Meet the men who are shedding the burden of loneliness
A MAN in a shed is no longer a story of loneliness thanks to a national movement, which has made firm foundations in the local area and is growing all the time. The Men’s Shed movement originated in Australia two decades ago, born out of an acknowledgement that older men can struggle to build social […]
Fifteen is magic number for Brainstrust charity
A CHARITY supporting families through the aftermath of a brain cancer diagnosis raised over £15,000 from its charity ball on October 15, a record total in the five years since it started running the events. Organised by Come Dance on the Hill (CDOTH) for Brainstrust, the event was held in the Victorian Theatre at Salomons […]
Radio presenter lends her voice to Ashdown Forest fundraiser
A BBC classical music presenter and Ashdown Forest local is to lend her voice to a cultural celebration in aid of the beauty spot’s charitable arm. BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham, who is also a BBC Proms presenter, will host a cultural celebration featuring music and photography organised by The Ashdown Forest Foundation (TAFF) on […]
Council and police criticised after park café closes due to vandalism
A CAFÉ in St John’s Recreation Ground has closed ‘indefinitely’ after Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and Kent Police failed to protect the premise from relentless vandals, its owner has claimed. Even Flow café confirmed on October 19 that ‘due to constant vandalism, we are unable to function at St Johns Park’. The café, which […]
Delayed Harvest Festival proves a feast for the eyes
THE Pantiles’ Harvest Food Festival saw foodies ‘turn out in force’ despite the event having been postponed from its usual slot following the death of the Queen. The celebration of food and local ingredients returned to Tunbridge Wells’ iconic promenade on Saturday and Sunday October 15 and 16, running from 10am to 4pm. Thousands descended […]
Tonbridge School wins a national award for its role in the local community
A leading local public school has been recognised by the Talk Education Awards for its invaluable year-round collaborative and fundraising work. Tonbridge School was named as a winner in the prestigious Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education 2022. Its recognition is for ‘Community Engagement and Charity Fundraising’, with Tonbridge being one of just nine […]
Village celebrates Memorial Hall’s finished renovation
VILLAGERS at Frittenden celebrated the ‘much-needed’ renovation to the Memorial Hall with a drinks event on October 14. The renovations to the hall included a new meeting room, kitchen, toilet facilities, a stage and performance equipment. Guests at the event included Tim Bull DL, Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and The Weald, Kent Community Foundation […]
Bus strikes now on hold but ambulance drivers balloted
STRIKES planned on the buses this week have been called off following a pay offer by travel company Arriva that has been put to union members. The strikes, which were to take place on Wednesday to Friday (October 19 -21) across Arriva depots in Northfleet, Gillingham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, were part of a series […]
Hospital waiting list reaches new milestone
WAITING lists for treatment at the Trust that runs Tunbridge Wells Hospital are now almost 50 per cent longer than before the Covid pandemic struck, figures have shown. The record numbers of people waiting for elective procedures and non-emergency surgery such as knee and hip operations at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) reached […]
Scouts raise £4,000 for homeless charity
SCOUT groups across Tunbridge Wells raised more than £4,000 for homeless charity Porchlight, by sleeping in cardboard boxes. The 200 scouts, aged between eight and 15, constructed their cardboard shelters and slept in them overnight on Friday October 7, at the Adamswell campsite in Langton Green. Nick Burgess, the District Scout Commissioner said: “From the […]
