouchers for their efforts during ongoing engineering works.

Each of the rail providers employees was given a 25 voucher in recognition of their efforts during disruption caused by the refurbishment of London Bridge station. But travellers who have waited on trains and at stations, and been crammed into overcrowded carriages, have called on Southeastern to refund at least some cash.

Michael Clerke, who regularly travels by train from Tunbridge Wells to London, said: Commuters are frustrated by the delays and overcrowding and its the bosses that are to blame. I hope the money for these vouchers came out of the pockets of the bosses.

Emily Brown, a 28-year-old from Marden who works in Tunbridge Wells, praised Southeastern for the gesture to its hardworking staff, but added: It would nice if they also gave us a bit of money off our season tickets when theres been delays or cancellations.

The rebuilding of London Bridge began in January and is expected to be complete by summer 2018. Southeastern trains to and from Charing Cross will not

stop there until next year. Since the work started, passengers have experienced

delays, cancellations and overcrowding.Molly Hunt, a 25-year-old from Tunbridge Wells who

travels by train to London regularly, said: Its a nice thing to do for the staff. But its not fair that I have to go on overcrowded trains and stand in stations on trains that have been cancelled. All commuters should receive discounts when trains are delayed.

Tony Clayton, chairman of the Sevenoaks Rail Travellers Association said: Passengers fed up by overcrowding and delays will say, Where are our vouchers? It would be unfair for them to be angry at the staff; they should be angry at the company.

A Southeastern spokesman said: This one-off token of appreciation reflects the commitment of staff and the hard work in delivering large-scale changes. In particular it recognises efforts to assist passengers during our biggest timetable change for five years. We are proud to reward them for their efforts.

We know our customers have had to change journey patternsand are grateful for their patience We continue to work to ensure all passengers are more satisfiedWe have pledged 2m, over and above our franchise commitments to deliver a number of passenger focused initiatives.

A TEENAGE drug dealer who tried to hide class A drugs within his body has been jailed.

Ehsen Abdul-Razak was sentenced this month after police seized more than 30 wraps of heroin and cocaine from a car in Tunbridge Wells.

More of the drugs were discovered secreted in Abdul-Razaks body by police after he was taken into custody.

The 19-year-old, from Strachan Close, Maidstone, was arrested on July 7 last year after police spotted him driving a Ford Puma and acting suspiciously. As they

approached his car, officers saw Abdul-Razak making desperate attempts to push his clenched fist inside his jeans. A package then dropped from his hand into the footwell of the car. This package contained 33 individual wraps of heroin and cocaine.

Police also seized almost 300 cash as well as further evidence of dealing from the car, including used wraps and cling film.

While in police custody, Abdul-Razak admitted to having more drugs secreted in his body, producing another package containing cocaine and heroin.

Abdul-Razak appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, April 9 for sentencing. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply heroin and a further count of possession with intent to supply cocaine.

He was sentenced to two years in a young offenders institution.

Tunbridge Wells chief inspector Dave Pate said: Its a successful outcome and yet another example of just how effective my officers continue to be in dealing with those who try to sell drugs in Tunbridge Wells.

Teenage drug dealer jailed for two years

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SENT DOWN Ehsen Abdul-Razak Wheres ours? ask Tunbridge Wells travellers affected by engineering delays

Emily Brown

Michael Clerke

Molly Hunt

THE FUTURE An artists impression of London Bridge after the refurbishment

Wednesday 15th April 2015

LOCAL NEWS 7

Closing car park will hit businesses hard John Street traders by Adam Wells

CLOSING the John Street car park will have a disastrous effect on business, traders have warned.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is to close the 90-space facility for 12 months from August 1, to allow the construction of three retail units and five flats, as well as resurfacing the car park itself.

The plans were approved in November 2014 but the news has come as a surprise to some.

Georgia Smart, of independent art and craft store Glazy Daisy which offers activity sessions for children, said customers take advantage of the two hours free parking offered in the car park.

She added: We had no idea.Its definitely going to affect us

the most. Everyone who comes here parks there.

Angus Howard, assistant manager of The Trading Post Bar

and Lounge, added: Its a hot spot for people coming here on their way through town. Its the lifeline of the St Johns area. Without it you stop the entire top end of the area from being used.

A lot of residents, customers and employees use it. Without it, its going to be difficult to find a place to park.

Another trader, who did not want to be named, said: Its a disaster. It will definitely hit us.

One business which will

not be hit by the closure is Stampede, a childrens shoe shop run by Andrea Afrifa.

Mrs Afrifa, who campaigned for years to improve parking facilities for retailers in the St Johns area, recently relocated to Camden Road, concerned about council plans for the facility.

She fought so hard for customers to be able to use it, said Dee Stanton, of the Paint and Paper Centre. Its a blow to everything she did.

A council spokesman said: We are making every effort to ensure that the work at John Street car park doesnt have a detrimental effect on local businesses.

A section of the car park will be open throughout the time the work is taking place.

At the end, there will be a resurfaced car park and new buildings enhancing the appearance of the retail frontage which we hope will be of benefit to the area.

STARBUY

MORE than 600 people have signed a petition backing an application to convert a listed glasshouse to a restaurant.

The Times reported last month that Emma Davies, who runs The Walled Nursery in Hawkhurst with husband Monty, wants Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to permit a Victorian vinery to be rebuilt using powder-coated aluminium. The glasshouse has been empty since it lost more than 300 panes in the storms of the 2013-14 winter.

Mrs Davies petition, which has been signed by 668 people, reads: This glasshouse could earn a substantial amount of revenue as a restaurant and training and events venue.

Sites such as Fulham Palace, Dyffryn Gardens and Chiswick House have already replaced large Victorian glasshouses with powder-coated aluminium and these glasshouses are now thriving. The Davies want the vinery to become a 21st century glasshouse to support the survival of the 19th century glasshouses, making The Walled Nursery sustainable and keeping the site inclusive of the community.

Carol Farley, who signed the petition, said: This is an extraordinarily valuable part of our heritage.

A small short-sighted decision not to allow this to happen will have a huge devastating effect. As there are precedents at other major heritage

sites in the country there can be no possible reason not to allow this.

A spokesman for TWBC said its head conservation offi cer had met the owners to discuss in particular the materials used for any renovation and that another issue would be the provision of additional ventilation to the vine house.

This could be overcome with some careful thought. This needs listed building consent which, to our knowledge, has not been applied for, said the spokesman. The councils principal conservation offi cer has received information from the owners, which is being reviewed. TWBC hasnt received any formal submissions in relation to the nursery.

Hundreds back nurserys glasshouse restaurant bid

PETITIONEmma and Monty Davies want to

rebuild a glasshouse as a restaurant

TO CLOSEThe John Street

car park

CONCERNEDAngus Howard thinks the closure will affect trade

TWO men have been charged in relation to burglaries of petrol stations and shops across Kent.

Detectives investigating a series of break-ins in areas including Cranbrook, Ashford and West Kingsdown, where large numbers of cigarettes have been stolen, arrested two men and a woman on April 2 in Turner Avenue, Cranbrook.

Peter Fabri, 36, of Gables Close, Grove Park, London, and 38-year-old Peter Moore, of Holborn Road, Plaistow, London, have both been charged with conspiracy to steal, between 18 August, 2014 and 3 April, 2015, in connection with offences reported in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Bedfordshire. Both have been remanded in custody and will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on April 24.

A 36-year-old woman from Hornchurch, Essex, has been bailed pending further inquiries until May 6. A 19-year-old man from Canning Town, London, was arrested in January and remains on bail, pending further inquiries, until April 23.

A CRYSTAL paperweight magnifying the sun caused a house blaze, firefighters believe.

Kent Fire and Rescue were called to Conghurst Lane, Hawkhurst, on Sunday afternoon. It is believed the ornament had transferred the suns rays, setting curtains alight. The fire also spread to the ceiling.

A KFRS spokesman said: This is not the first time a fire has started in this way, and KFRS is reminding everyone to take care when leaving anything on a window ledge that could magnify sunlight on to curtains or flammable materials.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Two charged over series of burglaries

Paperweight fi re

Child in car collision A CHILD was taken to hospital after an accident with a car in Southborough.

The eight-year-old boy had been knocked from his scooter in the collision, in Woolley Road last Thursday at about 6pm.

An air ambulance was called to the scene but the boy was taken to Kings College Hospital in London by road, with head and arm injuries.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

8 LOCAL NEWS

THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to The Pantiles next month to enjoy the sixth annual festival of food next month.

Visitors are expected to come from all over Kent and Sussex to enjoy the cooking demonstrations at the bandstand and beer festival in the Corn Exchange at The Pantiles Food Festival.

There will also be more than 40 stalls street food (both local and international), comedy with the King Elvis Chefs, live music and entertainment for children.

The event runs on Friday May 15, Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17 and organised by the Market Square Group and supported by local sponsors Targetfollow, The Pantiles traders and the Lower Pantiles.

Event spokesman Paul Kennedy said: Its bound to attract a lot of people into Tunbridge Wells and is essentially a fun event for all the family to enjoy as well the serious foodies.

Last year, there was an incredible turnout to The Pantiles Food Festival with estimates of upwards of 10,000 people having come to along to enjoy it. So were hoping to build on that.

Its a great celebration of local food and dishes from other parts of the world. There will be a massive selection of ales and beers to sample in the Corn Exchange.

On top of that there will be more than 40 stalls, live music and plenty of stuff to keep the kids entertained.

Last years event was blessed with stunning weather and Mr Kennedy is hoping the gods will be kind again this year.

It also marks the start of a year-long schedule of events planned by the Market Square Group.

The Pantiles is due to host a vintage fair, September food festival and a Christmas market.

The group has also revived The Pantiles Saturday market, which takes place on the first third Saturday of the month.

Thousands of foodies expected tohead for The Pantiles next monthFIRE crews were called out twice in one night

after youngsters set fire to piles of rubbish.The incidents happened on Tuesday

evening the first in Calverley Grounds and then in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.

Fire fighters went to Calverley Grounds at 8pm on April 7 where a group of teenagers had set a small pile of plastic on fire. No action was required.

The second call came at 2am on April 8 when the crew were sent to the Dorking Road entrance to the park.

Another small pile of rubbish set alight and no action was needed.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Plastic rubbish fi resspark two call-outs

A MAN has been jailed for two months for stealing alcohol from a Tunbridge Wells shop.

Ricky Skilton, 28, of Colebrook Road, stole 12.80 worth of goods from a store in High Brooms Road on February.

He appeared before Mid Kent Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to the theft and failing to surrender to the court on March 5.

Magistrates sentenced him to 60 days in prison, fined him 50 and ordered him to pay 6 in compensation.

COMMUNITY projects in Southborough and High Brooms have the chance to bid for grant funding this spring.

Southborough Town Council has a 50,000 pot, made available as part of planning permission for a homes development.

The cash will be split between five projects in the area which have proved they can fulfil all requirements of the grant.

The closing date for applications is June 1.

Drink thief jailed

Community cash bid

FOODIES Pantiles traders attracted

thousands last year

Its a great celebration of local food and dishes from other parts of the world

100 billion barrels of oil may lie under GatwickUP TO 100 billion barrels of oil could lie untapped underground at Horse Hill near Gatwick Airport, it was disclosed last week.

The exploration firm UK Oil & Gas Investments (UKOG) claims the area could hold 158 million barrels of oil per square mile.

But only a fraction of the 100 billion total would be recovered and by comparison the North Sea has produced about 45 billion barrels in 40 years.

UKOG chief executive Stephen Sanderson said: We think weve found a very signifi cant discovery here, probably the largest (onshore in the UK) in the last 30 years, and we think it has national signifi cance.

The company claims it does not intend to frack the oil, a process of pumping water, sand and chemicals into rocks at high pressure to liberate the oil and gas trapped within.

UKOG says most of the oil lies between

2,500ft (762m) and 3,000ft (914m) under the surface.

It describes this as a world class potential resource with potential for signifi cant daily oil production.

Oil has been produced onshore in the South of England for decades. There are currently around a dozen oil production sites across the Weald, a region spanning Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.

Last year British Geological Survey reported the region may have shale oil resources in the range of 2.2-to-8.5 billion barrels, with a central estimate of 4.4 billion barrels of oil.

Mr Sanderson added: Based on what weve found here, were looking at between 50 and 100 billion barrels of oil in place in the ground.

We believe we can recover between fi ve and 15 per cent the oil in the ground, which by 2030 could mean that we produce 10 to 30 per cent of the UKs oil demand from within the Weald area.

The group has also revived The Pantiles Saturday market, which takes place on the first third Saturday of the month.

FOODIESPantiles traders attracted

thousands last year

Its a great celebration of local food and dishes from other parts of the world

LOCAL NEWS 9

SIX-TIME world snooker champion Steve Davis will play at the Victoria Snooker Centre next month as the owners bid to increase membership and raise the clubs profile.Owner Graham Martin and his

24-year old son Liam took over the Camden Road club in 2010 and have since increased the number of paying members from 86 to more than 350. The appearance of Mr Davis, on

May 7, follows a similar sold-out event in 2011 featuring Jimmy The Whirlwind White. Mr Davis will play against

representatives from local sponsors, who are paying 250 each for the opportunity. He will also play the winner of a tournament held at the centre last month. Heineken is sponsoring the event and there will be a charity auction.A night like this will help raise

funds to refurbish the club, said Mr Martin. Things have gone well over the past 18 months.With many pubs removing pool

tables, were attracting different people who like to drink and play snooker. Theres more of a pub atmosphere these days.The club has nine snooker tables

and one pool table, as well

as dart boards and a screen showing sporting events.Tickets for the Steve Davis

exhibition evening are priced from 20. To book, call 01892 525833 or from the club.

By Julie RaeTHE private firm responsible for maintaining Tunbridge Wells green spaces will keep its contract until at least October, despite the concerns of councillors and residents.

Sodexo will be very carefully monitored to ensure it provides the standard of service expected, members of the borough councils scrutiny committee agreed on Monday.

The discussion came in response to Februarys scrutiny meeting, at which concerns were raised over grounds maintenance issues. These included the state of the Bayham Road pitches used by childrens football club Foresters FC, which members said were so waterlogged, matches had repeatedly been cancelled.

After the meeting, Cllr Tom Dawlings said: The committee reviewed the grounds maintenance contract and agreed to very carefully monitor Sodexos performance and receive another update at our meeting in October.

There have been some problems and we want to ensure these dont

happen again. Things are better than they were, but we want to make sure that everything is in place, that the contract delivers the service we and the public expect.

Cllr Dawlings said that in a bid to determine whether last years problems were caused by weather or maintenance failures, the committee will scrutinise the work carried out by Sodexo during the summer.

He added: We want to see how the contracts are working.

There are new people at Sodexo and theyre putting an awful lot of things right. We want to feel with confidence that itll work just as well during the winter.

We dont want to have matches cancelled again due to waterlogged pitches. We want to be sure by the end of the summer that we have everything in place.

Cllr Dianne Hill added: I think its probably the best way to go. But obviously in October if things havent improved, itll need to be looked at again.

At a meeting of the committee last October, concerns were raised about the contract and cabinet member Cllr Jane March said there had been a dramatic improvement in performance and the overall quality of the service was better. But the following month, Foresters FC raised its concerns over pitches.

No one from Sodexo was available for comment as the Times went to press.

Snooker exhibition at local club

Green spaces firm to keep contract despite complaintsSodexo will be scrutinised by council to ensure it improves service

Wednesday 15th April 2015

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KENT-based insurance firm Markerstudy has reached an agreement to acquire Chaucers UK motor business.

From headquarters in Whitstable, Kent, and a further office in Nottingham, the business to be acquired from Chaucer provides motor, commercial property and liability insurance to more than 450,000 customers in the UK via intermediaries and brokers, aggregators, and direct.

The purchase will extend the groups gross written premium to in excess of 900m and swell employee numbers by 430.

Kevin Spencer, group CEO, said: This acquisition will strengthen our core offering, and complement our strategy for growth and profitability.

I am pleased that we were in the fortunate position to be able to reach agreement to acquire the business. It will add significant value, positioning us for further success.

The Markerstudy group now employs about 3,250 staff.

The transaction is expected to complete in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approval.

The acquisition by Bessels Green-based Markerstudy includes the business written under the Chaucer Direct brand and REIS.

A MOTORSPORT legend from Edenbridge has bought Buckmore Park, it was announced this week.

Former Formula One world champion John Surtees, who was previously part-owner of the Medway track, is to acquire the business and assets of the companies operated by Bill Sisley at Buckmore Park, Buckmore Park Karting Ltd and Buckmore Park Kart Club Ltd.

The circuit, near Chatham, is where leading figures in motorsports including Lewis Hamilton started out.

Mr Surtees, 81, won the Formula One world title in 1964 and the 500cc motorcycle equivalent four times.

OPPONENTS of a sex shop in Southborough have failed in their bid to have it shut down.

The business had applied to Sevenoaks District Council to have its licence renewed but met with strong opposition from a local school and worried parents.

They were unhappy the premises, called Shhh, is on a route used by schoolchildren and claimed sixth formers might pass on porn to younger ones.

One objector, according to one report, told a public meeting her 12-year-old son had been traumatised after being shown pornographic images in a magazine by another child.

But a representative for Shhh said that the shop, which is usually staffed by two women, did not stock magazines.

He said that there is far more extreme imagery available at the touch of a button on the internet.

A local school complained the premises may undermine the work it does to counteract negative stereotypes.

The licence was granted with certain conditions applied.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Markerstudy acquires Chaucer business

F1 legend buys track

Sex shop row

FLOODEDOne of the Foresters FC pitches last winter

IMPROVEMENT Jane March

GAME ONGraham and Liam Martin

Wednesday 15th April 2015

By Gavin Cordon and James Tapsfield

DAVID Cameron held out the prospect of free childcare for working families and a tax-free minimum wage as he declared his was the real party of working people.

Unveiling the Conservative election manifesto, the Prime Minister said that after years of recession, the good life was finally at hand as he urged voters not to allow Labour to return the country to square one.

He said if the Tories returned to power, they would double existing free childcare provision for three and four-year-olds, saving parents 5,000 a year.

A Conservative government would also legislate to ensure no-one on the minimum wage would pay income tax.

With the extension of Margaret Thatchers Right to Buy scheme to 1.3 million housing association tenants and the promise to lift family homes worth over 1 million out of inheritance tax, this formed the centrepiece of the Conservatives pitch to voters.

At the heart of this manifesto is a simple proposition, Mr Cameron said at the launch in Swindon, Wiltshire. We are the party of working

people, offering you security at every stage of your life.

The Liberal Democrats dismissed the Tory plans as a short-term political con, while Labour leader Ed Miliband rejected their claims of being the workers party.

Mr Cameron struck a relentlessly positive note in his speech, referring ten times to the good life.

We are on the brink of something special. These past five years have been a critical period. We have drawn on all the resources of our nation to turn a great recession into a great recovery, he said. The next five years are about turning the good news in our economy into a good life for you and your family.

Theyre about realising the potential of Britain not as a debt-addicted, welfare-burdened, steadily-declining, once-great nation which is what we found but a country where a good life is there for everyone willing to work for it.

Mr Cameron said a Conservative government would take anyone earning less than 12,500 out of tax, raise the 50p tax threshold to 50,000 and invest 8 billion per year in the NHS.

But Lib Dem Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander said the Tories spending plans would mean massive cuts.

The Conservatives are now embarking on an unfunded spending spree that would make even Gordon Brown shudder - which can only be paid for by even more cuts, he said.

This manifesto is a desperate throw of the dice from a party that knows it cant win the election.

Mr Miliband said the Right to Buy offer would not work as the Tories had failed to find the money to fund it.

The reality about the Conservative Party is that they are the party not of working people. They are the party of the richest in our society and that is absolutely the case with what they are saying today, he said.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance questioned whether the promise of additional free childcare could be met in practice.

At the moment, government funding does not cover the cost of delivering 15 hours of childcare for three and four-year-olds, and so it has been left to providers and parents to make up the shortfall, said chief executive Neil Leitch.

It is difficult to see, therefore, how plans to double the current offer without addressing this can be implemented without leading to even higher childcare costs, or risking the sustainability of the sector altogether.

NICK Cleggs wife has been out supporting the Liberal Democrats, predicting her husband will keep his seat at the election.

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez looked relaxed as she chatted to ranger Guides, photographers and reporters in Marple, near Stockport.

She was in the Hazel Grove constituency to support Lib Dem candidate Lisa Smart, who is fighting to defend the seat held since 1997 for the party by Andrew Stunell.

Wearing jeans, and a jacket in Lib Dem yellow, Mrs Gonzalez Durantez took part in activities including making lava lamps, and pigs from chocolate eggs, biscuits and fondant.

Asked if the campaign was a hard time for her family, she said: Its a busy time.

I primarily focus on ensuring our children are ok and then I continue with my normal

life and try to help as I see I can fit, without changing completely my life, but helping as much as I can.

Its an exciting campaign. Nobodys going to have an outright majority and that makes it quite interesting.

She said Mr Clegg was holding up, predicted he would hang on to his Sheffield Hallam seat and said she was committed to supporting women in politics and was proud to be in Marple to support Miss Smart.

She said: She is exactly the sort of person we should see more of in Westminster. So if I can do anything to help her, Im here to do that.

There are five candidates standing in Hazel Grove on May 7: Darran Palmer (Ukip), Graham Reid (Green), Lisa Smart (Lib Dem), Michael Taylor (Labour) and William Wragg (Conservative).

PM promises tax cuts and to double free childcare

Cameron vows to deliver the good life

Wife backs Clegg for re-election

Ukip housing policy to protect green belt landUKIPS deputy chairman has insisted immigration is a bigger issue for Britains housing crisis than second home ownership.

Suzanne Evans said uncontrolled immigration had to be stopped to ensure there is any countryside left and to relieve pressure on housing demand and services.

She also accused the Conservatives of showing more hatred for the countryside than Labour as she unveiled the partys housing plans.

Ukip has pledged to prioritise bringing back into use some 300,000 empty properties and incentivise developers to build one million homes on brownfield sites by 2025.

Miss Evans said this would take place long before we even begin to consider allowing the destruction of our precious green belt. At this point, developments of between six and 12 houses on the edge of villages would be considered.

On major developments, a binding referendum would be offered if 5 per cent of voters in an area object.

Labour boost in poll A POLL of Conservative-held marginal seats has shown the Tories trailing or tied with Labour in five of the ten surveyed.

Finchley and Golders Green in north London where Margaret Thatcher was once MP is one of three seats where Labour is now ahead, according to the poll by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft. The poll gives Labour a two-point advantage over the Conservatives still well within the margin of error.

It puts Labour three points ahead in Crewe and Nantwich, two ahead in Milton Keynes South.

There were ties in Rossendale and Darwen, and South Ribble.

The Conservatives are ahead in the other five seats: Cleethorpes, with a narrow two-point advantage, Dover, Dudley South, Harlow, and North East Somerset.

The findings will hearten Labour amid contradictory polling evidence which suggests that so far neither of the two main parties has been able to make a decisive breakthrough.

Greens to create jobs THE Green Party is demanding an end to austerity and planning to create one million living wage jobs by raising public spending financed by big taxes on the rich.

Leader Natalie Bennett and the partys only MP Caroline Lucas called for a peaceful political revolution as they set out manifesto plans to create a fair economy.

Miss Bennett said: It sees the end of the disastrous policy of austerity that is making the poor, the disadvantaged and the young pay for the greed and the fraud of the bankers.

On more traditional ground for the party, Mrs Lucas set out 45 billion-worth of plans to tackle climate change, saying the environmental crisis was not some luxury that is only possible when there are good economic times.

NEWS IN BRIEF

GOOD LIFEDavid Cameron delivers his manifesto

SUPPORT Miriam Gonzalez Durantez took part in activities with the Guides

10 NATIONAL NEWS

Wednesday 15th April 2015

NATIONAL NEWS 11

You can never predict an injury or illness... but you can choose where and when to be treated.

01892 741150 www.spiretunbridgewells.comFordcombe Road, Fordcombe, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0RD

Frantic parents of missing studentKaren appeal for help to find herHandbag found in local park as police hunt is stepped up

Man, 36, in court over the death of al-Asad critic

Chip supper off menu?WARMING seas will push traditional fish favourites off the menu, a new study has suggested.

Fish such as haddock, plaice and lemon sole will decline as the North Sea warms by a predicted 1.8 degrees over 50 years, say scientists.

But other species such as John Dory and red mullet will shift their range into UK waters, according to modelling work.

Consumers wishing to eat locally-caught fish will need to change their diet, say University of Exeter researchers.

The classic fish and chips enjoyed by previous generations could be replaced by the likes of sardines and squid, according to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The research combined long-term data on popular North Sea fish, including haddock, hake, lemon sole, plaice and dab, with climate model projections from the Met Office for the next 50 years.

Soul man legend Percy Sledge has died at 73

SOUL singer Percy Sledge, famous for the legendary When a Man Loves A Woman, has died at the age of 73.

Steve Green from talent agency Artists International Management Inc told the BBC he had died at his home in Baton Rouge on Tuesday morning.

Mr Green said: He was one of my first acts, he was a terrific person and you dont find that in this business very often. He was truly a standout.

When a Man Loves a Woman reached the top ten twice in the UK.

It topped the US Billboard chart for two weeks in 1966, when it got to number four in the UK chart.

On re-release in 1987 it shot to number two when it was re-released in the UK in 1987 and later this week it will be the 49th anniversary of the songs release.

Sledge is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

He worked as a hospital nurse in the early 1960s before he became a singer.

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of Syrian-born preacher Abdul Hadi Arwani who was found shot dead in his car in north-west London earlier this month.

Mr Arwani, a British national, was found dead on 7 April in Wembley. He was believed to be a critic of Syrias president, Bashar al-Assad.

Leslie Cooper, 36, of Nightingale Road, Brent, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court yesterday, Tuesday.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey by tomorrow.

Rob Davis, from the Crown Prosecution Service, confirmed earlier it had authorised the Metropolitan Police

to charge Mr Cooper following an investigation by counter-terrorism officers.

Mr Arwani was found with bullet injuries to his chest in a parked car at the junction of Greenhill and The Paddocks.

The father of six had been an imam at the An Noor mosque in Acton, west London, from 2005 to 2011, and is believed to have attended protests against the Assad regime outside the Syrian embassy in London in 2012.

In 1982, he claimed he was forced to flee Syria after being sentenced to death for photographing damage in his home city of Hama following government suppression of a rebellion.

THE parents of a student who went missing after leaving a Glasgow nightclub have appealed for help in finding her, saying they are desperate for her to come home safely.

A search was launched for Karen Buckley, 24, after she was seen on CCTV footage in the early hours of Sunday morning talking to a man outside the Sanctuary in Dumbarton Road, Glasgow.

Late yesterday it was disclosed a handbag had been found in a local park.

The family of Miss Buckley, who is from Cork in the Republic of Ireland, have flown to Scotland to help with the search.

Mum Marian said: We just want Karen home safely, we are desperate. She is our only daughter, we love her dearly.

Miss Buckley arrived at the club with friends at about 11.45pm on Saturday and at about 1am, she told them she was going to the toilet. She failed to return and did not take her jacket.

She was seen outside on CCTV

talking to a man and then walking west along Dumbarton Road towards Church Street.

Friends of the Glasgow Caledonian University student raised the alarm on Sunday, saying it was very out of character for her not to return home.

Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr, from Police Scotlands major investigations teams, stressed that the male was not a suspect.

He said: From what we can see, she does not appear to be under duress, theres no signs of a struggle or reluctance on her part to leave the club.

However, that does not mean that something untoward has happened to her at a later stage.

There was talk of another man she had been seen with. Weve also traced him, weve spoken to him.

Miss Buckley is described as white and about 5ft to 5ft 2in. She has brown eyes and dark hair which had long black curly extensions.

When last seen, she was wearing a black jumpsuit with red high-

heeled shoes and was carrying a black handbag. She speaks with an Irish accent.

She lives with three other student friends in a flat in Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow.

Mr Kerr said that after leaving the club, Miss Buckley and the man she was seen speaking to on CCTV travelled to his flat in Dorchester Avenue, in his car.

She was last seen when she left the flat at about 4am and was planning to walk home to her flat in Hill Street.

A handbag which police believe belongs to Miss Buckley was found in Dawsholm Park, near Dorchester Avenue, early this afternoon.

Karen Buckley

VICTIM Abdul Hadi Arwani

Wednesday 15th April 2015

12 NATIONAL NEWS

Familys tributeto tragic teacher

Paratrooper Joshua awarded Victoria Cross by the Queen

Low oil prices will help growth in UK LOW oil prices will help sustain steady growth in the UK and other advanced economies but they face a threat from low inflation and stagnation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF predicted world growth of 3.5 per cent this year, unchanged from its January projection.

Its forecast for UK growth this year remains at 2.7 per cent though for next year, it is cut from 2.4to 2.3 per cent.

It said: In the United Kingdom, lower oil prices and improved financial market conditions are expected to support continued steady growth.

The IMF said global expansion this year will be driven by a rebound in advanced economies supported by the decline in oil prices.

But global prospects were uneven, with growth slipping back in emerging economies.

The IMF said that while risks to global growth are more balanced than six months ago, they remain tilted to the downside.

These included the danger of low inflation in countries saddled by high debt, with the warning coming on the same day that official figures showed inflation falling to minus 0.01 per cent in the UK.

BGT viewer complaints BRITAINS Got Talent has defended a talking dog act after it sparked dozens of complaints.

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has now received 30 complaints, while ITV had another 35 about Miss Wendy, a dog which appeared to talk.

The RSPCA said that it would be contacting the ITV show to see what methods French ventriloquist Marc Metral had used on the animal.

But a spokeswoman for the talent show said: During the audition process we consulted the RSPCAs guidelines for the welfare of performing animals and spoke to Marc in detail about his act.

Ape birthday party A GORILLA which became a viralvideo sensation when footage emerged of him walking like a human has celebrated his 25th birthday.

Online video of western lowland gorilla Ambam aping humans with his unusual habit of walking upright has been viewed nearly six million times since 2011.

Normally gorillas get around on all fours, but Ambam has perfected balancing on his two hind legs at Port Lympne wild animal park near Hythe, Kent. Standing up has given Ambam a number of advantages including enabling him to look over obstacles and carry objects in his two free hands.

NEWS IN BRIEF

By Tom White

THE family of a young teacher hit and killed by a car in Mexico said she was devoted to the children she taught and they have been devastated by her death.

Alix Bussey, 23, was on holiday with her boyfriend Jonathan Boyle, 23, in the resort of Riviera Maya and they were coming to the end of their first trip abroad together.

But tragedy struck when she was hit by a car as they made their way back to their hotel after a night out.

Miss Bussey, a teacher at Bowburn Infants School, Bowburn, County Durham, studied at Northumbria University before she secured her first job in teaching at the school.

Yesterday, her parents Colin and Penny, and younger sister, 21-year-old Leigh, spoke of their shock at her death and said she had lived life to the full.

Mrs Bussey, 50, said: Were absolutely devastated by what has happened and waiting to be given more information by the Foreign Office. Alix adored being a

teacher, it was all she wanted to do from the age of seven and she was devoted to the education and welfare of the children she taught.

She lived life to the full, loved to party and she and Jonathan were besotted with each other. Although they had been away on several occasions, this was their first holiday abroad and they had been having a great experience.

Only the night before, she had texted Leigh to say she was having the bestest time ever.

Mr Bussey, 55, added: Alix had a wide circle of friends and the support we have had from them, and members of both families has been unbelievable. All of our thoughts are with Jonathan and his family as they are going through this with us.

The family said she had visited India as part of a school exchange last year and was also a season ticket holder at Newcastle United with her father and sister.

Durham Constabulary said it has been working with the family since the incident on Thursday and that an inquest would take place in due course.

A PARATROOPER who risked death on three separate occasions during a battle with the Taliban, and rallied his comrades in the process, has been awarded the Victoria Cross by the Queen.

Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey, the second member of his family to receive the armed forces highest gallantry medal, played down his actions and paid tribute to his regiment and the Army.

When a UK/US assault on a Taliban stronghold was pinned down by strong resistance, L/Cpl Leakey took command and risked enemy fire to survey the area before giving first aid to a wounded US officer, and leading his evacuation, then returned to the fight.

On two separate occasions, as bullets flew dangerously close, he retrieved machine guns and took the battle to the Taliban, rallying troops around him.

L/Cpl Leakeys citation was read during the Windsor Castle ceremony.

It stated the paratrooper, from the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment, showed complete disregard for his own safety when his group came under attack from about 20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.

The 27-year-old from Hampshire said: Its great for my family, my friends, my regiment - but it does for me highlight the sacrifice everyones made in Afghan, not just in terms of the loss of life and limbs but people going away for months on end.

Young woman hit by a car while on Mexico holiday

TEACHER Alix Bussey was devoted to the children she taught

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Wednesday 15th April 2015

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 13

Nigeria: No promises on missing schoolgirls

Nuclear court ruling in Japan

No sign of 219 students one year on

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THE Nigerian president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has conceded he cannot promise to find 219 schoolgirls abducted by Islamic extremists a year ago.

He said their whereabouts are unknown, adding: We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued.

Activists are marking the anniversary of the mass abduction from a school in Chibok, a town in north-east Nigeria, with a change in their slogan from Bring Back Our Girls - Now and Alive to Never to be Forgotten.

Pakistani activist Yousafzai Malala, meanwhile, has promised the girls scholarships and says they must never lose hope.

Mr Buhari said yesterday: As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them.

The failure to rescue the girls has prompted criticism of Goodluck Jonathans government and the Nigerian military, which is accused of making false promises to bring them home.

Observers say the saga has

contributed to Mr Jonathans thrashing at the polls by former military dictator Mr Buhar.

He added: We hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly. This new approach must also begin with honesty.

The kidnapping sparked a mass movement around the world around the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

In New York City, the campaign said the Empire State Building will be lit up over the hours the girls were snatched, in its purple and red colours symbolising its call for an end to violence against women and girls.

At least 2,000 women and girls have been abducted by Boko Haram since the start of last year.

Many have been forced into sexual slavery and trained to fight, Amnesty International said in a report marking the anniversary.

Hundreds of boys and young men have also been kidnapped and forced to fight with the extremists, or slaughtered for refusing to do so, it said.

A COURT has issued an injunction ordering two Japanese nuclear reactors to stay offline, rejecting regulators safety approval for the facility ahead of their planned restart later this year.

The Fukui District Court ordered Kansai Electric Power Co not to restart the No 3 and No 4 reactors at the Takahama plant in Fukui.

The court criticised the Nuclear Regulation Authoritys safety standards for being too lax.

It said meeting the new standards does not guarantee the safety of the Takahama reactors.

In the wake of the crisis, all 48 reactors in Japan were taken offline for safety checks.

A group of residents and their supporters requested the injunction, saying a massive earthquake exceeding the facilitys quake resistance standards could cause tremendous damage to the region, similar to the Fukushima crisis.

Kansai Electric said it planned to appeal against the ruling, calling it extremely regrettable and unacceptable. It said the Takahama reactors safety had been endorsed by the regulators.

A GOLFER has been bitten on the leg by a crocodile while playing at an Australian tourist resort.

Police Senior Sergeant James Coate told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the man, aged in his 70s, received two puncture holes to his left calf.

He was bitten by a 4ft saltwater crocodile yesterday at the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course at the tourist town of Port Douglas on Queensland states Great Barrier Reef.

The officer said the man, whose name has not been released, was taken to the Mossman Hospital in a stable condition.

He said the crocodile had been lurking in a waterway on the 11th hole. The department of environment will attempt to catch the crocodile, which is a protected species.

THE newest giraffe at Dallas Zoo has millions of fans just days after its birth thanks to a camera streaming live video of the calf playing and nuzzling with its mother.

The female calf was born on Friday afternoon - weighing 139lb and standing 5ft 10ins tall.

The zoo allowed US cable television channel Animal Planet to install the video, which has been operating since last week to enable viewers to watch for the birth and the calf.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Golfer bitten on leg by crocodile at 11th hole

Giraffe birth cam success

Wednesday 15th April 2015

14 BUSINESS NEWS

By Roger BairdDISCOUNT retailer Poundland, which faces a probe into its takeover of rival 99p Stores, said its annual sales topped 1 billion for the first time.

The West Midlands-based firm, which has 547 UK stores and 41 outlets in Ireland, reported a rise in sales of 11.4 per cent to 1.1 billion for the year to March 29.

It said same store sales lifted by 2.4 per cent during the period, adding that it opened 60 stores in the UK and Ireland as planned, ten fewer than last year.

The group said its full-year sales growth was lower than last years 13.3 per cent rise due to strong trading the previous year and fewer stores opening.

The group faces a competition probe from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into its 55 million takeover of rival 99p Stores, which could see it having to sell off a clutch of outlets.

The planned merger, announced in February, would create a network of 800 shops.

Last week the CMA said the deal could mean substantial lessening of competition in 80 local areas where the companies overlap and 12 wherethey would compete in the near future.

Today, Poundland said it continued to consider the CMAs announcement and will make a further announcement in due course.

The retailer added that it has a strong pipeline of openings for the current financial year and it is on track to meet full-year underlying pre-tax profit forecasts of 43.8 million.

Poundland: the billion poundbusiness as sales still soar

House price growth slowing in 2015

Success continues despite probe into 99p Stores takeover bid

HOUSE prices increased by 0.6 per cent month on month in February but the annual pace of growth in property values is showing signs of slowing across the majority of the UK, according to an official report.

Year-on-year growth in house prices stood

at 7.2 per cent in February, edging down from growth of 8.4 per cent recorded in the year to January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The average UK house price is 268,000 in February, meaning property values are now

0.8 per cent lower than the record levels seen last August.

The ONS report said: Annual house price growth is showing signs of slowing across the majority of the UK.

Across England, prices have increased by 7.4 per cent over the last year, to reach 280,000 on average.

London house prices are now 2.4 per cent below an all-time high seen last August, but they are still more than one third (36 per cent) higher than average values there in 2008.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said house price growth has been reined in by a cool down in housing market activity compared with peak levels seen in early 2014.

He added:We suspect that the weakening of housing market activity is bottoming out and we see it gradually picking up over the coming months.

Mortgage lenders are continuing to cut the rates on offer on home loans.

A lack of homes for buyers to choose from is another factor which experts have said is helping to keep house prices up.

Chief executive Jim McCarthy said: After a solid quarter of sales growth, Poundlands revenue for the 2015 financial year was over 1 billion for the first time.

The group said it was pleased with the progress of its Spanish trial format, which saw it reach a total of five stores in the final 13 weeks of its year.

Lewis Sturdy, a dealer at London Capital Group, said: Poundland has proved that if you look after your pennies the pounds will look afterthemselves - 1 billion worth of revenue for the first time.

Investors may shrug off the competition probe into Poundlands takeover of rival 99p Stores as operations are cashing up fine.

British Gas gets new MDsCENTRICA has announced the appointment of Mark Hodges as managing director of British Gas ending an 11-month search for a new leader.

The appointment follows the departure of Chris Weston, who announced he was leaving British Gas to join Aggreko last May.

Mr Hodges joins British Gas from specialist insurance broker, Towergate.

He will take on his responsibilities from 1 June, and will also join the Centrica board.

Mr Hodges was a senior executive as Aviva for 20 years before leaving to become chief executive of Towergate in 2011.

He will be paid basic salary of 625,000 and received a bonus of up to 100 per cent of salary if all performance targets are met.

Clydesdale PPI fineTHE Clydesdale Bank has been fined 20.7m by the City regulator for serious failings in the way it handled complaints about Payment Protection Insurance (PPI).

The fine is the largest of its type imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

As many as 93,000 customers may be entitled to refunds or additional compensation, the FCA announced.

The Clydesdale apologised, and said it had now changed its procedures.

Miliband claims Labour can handle economyLABOUR would be a government of both change and responsibility, Ed Miliband said as he launched his partys election manifesto centred on boosting voters faith in the party to handle the economy.

The Labour leader said it was the Tories making unfunded, unfair and unbelievable promises.

But political rivals said nobody will be fooled by the Opposition leaders commitment to cut the national deficit every year and not borrow any money to fund policy pledges.

Prime Minister David Cameron said it was not a conversion, it is a con and George Osborne said the small print .. confirms that he will run a deficit every year which means higher borrowing, more debt and higher taxes.

And Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg compared Labours pledge on borrowing to a bottle-a-day alcoholic saying they have no plans to drink more vodka.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Wednesday 15th April 2015

16 BUSINESS NEWS

Business coach keen to provide advice and fresh thinking to west Kent firmsFormer CEO says managers must ask tough questions and identify their market

As all businesses grow, they eventually slow down. The challenge is what to do when you hit a roadblock

They often do not have a clear marketing strategy to ensure the company does not just muddle along

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By Steve Hemsley

IN THE world of business, Mark Ballett has seen it all.

Over the past 25 years, the former BP exploration geologist, who has an MBA from Warwick Business School, has managed companies around the world in the food, building, and telecoms sectors. He has also raised millions of pounds of finance for various corporations.

Today, the 59-year-old is a successful business coach and

mentor. He recently moved to Wadhurst and is keen to provide advice and fresh thinking to large and small businesses in west Kent and East Sussex which are not reaching their full potential.

He will be a guest speaker at the Tunbridge Wells Mums in Business event at the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, The Pantiles, on Wednesday, April 29 and is already leader of the Wadhurst & District Business Association.

As all businesses grow, they eventually slow down. The

challenge is what to do when you hit a roadblock, said Mr Ballett.

You might be struggling because of new competition in the market, a lack of resources or staffing issues. Can you reinvent yourself?

He says people often start businesses because they have a particular skill, perhaps in sales or IT, but they can lack management skills. Crucially, he adds, they often do not have a clear marketing strategy to ensure the company does not just muddle along.

He added: My experience of leadership and management of businesses of all shapes and sizes means I can provide west Kent companies with some objective input. Ultimately I can give people back their confidence.

Mr Balletts track record before he became a business coach is impressive.

After he left BP, he was appointed CEO designate of a 300-employee bakery producing a million loaves a week and supplying supermarkets. He then became a director of Laing Superhomes, the fifth largest housebuilder in the UK during the eighties construction boom, building 5,000 homes a year.

When the housing slump hit, he moved into telecoms. He turned around the iconic Mercury Payphones business within the Cable & Wireless group and became managing director of Norweb Telecom in the northwest. He grew sales from 11m to 100m in two years.

He then raised 80m from Soros Private Equity, Madison Dearborn and Partners and the Toronto Dominion Bank to start the first business broadband company in the UK called OnCue Communications. Within 18 months, he took the company from a start-up to a 1m turnover business employing 150 staff.

He was later group CEO of EXI Telecom which had 1,400 staff and a turnover of 100m.

Mr Ballett, who has written a book Build Your Ultimate Business in 100 Days, is keen to share his knowledge and experience with local companies.

He says business owners and managers need to take a step back and ask themselves tough questions:

Why should someone buy from you? What do you have that makes you

different? Is there still a demand for what you

do? Have you evolved over time? Can you make enough money from

your business? Do still enjoy it?

People need to go through this analytical process if their business is struggling or is not growing as fast as it could be, Mr Ballett said. It helps them identify a market for what they do and focus on what makes them different.

Mr Ballett says we tend to buy products and services based on the emotional connection we feel for them and our perception of a national or local brand.