Local business leaders react to Chancellor’s mini-budget
CHANCELLOR Kwasi Kwarteng billed last Friday’s (September 23) ‘mini-budget’ as the ‘Growth Plan 2022’ but it has received a mixed reaction in and around Tunbridge Wells. The Chancellor has introduced the biggest programme of tax cuts for 50 years using more than £70 billion of increased borrowing. While the measures saw the pound plunge to […]
Going Out Guide September 28-October 4
HALLOWEEN draws an enormous spiderweb over stately homes, farms and country parks alike, this October half term. There’s a special service on the Spa Valley Railway on October 29-30, with Dr Frankenslime journeying into insanity aboard the steam-hauled Trick or Treat Express service. He is trying to build himself a bride, but if you somehow […]
“We give young people the opportunity to perform great music in fabulous venues”
Adrian Pitts, artistic director and principal conductor of Tonbridge-based West Kent Youth Voices tells Eileen Leahy why being part of a choir is so good for students’ social and performance skills… West Kent Youth Voices (WKYV) choir started in September 2019 as a platform for young singers in West Kent Schools aged from 14 to […]
Orchestra tuning up for another season of superb classical music
The Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra (RTWSO) returns for its new 2022/23 season on October 2 at 3pm at the Assembly Hall Theatre. According to its current chair Frances Armstrong, it promises to be ‘a lively and entertaining programme featuring the brilliant young international pianist Martin James Bartlett.’ “We are delighted to welcome Martin back […]
Tunbridge Wells u3a celebrates its 40th birthday under town’s clock
TIME is a worthy thing to celebrate, especially if it is spent together, which is why members of a local retirement group met under the Millennium Clock for the movement’s annual publicity drive. The third week in September is always ‘u3a Week’, said Tunbridge Wells branch chair Eryll Fabian. “U3as throughout the country make a […]
Developer names construction company for bus depot project
THE developer of a retirement complex on the former site of the Arriva bus depot on St John’s Road has named a construction company for the job. Elysian Residences has chosen HG Construction for its development, which includes 89 apartments, with dining, leisure and communal facilities for the residents, rising to between three and six […]
Crowborough man cycles to London and back to pay respects to The Queen
A CROWBOROUGH man carried the thought of a Tunbridge Wells charity with him on a gruelling cycle ride to and from Westminster Hall on the weekend of The Queen’s funeral. Dominic Nevill said: “The Queen struck a chord when she said how every day should be exciting. I woke up Sunday morning and thought – […]
Trees to be felled as ash disease strikes Tunbridge Wells Common
MORE than a dozen trees are to be felled on Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons after they were ravaged by disease. The Conservators of the Commons say ash trees on the 6.7-acre site have been hit with ‘ash dieback’ – a fungal infection that leaves the trees with blackened leaves and discoloured bark. Ranger Daniel […]
Hundreds put best foot forward for Hospice Run
MORE than 500 local people turned out to take part in the Hospice Run in Tunbridge Wells on Sunday (September 18), despite the period of national mourning. Runners set off from the Lower Cricket Ground to complete the 5k or 10k circular routes on closed roads throughout the town, all to raise funds for Hospice […]
Council to decide fate of free parking after hundreds voice their opposition
THE cross-party ‘Borough Partnership’ is to decide whether to abolish free parking in the towns of Paddock Wood and Southborough as the Council’s cabinet meets tomorrow (Thursday, September 22). As part of the coalition’s deficit reduction plan, free parking for the first hour in the Council-owned car park in Paddock Wood and the first two […]
