No clear majority for Council
Despite some hard-fought campaigning, last Thursday’s local elections have resulted in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) continuing with No Overall Control (NOC), as parties prepare for the ‘all out’ vote expected next May. This year’s vote saw 16 seats – one-third of the total of 48 – up for grabs in the Borough elections. Despite […]
Traffic ban petition compromised by ‘fake’ councillors
AN online petition against traffic restrictions in Tunbridge Wells has been compromised after the names of some Borough Councillors had been “fraudulently” signed. Last week an e-petition was created on Kent County Council’s (KCC) website to protest against the controversial traffic restrictions on Mount Pleasant Road. However, shortly after the petition went live, it was […]
Pub closes after landlady’s death
TRIBUTES have poured in for the much-loved landlady of a popular pub in Tunbridge Wells who passed away last month, resulting in the pub’s sudden closure. Julie Wilson, 56, who had been running the Cross Keys pub on St John’s Road since 2017, died at King’s College Hospital on Saturday April 1. The pub announced […]
Company director takes on charity Highland hike
A DIRECTOR from Tunbridge Wells is hiking 96 miles across the lowlands and Highlands of Scotland this month for a mental health charity closer to home. Mark Foxwell, 40, a Director at Sharp Minds communications, is walking the West Highland Way from Glasgow to Fort William in aid of the suicide prevention charity, PAPYRUS. According […]
Tunbridge Wells autism charity to unveil sensory garden at Chelsea Flower Show
LOCAL charity Aspens will be revealing their show garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show in hopes of raising awareness around autism and mental health. Pembury-based Aspens is a social care charity supporting people on the autism spectrum and with learning difficulties. It will be unveiling ‘The Natural Affinity Garden’ at the London show […]
West Kent Mind to beat the blues with new workshops on Mental Health Awareness Week
LOCAL mental health charity West Kent Mind (WKM) has set the dates for its annual ‘Wear it Blue’ fundraiser and is hosting a series of creative workshops across Tunbridge Wells. Between May 15 and May 21, residents are encouraged to show their support for the charity’s wellbeing and mental health work by wearing blue on […]
Teacher sacked for homophobic slur and inappropriate conduct
A DISGRACED former Tunbridge Wells teacher has been banned from classrooms after he used a homophobic slur to refer to Freddie Mercury, inappropriately touched a pupil, smoked in front of pupils and lied about his qualifications. James Gardner, 41, a former Physical Education teacher at Broomhill Bank School in Tunbridge Wells, was found guilty of […]
Berkeley Homes set to challenge High Weald development refusal
DEVELOPERS who submitted a plan for 165 houses in Cranbrook in 2020 – only for it to be rejected by the government early last month – are to challenge the decision. Berkeley Homes’ proposed development, on land adjacent to Turnden on Hartley Road, Cranbrook, was refused in the name of Michael Gove, Secretary of State […]
Celebrate royally in Tunbridge Wells
A round-up of the Coronation celebrations taking place in our local communities… Culverden Celebrations for the Coronation will be kicking off early on King Charles Square in Culverden at a community event run by The Wells Free School and Cripps. On Friday May 5, children and staff from The Wells Free School will be […]
Teachers march for pay as more strikes expected
HUNDREDS of teachers in Tunbridge Wells marched through the town yesterday after walking out of classrooms to demand better pay and working conditions. Teachers from across the Borough and beyond met at Calverley Grounds for a rally with flags, music and posters on Tuesday May 2. Yesterday was the second national strike in a week […]
