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, […]
Gig Guide September 21 to October 11
Local music promotor Paul Dunton picks his top must-see acts over the next three weeks…. The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles Doors 7.15pm, all event information and ticket entry available from thegreylady.co.uk FRIDAY 30/09 The Grey Lady Sessions: Frances Yonge + Jennifer Lee Ridley FRIDAY 07/10 Laura & Co Jazz Quartet SATURDAY […]
Local Paralympian becomes ambassador for Kent charity
A TONBRIDGE athlete turned Team GB Paralympian and double European gold medallist has become an ambassador for Compaid, a disability charity in Paddock Wood. Zak Skinner was born with a genetic visual impairment called ocular albinism, and began his training at Tonbridge Athletic Club, before moving to Loughborough for further coaching. Despite its challenges, Zak’s […]
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 […]
Flags fly at half-mast as Tunbridge Wells mourns
The Royal Town of Tunbridge Wells was eerily quiet when it woke on the morning after Her Majesty’s death. The streets were sombre, with few people in the town centre, which seemed like an era away from the throngs celebrating the Platinum Jubilee in June. An estimated 8,000 people had descended on Royal Tunbridge Wells […]
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 […]
Third generation quizzers reach £5,000 mark in quest to fund local good causes
Pub quiz teams for the local u3a retirement association have raised £5,000 for charity over six years of competing, persevering through many changes of teams and venues, and through all pandemic restrictions. Having reached a target of over £4,000 in November 2019, the Tunbridge Wells association’s pub quiz group raised its bar to £5,000 and […]
Health centres to boost junior fitness…especially for girls in Lioness summer
Two locally-based gyms are targeting girls in a bid to get children more active this summer, following research by one of the organisations that showed just 12 per cent of 11-16 year old girls planned to play sport this summer. The Nuffield Health survey was carried out in the first week of the summer holidays […]
A crafty bit of school holiday help from town’s Metro Bank
Metro Bank is open all week with free craft activities for children to do on the premises, or to take away in a craft bag. The event is being held in branches up and down the country and is part of the Metro Bank’s community engagement programme, which sees it providing ‘Money Zone’ financial education […]
First free Art Week is set to keep town centre buzzing
Art Week organised by Royal Tunbridge Wells Together begins next week, and as Sarah Bond finds out, there are a range of free activities for young and old alike… A programme of arts and crafts-related classes, workshops and online talks will be offered to the public or free through Royal Tunbridge Wells Together’s inaugural Art […]
