Good Morning!

The council gave Palm Court at Royal Victoria Place the green light for a revamp. New shops, a brighter atrium and a fresh leisure space are on the way. South East Water brought in a hosepipe ban. It starts on 3rd July, so plan your garden watering.

Want a night out? Penshurst Place hosts open-air Shakespeare on Friday, with Romeo and Juliet under the stars. Or catch Britpop band Echobelly at the Forum on Thursday. Pack a picnic, grab your tickets and enjoy the warm summer evenings.

WEATHER

Monday: 13°C 🌡️ 23°C | ☀️

Tuesday:12°C 🌡️ 21°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 14°C 🌡️ 24°C | ⛅

THE BRIEF

🚦Palm Court Revamp: Plans to transform Palm Court at Royal Victoria Place have won approval. On 25th June the council's planning committee backed the scheme. It will bring larger, modern retail units, better facilities and new toilets. A new energy-efficient roof will cover the atrium, inspired by Victorian glass palm houses. The old basement food court will become a leisure area, with a link to Ely Court and room for community use.

Designers will brighten the atrium with new lighting, flooring and glass railings. The council hopes the work will draw popular brands to the town centre. Building should start towards the end of 2027. The scheme is the latest step in a wider plan for the centre, which has already welcomed Primark and Søstrene Grene. Footfall has risen 9% since the council took back control in 2023. Read more here.​

🌯 Mexcellent Closes: A much-loved Mexican street food restaurant in Camden Road has closed less than 18 months after it opened. Daniel and Emilia Gallegos launched Mexcellent in February last year, fulfilling a ten-year dream. On 24th June they shared the news with "mixed emotions". Within hours they revealed the landlord wanted the premises back at once. Daniel said the closure shocked them and did not stem from any problem on their side.

Theydid not take the decision lightly, and acted on careful thought about his obligations. The couple thanked their customers for years of warm support. They plan a short break, then a search for a new home for the restaurant. To use up their stock and say goodbye, they hope to host a free pop-up in the town this weekend. They will share details on social media. Read more here.​

🫗 Hosepipe Ban: South East Water has announced a hosepipe ban for its Kent customers. The restrictions begin at one minute past midnight on Friday 3rd July. The company blamed sustained high temperatures and near-record demand for treated drinking water. During the ban you must not use a hosepipe to water the garden, wash the car, clean patios or boats, or fill swimming and paddling pools.

The firm said it understands why people reach for the hose in hot weather. But it said the heatwave has drawn water from storage tanks faster than crews can treat and refill it. Its priority is to keep enough water for essential needs such as drinking, cooking and hygiene, and to protect vulnerable customers. It asked everyone across the county to follow the rules straight away to protect local supplies. Read more here.​

💚 Climate Action Grants: Community groups across the borough can apply for the latest Community Climate Action Grant. The council has set aside £10,000 from its Local Climate Action Fund for 2026/27. Groups can bid for up to £1,500 to start or grow projects that cut emissions and bring people together. Ideas range from tree planting and wildflower meadows to repair cafés, community fridges and sewing clubs.

Each project must engage local people and meet at least one green goal, such as boosting biodiversity, improving air quality or encouraging sustainable habits. Councillors said small local actions can add up to a big impact when neighbours work together. Applications close on 3 July. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

As a registered charity, KentRelief provides lifesaving humanitarian support to people affected by the war in Ukraine. Since 2022, the charity has delivered more than 150 tonnes of essential aid while supporting Ukrainian families settling in the UK. On 25th April, KentRelief's latest humanitarian aid lorry departed, carrying vital supplies to communities in need. Every donation helps fund future deliveries and ensures this crucial work can continue.

---

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

Stable: The Divide & more | The Forum | Mon 29 Jun, 7:00pm | Four rising bands in a new-music night | See details​

Vox Pops Indie Choir | The Sussex Arms | Tue 30 Jun, 7:30pm | Community indie choir singing night | See details​

An Evening With Nigel Mansell | Assembly Hall | Wed 1 Jul, 7:30pm | F1 world champion shares his career | From £48.25​

The Hunger Artist | Rotunda, Langton Green | Wed 1 – Sat 4 Jul, eve performances | Solo Kafka drama about a starving performer | From £10.00​

Echobelly | The Forum | Thu 2 Jul, 7:30pm | Britpop band live, with Eloise Carter | See details​

Perspectives by Scotts Project Trust | The Amelia | From Thu 2 Jul, daytime | New community art exhibition | Free entry

The Smyths: The Queen Is Dead 40th | The Forum | Fri 3 & Sat 4 Jul, 7:30pm | The Smiths classic album played live | See details​

Open-Air Theatre: Romeo and Juliet | Penshurst Place | Fri 3 Jul, 5:30pm | Shakespeare in the gardens, bring a picnic | From £25.00​

The Choral | Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall | Sat 4 Jul, 6:30pm | Ralph Fiennes WWI choral society drama | See details​

The Celine Experience | Assembly Hall | Sat 4 Jul, 7:30pm | Celine Dion tribute concert with band | From £32.25​

Challenge The Road Supercar Event | Penshurst Place | Sat 4 – Sun 5 Jul | Supercars, live F1 screen, food stalls | See details​

Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat! | The Amelia | From Sat 4 Jul, daytime | Free children's summer reading challenge | Free entry

Irish & Trad Sessions | The Sussex Arms | Sun 5 Jul, 4:00pm | Live traditional Irish music session | See details​

NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses | Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall | Sun 5 Jul, 2:00pm | Filmed National Theatre period drama | See details​

Inspiral Carpets | The Forum | Sun 5 Jul, 6:00pm | Madchester indie icons live | See details​

Hever in Bloom 2026 | Hever Castle | Until Sun 5 Jul, daytime | Roses and summer blooms across the gardens | 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

Jousting Events 2026 | Hever Castle | Sat 11 Jul – Mon 31 Aug, select dates | Knights joust in the castle grounds | See details​

Volks Weald Classic VW Show | Penshurst Place | Sat 11 & Sun 12 Jul, 10:00am | Classic VWs, live music, family fun | See details​

TW Repair Café | Trinity Theatre | Sat 25 Jul, 9:45am | Free volunteer repairs for household items | Free entry

Mystery Jets | The Forum | Thu 30 Jul, 7:30pm | Indie band live in concert | See details​

SIX the Musical | Assembly Hall | Tue 18 – Sat 22 Aug | Tudor queens pop musical | See details​

SPORT

Results

🏏 27th Jun - Tunbridge Wells (Men) 114 - 229 Whitstable (won by 115 runs)

🏏 28th Jul - Tunbridge Wells (Women) 191 - 190 The Mote (TW won by 6 wickets)

Fixtures

🏏 4th Jul - Lordswood vs. Tunbridge Wells (Men)

🏏 5th Jul - Tunbridge Wells (Women) vs. Bexley

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

Are you a local business looking to reach people in and around Tunbridge Wells? Contact us today about our ad options that reach thousands of local people.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get it!​