Old grenade found in Calverley Grounds
THE long sleep of an historic unexploded rifle grenade in Calverley Grounds ended with a bang last week, after Kent Police had to call in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) support. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) contractors working on drainage issues near the playground in the park made the discovery, and the specialist corps came out […]
Disability campaigners call for more ticket office consultations
DISABILITY campaigners opposed to cost-saving proposals on the railways are keeping up the pressure after rail bosses extended their consultation. Train operators in England opened a consultation in July, considering plans to close most ticket offices and redeploy staff to assistance roles in stations, while investing in apps and online ticketing. The consultation was due […]
Three local dancers cast in English Youth Ballet show
YOUNG Tunbridge Wells dancers, Molly Stoddard, 13, Emily Whichcord, 14, and Katja Wylie, 15, were chosen to join the 80-strong cast of the English Youth Ballet’s production of ‘Cinderella in Hollywood’. The girls were cast through a process of rigorous rehearsals and competitive auditions and will now perform alongside professional dancers Lyndsey Fraser and Joshua […]
Sea Cadets on the march toward refurbishment goal
TUNBRIDGE Wells Sea Cadets are nearly halfway to their goal of entirely refurbishing their Victorian headquarters, ‘TS Brilliant’, in a move that will increase local Sea Cadet numbers as well as reduce costs and improve accessibility. The full refurbishment of TS Brilliant requires about £300,000 of investment to increase the size and accessibility of the […]
Local player wins World Croquet Championships
WADHURST resident Robert Fulford has emerged victorious in the 18th Croquet World Championships, which concluded on July 23. 80 players from 18 countries competed for the title over nine days at the Championship, which was run by Croquet England on behalf of the World Croquet Federation at the Hurlingham Club. Mr Fulford is a member […]
Italian food business clashes with RVP over vision for Ely Court
A WAR of words over empty units in Royal Victoria Place’s (RVP) arcade of shops off Camden Road has revealed conflicting visions for the retail site. Eat Italiano, run by career businessman and market trader Egidio Rosa, has opened inside the shopping centre, but the company’s real dream is to take over the entire arcade […]
No free parking for Dunorlan
THERE will be no free first-hour parking at Dunorlan Park when charges are introduced, Council leaders decided last week, as they weighed the budget against the results of an informal consultation. Meeting last Thursday (July 27), Cabinet members admitted that Lib Dem, Alliance and Labour groups were all “divided” and “split” over proposals to introduce […]
Honorary degree awarded to Kent business leader
A RETIRING regional business leader has capped her 15 years at the head of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce with an honorary doctorate. The University of Kent named Jo James a Doctor of Science in a graduation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral, recognising her contributions to the local and regional economy, as well as her dedication […]
Commons eyesore gets makeover from local artist
WOODLAND scenes and local butterflies have been restored to the Tunbridge Wells Common with the painting over of a defaced toilet block. The public convenience behind Wellington Rocks is owned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, but there had not been the budget to paint over the graffiti, according to the Commons’ General Manager Gemma Stapeley. […]
Delays follow start of Pembury Road gas works
THE start of a six-week project to replace gas main pipes on Pembury Road (A264) has begun, resulting in heavier traffic on the A26 and the threat of delays to bin collections and transport to hospital. The A264 is closed to vehicles between its junction with the A21/A228 and the junction with Blackhurst Lane and […]
