Winter 2023

Tasty local stories, published by Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council
Winter 2023 | FREE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Care Workers
FULL TIME & PART TIME CARER WORKERS
REQUIRED IN TENTERDEN, CRANBROOK, STAPLEHURST
AND MANY OF THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES.
Could be your main income, just a few hours each week to support with expenses.
We have Mornings, Lunchtimes, Teatimes, Evenings and Weekend calls
available. Also some Domestic Calls & Sleep Ins to cover.
HOURLY RATE
MILEAGE &
TRAVEL TIME
PAID FROM 1ST
TO LAST CALL
JOIN US IN
2023 TO
RECEIVE
A £200
INCENTIVE
BONUS FOR
NEW WORKERS
Any experience is beneficial such as raising children, looking after elderly parents/
grand children. But, FULL TRAINING will be provided to all applicants.
Why not contact us to discuss more about the
work and what hours you are looking for?
Call Natalie or Chloe 01580 762244
These positions are exempt from the rehabilitation of offenders act

WELCOME
Published by Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst Parish Council
CO-EDITOR
Kim Fletcher and Carol Somers
SUB EDITOR
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 5 February 2024
Chairman’s
Message
That’s not your job!
Why are you getting involved in education, a medical
centre, a pre-school? I hear these comments quite
regularly, but if we as a community do not get
involved, we will soon find more services withdrawn from rural areas like ours.
As it is, Kent County Council have plans to remove all Youth Services from the
rural parishes and concentrate them in Tunbridge Wells. Good luck if you are concerned about your
toddler, you will have to get on a bus for an hour and then walk to a new ‘Hub’. Or go online. That
toddler could be your child or your grandchild.
As budgets get cut, it seems that the various levels of local government simply cut back on delivery
instead of focusing their budgets on doing specific things really well. I believe that children are the
future of our society, so why are we cutting all services that get them off to a good start in life?
Another example was the summary closure of High Weald that has had many negative effects for
the 13 parishes that used to send children to the school. Should we not try to support community
cohesion with a local vocational school. As an ageing population, medical services are crucial to all
our wellbeing. Cranbrook, Sissinghurst, Benenden and Hawkhurst are all in desperate need of a new
multi-GP surgery, but with the current interest rates commercial developers are NOT building them.
An opportunity has arisen to make the old Sixth Form Centre on Angley Road an Asset of
Community Value. This would access grants from government to convert it to a medical centre
and pre-school. TWBC are busy with TWBC-centric issues, and KCC are not involved in health, so
therefore it is up to us, as a community, to get involved and make these things happen because no
one else is going to do it (see the article on page 8 for further details).
As chairman of the parish council I cannot just sit back and watch this happen. Several
neighbouring chairmen feel the same way. I hope you also feel the injustice that is being visited on
us, and are prepared to demand action NOW!
Cllr. Kim Fletcher, chairman, Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish Council
Cllr. Kim Fletcher,
chairman, Cranbrook &
Sissinghurst Parish Council
FRONT COVER
The first ever Christmas card designed
in 1843 by Cranbrook artist John
Horsley. As a favour to civil servant and
engineer Henry Cole, Horsley designed
and introduced the world’s first
commercial Christmas card. A thousand
copies were subsequently produced
that year and sold for one shilling (£2.21
in today’s money).
Inside
this issue
REGULARS
5 What’s on & Directory
6 Letters
8 Development News
10 Local News
14 Event News
16 Club News
18 Schools News
21 Local Comment
29 Kids’ Corner
33 Let’s Cook
34 Badger’s Plot
37 Farming & Agriculture
39 Legal Advice
40 Parish Council Update
42 Cake Meets…
FEATURES
22 Windmill Update – Teddies fly
high!
24 Broadband – How the parish
measures up
25 Scams – Stay safe with advice
from PWCAC
26 Gallery 35 – Celebrating
local art
31 Local History – A walk down
memory lane
The Cake • Winter 2023 3

facebook.com/thegoldenbootshop
instagram.com/goldenboot1790

directory
A list of useful contacts in
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst
Parish Council
The Old Fire Station, Stone Street,
Cranbrook, KENT TN17 3HF
Clerk – Mrs. C. Bezuidenhout
Deputy Clerk - Mrs. L. Ham
Deputy Clerk – Mrs. L. Thirkell
01580 713112 / clerk@CSPC.org.uk
BOROUGH & COUNTY
COUNCILS
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
01892 526121
www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Kent County Council
03000 41 41 41 / www.kent.gov.uk
USEFUL NUMBERS
UTILITIES
Electricity: 0800 727282 (24 hrs)
Gas: 0800 111 999
Water: South East Water (drinking
water) 0800 0283399, Southern
Water (waste water) 0800 820999 (24
hrs), Emergency leak 0800 0283399,
Floodline 0845 9881188 (24 hrs)
CRIME
Non-Emergency Police: 101
Crime Stoppers: 0800 555111
KCC Community Warden: Adam
Osborn - 07813 695741
Neighbourhood Watch Area
Co-ordinator: 01622 604395
In an emergency i.e. if life is in danger
or a crime is in progress call 999. To
request non urgent police assistance,
to report crime or to make enquiry
call 101. Non urgent correspondence
and crime can be reported via the
Live Chat icon at www.kent.police.uk
ROOMS & HALLS TO HIRE
The Parish Room, Sissinghurst: Sue
Crowe 01580 712567
ts.crowe74@gmail.com
The Vestry Hall, Council Chamber and
Addison VC Room, Cranbrook:
01580 713112 (10am-12pm weekdays).
USEFUL CONTACTS
CHURCHES
Congregational Church,
Cranbrook: 01580 388070
St. Dunstan’s, Cranbrook:
01580 715861
St. Theodore’s RC, Cranbrook:
01580 713364
Strict Baptist Church, Cranbrook:
01580 713212
Trinity Church, Sissinghurst:
01580 852275
Vine Church, Cranbrook:
01580 712620
SCHOOLS AND PRE SCHOOLS
Belle Vue School, Cranbrook:
01580 854641
Colliers Green CE Primary:
01580 211335
Cranbrook CE Primary: 01580 713249
Cranbrook Children’s Centre:
03000 41 10 35
Cranbrook School: 01580 711800
Dulwich Preparatory School:
01580 712179
Sissinghurst CE Primary:
01580 713895
Woodpeckers Pre School, Cranbrook:
01580 720195
DOCTORS
Old School Surgery, Cranbrook:
01580 712476
Orchard End Surgery, Cranbrook:
01580 713622
The Crane Surgery, Cranbrook
01580 712260
DEFIBRILLATORS
Cramp Club, Cranbrook
Cranbrook Fire Station
Cricket Club, Sissinghurst
Parish Council office
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Public Toilets, The Street
Tennis Club, Sissinghurst
The George Hotel, Cranbrook
The Milkhouse, Sissinghurst
WHAT’S ON
December
1 December – ‘Russell Hicks Makes
Friends’, stand-up meets improv,
Cranbrook Performing Arts Centre,
The Queen’s Hall Theatre, 7.30pm,
queenshalltheatre.co.uk
7 December – The High Weald: A
talk about our local landscape by
Dr Geoffrey Mead, The Vestry Hall,
Cranbrook, 7.30pm.
8 December – Cranbrook
Christmas Market, Jockey Lane Car
Park, 5.00pm–8.00pm.
9 December – Christmas Fayre at
St Dunstan’s Church, Cranbrook,
10.00am–4.00pm.
9 December – Comedy Club 4 Kids
Christmas Cracker, The Queen’s
Hall Theatre, Cranbrook, 1.30pm,
queenshalltheatre.co.uk
9 December – Total Who, quality
tribute band, The Vestry Hall,
Cranbrook, 7.30pm, www.
wmwcranbrook.co.uk
10 December – Christmas Wreath
Workshop, The George Hotel,
Cranbrook, 12.00pm–2.00pm.
17 December – Carols by
Candlelight, Trinity Church,
Sissinghurst, 5.00pm.
19 December – St Agnes Fountain,
Christmas folk music, The Vestry
Hall, Cranbrook, 7.30pm,
www.wmwcranbrook.co.uk
30 December – Treasure Island
the Pantomime, Presented by
CODS, The Queen’s Hall Theatre,
Cranbrook, 2.30pm & 5.00pm,
cranbrookods.org.uk
January 2024
26 January – Mark Morriss, singer,
songwriter and storyteller, Vestry
BE IN THE KNOW
Scan the QR code to
receive Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst Parish
Council newsletters.
DIRECTORY
Hall, Cranbrook, 7.00pm,
www.wmwcranbrook.co.uk
27 January – St Dunstans Church
is hosting a four-course traditional
Burns Night supper (vegetarian
haggis will be available) and
Scottish Country Dancing in the
Vestry Hall, Cranbrook, celebrating
the Scottish poet Robert Burns,
7.30pm, £30 per person, email:
EventsStDunstans@btinternet.
com for information.
February
1, 2 & 3 February – Cranbrook
School Presents CHICAGO (The
Musical), The Queen’s Hall Theatre,
Cranbrook, 7.30pm, www.
queenshalltheatre.co.uk
3 February – Maddy Prior and
Forgotten Lands, folk legend and
her band, St Dunstan’s Church,
Cranbrook, 7.30pm,
www.wmwcranbrook.co.uk
9 February – The Cranbrook
Comedy Club, The Queen’s Hall
Theatre, Cranbrook, 8.00pm,
wwwqueenshalltheatre.co.uk
23 February – MG Boulter & Band
with Craig Joiner, acoustic folk
singer-songwriters, The Vestry Hall,
7.30pm, www.wmwcranbrook.
co.uk
March
2 March – Rumble Wrestling,
action-packed family friendly
show, The Queen’s Hall
Theatre, Cranbrook, 7.30pm,
queenshalltheatre.co.uk
If you would like to add your event
to the ‘What’s On’ in Cranbrook
calendar, please email: hullandrumleyk@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk
The Cake • Winter 2023 5

letters
www.bussmurton.co.uk | T: 01580 712 215
The Old Dental
Surgery in the Tanyard
Anyone leaving the Tanyard Car
Park via the Crane Valley footpath
cannot fail to notice the eyesore
that once was a dental surgery. Over
the years since its closure it has, not
surprisingly, suffered at the hands
of vandals. I dread to think what
impression this derelict building will
leave in the minds of visitors to our
town. It frustrates all the hard work
that goes into making Cranbrook
attractive to visitors.
My understanding is that the empty
building was purchased by the Parish
Council a few years ago with the
intention of eventually demolishing it,
in favour of providing an alternative
means of access to the Community
Centre site on Wilkes Field. With the
future of the Community Centre now
in some doubt, what are the council
planning to do with the former dental
surgery and how is it to be funded?
John Barleycorn
Cllr Kim Fletcher, chairman,
responds:
The parish have been trying to demolish
the old dental surgery for over eight
months, but we are waiting for UK
Power networks to provide a safety
certificate to the demolition company.
No matter what we have been
trying, they are not responding to
any of our requests, even though we
paid several thousand pounds to
disconnect the surgery. We are at our
wits end over what to do as it is only UK
Power networks who can provide the
certificate.
Free Fire
Safety Checks
We are not normally supportive of cold calling and
were surprised last week to have a knock on the
door from two Kent Fire and Rescue Officers.
Following checks on their identity, they explained
that they were calling on householders in the
area to offer fire safety checks and that if it was
convenient, they could do it there and then.
The guys went through our house and offered
advice on several things including safe charging
of devices etc. all very friendly and professionally
done, we also took them up on their offer to supply
and fit updated smoke alarms as ours we getting a
bit old. All, surprisingly, at no cost to ourselves. Well
done to Kent Fire and Rescue for this incentive on
fire prevention.
Cllr Colin Gilbert
Dog Waste in Cranbrook: A Call for Community Action
Dear Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Residents, we have an increasing problem with dog poo!
Walking through our charming town and village, whether it’s to access various activities, shops or
simply to enjoy a leisurely stroll, has become a task marred by the presence of dog waste on the
pavements. This issue is inconvenient and disgusting for parents with prams, individuals with
wheelchairs and pedestrians in general.
The repercussions of this matter extend beyond mere inconvenience. The abundance of
dog waste poses a significant health hazard, particularly to young children who are more
susceptible to infections and illnesses. One specific health concern that arises from contact
with dog faeces is toxocariasis.
Toxocariasis is an illness caused by a parasite called roundworm, commonly found in
the faeces of infected dogs. It can cause a real danger, particularly to children who may
inadvertently come into contact with contaminated surfaces. In more severe cases, the
infection can lead to vision problems or even damage to internal organs.
This issue is fundamentally one of community responsibility. The majority of dog owners in
Cranbrook exhibit responsible behaviour by cleaning up after their pets but a significant selfish
minority do not. We encourage all residents to participate actively in addressing this problem. If
you encounter someone who is not cleaning up after their dog, they may not have even noticed,
consider politely reminding them of their duty as a pet owner.
6 The Cake • Winter 2023

We have been providing expert and
trusted legal advice to individuals and
businesses for generations.
Please send your letters to:
clerk@cspc.org.uk or by post to The Cake, Cranbrook and Sissinghurst
Parish Council, The Old Fire Station, Stone Street, Cranbrook, TN17 3HF.
Please note, letters may be published in a shortened form at
the discretion of the editor.
BE IN THE KNOW
Scan the QR code to
receive Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst Parish
Council newsletters.
ELBA
Wishing you a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
and a Prosperous New Year
Luxury Beauty Salon
Brows • Lashes • Nails • Pedicures • Waxing
Intimate Waxing • Ear & Cartilage Piercing
15 High Street, Cranbrook
01580 388384
www.foundrycranbrook.com
"We go that extra mile"
Lady & Gentlemen Drivers
Travel in Style
Around Town
and Country
NOW AVAILABLE
New ramp access
vehicle for 6 passengers
or 4 passengers plus
wheelchair
Allows you to
Drink Like a Lord
Leave Like a Lady!
To Book Text: 07785 11 20 21 or Call: 01580 441 302
Email: book@elbaprivatehire.com
www.elbaprivatehire.com
The Cake • Winter 2023 7

DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Education, Medical
Services and the Wellbeing
of our Community
In the last edition of Cake,
we covered the story
‘Cranbrook Education
in Crisis’. Since then,
over 120 people have
attending public meetings about
establishing the facts of this
crisis – the presentation and
notes from these are available
on the front page of the parish
council website under ‘Projects’.
To recap, we lost Rainbow preschool
due to lack of premises,
the primary school needs
expansion but there is no plan,
and the closure of High Weald
has resulted in overcrowded
buses taking our children for up
to an hour each way, increased
home schooling, truancy and
a continued lack of vocational
training. Added to this is the
unaffordability of the proposed
medical/library/community
centre in the Crane Valley. The
parish council has always been
clear that it would not indebt
the parishioners by taking
unaffordable loans. As a result,
we have taken a step back and
reviewed other options.
We are undertaking a review of
all the land we own in the Crane
Valley to find a more effective
(and cheaper) way of providing
a community centre, library and
maybe ‘town square’. We want
to be creative and innovative.
The application to make the old
High Weald Sixth Form Centre
an ‘Asset of Community Value’
has been validated and awaits
confirmation by TWBC. This
could provide a new medical
The old High Weald Sixth Form Centre
centre over two floors and a preschool
in the old changing room
area. It already has planning
permission for a 200-squaremetre
extension if required.
A meeting with the heads of
education at KCC to discuss the
primary school expansion is
expected soon.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Central government has put
aside £200 million in grants
to reconfigure buildings of
Community Value. This has to
be match funded, but it would
potentially halve the cost to
the community. This depends
on getting the building from
the Leigh Academy Trust
(Snowfields) who are not using it.
Academies are run by the
Department of Education in
London, who know even less
of the conditions in the High
Weald than KCC. They want
data-driven arguments to prove
a new secondary school would
attract 125 pupils every year.
High Weald had 1,200 pupils in
its heyday, but a lack of courses
drove people to sending children
to schools further away, starting
the downward spiral. The data
argument has to be based on
new housing built across all the
13 parishes over the last five
years and what is planned for
the future. But a more accurate
assessment of demand for
school places should be made
by calculating the number
of bedrooms rather than the
number of houses.
The Oasis School in Sheppey
has just been closed because it
was failing. It is being reopened
as two schools, one academic,
the other vocational. This is
proof that change can happen
and, as the voters, we should be
able to make changes. But this
will only happen if we get our act
together. Change is being forced
The old High Weald Academy
on our communities with the
new housing. We had 13 parishes
sending children to High Weald,
so banding together would make
our voices louder and more
effective.
Developers’ contributions
to infrastructure (Section
106 Agreements) need to be
collated to see what money
may be available, along with
fundraising (bids to charitable
foundations and the lottery,
bequests, sponsorship, local
fund raising), journalists, social
media expertise, delivering
flyers, co-ordinating with other
parishes, database management,
educationalists, landscape
architects for the Crane Valley,
construction engineers, project
managers… There are many
opportunities for you to help
deliver improved healthcare and
education to our community.
Don’t just sit there, DO
something! Email clerk@cspc.
org.uk with how you can help.
Do it NOW, don’t think you will
do it later, you probably won’t!
Cllr Kim Fletcher, chairman,
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst
Parish Council
8 The Cake • Winter 2023

Some of you will have read the article in the last
edition of The Cake, where I wrote about the
referendum scheduled for 14 September. The weather
on the day was very good and we had over 1,000
voters turn out. It was encouraging to see the number
of young people who were interested in the vote, and the
reasons why it was taking place. Hopefully, we can continue
to engage with them in the future. We even had one person
celebrating their 18th birthday by voting for the first time!
The actual turnout was 25.5 per cent of eligible voters,
including postal ballots. This was a tremendous figure for a
vote of this nature, in a parish such as ours, and compares
very favourably with, for example, Borough Council elections.
The size of the turnout was very much the result of the
huge amount of effort put into advertising in the two weeks
leading up to the referendum, as well as the many hours spent
speaking to people face-to-face.
After the polling stations closed, the ballot papers were
taken to Tunbridge Wells, where they were counted. The
results were:
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst
Neighbourhood Development
Plan Referendum Result
Number of votes cast in favour of a YES 1,140
Number of votes cast in favour of a NO 89
Rejected ballot paper 1
This means that an astonishing 92.8 per cent of you voted to
support the Plan, for which we are extremely grateful. We also
know that some of you wanted to support the Plan, but voted
‘no’, due to the confusing way the question was worded. We
thank you as well.
Of course, that was not the end of the process, because our
Borough Councillors had to vote to formally adopt (or ‘make’)
the Plan. This vote went through unanimously at a full council
meeting on 4 October and full details can be found here:
https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/
neighbourhood-plans/cranbrook-and-sissinghurst
This means that the Neighbourhood Plan now forms an
integral part of our local planning documentation and must
be referred to when any planning application is submitted.
The Parish Council Planning Committee has already started
making sure that the Plan is used to assist the decisionmaking
process.
Once again, many thanks to everybody who has contributed
to the Plan over the last seven years and, especially, to all
those who voted on 14 September. Cllr Garry Pethurst
“It was encouraging to see the number of young
people who were interested in the vote, and the
reasons why it was taking place. Hopefully, we
can continue to engage with them in the future”
The Cake • Winter 2023 9

LOCAL NEWS
News
What’s New on
the High Street?
In spite of Mrs T Potts Shoppe of Sweets’
wonderful Halloween window display with
tombstones for the lost shops, there is a lot of
new life in the Cranbrook retail scene. Why not
check out these new shops and businesses?
• JNM Boutique – sports and leisure wear
• Gallery 35 – a new art gallery (see the article
on page 26)
• Friends Turkish barber
• Lifeworks – Pilates, yoga, counselling and
mindset
• Lloyd Martin/Le Grys – estate agency
reopens
• Willow and Sage Bistro
• Body Art Cranbrook – wellbeing and tattoo
parlour
• Hampers Galore – collections of goodies!
• Crookes Law – solicitors.
Get Involved!
In previous issues, The Cake has
highlighted the benefits of getting
involved in local projects and
volunteering with charities and groups.
We are very lucky to have two brilliant
charity shops in Cranbrook both
offering great community shopping
opportunities and they are always
grateful for help from volunteers. In
fact, they wouldn’t be open without
them!
All over Kent and East Sussex,
Hospice in the Weald charity shops are
packed full of bargains and treasures
and the money raised goes directly to
patient care, supporting those in the
local community living with a terminal
illness. They also promote sustainable
shopping, which is good for the planet
and your wallet.
Oxfam shops all over the world play
a vital role in the ongoing attempt
Mrs T Potts Shoppe of Sweets
Body Art Cranbrook
to eradicate poverty, raising funds
to save and change lives and help
with humanitarian crises – of which
there are far too many. By accepting
donations, Oxfam also encourages
recycling and repurposing, doing so
alongside its waste collection partners
who aim to reduce landfill to zero.
Charity shops need help with
window dressing, serving customers,
sorting varied donations, organising
pop-up shopping events and managing
social media. As a volunteer you get to
join a friendly team at the heart of your
community, using your knowledge to
help others as well as learning new
skills, enhancing your CV and making
new friends.
Without volunteers like you these
valuable community shops could be
at risk. Pop into Oxfam or Hospice in
the Weald in Stone Street and find
out more or give them a call on 01580
712405 (Oxfam) or 01580 713746
(Hospice).
CUP CAKES
• NEW HOMES IN STONE STREET: Roddy Homes have
completed the purchase of the Cranbrook Engineering
site in Stone Street. We can expect to see a new hoarding
as they started work in November. They hope to finish
the building of 28 houses and a shop by spring 2025.
• VESTRY HALL DOUBLE GLAZING DELAY: In spite
of hoping to have the Vestry Hall double glazed by this
winter, it looks as though we will only have the new glass
fitted in the spring of 2024.
• LITTER PICKS: We were hoping to report that we
had a good turnout for the litter picks in Cranbrook
and Sissinghurst, but in the end it was the most poorly
attended for some time. However, thank you to those
who did participate – you collected 19 black bags full of
rubbish in two hours! Please look out for details of the
spring litter pick.
• DISCUSSIONS ON NEW SLIDE FOR BALL FIELD
PLAYGROUND: The Parish Council are working with
local families to agree a more suitable new large slide for
the playground in the Ball Field.
• THE HOP PICKERS LINE HERITAGE TRAIL: The Hop
Pickers Line Heritage Group are pleased to announce
the launch of their new website, which gives useful
information about the history of the former railway
line that ran between Paddock Wood and Hawkhurst.
The site also includes sections on maps, signage,
waymarking and access, hop picking and a gallery of
interesting images, including Cranbrook Station. Visit:
hoppickersline.org
• READING GROUP: If you enjoy reading, then you
may be interested in the reading group that meets
every second Tuesday of the month, 10.30–11.30am, at
the Cranbrook Library. The members meet to discuss
the book they picked up from the previous meeting.
Everyone is given a copy of the book, which is supplied
by Kent Libraries. You don’t have to be a member and it
is FREE.
The group is open to all ages and all are welcome. So,
if you are interested then just come to the library in
Carriers Road at 10.30am on the relevant Tuesday.
• LIGHT REFURBISHMENT TO PLAY AREAS : Next
spring, Hill developers have agreed to do refurbishment
work on the play equipment across the Parish Council
maintained play areas. The work will be carried out by
volunteers from Hill and their subcontractors.
• JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT HILL DEVELOPMENT: Hill,
who are currently building 180 houses at Brick Kiln, are
offering work experience opportunities and is accepting
applications for the Hill Management Trainee Program
(for a September start date). For all enquires contact the
Social Value and Community Team: residents@hill.co.uk
• ALL CHANGE, TING TING!: Cranbrook Choral Society
is delighted to announce that Francesca Massey will be
taking over the baton on the retirement of Jeffery Gray.
His last concert was Britten's St Nicholas and Hymn to
the Virgin Mary.
10 The Cake • Winter 2023

LOCAL NEWS
Cranbrook Allotment Awards 2023
It was quite an eye opener
when I first visited the
allotments and it took a while
to get my bearings but what
a joy it was, not only to have
a close-up view of each plot
but also to meet some of the
allotment holders. I was very
lucky with the weather on my
visits, although I could see the
high winds had taken their toll
on some of the flowers and
produce.
It was obvious that most
of the recently acquired plots
were a challenge for the
novice allotment holders and
all credit to them for taking
the challenge on. Having
changed my mind several
times, I finally chose plot 30
as the Novice Cup winner. On
my final visit I could see the
achievement on that plot this
year and the obvious plans
for the forthcoming year. I
was also impressed by the
efforts made on plot 18, the
gardener as yet only working
and producing on part of the
plot, the other parts will I’m
sure be cleared and prepared
for next year.
As the Wellbeing in the
Weald plot is tended by
several community members,
I discounted plot 8 from the
main judging.
Taking all the judging
criteria into consideration, I
selected plot 6 as the overall
winner. The gardener must
have spent many hours
regularly weeding, hoeing
and reaping the benefits.
Well done to him/her/them.
I awarded 2nd place to plot
20. Again, this is a very wellmaintained
plot with a great
selection of quality vegetables.
Plot 5 was awarded 3rd place.
Although not so regularly
dug and weeded there was an
amazing selection of fruits
and vegetables, providing a
consistent supply throughout
the year.
Plot 34 also deserves a
mention, as it is the most
challenging plot. Despite the
trees and lack of light there
was plenty of fruit, flowers
and vegetables within this
secluded and private area.
Well done to them. See page
15 for the full list of Allotment
Cup and certificate winners.
Linda Page, chair, Cranbrook
in Bloom
CRANBROOK VISITOR
INFORMATION
Provided by Cranbrook Tourism Group.
Cranbrook Museum
Carriers Road, TN17 3JX
Tel: 01580 712929 Website:
www.cranbrookmuseum.org
Please note that the museum is now
closed for winter maintenance until April
2024.
Cranbrook Union Mill
The Hill, TN17 3AH
Tel: 01580 714557 Website:
www.unionmill.org.uk
Please note that the mill is now closed
for the winter and will reopen Easter
2024.
Cranbrook in Bloom
Floral displays at numerous locations
in the town, plus the Library Pond, the
Crane Valley, the Forge Orchard, the
roundabout at Wilsley Pound and the
Copse at the top of the High Street.
Contacts: Linda Page (Chair) Pages
Newsagents, 29 High Street, TN17 3EE,
Tel: 01580 713604 or Marian Cumberland
(Secretary) Tel: 07780 526766
Website: www.cranbrookinbloom.co.uk
Also on Facebook
Forthcoming events: Cranbrook in Bloom
will be supporting all local events.
St Dunstan’s Church ‘The Cathedral of
the Weald’
Stone Street, TN17 3HA (Church Office)
Tel: 01580 715861 (Office) Website: www.
stdunstanscranbrook.org.uk
The office e-mail is office@
stdunstanscranbrook.org.uk
Opening times: The church building is
usually open every day. See the website
for details of services.
For details of all forthcoming events,
please see the full page advertisement
on the inside back cover of The Cake.
War Memorial Cleaning
Following the recent works that have taken
place near the Cranbrook War Memorial, Hill
developers agreed to cover the cost of cleaning
the memorial in time for Remembrance
Sunday. The cleaning was carried out by former
soldier Steve Davies from Hawkhurst. Steve,
who is also a Military Grave Restorer, has
done a superb job of restoring the Portland
stone memorial that was erected in 1921 to
commemorate those that fought and gave their
lives in conflict.
Slow Down
Due to the ongoing housing
developments on Hartley Road,
KCC’s Traffic Management
Team has issued an Order
reducing the traffic speed
on the following lengths of
road in Cranbrook from the
current 40mph to 30mph: on
Angley Road, starting before
its junction with New Road and
going southwards to its junction
with Hartley Road; on the High
Street, starting before the War
Memorial, going southwards
to its junction with Hartley
Road; on Hartley Road from
its junction with Angley Road,
going southwards to Hartley
Dyke.
The Order came into effect on
30 October. Signage has yet to
be installed at the time of going
to press. Please slow down.
The Cake • Winter 2023 11

EVENT NEWS
St Dunstan’s
Christmas
Tree Festival
A must see for all the family
– come to the St Dunstan’s
Christmas Tree Festival, now in
its fourth year. This light-filled
festival sees the church ‘spruced’
up into a twinkling, tree-filled
paradise. Last year we had over
25 trees. Lights will go on at
the church’s Christmas Fayre,
Saturday 9 December.
Book Bonanza!
Monster doughnuts,
poets in the
pub, murder,
mayhem
and the
horrors of the
Hawkhurst
Gang all
combined to make
the fourth Cranbrook Literature
Festival a massive success. In total,
18 authors took part over the two
days in October. Highlights included
a free talk for children from author
Gianna Pollero and her monster
doughnut books, an inspiring and
moving interview with Beekeeper
of Aleppo author Christy Lefteri, a
discussion about murder with Nicci
French and stories of the shocking
smugglers of Sussex and Kent as told
by author Alex Preston in his book
Winchelsea. Other events included
our children’s authors visiting
schools in the area and spreading
the joy of the written word to all.
Look out for more events next year
from the Cranbrook Literature
Festival organisers.
Weald of Kent
YFC Christmas
Tractor Run 2023
Just thought I’d let you know we are in
the early stages of planning our charity
tractor run once again this Christmas. It’s
looking pretty much the same as last year,
through Goudhurst, Cranbrook, Staplehurst
and Marden. But we’ll go a bit more slowly
through the villages and we’ll have more
collection buckets around. We’re also
making space for a few more tractors!
Sunday 17 December, 5pm–7pm. More
details soon! Claire Eckley, trustee, club
leader, Weald of Kent Young Farmers Club
The Best Apple Fayre so Far?
As a theme, Cranplona worked
well for all you seasoned
Cranbrook intrepid travellers.
Comments on the authenticity
of Big Bird’s wonderful paella
and Mad Max’s Galician BBQ
might have come from a
Spanish culinary food review
but the flamenco dancing and
musical quality was the talk
of the town. You certainly are
discernible critics and you
know good quality (food, drink,
entertainment) when you see
it. From Larkins’ Cidergria to
the look of fear on the Bucking
Bronco bull guy’s face as you
all arrived (£500 raised for
Tracy Claridge’s Catching Lives
charity, thanks Cranbrook). A
successful day was had by all.
Of course, the weather helped
but the atmosphere was created
by all of you bunched into the
new smaller arena we chose for
this year’s Apple Fayre. With
Poppy and Verity Swallow on
the Committee for the first time
this year, we saw a different
type of show compared to
previous events. One Swallow
might not make a summer,
but two make for a damn good
Apple Fayre. No need for the big
laborious centrepieces we have
had in the past: pirate ships,
the 40-foot APPLEO 13 rocket,
a Spitfire, submarine, Magritte’s
Son of Man apple head statue
etc. are no more. Staging and
live shows will be encouraged
in future. Our esteemed Red
Barrows will still do whatever
the hell they want on the day
(weren’t they brilliant?). And
you good people of Cranbrook
will, hopefully, continue to
come and get involved in your
favourite event of the year,
and explain to any first-timer
asking you what it’s all about
by replying: ‘It’s the Cranbrook
Apple Fayre… nobody knows
what it’s all about.’ Least of all
us. Stuart, Verity, Poppy and
Phil (in spirit)
12 The Cake • Winter 2023

●
●
●
Ovens
Grills
Extractors
Filters
BBQs
Microwaves
●
●
●
Hobs
Ranges
AGAs
PLUS fully insured repairs of domestic electric ovens
I’m simply delighted at how sparkly clean my oven and hob look
now! It really does look like the cooker is brand new again!
Call Steen or go online for a free quote!
07860 690252 | ovenclean.com
Charity Farm Countrystore
Swattenden Lane
Cranbrook, Kent
TN17 3PS
01580 713189
Weekdays 8:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm
www.charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk
charityfarm_cranbrook Charity Farm Countrystore
SPONJEM UK Limited
Capital Allowances Consultants
Helping people in the area save money upon
their commercial buildings such as offices,
shops, restaurants, hotels and holiday let cottages
For Information contact Paul Jempson on
Tel: 0800 954 5081 Mob: 07957 822110
Email: mail@sponjem.co.uk
P E T | A N I M A L | W I L D L I F E | E Q U E S T R I A N |
F I R E S I D E | H O M E & G I F T S | C L O T H I N G |
C O U N T R Y L E I S U R E | O U T D O O R L I V I N G |
We offer free delivery for orders over £75, under this amount incurs a £5 charge.
Caring for you at home
Well established, family run business,
providing care for people living in the Weald
of Kent. Our tailored service allows you to live
at home with independence and dignity.
Call Karen Irving at our Tenterden office to
arrange a no obligation visit.
01580 762202
www.carecompany.care
The Cake • Winter 2023 13

EVENT NEWS
CODS’ Plans
for 2024
The Cranbrook Operatic and
Dramatic Society (CODS) is going
from strength to strength. Since
coming back into the theatre after
our enforced lockdown, we have
staged two classic British comedy
plays, The Vicar of Dibley and
Blackadder Goes Forth, as well as
the spectacular Priscilla Queen of
the Desert and a panto premiere –
Evermore.
After the success of Made in
Dagenham at the end of October
this year, CODS has exciting
plans for 2024. We have invited a
travelling troupe of players into
the Queen’s Hall Theatre for the
Christmas period and there will
be two showings of the family
pantomime The Adventures of
Treasure Island on Saturday 30
December at 2.30pm and 5.30pm.
Next year’s spring play, in
April, will be The Angry Twelve.
A modern take on the classic
1957 film Twelve Angry Men
starring Henry Fonda, the play
is as relevant today as it was 65
years ago. A dozen actors will be
on stage throughout, telling this
story of the human condition.
Auditions will take place at the
end of November, see our website
for details.
Our autumn show will be the
perfect night out for Halloween,
The Addams Family Musical,
which is based on the 60s
American classic TV series
and 90s films. The show is a
modern and fun-filled family
musical about the whacky and
spooky goings on in the Addams
household when Wednesday’s
boyfriend brings his parents to
meet the folks.
The show promises to be a great
evening’s entertainment and we
will hold auditions in the spring.
Watch the CODS Facebook page
or our website for details of shows
and auditions:
www.cranbrookods.org.uk
Sissinghurst Autumn Flower Show
Sissinghurst Church
Light Party
The Society’s Autumn
Flower Show was held on
Saturday 16 September in
the school hall. Despite
the unpredictable weather
of drought and heatwaves
during the preceding months,
causing produce to ripen
much later than usual, there
were still some good quality
entries in the vegetable and
fruit classes.
Flowers, however, were
very good and there was
a lovely varied selection.
Hydrangeas were particularly
colourful. Cookery classes
were popular, from the
traditional jar of jelly to the
chocolate fridge cake slices.
Floral Arrangement Classes
attracted some first-time
entrants who showed great
imagination. The Open
Classes for children for
painted pebbles, a stamp
designed for King Charles III
and the ever-popular shining
star biscuits were well
supported and made a lovely
display.
During the afternoon
we had a fair attendance
considering there were other
local events. It was a pleasure
to see so many people from
the village and further afield
meeting friends and generally
catching-up while enjoying
home-made tea and cakes.
Sissinghurst and Frittenden Church volunteers
pulled together for their first-ever Light Party,
giving a warm welcome to 45 brightly dressed
local primary school children, along with sisters
and brothers, mums and dads, grandparents –
some of whom also dressed up brightly…
For the first hour, the children enjoyed
choosing between biscuit decorating, making
their own lighthouse, face-painting and tattoos
(light-related or otherwise, our teenager helpers
were a dab hand!), and all the other light-themed
activities. A favourite was Pin the Leaf on the Pumpkin, with a nod to Halloween, which was the
following day.
Everyone then gathered together to sing and do the actions for ‘My Lighthouse’ by Rend
Collective, before Rev. Pete gave a short talk putting the spotlight on Jesus, Light of the World. All
those activities and singing and listening gave everyone a good appetite for the hot-dog party tea,
which we enjoyed before singing again.
The only thing left before heading
home was to collect their party bags
and thank all those who’d worked
so hard to make it happen… What a
brilliant opportunity for the Light to
shine into the darkness we start to
encounter this time of year!
LEFT FROM TOP: Floral arrangements on a theme of nursery
rhymes: ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ (left) and ‘Oranges and
Lemons’ (right); A selection of prize-winning vegetables;
‘Flowers from your garden’ competition
SEE MORE
Check out our church websites
for upcoming family friendly
services and events, or via
Facebook.
14 The Cake • Winter 2023

EVENT NEWS
Cranbrook in Bloom
Our hard-working volunteers
were rewarded for their
year-round contributions in
keeping Cranbrook looking
outstanding with a Gold Award
at the South & South East in
Bloom celebrations, held on
29 September at RHS Wisley.
The It’s Your Neighbourhood
entries from Evernden House
and Hendley Drive gardeners
were again recognised as for their
efforts and both received Thriving
awards – only a few points off an
outstanding rating. Well done to
Pam, Clive, Richard, Dave, Judith
and George for their commitment
in creating true gardening areas
for everyone to enjoy.
Our own presentation and
thank you evening held on 6
October was attended by Deputy
Mayor Nicholas Pope and his
wife Ingrid, who kindly presented
certificates to our front garden
competition entrants and others
involved in this year’s campaign.
A big thank you to
everyone who came along and
congratulations to those who
received an award or certificate.
It was very much a community
evening involving so many people,
confirming that every little helps a
lot. Results in full are as follows:
Wildlife Friendly Gardens
Gold: Annie Hatcher; Sarah
Harrington-James.
Silver: Humphrey and Jane Evatt;
Bill Mitchell.
Ornamental Gardens
Gold: Graham Drinkwater.
Silver Gilt: Bill Mitchell.
Silver: Judith Mills.
Hanging Baskets
Silver Gilt: Annie Hatcher;
Beverley Coster; Richard Parker;
Bill Mitchell; Sharon and James
Pashley.
Silver: Graham Drinkwater.
Planters/Tubs
Gold: Richard Parker; Pam
Samways; Sue Shaw.
Silver Gilt: Mary-Rose Lea.
Silver: Graham Drinkwater; Linda
and Brian Swann; Annie Hatcher;
Beverley Coster.
Bronze: Thomas and Margaret
Harding.
Window Boxes
Gold: Pam Samways; Sue Shaw.
Silver Gilt: Beverly Coster.
Bronze: Graham Drinkwater.
Front Gardens
Gold: Ros Field; Sarah Harrington-
James; Sharon and James Pashley;
Pam Samways.
Silver Gilt: David and Rosemary
Ettridge; Richard Parker; Linda
and Brian Swann; Graham
Drinkwater; Bill Mitchell.
Silver: Annie Hatcher; Beverly
Coster; Judith Mills; David and
Jayne Barrow; Mary-Rose Lea; Sue
Shaw.
Bronze: Humphrey and Jane Evatt;
Thomas and Margaret Harding.
Allotment Cups
1st prize – S. Humphrey (plot 6)
2nd prize – Clive Watt (plot 20)
3rd prize – Mike Huxley (plot 5)
RIGHT: Pam Samways and
Clive Boodle, two of the
Hendley Drive gardeners,
received their RHS It’s Your
Neighbourhood Thriving
certificate, awarded by South
& South East in Bloom, from
Deputy Mayor Nicholas Pope
at the Cranbrook in Bloom
presentation evening.
Novice – N. Taske (plot 30)
Highly commended – S. Pashley
(plot 34)
Certificates of Excellence
• U3A Museum Gardeners
• Food For Thought
• Cranbrook School Gardening
Club
• The Cramp Club
• Kent High Weald Partnership
• Cranbrook Rainbows and
Brownies
• Cranbrook Juniors Football
Club
• Allotment Volunteers,
Wellbeing in the Weald
• Cranbrook Bowls Club
Certificates of Appreciation
• Crane Surgery herb garden
• Union Mill
• Cranbrook Museum
• St Dunstan’s Church
• Travis Perkins
• Millennium Outings
• The Cramp Club
• The Herb Box by the Octagon
• Cranbrook Farm Shop
• McCabe, Ford & Williams
Accountants
• Peter Wright, Cranbrook’s
busker
• Robin and Elaine Beck, litter
pickers
• Julie Hazelwood, litter picker
• Garry Pethurst, the spoonmaker
The town planters are now
rejuvenated with cute looking
violas, and daffodils will follow
in the spring. We hope to see
you at the Christmas Market at
Jockey Lane Car Park on Friday
8 December, when we will be
selling Christmas wreaths, table
decorations and our Cranbrook in
Bloom 2024 Calendar.
JOIN US
Volunteering keeps Cranbrook in
Bloom thriving, and everyone is
invited to join us, green fingers or
not. If you visit our website and
register as a supporter/member, we
will then keep you informed of what
is going on and let you know when
and where our working days are.
Our 2024 Calendar is already on
sale at Stationery Express, Cranbrook
Farm Shop and Pages Newsagents.
Community Spirit –
We’ve Got It!
How lucky are we to live in Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst? The Cake looks back over the last
year at the events organised by the people
of Cranbrook for the benefit of all in the
community to enjoy and get involved in.
March: Sissinghurst Flower Show
April: Cranbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society:
Blackadder Goes Forth
May: Cranbrook Goes Nuts in May; The Weald
Games
June: Cranbrook In Bloom Garden Safari ;
Sissinghurst Flower Show
July: Cranbrook on the Green
Cranbrook Juniors FC Fun Day
September: CranFest Music Festival
Sissinghurst Flower Show
October: Cranbrook Apple Fayre
Cranbrook Literature Festival
Cranbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society: Made
in Dagenham
November: Cranbrook Art Show
All this plus monthly music gigs in the Vestry
Hall, Queen’s Hall events including Comedy
Club, kids’ cinema, live bands plus regular
concerts by Cranbrook Choral Society and
Cranbrook Town Band and the numerous
sporting opportunities throughout the year.
Community spirit is alive and kicking in
Cranbrook and Sissinghurst!
The Cake • Winter 2023 15

CLUB NEWS
Cranbrook Juniors FC: Empowering the
Next Generation – Wildcats & Squad
Cranbrook Juniors FC’s girlsonly
programmes represent
pivotal strides in cultivating a
more inclusive and supportive
environment for young girls
in sport throughout Cranbrook. Spanning
the critical developmental ages of 5–14,
these initiatives are more than just football
programmes; they are catalysts for change,
empowerment and lifelong engagement in
physical activity.
Wildcats, catering to girls aged 5–11, is a
foundational programme that introduces the
sport in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere.
The importance of such an environment
cannot be overstated. It allows young girls
to learn the basics of football, develop
essential motor skills and engage in physical
activity without the pressure of competition.
The programme emphasises enjoyment,
participation and the social aspects of sport,
making it an attractive option for girls who
might otherwise feel intimidated or excluded
from traditional sports settings. By fostering
a sense of belonging and encouraging a love
of the game, Wildcats lays the groundwork for
sustained participation in sports.
As girls grow older, the Squad Girls’ Football
programme for ages 12–14 offers a more structured
framework, bridging the gap between recreational play and competitive
football. This programme maintains the focus on enjoyment and
camaraderie but introduces a higher level of skill development and
tactical understanding. It serves as a crucial transition stage, preparing
participants for the challenges of competitive play while still preserving
the core values of inclusivity and enjoyment.
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
Both Wildcats and Squad are instrumental in challenging gender
stereotypes and breaking down barriers that have historically deterred
girls from participating in sports. They provide safe, welcoming spaces
for girls to express themselves, build confidence and develop a sense of
identity. The physical benefits are evident, promoting healthy lifestyles
and combatting the growing concerns of childhood inactivity and
obesity.
By normalising female participation in traditionally male-dominated
sports, these initiatives inspire future generations and contribute to
a broader cultural shift towards gender equality in sports. In essence,
Wildcats and Squad are not just nurturing the next wave of local female
footballing talent; they are shaping confident, empowered young
women ready to tackle life’s challenges both on and off the field.
Visit www.cranbrookjuniorsfc.co.uk for more information or to book
a place.
Cranbrook Bowls Club
Cranbrook Bowls Club has had a very successful 2023
season with Ray Foreman and Mick Duddle winning the
Kent South East division of the National men’s senior pairs
(over 55s). They went on to represent Kent in the last 32 in
England at Royal Leamington Spa, sadly losing to a team
from Herefordshire. It was a great experience for them
playing in front of crowds of up to 1,000.
Mick Duddle also had success in winning the Kent
Divisional final of the Unbadged Singles, which now means
he can play for Kent County Bowling Association. (Ray
Foreman won his County Badge in 2007).
Cranbrook Bowls Club season is now closed. The 2024
season starts in April and new members are always
welcome – club day is on Thursdays from 2.30pm. Flat
shoes must be worn but bowls will be available at the club.
Tuition is provided if required, this is a low cost sport that
keeps you active and meeting new friends.
The Bowls Club is situated to the left side of the Ball
Field, parking is available. Ray Foreman, chairman,
Cranbrook Bowls Club
16 The Cake • Winter 2023

CLUB NEWS
The club’s flagship rugby pitch, Sands
The U13s celebrate their 8-wicket victory over Marden in the Cup Final.
Cranbrook Sports Club: In Rude Health
The cricket section enjoyed a wonderful
summer, with more than 30 U9 children
at training each Sunday morning.
Many of these were involved in the
tournaments entered during the season,
including one held at the Tomlin Ground
at the beginning of August. Things
finished on a high when the U13s were
crowned winners of the Weald of Kent
Cup, having only lost two games during
the season.
Frittenden WI
The 2023–24 rugby season has got off
to a flying start for all sections. Following
touch rugby and pre-season training
over the summer for the ladies, men’s
and older juniors, it has been fantastic to
see the club as busy as ever. As always,
we thank Cranbrook School for allowing
us to use the pitches at Jaegers, which
enables us to facilitate training and
matches for nearly 300 mini and junior
players each Sunday morning.
Frittenden WI is a small and friendly group who have a variety of activities
including a monthly lunch at a local hostelry. Recently, we enjoyed a fascinating
talk entitled the ‘Lifestyle of the Windsors’.
The following month we spent an afternoon at Great Dixter, admiring the
wonderful grounds and borders followed – in the usual WI tradition – by tea and
cakes.
Our September evening is our Produce Show when members have the
opportunity to display fruit and vegetables grown in their gardens and craft items
they have made. This year, it was followed by an illustrated talk by Nick Bull on his
recent canal holiday.
We meet on the second Wednesday of each month in Frittenden Village Hall
at 7.00pm, so please feel free to come along. You can be sure of a warm welcome!
Aneta Godwin, Secretary
Exciting News
Last season we lost several training
sessions and matchdays due to wet, frozen
or waterlogged pitches, which led to the
club inviting the RFU groundsman from
Twickenham to carry out a survey of the
pitches at the Tomlin Ground. While the
club’s flagship pitch, Sands, has benefitted
from investment by the club over the past 10
years there were a number of improvements
suggested for both the Fitz and Moss pitches.
These improvements include major upgrades
to the drainage and soil structures to enable
continuous use for training and matches over
the wet (and frozen) winter periods.
Subsequently, discussions were had with
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, and it
was highlighted that Section 106 monies
were allocated from the Turnden Lane
development jointly to Cranbrook Sports
Club and Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish
Council for sporting and recreational projects
within the parish.
Working in partnership with the parish
council, Cranbrook Sports Club submitted
an application to claim part of this Section
106 allocation to enable the club to carry
out some of the pitch improvements
recommended and to purchase ground care
equipment, which will also be available to
Cranbrook Juniors Football Club. The club
are extremely grateful to the parish council
for seeing the benefits this planned project
will bring to the community, and for voting
unanimously for the funds to be allocated to
the project. Once the monies are received,
the club hopes to start the works as soon
as possible, so all our members to reap the
benefits that this project will bring to the
club and the wider local community! Michelle
Forknall, Chair, Cranbrook Sports Club
The Cake • Winter 2023 17

SCHOOLS NEWS
Cranbrook Primary School
Celebrates Shine Week
Cranbrook Primary School has
recently had the first Shine Week
of the year. From litter picking to
writing letters to the government,
this is a week designed to develop
children’s life skills outside of the national
curriculum.
Miss Shaw, the headteacher,
explained that Shine Week
is a great idea because it
gives children a range of
opportunities, offering
something different
from what they do in the
classroom. ‘These are
skills that they might not
necessarily be taught in their
Maths or English lessons,’ she
said.
During Shine Week, Year 2
children became environmental experts
and explored the impact of plastic waste. They
read facts, listened to stories and used their
inference skills to understand the importance
of putting litter in a bin, reminding people to
recycle by making informative posters. The
Sissinghurst Primary School
whole class wrote a letter to the prime minister,
Rishi Sunak, about the importance of protecting
the world. Miss Shaw thinks that ‘Shine Week is
inspiring people to help beyond the school.’
In Year 4, the children developed their
‘helping hands’ skills by using some simulators
to practise and understand the
importance of calling 999. They
used examples of a medical
emergency to find out
what happens in certain
situations, and what to say
to the call responders. ‘It’s a
really great opportunity to
see children excel in an area
that they might not have the
opportunity,’ explained Miss
Shaw, who was very proud of the
children.
Another interesting activity they took
part in during Shine Week included making
smoothies to develop the children’s nutritional
knowledge of vitamins and nutrients. Amelia
Hicks and Freya Heyes,
Year 6.
As a school we have spent the last few months thinking deeply about our curriculum offer. At
Sissinghurst, the curriculum has been designed with our school family in mind and sets out
what we believe our children need to thrive and be successful citizens who make a difference to
each other and to the wider community and beyond.
On this note we would like to remind people in the local community to drive safely and
consider our children – the next generation – when driving and parking near the school. Too
often in today’s world we are in a rush, too busy, not paying due care and attention. We see
regular examples of this near the school gates and in the surrounding areas. All schools are
busy around the start and end of the school day and every school in the land will be reminding
their communities to do the same. Many of our pupils are local and walk to school to help ease
congestion at busy school times. Please be kind, considerate and safe to the community and
look out for one another, especially when the roads are busy with traffic.
Volunteering – we are always looking for volunteers to help in school. Please see our flyer for
more information. Can you give a few hours each week? If so, we would love to hear from you.
Spaces – we do have several spaces in some year groups across the school, so if you know
of anyone looking for a school for their child please do pass our information on to them and
contact our office team for how to proceed (email: office@sissinghurst.kent.sch.uk or phone
01580 713895).
If you would like to find out more about our wonderful school or come to visit, please just
contact the office, you will be most welcome. Sarah Holman and the team at Sissinghurst
Woodpeckers
Preschool gets a
Glow-up for its
25th Anniversary
This year marked the 25th
anniversary of Woodpeckers
Preschool CIO on Quaker Lane
in Cranbrook, and the building
and grounds have undergone
a significant makeover for the
occasion. Over the summer, a
team of tradespeople carried out
extensive works, including installing
new gates and fencing, replacing
signs and cladding on the front of
the building, re-siting the disabled
access ramp, gravel paving part of
the driveway and putting a new
roof on the children’s welly store.
There were also a number of garden
improvements, including a new
hardstanding area for ride-on toys
and the installation of a French
drain to improve conditions in the
outdoor play area.
The improvements were initiated
by a Woodpeckers parent who works
for Tesco and nominated the school
for the supermarket’s community
outreach scheme. The project
was also funded by money raised
through the Cranbrook Jumble
Safari earlier this year and by other
private donations.
Work was carried out by Tesco
Property South East and Genco
Construction Services, with
Woodpeckers staff and parent
helpers who were on-hand to do
smaller DIY jobs and make copious
cups of tea!
18 The Cake • Winter 2023

Andrew French Fencing
Fencing, Gates, Decking and Pergolas
01622 532818
07788 971584
frenchandrewp@live.com
www.andrewfrenchfencing.com
The Cake • Winter 2023 19

Larchmere House is set in the pretty
Wealden village of Frittenden providing
24-hour nursing Care. Our team of friendly,
qualified Nurses and Care Staff are
committed to providing the highest
standards of nursing care for up to 30
residents in a safe & caring environment.
• Delicious home cooked food, all dietary
needs catered for • Daily activities,
entertainment & regular outings •
Consistently ‘Good’ CQC Inspections.
Please feel free to contact the home on the
number below if you have any questions
and take a look at our Face Book page for
an insight of activities at Larchmere House
BIDDENDEN ROAD, FRITTENDEN, KENT TN17 2EN
Find us on Face Book • www.larchmere.co.uk
Please contact Nikki (Manager) on
01580 852335 OR
admin@larchmere.co.uk
20 The Cake • Winter 2023

LOCAL COMMENT
Helen Grant MP
Dear Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Resident, this may be one of the
few remaining opportunities I will have to write in The Cake as your
Member of Parliament. As you may know boundary changes are afoot
and this part of the world is set to become
part of a new constituency called The Weald of Kent.
Over 13 years, I have made many friends
here and it has been a joy serving you, and
campaigning alongside you, on many issues;
be it tackling rural crime, defeating antisocial
behaviour in the town, battling
inappropriate housing plans or finding a
new non-selective secondary school for the
area.
I steadfastly remain as your MP until the
next election, which is probably still another
year away, and remind you that I am here
if you need my help or assistance at any
time.
In passing, may I thank the many
people who expressed their good
wishes during my battle with
breast cancer this summer, your
kind words meant a lot and I am
well on the road to recovery now.
As the festive season comes
around once again, I hope to see
you at the Christmas Market
in December and wish a Merry
Christmas to you all, Helen.
Welcome to the new
Mayor of Cranbrook
Thank you, what an honour it is to be the Honorary
Mayor of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst. For those of
you who don’t know me, my name is Raj Bisram and
I have had a business in Cranbrook for over 40 years.
I would first of all like to thank Linda Page for her
term in office and for the great work she has done.
I will do my best to keep up her good work and to
promote our pretty and historic parish of Cranbrook
and Sissinghurst so that we all may continue to take
pride in our community.
My plan for the forthcoming year will be featured
in the next issue of The Cake and I look forward to
meeting you all in the coming year, Raj.
Goodbye and Thank You
As the recently retired second Honorary
Mayor of Cranbrook, I would like to thank
Stuart Cleary and the Apple Fair supporters
for allowing me the privilege of promoting
the town and our community over the past
three years. I was honoured to be offered
the position and hope I have helped people
join together and look forward again after
the awful lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.
They were very strange and sometimes
difficult times, but I believe the town is
now on the way back to normality and the
evolving town events over the last two
years have shown how much we appreciate
our community and the enjoyment that
these events bring.
Thanks also to all of you for your support
with sunflowers and wildflowers during
2021 and 2022. Your support helped
towards the donation of over £1,000 to
MND and the Sam West Foundation.
I was fortunate to be invited to attend
the Union Mill celebrations, the Bowls Club
celebrations, Christmas in St Dunstan’s,
Cake tasting at Cranbrook on the Green and
many other events, my final outing with
the chains of office being the Cranbrook in
Bloom presentation evening in October.
I also need to thank my very efficient
‘lady in waiting’, Marian Cumberland, who
has supported me and enjoyed the events
and ceremonies that we attended together
during my reign.
I wish Raj, our new Honorary Mayor, all
the best for the next few years and I know
he will promote the town and community
as often as he is able. Please remember
to invite him to support your event in his
capacity as Honorary Mayor, however that
may be, Linda x.
The Cake • Winter 2023 21

WINDMILL NEWS
An update from
Nick Vinall, chair,
Cranbrook Windmill
Association
In August, a call went out to all local teddy
bears, ‘Tell your owner to take you to the
windmill at Bank Holiday for an exciting
ride on a Zip Wire.’ Lots did as we had
nearly 100 visitors.
The idea was tested in advance with Teddy in
a small harness. This worked fine but the Speedy
Boarding version was preferred using a small
basket so two or three teddy friends could ride
together.
Rides started at ground level, each rider fitted
with goggles and helped into their comfortable
first-class basket by air steward Hazel. The basket
was then hauled up to the staging of the windmill
by Zipmeister Andrew and the riders were given a
safety talk in bear lingo. Then down they whizzed
back to their admiring owners.
It was wonderful to see the smiles of the
children and parents as their teddies zipped
down the line in their Biggles-like goggles.
Some even had two goes. There was also a guest
appearance by the wartime air-ace Biggles
himself though only granddads were old enough
to remember his previous exploits.
Many families then enjoyed a super Teddy
Bear’s Picnic tea to a background of suitably
teddy music. A highlight was the cake with teddy
bear topper icing.
Thanks go to Susan
and Elizabeth for
the tea, the raffle
and the Name
the Prize Bear
competition.
I was tasked with
choosing the prize
bear’s name from
the list of 100 most
common names
but it basically
chose itself when
I saw that the list
contained the
name Russell. This
was the family
name of the owners of the windmill for over 100
years. I’m not sure if it was luck or smart thinking
by the owner who chose it.
Overall, it was a great afternoon, enjoyed by
everyone who came. Cranbrook’s iconic windmill
is already regarded with pride and affection by
many local people and, thanks to our members’
efforts, the teddy event will have further
enhanced those warm feelings.
Windmill Charity Lighting
Readers might have noticed the windmill being lit with different colours in
recent months, each time for a week. In June they were red, white and blue
for the Coronation. In July they were blue for the NHS 75th anniversary and
they have also been blue and yellow in support of Ukraine.
We have now developed a new charitable use for the windmill lights. In
September they turned gold to draw attention to the Childhood Cancer
charity, in October it was purple for a Language Disorder charity and orange
in November for the hearing disorder Microtia.
The reason for each colour change is posted on the local Facebook chat
page and also the Union Windmill Facebook page www.facebook.com/
cranbrookunionwindmill, which also gives brief contact details. We will be
pleased to consider other charitable suggestions from local residents.
22 The Cake • Winter 2023

Sissinghurst
ADULTS REQUIRED
to join SCOUTS & do this too … JOIN US .
SCOUTING starts at 4 years old,
reaching for the skies.
At 6 years old, scouts cycle to
explore places new.
By 10 or so, scouts are cooking
up a storm.
At 14, scouts are drawn to the
wild, sleeping in the trees. JOIN.
Email: SissinghurstGSL@gmail.com
"COMMUNICATION IS
NOT A THING IT'S
EVERYTHING"
My Childs SLT is a service that
puts you and your child first. I
aim to provide a service that
meets your child’s individual
needs and support them to
access their environment to
their full potential. My
approach is holistic and
collaborative.
Areas of special interest
include
Autism
Language Delay
Developmental Language
disorder
Speech difficulties
Pre school and primary
school aged children
My Child's SLT
www.mychildsslt.co.uk 07855 066407 yiota.reece@gmail.com
Experience Award-Winning beauty at Nuvé!
Lashes- Brows- Aesthetics- Massage - Permanent Makeup
Proud winners of Kent's Beauty Salon of the Year 2023
www.nuveclinic.co.uk | Instagram@nuve_clinic | 01580 438003
The Cake • Winter 2023 23

FEATURE
Local Broadband Report
In October, a report was published
on broadband in Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst. Written by Amy Jones with
statistics by Thomas Buck and published
by telecom market researchers Fair
Internet Report, it makes for interesting
reading. Statistically it seems that in terms of
broadband speeds the parish compares quite
well with similar-sized market towns in Kent.
However, with a median download speed of
48 Mbps (megabits per second), we come in at
12 per cent lower than Kent’s (55 Mbps) and
21 per cent lower than the UK median of 60
Mbps.
To make sense of these statistics and to be
able to choose the right broadband provider,
it is useful to consider what is important for
you: speed, reliability or customer service. For
example, for basic browsing and email, speeds
of 10–25 Mbps should be adequate. If you are
regularly streaming HD films then you will
require at least 25 Mbps. For gamers, around
50 Mbps will provide a lag-free service. For
those of you who work at home and need to
make video calls and so on then you should
“To make sense of these
statistics and to be able to
choose the right broadband
provider, it is useful to consider
what is important for you”
aim for 80 Mbps or higher. Remember, the
more devices you have connected, the higher
speed you will need. You should compare
prices, whether there are installation fees or
other costs, and contract lengths.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
While both download and upload speeds seem
to vary, the fastest provider in the parish at
the moment is Call Flow Solutions with a
median speed of 157 Mbps, while the most
popular provider, BT, comes in second with
an average download speed of 115 Mbps.
Other providers with adequate speeds include
EE, Plusnet and Zen Internet. The slowest
providers include Talk Talk, Sky Broadband
and Vodafone.
Of course, internet technology is always
developing. Full-fibre broadband, which offers
the fastest and most reliable internet speeds,
is now available from providers that use
OpenReach, like BT and Sky, but is expensive.
However, if you are interested in this then
you might find an altnet provider (alternative
network), such as Trooli – which is available
in the area – offering competitive deals in
order to secure your business.
Reliable broadband has quickly become
essential for all our lives, not just for
entertainment but also education, business,
healthcare and keeping in touch with friends
and family. Since Covid the number of
people working from home has increased
dramatically further adding to the need for a
quality local broadband service. Although the
service here is ‘good’, it needs to be better.
You can read Amy Jones’s article in full at:
fairinternetreport.com/United-Kingdom/Kent/
Cranbrook-and-Sissinghurst
24 The Cake • Winter 2023

Community get-together
Every Tuesday in the
Vestry Hall all welcome
9.45 –10.15am
Seated Keep Fit Class
£3 per session in Church House, next to the Vestry Hall
10.00–11.45am
Coffee Morning
Unlimited tea, coffee and biscuits just £1
12.00–1.30pm
Hot Soup Lunch
Suggested donation £2, choice of 2 soups with bread and butter
Step-free access in the Vestry Hall through the church
yard, opposite the entrance to St Dunstan’s Church

ARTS
Welcome to Gallery 35
What a busy first month
it has been for us at
Gallery 35! Thank you
to everyone who has
supported us and our
artists thus far.
We kicked things off
with our Opening
Launch Evening,
kindly opened by
our new mayor
Raj Bisram, and what an amazing
evening it was. Cranbrook definitely
knows how to show up and support
its community as we spilled out
onto the street celebrating. The
wine was flowing, as was our
gratitude! A big thank you to
Larkins for letting us borrow their
wine glasses.
Since opening night, we have
welcomed new artists to our
existing talented group of creatives,
from all over the Southeast. The
eclectic selection of work includes
painting, printmaking, photography,
ceramics, glass, paper, sculpture,
mixed media and jewellery. If you
are looking for something specific,
or don’t know what you’re looking
for at all, we are more than happy
to advise.
We look forward to getting to
know even more of you, as does
our resident mascot, Poppy, who
you can find sitting on the steps,
welcoming you in. So do drop in
to see the variety of creativity the
Southeast has to offer, from vibrant,
colourful ceramics to textural
landscape painting to jewellery
made with found sea-glass.
If you are interested in submitting
your artwork to us, please check out
the ‘TO EXHIBIT WITH US’ page
on our website for more details:
gallery35highstreet.com or email us
gallery35highstreet@gmail.com
Polly Bennett, gallery manager
ABOVE Hannah Buchanan, Still Waters, oil
on board
ABOVE Linoprint, Scarlett Woodman, Grain,
drawing scratched into copper, mounted
onto wood
Step aw
ABOVE Mellony Nicol, Cranbrook Village Sign with Flora
and Fauna from the Crane Valley Reserve (incl. water
shrew and stone loach), Edition of 100
26 The Cake • Winter 2023

LAUNCHING A NEW
Step WELLBEING away and rest a HAVEN while!
Coming to Benenden in January, a
NEW holistic centre, bringing
together 3 wellbeing services …
Step away and
rest a while!
Transform your skin health with well researched
technologies and nutrients to feed your skin from
within. Discover advanced massage, well-being
packages and beauty treatments to unwind and
revitalise with. Experienced and compassionate
therapists you can trust.
Transform your skin health with well researched technologies and
nutrients to feed your skin from within. Discover advanced massage,
well-being packages and beauty treatments to unwind and revitalise with.
Experienced and compassionate therapists you can trust.
Book Now for 20% off your 1st treatment
and Christmas Gift Vouchers
ay and rest a while!
azaratherapies.co.uk
info@azaratherapies.co.uk
T: 07711 483038
Transform your skin health with well researched technologies and
nutrients to feed your skin from within. Discover advanced massage,
well-being packages and beauty treatments to unwind and revitalise with.
Experienced and compassionate therapists you can trust.
SPECIAL
OFFERS ON
TREATMENT
AND CLASSES
Book Now for 20% off your 1st treatment
and Christmas Gift Vouchers
Book Now for 20% off
your 1st treatment and
Christmas Gift Vouchers
azaratherapies.co.uk
www.azaratherapies.co.uk
info@azaratherapies.co.uk T: 07711 483038
info@azaratherapies.co.uk
T: 07711 483038
Pilates with Kat
at PilatesWise
Fully equipped friendly pilates studio, offering private
and small group classes on the reformer with Kat, a
highly qualified and experienced teacher.
• Relieve stress
• Build core strength
• Reduce aches and pain, improve back health
• Improve posture
20% Discount With This Ad
www.pilateswise.co.uk T: 07747464828
Pilateswise@mail.com
Wild Herbology
Angela supports women in improving their health using herbal medicine, and naturopathic
techniques which stimulates the body’s own ability to heal. She has a special interest in menopause,
digestive health and brain fog. Angela offers free 15min chats, if you want to know if
she can help you.
www.wildherbology.com angela@wildherbology.com Instagram: @wildherbology

Colour
advent
your own
calendar!
Kids' Corner
GETTY IMAGES

Call Cranbrook
01580 715 904
Call Ashford
01233 660 851
MR NOAH’S
NURSERY SCHOOL CIC
https://mrnoahs.org
“A proper, traditional prep that’s also impressively forward
looking, as well as nurturing and family-oriented.”
GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE
MARLBOROUGH HOUSE
S C H O O L
MARLBOROUGH
HOUSE SCHOOL
WINNER
2023
ECO SCHOOLS
GREEN FLAG
DISTINCTION
WINNER
2023
DAY NURSERIES
TOP 20
FINALIST
2023
TALK EDUCATION
TE AWARD
30 The Cake • Winter 2 1/ 2-13 2023 YEARS | NURSERY, PRE-PREP, PREP | MARLBOROUGHHOUSESCHOOL.CO.UK
FINALIST
2023

LOCAL HISTORY
MUSEUM
MATTERS
Joyce London visited Cranbrook Museum
earlier this year, her first return after 81
years. She was evacuated from South East
London to Cranbrook at the beginning of
the war. Here is her story.
‘I was born in June 1931 in Charlton, South
East London. Back then my name was Joyce
Mary Wakefield. I started at Maryon Park
primary school when I was five. My mother
died when I was three and I was living with my
father, step-mother, two older brothers and a
younger step-brother in 1939 when talk of war
began. Everyone at school was given letters
to take home saying that children in our area
were going to be evacuated from London. My
step-brother Tommy and I were really excited
to be going on this big adventure – little did
we know that it would be years before we
would see our home again. I was eight and
Tommy was five.
“Cranbrook is where I was so
happy all those years ago”
‘We set off on Friday 1 September. We had
been told to bring a small suitcase of clothes
and a couple of toys and books with us. We
boarded a steam train at Charlton station and
soon arrived at a place called Cranbrook in
Kent, which seemed a world away from the
noise, dirt and factories of South East London.
We were walked by our teachers down the
high street and Tommy and I were among the
last to be delivered to our new home, a dairy
at the bottom of the street. Two days later, on
Sunday 3 September, war was declared. After
a couple of weeks we settled into a routine,
attending a school for evacuated children in
a hall at the top of the high street during the
day and helping out in the dairy in the evening
and at weekends.
‘One afternoon, we came home from school
to find another lady at the house who said,
“You’re coming to stay with me now.” I had
no idea why we were being moved. She was a
very kindly, older lady and I instantly warmed
to her but, as we walked back to her house, she
said, “We’ve got a lovely dog called Trixie, who
you will really like.” My heart sank because I
RIGHT Joyce London
visiting the museum
in 2023
was terrified of dogs but I tried not to let my
fear show. I had no idea that this would turn
out to be one of the happiest times of my life.
Our new hosts, Mr and Mrs Webb, had a grown
up son called Stanley and a daughter called
Kitty, who ran the local fish and chip shop
from a tin shed close to the churchyard wall.
Together we all lived at 2 Rectory Cottages
along with Trixie, who turned out to be the
best dog in the world.
‘Away from school both Tommy and I
experienced the space and freedom we had
never known in London – I made friends
with Pat Honess, the fireman’s daughter,
and Eunice Curl, who taught me to ride a
bike. There were woods to play in, a pond
that we would skate on when was frozen and
countless adventures to enjoy in the beautiful
Kent countryside. Rectory Cottages weren’t
fancy but Tommy and I loved living there.
The war didn’t really touch us. Of course,
sweets, clothes and food were rationed, we
had to go everywhere with our gas masks and
sometimes we would stand and watch the
dogfights in the skies above us – but we knew
little of the Blitz in London or how hard life
was for the grown-ups who had stayed on
there.
ABOVE Joyce and her younger brother Tommy
(front), Mrs Webb and her daughter Kitty (rear)
and Trixie, the dog, c.1940 in front of Rectory
Cottages
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
‘Every weekend my dad’s local pub back in
Charlton ran a coach that brought parents
down to Cranbrook for the day and, after the
worst of the Blitz was over, many of them
started taking their children back to London.
I never wanted to go back because my life in
Cranbrook was much more fun than the one
I had back at home. All good things have to
come to an end though and, when I turned
11 in the summer of 1942, it was time to
leave Cranbrook and head to a new school in
Bedford.
‘When the war ended, I moved back to
South East London, where I got married.
Children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren
followed, friends and jobs
came and went and recollections of my time
as an evacuee faded. Recently though one of
my sons moved to Kent and encouraged me
to go to Cranbrook with him to try and find
the house I lived in. So much of the town has
changed but so much is still the same – the
fish and chip hut, cinema and sweet shop
are long since gone but the church, the pub
and the windmill are just as I remember
them. Memories from over 80 years ago came
flooding back as we explored the town before
heading to the museum. Then, as I walked
past the duck pond towards the museum door,
it hit me – this was the house I lived in back
in 1939, the house where I was so happy all
those years ago! Not sure if it was luck or fate
that Rosemary and Colin were on museum
duty that day and once I told them my story,
Rosemary reeled off a list of names and
places that I hadn’t heard since the Second
World War. Chatting with Rosemary was like
stepping back in time and reconnecting with
my past.
‘I hope to revisit Cranbrook again soon
and bring back more of my family so they can
see the place where I stayed thanks to the
kindness of Mr and Mrs Webb. I’m sure they
would be pleased to know their old home in
Rectory Cottages is now a museum where
local people (am I allowed to call myself that
after a gap of 80 years?) can meet, exchange
stories and learn more about the past.
Although I am now 92, thanks to Cranbrook
and the Museum I felt nine years’ old again for
an afternoon – I cannot thank them enough.’
The Cake • Winter 2023 31

Fabulous Christmas Shopping
AWARD WINNING TRADITIONALLY SMOKED FOOD
FARM SHOP | DELICATESSEN | GIFTS | TAKE AWAY
Visit our shop or order online
GIFT BOXES & HAMPERS
DELIVERED TO YOUR
DOOR MAKE POPULAR
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
COFFEES, TEAS, HOME
MADE FOOD, SOUPS,
CAKES - ALL AVAILABLE
DAILY. TAKE AWAY OR
EAT IN OUR MARQUEE –
WRAP UP WARM!
Opening times: 8.30am – 5.30pm Mon to Sat.
Sundays in December 10am – 4pm
The Weald Smokery, Mount Farm, Flimwell, East Sussex, TN5 7QL
Call 01580 879601 or visit wealdsmokery.co.uk
Join us at:
Search Weald Smokery
E8049_WS_Christmas Flyer_P4.indd 1 27/10/2020 12:52
High Street, Cranbrook,
Kent, TN173RB
Telephone: 01580 715008
reception@hammondoptical.co.uk
hammondoptical.co.uk
32 The Cake • Winter 2023

HOME
grated
1½tbsp lemon zest
½tsp salt
FOR THE TOPPING
140g (5oz) dried cranberries
250ml orange juice
120g (4oz) toasted almonds
– leave out for any guests
with nut allergies
1⁄₃-cup coriander roughly
chopped
1tbs extra virgin olive oil
Let’s Cook
Christmas
Salmon
This is a delicious Christmas
alternative to the usual meat and
poultry dishes. It looks particularly
festive with its rich assortment
of colourful toppings including
cranberries, almonds and
coriander. A quick and easy recipe,
it can be served warm or cold
for a Christmas supper or Boxing
Day lunch. The salmon is cooked
with a honey butter glaze, which
keeps in the moisture, and then
topped when cool with a creamy
dill sauce. Once prepared it can be
kept in the fridge until needed.
INGREDIENTS
SERVES 6–8 PEOPLE
1.2–1.5kg (2½–3lb) side of
salmon – leave the skin on to
hold the fish together – check for
bones
2tsp salt – sea salt crystals
are best, use table salt more
sparingly
1tsp black pepper
FOR THE HONEY BUTTER GLAZE
150g (5oz) unsalted butter
150g (5oz) honey
3 garlic cloves, minced
FOR THE DILL SAUCE
300g (300ml) sour cream full fat
½-cup of fresh dill finely chopped
½ shallot or small onion finely
METHOD
1 To make the dill sauce,
put all the ingredients into a
bowl and mix until smooth.
Leave it to chill in the fridge.
2 For the topping, heat the
orange juice in a saucepan
until hot then remove
from the heat and add
the cranberries. Cover
the saucepan and leave
it to stand for 15 mins.
Then drain the berries in
a colander, discarding the
liquid, and leave them to
cool.
Toast the almonds lightly
on a preheated baking
tray under the grill or in a
dry frying pan for about 2
mins, watching carefully
to prevent burning.
Then mix the orange juice-soaked
cranberries, almonds, coriander
and olive oil in a large bowl – keep
at room temperature.
3 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/
Gas 4. Place a large double layered
piece of foil onto a baking tray
and then top with a sheet of
baking parchment. Carefully lay
the salmon on the paper and then
fold up the edges of the foil to
make a saucer to stop the glaze
running into the tray.
4 To make the honey butter glaze,
heat all three ingredients in a
saucepan over high heat until the
mixture foams, then turn down
to medium and continue to let it
foam for 2 mins. Then take it off
the heat and pour straight over
the salmon.
5 Season the salmon with salt and
pepper.
6 Cover the salmon with a piece
of baking parchment and then
another sheet of foil. Fold up the
sides to lightly seal the salmon in
a parcel. Place in the preheated
oven and bake for 15 mins. Then
remove the top layers of foil and
paper and push the bottom layers
down under the salmon so they
don’t burn. Place in the middle of
the hot oven for approximately
8 mins until the glaze starts to
caramelise. Finally, remove from
the oven and gently prise open
the centre of the fish to check
the salmon is cooked – the flesh
should firm not ‘glassy’. When
it’s cooked, transfer the salmon
quickly using the foil edges
straight on to a serving dish to
prevent
further cooking. You can then
carefully tear the foil and paper in
the centre at the top and bottom
and then pull the sides of the
paper and foil apart. It will tear
down the middle sliding out from
under the salmon on both sides.
The lovely golden juices will then
drip down around the fish forming
a base glaze.
7 Lightly cover with foil and leave
to cool for up to 1 hour.
8 To serve, cover the salmon with
the creamy dill sauce and then
spread over the toppings to give a
festive Christmas appearance. You
can add pomegranate seeds and
more coriander for greenery if you
wish. A squeeze of lemon juice on
the top adds extra zest. Serve with
extra lemon wedges on the side.
The Cake • Winter 2023 33

BADGER’S PLOT
JOBS ON THE PLOT
Winter Musings
Another year on the
plot is drawing to
a close but there
are still jobs to be
done and crops
to be harvested such as leeks,
parsnips, swede and, of course, that
traditional Christmas favourite,
Brussels sprouts. You will also
see below that there are other
vegetables that are hardy enough
to be planted out at this time.
There’s also some guidance on
setting up crop rotation for next
year. Here’s a reminder of what can
be done during the mid- to late
winter period.
MIDWINTER
Planting outside: Garlic can still
be planted, provided the ground is
not frozen, as can broad beans and
rhubarb.
Sowing: Provided you have a
heated greenhouse, a start can
be made on sowings of onions,
lettuce, cabbage and cauliflower.
Harvesting: As mentioned above,
subject to weather conditions.
LATE WINTER
Planting or sowing outside:
Broad beans, garlic and parsnips. It
might even be possible to plant out
onion sets, if you are not growing
them from seed.
Harvesting: Lift the remainder of
your leeks, parsnips and swedes so
that the beds can be cleared.
A start should be made, digging and manuring your beds
for the coming year. If you are a ‘no dig’ convert, time
can be spent clearing beds of weeds and plant debris
in preparation for covering with three of four inches of
organic compost. If you find yourself driven inside by the
weather, it’s a good time to check vegetables that you
have in storage for any signs of rotting and removing
them to avoid others becoming infected.
Most experienced gardeners will know all about
crop rotation. For the less experienced, it’s worth
understanding how it works because of the benefits that it
brings. Crop rotation will provide your plants with the best
possible chance of being healthy. It prevents you from
growing vegetables from the same botanical family in the
same spot, for several years in a row. Growing in the same
place allows diseases such as clubroot (brassicas), white
rot (onions) and eelworm (potatoes) to gain a foothold
and produce poor results. Different vegetable types place
different demands on the soil and, by rotating them each
year, those demands are more easily spread over your
plot.
There are some vegetables that don’t require regular
rotation and can be fitted in wherever suitable, for
example, sweetcorn, salads, courgettes, squashes
cucumbers and radishes. Asparagus, however, must
remain in permanent beds.
To help plan your rotation for the next four years, I have
produced a simple guide, based on your having selected
four distinct areas of your plot for the system.
CROP ROTATION SYSTEM
Year One
Bed 1 Legumes
Bed 2 Brassicas
Bed 3 Potatoes
Bed 4 Onions/roots
Year Two
Year Three
Year Four
Bed 1 Brassicas
Bed 2 Potatoes
Bed 3 Onions/roots
Bed 4 Legumes
Bed 1 Potatoes
Bed 2 Onions/roots
Bed 3 Legumes
Bed 4 Brassicas
Bed 1 Onions/roots
Bed 2 Legumes
Bed 3 Brassicas
Bed 4 Potatoes
KEY
Legumes = peas, beans
Brassicas = sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower
Onions/roots = onion, garlic, leek, beetroot, carrot, parsnip
34 The Cake • Winter 2023

PROUD TO BE SERVING THE
COMMUNITY SINCE 1852
Your fully independent, family owned, Funeral
Directors serving the local community with
compassion and the highest standards of
service and professionalism.
With our 24-hour emergency service, we are only
a telephone call away.
At the earliest stage possible, you will speak directly
with one of our experienced Funeral Directors, who
will be there to help, support and guide you through
the whole of the funeral process.
Bank Street, Cranbrook,
Kent TN17 3EF.
01580 713636
enquiries@jperigoeandson.com
Dixter Road, Northiam,
East Sussex TN31 6LB.
01797 260316
www.jperigoeandson.com
J. Perigoe & Son is a Trading Division of West & Coe Limited,
602 Rainham Road South, Dagenham, Essex RM10 8YP.
The Cake • Winter 2023 35

Whatever you
want to store...
...for whatever reason – business, house sale
and purchase not coinciding, travelling, house
building work, paperwork overload or just “decluttering”
to sell your house more quickly –
we offer a friendly and
flexible service in
Cranbrook.
With competitive
rates, secure storage
all on one level and
hassle free 24/7 access,
contact us now!
New Units
Available Now,
due to extending
our facility!
01580 713231
www.barn-store.co.uk
Nicola Vinall
Nutrition&
Health Coach
a BANT Registered Nutritionist, Functional Medicine certified
Health Coach and Pharmacist
How much better would you feel if you could at least make a start on getting some of your
symptoms under control? No matter what stage of menopause you are in or when you
experience it, let nutritional support help you get your life back on track, both for now and for
your long-term health.
www.nicolavinall.com . nicola@nicolavinall.com . insta: nicolavinall.earlymenopause
LETTINGS AND SALES PROPERTY EXPERTS
Local specialists with a network of London & Regional Offices
FOR YOUR FREE MARKET APPRAISAL CALL US TODAY
Lettings 01580 720400 ∙ Sales 01580 720000
cranbrook@jackson-stops.co.uk
www.jackson-stops.co.uk
36 The Cake • Winter 2023

Hinxden Farm: A Local
Success Story
FARMING & AGRICULTURE
Our UK dairy industry,
once the envy of the
world, has had to
show great resilience
over the past 30
years, struggling to survive
foot-and-mouth disease, Covid
lockdowns and supermarkets’
vice-like grip on cheap pricing.
There is nothing better than a
British pint of milk yet successive
UK governments have continued
to ignore the plight of our dairy
farmers, allowing the import
of inferior dairy products from
other countries where they are
using low-paid staff and without
the stringent health and safety
regulations we have in the UK.
However, here in the heart
of our parishes we have a great
British success story with
Hinxden Farm in Benenden
now in the third and fourth
generations of the Manford family
who have been dairy farmers for
90 years. Richard, Dee and their
daughters Rebecca and Katy have
worked hard to overcome the
huge setbacks that many dairy
farmers have faced, which has
meant their business has thrived
while others are failing. It all
started with the purchase of an
old milk round in the late 1980s
enabling them to deliver their
delicious dairy products right to
the doorstep.
DIVERSIFY AND SUCCEED
During Covid they were in great
demand due to rationing in the
supermarkets and the need to
stay indoors and isolate. Hinxden
thrived with new customers and
increased orders as their delivery
team could safely leave the
bottles and other dairy products
at the gate or on the doorstep.
Semi-skimmed sales soared
but with restaurants forced to
close wholesale cream sales
plummeted so the Manfords
diversified into making butter
instead. Customers appreciated
the service and the quality of
their milk, cream, yogurt, crème
fraiche and cheeses and have
continued to buy from Hinxden
so the business keeps expanding.
With loyal, hardworking staff
and 250 cows they can meet high
demand. They now have seven
refrigerated vans delivering their
products to homes, restaurants,
schools, businesses and wholesale
customers across Kent and East
Sussex.
Hinxden is a family business
caring for its cows and its staff.
ABOVE Hinxden’s herd is a mix of Guernsey cows, famous for their golden
milk and cream. INSET For those who prefer their milk less creamy, the
Manfords now have Holsteins as well.
They employ university students
for their placement year, provide
work experience for veterinary
and agricultural students and
welcome any candidates who
might have interesting skills or
experience. Look out for their
delicious products in your local
shops or go on their website and
find out more.
Holistic tree care
to the highest
standard
ABOVE Hinxden milk is pasteurised rather than homogenised – meaning
the cream still rises to the top – and traditionally produced in 1 pint
glass bottles, which are returned and sterilised before being reused.
07515 101486
www.lsrtreesurgery.co.uk
The Cake • Winter 2023 37

Your financial needs taken care of under one roof
~
We specialise in providing high quality bespoke advice and
planning to individuals, families, trustees and businesses.
Call 01580 211 211
or email burfieldshousewm@sjpp.co.uk
www.burfieldshousewm.co.uk
George Cottage, High Street, Cranbrook, TN17 3DF
Burfields House Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place
Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose
of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on
the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/product. The titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms
used to describe St.James’s Place representatives.
SJP Approved 20/04/2023
WE ARE RECRUITING!
WWW.DOMINOSRECRUITMENT.CO.UK
33 HIGH STREET, CRANBROOK, TN17 3EE
11AM TO 11PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK
38 The Cake • Winter 2022

LEGAL ADVICE
Ask our Friendly
Experts
Residential Property FAQs
I am thinking of buying a
Q retirement property. Are
there any differences between
these and other freehold or
leasehold properties?
ARetirement properties
often have the benefit of
a manager on hand for any
emergencies. There is also a
social element for those persons
who would like more social
interaction, usually with various
events and activities planned,
shared social areas on site and
so on. In exchange, there is a
service charge payable for the
upkeep of the shared areas and
the cost of maintenance. In some
instances, there is a ground rent
payable as well, for example,
with leasehold retirement
properties. You should also
be aware that in many leases
or transfer documents for
retirement properties a
‘contingency fee’ and/or ‘transfer
fee’ is payable on transfer or
re-sale of the property in future.
These fees are payable to the
landlord and can range from 1
per cent to upwards of 15 per
cent so do check from the outset
to make sure you are aware of
all charges payable during your
ownership and on re-sale in
future.
My current property is
Q on the market, but I wish
to proceed with purchasing a
new property before selling
my existing home. My house is
in my sole name but the new
property will be bought in
joint names with my husband
who does not own any other
property. Would I have to pay
the higher rates of Stamp
Duty Land Tax against the full
purchase price or only on my
half share of the property?
Would I be able to claim this
back in future?
ACurrently, if you purchase a
new main residence without
selling your existing one, you
are liable to pay the higher
rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax
(SDLT) which is 3 per cent of the
purchase price. This is payable
in addition to the standard SDLT
rates for the purchase.
You have indicated that your
spouse does not own a share
in your current residence.
Unfortunately, the rules apply
to both of you, so the 3 per cent
higher rate of SDLT will apply.
However, if you sell your current
home within three years of
purchasing your new home, you
can apply for a refund, subject to
HMRC’s terms and conditions.
I will be selling my
Q property, which is also my
main residence. As part of the
sale there is an outbuilding
converted to an annexe or
holiday cottage and I have
been renting this out for shortterm
holiday lets. Are there
any tax implications in such a
sale that I should be aware of?
AYou may be liable to pay
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
on the holiday cottage and it is
advisable to speak with an expert
in CGT at an early stage so that
you are fully aware of your tax
liability, which must be paid
within 60 days of completion.
You may also have to arrange a
separate Energy Performance
Certificate (EPC) for the holiday
cottage.
I am buying a property
Q which includes a separate
building that has been
converted to an annexe. What
information do I need from
the sellers before completion?
AYou should ask to see the
EPC for the annexe as well
as the main building. If you
intend to rent out the annexe,
in addition to any planning
consent, you must ensure that
the EPC rating is ‘E’ or above.
There are some exemptions,
which can be found on the GOV.
UK website.
You should ask whether any
of the services for the annexe
are separate, where meters
are located and whether any
services are shared. You should
discuss your future plans for the
property with your conveyancer
who will be able to ask relevant
questions of the seller’s
solicitors.
You may be able to make a
claim to HMRC on purchase for
Stamp Duty Land Tax Relief
called Multiple Dwellings Relief.
This is subject to certain rules.
Again, your conveyancer will be
able to advise you, based on the
facts, whether your claim is likely
to be successful. In complex
cases, or where the information
available is unclear, your
conveyancer may suggest that
you speak to an accountant or
other professional to provide you
with the information necessary
to decide if an application for
Multiple Dwellings Relief would
be appropriate.
KERRY CARTER, Partner at
Buss Murton Law
Kerry is an Associate
Chartered Legal Executive
and works within our
Cranbrook Residential
Property team. kcarter@
busssmurton.co.uk / 01892
510222.
Clermont House, High Street,
Cranbrook, TN17 3DN
01580 712 215 or info@
bussmurton.co.uk
www.bussmurton.co.uk
The Cake • Winter 2023 39

Update
Can you Help Redesign
our Office Space?
Do you have a talent for interior
design, architecture or officespace
planning? If you’re a
member of our community,
your skills and ideas could
play a significant role in revamping our
local parish office.
Our office is the hub of local governance,
but it’s time for a change. We aim to create
a more productive, creative and welcoming
workspace. This redesign will reflect
our community’s values and encourage
innovation and collaboration, and we want
your input to help us make it happen.
If you have expertise or interest in:
• Architecture: to ensure the office is
structurally sound, maximizes space
and considers the constraints of making
changes to a Grade II* listed building
• Space planning: to optimise layouts to
Do you want to
Join the Parish
Housing List?
To be considered for the Parish Housing
List you need to have a strong local
connection by meeting as least one of the
following eligibility criteria:
• You have lived in the parish
continuously for the last three years
• You have lived in the parish for at least
five out of the last 10 years
• You are in permanent full-time
employment in the parish
encourage collaboration
• Sustainability: to suggest eco-friendly
design elements
• Accessibility: to make the office
welcoming for all
If you would like to be involved, please
email us at clerk@cspc.org.uk with ‘Office
Space Redesign Project’ in the subject
line. Include your name, contact info and
a summary of your relevant skills and
experience.
We believe that our community’s
wisdom and creativity can transform our
office space. By working together, we
want to make our parish office reflect our
community’s values and aspirations.
Your skills and ideas are essential to
this transformation. Thank you for your
dedication to our community and let’s
create a workspace we can all be proud of!
• You have parents or children who lived
in the parish for at least 10 years
HOW TO APPLY
To request an application form, email:
clerk@cspc.org.uk, call 01580 713112 or
alternatively call into the Parish Office
between 10.00am and 12.00pm Monday–
Friday. Then return your completed form
to the Parish Office.
Applications are nominated in order
of the date the application is received
and not on your personal circumstances.
If you are in urgent need of housing,
you must contact the Borough Council
Housing Department.
Winter Strategy 2023–24
It is the individual responsibility of every
parishioner to take due care and attention
in adverse weather conditions.
The Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish
Council have made no arrangements this
winter for snow and ice clearance, salting
or gritting of the Regal, Tanyard or Jockey
Lane car parks.
Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish
Council will not undertake clearance of
pavements within the parish. Residents
and businesses are encouraged to clear
the areas in front of their own property,
although this will be entirely at their own
risk.
There are salt and grit bins throughout
the Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish for
use by parishioners.
Throughout the winter season all
residents and visitors to Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst must use the roads, car
parks and pavements with due care and
attention. It must be clearly understood
that all users of the car parks do so at
their own risk.
40 The Cake • Winter 2023

I N D E P E N D E N T B A T H R O O M S H O W R O O M
Dreaming of a new bathroom? Visit our showroom for inspiration
and book a design consultation to help make your dreams a reality.
Worth
£380
FREE Sensio Glimmer Pro LED Mirror (700x500mm)
when you place a complete bathroom order
*Receive £380 credit if you require an alternative size. Show this flyerto a member of
the team to claim offer.
www.thebathroom.co.uk
@thebathroomcellar
01580 713883 01622 757500
Wilsley Park Farm, Goudhurst Rd, Cranbrook, TN17 2LJ The Old Brewery, Buckland Hill, Maidstone, ME16 0DZ

THE CAKE MEETS...
Richard King
The Cake meets the Venerable Richard King, the new Vicar for St Dunstan’s Church and Cranbrook
It’s a long way to come from Edmonton
in Canada for a job interview but our
new vicar, Richard King, did just that
and got the job!
Richard was brought up in Reading,
supports Reading Football Club and is
a self-confessed petrolhead. For want
of an O level, he would have joined the
navy. Instead, he joined British Gas as an
apprentice engineer. He found knocking
on doors and meeting people from every
strata of society (and fixing their boilers!)
gave him a great education in the human
condition – from those in distress who
just wanted hot water, to those who
accepted their boiler needed servicing was a
necessary evil.
He attended a Church Youth Group,
and one day in 1983, an overseas mission
leader gave a talk about how plumbers were
needed. He felt called, joined them for a
year and at the age of 20 applied to become
a minister in the Church of England – never
expecting to be accepted, but he was and
ordained in Canterbury Cathedral in 1990.
“From his experience, Richard
is excited by the ‘can-do’
attitude of people locally, and
the importance of not letting
good things end”
He worked around Folkestone and
Romney Marsh for 12 years before taking an
evangelistic role with the Church Army for a
couple of years, returning to Charing, where
he held a diocesan role while also being
priest in charge of Charing Church.
This involved facilitating change.
Humans are creatures of habit and many
congregations have issues – between
the generations and between locals and
in-comers – who have different ways of
worship. Opinions need to be heard and
valued, mutual respect to be engendered
and different perspectives explored.
Richard then worked in the Kennington
area of Ashford until 2015 when he and
Shelly, his wife, left for Canada to look after
her mother. Coincidences and serendipity
threw up a local role as a vicar in Edmonton
where Richard grew a strong congregation,
many of whom watched his installation in
Cranbrook via YouTube.
Shelly is Canadian, used to present
GMTV Calgary and then taught Broadcast
Journalism in Calgary. Richard and Shelly’s
family in the UK are delighted to see them
back – probably some grandparent duties
will be expected of them, now they are back.
From his experience, Richard is excited by
the ‘can-do’ attitude of people locally, and
the importance of not letting good things
end. However, he warns against burning out
existing volunteers – if you want something
done, give it to a busy person, but only up
to a point! Reflecting on his first weeks in
post, he said, ‘… there is a lot happening in
Cranbrook… and there is a great and shared
desire to make the community the best it
can be. It feels very much a gift to be able to
come and be a part of that.’
42 The Cake • Winter 2023

Local firm of solicitors for all your
personal and business needs
Property Conveyancing
Family, Children & Divorce
Employment law
Wills, Trusts and Probate
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Company & Commercial law
Our Cranbrook Office:
Clermont House
High Street
Cranbrook
Kent TN17 3DN
T: 01580 712 215
E: info@bussmurton.co.uk
www.bussmurton.co.uk
CRANBROOK | TUNBRIDGE WELLS | EAST GRINSTEAD
Buss Murton Law LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership No. OC345994 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority