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Morning all 👋

Big infrastructure news as Broom Lane Bridge on the Spa Valley Railway prepares for replacement (and a fundraising push to match). Plus fresh debate over plans for 125 homes near Spratsbrook Farm - another development likely to spark strong views.

If you’re heading out, punk legends Buzzcocks hit The Forum this week, while Repair Café returns to help you rescue everything from bikes to toasters.

WEATHER

Monday: 8°C 🌡️ 11°C | ☁️

Tuesday: 10°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌦️

Wednesday: 7°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌧️

SPONSORED BY TEDX Royal Tunbridge Wells

Momentum starts here - and you could be there for free.

On Sunday 8 March 2026, TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells returns to the Assembly Hall Theatre with a full day of bold local ideas, powerful stories, and conversations that stay with you long after the final applause.

This year’s theme, Momentum, is all about what happens after the first step — how ideas grow, change direction, and accelerate real progress. Expect inspiring talks from local thinkers, creatives, and change-makers, plus time to connect, reflect, and spark new conversations. Read more here.

🎟️ Ticket Giveaway​
I’ve got 3 tickets to give away - all to one winner.

How to enter:​
Refer someone to me during the week starting 9th February (today!).
Each referral = one entry.
More referrals, more chances to win.

Just share your custom link below:

[RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]

THE BRIEF

🌉 Broom Lane Bridge: A Victorian bridge on the Spa Valley Railway near Tunbridge Wells is set to be replaced as a major fundraising push continues. Broom Lane Bridge, between High Rocks and Groombridge, is corroding and can no longer safely carry the railway’s steam locomotives. More than £400,000 is needed, with over £105,000 already raised. A new bridge will be installed in late February, and a sponsored “Stride the Line” walk in March will let supporters cross it on foot. Read more here.

🏗️ 125 Homes: Plans have been submitted for 125 new homes on farmland just outside Tunbridge Wells, near Spratsbrook Farm. The scheme would see a small portion of a 21-hectare arable site developed into two-storey houses. It would include green corridors, play areas and pedestrian-first routes pitched as a “walkable neighbourhood”. The proposal sits across council and county boundaries. It follows a string of contentious housing applications in the area, some of which have triggered strong public opposition. Read more here.

💰 Balcony Bill: Residents in shared ownership flats on Greggs Wood Road say they were shocked to be hit with bills of nearly £6,000 each for balcony fire safety works. While accepting the need for repairs, they argue costs are too high, consultation was outdated, and that charges should reflect ownership shares. The housing provider says the work follows fire safety regulations and was carried out under a long-term contractor agreement, with payment plans offered. For affected families, affordability remains the concern. Read more here.

🔫 SE Water Scrutiny: Customers affected by last winter’s water outage in Tunbridge Wells have challenged South East Water’s leadership in a rare public accountability session. Senior executives were questioned over poor communication, bottled water shortages and support for vulnerable customers during the disruption and boil water notice. The company must now produce a formal action plan, approved by a new consumer panel, as part of tougher government-backed oversight of water firms. Read more here.

🐸 A Few Frogs: Tucked just off the High Street, Frog Lane is one of Tunbridge Wells’ most quietly charming streets - steep, cobbled and lined with wonky cottages. But look closer and you’ll spot its real secret: dozens of frog and toad statues hidden on roofs, walls and even in drainpipes. Placed by residents, the collection has grown over years and turns a short walk into a scavenger hunt. Read more here.

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

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ADVERTISE ON THE BOARD

THIS WEEK

80s Live | Assembly Hall | Fri, 7:30pm | Pure 80s chaos — singalong hits, big hair energy, zero dignity required | £35.50​

Nuremberg | Trinitiy Theatre | Wed, 2:30pm & 7:30pm | Heavy, gripping courtroom drama about justice, guilt, and confronting unimaginable crimes | £10+​

Matt Forde: Defying Gravity | Trinity Theatre | Thurs, 7:30pm | Smart, cathartic political comedy that somehow leaves you oddly hopeful | £27​

Pete Firman: Tricks & Giggles | Trinity Theatre | Fri, 7:30pm | Clever magic, big laughs, and constant “how did he do that?!” moments | £21​

Repair Cafe | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 9:45am to 12:30pm | Bring broken stuff, drink tea, feel smug saving things from landfill | Details​

The Greatest Love Songs | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 7:30pm | Romantic classics, gorgeous vocals, perfect excuse for a cosy, loved-up night | £16​

It Was Just An Accident | Trinity Theatre | Sun, 5:30pm | Intense, gripping, morally messy film that’ll stick with you afterwards | £8​

Young Mothers | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat, 6:30pm | Tender, raw stories of young mums fighting for better lives | £5​

Gardens Open! | Penshurst Place | Sat & Sun | Lovely excuse for a wander, big gardens, fresh air, very calming vibes | Details​

Percy Porcupine's Party Food Feast Garden Trail | Penshurst Place | DATES | Cute garden trail, party vibes, and a solid way to tire kids | With Admission​

Music Tonbridge Showcase | The Forum | Mon, 6:30pm | Support local young musicians, loud guitars, loads of promise and raw energy | £7​

Buzzcocks: 50th Anniversary Show | The Forum | Thurs, 7:30pm | Punk legends still loud, fast, and gloriously unapologetic | £40​

Pale Blue Eyes | The Forum | Sat, 7:30pm | Dreamy indie, bittersweet melodies, perfect for a thoughtful Valentine’s night | £16.50​

The Sussex Jam Night | The Sussex Arms | Sun, 4pm | Casual jam, friendly vibes, turn up and play with locals | 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

Darius Zaltash | The Sussex Arms | 20th Feb | Loud emotional electro rock - dance shout maybe cry together | £8​

Children's Drawing Workshop - Chloe Savage | The Amelia | 21st Feb | Lovely hands-on drawing session for kids with a proper children’s illustrator | £10​

An Evening with Professor Alice Roberts | Assembly Hall | 23rd Feb | Big, mind-bending history chat about power, faith, and empires collapsing | £38​

Wolfgang Flür (ex-Kraftwerk) | The Forum | 21st Feb | Electronic music history, hypnotic beats, absolute treat for synth nerds | £25​

LOCAL ARTISTS

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Old Mercia Top tracks PREVIEW     1 The Farmer Old Mercia 3:30 2 Sunburn Old Mercia 2:33 3 I Was Young Old Mercia 3:00 4 May Day Old Mercia 3:18 ​

Old Mercia are a five-piece indie-folk band rooted in Royal Tunbridge Wells, blending folk, rock and indie into evocative songs about nostalgia, love and Middle England life. Originally from the old kingdom of Mercia, they reconnected in Kent and made music together again. Catch them live at Tunbridge Wells Forum on 1 May.

SPORT

⚽FOOTBALL

3rd Feb:

• Tunbridge Wells vs. Faversham Strike Force (POSTPONED)

7th Feb:

• Tunbridge Wells vs. Chislehurst Glebe (POSTPONED)
• Hollands & Blair 2 - 1 Rusthall

10th Feb:

• Rusthall vs. Stansfeld

14th Feb:

• Tunbridge Wells vs. Hollands & Blair
• Whitstable Town vs. Rusthall

🏉RUGBY

14th Feb:

• Tunbridge Wells vs. Bracknell

🏑HOCKEY

7th Feb:

• Folkestone Optimist 2 - 3 Tunbridge Wells (Women's)
• Woking 3 - 2 Tunbridge Wells (Men's)

REFERRAL PROGRAM

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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