County Hall goes ahead with its bus subsidy cuts
KENT County Council (KCC) has voted to cut nearly 40 subsidised bus services, mainly in rural areas across the County as the authority attempts to save money. Among the subsidies that have been cut are six routes serving the Tunbridge Wells area, which are now likely to stop running following the axing of the cash […]
Town centre traders BID for stardom in a frightfully fun Halloween video
A NEW promotional short film has been released by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District in time for October’s spooky season. The Business Improvement District (BID), the town centre promotional company that is paid for by local firms via an annual levy attached to their business rates, released the video via YouTube last […]
Fireworks display ready to go off with a bang with cut-price tickets
TICKETS have gone on sale for the town’s largest annual event, with discount family tickets available for the first time to help affordability during the cost-of-living crisis. The Dunorlan Park Fireworks have been illuminating the skies of Tunbridge Wells since 1957 and each year are organised by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table. The men’s […]
Council’s flagship Amelia among buildings honoured by Civic Society
THE town’s arbiters of taste have honoured 11 architectural and public art projects in a bumper post-pandemic year that landed the Amelia Scott cultural hub two Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society (RTWCS) awards. The annual ceremony, held at the Town Hall on Thursday evening (October 13), revealed the decisions of a panel of seven assessors, […]
One day puppetry festival pulls in the crowds
AROUND 5,000 people flocked to Calverley Grounds at the weekend to see a life-sized whale and other aquatic curiosities thanks to the return of the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival The normally biennial event staged a one-day spectacular on Saturday (October 15) with an under-the-sea theme following support from Royal Tunbridge Wells Together and Tunbridge Wells […]
Unemployment on the rise despite record vacancies due to shift to Universal Credit
THE number of people out of work in Tunbridge Wells rose last month, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released last week, despite record vacancies in the town. Tunbridge Wells recorded 1,640 claimants in September, up 1.9 per cent since August, and representing a 2.3 per cent claimant rate. This compared […]
Consultation into scrapping annual elections to go ahead
VOTERS in Tunbridge Wells will be asked whether the Council should scrap its annual elections in favour of a single ballot every four years, after the Town Hall voted to approve a consultation on the plans. Currently at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, councillors are elected in thirds, with 16 of the Town Hall’s 48 members […]
A season for the senses
LIGHT, darkness and music will mark the start of the Tonbridge Music Club’s (TMC) 60th anniversary year, with an unusual concert programme designed for the space, the season and the artists. The collaboration between trumpeter Alison Balsom and organist Anna Lapwood is not itself an unusual starting point for a concert, but over two years […]
Gig Guide October 12 to October 26
This week Times music columnist Paul Dunton shares his must-see gigs for the next fortnight. They include seeing the brilliant Lonelady at The Forum, a Nick Drake tribute act at Trinity and Chesney Hawkes at The Assembly Hall… The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, all event information and ticket entry available […]
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 […]
