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Happy Monday!

Half-term travel could get tricky with major train works between Tunbridge Wells, Hastings and Bexhill – so plan ahead if you’re heading out. On a brighter note, Tunbridge Wells has just been ranked the 10th best place to live in the UK 🎉. Looking for things to do this week? Cabaret legends Fascinating Aida hit the Assembly Hall tonight, and comedy fans can catch Stephen K Amos at Trinity Theatre on Thursday.

WEATHER

Monday: 5°C 🌡️ 15°C | ⛅

Tuesday: 8°C 🌡️ 15°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 7°C 🌡️ 16°C | ⛅

THE BRIEF

⚠️Half Term Train Issues: Rail passengers face nine days of disruption this half-term as the line between Tunbridge Wells, Hastings and Bexhill closes for major upgrades from 25th October to 2nd November. Replacement buses will run throughout, with extra ticket acceptance on alternative routes. Engineers will repair tunnels, replace rails and ballast, strengthen embankments and clear vegetation to cut delays and improve reliability. Work also includes refurbishing stations and upgrading signalling systems. Passengers are urged to plan ahead and allow more time for journeys. Read more from here.

🛒Possible New Aldi: Aldi will spend £23m expanding across Kent over the next two years as part of a £1.6bn UK investment. A new Ashford store is confirmed, with sites in Tunbridge Wells and Gravesend under review. More than 135 jobs are being created in the county. The move comes as food inflation hit 4.2% in August, its highest in 18 months, with Aldi pledging to keep groceries affordable. Read more from Cash Murphy here.

🎗️10th Best Place in the UK: Tunbridge Wells has been ranked the 10th best place to live in the UK, according to the Better Lives Index by the International Longevity Centre. The study analysed 359 districts, looking at income, health, work and housing. Locals enjoy higher disposable income, low child poverty, strong life expectancy and less pollution than the national average. However, house prices remain nearly 12 times average earnings. Read more from Joe Crossley here.

📗Local Girl Shortlisted: Seventeen-year-old Holly Dye from Tunbridge Wells has been shortlisted for the 2025 BBC Young Writers’ Award with her story Wildfolk Report 2025. Written in the style of an academic report, it blends myth, folklore and fantasy to explore elves, brownies and mermaids facing environmental destruction. Judges praised it as witty, bold and disarming, with a sharp warning about climate change. Holly, inspired by Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, wrote the piece in her school library. Read more about her achievement here.

🌳Climate Fair Success: Calverley Grounds hosted Tunbridge Wells’ first ever Climate and Nature Fair last Saturday (13th), drawing several hundred visitors despite morning rain. Dozens of stalls sparked conversations on energy, climate and nature. Organiser Mark McBennett said stallholders and visitors alike found the day valuable. Speakers included Steve Shaw of Power For People, calling for legal changes to boost community energy, and Christine Spicer, who voiced worries over large housing plans in Paddock Wood. Read more from Martin Webber here.

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THIS WEEK

Fascinating Aida | Assembly Hall | Mon, 7:30pm | Cabaret legends serving sharp satire, songs, and scandalous laughs | £29.25+​

Dead Ringers | Assembly Hall | Tues, 7:30pm | Legendary impressionists bring sharp, hilarious satire to the stage | £34.25+​

Showaddywaddy | Assembly Hall | Fri, 7:30pm | Five decades of rock ’n’ roll hits and nonstop dancing | £33.75​

Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons | Assembly Hall | Sun, 7:30pm | Jason Manford brings sharp, charming stand-up and plenty of laughs | £24.25+​

Penned Up | Trinity Theatre | Wed, 7:30pm | Powerful prison play mixing humour, raw honesty, and redemption | £23​

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy | Trinity Theatre | Thurs, 12:00 | Comedy afternoon made for parents - babies welcome, laughs guaranteed | £15​

Stephen K Amos: Now We’re Talking | Trinity Theatre | Thurs, 7:30pm | Stephen K Amos delivers unfiltered laughs and feel-good comedy gold | £23​

Repair Cafe | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 9:45 to 1pm | Fix your broken bits over tea, cake, and community spirit | Details​

Sorrel Nation | Trinity Theatre | Sun, 4:50pm | Soulful folk-rock and Americana with stunning voices and heartfelt songs | £16​

The Salt Path | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat, 6:30pm | Heartbreaking coastal trek filled with love, loss, and resilience | £5​

Taz Modi | The Forum | Wed, 7pm | Evocative piano soundscapes blending jazz, classical, and electronic beauty | £17​

The Runaway Killers + Simulation Muse | The Forum | Fri, 7:30pm | Epic double tribute night blasting hits from The Killers and Muse | £20​

An Evening With Charlie Bell & Friends | Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club | Thurs, 7pm | An evening of heartfelt poetry with friends and good vibes | £12​

Jazz Kitchen | Charlie's Angels Kitchens | Fri, 6:30pm | Cozy evening of jazz, blues, and soulful live music | £10​

FURTHER OUT

Setanta | The Sussex Arms | 5th Oct | Lively pub session with Irish, folk, and Celtic tunes | Free​

Oaysis | The Forum | 18th Oct | Oasis tribute rocking the 30th anniversary of Morning Glory | £20​

Halloween Half Term | Penshurst Place | 18th Oct to 2nd Nov | Spooky trails, magical storytelling, and crafty Halloween fun | Details​

JOBS

• Branch Colleague / Manager | Timpson | More Info​
• Senior Plaster Technician | Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | More Info​
• General Merchandise Assistant | Sainsbury's | More Info​

Check out all the listings on TW Jobs​

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

SPORT

⚽ FOOTBALL

20th Sep:

Tunbridge Wells 1 - 2 Whitstable Town

Rusthall 4 - 1 Seaford Town

23rd Sep:

Corinthian vs. Tunbridge Wells

Rusthall vs. Holmesdale

27th Sep:

Sutton Athletic vs. Tunbridge Wells

Rusthall vs. Faversham Strike Force

🏉 RUGBY

20th Sep:

CS Stags 1863 14 - 20 Tunbridge Wells

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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