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Good Morning Tunbridge Wells 👋

This week: frustration as South East Water’s CEO ducks a council grilling over repeated outages, while the first asylum seekers arrive at Crowborough’s former military camp, sparking protests and a looming legal challenge.

Elsewhere, there are reasons to leave the house. Rob Beckett lands at the Assembly Hall for a proper midweek laugh, and if January is dragging, the Imperial’s quiz night promises cheap entry, silly rounds and deeply questionable prizes.

WEATHER

Monday: 6°C 🌡️ 8°C | ☁️

Tuesday: 3°C 🌡️ 10°C | 🌧️

Wednesday: 4°C 🌡️ 9°C | 🌥️

SPONSORED BY HILDENBOROUGH BADMINTON CLUB

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Club nights run every Monday, 8:00–10:30pm (September–May) at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, Tonbridge (TN10 4PU) – an easy routine to build into your week and a brilliant way to keep fit through the year.

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THE BRIEF

💦 South East CEO Hides: South East Water’s chief executive has pulled out of a Tunbridge Wells council scrutiny meeting set to probe repeated water outages that left thousands without supply for weeks. David Hinton said the meeting was “too soon”, asking for a month’s delay while internal and regulatory investigations continue. Councillors expressed disappointment, with concerns raised over competence, investment and future housing growth. The meeting has yet to be rescheduled. Read more here.

Watch parts of the meeting below:

⛺ Asylum Arrivals: The first asylum seekers have moved into Crowborough training camp, a former military site near Tunbridge Wells, despite strong opposition from local residents and the council. The site will house more than 500 single men at a time as part of plans to close asylum hotels. The Home Office says safeguards are in place, while opponents warn of community impact and potential harm to vulnerable residents. A legal challenge is already being crowdfunded. Read more here.

👠 Russel & Bromley Risk: Russell & Bromley’s Tunbridge Wells store has been left at risk after the luxury footwear brand fell into administration. Retail giant Next has bought the brand and just three flagship stores, but the Fenwicks Tunbridge Wells concession is not included in the deal. It will continue trading for now, but its future - and local jobs - is uncertain as administrators assess options. Read more here.

🤖 Surgical Robot: A surgical robot at Maidstone Hospital has helped teams treat more patients in a single day, completing a record seven gallbladder operations. The technology allows surgeons greater precision and comfort, cutting recovery times and enabling same-day discharge. The trust says this means fewer flare-ups, fewer A&E visits and faster access to care for patients across the Tunbridge Wells area, as robot-assisted surgery becomes a bigger part of routine NHS treatment. Read more here.

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

Sunday 01 February 2026, 3pm – RTWSO: Winter Daydreams

Peter Selwyn, Conductor
Richard Harwood, Cello

STRAVINSKY Pulcinella Suite
KABALEVSKY Cello Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 49
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13 ‘Winter Daydreams’

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra’s next concert on Sunday 1st February explores musical warmth, wit and beauty. Stravinsky’s playful Pulcinella Suite contrasts with Kabalevsky’s charming Cello Concerto No. 1, performed by celebrated soloist Richard Harwood. The concert closes with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1, Winter Daydreams - a work of youthful inspiration that captures snowy landscapes, shimmering skies and the hope and brightness of winter.

​Get your tickets here!​

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THIS WEEK

I ❤️ QUIZZING | The Imperial | Wed, 7:30pm | Who wants to go out in January FFS!? You do! Come to the quiz, have a little drinky, enjoy some stupid rounds, maybe go home with a dreadful prize? | £3 per person​

Rob Beckett: Giraffe | Assembly Hall | Thurs, 8pm | Proper laugh-out-loud night - you’ll leave lighter, happier, cheeks aching | £34.25​

Think Floyd | Assembly Hall | Fri, 7:30pm | Close your eyes, lasers on, you’re at Pink Floyd gig | £35​

The Legend of Barry White | Assembly Hall | Sat, 7:30pm | Big voice, big romance - basically a very smooth night out | £30.50​

Jay Kelly | Trinity Theatre | Wed, 2:30pm & 7:30pm | Thoughtful, funny, slightly aching - Clooney pondering life hits harder than expected | £7+​

Comedy Special - Rory Bremner & Guests | Trinity Theatre | Thurs, 7:30pm | Smart, savage impressions - politics skewered properly, not politely | £33​

One Night of Elvis | Trinity Theatre | Fri, 7:30pm | Vegas-era Elvis vibes - sparkly suits, big songs, proper fun nostalgia | £30​

I Swear | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 2:30pm & 7:30pm | Raw, moving, uncomfortable at times - but genuinely important and human | £7+​

Black Bag | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat, 6:30pm | Sexy spy dilemma - marriage versus country, sharp and tense | £5​

Wedding Open Day | Penshurst Place | Sun, 11am to 3pm | Dreamy winter wedding inspo - fizz, ideas flowing, suddenly planning everything | Free​

Half Happy | The Sussex Arms | Tue, 7:30pm | Sweaty basement gig, dreamy indie hooks, ears ringing in a good way | £8​

Pleasureinc | The Sussex Arms | Thurs, 7:30pm | Chaotic, funky, slightly unhinged - you’ll dance without knowing why | £10​

Hutch | The Sussex Arms | Fri, 7:30pm | Joyful psych, funky chaos, and a grin you can’t shake | £8​

King Of The Beats | The Forum | Fri, 8pm | Pure breakbeat carnage - sweaty dancefloor, zero chill, massive tunes | £23.50​

Tummyache | The Sussex Arms | Sat, 7:30pm | Raw, intimate indie - cathartic, political, and quietly powerful | £11​

Irish & Trad Sessions | The Sussex Arms | Sun, 4pm | Pints, fiddles, and foot-stomping - pub trad done properly | Free​

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

Earth Photo Exhibition | Hever Castle | 11th Feb to 1st Mar | Stunning photos, fresh air, and a quiet nudge to care more | With Admission​

Valentine's Day Afternoon Tea | Hever Castle | 14th & 15th Feb | Fancy sandwiches, fizz vibes, and pretending it’s wildly romantic | £32​

Dark Horse Comedy - Toussaint Douglass | The Sussex Arms | 8th Feb | Smart, surreal laughs - brainy comedy that sneaks up on you | £10​

Music Tonbridge Showcase | The Forum | 9th Feb | Support the next generation - surprisingly tight bands, great energy | £7​

Buzzcocks: 50th Anniversary | The Forum | 12th Feb | Punk legends still rip - loud, sweaty, and way more alive than expected | £40​

Hospice in the Weald Firewalk 2026 | The Camden Arms, Pembury | 14th Mar | Walk across fire, feel fearless, and help local hospice care | Details​

SPORT

⚽FOOTBALL

20th Jan:

• Rusthall 4 - 3 Tunbridge Wells (Cup Match)

24th Jan:

• Stansfeld 2 - 3 Tunbridge Wells
• Sutton Athletic 0 - 2 Rusthall

31st Jan:

• Tunbridge Wells vs. Kennington
• Rusthall vs. Stansfeld

🏉RUGBY

31st Jan:

• Worthing vs. Tunbridge Wells

🏑HOCKEY

24th Jan:

• Tunbridge Wells (Women's) 2 - 2 Maidstone
• Folkestone Optimist 4 - 0 Tunbridge Wells (Men's)

31st Jan:

• Tunbridge Wells (Men's) vs. Old Georgians
• Tunbridge Wells (Women's) vs. Marden Russets

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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