Good morning Tunbridge Wells!

Water is flowing again after around 7,000 homes lost supply or faced low pressure over the weekend. There is also better news for the town’s green spaces, with six local parks winning Green Flag Awards for 2026.

Looking ahead, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Festival of Motoring rolls onto The Pantiles this weekend. You can also catch Mystery Jets live at The Forum on Thursday night.

WEATHER

Monday: 13°C 🌡️ 25°C | ⛅

Tuesday: 15°C 🌡️ 27°C | ☀️

Wednesday: 16°C 🌡️ 31°C | ☀️

THE BRIEF

💦 Water is Back: Water supplies have returned after around 7,000 homes in Tunbridge Wells and Pembury lost water or faced low pressure over the weekend. South East Water blamed an instrument fault at its treatment works, made worse by high demand during the heatwave.

Supplies were restored by Sunday evening, with tankers used to support water levels. Some residents said they had lost trust in the firm after several recent outages. South East Water apologised and advised customers with discoloured water to run their cold tap until it clears.

​Read more here.​

💚 6 Awards: Six green spaces in Tunbridge Wells have earned Green Flag Awards for 2026. Calverley Grounds, Dunorlan Park, Grosvenor and Hilbert Park, St John’s Recreation Ground, The Grove and Woodbury Park Cemetery were all recognised for being well managed and maintained.

Dunorlan Park and Grosvenor and Hilbert Park also received Green Heritage Site Accreditation. This honours sites that protect their historic features and help visitors understand their past. Across Kent, 51 parks received Green Flags this year, up from 49 in 2025.

​Read more here.​

✂️ 20% Not Enough: The landlord of the Grove Tavern in Tunbridge Wells says a 20% cut to business rates will help, but may not be enough to stop more pubs closing. Steve Baxter said costs remain high and many venues are still under pressure. He expects his small pub may “muddle through” the year, but said its future will depend on the cost of living and how much customers can afford to spend.

The cut will begin next April. The government says it could save eligible pubs, clubs and music venues about £1,100 next year.

​Read more here.​

🚂 Model Show Returns: Spa Valley Railway will hold its annual Autumn Model Railway Show on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September. More than 30 layouts will be displayed across Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge and Eridge, with some model railways even placed on board trains. Specialist traders will also sell locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.

An intensive heritage train service will run throughout the weekend. Tickets include unlimited journeys, while children aged two to 15 travel free with an adult. The show runs from 10am to 5pm each day, with adult tickets costing £16.

​Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

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This vital work depends on continued donations, volunteers and local support. Every contribution helps keep the next shipment moving and ensures assistance reaches people who still desperately need it.

Learn more, donate or volunteer at kentrelief.org.uk and help Kent continue to stand with Ukraine.

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THIS WEEK

ArtSpring at the Spa Galleries | Spa Galleries | Fri 31 Jul – Thu 6 Aug | Local artists exhibit paintings, ceramics, jewellery, glass | Free entry​

Trinity Clocktower Tours | Trinity Theatre | Tue 28 Jul – Sat 31 Oct | Climb the tower for views over town | See details​

A Knight's Tale | Hever Castle | Wed 22 Jul – Mon 31 Aug | Medieval family fun through the school holidays | Included with admission​

Hever Castle Jousting | Hever Castle | Select dates to Mon 31 Aug | Knights joust in the castle grounds | Included with admission​

The Festival Theatre Summer Season | Hever Castle | Fri 24 Jul – Sun 30 Aug | Open-air music, comedy, opera and family theatre | See details​

Old Mervs | The Forum | Wed 29 Jul, 7pm | Australian indie duo play the Forum | See details​

Discovery Days: Discover, Explore, Create | The Amelia Scott | Wed 29 Jul – Sat 22 Aug | Drop-in creative sessions for children | See details​

After Hours: Summer Picnic Evenings | Hever Castle | Wed 29 Jul – Tue 18 Aug | Evening picnics in the castle gardens | See details​

The Music of Westlife By Candlelight | Assembly Hall | Thu 30 Jul, 7:30pm | Westlife hits sung live by candlelight | From £27.25

Mystery Jets | The Forum | Thu 30 Jul, 7pm | Long-running British indie band play live | See details​

The Real Thing | Assembly Hall | Fri 31 Jul, 7:30pm | Soul legends on their 50th anniversary tour | From £34.25

John Otway – Full Band Show | The Forum | Fri 31 Jul, 7:30pm | Cult rock showman with his full band | See details​

Disney's Finding Nemo KIDS | Trinity Theatre | Fri 31 Jul | Youth theatre stage the undersea adventure | See details​

Big Summer Musicals Performance by Little Ones | Trinity Theatre | Fri 31 Jul | Trinity's youngest performers share a week's work | See details​

Royal Tunbridge Wells Festival of Motoring | The Pantiles | Sat 1 – Sun 2 Aug | Cars and motorcycles from 1895 to today | See details​

Meet the Dragons | Hever Castle | Sat 1 Aug | Dragon-themed family day at the castle | Included with admission​

Wuthering Heights (2026) | Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall | Sat 1 Aug, doors 6:30pm | Emerald Fennell's new Brontë adaptation on screen | See details​

Big Truck | The Forum | Sat 1 Aug, 7:30pm | Live band night at the Forum | See details​

The Mighty Worm & more | The Sussex Arms | Sat 1 Aug, 7:30pm | Grassroots bands in the basement | Free entry

Cars at the Castle: Summer Showcase | Hever Castle | Sun 2 Aug | Classic and modern cars on display | Included with admission​

Irish & Trad Sessions at The Sussex | The Sussex Arms | Sun 2 Aug, 4pm | Open traditional Irish music session | See details​

Perspectives by Scotts Project Trust | The Amelia Scott | Until Wed 26 Aug | Exhibition of work by Scotts Project Trust | 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

RONI SIZE with Dynamite MC | The Forum | Fri 7 Aug, 8pm | Drum and bass pioneer plays live | See details​

SIX | Assembly Hall | Tue 18 – Sat 22 Aug | Tudor queens musical arrives in town | See details​

Hever in History | Hever Castle | Sat 29 – Mon 31 Aug | Bank holiday living history weekend | Included with admission​

John Cleese and The Holy Grail | Assembly Hall | Wed 2 Sep | Screening with the man himself on stage | See details​

Hever Castle Triathlon and Multisport Festival | Hever Castle | Sat 26 – Sun 27 Sep | Two days of swimming, cycling and running | See details​

SPORTS

Results:

🏏 25th Jul - Tunbridge Wells (Men) 190 - 186 Bexley - TW won by 4 runs.

🏏 26th Jul - Town Malling - Tunbridge Wells (Women) - Town Malling conceded

Fixtures

🏏 1st Aug - Bromley vs. Tunbridge Wells (Men)

🏏 2nd Aug - Tunbridge Wells (Women) - St Cross Symondians

JOBS

• Senior Community Manager | Projects | More Info​
• Community Associate | Projects | More Info​

Check out all the listings on TW Jobs​

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

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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