Summer 2023

Published by Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst Parish Council
CO-EDITORS -
Kim Fletcher and Carol Somers
SUB EDITORS -
Julian Flanders
ADVERTISING SALES -
David Hobden - 01892 677741
davidh@spacemarketing.co.uk
ADMIN SUPPORT - Graham Holmes
gpholmes@hotmail.co.uk
PRODUCED BY - Tally Rix - Coffee
Shop Media Ltd - 01580 848555,
tally@coffeeshopmedia.com
PUBLISHED BY - Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst Parish Council,
01580 713112
www.cranbrookandsissinghurstpc.co.uk
Whilst every effort is made to
ensure accuracy, the Cranbrook
and Sissinghurst Parish Council,
editor and authors cannot be
held responsible for published
errors. The views or opinions expressed do
not necessarily reflect views of the Cranbrook
and Sissinghurst Parish Council. Inclusion of
any advertising material does not constitute a
guarantee or endorsement of any products or
services or claims made.
SOMETHING FOR THE CAKE?
We love to hear from you. Please send
all ideas for contributions to The Cake to
clerk@cspc.org.uk by 1 August 2023
FRONT COVER
Jumeira, which means “burning
embers”, is at the glowing heart of the
Vale of Kent, and renowned for the
warmest of hospitality and guest style
service. Jumeira is recognised in the
south east as the outright winner of
‘Best Restaurant in Kent’. Building upon
its esteemed reputation, Jumeira has
recently expanded with the opening
of its third branch in Cranbrook,
promising to deliver the same
unrivalled standards and distinctive
flavours that it has always been
known for.
3 High Street, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17
3EB / 01580 493 812 /
www.jumeiragroup.co.uk
Chairman’s
Message
Cranbrook is being short changed by central and local government, by
uncaring people who have no idea about rural market towns.
The Department of Education shut High Weald, expecting all
children to go to academic schools in Tenterden, Maidstone or Paddock
Wood. We now see ‘ghost pupils’ who ought to be at school, but the
authorities do nothing about them, leaving them bored and finding
mischief in casual vandalism.
There are no school places for non-academic pupils who want skills in mechanics, building or
agriculture; all skills being driven out of the area by the cost of housing. The construction company
Hurstway ran wonderful apprenticeships but can no longer find the skills needed for our ancient
buildings and has ceased trading. The building trade estimates that 100,000 craftsmen are needed
to maintain our housing stock but there are few opportunities for local youngsters to develop the
necessary skills.
Going to school together creates lifelong bonds but with our children travelling all over the Weald
each day, these bonds are not being made. The environmental impact of the 600 or so children being
shipped out of the area and the 200 special needs children who are taxied into Cranbrook daily from
all over the county is not insignificant either.
Thank goodness for Cranbrook rugby and the Junior football clubs and Sissinghurst cricket, scouts,
guides and other children’s groups for engaging with local children each week.
House prices are raised locally because Cranbrook School offers excellent state academic selective
education, saving parents upto £250,000 in fees to go to St Ronan’s, Dulwich, Benenden, Bethany,
etc, so paying an extra £100,000 on a house makes financial sense.
What we are getting is new housing that locals cannot afford and gridlock at 3pm around the
landlocked primary schools in Cranbrook and Sissinghurst. We need affordable housing for a local
workforce and their children, and better local education that meets rural needs.
The new Weald of Kent parliamentary boundary puts our parish at the extreme west end of the
constituency that has no real focal point. We will need a firebrand MP to cut any ice in parliament,
no matter what colour their rosette. If you care about these issues, then find like-minded people and
let’s see what we can do together to express these views. Please do not think ‘something must be
done’, make it happen yourself.
Now’s the time for people to man the barricades again, just as they did in 1391!
Inside
this issue
REGUALRS
5 What’s on & Directory
6 Letters
8 Development News
9 High Street News
10 Local News
13 Club News
14 Event News
17 Wellbeing – Men’s Shed
and more
30 Let’s Cook
34 Badger’s Plot
39 Legal – executing a will
40 PC Update – annual report
FEATURES
19 The Memorial Hall –
Frittenden’s new £340,000
facilities
21 Jaegar’s Field – the story of
Bernard (Bill) Lytton Jaegar
22 Local Politics – Boundary
Commission changes
Cllr. Kim Fletcher,
chairman, Cranbrook
& Sissinghurst Parish
Council
25 Walking with Dogs – a quick
guide
26 Steam Train Volunteers
– opportunities with K&ES
Railway
29 Farming Matters – threats to
our orchards
31 Museum Matters –
celebrating 50 years
37 Cranbrook’s Revolting! – Ann
Historian on events in 1381
42 Cake Meets… Carol Gower,
CBA Millennium Outings
The Cake • Summer 2023 3