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
Tonight cheeky comic Jethro comes to the Assembly Hall with his unique style of witty, and sometimes bewildering, banter. Celebrating 40 years in the business, this tour sees Jethro at his laugh-out-loud best. For tickets, which cost £20, go to www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
The Dahlia Debut event is on all this week at Pashley Manor near Ticehurst. Gardening enthusiasts can see over 40 different species on display in various parts of the beautiful grounds, including the Elizabethan and Golden Gardens. Entrance costs £10 per person. For further information visit www.pashleymanorgardens.com
If you’re looking to do something a little fun and original, then how about treating yourself to the last fish and chip supper on the Kent and East Sussex Railway? Running from Tenterden to Bodiam. it’s not only a very pleasant and picturesque way to spend an evening but you get fed too! Tickets cost £25.95 per person. For more information visit: www.kesr.org.uk
>> Thursday
Heritage Open Days kicks off this morning and runs until Sunday. This annual event gives people the opportunity to be a tourist in their own town as many interesting and historical buildings are opening their doors free of charge so you can have a mooch around. For more information read our special feature in Arts & Culture on page 96-97 or visit www.tunbridgewellsheritageopendays.org
The Kent High Weald Partnership (KHWP) will be doing a demonstration workshop at Grosvenor and Hilbert Park today and showing visitors how to finish off the cutting and thinning of Appledore Wood. These workshops will be interactive so you can have a go, too! All tools and training are provided by the KHWP experts. Please dress appropriately for the weather. For more details visit www.khwp.org.uk
The Sussex is holding its weekly pub quiz tonight. Entrance costs £2 and the winner takes all. See www.thesussextw.co.uk
>> Friday
The Weald of Kent Craft and Design Show is on all weekend at Penshurst Place. So if you love browsing vintage crockery, colourful ceramics and handmade jewellery, or are in the market for some new artwork, then this is the fair for you. There will also be gardening producers present and lots of pop-up foodie stalls. To book tickets go to www.ichf.co.uk
All weekend at Knole there will be a special behind the scenes event where members of the stately home’s project team take visitors on a special tour through the showroom spaces which are currently being refurbished or opened up for the first time in hundreds of years. Each tour group is limited to ten spaces. Please refer to the website for more information or to book go to www.nationaltrust.org/knole
A new support group for people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and their carers is being set up in the Tunbridge Wells area and local people are being sought to help out at the monthly meetings. The Motor Neurone Disease Association will be hosting a drop in Volunteer Information and Coffee Morning at the Christ Church Centre in Tunbridge Wells at 10am for anyone wishing to find out more. If you would like more details about this event, or the work of the MND Association, please call Claire Tuckett on 07831 349382 or email: claire.tuckett@mndassociation.org | bit.ly/MNDVolsEventTW
>> Saturday
The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre is holding a fundraising afternoon tea party today at 3pm. The venue is the picturesque Court Lodge Estate in Lamberhurst, where guests can enjoy a cup of tea – or glass of fizz – with their delicious sandwiches, cakes and scones. They will also be able to walk around the beautiful Pulham-designed gardens. Entrance costs £35 and tickets can be purchased from www.courtlodgeestate.co.uk
The Tonbridge Town Medieval Fair and Heritage Weekend takes place today and tomorrow from 10am. The event is now in its 8th year and takes place on the lawn of Tonbridge Castle. It is free and you can enjoy a host of 15th-century-inspired entertainment, including Medieval re-enactments and ambient music courtesy of the Living History Group. For more information please visit www.tmbc.gov.uk
Poult Wood is hosting a Golf Family day. This new event aims to offer families and friends the chance to enjoy a round on the nine-hole golf course and is open to both novice and experienced players. Tickets cost just £10 per group of four, one of whom must be under 16. For more information or to book tickets call: 01732 364039.
Between the hours of 10 am to 6 pm the Freemasons of Tunbridge Wells are having an Open Day and are inviting any residents who are interested in any aspect of Freemasonry to come along the Masonic Banqueting Hall on St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells to see those parts of the building that are not normally accessible to members of the public and also see an exhibition about the charitable aims and history of the craft. This year is the 300th Anniversary of the foundation of the Grand Lodge and this is a part of those celebrations.
Experience opera like you’ve never seen before as Pop-up Opera presents ‘The Barber of Seville’ at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells today from 20:00-22:30. Find more details here www.trinitytheatre.net
>> Sunday
If you want to experience an enjoyable afternoon of classic big band music, and do your bit for charity, then make sure you book tickets for the More Miller Magic Show at the Assembly Hall today at 3pm. The 17-piece orchestra, which is headed up by octogenarian Terry Steel, will play a medley of Glenn Miller and West End musical hits and there will be a collection in the interval for the Royal British Legion.
Recreate the magic of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book by visiting his childhood home at Bateman’s near Burwash. There are a number of child-friendly activities as well as a lovely café in which you can take tea. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans
Tonbridge Town Team’s Dragon Boat Race takes place today on the River Medway from 10am. This is the fourth time the town has hosted this fundraising race and each year it gets bigger and better! There are a series of heats before the big race, which should take place just before 4pm. The Medieval Festival will be still going on so there will be plenty of street food and entertainment to keep you occupied during the day. For more information visit: www.tonbridge-ourtown.org.uk
>> Monday
Starting today at Trinity Theatre is the Street Photographer Exhibition by Andrew Mason. All the images are shot in black and white and capture both personal poignant moments and more public ones, which makes for a fascinating insight into human behaviour. For more information visit www.trinitytheatre.net
The hop walks at Scotney Castle continue all this week. 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. If you’re a fan of beer then read our special on the history of hop-picking. www.nationaltrust.org/scotneycastle
Sarah Millican comes to the Assembly Hall this evening at 8pm. The Geordie girl is known for her sharp, observational wit and funny turns on the BBC’s Live at the Apollo and Would I Lie To You? Tickets cost £25.
>> Tuesday
With the children back at school, now is the perfect time to indulge in the Seven Wonders of the Weald Tour. Stops on this picturesque circuit include Chiddingstone and Scotney Castles, Kent & East Sussex Railway, Biddenden Vineyards and Thackeray’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Tunbridge Wells. For more information and group ticket deals see: www.sevenwonders.org.uk
There’s always something interesting to discover at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens. Whether it’s an artistic workshop, a walk around the gorgeous grounds with one of the horticultural experts or even trying to spot the fabled yeti in the woods, it guarantees a good day out. For entry fees see: www.riverhillgardens.co.uk
WORTH THE TRIP:
Dragon Boat Race, Bewl Water
September 10
The 19th annual Dragon Boat Race takes place today at Bewl Water. If you’ve never been then what are you waiting for? It’s a great day out for all the family which sees crews of 16 paddlers (plus a drummer) race in Chinese-style Dragon boats over a 250-metre course to raise money for charity. For more information visit www.bewlwater.co.uk
