‘Resilient’ Year 11s receive GCSE results
STUDENTS across Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas collected their GCSE results last Thursday (August 24), with results across local schools topping the national picture. Like A-Level results the previous week, GCSE grading, too, was brought back to pre-pandemic levels this year, resulting in a fall in top marks. As predicted, the pass rate across […]
Tunbridge Wells Pride returns after year’s hiatus for a day of celebration
THE streets were filled with festivity as the LGBTQIA+ community came together to support Tunbridge Wells Pride across the town last Sunday (August 20). Poignantly, the LGBTQIA+ community also used the opportunity to celebrate trans rights pioneer and former Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillor Mark Rees, who died on July 26. The day opened with a […]
Ex-Alliance leader quits party to form new independent group
TENSIONS within Town Hall have led to a split in the Alliance party, as the previous leader stepped down last week and formed a new political grouping. Former Alliance leader, David Hayward resigned from the party last Wednesday (August 16), admitting that the party’s arrangement with the Borough Partnership was a “mistake”. In a public […]
Teachers ‘proud’ of students as many plan new life at university
Thousands of students in and around Tunbridge Wells will find out their GCSE results tomorrow (Thursday August 24), following the announcement of A-Level results last week. The A-Level students performed extremely well, despite this being the first public exams this cohort had ever sat – their GCSE exams were cancelled due to the disruption caused […]
Major road to reopen early ending weeks of long tailbacks and delays
Pembury Road, one of the main routes into Tunbridge Wells, is set to reopen this Friday, ending weeks of frustration for motorists who faced major traffic congestion. The roadworks, which started on July 24, were scheduled to take six weeks, but after works progressed quicker than expected, the gas network now says the road could […]
Second runway at Gatwick will create ‘motorways in the skies’
PLANS for a second runway at Gatwick would mean thousands more planes using the airport and be “a massive blow to the quality of life” for people across Tunbridge Wells. That’s the warning from local MP Greg Clark following the next step in Gatwick’s scheme to repurpose the Northern Runway. The plan has now been […]
Bid launched to save Speldhurst village shop and post office
A PARISH Council in Tunbridge Wells has launched a consultation for a new project to save a local shop and post office, after fears it could shut for good if a new location is not secured. Residents of Speldhurst Parish, including Langton Green, Ashurst, and Old Groombridge, are being asked for their thoughts on saving […]
Apartment block development prompts safeguarding concerns
PLANS for an extra floor to be added to a block of flats in Tunbridge Wells have been approved despite local concerns around parking and safety at a nearby nursery. The plans for an additional 11 apartments to be built on a new fourth floor at Hamilton Court on Chilston Road were approved by the […]
‘Great progress’ on Pembury Road gas works
SGN Southern Gas Networks has confirmed that the gas works which have closed Pembury Road for six weeks are on schedule to finish on time for a reopening at the beginning of September. Spokesman Dan Brown told the Times: “Our engineers are making great progress replacing our old pipes along A264 Pembury Road. “We’re currently […]
Hotels bounce back with a boom
HOTELS across Tunbridge Wells are currently reporting their highest occupancy rates since before the Covid-19 pandemic, recording “fantastic levels of demand” this summer. Hotels across the town have welcomed the industry boom and revealed impressive occupancy rates of 80 to 100 per cent since the start of the summer holidays. The Tunbridge Wells Hotel […]
