If you would like to see your events featured in our weekly What’s On pages please email info@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
SEVEN DAYS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE
>> Wednesday
There will be An Audience With Lesley Garrett at the Assembly Hall from 7.30pm. Britain’s most successful soprano will be chatting about her life and career and singing some of her favourite songs from the world of opera and beyond. The audience will be encouraged to request songs and ask Lesley questions. Top seats £28. For further information please visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
If you’re into cycling and high drama, then the 2Magpies production of Ventoux at Tonbridge’s EM Forster Theatre is for you. It recreates the story of Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani’s epic race up the French mountain of the same name during the Tour de France 2000. Real footage of the treacherous mountainous road is used as the backdrop while the actors retell the story of the rivals who pushed themselves to the limits to succeed. Tickets cost £10, £9 students. To book visit www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk
For entertainment of a totally different kind go along to the Hop Farm’s Moonlight Drive-in Cinema where Lights Out will be showing from 8pm. This supernatural horror film directed by David F Sandberg will certainly keep you on the edge of your (car) seat! Tickets cost £25 per vehicle. www.moonlightcinema.com
Alternatively, pop along to the Word Up! happening at The Forum from 7.30pm. Tommy Sissons and AP Staunton host this special poetry event, which costs £5 per person on the door. Visit www.twforum.co.uk
>> Thursday
From 6.30pm there will be a Bat Walk at Grosvenor and Hilbert Park. Meet at the hub. From here the guide will then take you around the grounds to spot the many different species that live in this park. Children must be accompanied by adults, and it’s advisable to bring a torch along and dress appropriately for the weather. The event is free but pre-booking is essential. To do so contact Community Engagement Officer Steff D’Agorne at steff.dagorne@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
The Odeon will be screening the National Theatre’s production of The Threepenny Opera this evening from 7pm. It’s a dark comic tale set against the backdrop of London preparing for The Queen’s Coronation. The police are keen to wipe out any whiff of trouble, but the capital’s thieves and dodgy dealers have other ideas… To book tickets, which cost £20, visit www.odeon.co.uk
The Sussex Arms will be hosting another of its quiz nights from 8pm. Entrance costs £2 per person and the lucky winner takes all!
The penultimate Jazz on the Pantiles takes place from 7.30pm. Burrito Cat will be the musical collective taking to the bandstand to entertain.
>> Friday
Tunbridge Wells Library and Museum gears up for another term of pre-school Friday fun with their Dangerous Dinosaurs storytelling and craft sessions today. Running from 10.30-11.30am, it’s a perfect way to engage little ones in reading and art. There are also additional sessions once a month on a Saturday from 10am-12noon and 2-4pm.
For a musical evening with a difference, make sure you catch Tcha Limberger’s concert at St Alban’s Church in Frant. Performing with his seven-piece Budapest Gypsy Orchestra, the accomplished violinist and guitarist will treat the audience to an evening of passionate folk and classical music from Eastern Europe. Tickets cost £18 and can be bought from Frant Stores, Brittens Music shop or www.wegottickets.com
The hop walks at Scotney Castle finish on Sunday, so if you haven’t been along yet make sure you go this weekend. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy ambling through the hop fields, checking out the drying rooms and then enjoying a sample of the estate’s delicious brew. There are two daily sessions from 12noon-2pm and 2.30-4pm. Tickets, £2. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotneycastle
The Velo House on St John’s road hosts punk legend Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols for an evening of tales about his life in rock ‘n’ roll and on the road. The legendary bassist will be also be performing from 7-11pm. To book tickets go to www.thevelohouse.com
>> Saturday
If you’re a fan of vinyl, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there will be a Revolver Record Fair taking place at King Charles the Martyr Church Hall today. Entry is free and the event lasts from 10am-3pm.
Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market is on outside the Town Hall this morning. Expect the usual variety of seasonal produce, specialist ingredients and delicious sweet treats on offer from 9am-2pm. (Please see here for our exclusive interview with Bruce McMichael, who runs the Tunbridge Wells farmers’ markets).
Whether you want to shift those extra post-holiday pounds, or get training for your next big race, then it’s a good idea to participate in the weekly 5K park runs that happen in Dunorlan and the Castle Road park in Tonbridge every Saturday morning from 9am. They’re free to attend and are a great way to up your exercise count. All you need to do is register at www.parkrun.org.uk.
Friends of Bricklehurst’s Autumn Fair takes place from 12noon-4pm. Set in the beautiful grounds of Bricklehurst Manor School, visitors can expect stalls laid out with attractions including homemade crafts, produce and plants. There will also be bouncy castles, face painting and a tug-of-war. Entry is free. www.bricklehurst.co.uk
The charity Compaid, which helps disabled people get out and about in Kent, is celebrating its 30th anniversary by holding a Fundraising Ball at the High Rocks this evening. Tickets to the black tie event cost £50 per person and include a welcome drink, three-course meal with wine and musical entertainment. To book tickets please visit www.compaid.org.uk
>> Sunday
Swallows and Amazons is screening at Trinity Theatre from 5pm. This classic book by Arthur Ransome is brought beautifully to life for the cinema thanks to its stunning scenic locations set in the Lake District. For those not familiar with the story, it tells the tale of two young families – the Walkers and the Blacketts – who meet on holiday and enjoy plenty of sailing action in their dinghies and mock fighting. But they have to swap their imaginary world of pirates, swords and cannons for real adventure when faced with a series of dilemmas. Kelly Macdonald and Rafe Spall star. See www.trinitytheatre.net for more details.
The Kent RSOC car show gets underway today at The Hop Farm. Running from 10am-3pm, there will be a host of classic Ford cars to check out, including convertible Cosworths, sporty Sierras and rally-style Fiestas. For tickets at £5 per person (under 16s go free) visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk
The Forum will be putting on Run Tumour Run! – an afternoon of live music in aid of the The Brain Tumour Charity. To kick things off there will be a children’s disco followed by a magician to amuse youngsters all afternoon. From 7pm, a series of bands will take to the stage to also raise vital funds for the charity. Bloco Fogo and DJ Adam Lightspeed are among the performers. For more info visit www.twforum.co.uk
>> Monday
The Sevenoaks Literary Festival is now underway and, until October 7, will host a number of workshops and talks with writers in different venues around the town. Now in its 14th year, it’s a popular event which showcases some of the best contemporary literary talent around.
Tomorrow you can hear author Anne Sebba chat about her latest book, Les Parisiennes, a tale of life pre- and post- the German occupation of the French capital. She will be at the Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Library from 7.3opm. Other guests appearing over the festival fortnight include local authors Juliet Nicholson and SD Sykes and illustrator William Grill. Visit www.sevlitfest.com for more details.
There will be an Open Mic Night at the Duke of York on The Pantiles from 8pm. All the amps and equipment will be there, so just bring along your instrument – or your voice!
Calling all ukulele players. Whether you’re keen to practise this instrument, or learn some new techniques on it, then you’ll want to join TWURPS at The Cross Keys tonight for their weekly jamboree. Just turn up and join in!
>> Tuesday
The Workers’ Educational Association puts on various adult educational courses a few times a year. Today is the start of its Literature Justice course, which looks at the concept of law in some of the most famous books, including Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, EM Forster’s A Passage to India and Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. The ten-week course takes place at the Camden Centre in Tunbridge Wells from 1.30-3.30pm every Tuesday and costs £86.10. For more details visit www.wea.org.uk
From 6-8pm there will be an SRP Toy Fair at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge. With admission priced at just £1.50 it’s an inexpensive way to seek out some rare finds for your vintage toy collection, or just a unique place to buy some early Christmas presents! For more information visit www.srptoyfairs1.co.uk
Tunbridge Wells FC kick off against Croydon tonight at their Culverden Stadium from 7.45pm.
WORTH THE TRIP:
Hospice in the Weald 10K run
Sunday September 25
10am Tunbridge Wells
This is a great way to raise money for charity and to help keep you fit. If you turn up on the day you pay £35 to enter, with proceeds going to the charity. By raising just £100 in sponsorship you could enable a patient to attend therapy for a day. As the race is on roads, children under 12 are not permitted to take part. Those aged 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information please visit www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk
