Good morning, Tunbridge Wells. The Lib Dems held Tunbridge Wells Borough Council last week. The Conservatives won two seats. No other party made the cut. Meanwhile, South East Water's chief executive has resigned. Thousands of residents were left without water last winter. Pressure had been building for months.

This week, there is plenty to do. A Beatles tribute hits the Assembly Hall on Monday and Tuesday night. And from Tuesday, you can climb the Trinity Clocktower for views across the whole town.

WEATHER

Monday: 9°C 🌡️ 19°C | 🌧️

Tuesday: 8°C 🌡️ 17°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 5°C 🌡️ 14°C | 🌧️

THE BRIEF

🟠 Lib Dems Hold: The Liberal Democrats kept control of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council after local elections on 7 May 2026. They won 11 of the 15 seats contested across 13 wards, remaining the largest party and holding the council leadership. Turnout for the borough elections was 45.3%, with no election taking place in High Brooms ward. Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this will be the final election to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council before it is abolished and replaced by a successor unitary authority.

Elections to the successor authority are due in 2027. The Conservatives won two seats, while the Tunbridge Wells Alliance and Independents for Tunbridge Wells each won one. Labour, the Green Party, and Reform UK did not win any seats. Read more here.​

🦎 Green Grants: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has launched the first round of its Schools Climate Action Grant. They designed the new fund to help local schools become more green. A total of £10,000 is available, shared between schools across the borough. Each school can apply for up to £2,500 to support practical projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve school environments.

The funding can go towards things like growing spaces, energy-saving measures, and outdoor learning areas. The deadline to apply is Friday 22nd May. Schools can find guidance and an application form on the TWBC Climate Action website. Read more here.​

🫗 SE Water CEO Resigns: The boss of South East Water has resigned following a series of supply outages that left thousands of residents without water. David Hinton had faced growing pressure to step down after the crisis, which began shortly before last Christmas. His departure follows a damning report from a cross-party committee of MPs, which declared it had no confidence in either Hinton or the board to address the company's ongoing failures. The committee's chair also called publicly for the chief executive to go.

Hinton will remain in post over the summer to allow an orderly handover while the board searches for a successor. A Tunbridge Wells community group, Dry Wells Action, had pressed for the chief executive's departure and for consumers to be given seats on the company's board. Read more here.​

📖 Literary Festival Draws Thousands: The Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival returned from 1 to 10 May 2026, with over 150 artists, authors and performers taking part across 56 events at 10 venues. More than 8,000 seats were made available, including 2,000 on a pay-what-you-can basis, alongside a range of free activities.

Highlights included Donna Ashworth in conversation with Davina McCall at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Iain Dale and local MP Mike Martin at Trinity Theatre, and Gyles Brandreth celebrating 100 years of Winnie the Pooh at a family event in Calverley Grounds. Events were held across venues including The Forum, The Amelia, and The Pump Room on The Pantiles. Read more here.​

🎞️ Planning Application Submitted for RVP: A planning application has been submitted for the first phase of work at Royal Victoria Place. It follows public and stakeholder consultation. This phase focuses on upgrading the Palm Court atrium. Vacant units will be converted into new retail and leisure spaces. The wider plan includes a three-screen boutique cinema, new restaurants, and updated retail. The goal is to make the shopping centre a mixed-use destination that better serves residents. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

Kent Wine School

Discover why Châteauneuf-du-Pape is known as the undisputed king of the southern Rhône at this spectacular evening with Kent Wine School.

Hosted at Hotel du Vin on Wednesday 20th May, this guided tasting explores six exceptional wines from one of France’s most prestigious appellations.

Expect bold Grenache blends, fascinating stories behind the famous galets roulés vineyards, and insight into the region’s rich papal history.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or simply curious to explore something special, this promises to be a relaxed, entertaining and seriously delicious evening.

​Tickets are £60, with limited places remaining.​

---

KentRelief

KentRelief is a Tunbridge Wells-based humanitarian charity supporting people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Since 2022, the charity has delivered over 150 tonnes of aid including food, medical supplies and firefighting equipment, while also helping Ukrainian families settle into life in the UK. Every donation directly supports vital humanitarian efforts both locally and in Ukraine. KentRelief relies on community generosity to continue this work.

​To donate or get involved, visit KentRelief today.​

---

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 5,000 friends?

ADVERTISE ON THE BOARD

THIS WEEK

Come Together – The Lennon & McCartney Songbook | Assembly Hall | Mon 11 May, 7:30pm & Tue 12 May, 7:30pm & Wed 13 May, 2:30pm & 7:30pm | Intimate Beatles tribute starring Tom Connor & Mark Newnham | From £15.00

Trinity Clocktower Tours 2026 | Trinity Theatre | Tue 12 May – Sat 16 May, 10:30am & 11:15am | Climb 118 steps for panoramic views and local history | Free entry – donations welcome​

Gwenno | The Forum | Tue 12 May, 7:00pm | Mercury-shortlisted Welsh/Cornish indie artist live | See details​

Vox Pops Indie Choir | The Sussex Arms | Tue 12 May, 7:30pm | Fun, friendly weekly indie choir; no auditions needed | See details​

Packaging + pingpati | The Sussex Arms | Wed 13 May, 7:30pm | US krautrock/psych duo with support, intimate show | See details​

Meadow of Memories – Scotney Castle | Scotney Castle | Mon 11 May – Sun 17 May, 10:00am | Steel daisy installation by Hospice in the Weald charity | Included with NT admission​

Old Castle Tours | Scotney Castle | Mon 11 May onwards, 11:00am | Behind-the-scenes tour of Grade I listed ancient monument | Included with NT admission​

An Evening With Harry Redknapp | Assembly Hall | Thu 14 May, 7:30pm | Football legend shares stories from his glittering career | From £44.25

Wealden Times Pop-Up Fair at Penshurst Place | Penshurst Place | Fri 15 May, 10:00am | 37 independent retailers in historic rooms and gardens | See details​

The Karma Effect | The Forum | Fri 15 May, 7:30pm | Dirty vintage rock'n'roll; new album 'Cruel Intentions' | See details​

Disco for Grown-Ups | Assembly Hall | Fri 15 May, 7:30pm | 70s/80s/90s disco party; 18+, dress code disco glamour | From £23.75

K-Pop All Stars | Assembly Hall | Sat 16 May, 3:00pm & 7:30pm | High-energy K-Pop tribute; BlackPink, BTS and more | From £32.25

Chris Jackson – Modern Majesty | The Amelia | Thu 14 May | Royal photographer talk, part of Life Through a Royal Lens | See details​

Mental Health Workshop | Amelia Scott | Fri 15 May, 10am to 7pm | The Counselling Centre is hosting a interactive workshop! | See details​

Bryony Kimmings – Bog Witch | Assembly Hall | Sun 17 May, 7:30pm | Acclaimed performance art: nature, wildness and dark humour | From £15.00

Live at The Orangery – Beatles tribute | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun 17 May, 2:00pm | Beatles hits from one of the UK's leading tribute acts | See details​

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 Village Fete | Southwood Road Playing Field, Rusthall | Fri 27 Jun, 12:00pm – 4:00pm | Village fete with live music, stalls, and family fun | Adults £1, Under 18s free​

'Second Fruits' - a documentary film about Henry and Jane Austen | St John's Church, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9LG | Wed 20 May, 8pm | All welcome. Book a place for free via email here.

Bewl Water Triathlon | Bewl Water | Sun 24 May | Open-water swim, cycle and run in stunning reservoir setting | See details​

TWODS – Evita | Assembly Hall | Tue 26 May – Sat 30 May, 7:30pm | Local operatic society brings Webber's classic musical to life | See details​

TW Repair Café | Trinity Theatre | Sat 30 May, 10:00am | Free community repairs: electrical, textiles, clothing and more | Free entry​

Scotney Castle Morris Dancing | Scotney Castle | Mon 25 May, 10:00am | Traditional Morris dancers on May Bank Holiday Monday | Included with NT admission​

Porsche 'Legends' Takeover Day | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun 7 Jun | Meet Porsche enthusiasts displaying cars in historic grounds | Free entry to grounds​

SPORT

Results

⚽ 4 May Rusthall FC 1–1 Punjab United (AET; lost 3–4 pens) SCEFL Playoff Final [L]

🏏 9 May Sevenoaks Vine CC v Tunbridge Wells CC 1st XI KCL Premier

Fixtures

🏏 16 MayTunbridge Wells CC 1st XI v TBC KCL Premier 12:00, Nevill Ground

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get it!​