Car parks could go in Council asset sale
A CONSULTATION is closing next week (February 9) on plans to sell ‘surplus’ Council assets which could see buildings across the Borough – including five car parks – hit the market. The Asset Management Plan will shape next year’s budget and help the local authority tackle a costly maintenance backlog, said Tunbridge Wells Borough Council […]
New performing arts centre opens
MUSIC and comedy are mainstays of the inaugural programme of Kent’s newest performing arts centre, opened at Benenden School under the name Hemsted Park. When the season opens on March 25, some of the first artists on stage will be the BBC Big Band, jazz legends Ronnie Scott’s All Stars and TV quizzer-cum-comedian Paul Sinha. […]
Struggling rubbish contractor demands £450,000 for wages and new vehicles
TAXPAYERS’ money could be used to pay out as much as £446,750 to a failing waste collection service that needs money for drivers and leasing a new fleet of vehicles. There was a similar bail out last year. Under proposals by Spanish-owned waste contractor Urbaser, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and Tonbridge & Malling Borough […]
Council criticises festival as workers are left with no money after event
Organisers of a popular Tonbridge Christmas event have been publicly criticised for failing to pay traders, performers and the borough council. Most of those working at the event were local. The festive fair, Castlemas, took place in December, yet Robert Styles, director of street scene at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) said organisers had […]
Developer to sponsor Crowborough Athletic FC
CROWBOROUGH’s football club is to return to the Southern Combination Football League with a new local sponsor, having previously spent seven seasons in the South East Counties Football League. Developers Dandara, whose new Pearmain Place development is near the home ground of Crowborough Athletic Football Club (CAFC), have signed a two-year sponsorship deal with the […]
Fun with Ranger Bear on the hide-and-seek trail
A new children’s activity trail at Bewl Water has Molly Miller on the hunt for a lost Ranger Bear and friends… THERE’S a brand-new free activity trail for families with young children at Bewl Water, following the popular Christmas trail late last year. The 800-acre site in Lamberhurst, Kent, already has much to recommend […]
Children’s physical activity returns to pre-pandemic levels
The number of children in Kent taking part in the recommended level of physical exercise has returned to the levels seen before the Covid crisis hit. What’s more, a greater number of secondary school girls are playing football, according to a recent survey from Sport England. The Times finds out more… Kent County Council […]
Squash club at the top of its game from the grassroots up
THE LOCAL squash club’s top player, who travels from Brighton to play in Tunbridge Wells, recently won against an international player ranked over 100 places higher than him thanks to club support from the ground up. Hosting the Colin Payne Kent Open on January 11-14, Tunbridge Wells Squash Rackets Club was treated to a high […]
Local loyalty card plans mental health fundraiser
LOCAL loyalty card TN Card is to celebrate its third birthday by raising funds for wellbeing and mental health services in West Kent, through prizes donated by the scheme’s retailers. Starting from February 1 and running until 4pm on Sunday February 12, donors making a contribution to West Kent Mind (WKM) through the fundraiser will […]
100-year-old knitter makes teddy hugs for sick children
A 100-year-old woman from Crowborough is reaching out across the generations with knitted hugs to help children in hospital face their tears and fears. Kate Smith started making bears for Tunbridge Wells Hospital during lockdown. She said: “People gave me a load of wool, so I thought, ‘right, this is where it’s got to go’.” […]
