Planning loophole used to build a ‘wall of sheeting’ blighting gardens
The 200 sq m white scaffold structure appeared overnight at the rear of Ability heating and plumbing engineers in London Road. The firm has now been criticised by local residents for taking advantage of loopholes in planning legislation that enabled them to erect the ‘monstrosity’ without any consultation or permission. One neighbour, who we have […]
Local Brit award pop star celebrates one of his smallest sell-out shows
The singer, real name Rory Graham, whose hits include Human and Giant, played the iconic, award-winning independent venue as part of a national campaign to help revive grassroots music venues. He lives locally, near Heathfield, and had played The Forum, a former public toilet on the Common, before he became a big star, although on […]
Testing time as learners have to wait five months
Learner motorists who wish to book their practical driving test at the Upper Grosvenor Road site can expect a five-month wait for a date as record numbers of people look to take their tests following the pandemic. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency [DVSA] that runs the Tunbridge Wells Driving Test Centre says they are […]
MP aims for Number Ten after electrifying speech on Afghanistan
He made his ambitions clear in an interview with a Sunday newspaper following an emotive speech last week in Parliament in which he said the ongoing Afghanistan debacle ‘damn well feels like’ defeat. The former soldier triggered messages of praise from across the political spectrum after he recalled his own experiences in that country. He […]
Local & Live is back – this Bank Holiday weekend!
Thousands of music fans are expected to flock to Tunbridge Wells this Bank Holiday weekend as the town’s free music festival returns after a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. The 16th Local & Live kicks off this Friday night (August 27) and continues throughout the weekend until Bank Holiday Monday (August 30). The weather […]
Read the Times of Tunbridge Wells 25th August 2021
Poets unite in celebration of our precious planet
On Tuesday (August 24), the renowned Scottish poet Roger West and I will host an evening of poetry as part of the Tunbridge Wells Poetry Festival. Titled Remember the earth whose skin you are, it will celebrate our precious planet and consist of both spoken word and inspiring soundscapes. The title comes from Joy Harjo’s […]
Cultural hub will leave its mark on the town – not on the environment
The Amelia Scott is named after the early 20th-century campaigner for women’s suffrage who was one of the first two women to be elected to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) in 1919. The mixed-use cultural hub inside the building is set to be a called just ‘Amelia’, with adult learning facilities, a library, archive storage, […]
Town hotel is awarded a silver rating
The 4-star One Warwick Park Hotel was awarded the additonal rating by motoring organisation the AA, who give star ratings that are applied as a common standard in the UK. The award comes following an inspection last week by the motoring organisation. Inspector Mike Pedley praised the team’s ‘great guest focus’, service delivery and the […]
Read the Times of Tunbridge Wells 18th August 2021
