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Sponsored by
This week’s TW Life covers big local updates: Jamaica Blue café has opened in Royal Victoria Place after a £300k investment, while Primark gears up to launch its long-awaited Tunbridge Wells store this November, bringing 100 jobs. The Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra kicks off its new season under Peter Selwyn with a world-class programme including Wagner and Berlioz. Highlights on stage include The Bootleg Beatles at the Assembly Hall and lively Irish & Trad Sessions at The Sussex Arms. Plus, Whirligig Toys celebrates reopening after May’s fire with giveaways for families.
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WEATHER
Monday: 8°C 🌡️ 18°C | ☀️
Tuesday: 7°C 🌡️ 19°C | ⛅
Wednesday: 7°C 🌡️ 18°C | ⛅
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SPONSORED BY ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra’s 2025/26 season bursts into life under new Music Director Peter Selwyn. The journey begins with Wagner’s jubilant Die Meistersinger Overture, Saint-Saëns’ lyrical Violin Concerto performed by acclaimed local talent Callum Smart, and Berlioz’s revolutionary Symphonie Fantastique.
Book your tickets here!
Across the season, expect Beethoven’s majestic Emperor Concerto with Tom Poster, fairy-tale magic from Mendelssohn to Rimsky-Korsakov, the warmth of Tchaikovsky’s Winter Daydreams, and English masterpieces by Vaughan Williams and Walton. Distinguished soloists including Richard Harwood, Fenella Humphreys, and Jeneba Kanneh-Mason bring brilliance to every concert, before Gershwin, Ravel and Mussorgsky close the season in dazzling style.
It’s not too late to secure the best value: a Season Ticket gives you all six concerts for the price of four – a 30% saving.
🎟 Book today and be part of a season of energy, imagination, and world-class artistry.
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THE BRIEF
☕New Cafe Opens: Jamaica Blue has opened its doors in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, following a £300,000 investment. The new 1,800 sq ft café has created 20 jobs and offers the chain’s signature Blue Mountain coffee alongside an all-day menu. With branches already in Maidstone, Bromley and Gillingham, the brand is expanding its presence in Kent. Open daily, the café aims to "bring fresh, premium dining to the heart of the town centre". Read more from Elli Hodgson here.
🏪100 New Jobs: Primark will finally open its Tunbridge Wells store this November, creating 100 jobs. The shop takes over the former BHS site in Calverley Road precinct, part of Royal Victoria Place. Roles include retail assistants, stockroom staff and visual merchandisers. The council, which bought the shopping centre in 2023, sees the arrival as a major step in revitalising the town centre, with hopes it will boost footfall and attract more retailers. Read more from Mary Harris here.
🏑Local Club Honoured: Tunbridge Wells Hockey Club’s Flyerz section has won the Active Award at this year’s Make a Difference Awards. The club was the first in Kent to run disability hockey sessions back in 2017, with one player later representing Team GB at the Berlin Special Olympics. Their work has inspired other clubs across the county to follow suit. The ceremony in Canterbury honoured eight winners in total, each chosen from hundreds of nominations. Read more from Phil Harrison here.
🪀Toy Shop Reopens: Whirligig Toys on Mount Pleasant Road will reopen on Saturday, four months after a cigarette sparked a fire that forced its closure. The blaze in May caused £28,000 worth of damage to stock and the shopfront, though quick action by fire crews prevented it spreading further. Owner Peter Allinson said the community’s support had been overwhelming. To celebrate reopening, the shop will host a prize draw and give away free wooden toys to children visiting on launch weekend. Read more from Elli Hodgson here.
🕛Clock To Go?: The Millennium Clock in Tunbridge Wells, installed 25 years ago to mark the year 2000, could soon vanish as part of a town centre revamp. Loved by some and loathed by others, the landmark at Fiveways has long divided opinion. Now the council is consulting residents on whether it should stay, be moved, or be replaced altogether as part of wider plans to reinvigorate Calverley Precinct. Read more from Mary Harris here.
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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
The Bootleg Beatles | Assembly Hall | Tues, 7:30pm | Feels like watching the Beatles themselves, with every detail perfect | £39.50+
The Smeds and The Smoos | Assembly Hall | Wed & Thurs | Julia Donaldson’s star-crossed aliens brought to life with songs | £17.25
Francis Rossi | Assembly Hall | Fri, 7:30pm | Status Quo legend shares songs, stories, and cheeky behind-the-scenes tales | £44.25+
The Magic of Motown | Assembly Hall | Sat, 7:30pm | Non-stop Motown hits, glittering costumes, and a full-on party | £37+
Owen Legg: Sixty years of painting & Printmaking | Trinity Theatre | Mon, 10am+ | Sixty years of Owen Legg’s art, with fifty works displayed | Free
Sarah Clark: What Do You See? | Trinity Theatre | Tues to Sun, 10am+ | Powerful photos celebrating women’s resilience, strength, and hidden struggles | Free
Canine Carnival | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun, 11:30am to 4:30pm | Dog shows, sausage games, and plenty of treats for pups | £4
Wedding Showcase | Hever Castle | Sat, 12pm to 3pm | Dream wedding inspiration with venues, suppliers, and castle elegance | Register
Snayx | The Forum | Wed, 7pm | Frenzied punk energy born from mosh pits and chaos | £15
Open Mic Night | The Sussex Arms | Thurs, 7:30pm | Grab a pint, play a tune, and enjoy open mic | Details
The Rosadocs | The Forum | Sat, 7:30pm | Sheffield indie rockers bringing big energy and catchy anthems | £13
Irish & Trad Sessions | The Sussex Arms | Sun, 4pm | Lively Irish folk session with pints and pub singalongs | Free
Funky Buddha | The Forum | Sun, 5pm | One-night-only return of soulful, funky Sunday night dancing | £10
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FURTHER OUT
The Sussex Is Doomed II | The Sussex Arms | 24th Oct | Heavy riffs, sludge, doom, and pure sonic carnage all weekend | £12+
Lady Nade..sings Nina Simone | The Forum | 24th Oct | Soulful tribute to Nina Simone with Lady Nade’s powerful voice | £20
The Gruffalo's Child | Assembly Hall | 9th to 11th Oct | Julia Donaldson’s Gruffalo sequel brought to life with songs | £17.25
A Musical Smörgåsbord | Assembly Hall | 2nd Nov | Big, bold concert mixing comedy, grandeur, and emotional power | £22+
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JOBS
- Clinical Engineer | Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | More Info
- Elite Duel Commercial Metering Engineer | Yu Group | More Info
- Delivery Driver | GSF Car Parts | 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
23rd Sep:
Corinthian 2 - 2 Tunbridge Wells
Rusthall 4 - 0 Holmesdale
27th Sep:
Sutton Athletic 0 - 1 Tunbridge Wells
Rusthall 7 - 0 Faversham Strike Force
4th Oct:
Tunbridge Wells vs. Larkfield & New Hythe
🏉 RUGBY
4th Oct:
Tunbridge Wells vs. London Scottish Lions
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THANK YOU
Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!
Jamie
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