Royal Town falls silent as world says goodbye to Queen Elizabeth
TUNBRIDGE Wells fell silent on Monday as Her Majesty The Queen was finally laid to rest. The streets of the Royal Town were deserted as the clock struck 11am – the time when The Queen’s State funeral began. Banks and official buildings, including The Amelia, were closed, as normal for a bank holiday, but unusually, […]
Commons was in shock after the news of Her Majesty’s death
I was in the House of Commons last Thursday lunchtime when a chill spread across the Chamber as it became obvious, through whispered words to the new Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, that something grave was happening. By the time the BBC had confirmed the news that Her Majesty had died, early […]
Residents in tears as they pay their respects
Hundreds of residents in Tunbridge Wells have now paid their respects to Her Majesty since the news of her death broke, from signing books of condolence, to leaving floral tributes. After hearing the news on the radio, Abigail Smith and Jenny Francis visited The Amelia on Monday (September 12) to sign the book and leave […]
Floral tributes laid and books of condolences open across area
More than 1,000 people have signed a book of condolences opened at the Amelia in Tunbridge Wells following the death of The Queen. The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was the first to sign the book of condolences when it was opened at 9am on Friday, September 9. By Monday, the Council more than […]
King’s proclamation read out on the steps of the Town Hall
Although Charles became King automatically on the death of his mother, a formal proclamation was made in London at the weekend, which was also read out in most districts and boroughs around the country. King Charles III was formally proclaimed by the Accession Council ceremony at St. James’s Palace on Saturday, officially marking the start of […]
Kent’s top police officer to step down after eight years
The most senior police officer in the county is to leave his post and Kent Police after nearly 39 years of service. Chief Constable Alan Pughsley has announced he is to retire from the force to take up a prestigious national policing role. Mr Pughsley, who has been a chief officer at the force since […]
MP expected to return to Science Committee if he loses Cabinet job
Greg Clark was last night (Tuesday) waiting to find out if he is to remain in the Government following the election of Liz Truss as PM. The Tunbridge Wells MP returned to Cabinet in July after replacing Michael Gove as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities after his predecessor was sacked by […]
Summer of strikes continue as bus and train drivers walk out
Commuters and pupils returning to school have been told to expect continued disruption this month as a raft of strikes have been planned by buses and train operators. On Monday this week, drivers and workers at Arriva – the largest bus operator in Kent – walked out over pay, seeing nearly all its bus services […]
Thousands flock to Calverley Grounds as music festival hits all the right notes
The Bank Holiday weekend played host to more than a hundred live music acts as Local & Live returned following financial troubles that threatened to silence the event this year. The popular free festival drew more than 10,000 music lovers to the town from all over the UK and beyond for three days of entertainment, […]
Going Out Guide September 1 – September 7
Celebrating local artistic skills The latest Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society exhibition is up and running and on until this Sunday. Here, its Vice Chair, Suzy Phillips, tells Eileen Leahy all about it. “There is a bit of a watery theme going on at Royal Tunbridge Wells Art Society,” smiles artist Suzy Phillips, who’s also […]
