Face-to-face GP appointments rise
MORE than 60 per cent of GP appointments that took place in Kent and Medway during August were face-to-face – the highest levels since the pandemic. The NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, which provides GP services throughout the region at around 189 surgeries, saw 828,677 patients during August, the latest figures show. Of […]
The former BBC journalist who took to the road in a motorhome to ‘age well’
A DECISION to challenge ageism and champion positive ageing was the step that propelled one depressed woman out of Tunbridge Wells and into a motorhome for a new, happier life. Former BBC journalist Siobhan Daniels recalled ‘feeling broken at work, looking in the mirror and seeing my emotions coming back at me’. Some of the […]
Foodbank sees rocketing referrals as the cost of living crisis bites
THE number of families needing help from the foodbank in Tunbridge Wells is expected to increase to near-pandemic levels this winter as the cost-of-living crisis begins to push more people below the breadline. Nourish Community Foodbank, which provides meals and support for families in Tunbridge Wells and the wider area, has seen a 30 per […]
Forage in nature’s larder to improve your diet and boost immunity this autumn
Did you know you can enrich your diet courtesy of mother nature? Vikki Rimmer spoke to Hever Castle’s head gardener Neil Miller to discover the power of rose hips, which can be 40 times more potent than Vitamin C and also made into teas and jellies? Only a handful of gardeners know that the fruits […]
It’s time to savour the tastes that our county has to offer for the new season
Produced in Kent, an organisation which champions the county’s finest producers and products, has curated a special autumnal collection showcasing some of the region’s most delicious and seasonal treats. Eileen Leahy discovers more… With the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness now upon us it’s time to switch up our eating habits, swapping salads for […]
Enter the dragons – boat races return to Bewl and the Medway
The famous Dragon Boat Race returned to Kent’s Bewl Water at the weekend as around 60 crews raced over a 250-metre course in the bid to raise money for charity. The event has taken part on the reservoir – the largest stretch of inland open water in the South East – since 1998. Over the […]
Sign your name and have your say
Two students are lobbying popular language app Duolingo to include British Sign Language on it after it was recognised as an official language in the UK earlier this year. Eileen Leahy finds out more about Agatha O’Neill and Sarah Lisgo’s ‘Give Duolingo a Hand’ campaign… Two students are campaigning for Duolingo to introduce British Sign […]
Welcome to the wonderful world of Belgian beer
In his monthly column Alex Greig of the Fuggles bars and bottle shop picks his top Belgian brews for you to try… Belgian Beer Weekend has recently taken place in Brussels. It’s a weekend-long celebration of the wonderful world of Belgian beer. Held in Grand Place, the event features over 500 beers from 50 brewers […]
“We hope we’ve created a friendly, welcoming vibe for casual but elevated lunchtime dining”
Trinity Theatre is a great culture hub but did you know it also serves up delicious lunches and snacks too? Eileen Leahy was invited along to sample its epicurean offerings… Last Wednesday, Trinity Theatre hosted a special lunch in order to showcase its delicious and diverse menu – and to also announce it is renaming […]
A local literary festival with so much more than words to write home about
The 21st Sevenoaks Literary Festival takes place from September 26 to October 9. Boasting another stellar line-up – which includes author Peter Bradley, poet Hannah Lowe and TV presenter Susannah Constantine – it promises to be something very special this year. Eileen Leahy finds out more… The Sevenoaks Literary Festival first launched in 2002 and […]
