Good morning, Tunbridge Wells!

Another hot week is on the way, with temperatures set to hit 30°C as a heat-health alert returns across Kent. If you're planning to stay active, there's some good news too: our leisure centres have officially entered a new chapter, with fresh management and £8 million of planned investment.

Elsewhere, controversial plans for 520 new homes near Paddock Wood are prompting debate over housing, infrastructure and water supplies.

Have a great week!

WEATHER

Monday: 15°C 🌡️ 29°C | ☀️

Tuesday: 15°C 🌡️ 30°C | ☀️

Wednesday: 16°C 🌡️ 30°C | ☀️

THE BRIEF

🫠 Heatwave #3: A yellow heat-health alert was issued on 2nd July as temperatures head towards 30C once more. The UK Health Security Agency's warning runs from midday on Saturday 4th July until 5pm on Wednesday 8th July. The agency says the heat poses a greater risk to the lives of vulnerable people, and indoor spaces may become very warm. It expects minor impacts across health and social care, including more vulnerable people needing care. The alert also covers the East Midlands, the east and south-west England. It follows record-breaking heat in parts of Kent last week, when a rare red warning was in place. Read more here.​

💪 New Leisure Lease: The borough's three leisure centres, in Cranbrook, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells, came under new management on 1st July. Serco Leisure now runs the sites in partnership with Leisure Solutions Community Trust, under its customer-facing MORE Leisure brand. An £8 million investment programme is planned across the seven-year lease, funded by the council and Serco.

Work starts with around £750,000 of improvements, including new gym equipment and Lynxight technology in the pools. The AI system alerts lifeguards through a smartwatch, adding an extra layer of safety for swimmers. The change ends the search for a new operator that began earlier this year. Read more here.​

🏡 500+ Homes: Plans have been submitted for 520 new homes on farmland at Badsell Farm, near Paddock Wood. Developer Dandara South East wants to build the scheme in two phases. Detailed plans have been submitted for 272 homes, with outline permission sought for a further 248. The company says up to 40% of the homes would be affordable, subject to viability. The site is already allocated for housing in the Local Plan, which includes more than 2,400 new homes in and around Paddock Wood.

Some residents have objected. They argue local schools, GP surgeries and dentists are already under pressure. Others have raised concerns about water supplies, with Kent among England's most water-stressed areas and South East Water introducing a hosepipe ban this summer. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is expected to decide the application by 2nd September. Read more here.​

🗑️ Bin Collection Changes: Some waste collections in the Ferndale area of Tunbridge Wells will happen earlier than usual because of roadworks and road closures. The council asks households to have bins out by 6am during the week starting today. Normal collection days stay the same; only the timing changes. Residents who miss a collection can report it through the council's website. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

For more than three years, KentRelief has been making a real difference to people affected by the war in Ukraine. The charity has delivered over 150 tonnes of humanitarian aid, supported Ukrainian families settling in Kent, and continues to respond to urgent needs.

On 25th April, another lorry packed with essential supplies left for Ukraine, made possible by the generosity of donors and volunteers. Every contribution helps keep this vital work moving forward.

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THIS WEEK

Trinity Clocktower Tours | Trinity Theatre | Tue 7 Jul & Sat 11 Jul, 10:30am | Climb the clocktower for town history and views | Free entry​

Thorns | The Sussex Arms | Tue 7 Jul, 7:30pm | Live band night in the basement venue | See details​

Old Castle Tours | Scotney Castle | Tue 7 Jul – Sun 12 Jul, 11:00am | Behind-the-scenes tour of the moated Old Castle | See details​

Illegal Eagles | Assembly Hall | Thu 9 Jul, 7:30pm | Eagles tribute plays Hotel California in full | From £42.75​

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

History Hour: The Archaeology of Tunbridge Wells | The Amelia | Sat 11 Jul, 2:00pm | Curator talk on the town's buried past | From £5.00​

Jousting Tournament | Hever Castle | Sat 11 Jul & Sun 12 Jul, times vary | Knights of Royal England battle on horseback | Included with admission​

Italia Conti – Ignite | Assembly Hall | Sat 11 Jul, 7:30pm & Sun 12 Jul, 2:00pm & 7:30pm | Local pupils perform West End show numbers | From £18.00​

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

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

Wine & Wander with Squerryes Vineyard | Penshurst Place | Fri 24 Jul, 5:30pm | Sparkling wine, vineyard talk and garden wandering | From £18.00​

Tunbridge Wells Repair Café | Trinity Theatre | Sat 25 Jul, 10:00am | Volunteers mend household items for free | Free entry​

Outdoor Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing | Scotney Castle | Sat 8 Aug, 7:00pm | Changeling Theatre stages Shakespeare's best rom-com outdoors | See details​

Dragon Boat Festival | Bewl Water | Sat 29 Aug, times on booking page | Paddlers of all abilities race for fun | See details​

SPORT

Results:

🏏4th Jul - Lordswood 194 - 198 Tunbridge Wells (Men) - TW won by 7 wickets

🏏5th Jul -Tunbridge Wells (Women) 123 - 102 Bexley - TW won by 21 runs

Fixtures:

🏏11th Jul - Tunbridge Wells vs. Sevenoaks Vine (Men's)

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

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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