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Good morning Tunbridge Wells,
A busy week ahead. 2:22 A Ghost Story opens at the Assembly Hall Theatre for a run of spine-tingling performances, while in a couple of weeks Wonderful Wines of Lebanon at Hotel Du Vin offers a relaxed midweek tasting with six wines and expert guidance.
In the news, nearly 500 homes are proposed across three sites between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells, prompting debate over traffic and infrastructure. Meanwhile, South East Water has been fined £22.5m for repeated supply failures affecting thousands locally.
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WEATHER
Monday: 7°C 🌡️ 15°C | 🌫️
Tuesday: 7°C 🌡️ 12°C | ☁️
Wednesday: 5°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌧️
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THE BRIEF
🥌 Curling Surge: Kent’s Tunbridge Wells Curling Club has seen a dramatic surge in interest after Team GB’s silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Around 1,000 people have tried the sport since the Games, according to volunteer coach Steve Lea. Newcomers from Brighton and Eastbourne say it looks easier on TV than it is. Coach Ben Gillard, a former England player, says curling demands “concentration, precision and many hours” to master. The Olympic effect is real - but sustaining it may be harder. Read more here.
🏠 500 Homes: Almost 500 new homes are proposed across three sites between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells. Plans include relocating Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club to Chase Farm, unlocking 184 homes, alongside 178 at Pinewood Farm and 125 at Spratsbrook Farm. Developers promise new facilities and affordable housing. Residents cite traffic on the A267, pressure on infrastructure and biodiversity concerns. Supporters argue housing targets leave limited options in the High Weald. Read more here.
📵 Phone Ban: Six Tunbridge Wells schools, including The Skinners' School and Bennett Memorial School, will ban new Year 7 pupils from using smartphones from September. Leaders say the move will reduce exposure to harmful online content and support wellbeing and learning. Basic non-internet phones will be allowed. Confiscations will apply for breaches, with medical exemptions in place. The policy will extend to older year groups over the next two years. Read more here.
💧 £23m Fine: South East Water has been fined £22.5m by Ofwat for repeated supply failures in Kent and Sussex between 2020 and 2023, affecting nearly 300,000 customers. For some context, the company's revenue in 2025 was £285m, so the fine is about one month's revenue. While extreme weather was blamed, the regulator said poor planning and maintenance worsened outages. The fine will not be added to bills, Ofwat said. Campaigners argue penalties rarely change behaviour and call for tougher action. The company is considering its response. Read more here.
🍴 Salvation Lunch Club: The Salvation Army in Tunbridge Wells is inviting residents to join its Lunch Club on Bayhall Road. Held on Wednesdays and Thursdays, it offers freshly prepared meals and companionship, particularly for older people or those living alone. Leaders Major Geoff and Major Liz Chape say it helps tackle loneliness and build friendships. One member described it as “absolutely marvellous” after losing her husband. Other weekly activities are also available. Read more here.
Correction to last week: we mistakenly referred to Hugo Pound as a Conservative councillor, this was incorrect. Mr Pound is a Labour councillor.
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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
I ❤️ QUIZZING | The Imperial, Southborough | Wed, 7:30pm | It’s March Madness at The Imp’s irregular quiz this month - come along with your mates, answer some stupid questions, win some dreadful prizes! | £3 per person
2:22 A Ghost Story | Assembly Hall Theatre | Mon 9 Mar – Sat 14 Mar, 7:30pm (mat Wed & Sat 2:30pm) | Spine-tingling West End ghost story thriller | From £25.00
Othello | Trinity Theatre | Mon 9 Mar | Star-studded Shakespeare filmed live at Haymarket (cert 15) | See details
Ginny Millard: Searching the Soul | Trinity Theatre | Mon 9 Mar – Mon 16 Mar | Intimate solo gallery exhibition opening this week | Free entry
Vox Pops Indie Choir | The Sussex Arms | Tue 10 Mar, 7:30pm | Community indie choir – all welcome to join in | See details
Blue Moon | Trinity Theatre | Wed 11 Mar | Linklater's acclaimed film about lyricist Lorenz Hart (15) | See details
Simon Brodkin: Work in Progress | Trinity Theatre | Thu 12 Mar, 7:30pm | World-famous prankster road-testing brand new material | See details
Alfie Moore: Acopalypse Now | Trinity Theatre | Fri 13 Mar | Stand-up comedy from former policeman Alfie Moore | See details
The Allergies – DJ Set | The Forum | Fri 13 Mar, 8:00pm | Acclaimed Bristol hip-hop and funk DJ set | 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
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FURTHER OUT
Wonderful Wines of Lebanon | Hotel Du Vin | 18th Mar | Such a fun deep dive into Lebanese wines — fancy it? | £40
That They May Face the Rising Sun | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat 14 Mar, 7:00pm | Lyrical Irish drama based on John McGahern's novel (15) | See details
Hever Castle Mother's Day Weekend | Hever Castle | Sat 14 Mar – Sun 15 Mar | Celebrate Mum in Anne Boleyn's childhood home | From £20.00
Plant Fair 2026 | Hever Castle | Sun 22 Mar | Independent nurseries from across the South East | Included with admission
Nigel Kennedy: Virtuoso | Assembly Hall Theatre | Mon 23 Mar, 7:30pm | Legendary violinist performs an unmissable solo show | See details
Easter Family Fun & Dragon Egg Hunt | Hever Castle | Sat 28 Mar – Sun 19 Apr | Dragon-themed Easter trail through castle grounds | Included with admission
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SPORT
📋 Results
(2 Mar – 8 Mar 2026)
⚽ 7 Mar Faversham Strike Force 3–3 Tunbridge Wells FC SCEFL Prem [D] (90th-minute own goal earned a late point; Regan Corke opened the scoring, Rhys Bartlett 82' before the leveller)
⚽ 7 Mar Phoenix Sports 4–0 Rusthall FC SCEFL Prem [L]
🏉 7 Mar Tunbridge Wells RFC 68–19 Camberley Regional 1 South Central [W]
🏑 7 Mar Horsham M1 v Tunbridge Wells M1 SE Men's Prem (score not yet published)
🏑 7 Mar Tunbridge Wells W1 1–1 Burnt Ash (Bexley) W1 SE Women's Div 1 East [D]
📅 Fixtures
(9 Mar – 15 Mar 2026)
⚽ 10 Mar Tunbridge Wells FC v Hollands & Blair SCEFL Prem
⚽ 10 Mar Rusthall FC v Fisher SCEFL Prem
🏉 Tunbridge Wells RFC No matches this period
🏑 14 Mar Tunbridge Wells M1 v Reigate Priory M1 SE Men's Prem
🏑 14 Mar Ashford (Kent) W1 v Tunbridge Wells W1 SE Women's Div 1 East
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THANK YOU
Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!
Jamie
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