Happy Monday, Tunbridge Wells! 🌸

Spring is here, and so is a packed week in TW. It's been a turbulent few days locally: the council's decision to axe most adult education courses has left many residents frustrated, raising serious questions about community priorities. On a brighter note, Benenden School has once again been named among the world's best, something the whole area can be proud of.

If you're looking for something to do this week, Hever Castle's Dragon Egg Hunt runs all Easter, and Romeo and Juliet hits the Assembly Hall on Tuesday.

WEATHER

Monday: 4°C 🌡️ 12°C | ⛅

Tuesday: 7°C 🌡️ 15°C | ☁️

Wednesday: 7°C 🌡️ 13°C | ☁️

THE BRIEF

🎓 Adult Courses Cut: The council has scrapped most adult education courses in Tunbridge Wells. This ends decades of classes focused on creativity and personal development. Only courses linked to work skills are set to continue, following government funding changes and a £521k cut. Residents and tutors have expressed anger, questioning why millions were spent on The Amelia Scott before services were reduced. Protests have taken place, and uncertainty remains over the future use of facilities and staff. Read more here.

❤️‍🩹 A New Option: A counsellor in Tunbridge Wells has launched a new service for people with endometriosis and chronic pain. Helen Eyley-Aboda created it after years of living with the condition herself. She says many people wait years for a diagnosis and feel ignored. The service focuses on the mental impact, including anxiety, grief and strain on daily life. Sessions are offered in person and online across the UK. Check them out here.

☕ Cafe Auctioned: A mixed-use building in Tunbridge Wells, home to Viva Café, has sold for £292,000 at a Clive Emson Auctioneers auction. The three-storey property includes a café with a 20-year lease and a three-bedroom flat above, generating £20,000 a year. Another lot, a five-flat block on Dudley Road, sold for £671,000, well above its guide price. Read more here.

💦 Replace Fine: Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin has called for Ofcom to replace a proposed £22m fine against South East Water with enforced investment. He argues the money should strengthen infrastructure like Pembury Water Treatment Works, after outages left 30,000 customers without reliable supply. The regulator Ofwat says the fine reflects years of failures, with a final decision due after consultation. Read more here.

🏫 Best In The World: Spear's Schools Index named Benenden School among the world’s top schools for the fourth year running. They recognised the boarding school near Cranbrook for academic results, pupil wellbeing, and its focus on leadership and independence. Headmistress Rachel Bailey said the award reflects the school’s aim to develop confident and capable young women. Read more here.

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

KENT RELIEF

As the next aid lorry prepares to leave at the end of April, KentRelief urgently needs your support. Since 2022, over 150 tonnes of vital supplies have reached communities across Ukraine - from food and medical aid to essential equipment - made possible by local generosity.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps ensure families, refugees, and frontline services receive what they need, when they need it most.

If you’ve been meaning to help, this is the moment. Please donate today or share our appeal - and be part of getting this next delivery on the road.

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SOUTH WEALDEN BADGER GROUP

Join us for a brilliant evening in support of local wildlife at the South Wealden Badger Group’s Quiz & Raffle Night on 25th April. Celebrating their first anniversary, this volunteer-led group works across the South Wealden area to protect and care for badgers, funding vital equipment like rescue cages and medical support.

Expect a friendly quiz, raffle prizes, and a great community atmosphere at Reid Hall, Boreham Street. Tickets are £10 (bring your own drinks), with all proceeds helping injured and vulnerable badgers.

​If you care about local conservation, this is an easy, enjoyable way to support it.​

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Sunday 12 April 2026, 3pm

RTWSO - A Parisian in Moscow and an American in Paris

Peter Selwyn, Conductor

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Piano

GERSHWIN An American in Paris

RAVEL Piano Concerto in G major

MUSSORGSKY orch. RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition

RAVEL Boléro

The Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra’s 2025-26 concert season culminates on 12th April with a spectacular finale.

The orchestra is joined by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, one of the most exciting pianists of her generation, forRavel's dazzling Piano Concerto in G, its achingly beautiful slow movement familiar to many from Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. The programme is packed with iconic music: Gershwin's An American in Paris, immortalised on screen by Gene Kelly, Mussorgsky's epic Pictures at an Exhibition, and finally Ravel's Boléro, forever linked to Torvill and Dean's legendary 1984 Olympic ice dance, bringing the afternoon to a dazzling climax.

Further information: https://rtwso.org/​

Tickets: https://www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on/rtwso-a-parisian-in-moscow-and-an-american-in-paris.html​

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THIS WEEK

Easter Days Out & Dragon Egg Hunt | Hever Castle | Mon 30 Mar – Sun 5 Apr, 10:30am | Dragon egg trail and family crafts in castle grounds | From £19.00​

Easter Egg Hunt | Scotney Castle | Mon 30 Mar – Sun 5 Apr, 10:00am | Family trail with bunny ears and chocolate prize | From £3.50 + admission​

Old Castle Tours | Scotney Castle | Mon 30 Mar – Sun 5 Apr, 11:00am | Guided tour of the grade I-listed ancient ruined castle | See details​

Easter Crafts & Bonnet Bonanza Trail | Penshurst Place | Mon 30 Mar – Sun 5 Apr, 11:00am | Easter crafts and garden trail; included in admission | See details​

Hanami – Full Bloom | Chiddingstone Castle | Mon 30 Mar, 11:00am | Japanese cherry blossom at its peak; picnics welcome | Free entry to grounds​

Hillview Spring Concert | Trinity Theatre | Tue 31 Mar | School spring concert for children and families | See details​

Romeo and Juliet | Assembly Hall | Tue 31 Mar, 7:00pm | Full-scale Shakespeare; swords, passion and tragedy | From £17.25​

Vox Pops Indie Choir | The Sussex Arms | Tue 31 Mar, 7:30pm | Drop-in indie choir; no auditions, cosy pub vibes | Free entry​

Hamnet (12A) | Trinity Theatre | Wed 1 Apr (multiple dates to 27 Apr) | Acclaimed film of Maggie O'Farrell's Shakespearean novel | See details​

TowRag | The Forum | Thu 2 Apr, 7:00pm | Live band night at the Forum | See details​

Will Whisson | The Sussex Arms | Fri 3 Apr, 7:30pm | Intimate singer-songwriter set at the Forum Basement | From £12.00​

Easter Sunday Lunch at The Waterside | Hever Castle | Sun 5 Apr | Special Easter lunch restaurant dining at the Waterside | See details​

Stable: DOMINO WAVE | IO | The Pictures | Rivera | The Forum | Sun 5 Apr, 6:00pm | Unsigned band showcase night at the Forum | 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

M.A.P Art Fair 2026 | One Warwick Park Hotel | Sat 25 Apr – Sun 26 Apr, 10:00am | Local artists: paintings, jewellery, photography, textiles, ceramics | Free entryr

Aisling Bea: Older Than Jesus | Assembly Hall | Wed 1 Apr, 8:00pm | Stand-up show from the acclaimed Irish comedian | From £28.25​

The Last Showgirl (15) | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat 11 Apr, 6:30pm | Pamela Anderson drama; showgirl faces life's curtain call | See details​

Cars At The Castle – National Drive It Day | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun 26 Apr, 10:00am | Classic cars fill the grounds supporting NSPCC Childline | Free entry to grounds​

Imagine the Beatles – Live at the Orangery | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun 17 May | Beatles tribute on the Orangery lawn; bring a picnic | See details​

Bewl Water Triathlon | Bewl Water | Sun 24 May | Swim, bike, run in the scenic High Weald | See details​

SPORT

Results

⚽ 24 Mar Tunbridge Wells 1–0 Phoenix Sports SCEFL Prem [W]

⚽ 24 Mar Rusthall 2–2 Whitstable Town SCEFL Prem [D]

⚽ 28 Mar Rusthall 3–0 Corinthian SCEFL Prem [W]

⚽ 28 Mar Tunbridge Wells 3–1 Snodland Town SCEFL Prem [W]

🏉 28 Mar Tunbridge Wells vs Jersey RFC Regional 1 S. Central (result not yet confirmed on source — listed as scheduled at 13:30; may not be updated)

🏑 28 Mar Canterbury M2 vs TW Hockey M1 SE Men's Premier (score not shown on source page — listed as 16:00 fixture; result pending confirmation)

🏑 28 Mar Bromley & Beckenham W2 0–2 TW Hockey W1 SE Women's Div 1 East [W]

Fixtures

⚽ Tunbridge Wells FC — Mon 6 Apr Tunbridge Wells vs Rusthall SCEFL Prem

⚽ Rusthall FC — Mon 30 Mar Rusthall vs Hollands & Blair SCEFL Prem(tonight!)

🏉 TW Rugby M1XV — Sat 11 Apr Tunbridge Wells vs Old Alleynians Regional 1 S. Central

🏑 TW Hockey M1 — Sat 11 Apr TW Hockey M1 vs TBC Cup

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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