Sponsored by

Good morning Tunbridge Wells,

It’s a warm week ahead, with plenty happening across town. In today’s Brief, we’ve got the latest on South East Water’s grilling by councillors after recent supply problems, plus the moving story of a mother raising funds for a memorial garden at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

On the events front, Hospice in the Weald’s Moonlight Walk returns this Saturday, while The Forum hosts Everywhere at Once Fest for a full day of independent live music.

Enjoy the sun!

WEATHER

Monday: 17°C 🌡️ 28°C | ☀️

Tuesday: 19°C 🌡️ 32°C | ☀️

Wednesday: 20°C 🌡️ 34°C | ☀️

SPONSORED BY HOSPICE IN THE WEALD

Hospice in the Weald’s Moonlight Walk returns on Saturday 27 June, and there’s still time to join in.

Starting from Sevenoaks Rugby Club, the evening brings together hundreds of walkers for a memorable night of music, reflection and fundraising beneath the stars.

Choose from 4, 8 or 13-mile routes, all set around Sevenoaks and beautiful Knole Park. Before you head off, there’ll be a warm-up to music; when you return, you’ll be welcomed back with a glass of fizz at the finish line. Food, coffee and tea will also be available to buy.

It’s a special chance to walk in memory of someone you love, enjoy time outdoors with friends or family, and help Hospice in the Weald provide free care for people facing life-limiting illness and their loved ones.

​Sign up now or call 01892 820533.

THE BRIEF

🏅 Making It Up: Volunteers and community groups collected awards at a ceremony in Sevenoaks. The district council's 'Making it Happen' awards honoured people who give their time to help others. Guests presented prizes across twelve categories, from community safety to the environment. The Lifetime Achievement award went to Jan Berry for two decades supporting victims of domestic abuse, stalking and harassment. Read more here.​

🥋 Judo Call Up: A judo star from Pembury has earned a place at the Commonwealth Games. Jemima Yeats-Brown joins Team England's 14-strong squad for Glasgow. The 30-year-old already owns two Commonwealth bronze medals. She now aims to climb the podium again. Read more here.​

💚 A Mother's Memorial Garden: A mother is raising money for a memorial garden at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. A temperature-controlled cuddle cot gave her precious extra time with her stillborn son. She wants other grieving families to have a calm space to remember their babies. The garden would offer that place at the Pembury site. She has shared her story to rally support for the appeal. Read more here.​

👏 Local Plan Approved: Voters in Southborough and High Brooms backed their Neighbourhood Plan in a referendum on Thursday. The result was clear. 1,194 people voted yes and only 152 voted no. The plan lets the borough council use a community-drafted blueprint to judge planning applications in the area. Residents helped shape its priorities. The council will adopt the plan at its next full meeting and fold it into local policy. Read more here.​

💦 Taking Ownership: South East Water faced councillors at a tense meeting on Monday. A local poll showed most residents want the company taken into public ownership. Councillors attacked its record on investment, outages and communication. One pointed to schools and leisure centres that closed without need. The company's supply director admitted Tunbridge Wells was one of the worst-hit areas. He apologised and said performance fell short.

He blamed two major faults: a treatment-works problem at Pembury last winter and a network failure in January. He set out a five-year plan to build resilience. The firm will spend around £2.1bn, double its last cycle. It has bought eleven new tankers and will expand the Bewl Water works to send more water to the town. He warned that supply and demand stay tight for years. New homes can be served, he said, only if the company gets early notice. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

KentRelief is a Tunbridge Wells-based humanitarian charity supporting people affected by the war in Ukraine, both overseas and here in the UK.

Since February 2022, the charity has sent more than 150 tonnes of aid to areas of need, including food, medical supplies, hygiene products and firefighting equipment. It also helps Ukrainian guests locally as they settle into life in the UK.

KentRelief’s work depends on volunteers, donations and community support. Every contribution helps keep vital aid moving to families, frontline communities and partner organisations in Ukraine.

To donate, volunteer or find out more, visit kentrelief.org.uk.

---

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: Ditch The Demon & Friends | The Forum | Mon 22 Jun, 7:00pm | New-band showcase night, four live acts | See details​

Keith Brymer Jones: Us, Pots and A Welsh Chapel | Assembly Hall | Tue 23 Jun, 7:30pm | Pottery Throw Down judge shares chapel restoration tales | From £33.25​

Vox Pops Indie Choir | The Sussex Arms | Tue 23 Jun, 7:30pm | Friendly community indie singing session | See details​

Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra | Assembly Hall | Wed 24 Jun, 7:30pm | Big-band rhythm and blues with star guests | Sold out​

A Bunch of Amateurs | Trinity Theatre | Wed 24 – Sat 27 Jun, 7:30pm; 2:30pm Fri & Sat | Hislop and Newman comedy, film star joins amateurs | From £15.00​

From Cutting to Cultivation: Propagation Masterclass | Penshurst Place | Wed 24 Jun, 10:00am | Hands-on plant propagation with the head gardener | From £60.00​

Burn the Floor: Nikita Kuzmin – Supernova | Assembly Hall | Thu 25 Jun, 7:30pm | Strictly star's high-energy dance spectacular | From £49.20​

Michael Starring Ben | Assembly Hall | Fri 26 Jun, 7:30pm | Michael Jackson tribute show with live band | From £24.25​

The Skints | The Forum | Fri 26 Jun, 7:30pm | London reggae, dub and punk band | See details​

Gilbert O'Sullivan | Assembly Hall | Sat 27 Jun, 7:30pm | Seventies chart-topping singer-songwriter in concert | From £45.50​

Dr Ian's Moth Morning | The Amelia | Sat 27 Jun, 10:00am | Local moths revealed in a drop-in session | Free entry​

Everywhere at Once Fest 2026 | The Forum | Sat 27 Jun, 12:00pm | All-day independent live music festival | See details​

Chiddingstone Castle Vintage Fair | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun 28 Jun | Vintage clothing, homeware and collectables for sale | See details​

Summer Plant Fair | Hever Castle | Sun 28 Jun | Specialist nurseries; included with castle admission | See details​

Stable: Five Ash Kills & Friends | The Forum | Sun 28 Jun, 6:00pm | New-band showcase night, four live acts | See details​

Hever in Bloom | Hever Castle | Mon 22 Jun – Sun 5 Jul | Rose gardens at their summer peak | See details​

Our Own Exhibition – Archaeology | The Amelia | Mon 22 – Mon 29 Jun | Free community archaeology exhibition | Free entry​

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

Summer Piano Symphony | King Charles the Martyr | Popular classics with a stellar piano pair, Duo Pleyel from Amsterdam | Details​

An Evening With Nigel Mansell | Assembly Hall | Wed 1 Jul | Formula One world champion in conversation | See details​

The Choral | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat 4 Jul, 6:30pm | Ralph Fiennes wartime choir drama screening | See details​

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

Jousting Events 2026 | Hever Castle | Sat 11 Jul – Mon 31 Aug (select dates) | Knights joust; included with castle admission | See details​

SIX | Assembly Hall | Tue 18 – Sat 22 Aug | Hit musical about Henry VIII's queens | See details​

SPORT

Results

🏏 20 Jun Blackheath 211 beat Tunbridge Wells CC 157 Kent League Prem [Lost] (by 54 runs)

Fixtures

🏏 27 Jun Tunbridge Wells vs. Whitstable

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!​