LOCAL

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council magazine

tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Winter 2017

inside:

Ice skating
Poppies galore
Events & awards
News, features
and loads more
 A DESTINATION AT EVERY STATION!

SANTA SPECIALS ARE BACK!

C
ome and experience the
wide range of flexible
healthcare services,
guest stays and wellbeing events Join us this December for our extremely popular
Santa Specials operating from Eridge Station, East
Acres of beautiful gardens and
woodland to enjoy Sussex through the glorious winter High Weald
Rehabilitation following a hospital countryside to Tunbridge Wells West.
stay or illness
Respite care On board the train every child will receive a present
Assisted stay for those who would from Santa Claus himself and the opportunity to
like a holiday but need a little help visit him again in his grotto!
Outpatient services, counselling,
physiotherapy and hydrotherapy
Dates of operation December 2017:
Guest stays and therapeutic stays
Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd, Saturday 9th, Sunday
Church and Spiritual Wellbeing events
10th, Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th, Thursday 21st,
Tea room, bookshop and gift shop
open everyday Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th
DEPARTURES AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:
Call Reservations 01892 865988
to find out more 10:15, 12:15, 14:15 & 16:15
www.burrswood.org.uk
email: enquiries@burrswood.org.uk BOOK ONLINE NOW:
WWW.SPAVALLEYRAILWAY.CO.UK
The Dorothy Kerin Trust. Registered Charity No. 1095940

Transforming lives through whole person care

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 Welcome to Local costs less than 9p
Winter Local! a copy to produce and
deliver to your home!
Im always being told that as you get older the years
pass so much quicker. How true this is it only feels
like yesterday that I was editing the last winter edition!
So to this edition, weve got some of the regular

5
winter favourites that you have come to expect. With
Christmas around the corner, it just wouldnt be the
same without the fun of the ice rink and panto to get us
all into the festive spirit. Inside, youll find information Ice Skating in
from around the Council about awards, services and the Park
general news to keep you up-to-date.
Remember the Christmas Farmers Market on
23 December.
Wishing everyone all the best for 2018!
Lizzie Goodwin
Editor
6to7
Love Where We
Live Awards

We produce Local to keep you up-to-date about

Council services and news. If you have any
comments about the magazine, wed love to
hear from you. Contact us by:
E-mail: Localemail@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Phone: 01892 526121 8 Poppies

Post: Lizzie Goodwin, Communications Manager,

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town Hall,

10to11
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS
TWellsCouncil
tunbridge-wells-borough-council Bloom results
To advertise, contact Space Marketing Ltd,
01892 677721
or e-mail antoinettem@spacemarketing.co.uk
Advertising helps to keep our costs down. We do
not endorse the external products and services
13
Assembly Hall
advertised in Local. Theatre
The information in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. Tunbridge
Wells Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or
subsequent changes. 16
Mayor's Toy Appeal

If you require Local magazine in large print or on audio please phone 01892 554273
3
TW1463
PUBLIC ART OR PRACTICAL?
Well, we rather The cycle stands have and manufacturer from former Kent & Sussex
been crafted in Wiesbaden Wiesbaden, to produce the Hospital site:
think the answer to and remind us of the close stands in the town centre.
The current Chairman of
that is both. links that the borough The developers of Knights
TWTFA, Councillor Julian
enjoys with our twin Wood Dandara Homes
The eagle-eyed amongst Stanyer, said: 'These cycle
town in Germany. They readily agreed to fund and
you will recognise these stands provide a safe place
were installed at Knights install them.
stylish cycle stands at to park your bike and they
the new Knights Wood Wood after an initiative by Its not just Knights Wood look superb too! I hope
development, between the former Chairman of that has seen these that we can encourage
Sherwood and Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Twinning elegant cycle stands other developers to install
They are the same as those & Friendship Association installed this year. Berkeley more stands in the years to
you will have seen in the (TWTFA), Professor Homes agreed to fund come. The practical benefit
Royal Tunbridge Wells town Michael Holman. It was and place some outside is obvious and the link they
centre over the past few Michael who first asked their Royal Wells Park provide with our twin town
years. Bernd Brusberg, a designer redevelopment on the is very much welcomed.'

Help local good causes and be

in with a chance of winning up to

25,000
Only 1 per ticket!
TWLotto.co.uk
4

For the seventh year
running the Ice Rink is
back in Calverley Grounds
and, if you havent booked
your tickets, now is the
time to do so.
The rink is open until Monday 1
January 2018 with skating sessions
running every hour from 11am to
8pm daily (6pm on Sunday 24
December, Tuesday 26 December,
Sunday 31 December and Monday
1 January). The rink is closed on
Christmas Day, Monday 25 December.
Supported by
Ice Skating
in the Park
Friday 17 November
Monday 1 January
For the much younger skaters there
are also 30 minute Parent &
Toddler sessions daily at 9.45am,
10.15am and 2pm from Saturday
18 November to Wednesday 20
December.
The Ice Rink isnt just for skaters; if
youre coming along to watch youll be
well looked after with a great range
of local food and drink on offer from
Fuggles Beer Caf, Basil Caf and
Apple And Cor!, as well as festive
stalls, perfect for a spot of Christmas
shopping.
Corporate skating packages are now
available so if youre planning the Advance booking is recommended.
office Christmas party why not make it Find out more information and book
a party on ice? tickets on the website.
tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com
Tunbridge Wells at Christmas RTW_Xmas
5
Love Where We Live Awards 2017
Back in October we
celebrated some of the
amazing people and
organisations who make the
borough such a special place
and who remind us why we
Love Where We Live.
The annual Love Where We Live
Awards always conclude with a
glittering ceremony in the Assembly
Hall Theatre and this year was no
exception. Finalists sat alongside
the people who nominated them,
and together with invited guests and
sponsors waited to hear who had
been selected by the panel of judges
to win this years awards.
There were seven categories for
which awards were given, as well
as the overall Love Where We Live
winner which this year went to the
winner of the Young Volunteer of the
Year award, Alexander Runting, a
former pupil at St Gregory's Catholic
School in Tunbridge Wells.
6
Alex was nominated for his volunteer
work at The Cyber Caf and with
the IT team at St Gregorys Catholic
School, giving his time and expertise
to help others. He was praised by
the judges for showing maturity and
patience beyond his years, guiding
those who need assistance through
the ever-changing world of social
media and computer advancement.
The Love Where We Live Awards
are an opportunity to recognise
and celebrate those who make a
difference to their community across
the borough of Tunbridge Wells.
Other winners were:
Ethical Business:
Trinity Theatre
Trinity provides quality opportunities
for local young people to learn not
just about acting, but all the other
theatre skills such as lighting and
stage management.
Best Group:
19th Royal Tunbridge Wells
St Matthews Scout Group
The young people who attend the
St Matthews Scout Group enjoy a
full range of activities which provide
them with vital skills for life.
Individual Hero:
Sybil Oddy
Sybil Oddy is everything a
community hero should be. She ran
the Speldhurst nursery school for
nearly 25 years and is part of the
village hall committee and has also
been a leading light in Girl Guiding,
volunteering as a leader for more
than 30 years.
 The other finalists in each of the categories were:

Best Group Award: Ethical Business Award:

Calverley Adventure Grounds Cook
Charity of the Year: Royal Tunbridge Wells parkrun Bidborough Stores
St Georges Childcare
Sports Achiever of the Charity of the Year Award:
For over 100 years St Georges has Year Award:
been providing an exceptional level Crossways Community
of childcare to children irrespective Morwenna Everitt
Domestic Abuse Volunteer
of their ethnic, social and financial Annabel Guye-Johnson Support Services
backgrounds.
We are very grateful to the awards Young Sports Achiever of
sponsors Fusion Lifestyle, John the Year: Young Volunteer of the
Lewis at home, Kent and Sussex Year Award:
Rosie Dobson
Courier, King Charles School Old Cadet Sgt Shayn John
Boys Association and Town and Izzie Mercer
Country Foundation. Beau Lane-Winch

Sports Achiever: Individual Hero Award:

Billy Hall Richard de Coverly
Billy took over Tunbridge Wells Boxing Lester Gosbee
Club about 20 years ago, and has
turned it into one of the best boxing
clubs in the country, providing local
children with opportunities to become
champions in life and the ring. As well as their Love Where
We Live certificates we were
Young Sports Achiever: delighted to be able to present
Harley Curtis-Lawrence the four runners-up in the Sports
Harley, 9, is an acrobatic gymnast Achiever and Young Sports
who was crowned British Champion Achiever categories with a Sports
in May. He shows amazing balancing Training and Equipment grant.
skills, not only as a gymnast,
but also in ensuring he
commits himself to his
school work and
education.

7
Poppies Galore!
W e launched our knitted/
crocheted poppy appeal in the
summer in partnership with Kent
Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Julia
Soyke said: I am amazed by how
many people, from far and wide,
County Council and the Royal British have become involved with the
Legion, to be part of this years Knitted Poppy Appeal and worked so
remembrance campaign. We have hard to create this work of art. I hope
been overwhelmed by the spirit and many were able to see it, it really
generosity of residents, community was wonderful and it presented an
groups and schools around the opportunity to pause and reect on
borough. You spread the message what the poppy symbolises.
far and wide about what we were
All of your hard work will not go to
doing and we have received poppies
waste. These pieces of art will be
from Wales and Spain too! At the
saved for the centenary marking
time of writing this, poppies are still
the end of World War 1 next year.
coming in. Weve counted over 6,000
So keep those knitting needles and
and they have made this stunning
crochet hooks handy, well be calling
art installation to pay tribute to those
on you all again in 2018 to make the
who have served in war. We hope
display even more spectacular.
you like it!

Whether you contributed one poppy or a

handful we thank you!

Including other displays around the borough it is likely that

over 10,000 poppies have been created! Please send
images to the editor at Localemail@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
8
FARMERS' MARKET AT
CHRISTMAS
This years
Christmas Farmers'
Market is happening
on Saturday 23
December on Civic
Way in front of the
Town Hall in Royal
Tunbridge Wells.
The market is always a great
place to buy your Christmas
essentials, whether thats
fresh meat, fish, vegetables,
deli items or bread. Buying
from local suppliers means
it hasnt travelled far to
reach you, youll know
where your food is coming
from and youll often find
products you wont see in the
supermarkets.
And, if like us you always
need that last minute gift,
youll find just the thing on
the craft stalls at the market.
The market is bustling at
Christmas so why not beat
the queues and pre-order
your fresh, local produce in
advance? Our stallholders
will be happy to help you.
Market dates before Christmas
Saturday 9 December
Saturday* 23 December
*Please note there is no market on Thursday 21 December
Defrosting and storing
Now Open Chamberlain Court
A passion for care, a zest for life.
your Christmas turkey
The British Turkey
Information Service gives the
following advice about how
to store your turkey.
Your turkey must be stored
in a fridge at a temperature
of no more than 4C. If your
turkey is frozen and needs
to be defrosted, this can be
done as follows:
Fridge (up to 4C) allow
812 hours per kg
Cool room (10-15C) allow
34 hours per kg
Room temperature (20C)
allow 2 hours per kg
After thawing remove all
packaging, take out giblets
and store separately. Store
lightly covered on a deep
plate or dish (to prevent any
of the juices dripping onto
other foods in the fridge) Chamberlain Court is our stunning new care
towards the base of the
fridge. Ensure the fridge is home in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Built on 20
at a temperature of no more years of experience, Chamberlain Court offers
than 4C). a state-of-the-art cinema, therapy room, hair
Once thawed and in the salon, barbers and caf. Residents can also
fridge, the turkey will keep enjoy beautiful landscaped gardens, featuring
for two days. Cooked turkeys
should be kept in the fridge an aviary, carp pond and craft room.
no longer than four days.
If freezing cooked turkey,
To find out what makes us a care home with
remove from the carcass first a difference, call us on 01892 620946, email
and freeze separately. The chamberlaincourt@hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk
meat will remain moist and today to arrange a visit or for more information
succulent if frozen either in
stock or gravy. go to www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk
Chamberlain Court Care Home, 77 Mount
Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8BS
9

Tunbridge Wells results
in South & South East in
Bloom Competition 2017
It was another blooming good year
at this years South and South East
in Bloom Awards. Royal Tunbridge
Wells in Bloom came away from the
ceremony with a number of awards
including several for the towns parks
and open spaces. In the Large Town
Category Royal Tunbridge Wells
received a gold award and was
category winner.
Chair of the In Bloom committee
Councillor David Elliott said: 'I didnt
expect that we would pick up so many
awards; it was absolutely fantastic
and we couldnt have done it without
our sponsors, volunteers, Friends'
groups and everyone who took part
locally.
Large Town category:
Royal Tunbridge Wells Gold Award
& Category Winner
10
Bloom 2017 R
Large Park category:
Dunorlan Park Gold Award
Grosvenor & Hilbert Park Silver Gilt
Award
Calverley Grounds Silver Gilt Award
Common / Open Space
category:
Tunbridge Wells Common Silver Gilt
Award
Large Cemetery category:
Tunbridge Wells Cemetery and
Crematorium Gold Award
Churchyard category:
Woodbury Park Cemetery Silver Gilt
Award
Conservation category:
Barnetts Wood Nature Reserve
Silver Award
Additional Awards:
The Kent County Award for Royal
Tunbridge Wells in Bloom
Peoples Choice Park Award for
Dunorlan Park
Winners of the Royal Tunbridge
Wells in Bloom 2017:
Our local Bloom competition has
grown even more this year we
received and judged a record number
of competition entries, including
residential, business, school, allotment
and Town Hall entries:
Best School: Joint Winners
Oakley School and Herbilicious
Project
Best Street Flats: 620 North
Street
Best Basket: Sue Ashworth
Best Planter/Tub/Container:
Rose Hatt
Best Patio/Balcony: Maria
McKenna
Best Front Garden:
Marianne Meadows
Best Back Garden:
Christine & Laurence Smith
Best Wildlife Garden: Richard Bell
Best Allotment: Ray Copper
Best Commercial Basket/
Planter: The Barn
Best Community Allotment/
Garden: Ashurst Park Care Home
Best Shop Front: Morgan Hodges
Best Pub/Club/Caf:
The Nevill Crest & Gun
Best Business Grounds:
Halliwell Care Home
Best Town Hall Windowsill:
Performance & Governance Team
Results
Open Gardens 2018
Following the success of the Open
Gardens event this year, we are
organising a similar event for Summer
2018 would you like to help us to
support the Hospice in the Weald?
To participate in the Open Gardens
scheme all you need to do is open
your garden to visitors on Saturday
17 June 2018. You will be supported
on the day by a member of the Royal
Tunbridge Wells in Bloom team who
will be there to run the entrance and
additional ticket sales (most sales will
be in advance) or the support team
may hold a plant sale or rafe all of
which is to raise further funds for
Hospice in the Weald.
royaltunbridgewellsinbloom.org.uk
If you are keen to show off your
garden and raise money for
Hospice in the Weald and RTW
in Bloom, please contact the
Bloom team on 01892 554031
or e-mail Helen.Timms@
tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
Royal Tunbridge Wells in
Bloom doesnt shut for the
winter please check parks
noticeboards, our website,
@RTWinBloom and Facebook
page for updates on our gardening
projects and volunteering days.
Look out for our 2018 launch in April
and join the campaign!
11
 Latest news on the cinema site
T he planning application
submitted by Altitude Real
Estate on behalf of the owners
of the former cinema site in
Royal Tunbridge Wells was
approved by the Councils
Planning Committee in October.
The application is for a mixed use
development which includes a new
boutique cinema, retail, leisure
scheme will take approximately
and residential accommodation,
as well as a potential medical
centre or office space. Altitude
hopes work on site will commence
towards the end of 2018 and the
two and a half years to complete.

Neighbourhood Plans
Neighbourhood planning is a
process where local residents
and businesses can have
their say on the development
of their community such as
where new homes, shops and
businesses should be located.
Across the borough a number of
plans are being produced by parish
and town councils, and all are at
varying stages in their development.
Paddock Woods plan moves
towards completion
Paddock Wood has been working
on its neighbourhood plan since
early 2016. Many residents, local
businesses and interest groups have
had their say via face to face events,
e-mail and the steering groups
Facebook page.
As the plan now moves towards
completion, this is the process:
1 Four draft key policy documents
summarising the information
gathered from the community
have been supplied to the
neighbourhood planning
consultants. residents and businesses of
Paddock Wood are encouraged
2 The consultants are now to attend will be scheduled for
compiling the draft Paddock early 2018.
Wood neighbourhood plan based
on this information. 6 Public referendum will take place
in 2018 the community will be
3 Draft neighbourhood plan will be asked to vote to adopt the plan.
sent to TWBC.
You can read more and stay up to
4 TWBC will decide whether an date via: Local magazine, Town
environmental assessment is Crier, Facebook: search PWPlan
needed. and like our page or e-mail us on
5 A formal six-week statutory paddockwoodplan@mail.com
consultation event that

12
Escape the cold and
come to the theatre!
It might be chilly outside,
but you can beat the winter
blues with some brilliant
shows coming soon to
the Assembly Hall
Theatre. Read on
to see what we
are getting excited
about this winter
season.
This years pantomime
Aladdin should be at the
top of your Christmas to-do
list. The show promises
spectacular costumes,
stunning sets, catchy
songs and hilarious comedy, perfect
for the whole family.
Michael Greco, best known for
his role as Beppe Di Marco in
EastEnders plays Abanazar with
Britains Got Talent star Jess
Robinson as the Slave Of The Ring.
Mark Rhodes, best known as one
half of CBBCs Sam and Mark,
will play Aladdin alongside Chris
Pizzey (The Basil Brush Show)
as Wishee Washee, Tom Whalley
as PC Pong and Quinn Patrick as
Widow Twankey. The show is again
produced by UK Productions, and our
own Theatre Director, JJ Almond, will
be directing the show!
If pantomime is not your cup of tea,
T.Rextasy, described by T.Rexs
own drummer Bill Legend as 'The
closest youre ever going to get to
assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 01892 530613
the real thing', returns. You can also recognisable songs Do-Re-Mi,
put on your red shoes and dance Edelweiss, Climb Evry Mountain
at Bowie Experience which is a and the title song The Sound Of
must see for all David Bowie fans, Music. Join Maria, as she is sent
celebrating the music of the worlds to be a governess for Captain von
greatest pop icon. Trapps seven mischievous children
where she teaches them, and their
Comedian
Katherine
father, the importance of love, family
and music.
Ryan also
performs, with Coming soon to the
her new show Assembly Hall Theatre
Glitteroom,
after the Aladdin: Friday 8 December
success of her Wednesday 3 January
last Kathbum
T.Rextasy: Friday 19 January
tour she is
dominating Bowie Experience: Saturday 20
our screens January
in BBCs Live
Katherine Ryan: Thursday 25
At The Apollo, January
Would I Lie To You, Channel 4s 8
Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and Chinese New Year
Comedy Centrals Your Face Or Mine. Extravaganza: Tuesday 6
Ed Byrne also comes to Tunbridge February
Wells, asking the question are we
Ed Byrne: Thursday 8 February
spoiled? With countless television
credits under his belt (Mock The The Sound Of Music: Monday 26
Week, Have I Got News For You, Live February Saturday 3 March
At The Apollo), he is not one to miss.
February brings the fascinating
Chinese New Year
Extravaganza showcasing the best
of Chinese performing arts featuring
amazing acrobatics, kung fu and
ancient magic.
For fans of musicals, the much loved
Rogers and Hammerstein musical
The Sound Of Music is sure to
be a hit this season. Produced by Bill
Kenwright, it features the instantly
13
Do you need help to bring an
empty property back into use?
There is a high demand for housing in the OVER A DECADE OF BRINGING EMPTY
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council area. PROPERTIES BACK INTO USE
Bringing empty properties back into use can be a cost-
effective and sustainable way to increase the supply of
housing and makes best use of existing buildings to meet
local needs. Empty properties are a wasted resource both
for the community and the owner. They reduce the supply
of housing and represent a loss of income for the owner.
Research has shown that the cost of renovation works is
one of the biggest obstacles to bringing empty properties
back into use.
To help address this we work in partnership with Kent
County Council to provide advice and interest-free loans
to the owners of empty properties via the No Use Empty
Scheme. We have recently launched a top-up loan
scheme that will provide an additional 15,000 loan top-up
over and above the 25,000 available from Kent County For further information please contact the Private
Councils fund. This means No Use Empty is able to offer Sector Housing Team on 01892 554241 or e-mail
a maximum loan of 40,000 per unit in the borough. HousingRenewal@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Multiple Sclerosis charity

volunteers receive thanks
from the Mayor
The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Councillor
Julia Soyke, attended the October social
evening for the Tunbridge Wells & District
Branch of the MS Society.
The Mayor paid tribute to the tireless work and dedication
of the branchs team of loyal volunteers. Not surprisingly,
Councillor Soyke referred to the branchs recent donation
of 12,000 to MS Societys HQ for two major research
projects. The evening, one of many social events organised
by this branch for those in the area with multiple sclerosis,
and their families, also included a performance from the
talented young jazz band, the Harry Whitty Quartet. For
more information on joining the branch for just 5 per year,
please e-mail twellsdistrict@mssociety.org.uk

Councillor Julia Soyke, the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells with Peter Soyke and Robert Atwood,
Chairman of the Tunbridge Wells & District Branch of the MS Society

14
 Picture a
healthier future

There are things in life we simply have to put up

with but worrying about treatable health
conditions shouldnt be one of them.
At Benenden Hospital we offer a wide range of
private medical treatments, including varicose vein
removal, hip and knee replacement, weight loss
surgery and cataract removal.
Call us on 01580 240 333
Rated outstanding by the Quality Care Commission.
To our patients and us, Benenden Hospital is a benendenhospital.org.uk
special place. Its precisely what a hospital should
be: progressively modern, unquestionably clean and The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by
guarantee Registered in England, number 3454120.
genuinely caring, staffed by the best people in their Registered charity number 1065995, Registered Office,
The Benenden Hospital Trust, Goddards Green Road,
individual fields. Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX
15
 MAYORS
CAN YOU HELP TEDDY
TOY MAYOR SPREAD A LITTLE
APPEAL 2017
MAGIC THIS CHRISTMAS?
The Mayors Toy Appeal helps bring joy to children
and teenagers in the area who are in need or
whose families find Christmas an especially
difficult time of year.
Teddy has compiled a list of those gifts wed
like to receive on behalf of the children take
a look at it on the Mayors Toy Appeal website
(twmta.co.uk) or see the gift tags on special
Giving Trees around the town (see below
for locations). Just drop off your donation
at one of the many convenient collection
points listed below.
By donating you will help Teddy Mayor
Please donate to make Christmas more magical for
your gifts between children who need it.
11th Nov and 15th Dec

Please drop your gifts at Tunbridge Wells: Big Yellow Self Storage Kent & Sussex Courier, Calverley Road Sainsburys Local, Mount
Pleasant The Camden Centre, Market Square The Town Hall Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery Town & Country Housing Group (open
mornings only) Sports Centre, St Johns Road Whirligig Toys, Mount Pleasant Road Pembury Library Southborough Library
Cranbrook: Ale & Daisy Weald Information Centre Weald Sports Centre Paddock Wood: Barsleys Department Store

Giving Trees can be found at: Royal Victoria Place Assembly Hall Theatre Hotel du Vin Lexus, Dowding Way St Georges Childcare,
Chilston Road Trinity Theatre Tunbridge Wells Gateway

New toys only please and no soft toys, weapon-type toys or candles. Please donate your gifts between 11 Nov and 15 Dec. Thank you.

For more details about the Mayors Toy Appeal,

including the toy list, visit:
www.twmta.co.uk
16
BC_4712_Mayors Toy Appeal_V3_FINAL.indd 1 13/10/2017 11:12
Volunteering can make
you happy!
This may sound like a bold statement
but its true. And there are lots of
opportunities in the borough for you or
your loved ones to access.
Volunteering provides creating paths and
the chance to socialise, boardwalks, and
to get fresh air, to much more. We
exercise, to feel a sense always have hot
of achievement and drinks and biscuits
satisfaction, to laugh, and and often a roaring part of the team before or e-mail cally@khwp.
to improve your health fire in the winter. All ages you know it. If you want org.uk if you are
and wellbeing as a result. and abilities are welcome to have a chat about it interested, or check out
as there is always a job before you come, then our website for the latest
Every Wednesday and
for any willing person! you can call or e-mail us task calendar:
Thursday the Kent High
Weald Partnership Taking that first step into and we will be happy to khwp.org.uk/events
runs conservation the world of volunteering answer any questions and
volunteer days in and can be daunting but talk you through a typical
around Tunbridge Wells. you can be guaranteed day out on task.
Activities include planting, a warm and friendly Please call Cally on
coppicing, hedge laying, welcome and will feel 01580 212972

Protection in our town and

elsewhere in the borough
We want your views on whether we should
introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order
(PSPO) to tackle anti-social behaviour in Royal
Tunbridge Wells town centre and other locations
in the borough.
A PSPO is a new provision created by the Anti-Social Behaviour
Crime and Policing Act 2014. It means restrictions and requirements
can be placed on an area where activities have or are likely to have a
detrimental effect on the quality of life of local people.
A PSPO would give the Council and police different powers to tackle
those responsible for abusing public spaces which we believe would help
to make the borough a more pleasant and safer place to live.
By the time youre reading this article there will only be a week or so to go
until the public consultation is closed. Please make some time to take part in
the survey. Your views are valuable to us.
You can find a link on our website at the following page
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/residents/community/community-safety
Or simply search Community Safety from the Council's homepage.

17
Have you
heard about
the Tunbridge
Wells Cultural
& Learning
Hub project?
Tunbridge Wells Borough
Council and Kent County
Council are working
together to create a new
Cultural & Learning Hub for
Tunbridge Wells. In 2016 the project was awarded Stage to Heritage Lottery Fund is due to be
1 development funding from both Arts submitted in December. We will find
This exciting redevelopment brings Council England and Heritage Lottery out the results of the bids in spring
together in one conserved and Fund. Since then, the project team 2018 so, fingers crossed!
modernised set of buildings the have held a number of community
museum, art gallery, library, adult You can find out more information
consultations to help design the
education, visitor information and and how you can get involved in this
building and plan what will happen
council information services (Gateway). exciting project on the museums
inside it.
Our aim is to create a space to engage website tunbridgewellsmuseum.org/
with art, culture and the heritage of The Stage 2 funding application was cultural-hub or e-mail museum@
Tunbridge Wells. submitted to Arts Council England in tunbridgewells.gov.uk
July 2017, and the Stage 2 application

Free Health Walks in Tunbridge Wells

Walking for Health is Englands
largest network of health walk
schemes, helping people
across the country lead a
more active lifestyle.
Our group walks are led by friendly,
specially trained volunteers
who are on hand to provide
encouragement and support, and
make sure no-one gets left behind.
Our walks are short and over easy
terrain and are open to everyone, but
are especially aimed at those who are
least active. Anyone can join the walks
and they are suitable for people with a
variety of medical conditions. If you have
problems with your health, or if you've had
them in the past, it can be hard to stay active,
but walking could make all the difference.
Walking is a low impact exercise, so it's
easy for you to get involved even if you're
not feeling your best. In fact, walking could
help you feel great again! Joining one of our
walks could help you feel more confident
about taking those first steps to a more active
lifestyle.
At the moment there is a Greggswood
Walking For Health Group that meets every
Tuesday at 1.30pm starting from Greggswood
Medical Centre, and others are planned.
To register for this group or to be updated
when other groups start offering walks in
the Tunbridge Wells area then please go
to walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/
tunbridge-wells-walking-for-health.

18

West Kent
Challenge
One You Kent is here to help
you get back to a healthier you,
supporting you to make simple
changes towards a longer and
happier life. One You provides
tools, support and encouragement
every step of the way, to help
improve your health right away.
You are not alone One You can
help you make small changes
yourself, or with friends and family.
If you would like to become more
active in 2018 why not download
the Active 10 app and take part in
our West Kent Challenge. There
are a range of free activities from
beginners running workshops,
Couch to 5k, park runs, health
walks, leisure centre passes,
sports clubs and wood working to
volunteering in the parks.
For those who are new to exercise
and would like more support to get
started there is a free 30 minute
health and wellbeing chat with our
One You Kent advisors to help get
you started.
You can find out more about
the range of range of free
activities across West Kent,
including Tunbridge Wells at
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/oneyou.
Win one of two new Monopoly
Royal Tunbridge Wells game!
Its the perfect celebration
of Royal Tunbridge Wells
and makes the perfect
family gift, particularly for
Christmas.
Royal Tunbridge Wells has been
immortalised with its very own official
MONOPOLY edition.
The landmarks that appear in the
game are all Royal Tunbridge Wells
favourites as seen here with The
Pantiles top of the MONOPOLY tree.
It has landed on the Mayfair position
from the original of the worlds most
popular family gaming brand.
And we have secured two of the very
first games to roll off the presses
especially for you.
The game is available to buy now, in
good time for Christmas, at: Argos,
Fenwick, Waterstones, WH Smith
and The Works. The edition is widely
available online too, including at
winningmoves.co.uk
All you have to do to be in with a
chance of winning is answer this
question below based on what is just
about universally recognised as one
of Royal Tunbridge Wells most iconic
landmarks:
Which landmark appears in the
top Mayfair position in the brand
new MONOPOLY: Royal Tunbridge
Wells Edition game?:
a. The Pantheon
b. The Pantiles
c. The Palladium
Send your answer with your name,
address and telephone number on a
postcard to:
Communications, Tunbridge Wells
Borough Council, Town Hall, Royal
Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RS or e-mail
Locale-mail@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
All correct answers will be put into the
prize draw and winners will be drawn
at random. Prize draw only open to
residents of Tunbridge Wells borough.
TWBC staff are not eligible to enter.
Winners will be required to collect their
prize from Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Closing n
Mo
date is c.
18 D e
19
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20
Volunteers lay over 2,100 planks
in Grosvenor & Hilbert Park
Celebrations were in order
in Grosvenor & Hilbert Park,
Tunbridge Wells recently after
the Council and Kent High
Weald Partnerships (KHWP)
conservation volunteers
completed the 283m long
boardwalk through Hilbert
Woods Local Nature Reserve.
This mammoth task began back in 2015
and the raised walkway now allows
year-round access into Hilbert Woods
for all park visitors to enjoy. Two-
thirds of the boardwalk is wheelchair
accessible and follows a gill stream as
it winds through the woodland that has
been around since early medieval times.
The gill stream is home to wildlife such
as freshwater shrimp, which are often
2018 Boundary Review
The Boundary Commission
for England has published
its revised proposals for new
constituency boundaries.
picked up by passing grey wagtails,
identifiable by their bright yellow breast.
KHWP and the Council hosted a
celebratory BBQ for the volunteers to
mark completion of the project and to
say thank you for their hard work over
the past three years. To encourage
them to come back and work on future
projects the volunteers received gifts of
colourful hats and drinks bottles to keep
them warm and hydrated as well as
certificates of achievement.
Councillor Jane March said: I would
like to say thank you to all those hard
working volunteers who have made
such a big difference in Grosvenor &
Hilbert Park over the past few years.
So many visitors have benefited from
your efforts and without your help many
of the projects would not have been
possible.
'Exercise, fresh air, job satisfaction, and friendships'
Proposals and maps can be found at
bce2018.org.uk
They have a public consultation that
will run until 11 December 2017.
This will be the final time the public
The volunteer team meets every
Thursday at Grosvenor & Hilbert Park,
from 10am to 3pm. They carry out
conservation projects in the park and
are provided with regular training in
conservation skills.
If you would like to join the conservation
volunteer team contact the parks
Heritage Lottery Fund Community
Engagement Officer,
Steff DAgorne by e-mail:
steff.dagorne@tunrbridgewells.gov.uk or
call: 07917 643961.
The project and volunteer training is
part of the Heritage Lottery funded
restoration project for Grosvenor &
Hilbert Park. The boardwalk is also
thanks to funding from the Heritage and
Big Lottery Funds.
Tom Newman, volunteer.
will get a chance to give their views
on the latest proposals before our
recommendations are reported to
Parliament in September 2018.
Let them know what you think.
21
 FREE CHRISTMAS
PARKING
The Council is giving free
parking in its car parks to
support local businesses this
Christmas.
Free parking from 4pm until the
charging time the following day in all
car parks where charges apply on: CHRISTMAS BIN
Monday 18 December COLLECTIONS
Tuesday 19 December Over Christmas and New Year refuse
Wednesday 20 December collections will continue with the green
Thursday 21 December and brown bins emptied as normal.
Friday 22 December Recycling collections will also take
place on the usual week.
Saturday 23 December
Shop local and take advantage of this Collections CHRISTMAS WEEK will
great offer. take place 2 days later than normal
Collection will
Collection due
take place
Mon 25 Dec Wed 27 Dec
Tue 26 Dec Thu 28 Dec
Wed 27 Dec Fri 29 Dec
Thu 28 Dec Sat 30 Dec
Fri 29 Dec Sun 31 Dec

Help local good Collections NEW YEAR WEEK will

causes and be in take place 1 day later than normal

with a chance of Collection due

Collection will
take place
winning up to Mon 1 Jan Tues 2 Jan
Tue 2 Jan Wed 3 Jan
25,000 Wed 3 Jan Thu 4 Jan
Thu 4 Jan Fri 5 Jan
Only 1 per ticket! TWLotto.co.uk Fri 5 Jan Sat 6 Jan

22
 What's On at the Assembly Hall Theatre
December Sun 25 Feb Someone Like You The
Fri 1 Dec Big Christmas Sing 5.30pm Adele Songbook
Fri 1 Dec Music from the Heart 7.30pm Tue 27 Feb The Sound of Music
Sat 2 Dec Beyond the Barrricade Sat 3 Mar
Christmas Show
Sun 3 Dec RTWSO Tchaikovsky's Violin
March
Sun 4 Mar RTWSO: Beethovens Piano
Concerto
Concerto No.2
Fri 8 Wed 3 Jan Aladdin

January
Tue 6 Mar Brendan Cole All Night
Long Christmas
Fri 19 Jan T. Rextasy
Sat 20 Jan Bowie Experience
Fri 9 Mar Crooners
Wed 14 Thu 15 Mar Teletubbies Live & New Year
Sun 21 Jan Megaslam Wrestling
Thu 25 Jan Katherine Ryan:
Fri 16 Mar Sweet Illusion
Fri 23 Mar G4 Live
closing...
Glitter Room Sat 24 Mar Magic Of Motown ...at the Town Hall,
Sat 27 Jan Get Ready Sun 25 Mar Go West
Mon 29 Jan Mindgame Mon 26 Sat 31 Mar Of Mice And Men
Gateway, Weald
Sat 3 Feb
Information Centre and
Febuary April
Thu 5 Apr Rhythm of the Night Museum & Art Gallery.
Sun 4 Feb RTWSO: Prokofievs Piano
Concerto No.3 Sun 8 Apr RTWSO: Waltons Cello
Mon 5 Feb Jive Talkin Concerto We are closed on
Tue 6 Feb 2018 Chinese New Year Mon 9 Apr Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac Monday 25 December
Extravaganza Wed 11 Apr Pop Divas
Fri 7 Feb Horne A Plenty Thu 12 Apr Walk Right Back
until Thursday 29
Thu 8 Feb Ed Byrne: Spoiler Alert Fri 13 Sun 15 Apr Alice In Wonderland December.
Fri 9 Feb Thank You For The Music Wed 18 Apr Jason Manford: Muddle
Mon 19 Feb The King Is Back Ben Class We are also closed
Portsmouth Thu 19 Apr Banff Mountain Film Festival
2018 World Tour on Monday 1 January,
Thu 22 Feb Fairport Convention
Fri 20 Apr Strictly Cool Dancing 2018.
Fri 23 Feb Faith The George Michael
Legacy Sun 22 Apr Yolanda Brown

Box Office 01892 530613 For accessibility

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk information please visit

Need information during the cold weather?

Get texting Its snow problem with our text
alert service. We are continuing to give residents the
opportunity to sign up. We will continue to provide
the latest updates about Tunbridge Wells Borough
Council services affected by the weather.
Text the word SNOW to 07537 401 900 to register.
For full terms and conditions see tunbridgewells.
gov.uk/severeweathertextalerts
The text you send to register for the service will be
charged at your operators standard rate. There is
no charge to receive texts from Tunbridge Wells
Borough Council.

23

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