This week, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is asking residents and landowners to help shape where the borough grows over the next two decades, as its Call for Sites deadline approaches. Elsewhere, a new convenience store on Silverdale Road has been granted a late-night alcohol licence despite concerns from nearby residents.

There’s plenty happening too. The Autumn Craft Fair returns to Hever Castle with more than 180 independent makers, while the Natural History Museum brings Dinosaurs Live! to the Assembly Hall this Saturday.

WEATHER

Monday: 13°C 🌡️ 23°C | ⛅

Tuesday: 8°C 🌡️ 20°C | 🌧️

Wednesday: 8°C 🌡️ 20°C | ⛅

THE BRIEF

🟢 Call for Sites: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has reminded landowners and residents that its Call for Sites now closes at midnight on 28th September. The exercise is the first stage of a review of the borough's Local Plan, which will cover the years 2029 to 2044. It started on 11th May and had been due to close in August. The council wants people to put forward land that could be used for housing, jobs, community facilities, leisure or green space.

Officers will check each site for suitability, availability and deliverability. Anyone can submit a site through the council's Call for Sites webpage. The current Local Plan, adopted in December 2025, committed the council to start a review within six months. The review will shape where the borough grows over the next two decades. Read more here.​

🏪 Late-Night License: A new convenience store in Silverdale Road can sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's licensing sub-committee granted the licence to Silver Express. The shop will take over the unit once used by Louly Luxe Beauty and Aesthetics. Several residents objected. They said the parade of shops has become a focal point for street drinking, litter and noise. One neighbour said she often finds discarded cans and bottles on her morning walk to the station.

Others pointed out that two nearby shops already sell alcohol, and that a nursery and primary school sit close by. Kent Police did not object. The applicant's agent told the committee his client has 12 years' experience selling alcohol without any problems. She offered CCTV, staff training, an incident register and a Challenge 25 policy. He also said the council has no cumulative impact policy, so the number of nearby off-licences was not a valid reason to refuse. After a short adjournment, the three councillors agreed to grant the licence. Read more here.​

🦌 Stag Theatre Fundraising: Sevenoaks Town Council will launch a fundraising campaign to buy the Stag Theatre from Sevenoaks District Council. The district council owns the London Road venue but leases it to the town council. It offered three options: buy the freehold for £650,000, take a new 30-year lease at a peppercorn rent, or let the building pass to the new unitary council in 2028. Town councillors argued the theatre is already a public asset and should transfer for free.

The district council says government rules and its auditors prevent a free transfer. At a meeting on 1st September, town councillors voted to buy the freehold, as long as they can raise the money. The theatre's chief executive told the meeting that buying it gives the town certainty and control. The campaign will ask residents, theatre-goers and cinema lovers to help fill the gap, without raising council tax. Read more here.​

🏰 Craft Fair Returns: The Autumn Contemporary Craft Fair returns to the grounds of Hever Castle this week. Craft In Focus organises the four-day event. More than 180 independent makers will show jewellery, glass, textiles, ceramics, woodwork and metalwork across several marquees. Visitors can watch live demonstrations, including pole lathe turning, basket making, sculpture and blacksmithing.

The food and drink tents have grown this year, with honey, spices, cheese, sausages and artisan spirits on offer. Singer-songwriter Ian Fox provides live music. The fair runs from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th September, 9.30am to 5.30pm, and Sunday 13th September, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Entry is included with a standard Hever Castle ticket. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

Kent Wine School

Saturday Discover Wine experience including lunch.

A relaxed Saturday wine course including a glass of champagne, 12 wines tasted and a two course lunch.

Sat 26th Sep 2026, Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells 11am-4pm

​More details here!​

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KentRelief

KentRelief is a Tunbridge Wells charity supporting people affected by the war in Ukraine, both locally and overseas. From helping Ukrainian families settle in Kent to delivering essential humanitarian aid directly to communities in need, every donation makes a difference. Donate, volunteer or learn more and get involved at kentrelief.org.uk.

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THIS WEEK

Archaeology Adventure | The Amelia Scott | Until Sun 4 Oct | Hands-on family journey through time with Moley | Free entry

Trinity Clocktower Tours | Trinity Theatre | Tue 8 Sep – Sat 31 Oct | Climb the historic clocktower for town views | See details​

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (12A) | Trinity Theatre | Tue 8 Sep | Film screening of the fashion-world sequel | See details​

Home Education at The Amelia – Primary | The Amelia Scott | Tue 8 Sep, 10:00am | Monthly learning session for home-educated children | From £3.00

In the Night Garden Live | Assembly Hall | Wed 9 Sep, 10:00am, 12:00pm & 3:00pm | Igglepiggle and friends in a live family show | From £19.00

The Tannahill Weavers | Trinity Theatre | Wed 9 Sep | Scottish folk band in concert | See details​

Crobot | The Forum | Thu 10 Sep, 7:00pm | US hard rock band live | See details​

John Kearns: Tilting at Windmills | Trinity Theatre | Thu 10 Sep | Stand-up from the Edinburgh award winner | See details​

Autumn Craft Fair | Hever Castle | Thu 10 Sep – Sun 13 Sep, 9:30am | Over 180 makers, demonstrations and food tents | Included with admission

Wealden Times Pop-Up Fair | Penshurst Place | Fri 11 Sep, 10:00am | 33 stalls of fashion, homeware and gifts | See details​

Alex McAleer: Mind Reader | Trinity Theatre | Fri 11 Sep | Mind-reading comedy show | See details​

Skinny Living | The Forum | Fri 11 Sep, 7:30pm | Wakefield soul-pop band live | See details​

Waterloo Live | Assembly Hall | Fri 11 Sep | ABBA tribute concert | See details​

55 | The Amelia Scott | Sat 12 Sep, 11:00am | Short musical duet about the two ends of life | Free entry

Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live! | Assembly Hall | Sat 12 Sep, 12:30pm & 3:30pm | Life-like dinosaurs on stage, ages 6+ | From £19.75

Tudor Re-enactment Weekend | Penshurst Place | Sat 12 Sep – Sun 13 Sep, 10:00am | Meet Henry VIII's household in the picnic area | Included in admission

A Celebration of Bruce Springsteen | The Forum | Sat 12 Sep, 7:30pm | Tribute night to The Boss | See details​

Legends | Trinity Theatre | Sat 12 Sep | Trinity Youth Theatre music and dance show | See details​

Mike Joyce: My Life in The Smiths | The Forum | Sun 13 Sep, 2:00pm | In conversation with The Smiths' drummer | See details​

Henry Paker: Pencil Case | Trinity Theatre | Sun 13 Sep | Stand-up comedy | See details​

K-Pop Live: The Theatre Show | Assembly Hall | Sun 13 Sep | Live K-pop dance and music spectacular | 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​

FURTHER OUT

Phil Wang – Uh Oh | Assembly Hall | Wed 16 Sep | Stand-up from the Taskmaster favourite | See details​

Hever Castle Triathlon and Multisport Festival | Hever Castle | Sat 26 Sep – Sun 27 Sep | Swim, bike and run in castle grounds | See details​

The Bluetones: 30th Anniversary | The Forum | Tue 29 Sep & Wed 30 Sep, 7:00pm | Britpop band plays Expected To Fly in full | See details​

RTWSO: Season Opening, with a Fanfare | Assembly Hall | Sun 4 Oct | Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra opens its season | See details​

Howard Hodgkin: In a Public Garden | The Amelia Scott | Fri 23 Oct – Sun 21 Feb | Major print retrospective of the British artist | Free entry

SPORT

Results

🏏 5th Sep - Tunbridge Wells (Men) 197 - 95 Lordswood - TW won by 102 runs.

🏏 6th Sep - Tunbridge Wells (Women) 246 - 140 Bexley - TW won by 106 runs.

⚽ 31st Aug - Tunbridge Wells vs. Rusthall - POSTPONED

⚽ 5th Sep - Petts Wood & Holmesdale vs. Tunbridge Wells - Postponed

Fixtures

🏑 5th Sep - Lewes vs. Tunbridge Wells (Mens)

🏑 5th Sep - Marden vs. Tunbridge Wells (Women)

⚽ 12th Sep - Tunbridge Wells vs. Snodland Town

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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