Sport centres put in jeopardy as row erupts over a £2million deal
A proposed £2million contract with Fusion Leisure had been agreed to operate the three venues owned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC]. The confidential deal was arranged behind closed doors due to the commercial sensitivity of the talks and would see Fusion retain the management of the sites. The registered charity has been running Tunbridge […]
Police watchdog called in again after woman dies in custody
It is the second death recorded at the Pembury Road station in the last four years. The woman who died has not been named and was arrested for an undisclosed offence by officers from Kent Police at around 8pm on Friday July 23. At about 1pm the next day, she appeared to be having trouble […]
Virus rates plunge despite ending of all the restrictions
In the latest data released by Public Health England, in the seven days to July 27 – more than a week after the final lockdown rules were lifted by the Government – cases have nearly halved. On July 18, the day before Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted mandatory mask wearing and the remaining social distancing […]
Festival organisers want charities and good causes to share the stage
Mark Davis, who is originally from Blackpool, has been putting on festivals in the town with his partner Nicky Chanot for more than five years, at both the Hop Farm and Colebrook Park. Last year, due to the virus, his summer calendar had to be cancelled. Mark said: “We have spent five years working hard […]
Dame Kelly joins row over claims of a ‘sexist ban’ on young female footballers
The Kent Girls & Ladies Football League [KGLFL] has more than 60 teams competing in it, including Langton Green CSA, Tunbridge Wells Ladies FC, TW Forresters, Paddock Wood FC, Pembury Athletic Ladies, and West Kent Girls FC. Last month, the league voted to implement Football Association rule 18(M), which prevents young players from competing in […]
Virus vaccinations keeping people out of hospital as third wave hits
The vaccination programme being rolled out across Tunbridge Wells appears highly effective in the fight to protect the NHS and keep people out of hospital, analysis by the Times shows. When the virus was at its peak in January there were more than 600 positive tests a week, with 230 hospital admissions and more than […]
Residents vow to block off their cul-de-sac over development and parking permit row
They now plan to block the entrance to their street in High Brooms today [Wednesday, July 28] to prevent a developer from building new homes after they were told the project will mean they will no longer be able to park their cars for free. Residents in Blackthorn Avenue also say the Council has sold […]
Employment agency sees its busiest time in history
TN Recruits, which finds jobseekers employment in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area, says it is seeing its busiest period in the firm’s 17-year history. Last week, the Times reported on the largest drop in unemployment rates in the Borough since the pandemic began. Currently, 2,590 people are unemployed in Tunbridge Wells, according to June […]
Return to office could result in rise of ‘Covid bullying’, businesses told
Ben Stepney, a senior associate at Tunbridge Wells-based Thomson Snell & Passmore, says workers that have been furloughed, those that suffer from long Covid, and those who have not been vaccinated are all at risk of being ‘shunned’ by colleagues. Writing in his law blog, Mr Stepney said: “Bullying and harassment remain significant workplace issues […]
Councils suspend garden waste collections
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council [TWBC] and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council [TMBC], share a multimillion pound joint contract with waste management contractor Urbaser. The bin service has already been stretched as the contractor is feeling the effect of the national shortage of HGV drivers, which is being compounded by an increasing number of people having […]
