LOCAL

Shaping the borough, making a difference

Autumn 2018

A glimpse into the future. Pg 9

A month of food

Pg 11

Skates ready?

Pg 13

A better car park

artist’s impression

Follow the latest news at... TWellsCouncil TunbridgeWellsBoroughCouncil tunbridgewells.gov.uk

 ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Symphony Orchestra
In association with
WEST KENT CAMRA

8TH BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL!

19TH - 21ST OCTOBER 2018

CONCERT SEASON
Sunday 7 October 2018
Soloist - Freddy Kempf (piano)

at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Conductor - Roderick Dunk
Khachaturian, Tchaikovsky

Sunday 4 November 2018

Soloist: Annette Wardell (soprano)
OVER 200 BEE

Autumn 2018
Conductor - Roderick Dunk
RS & CIDERS World War 1 Commemoration
AND MUCH MUC
H MORE! Sunday 2 December 2018
Soloist - Nicola Benedetti (violin)
Conductor - Roderick Dunk
Bizet, Prokofiev, Ravel, César Franck

For Season Tickets contact Gale Smith

on 01892 826196 or E.mail: tickets@rtwso.org
Follow us on
www.rtwso.org
A different beer festival at each station Box Office: 01892 530613
• TUNBRIDGE WELLS WEST STATION • assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
• GROOMBRIDGE • ERIDGE •
www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Facebook / Twitter: Presented in association with the Assembly Hall Theatre
www.camrawestkent.org.uk WKCamraSVRFest

Local affordable
private hospital
treatment.
At Nuffield Health Hospital Tunbridge Wells, your local
hospital, you can pay for yourself without the need for
insurance. Whether you’re ready to see a consultant,
searching for prices, or just want to find out more, we can help.

Call 01892 886197

Email us at tu_custenq@nuffieldhealth.com Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/tunbridge-wells Kingswood Road, TW TN2 4UL

2
 Welcome to
5
New household recycling and
waste collection service

Autumn Local! 8
Animal licensing –
You’ll hopefully have noticed that we have started to give the magazine
legislation is changing
a bit of a facelift with a revamped front cover; we thought it was about
time! The next edition will probably be a little larger, so look out for
more improvements in the winter edition. We design, print and distribute
Local for just 9p a copy, and it’s still important that we produce Local as
competitively as possible.
10
Wonders of the Weald
In this edition, you’ll find information and news from cover to cover about
our new recycling and waste contract for 2019, improvements around
the borough whether it’s about buildings, car parks or public realm, to
events, shows... and heaps more.
15
Our new strapline ‘Shaping the borough, making a difference’ Business, skills and
encapsulates what we do at the Council on a daily basis, and how
employability events around
projects in our Five Year Plan will help deliver improvements for the
Tunbridge Wells
future prosperity of the borough. Updates about some of these projects
are mentioned on pages 12–14.
To mark the centenary of the Armistice, there are commemorations
17
happening all over the borough. If the area where you live hasn’t Cold weather information
been mentioned on page 20, do check the local parish or town council
websites as activities are being arranged all the time.
Enjoy!
Lizzie Goodwin, Editor 19
Introducing Public Spaces
Protection Orders

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

services and news. If you have any comments about the 20
magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us by: How we are commemorating
the centenary of the Armistice
E-mail: Localemail@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
around
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22
as SILLY BILLY as NURSIE Following last year’s record breaking

Post: Lizzie Goodwin, Communications Manager, Tunbridge Wells

production of Aladdin, the Assembly Fri 7 Dec – – 7pm
Hall Theatre and Martin Dodd for UK Sat 8 Dec – 2pm† 7pm†
Productions proudly present another
spectacular Christmas pantomime. Sun 9 Dec – 1pm 5pm
Once upon a time in a land far away,

Borough Council, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS
Tue 11 Dec 10.30am* – –
a beautiful princess was born. Cursed
by a wicked fairy, she was destined to Wed 12 Dec – 1pm* –

What’s on at the Assembly

spend her life as the Sleeping Beauty, Thu 13 Dec 10.30am* – 7pm
until awakened by true love’s kiss…
Fri 14 Dec 10.30am* – 7pm†
This magical pantomime promises
to be jam-packed with smash-hit Sat 15 Dec – 2pm† 7pm†

TWellsCouncil TunbridgeWellsBoroughCouncil
songs, stunning sets, spectacular

Hall Theatre soon.

costumes, and magical special effects. Sun 16 Dec – 1pm 5pm

Tue 18 Dec 10.30am* – –

Tickets Wed 19 Dec 10.30am* – –
Adults from £24
Children from £15.50 Fri 21 Dec – 2pm† 7pm

Premium Performances† Sat 22 Dec 10.30am† 2pm† 7pm†

To advertise, contact Space Marketing Ltd on 01892 677721

Adults from £25.50 Sun 23 Dec – 1pm† 5pm†
Children £18
Mon 24 Dec – 1pm† 5pm†
Groups
Group rates available for 15+ Wed 26 Dec – 2pm† 7pm†

or e-mail naomil@spacemarketing.co.uk Schools* Thu 27 Dec – 2pm† 7pm†

£10.75 with every 11th ticket free Fri 28 Dec – 2pm† 7pm†
Relaxed and Makaton performance - Tue 11 Dec

23
Sat 29 Dec – 2pm† 7pm†
Signed performance
Friday 21 December Sun 30 Dec – 1pm 5pm

Advertising helps to keep our costs down. We do not endorse the

Relaxed performances Mon 31 Dec – 1pm† 5pm†
Tuesday 11 December - 10.30am Wed 02 Jan – 2pm 7pm
Makaton signed
Sunday 30 December - 5pm

external products and services advertised in Local. Win

KCOCLA Da
IVAD family ticket to
Plus £2 per ticket booking fee or 85p online

Executive Pantomime Producer ANTHONY WILLIAMS

DirectedExecutive
by JOHNPantomime Producer ANTHONY
JACKSON ALMOND Produced byWILLIAMS
MARTIN DODD
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The information in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. Tunbridge Wells Borough Drusilla’s Park!
Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or subsequent changes.

If you require Local magazine in large print or on audio please phone 01892 554273
3
TW1733

ARE YOU READY?
Universal Credit Full Service
starts on 21 November 2018
Tunbridge Wells residents will soon see
a change in the way they receive their
benefits and tax credits. The Department
for Work and Pensions is rolling out
Universal Credit in Tunbridge Wells from
21 November 2018.
After that date most people of working
age seeking help with housing costs will
need to apply for Universal Credit rather
than Housing Benefit from the Council.
Universal Credit replaces the following
working-age benefits:
●● Housing Benefit
●● Income Support
●● Jobseeker’s Allowance (income
based)
●● Employment and Support Allowance
(income based)
●● Working Tax Credit
●● Child Tax Credit
If you are already receiving any of these
benefits, you will be transferred as part
of a managed process by 2023. You may
be transferred sooner if there is a change
to one of your benefits, or if you need
to make a new claim. You'll receive a
letter if you are affected by the change to
Universal Credit.
How to apply
You need to apply for Universal Credit
online after 21 November 2018. Please
go to gov.uk and search for Universal
Credit.
Have your say – Air Quality Consultation
We recently launched a consultation
on our new Air Quality Action Plan and
Air Quality Management Area. The
air quality in our borough has been
improving steadily over recent years
and we are looking to further improve
it with the new action plan. We are
also proposing to change the shape
4
If you don't have access to a computer
or device with internet access, you
can go online at the Tunbridge Wells
Gateway or in local libraries.
When you apply you'll need:
●● Photographic ID, for example a
passport or driving licence
●● Evidence of bank accounts
●● Evidence of income
How Universal Credit is paid
A single monthly payment will be paid
into your bank, building society or Credit
Union account. This means you'll need
to manage your bills and costs for the
whole month.
If you live with your partner you will have
to make a joint claim for Universal Credit
and will receive a single payment that
covers you both.
You can get help with budgeting through
the Money Advice Service website or
contact local advice agencies such as
Citizens Advice Bureau. If you are a
housing association tenant they may
also be able to help.
Help with your Council Tax
Claims for Council Tax Support will
remain with Tunbridge Wells Borough
Council. If you claim Universal Credit
with the Department for Work and
Pensions and you already receive
Council Tax Support, you do not need
to reapply. If you are a new claimant for
Council Tax Support, you will need to
apply through the Council.
For more information about
Council Tax Support please visit
tunbridgewells.gov.uk
of the Air Quality Management Area
to concentrate on the areas where we
need to focus the most.
Have your say - we really need your
comments and suggestions to help us
deliver the new action plan. You can
find out more about the proposals and
comment via our website.
Happy
birthday
TW Lotto!
TW Lotto, our weekly online lottery
that supports good causes across
the borough, celebrated its first
birthday recently, and what a first
year it’s been! We celebrated our
first £25,000 winner in May; we
were in fact the first council in the
country to have a jackpot win, and
we had two very happy competition
winners, both of whom won house
cleans. With nearly £40,000 raised
for good causes since the launch,
TW Lotto is now supporting 67
local good causes. These range in
size and scope from scout groups,
schools and nurseries to charities,
festivals and sports groups.
When you play TW Lotto you know
that 60 per cent of your ticket price
goes to good causes (more than
DOUBLE what the National Lottery
gives) AND the money raised is
going to good causes that benefit
your local community. You decide
where your money goes.
The draw is held every Saturday
and tickets can be purchased easily
online at twlotto.co.uk. So to win
prizes ranging from extra tickets to a
possible £25,000, and support your
community at the same time, join in
now!
You could be our next £25,000
jackpot winner!
 New household recycling and
waste collection service for 2019
During the past year we have
been busy arranging a new
contract that will offer best
value and an improved service
for residents, not only for
your kerbside collection at
home, but a service which will
continue to keep the streets in
our borough clean.
An announcement will be made shortly
about the successful contractor. Our new
contract will start from 30 March 2019.
At first, the collections will stay the same
as preparations are made to introduce
improvements in summer 2019. There will
be plenty of warning of the changes that
will affect you, such as your collection day
or containers changing.
The Council will work with the contractor
to ensure residents get information in a
timely manner.
A new lease of life for park’s pavilion
The pavilion in Calverley
Grounds is set for an upgrade.
Council officers were
straight on the Bat
Phone to Natural
England when
a survey being
carried out on
the Calverley
Grounds pavilion
recorded two
common pipistrelle
bats, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, emerging
from the ridge line of the roof above the
door on the west elevation.
The Council is spending £45,000
refurbishing the pavilion to enable it to
be brought back in to use. The works will
include publicly accessible toilets, repairs
So what can you expect from
the new service?
We know that collecting glass bottles
and jars from the kerbside is important to
many residents. We are pleased to now
be able to add this to enhance the new
service and increase the amount of glass
we recycle. We will also be collecting food
waste separately using a new, small 23-
litre food waste bin that will be collected
weekly. A 5-litre kitchen caddy will also
be supplied to use in the home. All other
collections will continue fortnightly.
As part of the changes, the garden waste
collection will be an opt-in service that
you can subscribe to. Full details of the
scheme, the annual charge and how you
can join it will be published soon.
Over the coming months and throughout
next year, more information about the
service will be shared on our website,
through Local magazine, social media and
direct to your door.
and a fit out. Once completed the building
will be made available to let through a
bidding process. The presence of the bats,
which are a protected species, means
work cannot progress until the end of the
breeding season.
Councillor Jane March, Culture, Leisure
& Tourism portfolio holder said: ‘The
upgrading of the pavilion is linked to
work the Council is undertaking with the
Friends of Calverley Grounds to prepare
a management plan which will secure
the future of the park. This collaborative
working is very important; the recently
restored art-deco sundial that has been
put back in its place in the formal garden
highlights this.’
The Council’s top tweeter and resident
nature expert Dr Ian Beavis said:
‘Pipistrelles are tiny bats
Starting in
summer 2019:
●● Glass bottles and jars to
be collected fortnightly with
existing plastics and cans in a
wheeled bin.
●● Paper and card will continue
to be collected in your green
box at the same time as other
recycling.
●● Weekly collection of food waste
using a new, small 23-litre food
waste bin. Also, a 5-litre kitchen
caddy supplied for use in the
home.
●● Continued fortnightly collection
of household waste.
●● Fortnightly collection of garden
waste as an opt-in chargeable
service. A new 240-litre bin will
be supplied.
with reddish-brown
coats and blackish-
brown ears, nose and
wing membranes. They are
common throughout Britain. Like other
bats, pipistrelles are nocturnal. They
emerge at dusk to feed for a couple of
hours before returning to their roosts.
In the winter they hibernate in trees
and buildings. In the summer they use
trees, buildings and bat boxes to roost.
Pipistrelles are agile, fast fliers.’
The Council will apply to Natural England
for a licence to work on the building,
and work on the roof will be closely
supervised, moving any bats to safety in
new designer ‘bat boxes’ which will be
located in trees nearby. If everything goes
to schedule, works to the building should
be permitted this month.
5
 Groombridge farm shop qe:Layout 1 29/03/2018 11:44 Page 1

not all shutters

are made equal

• WINNER •
“Best Farm Shop in Kent, 2017”

Open every day

01892 861753

Selecting your new shutters?

D o you or somebody you
know need a break in
a safe environment?
Always look for the key signs of quality;
beaded stiles, mortise & tenon joints, with
engineered stiles for long term stability,
Respite and supported stays are ideal if you coupled with a lifetime guarantee.
need a break away or require short-term
specialist health care following an illness
or operation. Or it may be that your care
giver needs a break or to go on holiday.
FaciliƟes include:
Adapted en-suite bedrooms, Physiotherapy,
Hydrotherapy, Counselling, Wellbeing
activities, Cafe, Church, beautiful gardens
and countryside
Call today 01892 865989 or visit our
website to nd out more. 01892 575858
www.burrswood.org.uk justshutters.co.uk
Transforming lives through whole person care

6
T2735 JS 2018 AUG Tunbridge 94x233.indd 1 06/08/2018 12:15
 Canvassing taking place
Annual Canvass
Every household within the
borough would by now have
received an initial Household
Enquiry Form and a reminder
to check and respond.
The Elections team would like to express
their thanks to all those who responded
before the deadlines. By doing this you
have reduced the costs of running the
annual canvass and we don’t need to
send a canvasser to visit you.
If you haven’t yet responded to your
Household Enquiry Form, don’t worry,
our canvassers will be coming out to help
you complete your form. Our canvassers
will be visiting non-responding properties
from 20 September. All canvassers will be
wearing their canvasser ID so if you are
.11.18
acks, 16
Noble J
Events at the
Forum
As we enter the last part of the
year, The Forum, Tunbridge
Wells, arts and music
venue, concludes its silver
anniversary celebrations.
A host of autumn shows are on offer,
from national to local stars, and tickets
unsure please ask them to show it.
The reason we have to undertake this
activity is because the Council has a legal
responsibility to maintain the electoral
register and review it each year to make
householdresponse.com or call
sure it has an up-to-date register of
0800 197 9871. You will need the
electors who are eligible to vote.
security codes and post code provided
If you still have your form and you know on your form.
you haven’t yet responded and don’t
If the information needs updating, such
want a canvasser to visit you there is still
as eligible electors moving in or out,
time…
you can respond online or complete the
form. Responding online is quicker, you
Responding to your form do not have to visit a post box, and you
If the information provided on your form can guarantee that your response has
is correct and there are no changes to be reached us.
made, we recommend you respond online
More information about the annual
or by Freephone. Not only is it quick and
canvass and voting is available at
easy but you can rest assured that we
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/council/voting-
will receive your response. Go online to
and-elections
will soon be on sale for all the popular the UK. TWWR help with everyday tasks,
Christmas and New Year’s Eve events. teaching English, registering for school/
college, shopping, transport, medical
One day we are particularly excited
appointments, bank accounts, housing
about is the second Festival of Hope,
problems and much more. Donations
on Sunday 30 September, from
welcome on the day.
noon to 6pm. Hosted by Tunbridge
Wells Welcomes Refugees, the Anyone looking for an early Christmas
day will include a variety of musical knees-up, join us on Friday 16 November
performances, such as CREATE for a headline show from Noble Jacks.
choir, The Orange Circus Band and
Details of all shows, how to buy tickets,
headlining – The Syrian All Stars.
and how to hire the venue are available
There will also be home-made food
online at twforum.co.uk
stalls and entertainment for children.
The event aims to encourage a
warm and welcoming environment
for members of the community, both old
and new. TWWR strive to make this an
s
accessible day that is open to the public
s by Steve Collin
for free.
All profits from the day will go towards
funding the work of the Tunbridge
Wells Welcomes Refugees charity
The Orange Circu
(reg no. 1175601). TWWR is run by
a group of local volunteers who work
with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
and other organisations to help support
families who have arrived in the UK via
the Government’s Vulnerable Persons
Relocation Scheme. They have had to
flee their homes and make a new life in
7
ANIMAL
LICENSING
People might think the work
of the Council’s Environmental
Health Food and Safety team
stops with food and food-
related businesses.
However, theirs is a wide ranging role
and Sarah and Gillian, two members of
the team, also have responsibility for
animal licensing.
LEGISLATION  I S  C HANGING
If you use pet care facilities when you’re
on holiday or in work, have you checked
whether your pet care provider is
properly licensed?
In October 2018 there are changes to
existing animal welfare legislation and
more people will be required to hold a
licence. Read on to find out how animal
licensing affects you.
At present the following animal-related
activities need a licence:
●● Horse-riding establishment offering
riding lessons and/or pony parties
●● Kennels and catteries
●● Overnight domestic boarding for
other people’s dogs and cats
●● Pet shops, including any
animals sold online such as
dogs, cats, fish and small
mammals
●● Zoos
●● Dog breeding,
even if your
dog has had
only one litter of
puppies but you have
made a profit from selling them
If this list has left you wondering whether
you need a licence you can get further
advice by calling 01622 602450 or
e-mail ehadmin@midkent.gov.uk
8
NEW  R ULES
The changes coming in October 2018
mean more animal activities will need a
licence. Doggy day-care and performing
animals, as well as mobile zoos, are now
added to the list. So, if you offer doggy
day-care or a kitty crèche, or if your
reindeer help out Father Christmas by
being available for displays in the run up
to the big day, then you’ll need a licence.
Contact the team and let them know
about your animal business and they will
let you know when the new legislation
is in force so that you can be ready to
get your licence. Call 01622 602450 or
e-mail ehadmin@midkent.gov.uk
WHAT  H APPENS  D URING  A N
ANIMAL  L ICENSING  V ISIT?
When Sarah or Gillian makes a visit to
check if a licence can be issued, their
focus is on the health and welfare of the
animals. They work through a checklist
which typically covers space/housing,
feeding/dietary requirements, disease
control and vaccinations and enrichment
– things that enhance the animals’
wellbeing. Sometimes, usually just for
pet shops or a riding establishment,
the team may need to check the
qualifications of the owners.
The team will also
deal with complaints
associated with animal-
related businesses, but if
you’re concerned about
animal cruelty you should
contact the RSPCA.
SOMETHING  M ORE
EXOTIC?
If your pet falls into the
more exotic category you
may find you require a
licence under the rules
of the Dangerous Wild
Animals Act 1976. This applies to
pets such as spiders and monkeys
and certain snakes, like front-fanged
venomous snakes such as cobras
and coral snakes. The list changes
frequently so please check if you need
a licence.
Helping
hoarders
helps hospital
discharge times
The Council works with the
NHS to help local hospitals
improve discharge times.
What started as a trial scheme nearly
two years ago is now firmly established
as an important partnership that helps
patients return home from hospital as
soon as possible.
Working with Sevenoaks and Tonbridge
and Malling councils we have co-
ordinators based at both Tunbridge
Wells and Maidstone hospitals and
handypersons they can call upon. Their
role is to liaise with health colleagues
to remove obstacles that prevent a
patient from returning home. It could be
that some adaptations to the home are
required, maybe a grab-rail is needed
or, as is very often the case with older
patients, there are issues of hoarding.
Hoarding can make a home a very
unsafe place and that’s where the
scheme can help. A Community Health
and Housing Co-ordinator works directly
with hoarders either on discharge or
in the community to break the cycle of
hoarding – clean up – hoarding. This
involves one to one assistance and
encouraging participation in community
based support groups.
In the first quarter of this year 30
Tunbridge Wells residents were helped
out of hospital back into their own
home. The handyperson service is an
important part of this, from installing key
safes and safety equipment to arranging
clearances and property deep-cleans for
the people with hoarding issues.
Helping someone return to their own
home and freeing up a hospital bed can
save thousands of pounds.
Food glorious food Jo Banks of Alive with Flavour
is running the children’s area,
September is Food Month in Royal in Calverley Grounds on Saturday 22
Tunbridge Wells! There have been and Sunday 23 September. Following ‘which is all about education
many exciting workshops and last year’s successful event, which through food,’ she says. ‘There’s
promotions from local food and drink drew in over 15,000 people, once again lots planned across the weekend,
producers so far, and there are many you can sample the best and tastiest so do check out the timetable to
more to come! We’ve food and drink the see what’s on,’ adds Jo.
even had a beer ‘Tunbridge Wells Food Month is a region has to offer
festival! With so many at over 75 stalls.
great month of events celebrating will be taking place, so bring your
outstanding cafés, Organiser Steve
restaurants, bars, the best in local food and drink. Wood is excited about delicious cakes and bakes for judging.
retailers and markets We are really excited to be part of bringing a bigger The winners will be revealed at
in Royal Tunbridge it again this year!’– Fuggles festival to the town: 2.30pm each day.
Wells, Food Month ‘We were thrilled You’ll find events going on all around
is all about supporting ‘local’ and with the enthusiasm people showed for the town during the month, so keep an
celebrating our glorious independent last year’s event and are very glad to eye out!
producers. return.’
Food Month will end with the grand The cooking demonstrations as well Supported by
finale of the Food Festival, taking place as the Festival Cake Off competitions

For more information see TunbridgeWellsFoodandDrinkFestival or for a full programme

of food events this September, please visit tunbridgewellstogether.co.uk/food-month

FARMERS’ MARKET
9am – 2pm
█ Saturday 22 September
█ Saturday 13 and 27 October
█ Saturday 10 and 24 November
Autumn at the farmers’ market outside
the Town Hall in Royal Tunbridge Wells
brings with it the best of local, seasonal
produce. Colourful fruits and
vegetables that will transform into
wonderful, tasty dishes for your table
– why not try an autumn coleslaw or
stay with the classic apple crumble
but use wholemeal flour or oats
in the topping for an extra healthy
boost.
Look out for details of the Christmas
Special market on Saturday 22
December in your next edition of
Local.

9
 Wonders of the Weald…
An area remarkably rich in
literary associations, history
and architectural gems
says Councillor Linda Hall,
including some outstanding
funerary memorial effigies that
can be discovered locally.
You have to go only to St. Mary's in
Goudhurst to see two of the most
magnificent memorials in the area.
These are to the Culpeper family of
Bedgebury. The earliest one, to Sir
Alexander Culpeper (died 1537),
is extremely rare because it is
carved in wood. Husband and
wife lie side by side with their
feet resting demurely on their
couchant dogs' backs. The
passage of time having turned
their bright, painted colours to
delicate hues.
The Culpepers were
ironmasters in Sir Alexander's
time and it was their foundries
which made the guns Drake's
navy used against the
Spanish Armada.
In the chancel, is a smaller, Jacobean
In the Lady Chapel you can memorial to the Campion family,
see the alabaster memorial to similarly adorned with kneeling parents
Alexander's son, Thomas, his and children, though there are only nine
grandson and great-grandson here.
who died in 1599 and to this
As a record of English sculptural
latter's wife and offspring. The
styles over nearly two hundred years,
coloured alabaster shows a
St. Mary's, Goudhurst is hard to beat.
touching scene of husband
and wife facing each other in In Cranbrook there are medieval
prayer. Behind the grandson brasses in St. Dunstan's, but it seems
kneels his only child, a son, no great Elizabethan families wished to
both men clad in armour. commemorate themselves here with a
Below their sculpted figures memorial effigy. Although you can see
kneel this son and his wife and the intricate family tree of the Roberts of
family of twelve sons and four Glassenbury painted on the wall of the
daughters. Lady Chapel if you visit this fine church.

A similar multi-agency event on a

smaller scale was held earlier this year,
which resulted in the development of a
specialist programme by KCC’s Early
Help team. Eleven teenagers signed up
for the six week long evening programme
that covered topics as diverse as sexual
health and baking (supported by local
business The Bicycle Bakery). Some of
the young people also went on to the
National Citizen Service scheme.

All Out Day of the evening, which was coordinated

Young people in the borough were the
focus of attention one evening in July,
when 46 representatives from a range
of organisations, including Kent Police,
Kent County Council Early Help team
and St Giles Trust, took to the streets
in small teams to talk to them. The aim
by the Community Safety Unit, was to
identify where help might be needed and
point the young people in the direction
of organisations, services and activities
that provide support and information,
and in the longer term discourage them
from becoming involved in anti-social and
criminal behaviour.
Cabinet Member Lynne Weatherly,
Communities & Wellbeing portfolio
holder, accompanied one of the teams
in July and afterwards said: ‘I hope that
this contact we’ve made with the young
people will go on and become something
meaningful and provide some of them
with help and assistance where needed.’

10

KEEP
ON
WA L K IN G!
Surrounded by woodland,
rolling fields and attractive
parks, walking around our
borough can be an incredible
experience full of hidden
delights.
A good way to find routes is to look
on the explorekent.org website which
has several graded routes mapped
out. It also has details of the local long
distance paths that criss-cross the
borough. These include the Tunbridge
Wells circular, the Wealdway that
goes from Gravesend to Eastbourne,
the High Weald landscape trail from
Horsham to Rye, and the Sussex border
path that travels from Thorney Island to
Rye. These are great paths you can dip
in and out of and tick off over time.
For a week this September (15–23
September) the first ever High Weald
Walking Festival is taking place. Visit
highwealdwalks.org to learn more
and choose from more than 30 walks
spread across the entire High Weald.
On Thursday 20 September why not
join the Lamberhurst, Kilndown and
Scotney Castle Estate walk starting
at Lamberhurst village car park at
10am? Or if you prefer to stroll at
your own pace, there are several
30 minute beginners’ Health Walks
around the borough. For details please
contact the Health team via health@
tunbridgewellsgov.uk.
Tunbridge
Wells
Ice Rink
Returns!
From 17 November, Calverley
Grounds will be transformed
into the ultimate winter
destination, signalling the start
of the festive season.
The Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink returns
for 2018 with stylish skating, festive
food and drink, music and Christmas
shopping inspiration.
By day or night, visitors can skate in
the beautiful splendour of Calverley
Grounds, decorated for Christmas with
twinkling festive lights. On selected
nights across the season, the Ice Rink
will once again collaborate with The
Forum – the lifeblood of the live music
scene – and host indie and folk music
nights.
Supported by the Council, the 35 x 20
metre ice rink, with a capacity of up to
250 skaters, will be open seven days a
We are delighted to
announce that St John’s
Park has been awarded
a Green Flag – the mark
of a quality park or green
space, managed in an
environmentally sensitive
and sustainable way.
St John’s joins Dunorlan Park,
Calverley Grounds, Grosvenor
and Hilbert Park, Woodbury Park
Cemetery and The Grove which have
week. Make skating the perfect day out
for the family, a first date or a festive
office party.
The launch event is set to be the biggest
we’ve ever produced and we’ll also be
offering storytelling, music and literary
workshops alongside all the skating fun.
This is set to be the most exciting and
immersive ice rink experience the town
has offered.
Advance booking is recommended
at peak times – Thursday and Friday
evenings, school holidays and all day
Saturday and Sunday. Motorised and
non-motorised wheelchair users are
welcome to enjoy the rink in their own
wheelchair but must be accompanied by
an assisting companion.
Tickets for the ice rink are on sale now
and can be booked on our website, at
Gateway or at our Box Office. Tickets
will also be available on site when the
ice rink opens in November.
all retained their Green Flags for
another year. This puts them among a
record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and
green spaces that will today receive
a prestigious Green Flag Award.
Congratulations to our parks’ Friends
groups, the Parks team and our
contractors.
11
A NEW TOWN
SQUARE FOR
TUNBRIDGE
WELLS
Public realm improvements are planned
for Mount Pleasant Road between its
junctions with Monson Road and Church
Road. These will include enhancements
to Civic Way and the setting of the War
Memorial, and the introduction of vehicle
movement restrictions.
The detailed design of the scheme
is in progress, and further public
engagement will be carried out on
Saturday 22 September, 9am–12noon in
Royal Victoria Shopping Centre (level 2,
opposite L’Occtaine and Burrells) where
members of the public can drop by to
find out more about the proposals.
It is anticipated that the works will start
in early 2019. We are awaiting further
details of the construction management
plan, but the duration of the project is
likely to be 6–8 months. Kent County
Council will be project managing this
work on behalf of TWBC.
Concept layout for
Town Square
Final layout subject to
feedback, engineering,
and further design
refinement
12

GREAT NEWS FOR
SOUTHBOROUGH
The Southborough Community Hub
has been a long-term aspiration of
Southborough Town Council (STC),
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
(TWBC) and Kent County Council
(KCC), to deliver a community facility
for the people of Southborough and
High Brooms. To be located on the old
site of the Southborough Town Council
offices, the facility will incorporate
a hall/theatre, football pavilion,
community rooms, library, GP surgery,
STC offices and public open space.
Work on the development is
progressing with regard to both the
building and the levelling of the playing
fields.
Infrastructure work, overseen by
Baxall, a local employer, have started
on site with Crest Nicholson, who are
delivering the housing, having also
started to install the road and utilities
for the hub development. This will
shortly be followed by the main car
parking areas and the open public
spaces.
Work to both developments are being
co-ordinated to keep disruption, to
a minimum, and if timelines don’t
change, it is expected that the build for
both projects will start early next year,
and be completed by the summer of
2020.
Work has also started to look at any
changes that may be needed to keep
the project within budget. The main
aspects of the project will remain the
same, but some changes are required
which will probably necessitate a
revised planning application.
IMPROVEM
OUR 5 YE
Shaping the borough,
AN UPDATE ON THE PLAYING
FIELD…
The engineering work on the field to
level the surface and increase the
playable area for the sport pitches was
finished in August. Final contouring
and seeding can now take place and,
subject to weather conditions, the area
can be used for sporting events after
its first cut.
The Football Association has agreed to
increase its grant offer from £450,000
to £500,000, which is great news.
Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Club
continues to fund-raise for the pavilion
as part of an FA requirement.
The FA’s funding agreement will also
seek the protection of the pavilion and
the pitches for a minimum period of 21
years and the town council has already
indicated that it would support a longer
protection period.
OTHER UPDATES…
●● Further positive steps have been
made on the delivery of the GP
surgery. Funding of that element of
the project continues to be refined
and it is hoped that, if funding
sources can be agreed within the
financial year, work can then start on
the construction.
●● The transfer of 137 London Road
from Tunbridge Wells Borough
Council to Southborough Town
Council has now been completed.
The large shed at the back of the
site will shortly be demolished as
part of the delivery of the new sub-
station to serve the site. Interim
storage accommodation for workers
has been found.
●● The Gross Development Value of
the scheme will see an investment
of more than £30million into the local
area.
MENTS AND
EAR PLAN
, making a difference 
housing need, whilst also being able to
keep them close to their schools, work and
family network.

Our aim is to offer tenants: tailored

housing to meet their needs; develop skills
to manage their money and tenancy; help
to obtain permanent accommodation; and
to provide emotional support as families
adapt to a new lifestyle, and thereby
become more independent.

Cllr Lynne Weatherly, Cabinet member

DOWDING HOUSE
OPENS ITS DOORS
When Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
purchased Dowding House our aim was
to provide temporary and emergency
accommodation for homeless families
within our borough.
Teams within the Council have worked
together to bring about the redevelopment
of Dowding House, an older property,
which was in need of renovation to comply
with today’s standards. From the work that
has been undertaken, we now have 25
flats, eight of which are fully furnished, to
accommodate up to 100 people.
Dowding House gives us a better
opportunity to help families with an urgent
with responsibility for Communities and
Wellbeing said ‘After TWBC took the
decision to purchase Dowding House I
am delighted that the refurbished building
is now open and fully occupied with local
families.
‘My work and that of our housing team
over the past couple of years has
focused on housing and prevention of
homelessness, and I am very pleased to
see the tangible results of this through the
provision of additional housing for people
in a homeless situation.’

IMPROVING CRESCENT ROAD CAR PARK

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
If you’re a permit holder or
a regular user of Crescent
Road Car Park, Royal
Tunbridge Wells you will
be aware that the car
park is undergoing being
refurbished.
It’s currently work in
progress as we improve
the car park and make
it a better experience
for visitors. Lighting is being upgraded and
there are new floor and wall surfaces. We expect the work to
be completed in the autumn. Thank you for your patience.

13
 IMPROVEMENTS AND
 OUR 5 YEAR PLAN
Shaping the borough, making a difference

A NEW LOCAL A Local Plan sets out local planning

policies and identifies what will be built
where. The existing set of documents
Background work to gather all the
information needed for the new Local
Plan continues. The Planning team is
PLAN FOR THE which make up the current Local Plan
will be replaced by one which sets out
working to a timetable and they hope to
have the draft preferred plan ready for

BOROUGH development plans up to 2033.

A draft plan – the Local Plan
– for the future development
of the borough is being put
together by the Council
in consultation with the
communities, villages and
towns of the borough.
So far, two call-for-sites exercises
have been carried out which identified
sites within the borough that may have
potential for development over the lifetime
of the plan. These were followed by the
first major consultation exercise which
took place in 2017 after publication
of the Issues and Options document.
All responses and representations
received were carefully considered and a
statement published.
publication and consultation in March
2019. The final plan will be consulted on
in autumn 2019.
Further details about the new Local Plan
timetable, information about studies
completed so far and the call-for-sites
process can be viewed on our website.
If you wish to be informed of future
consultations on the new Local Plan,
please register your contact details at
consult.tunbridgewells.gov.uk

AMELIA SCOTT that offers both heritage and learning.

New images showing the detailed design
and layout of the cultural and learning
hub in Royal Tunbridge Wells have been
released.
The hub, which will be named after local
resident and social reformer Amelia
Scott, will bring together the library,
adult education and museum services
under one roof. The new pictures show
just how exciting the centre will be. The
museum alone is home to around 60,000
objects, including collections of national
significance like Tunbridge Ware, many
of which cannot be displayed in the
current building. These will now be
accessible to visitors in a unique space
14
In the four-storey, upgraded building new
galleries will include:
●● A Wow Wall of objects to welcome you
and introduce you to the new centre
●● The Story of Tunbridge Wells and High
Weald from 1606 to today
●● Toys, dolls, games and the story of
Subbuteo to enhance the experience of
visiting the children’s library
●● The Victorian Study where visitors will
share the museum’s natural history
collection and the stories of local
naturalists and conservators who have
contributed to our knowledge and
understanding of the natural worl
The hub is designed to be a place
where people can enjoy themselves and
have fun.
Councillor Jane March, Culture, Leisure
& Tourism portfolio holder said: ‘It is my
belief that the Council’s Cultural Strategy
and commitment to cultural regeneration
is an important economic driver. The
Amelia Scott project will do much to
enhance and safeguard the future of the
town; this type of attraction encourages
inward investment and brings visitors into
the borough.’
The project which we are developing
jointly with KCC is funded with grants
from the Heritage Lottery Fund and
Arts Council England. Building work is
expected to start early in 2019.
Business, Skills & Employability...
This autumn there are events
around Tunbridge Wells to
keep an eye out for! The
Economic Development team
is working in partnership with
others to deliver several skills
and employability initiatives,
and we are encouraging local
businesses to get involved.
The West Kent Partnership with
Jobcentre Plus is holding a West Kent
Jobs & Training Fair at the Assembly
Hall Theatre from 10am–2pm on 19
September. Our fairs take place twice
a year across West Kent and are free
for both employers and jobseekers to
attend. There is a wide range of different
local employers that have multiple job
opportunities available. As well as the
fair, free seminars will also be taking
place, with advice from experts on job
searching and how to prepare for an
interview! The event is free to drop in and
advance registration is not required.
Skillsfest
Skillsfest is back! This year the event
will take place on 16 October in the
Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Tunbridge
Wells. This annual event, is being run
with The West Kent Partnership, The
Careers & Enterprise Company and local
schools. Over 1,000 local school students
aged 14–17 are expected to attend
the event. Seeking to inspire young
people, there is the chance to engage
with the world of work, highlighting the
range of employment opportunities that
are available in our local area. Around
70 employers will attend the fair from
different sectors of the local economy.
The West Kent Enterprise
Adviser Network
Young people achieve better outcomes
when they have had meaningful
encounters with the world of work,
including people and places. Context
for learning is also essential and so
they must be able to see links between
their school curriculum and careers,
skills and employability, as well as being
well advised about opportunities in the
workplace now and in the future.
The West Kent Enterprise Adviser
Network has just finished its first year
helping schools prepare their students
for the future. The network is now at
capacity, working with 22 schools across
the area. It matches senior school
leaders with senior people from the
world of work (Enterprise Advisers) so
that schools and colleges are able to
develop effective strategies for careers
and employability, and deliver impactful
activities that support the development
of students from year 7 to 13. Early
examples of projects include mentoring
programmes, speed networking,
enterprise competitions for the students,
and LinkedIn training for school staff who
will now be able to reach out to alumni
and businesses, as well as help sixth
form and college students to access
appropriate advice and guidance from
professionals.
The second year promises to be
extremely exciting in developing
relationships and also in brokering
opportunities for businesses to be
helped by young people through upward
mentoring, training, consultancy, project-
How to do business
with the Council...
We want your buy in!
27 September, 6pm
The Spa Hotel
Royal Tunbridge Wells
based work placements, amongst
many other creative, mutually-beneficial
activities. We’re still looking to recruit
advisers from local businesses! If you
want to be involved, please contact
WestKentEAN@sevenoaks.gov.uk or
follow @WestKentEAN on twitter.
This initiative is a partnership between
the West Kent Partnership and the
Careers & Enterprise Company.
Procurement… improve
your chances of securing
that contract!
We are also encouraging local
businesses to attend our new
procurement event. Procurement can be
a confusing and tricky business, so we
want your buy in!
Come and join us between 6–7pm on
Thursday 27 September 2018 at the
Spa Hotel. We’ll be looking at how the
Council’s procurement process works,
introducing you to the Kent Business
Portal and giving you some insight
around how the Council evaluates
quotations and tenders.
Also look out for our ‘Meet the Buyer’
event that will be held at the Spa Hotel on
2 October 2018. Meet Mace, contractor
for Calverley Square to find out more
about supplier contract opportunities.
More details coming soon.
If these sound like events for you, then
why not come along! Capacity is limited,
so keep an eye out for registration
via the TWBC social media channels,
including Twitter: @twbcbusiness and
@TWellsCouncil.
15
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16
 FLOODS
IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Tunbridge Wells was hit by a flash
flood during the afternoon of 5 July
2018, where torrential rain fell for about
30 minutes. The downpour saw around
11.5mm of rain falling within this time,
and was almost a year to the day when
we experienced a similar flash flood.
Teams from our contractor, Biffa, worked
hard early the next morning clearing the
debris, cleaning pavements and helping
affected businesses remove flood-
damaged stock.
TWBC staff and councillors also
attended that morning, and spoke to
local businesses affected by the flash
flood. Sandbags were organised for
those businesses in case we had more
thunderstorms.
Since the floods last summer, TWBC
has attended a series of meetings with
Kent County Council and Southern
Water as they seek to identify long-term
solutions to address the issue, and will
continue to work with them to mitigate
the effects of such incidents in the
future. A working group was set up and a
number of key actions were agreed.
In December 2017, TWBC worked
alongside KCC on a cleansing operation
which was undertaken on various roads
from around the town between 7–12
December 2017.
Following the recent flash flood, further
drain cleansing took place at the end of
July.
Kent County Council has undertaken
surveys of the area around the Pantiles,
including topographical surveys of the
ground levels, utilities surveys and
CCTV surveys of the sewers and drains.
A detailed design for this area has now
been completed.
There was a follow up meeting in July
between Greg Clark MP, Cllr McDermott,
Kent County Council and Southern
Water to look at the results of recent
drainage surveys and review the
agencies’ plans.
Preparing for the
colder months
As we move into the colder
months, there is a higher risk of
us experiencing poor weather
conditions and UK Power
Networks has asked us to share
some information with you,
which we hope you won’t need,
but to have as reference if your
electricity supply should be
interrupted. They say:
Anyone experiencing a
power cut should:
●● Call 105 to report power cuts and
damage to the electricity network, or
0800 3163 105 (from a corded phone
or mobile phone if you have no power)
●● Visit ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the
latest updates
●● Visit ukpowernetworks.co.uk/
powercut and type in your postcode
to view our live power cut map
●● Tweet @ukpowernetworks to report
a power cut or to receive updates
The Highways Agency is responsible
for the motorways and trunk roads in
England. If you need further information
about the roads in severe conditions,
please visit highways.gov.uk
Need information during the cold weather?
Get texting…
It’s ‘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.
We advise people to stay clear of power
lines and report damaged power lines
immediately by calling 105 free from
either a landline or a mobile phone. If
you see electricity lines that are down or
causing significant risk to the public you
should call 999.
We provide extra help to customers on
our Priority Service Register during a
power cut. Households with older or
disabled people, those with children
under five, or where someone uses
medical or mobility equipment that
requires electricity, as well as other
reasons, can join the register. You
can find out more information about
our Priority Service on our website:
ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority
Please share information about
preparing for a storm or the Priority
Service Register on social media and
with family and friends.
Thank you.
For full terms and conditions see
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/
severeweathertextalerts
The text you send to register for
the service will be charged at your
operator’s standard rate. There is no
charge to receive texts from Tunbridge
Wells Borough Council.
17
Spooky Sparkly
Fun this Autumn and Winter!
and

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Sat Oct 20th - Sun Oct 28th

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Wed Oct 24th

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Sun Nov 4th

and Fri Dec 21st

Meet Santa in his

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18
At Alfriston just off the A27 near Eastbourne Call: 01323 874100
Introducing Public Spaces
Protection Orders
Following extensive
consultation, Public Spaces
Protection Orders (PSPOs)
are being introduced from
24 September 2018.
What is a PSPO?
Public Spaces Protection Orders were
introduced through the Anti-Social
Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act
2014 allowing local authorities some
flexibility in protecting public spaces
from persistent anti-social or unwelcome
behaviour.
What does a PSPO mean
for me?
Most people won’t be affected by the
introduction of PSPOs.
If you were aware of the Alcohol Control
Zones in parts of Tunbridge Wells and
Southborough, then look out for the new
signs showing that these areas are now
covered by a PSPO. If you see the signs
you’ll notice that the new legislation
covers more than just alcohol-related anti-
social behaviour in some areas.
In Royal Tunbridge Wells
the PSPO prohibits
begging and/or rough
sleeping where there is
associated anti-social
behaviour or where the
person is not engaging
with support services.
Where amplified music
is being played in the town centre it may
be prohibited if the Council receives
a complaint about it and deems the
volume to be causing an unreasonable
disturbance. The PSPO also prohibits the
use of psychoactive substances.
The penalty for failing to comply with
the PSPO may be a fine on conviction,
not exceeding £1,000. A Fixed Penalty
Notice of up to £100 may be used as an
alternative to prosecution. If you breach
the alcohol regulation by refusing to give
up your alcohol when asked to do so by a
police officer or police community support
officer, you could be arrested.
If I’m a dog owner are there
additional things I should be
aware of?
If you’re a dog owner or dog walker you
need to know that the penalty for dog
Royal Tunbridge Wells
in Bloom awaits RHS
judging results
In July Tunbridge Wells was visited
twice by Royal Horticultural Society
judges: firstly by horticultural experts
from South & South East in Bloom
and then by the Britain in Bloom
national judges. In preparation
for both events the Bloom team,
volunteers and contractors worked
tirelessly on creating new floral
displays, maintaining the parks and
keeping the streets and town furniture
clean. The extremely hot weather
put additional pressure on both our
flowers and gardeners!
fouling has increased to
£100. You can avoid this
penalty by ensuring you
carry enough bags to pick up
after your dog when you’re
out for a walk and making
sure you use them!
We already ask that if you are
in a Council park your dog is
kept under control at all times. Now the
PSPO says that no dogs are allowed in
children’s play areas, and if you walk your
dog in St Mark’s Recreation Ground or
the Nevill Ground you must keep your
dog on a lead at all times. The penalty for
failing to do this is £100.
The PSPOs we are introducing take into
account the feedback we received from
residents during the consultation carried
out when PSPOs were first proposed.
There is no desire to fine people who
cannot afford to pay; the Council wants
to engage with those people with the
intention of supporting them and directing
them to the help that may be available.
For more information, locations, maps
and the complete wording of the Orders
please visit our website and search
PSPO.
Our local Bloom competition
organised for the residents, schools
and businesses of Royal Tunbridge
Wells continues to grow, with a record
number of 280 entries received this
summer.
The results of the South & South East
in Bloom competition are due to be
announced as we go to print, and
the local Bloom awards ceremony
takes place at the end of the month.
The Britain in Bloom awards will be
held on 19 October. Fingers crossed
for great results for Tunbridge Wells,
and thank you to everyone who has
supported the event again this year
helping to make our borough look
blooming marvellous!
19
 How we are commemorating the centenary
of the Armistice around the borough…
Benenden
Friday 9 November
Free to view screening of the
comedy musical Oh! What a Lovely
War.
Saturday 10 November
Variety show reflecting the pre-war
music-hall scene.
Sunday 11 November, 10.45am
Remembrance Sunday service at St
George’s Church, with wreath laying.
Evening commemorative event
including poetry and readings. Last
post at 6.55pm, lighting the beacon
at 7pm and ringing of the church
bells at 7.05pm.
The black silhouette figure of the Silent
Soldier will be displayed by the flag pole
during remembrance time and moved
to the war memorial for Remembrance
Sunday.
More information will be supplied nearer
the time by the parish.
Brenchley and Matfield
●● The traditional Service of
Remembrance at All Saints’ and
St Luke’s, 11 November
●● A display of documents, artefacts, and
memorabilia at Brenchley Memorial
Hall, 8 and 9 November, daytime,
and then Matfield Pavilion, 10 and
11 November, daytime
●● A Community Ceremony of words
and music entitled ‘The Full Measure
of Devotion’ at Matfield Village Hall,
11 November, 5–6.30pm
●● Lighting of the beacon on Matfield
Green, 11 November, 7.30pm
20
Cranbrook and
Sissinghurst
On Sunday 11 November services
and parade to War Memorials and
Silent Soldiers, donated by Cllr
Holden. Battle Over piped at 6am
and beacon lit on church tower at
7pm. Displays of memorabilia and
poppies planned for museum, St
Dunstan’s and Vestry Hall. A Memory
Tree and Garden of Remembrance
and handmade quilt raffle.
The parish magazine, Parish Cake, in
its September issue, will have a two
page spread on the anniversary and
events taking place.
Frittenden
● Historical Society exhibition in the
Memorial Hall, 9–11 November
● Remembrance services on 11
November at the War Memorial,
10.30am and St Mary’s Church,
10.50am
● Quarter peal of bells and
lighting of the village beacon on
11 November, 7.05pm
Horsmonden
Annual Wreath Laying Service at
our War Memorial on the Green at
12.30pm. Lighting the beacon on the
Green at 5pm.
Other activities are being planned and
will be available from the parish nearer
the time.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY TALK IN CEMETERY
On Remembrance Sunday 11 November, Christopher Everett CBE will be
giving a talk on the partition of the Middle East after the First World War.
The talk will be at 2.45pm following the commemorations at the Crosses of
Sacrifice at Tunbridge Wells Cemetery Chapel.
Paddock Wood
Saturday 10 November 10am–3pm
Paddock Wood Remembers Exhibition, St.
Andrew’s Church, Maidstone Road TN12
6DZ.
Sunday 11 November
9.30am Service St Andrew’s Church, all
welcome.
10.30am parade of uniformed and
community groups with traditional piper
from Church to War Memorial.
10.45am Remembrance Service, War
Memorial, Commercial Road TN12 6EL.
Ceremonial lamp will be relit and returned
to the Church.
In the evening, assemble 6.30pm outside
St Andrew’s Church for short armistice
service at 6.45pm with exhortation,
bugler, flag lowering and illumination of
commemorative brazier as bells ring.
Southborough
The town council will be placing two Silent
Soldiers in the town – one at the War
Memorial and the other in the garden of St
Matthews Church.
Sunday 11 November
6am a piper will play the Battle is O’er at
the War Memorial in Southborough.
There will be the usual Remembrance
Service at 9am.
6.55pm a bugler to play the Last
Post again at the War Memorial in
Southborough.
There will be two minutes silence then
Reveille.
7.05pm the bells of St Peters will ring.
Poppies
on Parade
The 2018 Knitted Poppy
Parade is fast approaching
and we need your help!
After the incredible success of last year’s
event, and this year being the centenary
of the end of the First World War, we
are aiming for an even bigger, better
and bolder display this November. Last
year we managed to collect and display
roughly 10,000 poppies, all lovingly
made by members of the public from the
borough and beyond, and turned into an
amazing display by borough council staff
(the latter task in just one week).
This year, we’re getting a bit more of a
head start, and we are going to need as
many people as possible to play a part.
This is such a wonderful, eye-catching
and feel-good project to be involved
with, and is really worthwhile. Let’s aim
for the biggest and best display in Kent.
We were overwhelmed by the positive
feedback we received about last year’s
display so please get involved and make
this year’s display even more spectacular
and a fitting tribute in this centenary year.
Any contribution, whether crafting knitted
or crochet poppies, or spreading the
word amongst friends, family
and colleagues, home and abroad and
encouraging them to get their knitting/
crochet needles out would be much
appreciated!
There are poppy collection points across
the borough, including in the libraries
at Pembury, Rusthall, Southborough,
Showfields and Hawkhurst, as well as
at Tunbridge Wells Gateway, the Weald
Information Centre in Cranbrook, and
Burgess Stores in Goudhurst.
Our kind supporters at Closs & Hamblin,
Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge
Wells are giving a generous 10 per cent
discount on all red and black wools for
this project. Please mention you are
knitting for the appeal to obtain the
discount.
Poppies need to be made in red and
black wool to be included in the display.
The deadline for submitting poppies is
Friday 12 October.
If you need any further information or
have any queries, please get in touch.
Bethan Minter, Creative Learning
Manager – 01892 554221
bethan.minter@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Denise Shortall, Customer Service
& Gateway Manager – 01892 554218
denise.shortall@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Do you care about Award for new play park

Tunbridge Wells’
green spaces?…
Interested in a voluntary role that will
help shape the future of our beautiful
Commons? The Conservators
of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall
Commons are looking for a clerk
to work with them in managing the
Commons for the benefit of local
people and to enhance their habitats
and wildlife.
For further information please contact
the Conservators by e-mail:
info@twcommons.org
Jennette Emery-Wallis, the
architect and creative mind
behind Calverley Adventure
Grounds, has been crowned
the winner of the Public
Realm category in the Civic
Voice Design Awards. The
Awards give communities
the opportunity to nominate
and recognise well-designed
new buildings, heritage and
public realm projects in their local area. derelict site transformed into a thriving
play space. A plaque commemorating
The development of Calverley
Jennette’s outstanding achievement is
Adventure Grounds has, through
now in situ at the play park in Calverley
high quality design and a fantastic
Grounds.
community effort, seen the once semi-

21
 Assembly Hall Theatre
Thrilling live performances Within a Midsummer Night’s Dream
– mixing classical and contemporary
and huge variety this dance with Shakespeare’s comedy to an
autumn at the Assembly eclectic soundtrack including music by
Eartha Kitt and Barbra Streisand.
Hall Theatre.
The Russian State Ballet & Opera
This autumn, the Assembly Hall Theatre
House also bring Swan Lake
programme is jam-packed with music,
(Wednesday 17 October), whilst Britain’s
dance, classical concerts and comedy to
Got Talent stars Flawless (Thursday 1
get you through the colder weather.
November) perform a high energy and
To complement our programme of acrobat filled show.
classical concerts with RTW Choral
Our comedy line up this season features
Society and RTW Symphony Orchestra,
Ross Noble (Wednesday 7 November),
the autumn season brings choir Ex
An Evening Shared with Jasper
Cathedra with their concert In 40 Parts
Carrott & Alistair McGowan (Tuesday
(Saturday 22 September). Named ‘one
6 November), Lee Hurst (BBC 1’s
of Britain’s very best choirs’ by the New
They Think It’s All Over – Saturday 10
York Times, this is not to be missed. In
November) and Dylan Moran (Saturday
addition, the Orchestra Of The Swan
1 December), so the auditorium won’t be
(Sunday 13 January) and the English
short of laughter.
Symphony Orchestra (Sunday 27
January) make their AHT debut with To book any of our current
Vivaldi and Piazzolla and a Celebration or upcoming shows visit
of Dvořák respectively. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Contemporary dance company Ballet
Black (Thursday 29 November), also
performs in Tunbridge Wells for the first
time. This company celebrates dancers
of black and Asian descent, showcasing
technique, precision and grace in
specially commissioned pieces. They
present the double bill of The Suit –
inspired by Can Themba’s South African
fable of the same name, and A Dream

This year’s panto revealed!

AHT is very excited to reveal that
this year’s panto will be Sleeping
Beauty! Starring musical theatre fave
Claire Sweeney as The Fairy Queen,
Milkshake’s Derek Moran as Silly Billy and
the returning Quinn Patrick as our Dame.
Following last year’s record-breaking
production of Aladdin, the AHT and
Martin Dodd for UK Productions proudly
present another spectacular Christmas
pantomime. Once upon a time in a
land far away, a beautiful princess was
born. Cursed by a wicked fairy, she was
destined to spend her life as the Sleeping
Beauty, until awakened by true love’s
kiss... This magical story promises to
be jam-packed with smash-hit songs,
stunning sets, spectacular costumes, and
majestic special effects.
The Panto runs from Friday 7 December
to Wednesday 2 January and
tickets are available now via our website,
at Gateway and the theatre Box Office on
01892 530613.

22
 What's On at
the Assembly Hall Theatre
September
Thu 20 Re-Take That and Party
Sat 22 In 40 Parts
Sun 23 That’ll Be The Day
October
Sun 7 Freddy Kempf
Thu 11 Neil Oliver
Fri 12 Psychic Sally
Sat 13 The Carpenters Story
Sun 14 King of Pop –
The Legend Continues
Wed 17 Swan Lake
Thu 18 Emerald Storm
Sat 20 The Bootleg Beatles
Sun 21 Johnny Cash Roadshow
Wed 24 Killer Queen
Thu 25 Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise
Sat 27 ELO Again
Sun 28 Abbamania
Tue 30 10cc
Box Office 01892 530613
assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
AssemblyHallTheatre  ahttw
November
Thu 1 Flawless
Fri 2 Show of Hands
Sat 3 Joe Lycett
Sun 4 World War 1
Commemoration
Tue 6 An Evening Shared
Wed 7 Ross Noble
Sat 10 Lee Hurst
Thu 15 Rick Wakeman
Fri 16 With Bells On
Sat 17 Be Bop A Lula
Tue 20 – Sat 24 Hello Dolly
Sun 25 Sarah Millican
Tue 27 Simon Reeve
Fri 30 You Win Again
December
Sat 1 Dylan Moran
Sun 2 Nicola Benedetti
Fri 7 – Wed 2 Jan Sleeping Beauty
For
accessibility
information
please visit
AssemblyHallTheatre
Win a Family Ticket
to Drusillas Park
Show your wicked side this
Halloween at Drusillas Park; the
award-winning zoo has all sorts of
seasonal surprises planned to keep
your little horrors half-term happy
between Saturday 20 and Sunday
28 October. Plus The Gruffalo
will be making an appearance on
Wednesday 24 October!
For more information, visit
drusillas.co.uk
Twilight bus
tickets
Did you know that you can buy
a single journey ticket from the
Arriva bus driver or via the Arriva
m-ticket app after 7pm for just
£1.50? The Twilight ticket allows
a single trip within the Tunbridge
Wells ticket zone which includes
Tonbridge – you can even travel
between Tunbridge Wells and
Maidstone (on route 7) and also
between Tunbridge Wells and
Sevenoaks!
So whether it’s working late in the
office, meeting friends after work
or coming home after a drink in
town, all it’s going to cost you is
£1.50.
Buy on bus and m-ticket
For more information visit:
www.arrivabus.co.uk/tunbridge-
wells-twilight
To enter – e-mail your name
and address to localemail@
tunbridgewells.co.uk to be in with
a chance of winning a group ticket
for up to four people. Closing date
is Friday 5 October 2018, 5pm. The
lucky winner will be chosen at random
and notified by e-mail.
The competition is open to residents
of Tunbridge Wells borough. TWBC
staff are not not eligible to enter.
23
 Remaining Independent
With A Little Support

Customers Fred and Laura were able to stay

in their home of 24 years and keep their
independence thanks to the support they
have received from our team.

Laura (89) initially required short-term care after

a fall, but when her husband Fred (85) was
diagnosed with dementia the couple felt
unable to support themselves independently.

Laura said:

“Fred used to live in Dubai making cabinets for

the Sheikh’s palaces; we’ve always lived a very
independent life and we both found the idea of
moving to a care home very troubling.
Our Flexible Support Includes:
We couldn’t bear to leave our house as we have
so many happy memories here from our Trips out
marriage and watching our daughter and Care visits
grandchildren grow up.
Medication
Bluebird Care have been wonderful, our Care Personal care
Assistant is always so kind and helpful; she Social support
really makes us feel very safe and able to carry 24h Live-in care
on as we always have done.” Overnight support

Our Expert Team Is Always

Happy To Help!
01732 373 024
tunbridgewells@bluebirdcare.co.uk
bluebirdcare.co.uk/tonbridge-tunbridgewells