Searching for a gorilla in our midst
One Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, is on the search for its golden gorilla, which was stolen from the bar by two women on a night out. The hotel bar’s iconic primate statue was snatched on Friday August 18 at around 10.30pm. Two women, caught on CCTV, entered the hotel lounge bar, enjoyed a few […]
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 […]
Building a sustainable future
Bewl Water, an expansive 800-acre reservoir in Lamberhurst, is celebrating its ongoing journey towards long-term sustainability and conservation, a commitment propelled by the dedication of Head Ranger Dan Baker. With more than two decades of service, Dan and his team have played a pivotal role in driving forward Bewl Water’s progress in environmental protection and […]
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 […]
Old grenade found in Calverley Grounds
THE long sleep of an historic unexploded rifle grenade in Calverley Grounds ended with a bang last week, after Kent Police had to call in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) support. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) contractors working on drainage issues near the playground in the park made the discovery, and the specialist corps came out […]
Disability campaigners call for more ticket office consultations
DISABILITY campaigners opposed to cost-saving proposals on the railways are keeping up the pressure after rail bosses extended their consultation. Train operators in England opened a consultation in July, considering plans to close most ticket offices and redeploy staff to assistance roles in stations, while investing in apps and online ticketing. The consultation was due […]
