This week in TW Life: Plans for a £68m revamp of Royal Victoria Place, including a boutique cinema and new homes. Meanwhile, tributes pour in for Dr Mary Engleback, a beloved anaesthetist who passed away just after retirement.

Looking to make plans? Don’t miss the RTW Fanzone in Calverley Grounds for Wimbledon and movies, or the Cheesy Bingo Party at Assembly Hall on Friday night.

WEATHER

Monday: 10°C 🌡️ 20°C | 🌧️

Tuesday: 10°C 🌡️ 22°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 13°C 🌡️ 25°C | ☀️

THE BRIEF

🎞️RVP Proposals: Plans to transform Royal Victoria Place include a boutique cinema, new homes, and revamped leisure space (costing up to £68m). A new feasibility report proposes building 80 to 100 homes, boosting retail and leisure zones, and converting Ely Court into an entertainment hub. The public won’t see design details yet, but councillors will vote on the scheme on 16th July. The report follows the centre’s £8.9m purchase by the council last year. Read more from Mary Harris here.

👩‍⚕️Tributes Paid to Dr: Just 16 days after retiring, Dr Mary Engleback, a much-loved anaesthetist and pain specialist at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, tragically died from stage 4 cancer. Colleagues remembered her as kind, calm, and quietly brilliant - devoted to easing others’ suffering. Known for her baking, cycling adventures, and generosity, she had looked forward to retirement and becoming a grandmother. Her legacy is being honoured with a 24-hour charity pedal in the pain unit she helped shape. Read more tributes from her team and husband Oliver here.

💰£750 Theft: Police are seeking help identifying two men after nearly £750 worth of goods were stolen from The Range and Aldi in Tunbridge Wells. The suspects allegedly hid cleaning products, razors, toothpaste and small saws in rucksacks before leaving without paying. CCTV images have been released, with both thefts believed to be linked. Anyone with information is urged to contact Kent Police. Read more and view the images in the full article by Dee Lukasik here.

🏥Man Calls 999 Outside Hospital: A 74-year-old man was forced to call 999 from outside Maidstone Hospital after staff allegedly refused to help his seriously ill friend during a seizure. Frank Bourne said a nurse told him it was “not her problem” when he asked for assistance getting Debbra Phillimore out of his car. Only when an ambulance crew arrived did staff respond. The hospital trust has apologised, admitting the care “fell short”. The pair say the ordeal has left lasting distress and are still waiting for a meeting with the trust. Read more from Mark Norman here.

🚸Nursery Shut For 6 Weeks: The Green Cave Nursery in Tunbridge Wells has had its licence suspended for six weeks following “significant” safeguarding concerns, now under police and council investigation. Ofsted cited serious failures in reporting procedures and provider oversight. Parents, left in the dark and scrambling for childcare, say trust has been broken. The nursery owner insists safety was always the priority and says he followed protocol as soon as he was aware. Read more from Elli Hodgson here.

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THIS WEEK

Mark Watson with Joe Wells & Naomi Cooper | Assembly Hall | Thurs, 8pm | Mark Watson’s back with brilliant support acts | £23

RTW Fanzone | Calverley Grounds | Sat & Sun | Watch Wimbledon finals & movies outdoors - plus bar, food, kids’ games! | Details

Cheesy Bingo Party | Assembly Hall | Fri, 7:30pm | Cheesy tunes, wild bingo, dancing and giant inflatables! | £19

Summerfest at The Spa | The Spa Hotel | Sat, 1pm to 5:30pm | Live music, DJs, spa treats, and amazing food! | £15+

Swipe Vintage Kilo Summer Sale| Camden Centre | Sat, 10am to 5pm | Vintage kilo sale - huge bargains, premium brands, and Power Hour perks! | £1+

Dance For Hospice In The Weald | Brecknock Arms | Sat, 1pm | Starts early, ends late | Details

Crowborough Summer Fair | Goldsmiths Recreation Park | Sat, 1pm to 6pm | Summer fair fun - BMX show, dog show, stalls, food and more! | Details

FAMBROOK | Queen's Hall | Sun, 1pm to 5pm | Acrobats, glitter, rock bands, bouncy castles - pure family chaos fun! | £10

For more events head to Plan My Event App (iPhone / Android)

FURTHER OUT

Southern At War | Bluebell Railway | 19th & 20th July | Steam trains, Spitfires, swing music - step into 1940s wartime Britain! | £30

Joyfest | Caracol Glamping | 27th Jul | Family festival with music, healing, crafts - raising funds for Junior’s bike! | £11

Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival | Calverley Grounds | 20th Jul | Food, dance, and music from around the world! | Free

Summer In Nashville | Eridge Park | 20th July | Line dancing, American BBQ, Rodeo, Fancy Dress and More! | Details

JOBS

Project & Design Manager | BarthHaas | More Info
Youth Worker | YMCA Thames Gateway | More Info
Optometrist | Boots, Sevenoaks | More Info

Check out all the listings on TW Jobs

(Use discount code TWLIFE30 for 30% off your first listing)

SPORT

🏏 CRICKET

5th July:

Tunbridge Wells beat St Lawrence & Highland Court by 112 runs.

12th July:

Tunbridge Wells vs. Sandwich Town

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📰 Boutique Cinema Coming to RVP? 📽️