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Good morning! 👋

The much-loved Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons are up for sale, sparking a community effort to secure their future, while a brand-new six-storey NHS training centre has opened to help tackle Kent’s doctor shortage.

Looking for something to do? Catch Su Pollard’s hilarious Still Fully Charged at the Assembly Hall or unwind at the Trinity Theatre Repair Café on Saturday.

WEATHER

Monday: 11°C 🌡️ 16°C | ☁️

Tuesday: 9°C 🌡️ 16°C | ☁️

Wednesday: 9°C 🌡️ 15°C | ☁️

THE BRIEF

🪧Commons For Sale: Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons, covering 256 acres of protected green space, are being put up for sale by their private owner, Targetfollow Group. The Borough Council says it’s “unlikely” to buy the land but confirmed that community groups can now exercise their right to bid under Asset of Community Value rules. The Friends of the Commons plan to lead that effort, aiming to secure local ownership and preserve the area’s future. Read more from Martin Webber here.

🏥NHS Building Opens: A new six-storey facility has opened at Tunbridge Wells Hospital to tackle Kent’s shortage of doctors. The building, part of a partnership between Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Kent and Medway Medical School, and London universities, will host up to 173 trainee doctors each year. Offering on-site accommodation and study space, it aims to improve training and retention of future medics. Greg Clark attended the official opening, marking a milestone in local medical education. Read more from Alan Smith here.

🩶Platinum Anniversary: Patti and Bob Egerton of Tunbridge Wells have celebrated 70 years of marriage, crediting their lasting love to never going to bed angry. The couple, who first met at Woolworths in Birmingham, married in 1955 and later moved south to be near their daughters. Now 90 and 93, they’ve received a congratulatory message from King Charles and Queen Camilla. They are marking the milestone with a garden party - complete with tables named after Woolworths departments. Read more by Phil Harrison here.

🌊Sea Cadets Honoured: Tunbridge Wells Sea Cadets (TS Brilliant) will celebrate their 90th anniversary this Sunday with a Freedom of the Borough Parade. Mayor David Osborne will present the honour, the highest given by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Around 250 cadets will march through the town, joined by veterans and dignitaries including VAdm Duncan Potts. The event also marks the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Locals are invited to gather at Mount Pleasant Road to cheer them on. Read more from Martha Tipper here.

📃Insurance Firm Expands: Tunbridge Wells-based BG Insurance has announced expansion plans to strengthen its role in the driving school insurance sector. The broker will grow its local team, invest in technology, and introduce bespoke insurance schemes. Founded in 2000 and acquired by Well Dunn Group in 2021, the firm now employs over 100 staff and is focusing on sustainable growth amid shifting motor market conditions. Read more from Kenneth Araullo here.

⚠️Food Bank Struggling: Nourish Food Bank is struggling for donations. Watch the full report here.

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THIS WEEK

Su Pollard - Still Fully Charged | Assembly Hall | Mon, 7:30pm | A hilarious, heartfelt celebration of Su Pollard’s wild showbiz journey | £31.75​

Swan Lake | Assembly Hall | Tues, 7:30pm | A stunning, emotional night of love, magic, and breathtaking ballet | £47​

Dr Richard Shepherd | Assembly Hall | Sun, 7:30pm | A gripping, deeply human look into life, death, and truth | £32.50​

Andy Parsons | Trinity Theatre | Thurs, 7:30pm | Sharp, hilarious stand-up tackling life’s chaos with biting wit | £22​

The Book of Genesis – The John Hackett Band | Trinity Theatre | Fri, 7:30pm | A nostalgic, high-energy celebration of Genesis’s golden prog rock era | £27​

Repair Cafe | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 9:45am | Get your stuff fixed, sip tea, and meet lovely locals | Details​

J S Bach, his life and musical philosophy | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 3:30pm | A fascinating dive into Bach’s genius, faith, and timeless influence | £14​

Glenn Moore | Trinity Theatre | Sat,7:30pm | Rapid-fire jokes and razor-sharp wit from a comedy master | £18.50​

The Brick People | Trinity Theatre | Sun | Family fun and creativity galore with LEGO building challenges | £5​

Halloween Half Term | Penshurst Place | Sat & Sun | Magical Halloween fun with trails, storytelling, and spooky crafts | Details​

Cabaret evening with Lorna Want and Chris Hatt | Club Quantum | Thurs, 7pm | Intimate cabaret of show tunes and jazz from West End stars | £37​

The Utopia Strong | The Forum | 19th Oct | Mind-bending psychedelic synths and ambient soundscapes from cosmic masters | £18​

Halloween Murder Mystery | Chiddingstone Castle | Sat, 7pm | Solve a spooky whodunnit over dinner in a haunted castle | £110​

Jim Jones All Stars | The Forum | Wed, 7pm | A wild, sweat-soaked night of pure rock ‘n’ roll chaos | £23.50​

A Celebration of Oasis | The Forum | Sat, 7:30pm | Sing your heart out to Oasis classics at this epic tribute night | £20​

Unfunfair | The Sussex Arms | Sat, 7:30pm | A chaotic, high-energy night of punk, ska, and sweaty mayhem | £10​

FURTHER OUT

The Sound of Music | Assembly Hall | 28th Oct to 1st Nov | Heartwarming revival of The Sound of Music with timeless songs and charm | £25​

Alison Lessen: Reimaginings | Trinity Arts Centre | 4th to 9th Nov | Vivid, dreamlike forest scenes celebrating nature’s rhythm and joy | Details​

Harriet Kemsley | The Sussex Arms | Sun, 7pm | A laugh-out-loud Sunday with Harriet Kemsley and rising comics | £11.55​

JOBS

• Front of House Team Member | Nando's | More Info​
• Christmas Retail | Boots | More Info​
• Community Nurse | Kent Community Health NHS Trust | More Info​

Check out all the listings on TW Jobs​

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

SPORT

⚽ FOOTBALL

7th Oct:

Chislehurst Glebe 0 - 0 Tunbridge Wells

Erith & Belvedere 0 - 1 Rusthall

11th Oct:

Corinthian 3 - 0 Tunbridge Wells

Rusthall 6 - 0 Sheppey Sports

18th Oct:

Rusthall vs. Tunbridge Wells

🏉 RUGBY

11th Oct:

Hammersmith & Fulham 28 - 49 Tunbridge Wells

18th Oct:

Tunbridge Wells vs. Worthing

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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