This week in Tunbridge Wells...

A new trampoline park has opened on North Farm Road. AirHop brings giant air bags and an assault course to the town. Thousands of homes in Tunbridge Wells, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst lost water this week after a fault at the local treatment works. Bottled water stations popped up at Tesco and the rugby club.

For fun, catch The Christophers at Trinity Theatre on Monday, starring Ian McKellen. Or head to Hever Castle from Friday, where the Knights of Royal England return for jousting.

Have a great week.

WEATHER

Monday: 11°C 🌡️ 23°C | ⛅

Tuesday: 11°C 🌡️ 23°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 12°C 🌡️ 25°C | ⛅

THE BRIEF

🦘 AirHop Arrives: A 27,000 sq ft air-conditioned trampoline park has opened in Tunbridge Wells. AirHop's new site on North Farm Road, High Brooms, had its official launch on Thursday 9th July. It offers wall-to-wall trampolines, giant air bags, an assault course and a football area, with sessions for toddlers, families, teenagers and SEN groups. The venue will employ 55 people locally. It is AirHop's return to West Kent after previously running a Tonbridge site until 2021. Read more here.​

⬅️ West Kent: Kent will be split into four new unitary authorities once its existing councils are abolished. The government has chosen an option that creates authorities for north Kent, east Kent, mid/south Kent, and a western authority covering Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. Bin collections, libraries and social care will stay as they are in the short term while officers plan the handover. It marks the biggest shake-up of local government in Kent for over 50 years. Read more here.​

💦 Yet More Water Issues: Up to 7,000 properties in Tunbridge Wells, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst lost water or saw low pressure this week. South East Water said a temporary instrument failure at its Tunbridge Wells treatment works caused a brief shutdown, and a separate burst main hit Hawkhurst. Bottled water stations opened at Tesco on Pembury Road and at Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club. MP Mike Martin said around 800 homes were affected in Hawkhurst alone. Read more here.​

🐀 Rat-Run: Drivers use Cornford Lane to dodge a busy road in Tunbridge Wells. Now the lane is set for changes. It links Pembury, the A264 and Hawkenbury. Residents worry about traffic and speed. Kent County Council has approved funds for new signs and road markings. The council says the changes address local concerns, not crash data. Records show few collisions on the lane. A nearby charity home for adults with learning disabilities had raised safety fears. Read more here.​

💈10th Anniversary: Denny's Fest marks its 10th anniversary with a move to a new venue this month. The festival takes place on Saturday 25th July at The George Pub & Garden from midday, with twelve acoustic acts and bands, a flash tattoo day, £10 haircuts, a raffle and food stalls. Entry is free, with all proceeds going to the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre. The event honours Denny Rowe, a Guinness World Record holder who founded the original Castle Street music festival before his death from lung cancer in 2013. It has raised over £47,000 for charity so far, with organisers hoping to top £50,000 this year. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

Together with KentRelief

War headlines may have faded, but the need hasn't.

Based here in Tunbridge Wells, KentRelief continues to deliver vital humanitarian aid to Ukraine while also supporting Ukrainian families who have made Kent their home. Every donation, volunteer hour and purchase from their charity shop helps make a real difference.

If you'd like to support a local charity making a global impact, find out more, donate or get involved at kentrelief.org.uk.

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THIS WEEK

Denny's Fest | The George Pub & Garden | Sat 25 Jul, 12pm–late | Live music festival for Pickering Centre | Free entry​

The Christophers | Trinity Theatre | Mon 20 Jul, 10:30am & 7:30pm | Ian McKellen art-world drama | £7.00–£11.00​

The Sheep Detectives | Trinity Theatre | Tue 21 Jul, 1:30pm & 6:30pm | Hugh Jackman family mystery film | £7.00–£11.00​

When Rivers Meet | The Forum | Fri 24 Jul, 7:30pm | Blues-rock duo's UK tour stop | See details​

Jousting Tournament | Hever Castle | Fri 24 Jul – Sun 26 Jul | Knights battle for the season title | Included with admission​

Strictly Dan: The Music of Steely Dan | Two Sisters' Theatre, Hever Castle | Fri 24 Jul, 8pm | 12-piece tribute band plays Steely Dan classics | From £13.13​

Creative Workshop: Colourwork Masterclass | The Amelia Scott | Sat 25 Jul, 10am–4pm | Knitting masterclass for confident knitters | £80.00​

TW Repair Café | Trinity Theatre | Sat 25 Jul, 10am–1pm | Free repairs for household items | Free​

Summer Holiday Trail | Chiddingstone Castle | Sat 18 Jul – Mon 31 Aug | Treasure map trail around the grounds | £2.00​

Summer of Play | Scotney Castle | Sat 18 Jul – Sun 6 Sep | Family play activities on the estate | Included with admission​

Wine & Wander Evening | Penshurst Place | Fri 24 Jul, 5:30pm–8:30pm | Evening wine tasting with Squerryes Vineyard | £18.00​

A Summer of Adventure | Penshurst Place | From Wed 22 Jul (Camp Wilderness Wednesdays, Safari Saturdays, and more, daily through the holidays) | School-holiday activities across the gardens | Included with admission​

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

ArtSpring at the Spa Galleries | Spa Galleries | Fri 31 Jul – Thu 6 Aug | Local artists exhibit paintings, ceramics, jewellery, glass | Free entry​

Royal Tunbridge Wells Festival of Motoring | The Pantiles | Sat 1 Aug – Sun 2 Aug | Vintage and modern cars and motorcycles on display | See details​

SIX | Assembly Hall | Tue 18 Aug – Sat 22 Aug | Tudor queens musical, returns to Tunbridge Wells | From £29.00​

Wuthering Heights | Rusthall Cinema Club | Sat 1 Aug, doors 6:30pm | Screen adaptation with Margot Robbie | See details​

John Cleese and The Holy Grail | Assembly Hall | Wed 2 Sep | Comedy talk on the Monty Python classic | See details​

Hever Castle Triathlon and Multisport Festival | Hever Castle | Sat 26 Sep – Sun 27 Sep | Triathlon races for all abilities | See details​

Halloween Half Term Fun | Hever Castle | Sat 17 Oct – Sun 1 Nov | Family Halloween trail and activities | Included with admission​

SPORT

Results:

🏏18th Jul - Hayes (Kent) 308 - 342 Tunbridge Wells (Men) TW won by 34 runs

🏏19th Jul - Sevenoaks Vine 163 - 166 Tunbridge Wells (Women) - TW won by 7 wickets

Fixtures:

🏏25th Jul - Tunbridge Wells (Men) vs. Bexley

🏏26th Jul - Town Malling vs. Tunbridge Wells (Women)

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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