Good morning! This week, local pupils took their campaign for a more reliable water supply all the way to Parliament, while the future of Victoria Snooker Centre hangs in the balance as campaigners fight to protect its historic home.

If you're heading out, catch Rumours of Fleetwood Mac at the Assembly Hall on Wednesday or enjoy Changeling Theatre's open-air performance of Much Ado About Nothing in Calverley Grounds on Sunday. However you spend the week, there's plenty happening across Tunbridge Wells. Stay cool and have a good week.

WEATHER

Monday: 15°C 🌡️ 24°C | ⛅

Tuesday: 16°C 🌡️ 28°C | ☀️

Wednesday: 16°C 🌡️ 28°C | ⛅

THE BRIEF

🚸 Pupil's Parliament Petition: The MP for Tunbridge Wells presented a petition on water supply resilience in the House of Commons on Tuesday 7th July. Pupils at St John's primary school started the petition. It gathered 610 signatures from children and spread to 15 more local primary schools. The petition notes that Tunbridge Wells suffered two severe water outages caused by failures in South East Water's network.

The disruption forced 23 schools to close over many days and cost children learning time. The petitioners ask the Government to require South East Water to improve the resilience of its network in Tunbridge Wells. They say access to clean running water is a basic necessity. The petition now sits on the official parliamentary record. Read more here.​

🎱 Snooker Saved?: Victoria Snooker Centre is backing an emergency bid to have its Victorian home on Camden Road listed, after Tunbridge Wells Borough Council unveiled plans to demolish the building as part of a town centre regeneration scheme.

The proposal includes a new cinema, restaurants and leisure space. The Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society says the former Friendly Societies Building, built in 1878, is a rare and important part of the town's history. Owner Graham Martin fears the club would not survive a move and says community groups would lose a valued space. The government will decide whether to grant listed status. Read more here.​

🪧 Nurses Protest: Hundreds of nurses and midwives at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust are protesting after cuts to overtime pay for extra "bank" shifts. More than 600 staff responded to an RCN survey, with many saying they now feel undervalued and will stop taking on extra work. Staff warned the move could worsen existing shortages and affect patient care.

The Royal College of Nursing is preparing a collective grievance. The trust said the changes bring bank pay into line across Kent and Medway, where rates previously varied between NHS organisations. It said staffing levels would continue to be closely monitored. Read more here.​

💡 People Love to Object: Plans to hold six annual drone shows, live music events and fairgrounds in Dunorlan Park have drawn objections from local residents. Organisers want a licence to sell alcohol at events for up to 8,000 people, although they expect around 6,000 to attend. The first event, Space Safari, is planned for 26 September.

Residents have raised concerns about noise, traffic, litter, wildlife, parking and damage to the Grade II-listed park. Organisers say drone shows are a quieter and more environmentally friendly alternative to fireworks. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's licensing committee will decide the application on 13 July. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

From food and medical supplies to firefighting equipment, KentRelief continues to deliver essential aid to communities across Ukraine. On 25th April, the charity's latest lorry set off carrying another shipment of much-needed supplies, made possible by local generosity. As a registered charity, KentRelief relies on donations and volunteers to keep these life-changing deliveries on the road and support those affected by the ongoing conflict.

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

My Mother's Wedding (15) | Trinity Theatre | Wed 15 Jul, 2:30pm & 7:30pm | Kristin Scott Thomas film about three reunited sisters | From £7.00​

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac | Assembly Hall | Wed 15 Jul, 7:30pm | Mick Fleetwood-endorsed tribute to the legendary band | From £44.25​

Creative Workshop: Brioche Knitting Basics | The Amelia | Thu 16 Jul, 10:00am | Learn two-colour brioche knitting with Monica Russel | £45.00​

It's Not a Game | Assembly Hall | Thu 16 Jul, 7:30pm | Illusions from Britain's Got Talent duo Jay & Joss | From £15.00​

Trinity Comedy Sessions | Trinity Theatre | Thu 16 Jul, 7:30pm | Three stand-up comedians, one lively night, ages 16+ | £15.00​

Queen's Greatest Hits with The Bohemians | Trinity Theatre | Fri 17 Jul, 7:30pm | High-energy live tribute to Queen's biggest hits | £25.00​

Lee (2023) | Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall | Sat 18 Jul, doors 6:30pm | Kate Winslet stars as war photographer Lee Miller | See details​

Summer Holiday Trail | Chiddingstone Castle | Sat 18 Jul – Mon 31 Aug | Treasure map trail supporting Chiddingstone Youth Club | £2.00​

Summer of Play | Scotney Castle | Sat 18 Jul – Sun 6 Sep, 10:00am | Playful family days out across the estate | See details​

Old Castle Tours | Scotney Castle | Mon 13 Jul – Fri 31 Jul, 11:00am | Rare behind-the-scenes tours of the moated Old Castle | See details​

Much Ado About Nothing | Calverley Grounds | Sun 19 Jul, 5:00pm | Changeling Theatre's open-air, gothic-styled Shakespeare romcom | From £17.00​

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

Tunbridge Wells Repair Café | Trinity Theatre | Sat 25 Jul, 10:00am | Volunteers repair household and garden items, donations welcome | Free entry

Mystery Jets | The Forum | Thu 30 Jul, 7:30pm | Indie favourites play an intimate town-centre gig | See details​

Outdoor Theatre: Peter Rabbit | Scotney Castle | Sat 1 Aug, 6:00pm | Family outdoor show of Beatrix Potter's naughty rabbit | See details​

SIX | Assembly Hall | Tue 18 Aug – Sat 22 Aug | Hit musical: Henry VIII's six queens take the mic | See details​

Autumn Craft Fair | Hever Castle | Thu 10 Sep – Sun 13 Sep | Craft stalls and makers in castle grounds | Included with admission​

SPORT

Results:

🏏11th Jul - Tunbridge Wells (Men) 189 - Sevenoaks Vine - Match abandoned

🏏12th Jul - Bexley vs. Tunbridge Wells (Women)

Fixtures:

🏏18th Jul - Hayes vs. Tunbridge Wells (Men)

🏏19th Jul - Tunbridge Wells (Women) vs. Spencer

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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