Students to make a splash with charity Channel swim
SWIMMING the English Channel without a wetsuit in September is all in a day – and night’s – work for a group of Year 12 students raising funds for two charities that support those with disabilities. The team of five teenagers from Kent, including Sam Martin-Young from Lamberhurst and Joey Ajayi from Wadhurst – with […]
What’s on in and around Tunbridge Wells
With the summer holidays upon us, the Times has compiled an essential guide to going out in the area for everyone from festival-goers and staycationers, to nature lovers, families with children, and connoisseurs of culture… FESTIVALS The Hever Festival at Hever Castle continues until August 30, with music, theatre, comedy, dance and history. Highlights […]
Well-wishers celebrate the restoration of Love Fountain
THE restoration of a century-old fountain is the first stage of a hoped-for regeneration of St John’s, according to a group of well-wishers who helped make the project a reality. The Friends of St John’s Park and Meadows, the Refresh Tunbridge Wells charity, local councillors including the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, the Parks Department, Tunbridge […]
Businesses dance through the decades to support food bank
Childrensalon and Cripps hosted ‘Dance through the Decades’, a fundraising evening in support of Nourish Community Foodbank on Friday 30 June. Taking place in the Sky Lounge at Cripps HQ on Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, the evening was compered by local legend Tom Swift. Guests visited the Childrensalon Pop-up Designer shop, danced to music from […]
KCC bus pass costs frozen but parents must reapply
Finally, there is some good news for parents: Schoolchildren who use the Kent County Council (KCC) Travel Saver bus scheme will benefit from a price freeze this year. However, even if you have used the service previously, you will need to reapply – and the deadline is fast approaching. Using Bus Service Improvement Plan funding […]
Local passengers left waiting as ticket offices threatened with closure
TRAIN companies have announced plans to close almost all station ticket offices in the country, but Southeastern’s decision to focus on stations closer to London first has raised fears that Kent and Sussex passengers will be an afterthought. Launching their consultation on the future of ticket offices last week, Southeastern and 13 other train operators […]
‘Hold South East Water to account,’ says local MP
While South East Water (SEW) was busy tending to water infrastructure issues around town last week, Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark held an urgent meeting with Ofwat. In a follow-up letter to the water regulator released exclusively to the Times, Mr Clark said that South East Water should receive “significantly higher fines” as a result […]
It’s full STEM ahead for Rose Hill pupils as science learning is brought to life
Science Week 2023 at Rose Hill School embraced the issues of sustainability and conservation, with a number of special interactive activities. The Times finds out more about this year’s fun educational event… Co-educational Rose Hill School hosted its annual Science Week recently, and for 2023 there was a firm focus on sustainability and conservation. […]
New spring water business is source of pride for town
ROYAL Tunbridge Wells Water is on a mission to put the sparkle into the summer as the tourist hordes pour on to The Pantiles. Entrepreneur and angel investor, Simon Squibb joined Royal Tunbridge Wells Water a year ago, bringing his investment background to the project founded by Samuel Danby. The company filters, dilutes and bottles […]
Watchdog increases pressure on South East Water
While Kent and Sussex buckled down for the first day of a hosepipe ban on June 26, water regulator Ofwat has demanded an “urgent” meeting with South East Water (SEW) to address the ongoing water crisis, while threatening potential “action” against the supplier. The first day of the hosepipe ban coincided with a burst water […]
