📰 Royal Mail Chaos Hits TW 📮


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Good morning!

Big headlines this week: Royal Mail is under fire as Tunbridge Wells becomes a testing ground for reduced delivery days - locals are already reporting serious delays. Meanwhile, The Amelia Scott celebrated a joyful milestone, welcoming its one millionth visitor since opening.

Looking ahead, don't miss the final performance of Mozart's Gran Partita this Sunday at Jubilee Theatre, or the high-energy Danny Oliver as MJ Live! show on Friday night.

WEATHER

Monday: 17°C 🌡️ 30°C | ☀️

Tuesday: 16°C 🌡️ 30°C | ☀️

Wednesday: 14°C 🌡️ 25°C | ⛈️

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THE BRIEF

📮 Royal Fail: Royal Mail is trialling controversial delivery changes in Tunbridge Wells and other TN postcode areas as part of proposed national reforms. Second Class letters may soon be delivered only every other weekday, while First Class and parcels stay mostly unchanged. But since the Tonbridge delivery office adopted the new model, service has sharply declined. Just 67.1% of First Class mail arrived on time - far below targets. Residents report missing urgent letters, and MPs are calling for Ofcom to step in before the reforms roll out nationwide.

🐣 1 Million: The Amelia Scott has just welcomed its one millionth visitor. A new-born named Sienna, who arrived with her parents to register her birth. Opened in 2022, the Tunbridge Wells venue has become a cultural hub, combining a library, museum, gallery, and council services. June also saw it shortlisted for a national family-friendly museum award and prepping for a digital art exhibition, MAGIC PLACE. With the Summer Reading Challenge kicking off in July, there’s plenty more ahead. Read more on the TWBC site.

🪦Homes Backlash: Plans to build 20 homes on a former cemetery in Tunbridge Wells are facing backlash. Campaigners argue the land is still consecrated and may hold unexhumed pauper’s graves from the 1800s. While the council insists remains were respectfully relocated and the area is suitable for development, locals remain unconvinced. With historic maps and church law in play, the dispute is far from buried. Read more from Peter Whittlesea and Hsin-Yi Lo here.

🤩Local Star of Social Care: Rachel Ticehurst-Richardson, head of activities at Tunbridge Wells Care Centre, has won the Inspirational Activities Organiser Award at the Stars of Social Care Awards. Known for her creativity, humour, and compassion. Rachel made a resident’s dream ride in a £250k Bentley come true and even raised ducks to delight others. Judges praised her as the “heart of the home” for her dedication to residents' happiness. Read more here.

🚦Poor Council Coordination: Frant Road in Tunbridge Wells has shut for emergency sewer works, leaving the town gridlocked amid a string of other road closures. Residents describe hour-long delays for five-minute journeys, calling the disruption “chaos.” With Southern Water and gas projects affecting many routes, calls are growing for better coordination, though Kent County Council says emergency timing left no room to plan. Read more from Davina Jethwa here.

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THIS WEEK

Mozart 'Gran Partita' | Jubilee Theatre | Sun, 3pm | Farewell concert for Andrew Muir - Mozart, wind, and warm vibes | Free

Bowls Practise Sessions | Grosvenor Bowls Club | Wed, 5:45pm | Friendly local bowls club welcoming all for fun and matches | Details

Bingo Night | Southborough Civic Centre | Thurs, 6:30pm | Bingo night returns monthly - cheap cards, big prizes, just show up! | £4

Danny Oliver As MJ Live! | Southborough Civic Centre | Fri, 7pm | A tribute to the legend! | £20

Poetry In Rusthall | St Paul's Church Centre | Fri, 7pm | Hear brilliant local poets and share your own at open mic! | Free

BBC Big Band | Pamoja Hall, Sevenoaks | Sat, 7:30pm | Bond themes live with big band flair - shaken, not stirred! | £30

St Matthew's High Brooms Summer Fayre | High Brooms | Sat, 11am to 2pm | Fun day out with games, BBQ, and bouncy castles! | 50p

Tonbridge Music Weekend | Tonbridge Castle | 4th to 6th July | Tributes, dancing, family fun - three nights of summer magic! | Details

For more events head to Plan My Event App (iPhone / Android)

FURTHER OUT

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac | Assembly Hall | 15th Jul | Fleetwood Mac tribute so good, even Mick Fleetwood approves! | £39.25

The Dinosaur Express! | Spa Valley Railway | 19th & 20th Jul | Ride vintage trains with roaming dinosaurs - fun for all ages! | £16

Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival | Calverley Grounds | 20th Jul | Food, dance, and music from around the world! | Free

Cheesy Bingo Party | Assembly Hall | 11th July | Cheesy tunes, wild bingo, dancing and giant inflatables! | £19

Summer In Nashville | Eridge Park | 20th July | Line dancing, American BBQ, Rodeo, Fancy Dress and More! | Details

REAL ESTATE

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SPORT

🏏 CRICKET

28th June:

Tunbridge Wells beat Holmesdale by 15 runs

5th July:

Tunbridge Wells vs. St Lawrence & Highland Court

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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