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This week in Tunbridge Wells: The Mayor’s Toy Appeal wrapped up after five weeks, delivering hundreds of Christmas gifts to local children thanks to an outpouring of community support. Elsewhere, a stretch of woodland on the edge of town has been saved from potential development following a successful £1.25m appeal, securing its future for generations to come.

Looking ahead, enjoy festive skating at Calverley Grounds or soak up the magic of Christmas at Bedgebury’s illuminated woodland trail. Get out and about!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a warm festive season!🎄🎅🎁

WEATHER

Monday: 5°C 🌡️ 11°C | ☁️

Tuesday: 5°C 🌡️ 8°C | ☁️

Wednesday: 1°C 🌡️ 5°C | ⛅

SPONSORED BY THE TW JAM LIBRARY

The Tunbridge Wells Jam Library turns surplus local fruit and veg into deliciously different preserves – all in aid of Nourish Community Foodbank.

Working with local allotments, farmers, gardeners and small businesses, we capture the community harvest and turn it into seasonal jams with purpose. The result? Unusual, small-batch preserves that do good – and taste even better.

How it works:​
Come to the library, take a jam, leave a jar, and pay what you feel in the honesty box. Every donation goes directly to Nourish Community Foodbank.

Got a glut of fruit or veg? If you’re a keen gardener or grower, we’d love to hear from you. Donate surplus produce throughout the year by emailing thetwjamlibrary@gmail.com​

📍 40 Dukes Road, TN1 2PA
📷 Instagram: @thetwjamlibrary

THE BRIEF

🎁 Hundreds Donated: The Mayor’s Toy Appeal 2025 has wrapped up after five weeks at Royal Victoria Place. Hundreds of gifts were donated across Tunbridge Wells and nearby collection points. Official agencies made 650 referrals for children up to 18, more than last year. Volunteers ensured every child received a sack of new presents for Christmas Day. Organisers thanked residents, businesses and supporters for their generosity and backing.

Head here for more information and if you'd like to get involved in 2026 email Trevor at trevor.crawford@mayorstoyappeal.co.uk​

🫗 He's Staying On: The boss of South East Water says he will not step down after supply failures left up to 24,000 homes across west Kent and East Sussex without reliable water. Schools closed, businesses lost thousands, and residents were told to boil tap water. Despite calls to resign from Tunbridge Wells’ MP, the chief executive says staying on is the best way to fix what went wrong, as talks begin over compensation. Read more here.

👕 New Opening: Hundreds queued from early morning as Primark opened its long-awaited Tunbridge Wells store, with crowds still backing up at the tills by midday. The mayor cut the ribbon, councillors talked up jobs and footfall, and shoppers described the opening as a “bit of a bun fight”. The two-floor store fills the former BHS unit in Royal Victoria Place, seen as a key step in reviving the town centre. Read more here.

🏗️ More Housing: Former offices just off Mount Pleasant could soon house up to 28 people under new plans submitted to the council. The Victorian building in Lonsdale Gardens already has permission to become four flats, but the latest proposal would instead create 14 en-suite rooms with shared kitchens. Supporters say it meets demand for flexible, town-centre housing and makes use of a vacant building, with no extra parking planned. Local reaction may yet shape the outcome. Read more here.

🍥 New Sushi Spot: A fast-growing sushi chain with more than 30 UK sites is set to open its first Tunbridge Wells restaurant in January. Founded by sushi chef Chhong Sherpa, the brand serves sustainably sourced sushi alongside hot dishes like katsu curry and gyozas. The new site builds on success nearby and is pitched as an affordable, high-protein option in the town centre, as the business eyes major global expansion. Read more here.

🎄 Woodland Saved: A stretch of woodland on the edge of Tunbridge Wells, home to Second World War tunnels and a long-rumoured bunker, has been saved after an urgent £1.25m appeal. Local residents rallied behind The Woodland Trust to secure the land, which had been earmarked for possible redevelopment. With major grants now in place, restoration work is set to begin, but fundraising is not over yet. The full story reveals how close it came to being lost. Read more here.

🏓 New Retro Bar: A new retro-themed bar could be coming to St John’s, promising ping-pong games, clay pigeon shooting simulators and private karaoke booths. The venue, inspired by the 1970s and the London Underground, is aimed at adults after a more interactive night out and would sit just outside the town centre. Run by the team behind popular escape rooms nearby, it could fill a gap in Tunbridge Wells’ nightlife if approved. Read more here.

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THIS WEEK

Skate | Calverley Grounds | Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun | Festive ice skating fun with friends, lights, laughs, wobbly moments | Details​

Sleeping Beauty | Assembly Hall | Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun | Big, silly panto: dragons, duels, magic fails, loads of laughs | £29+​

Baby Broadway Christmas | Trinity Theatre | Mon, 2pm | Festive singalong chaos: bubbles, showtunes, tiny dancers, very cute energy | £8​

A CK Gospel Christmas | Trinity Theatre | Mon, 7pm | Joyful gospel Christmas vibes, big harmonies, you’ll be dancing | £26​

RIOTCANDY | The Forum | Mon, 7pm | Unhinged, sweaty chaos; RIOTCANDY melts faces - bring earplugs | £12​

Christmas at Bedgebury | Bedgebury Pinetum | Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun | Magical evening walk, glowing trees, hot chocolate, very Christmassy vibes | £18+​

Christmas at Bewl Water | Bewl Water | Mon to Wed | Big immersive Christmas quest, loads happening, very festive energy | £25​

Christmas at Scotney | Scotney Castle | Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun | Storybook Christmas rooms, gentle festive vibes, lovely wander-round energy | £19​

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

Rusthall Treasure Trail | URC Hall | 3rd Jan | Gentle treasure hunt with crafts, puzzles, and find out more about Samaritans | £5​

An Evening With Damon Hill | Assembly Hall | 19th Jan | Behind-the-scenes F1 stories, proper insight, feels like chatting motorsport royalty | £39.25+​

The Simon & Garfunkel Story | Assembly Hall | 22nd Jan | Pure nostalgia - big hits, lovely harmonies, goosebumps guaranteed | £34.25​

NT Live: The Fifth Step | Trinity Theatre | 30th Dec to 16th Jan | Funny, dark, uncomfortable in a good way - properly gripping stuff | £20​

Wake Up Dead Man | Trinity Theatre | 4th Jan | Dark, twisty whodunnit fun - Knives Out at its sharpest | £11​

New Year's Eve: Baby Dave & Friends | The Forum | 31st Dec | Ringing in NYE loud, messy, cathartic | £28​

Bowie Night 2026 | The Forum | 9th Jan | Sing, dance, glitter everywhere - David Bowie songs night, for good causes | £20​

JOBS

• Regional MET Technician | Steer Automotive Group | More Info​
• Water Mains Engineer | Auger | More Info​
• Service Advisor | Pybus Recruitment | More Info​

Check out all the listings on TW Jobs​

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

SPORT

⚽FOOTBALL

17th Dec:

• Rusthall 6 - 0 Chessington & Hook Utd (Cup)

20th Dec:

• Fisher 5 - 0 Rusthall
• Tunbridge Wells vs. Faversham Strike Force (POSTPONED)

27th Dec:

• Rusthall vs. Tunbridge Wells

🏉 RUGBY

20th Dec:

• Tunbridge Wells 12 - 14 CS Stags 1863

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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