TWLife has partnered with TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells. Today we're featuring an interview about Paul Cheese’s talk being chosen as an editor’s pick. Local news: Tunbridge Wells Hospital’s maternity services improved to “good” after a focused effort. High Brooms Station won approval for accessibility upgrades via the Access for All Scheme. This week you can visit the Pantiles Antiques & Vintage Fair.
WEATHER
Monday: 10°C 🌡️ 21°C | 🌧️
Tuesday: 9°C 🌡️ 21°C | ⛅
Wednesday: 12°C 🌡️ 21°C | ☀️
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TEDxRTW
Image Credit: John Knight
TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells is thrilled to announce our new partnership with TWLife, supporting our activities and broadening our reach to thousands of people from around Tunbridge Wells and beyond. Nathan Friend, Curator and Event Producer for TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells, said “I’m really excited to begin working with Jamie at TWLife, and looking forward to bringing some exclusive content from TEDxRTW to the newsletter over the coming months. With TWLife’s focus on community events and news, it’s a perfect fit with our focus on ideas that really resonate locally.”
TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells is an event that showcases local and locally-relevant ideas using the ubiquitous TED Talks format. The event first started in 2015 at Skinners’ Kent Academy, and has since grown to the point of selling out Trinity Theatre and the Assembly Hall Theatre multiple times. The current iteration of TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells looks to bring together a community of curious and action-driven individuals, through a number of events hosted at venues throughout Tunbridge Wells.
Recently, TEDxRTW hosted an event at Trinity Theatre, showcasing five great ideas and one incredible performance, showcasing everything from purpose, to the importance of speaking up, to the arts. One of those talks, delivered by Paul Cheese about his journey creating a soundtrack to the UK, was recently selected by TED as an editor’s choice, being one of a few talks to be pushed directly to TEDx’s YouTube subscribers as a valuable and timely idea for a global audience.
In celebration of Paul’s talk being selected as an editor’s choice by TED, Nathan had a quick chat with Paul while on his travels to dig into his talk, and what’s next for his recording projects.
Congratulations Paul on your talk being selected as a TEDx editor’s choice! I broke the news to you a few months before it was published, do you remember what your initial reaction was? Yes, I do, I was really chuffed. I had a great response from the audience at the TEDx Tunbridge Wells event, and then for my talk to be chosen by the big TED reviewers for editor’s choice is just amazing. It’s really great that it’s been given this platform, and hopefully will inspire even more people to listen to the world around them and find the music hidden in everyday sounds.
In your talk, you mentioned a key part of your journeys is making “sonic discoveries”, like the fact that most builders render a wall at about 98 beats per minute - have you made any more recently?
Absolutely, and there were so many more that I found on The Big Record UK which I didn’t have time to mention in my TEDx talk, so here’s some more fun sonic discoveries from that project…
From my experience...
The loudest sparrows were on Jersey
The loudest blackbirds were in Norfolk
The loudest seagulls were in Devon (Sidmouth)
How have people responded to your talk? Have there been any surprising or insightful messages you’ve received?
I’ve had lots of great comments and feedback, which is obviously really nice to hear. On the days following the TEDx event, I was sent audio recordings that people had captured while out and about. One person sent me a recording of a ‘singing’ drain which was awesome.
On your journey around the UK, was there a particular location that stuck with you, either for a particular sound or the people you met?
That’s a tough one. Honestly, every region had its own sonic memory moments, and there were so many stories of people relating to sounds in their locations and their everyday life. The people I met along the way were fantastic, so generous getting involved with the sounds.
When I was cycling on the North Coast of Ireland, I had a puncture, so I’d taken off all my luggage from the bike. Two guys pulled up asked if I needed any help. I said I was fine thanks, and then they handed me two cans of beer out of their window and said ‘happy travels’. I have so many stories like that.
What have you been up to since our event in March? I picture you cycling somewhere near wherever I am, but I’d love to know where you’ve been!
Well, right now, I’m in the Pyrenees at the top of a mountain working on the second stage of The Big Record Pyrenees project. Last year I cycled, with all my recording equipment of course, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean along the top north side of the Pyrenees and then back again on the south side, listening and recording sounds to use to create a piece of music. This year, I’m exploring deeper into the mountains and getting to the places I couldn’t reach last year.
Finally, what’s the most important thing you hope people will take away from your talk? I hope my talk will inspire children and adults to listen to the world differently and hear the music hidden in everyday sounds. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us, Paul - it’s been delightful having you on our stage!
Thank you!!
There’s a ton more from Paul that just wouldn’t fit into this newsletter - you can watch the talk and read the full interview with Paul here. Keep an eye out for more from TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells at the start of every month in TWLife.
THE BRIEF
🏥Maternity Services Improved: Tunbridge Wells Hospital has seen its maternity services jump from “requires improvement” to “good” in a recent CQC report, following a warning notice in August 2023. Paediatric services also scored “good”, though the hospital’s overall rating remains “requires improvement”, with critical care, surgery and emergency units still needing work. Staff credit focused management and family engagement for the turnaround. Read more here, Bob Dale.
♿High Brooms Breakthrough: A grassroots campaign by the TW & Area Access Group has led to a breakthrough for High Brooms Station. Following a petition event in June, the Department for Transport has confirmed its support for improvements via the Access for All Scheme. A feasibility study is already complete, with announcements due later this summer. The campaign highlights the “purple pound,” with 1 in 4 adults living with access needs, and aims to make Tunbridge Wells a model for accessibility in the South East.
🎨Demelza Art Trail: Demelza has launched Trail with a Tale, a free art trail in Royal Tunbridge Wells this summer. Ten large animal sculptures by local artists and 28 smaller ones by schoolchildren dot the town, each paired with its own short story. Printed maps are on sale for a suggested £1 at Kidsbury, Ruby’s of London and The Lodge. The trail runs until 8th September and welcomes all ages. Read more here.
🧑🔧Trade Park Sold: Chancerygate has acquired Spa Trade Park in Royal Tunbridge Wells from Delancey for £17.5 million. The 77,000 sq ft estate on Longfield Road comprises 16 units. 14 are already let to the likes of Howdens, Screwfix, Toolstation and Halfords. Its proximity to the A21 and fast links to London make it a strategic addition to Chancerygate’s portfolio. Read more from from Daniel Face here.
💷SEND Investment: Broomhill Bank School will boost its SEND places from 318 to 490. New classrooms and building upgrades are planned at its Hextable and Tunbridge Wells sites. A report will go to the Children’s and Young People’s Cabinet Committee this autumn. Kent has already spent over £3 million on accessible features in mainstream schools and more than £60 million on special school projects. Read more from Kent County Council here.
THIS WEEK
The Pantiles Antiques & Vintage Fair | The Pantiles | Sat & Sun | Dozens of antique stalls, friendly vibe, and tasty treats. | Free
Motors By The Moat | Leeds Castle | Sat & Sun | Supercars, classics, daring stunts, war machines, and F1 sims! | With Admission
Sunflower Trail | Four Winds Farm | Sat & Sun | Spend a sunny afternoon in golden blooms, pick flowers, chill | £8.50
A Celebration of the Pogues & Shane Macgowan | The Forum | Fri, 7:30pm | Toast the Pogues 40th Anniversary! | £20
Crafty Quiz | The Bell Inn | Fri, 7:30pm | Questions, games, bingo and a bar tab prize! | £5 per person
Park Safaris | Dunorlan Park | Thurs, 10:30am & 2pm | Fancy a bug-hunting adventure with Dr Beavis? Mud, magic, giggles | £3
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.
