Hildenborough Farmers’ Market – Free Financial Guidance

1 Step 1

Plain English explanations for your personal finance, pensions and investments – no appointment necessary

Searching for "Free Financial Advice in Tonbridge"? Let's Talk

If you’ve been Googling “free financial advice in Tonbridge” or “free pension advice UK,” you probably just want a straight answer to a money question without getting a bill at the end.

Here’s the thing: regulated financial advice is a paid service (and rightly so). But there’s a gap between “I don’t know what this pension letter means” and “I need to pay someone £200/hour to help me.”

That’s where I come in.

I’m Rob Mansfield, a Financial Planner based in Tonbridge. I also happen to edit the Hildenborough Parish Magazine. On the first Tuesday of the month, I set up at Hildenborough Farmers’ Market to offer free financial guidance to anyone who needs it.

No sales pitch. No jargon. Just clarity.

What's the Difference Between "Guidance" and "Advice"?

Good question.

Guidance means I help you understand what you’ve got. I’ll read through your pension statement, explain what the numbers mean, and talk you through your options in plain English.

Advice means I tell you specifically what to do with your money (e.g., “Move your pension into Fund X”). That’s regulated, and yes, that costs money.

At the market, we stick to guidance. You’ll leave knowing more than when you arrived. If it turns out you need formal advice later, we can discuss that separately – but there’s no pressure.

What Can We Actually Talk About?

Lately, people have been asking about:

Inheritance tax – “What will the chancellor take when I die?”
Pensions approaching retirement – “I’m 60. What do I actually do with this thing?”
Confusing letters from providers – “What does ‘crystallised benefits’ even mean?”

But honestly? Anything money-related is fair game.

The “Stupid Question” Challenge

I make a point of telling people there are no stupid questions. A few brave souls have tried to prove me wrong.

Nobody’s managed it yet.

If you’ve got a question you think is too basic or too odd, bring it. I’d love to be proven wrong.

💡 Got a "stupid" question? Fancy being the first person to stump me? Pop down to the market and give it a go.

Where and When?

Location: Hildenborough Farmers’ Market
Hildenborough Village Hall, 10 Riding Lane, Hildenborough, TN11 9HY

When: First Tuesday of every month, 9am – 11am

Look for the two pull-up banners inside the hall – you can’t miss me.

You can also check the latest market news on the Hildenborough Farmers’ Market Facebook page or see the full producer list at KFMA Hildenborough.

What Should I Bring?

If you’ve got paperwork – a pension statement, an investment letter, something from HMRC you don’t understand – bring it with you.

I’ll read through it, cut through the jargon, and explain exactly what you’ve got.

If you don’t have paperwork, that’s fine too. Sometimes the best place to start is just “I’ve no idea what I’m doing with my money and I don’t know where to begin.”

Can't Make the Market?

Tuesdays don’t work for everyone. If you need to chat but can’t make it to the market, you’ve got two options:

Call me directly: 01732 247 360
Drop me a message using the contact form at the top of this page

I’m happy to have a quick telephone chat to point you in the right direction. If it turns out you need more in-depth help, we’ll take it from there.

Who Am I? (And Why Am I Doing This?)

I’m Rob Mansfield, founder of Rootes Wealth Management. I’ve been a financial planner for years, but I’ve also been editing the Hildenborough Parish Magazine for the last couple of years (I’m the fourth editor since 1982, if you’re counting).

Being involved in the community matters to me. Whether you want to talk about an article in Keys Magazine or talk about your pension pot, the door – well, the stall – is open.

I’m also a proud partner of the TN Card, supporting independent businesses across Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and Tunbridge Wells.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this really free?

Yes. The guidance at the market is completely free. If we chat and it turns out you need regulated financial advice (where I make specific recommendations), that’s a separate conversation and would be a paid service. But the market chat? No charge.

Do I need to book?

Nope. Just turn up. If I’m mid-conversation when you arrive, grab a coffee from one of the other stalls and I’ll be with you shortly.

What if I don't know what questions to ask?

That’s fine. Start with “I don’t know what I’m doing” and we’ll take it from there. Most people don’t have specific questions – they just know something feels confusing and want someone to make sense of it.

I live in Tonbridge/Sevenoaks/Tunbridge Wells – is this for me?

Absolutely. Hildenborough is right between all three, and the market is easy to reach. If you’re searching for “free financial advice in Tonbridge” or nearby, this is for you.

What happens if I need more help after our chat?

If it becomes clear that you need formal, regulated advice, we’ll discuss setting up a proper appointment at my office in Tonbridge. But there’s no obligation – the market chat stands on its own.

See You at the Market

First Tuesday of the month. Village hall. Two big banners. Can’t miss me.

If you’ve been putting off sorting your finances because it all feels too complicated or too expensive to get started, this is your chance to get some clarity without any pressure.

Bring your questions (stupid or otherwise). I’ll bring the plain English.

Contact: 01732 247 360

Rootes Wealth Management is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The guidance provided at Hildenborough Farmers’ Market is factual and impartial information only and does not constitute regulated financial advice.