Council leader survives challenge
Cllr Alan McDermott, who has been leader of the Council since May 2019, has fended off competition from fellow Tory councillor Paul Barrington-King, who represents Pembury ward and is also a county councillor. Cllr Barrington-King, who stood against the leader at the Tory group’s annual AGM [annual general meeting] of councillors at a virtual meeting […]
Increase in Covid infections but there’s no cause for alarm
As the town emerged out of Covid restrictions earlier this month, positive tests for the virus have risen, but changes in how the data is compiled mean the borough is still among the safest areas in the South East – with not a single recorded death from the disease for more than three weeks. Advertisement […]
Baptism of fire for new chair as the orchestra fights for survival
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That’s the view of Giles Clarke who retired from his role of chairman of the RTWSO in May, handing the reins over to Frances Armstrong. He says the current coronavirus crisis means the orchestra will have to rebuild its audience. Advertisement Mr Clarke, who had been chairman since 2010, told the Times: “I had already decided […]
Somebody needed to pull strings at the popular puppetry festival
Last year, crowds braved the dreary weather and flocked to The Pantiles and Royal Victoria Place as puppeteers from around the world enthralled the audience at the third Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival. It was fortunate that he event, which is biennial, was not planned for this year when the Covid pandemic would have forced […]
Grammar school test delayed by a month
County Hall has finally approved plans to delay the test by a month as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on schools and pupils, following months of speculation about whether the exam will be able to take place in September. Advertisement The test will now take place on Thursday, October 15 for pupils who […]
Woman dies on A21 as road closed following car fire
Drivers in the area have been told to expect delays of more than an hour following the incident. Advertisement Kent Police say they were called at 2.34am, near the exit for Tonbridge, where a woman with serious injuries was pronounced dead by South East Coast Ambulance Service. Kent Fire and Rescue Service also attended to […]
Councillors who voted themselves a pay rise ask you what services you want cut
The Council is facing an estimated £40-50million black hole for this financial year following the Covid emergency. Despite this, as reported in the Times last week [July 8], the cash strapped authority still voted through a new members’ allowance scheme during lockdown, which will see county hall Councillors receive a 4.2 per cent rise in their […]
Bizarre twist in the minibond saga as lawyer is accused of swapping sides
He is the local businessman being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office searching for £237million that has gone missing. Last year, Jane Sanders, a claims management specialist, set up a Facebook group offering to help victims of London Capital and Finance (LCF), after it fell into administration in January. The collapse saw more than 11,000 bondholders, many of […]
Tunbridge Wells County Councillors branded ‘selfish’ after pay rise vote
Advertisement It means taxpayers now pay more than £1.3million to fund County Hall Councillors. Last month at KCC’s Annual Meeting, held virtually, Councillors overwhelmingly voted to approve a new allowance scheme that sees all members receive an extra 4.2 per cent. The vote on June 17 came during the Covid-19 lockdown, which has seen 70 […]
Iconic music venue lights up at grassroots lifeline
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Thousands of organisations at risk of closure across a range of sectors including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema will be able to access emergency grants and loans thanks to the announcement made on Monday [July 6]. Advertisement PM Boris Johnson said many of these venues […]
