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This week’s TW Life covers soaring rents in Sevenoaks, where residents spend 42% of income on housing, and the return of Laser Quest at Knights Park with arcade games and party rooms. Upcoming events include Spa Valley Railway’s Real Ale & Cider Festival (16th to 19th Oct) with 200 ales, live music, and train rides, and the Pantiles Folk Festival (Sat & Sun) featuring global food, family fun, and live folk music.
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WEATHER
Monday: 11°C 🌡️ 18°C | 🌦️
Tuesday: 12°C 🌡️ 17°C | ⛈️
Wednesday: 13°C 🌡️ 19°C | 🌦️
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THE BRIEF
📈Sevenoaks Rent Soars: Renters in Sevenoaks are paying the highest share of income on rent in Kent, with 42% of wages going towards housing costs - well above the national average of 36.3%. Average monthly rent in the town stands at £1,731, some £388 higher than the UK average. While affordability has improved slightly since its 2017/18 peak of nearly 50%, Sevenoaks remains the only Kent area above the national ratio. Experts warn rising rents, stagnant wages and landlord pressures are squeezing tenants nationwide. Read more here from Victoria Shipp.
🔫Laser Return: Laser Quest is returning to Tunbridge Wells with a brand-new venue at Knights Park Leisure Centre, opening on 3rd October. The site, in the former Hop House pub, will feature the classic laser-tag experience, a laser maze, arcade games and three party rooms. Brought to the town by James Ford and Jam Motafram, the attraction is set to create local jobs and offer a fresh hub for families, teens, and businesses. Early-bird discounts are already available for parties and group bookings. Read more here.
🐣Fertility Barely Budges: Tunbridge Wells recorded a fertility rate of 1.60 in 2024, barely changed from 1.61 the year before, according to new ONS data. This places the town close to the national picture, where the average stands at around 1.49, and above nearby districts like Dover (1.59) and Ashford (1.58). While many parts of England and Wales have seen rates decline, Tunbridge Wells has remained steady, reflecting a wider trend across Kent where figures hover just below replacement level. Read more here by Ian Jones.
🍻Ale & Cider Train Returns: Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells will host its annual Real Ale & Cider Festival from 16th to 19th October. Now in its 14th year, the event features over 200 ales, 70 ciders, live music, food stalls, and unlimited steam and diesel train rides along the historic five-mile line. Highlights include CAMRA’s Beer of Britain winner and rare wooden cask-aged stouts, plus a BBQ and street food. Tickets start at £20 for adults. Read more here from Emily Davison.
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TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD
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?
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THIS WEEK
LAMPS - Unforgettable, Gone Too Soon | Assembly Hall | Wed & Thurs | Musical tribute to legends lost too soon, with unforgettable hits | £28
Natural History Museum presents: Dinosaurs Live! | Assembly Hall | Sat, 12:30pm & 3:30pm | Dinosaurs brought to life on stage in thrilling prehistoric adventure | £20.75
Letz Zep | Trinity Theatre | Fri, 7:30pm | The closest thing to seeing Led Zeppelin live again | £22
Holy Cow | Trinity Theatre | Sun, 5:30pm | Party-loving teen turns cheesemaker to support his little sister | £10
Faux Fighters | The Forum | Fri, 7:30pm | Celebrate 30 years of Foo Fighters | £22
Phil Hartnoll | The Forum | Sat, 8pm | Legendary DJ spinning anthems and fresh tracks for pure euphoria | £28
Irish & Trad Sessions | The Sussex Arms | Sun, 4pm | Lively pub session of Irish, Cornish, and folk tunes | Free Entry
The Groove | The Pantiles | Thurs, 7pm | Big soul and funk band playing classics from Stevie to Amy | £7.50
The Pantiles Folk Festival | The Pantiles | Sat & Sun | Folk festival with live music, global food, and family fun | Free
Outdoor Cinema: The Great Escaper | Chartwell | Fri, 6:30pm | Heartwarming outdoor screening of Michael Caine’s final film | £26.51
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FURTHER OUT
I 💖 Quizzing | The Imperial, Southborough | 17th Sep | Music, TV & Film, Sport, Books and plenty of other topics! | £3 per person
Hospice Run 2025 | Lower Common Cricket Ground | 21st Sep | Run, walk, or splash to support local hospice care | Details
Dark Horse Live Comedy | The Sussex Arms | 21st Sep | Hilarious Sunday night comedy with Pam Ford’s outrageous stories | £11.55
Hawkhurst Heritage Day | Various | 20th & 21st Sep | Free weekend of heritage walks, crafts, and local history | Free
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JOBS
- Pump Engineer | Mercury Hampton | More Info
- Winter Seasonal Beauty Advisor | Space NK | More Info
- Private Client Tax (Graduate Program) | SW Group | More Info
Check out all the listings on TW Jobs
(Use discount code TWLIFE30 for 30% off your first listing)
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SPORT
⚽ FOOTBALL
25th Aug:
Tunbridge Wells 1 - 2 Sutton Athletic
30th Aug:
Punjab United 1 - 4 Tunbridge Wells
Rusthall 3 - 1 Erith & Belvedere
2nd Sep:
Phoenix Sports vs. Tunbridge Wells
Rusthall vs. Snodland Town
6th Sep:
Tunbridge Wells vs. Holmesdale
Punjab United vs. Rusthall
🏏 CRICKET
30th Aug:
Tunbridge Wells beat Holmesdale by 7 wickets
6th Sep:
St Lawrence & Highland Court vs. Tunbridge Wells
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THANK YOU
Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!
Jamie
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