This week, we look at the future of three local sports centres after Fusion Lifestyle went into administration. New operators are coming, and the council says investment will follow. We also cover the mains burst that left nearly 6,000 Kent homes without water - a rough few days for South East Water.

On the brighter side, Penshurst Place is running Easter trails all week for families. And if you fancy something different, Frog Lane is worth a wander. It rewards the curious.

WEATHER

Monday: 4°C 🌡️ 13°C | ☀️

Tuesday: 6°C 🌡️ 17°C | ☀️

Wednesday: 7°C 🌡️ 19°C | ☀️

THE BRIEF

🏊 Sports Centre Administration: Fusion Lifestyle, which runs three sports centres in Tunbridge Wells, has gone into administration. The charity said rising costs, lower funding and slow post-pandemic recovery caused the issue. The centres in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells will stay open. From July, Serco Leisure and Leisure Solutions Community Trust will take over. The council is working to ensure a smooth handover and says the new deal will bring major investment. Read more here.

🐸 Frog Lane: A quiet cobbled street in Tunbridge Wells has become an unexpected attraction. Frog Lane, lined with quirky cottages and pastel homes, is home to more than 50 hidden frog and toad statues placed by residents. Some sit in plain sight, others are tucked into drainpipes or perched on rooftops. The display gained popularity during lockdown, though it dates back years. With seasonal updates and a treasure-hunt feel, it has become a charming stop for visitors. Read more here.

💦 Mains Burst: Nearly 6,000 homes in Kent lost water after a main pipe burst near Bewl Water. Areas including Pembury, Matfield and Horsmonden saw low pressure or no supply. Repairs were completed later that day, with water expected to return by Friday morning. Schools closed and some businesses shut due to hygiene concerns. Bottled water stations were set up for residents. The outage follows wider issues that have already triggered an Ofwat investigation into South East Water. Read more here.

🐕 Park Rules Flouted: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has tightened rules at The Grove after reports of dogs off leads in large numbers. Incidents include dogs chasing and knocking over children and elderly visitors. A new Public Space Protection Order will replace an old byelaw and allow fines for breaches. The park will still be open, but dogs must stay on leads. The move has split opinion. Some support stricter rules for safety, while others say it punishes responsible owners and limits exercise for dogs. Read more here.

🖼️ Penshurst Mystery: A new exhibition at Penshurst Place puts a 400 year old portrait under fresh scrutiny. Who Are the Two Boys? explores a rare 1626 double portrait of two teenage boys, one of African heritage, whose identities remain unknown. A life sized reproduction is on display while the original undergoes conservation and research with the National Portrait Gallery. Visitors can examine clues, learn about the science behind the investigation and follow the mystery as it unfolds. Read more here.

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

​KentRelief is delivering practical, life-saving support to people affected by the war in Ukraine - and we need your help to keep going. Since 2022, we’ve sent over 150 tonnes of essential aid and supported families rebuilding their lives here in Kent. Our next shipment depends on donations from our community.

Every contribution helps fund food, medical supplies, and vital equipment reaching people who need it now. If you’re able to give, your support will have a direct, immediate impact. Donate today or get involved locally - and help us keep this work moving.

---

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 5,000 friends?

ADVERTISE ON THE BOARD

THIS WEEK

Easter Storytelling: In Search of Easter Island! | Penshurst Place | Mon 6 Apr, 11:00am | Captain Catt adventure story shows at 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm | Included in admission​

Easter Crafts | Penshurst Place | Mon 6 Apr – Sun 12 Apr, 11:00am | Make rabbit headbands and paper chain chicks | Included in admission​

Easter Bunny's Bonnet Bonanza Trail | Penshurst Place | Mon 6 Apr – Sun 12 Apr, 10:00am | Hunt through gardens to help the Easter Bunny | Included in admission​

Easter Days Out & Easter Family Fun | Hever Castle | Mon 6 Apr – Sun 12 Apr, 10:00am | Easter family activities across castle and grounds | From £17.45​

Making Language: Emma Smith | The Amelia | Mon 6 Apr – Sun 12 Apr, 10:00am | Textile and language art exhibition, final week | Free entry​

Life Through a Royal Lens | The Amelia | Mon 6 Apr – Sun 12 Apr, 10:00am | Exhibition exploring royal history through photography | Free entry​

Life Through a Young Lens | The Amelia | Mon 6 Apr – Sun 12 Apr, 10:00am | Youth photography exhibition alongside Royal Lens show | Free entry​

All Star Wrestling | Assembly Hall | Tue 7 Apr, 7:30pm | High-flying family wrestling mayhem in the ring | From £15.00​

Song Sung Blue (12A) | Trinity Theatre | Tue 7 Apr, 7:30pm | Oscar-nominated Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson Neil Diamond film | From £7.00​

JUSTIN LIVE – Justin Time to ROCK | Assembly Hall | Wed 8 Apr, 2:30pm | BAFTA-winner Justin Fletcher's high-energy kids' stage show | From £23.00​

Exhibition on Screen: Turner & Constable (PG) | Trinity Theatre | Wed 8 Apr, 7:30pm | Documentary on Britain's greatest rival landscape painters | £14.00​

Biff to the Future | Trinity Theatre | Thu 9 Apr, 7:30pm | Edinburgh Award-winning Back to the Future parody, Biff's story | £26.00​

Queen of the Night – A Tribute to Whitney Houston | Assembly Hall | Thu 9 Apr, 7:30pm | Full live band tribute spanning three decades of Houston hits | From £24.25​

When We Weren't Old x Lump Buzkit | The Forum | Thu 9 Apr, 7:00pm | Pop punk and nu metal night; MCR, Green Day, Paramore vibes | See details​

An Evening with Aggers and Tuffers | Assembly Hall | Fri 10 Apr, 7:30pm | Cricket legends Agnew and Tufnell share anecdotes on stage | SOLD OUT

Comedy Special: Milton Jones & Guests | Trinity Theatre | Fri 10 Apr, 8:00pm | Surreal one-liner king Milton Jones headlines with guests | SOLD OUT

The Sussex Is Doomed 3 | The Sussex Arms | Fri 10 Apr, 7:00pm | Multi-band punk and rock showcase, night one | See details​

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown | The Forum | Fri 10 Apr, 7:30pm | The God of Hellfire himself — psychedelic rock legend live | See details​

Taylormania | Assembly Hall | Sat 11 Apr, 7:30pm | Award-winning Taylor Swift Eras tribute with full live band | £31.25​

Gigspanner Big Band | Trinity Theatre | Sat 11 Apr, 7:30pm | Folk supergroup featuring Peter Knight, John Spiers and Edgelarks | £32.00​

The Last Showgirl | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat 11 Apr, 6:30pm | Pamela Anderson drama; a showgirl's life upended after 30 years | See details​

Spring Forest Bathing | Hever Castle | Sat 11 Apr | Guided mindfulness walk through spring woodland at Hever | See details​

NT Connections Festival 2026 – Day 1 | Trinity Theatre | Sun 12 Apr | Young performers staging National Theatre Connections plays | See details​

Stable: Atravion | Locusts | School of Terror | Strenuous | The Forum | Sun 12 Apr, 6:00pm | Four-band unsigned showcase on the Sunday STABLE bill | See details​

RTWSO: A Parisian in Moscow & an American in Paris | Assembly Hall | Sun 12 Apr, 3:00pm | RTWSO season finale: Gershwin, Ravel, Mussorgsky and Kanneh-Mason | From £5.00​

Table Tennis | Sunnyside Hall | Mon & Sun | Play table tennis every week (1st session is free) | £4​

Badminton & Pickleball | Sunnyside Hall | Fri, 6pm | Play badminton & pickleball every week (1st session is free) | £5​

FURTHER OUT

David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time | Assembly Hall | Tue 14 Apr, 7:30pm | Historian Olusoga brings four iconic firearms' social histories to life | From £34.25​

FRIENDS! The Musical Parody | Assembly Hall | Tue 21 Apr – Sat 25 Apr, 7:30pm | Hit NY and Vegas show retelling Friends across all ten seasons | From £34.00​

Celebration of Spring 2026 | Hever Castle | Mon 20 Apr – Fri 1 May | Spectacular floral displays and spring events across the estate | Included in admission​

Imagine the Beatles – Live at the Orangery | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun 17 May | Picnic concert: Beatles tribute on the Orangery lawn | See details​

Cars at the Castle 2026 | Hever Castle | Sat 13 – Sun 14 Jun | Classic and vintage cars displayed in the historic castle grounds | Included in admission​

SPORT

📊 Results

⚽ 7 Mar Phoenix Sports 4–0 Rusthall SCEFL Prem [L]

⚽ 7 Mar Faversham Strike Force 3–3 Tunbridge Wells FC SCEFL Prem [D]

🏉 7 Mar Tunbridge Wells RFC 68–19 Camberley Regional 1 South Central [W]

🏑 7 Mar Horsham M1 4–3 TW Hockey Men's M1 SE Men's Premier [L]

🏑 7 Mar TW Hockey Women's W1 1–1 Burnt Ash (Bexley) W1 SE Women's Div 1 East [D]

⚽ 10 Mar Rusthall 2–1 Fisher SCEFL Prem [W]

⚽ 10 Mar Tunbridge Wells FC 0–2 Hollands & Blair SCEFL Prem [L]

📅 Fixtures

⚽ 17 Mar Tunbridge Wells FC vs Chislehurst Glebe SCEFL Prem

⚽ 17 Mar Faversham Strike Force vs Rusthall SCEFL Prem

🏑 14 Mar TW Hockey Men's M1 vs Reigate Priory M1

🏑 14 Mar Ashford (Kent) W1 vs TW Hockey Women's W1

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

Are you a local business looking to reach people in and around Tunbridge Wells? Contact us today about our ad options that reach thousands of local people.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get it!​