LOCAL

Shaping the borough, making a difference

Winter 2019

Pg 11

Christmas Show

Pg 12–13

Christmas Events

Pg 25

25 Years of Fairtrade

Come Skate!

Follow the latest news at... TWellsCouncil TunbridgeWellsBoroughCouncil tunbridgewells.gov.uk

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 A F T
T R O F E E C H
R T I N N I L F
I A I N A K E
F A T N R G K H O
T O T E E O W O F A
A S Y H U R E U O
O F U T D L R R A N
R U O O L O O H T
O P W O X E T I I G
W S
4 I N B

Welcome to
Q P R D I T T I B
O E R R R A
C O T H Discovery
U L F O Days
EDiscovery T I F P
U
U W
U H
Y F
T R A
D Days I O
D R
K T
O T
R T U
L

Winter Local!
B D C L
E
A I
R
T O U O O F I S U
F I P D I E A S
O A D O
H H I S E D O D D
H U I O D D E R I
E T
A Y U N
R R
H I R
T E
A E
U
5 A R
J N L
H O
I E R
S O C
C
O K I Competition O U H O
M
R A U I B N L A G C O
P A R A H R U A B
N D U Y E E T R H C
E E T I U T O N O
G I O D H R O C O K
R I O S A L J G R
A D B I E T S S O G R
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W R B O I
Z
B E
R A R B
L B
L I E
J I N
O F C I K J K
E
J Y
A R C O Skate
H V S I
H O U H L L
B R T O I N E L
A R F Q E W
Hello B E H W G
O M H I R I D
C
E N B
The borough is sparkling with Christmas lights and shops are filled withJ T U
Christmas goodies… it must mean the holiday season is near! We havePa
R
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bumper-packed Christmas special in this edition to help you plan… whether Shopping Delights
it’s gift ideas you’re after or arranging an outing or two, there’s plenty going
on - see pages 5-13 for inspiration. We’ve teamed up with Co-op and
Fairtrade to give you a chance to win a super hamper, so have some fun with
our word search, get the answer right and you could be our lucky winner!
More details on page 5. 10
Christmas Bin Collections
We have packed the magazine with news and updates to keep all our
residents up-to-date with what’s happening in the borough. I hope you find
it informative.

Season’s greetings and a very happy new year to you all. 22

Love Where We Live Awards
Lizzie Goodwin

Editor

26–29
Assembly Hall Theatre Guide

We produce Local to keep you up-to-date about Council services and news. If you have
any comments about the magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us by:
E-mail: Local@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Phone: 01892 526121
Post: Lizzie Goodwin, Communications Manager, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town Hall,
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS
TWellsCouncil TunbridgeWellsBoroughCouncil
To advertise, contact Space Marketing Ltd on 01892 677721 or e-mail davidh@spacemarketing.co.uk
Advertising helps to keep our costs down. We do not endorse the products and services advertised in Local.
The information in this publication was correct at the time of going to print.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or subsequent changes.

If you require Local magazine in large print or on audio please phone 01892 554273
3
COUNCIL

Message from William Benson, Chief Executive

I’d like to apologise sincerely for the issues some residents have On a more positive note, we are pleased to report a huge uptake in
experienced recently with bin collections. This is just about the recycling. In the first month of the contract alone, we picked up a
most fundamental service we provide and you expect us to get it vast amount of glass and around 400 tonnes of food waste.
right. We expect it to be right. It is enormously frustrating when the Thank you for all your efforts in helping to increase levels of
service does not meet expectations and you have to spend time recycling in the borough.
and effort reporting your missed bins.
Lastly, I’d like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and new year.
Whilst we, and our contractor (Urbaser), have spent a lot of time
preparing for the change-over, it has clearly not gone as well as we
hoped for. During the autumn, Urbaser put significant additional
resources in place to resolve the problems and whilst the situation
is improving, they are continuing to work longer hours and
weekends to catch-up. These extra resources are being paid for
entirely by Urbaser and not through your Council Tax.
William Benson

Discovery
Days
The theme next half-term is playtime
Next February half-term the Council’s Suitable for all ages, drop-in sessions
in the past. Discover what children
Culture team is back with Discovery are FREE and there is no need to book.
through the ages have played with and
Days family fun! Go along and find out Sessions will run Tuesday 18 – Friday 21
get hands on in our pop-up craft studio.
more about the exciting museum and February, 10.30am–12.30pm and 2–4pm.
There will be opportunities to handle
library redevelopment and the borough’s Children must be accompanied by adults
items from the museum’s collections
fascinating history and collections. at all times.
and a range of free crafts to try.

For more information on location and timings please check online tunbridgewellsmuseum.org

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 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Everything you need for

Christmas
right here in our festive
eight page feature

To celebrate 25 years of Fairtrade, we’ve teamed up with

Win a £50
When you
the Co-op in Silverdale Road, Tunbridge Wells to get are doing your
someone’s Christmas off to a good start! Christmas shopping

Fairtrade
remember to put a
To win the Fairtrade Christmas hamper, kindly donated by Fairtrade item or two
the Co-op, simply tell us what the missing word is in the in your basket.

Hamper This
wordsearch below.
E-mail your answer along with your telephone number to:
local@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Christmas Alternatively, write to: Communications team, TWBC,

Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS.

F A I R T R A D E M A R K S R F G U A Closing date is 11 December.

A S T O T A T I O F F L O W E R S L O
R U O F Y T E N I N N E E T E N I N E
Q W O P O U T H E O R G A N I C H U R CHANGE
C O O P S W O O D L U R W O K K E L F CHOCOLATE BAR
CO OP
U W U T H E R D X E L O R R E F A H O
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
E B U H Y F U L R I T I T I O A N U O
FAIRTRADE MARK TERMS &
O F A I R T R A D E F O R T N I G H T FAIRTRADE SCHOOLS CONDITIONS
H U H H I P T O D I O D R T I R I B B FAIRTRADE TOWN All correct answers
A Y U N I I S A D U O C K T O T F P A FARMER will be put into
M O R R H I R O D E D I O F I R T U L FLOWERS the prize draw and
P A R A K T E A E E T D O D E A S U L FOOD a winner will be
FOOTBALLS drawn at random.
E E N D R U I I U A R J N L E D D O S Prize draw only
R I G I T U Y A B N L O H O I E R R I GIFTS
open to residents
Z W A D O O D I I R H R A G U S O C C GOLD of Tunbridge Wells
HAMPER borough. TWBC
O F B E R B I S H R U T T R U C O H O
NINETEEN NINETY FOUR and Co-op staff are
H A R C C R A B E T A L O C O H C A B
ORGANIC not eligible to enter.
A R B R O O I K J R B O S S J O K N O SUGAR The winner will be
O M B E F T O U H J K E L B I O G G R TEA required to collect
J E C H I H W Q I N H L V J Y L I E R TUNBRIDGE WELLS their prize from the
Co-op.
P R T U N B R I D G E W E L L S I I N TWENTY FIVE YEARS
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The Perfect Gift This Christmas
something a little different this year?
gift vouchers will not only tick a present off your
Travelling Safely
We all know how Christmas can get very
busy, if you’re planning to enjoy a night
out over the festive period why not sort
out your travel arrangements now. That’s
one thing done.
Christmas, New Year and any time of
year remember to use a licensed taxi. In
the Tunbridge Wells borough hackney
carriages or taxis are white with a licence
plate on the rear, they can be hailed
(flagged down) or you will find one at a
taxi rank; inside they have a meter which
calculates the fare based on charges set
by the Council.
Private hire vehicles can be any colour
not just white, and they also have a
licence plate on the rear. They charge
a fare set by the private hire operator
not the Council. You should always
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Fancy treating a loved one to
Trying to think of a gift for that person
who seems to have everything?
Well, we’ve got just the thing! Buying TW Lotto
Christmas list but will also help good causes
who are part of our lotto family.
TWLotto.co.uk
book a private hire vehicle in advance; Anyone who has any concern about a
if you haven’t pre-booked, the driver taxi or private hire vehicle can contact the
commits an offence and passengers Council’s Licensing Team on
place themselves at risk, as the driver’s 01892 554034, quoting the licence
insurance does not cover plying for hire plate details.
and passengers will not be insured.
Using a licensed vehicle improves your
safety. The licence means that, through
the Council’s application process, the
driver’s criminal convictions background
will be checked to an enhanced level
and the vehicle has regular mechanical
checks. In addition, as a passenger you
have the security of knowing that licensed
drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles
will be wearing a Council-issued photo
ID card.
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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Shopping Delights
There’s a lot of choice in the borough when it
comes to deciding where to do your shopping this
Christmas and you don’t have to travel far to find
something that’s a little bit special.

The Pretty Town of Cranbrook

offers you a great selection and you’re bound to
find somewhere with unique gifts that will tick lots
of boxes on your list. Not too far away of course is
Hawkhurst, which has its own little shopping row
along The Colonnade.

Paddock Wood
can boast one of the few family-run department stores
in the area, and you’ll also find supermarkets, cafes,
nearby farm shops and other small retailers making this
small town well worth a visit.

In Royal Tunbridge Wells

you’ll find a unique retail experience whichever part of
the town you choose to visit. Camden Road and Monson
Road offer an amazing array of independent retailers,
cafes and restaurants that are definite must-dos.

Royal Victoria Place

has a festive entertainment programme taking place every
Sunday throughout December when all day parking is
only £2. Royal Victoria Place will be open late until 8pm
every night from Monday 16 December until Monday 23
December with free parking between 4pm and 8pm (except
Sunday 22 December when opening hours are 10.30am to
4.30pm).

A Festive Farmers’ Market

will take place in Market Square off Camden Road each
Saturday throughout December between 9am and 3pm where
shoppers can buy speciality produce.

Weekend Christmas Markets

will feature on the Pantiles too, and if you’re in this part of town
then a stroll along the High Street will be rewarded with the
chance to select that perfect present – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Look out too for information about other

festive farmers’ markets and Christmas
shopping events across the borough – there’s
bound to be one near you!

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 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Please By donating a gift to the A Christmas

Please
Mayor’s Toy Appeal you

Help will help to bring

By donating a giftjoy
to to
local child or teenager in
thea
Message from
Mayor’s Toy Appeal you
the Mayor
Help
Teddy
need, or whose family may
will help to bring joy to a
find Christmas an especially
local child or teenager in
difficult time of the year.
‘In these uncertain times it is difficult to

Teddy
predict the future. But I have great faith

Mayor!
need, or whose family may in human nature and during my time as
find Christmas an especially Mayor I have met so many individuals
difficultIt’s easy to
time of the year. who voluntarily work for the good of the

Mayor!
donate:
borough of Tunbridge Wells.
• Via our Amazon wishlist
It’s easy to
twmta.co.uk/amazon ‘The Mayoress and I would like to wish
RE
AN
HE donate: them and everyone a Merry Christmas
SC • Choose a gift from
• ViaTeddy’s
our Amazon wishlist
list online
and a very Happy New Year.’
RE twmta.co.uk/amazon
(www.twmta.co.uk) or
HE
AN
SC a• gift
Choose a giftone
tag from from
of
hisTeddy’s
‘givinglist online
trees’ and
take your gift to any or
(www.twmta.co.uk) of
a the
gift drop-off
tag frompoints
one of
listed below.
his ‘giving trees’ and
take your gift to any of
the drop-off points
listed below.

Please
donate
your gifts between
9 Nov and 11 Dec

Please Councillor Scholes is supporting Compaid

donate during his Mayoral year and they are just
your gifts between
9 Nov and 11 Dec one of many organisations across the
Drop your gifts at - Tunbridge Wells: • Big Yellow Self Storage • Baldwins Travel Agency • Camden Centre • borough that benefit from the generous
Maddisons Residential • Nationwide Building Society • Pembury Library (closed Mondays) • Royal Victoria Place • Sainsbury’s Local,
Mount Pleasant Road • Southborough Library (closed Thursdays) • The Sports Centre • St George’s Childcare • Town Hall • gift of volunteers’ time. The Mayor will
Trinity Theatre • TW Gateway • Whirligig Toys • Cranbrook: • Pages Newsagents • Paddock Wood: • Barsley’s Department Store • be boosting his fundraising total for them
Giving Trees can be found at: • Royal Victoria Place • St George’s Childcare, Chilston Road
• Tunbridge Wells Self
Gateway • Trinity TheatreTravel Agency • Camden Centre •
with special events coming up including
Drop your gifts at - Tunbridge Wells: • Big Yellow Storage • Baldwins
Maddisons Residential • Nationwide Building
New giftsSociety • Pembury
only please Library
and no (closed Mondays)
weapon-type • Royal Victoria Place • Sainsbury’s Local,
toys or candles.
the Annual Charity Quiz held in the
Mount Pleasant Road • Southborough Libraryyour
Please donate (closed Thursdays)
gifts between •9 The
NovSports
and 11Centre • St George’s
Dec, thank you Childcare • Town Hall • Assembly Hall Theatre in February, and in
Trinity Theatre • TW Gateway • Whirligig Toys • Cranbrook: • Pages Newsagents • Paddock Wood: • Barsley’s Department Store • March a Cheese, Beer and Wine Evening.
Giving Trees can be found at: • Royal Victoria Place • St George’s Childcare, Chilston Road
• Tunbridge Wells Gateway • Trinity Theatre
New gifts only please and no weapon-type toys or candles.
Please donate your gifts between 9 Nov and 11 Dec, thank you
BC_5901_MTA Post UPBC_5432 _V2_FINAL.indd 1 03/09/2019 09:23

Compaid works with disabled and

disadvantaged to help them overcome the
BC_5901_MTA Post UPBC_5432 _V2_FINAL.indd 1 03/09/2019 09:23 barriers of social, digital and economic
exclusion.

9
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Christmas Bin Collections
Normal
Collection Day
Monday 23 December
Tuesday 24 December
Wednesday 25 December
Thursday 26 December
Friday 27 December
Monday 30 December
Tuesday 31 December
Wednesday 1 January
Thursday 2 January
Friday 3 January
Monday 6 January
Christmas Recycling
This Christmas do your bit for the environment and please recycle what you can. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to recycle
everything, so here’s a quick guide to what you can and cannot recycle this festive season:
Gift packaging
Christmas cards Paper and card (apart
Please put these in your green
from wrapping paper) can
box.
be recycled in your green
box. Plastic gift packaging
Wrapping paper cannot be recycled and
should be put in your green
As this is often made from
poorer quality paper and household waste bin. If you
decorated with foil and/or can, purchase gifts that
aren’t over-packaged
glitter it can’t be recycled.
or request less
Please put it in your
packaging if you
green household waste
are able to.
bin.
Food waste
Glass bottles and jars If you can’t freeze leftovers,
Please put these in your
please put any food
brown bin.
waste into your food
waste bin.
10
Christmas/
New Year Collection Day
Monday 23 December
Tuesday 24 December
Friday 27 December
Saturday 28 December
Sunday 29 December
Monday 30 December
Tuesday 31 December
Thursday 2 January
Friday 3 January
Saturday 4 January
Normal service resumes
Artificial trees
Please take your artificial tree Real Christmas trees
to the Household Waste and Please put your real tree out
Recycling Centre at North with your black garden waste
Farm (the tip). bin for collection, as long as
the trunk is under three inches
(7.5cm) thick. If your tree
is over six feet tall, please
Food packaging
cut it in half. Don’t forget to
Plastic food packaging such
remove all the decorations! If
as plastic bottles, tubs, pots
you haven’t signed up to the
and trays can go in your
garden waste scheme and
brown bin. Cardboard boxes
don’t have a black garden
and sleeves should go in your
waste bin, please take your
green box. Turkey foil
tree to the Household
can also go in your
Waste and Recycling
brown bin.
Centre at North Farm
(the tip).
 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Saturday 7 December – Sunday 5 January

Starring Paul Bradley (Holby City), Quinn Patrick
(Tunbridge Wells’ favourite dame), Lloyd Warbey (Disney’s
Art Attack), Holly Atterton (Nick Junior’s
Go Go Go) and Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks).
Meet Peter and the lost boys, Tiger Lily and Tinker Bell and get
ready for a family show full of fun, fairy dust and pirates galore.
Set sail for Neverland and take on Captain Hook and prepare
for out-of-this-world flying effects, galleons of laughter and the
hungriest of crocodiles.
Suitable for young ones (and those who never want to grow
up), this festive extravaganza is on sale now so hook your seats
today for Tunbridge Wells’ must-see Christmas show in 2019.

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

What’s Happening
Don’t let dark evenings Now Christmas at 12 Shopping Through
and gloomy days stop – 30 Bedgebury Dec the Ages in England,
you from enjoying all the Dec (National Pinetum) Civic Society, Royal
borough has to offer Wells Hotel, Royal
Now – International Garden
Tunbridge Wells is a great place and Tunbridge Wells
there’s always lots happening with events 2 Jan Photographer Of the
taking place all year round. Year, Sissinghurst 13–15 Christmas Tree
Dec Festival, United
With the festive frenzy about to begin, for 4 Everlasting
Emmanuel Church,
many this is a busy time of year. You’ll Dec Moments, Queen’s
Mount Ephraim, Royal
find details of those perennial family Hall, Cranbrook
favourites, the panto at Assembly Hall Tunbridge Wells
Theatre and the Ice Rink in Calverley 5 Dam It! Kent High
14 Farmers’ Market,
Grounds later in this edition. In Dec Weald Partnership
Southborough, by special arrangement Dec Market Square,
Volunteer Day,
with the Lions Club, Santa’s Sleigh will be Camden Road, Royal
visiting children in the local area.
Grosvenor & Hilbert
Tunbridge Wells
Park
And, if glitter and baubles aren’t your 14 Christmas Through
thing there are plenty of alternatives
5–7 Christmas Comedy
Dec the Ages, Paddock
and we’ve put together just a sample of Dec Club, Trinity Theatre
Wood Choral Society,
what else is coming up over the next few
weeks.
7– 8 Nativity Scene St Andrew’s Church,
Dec Exhibition, St Paddock Wood
We haven’t included information about Thomas Becket
any Christmas church services here; 17 Kent And Sussex
Church, Capel
Christingle, Christmas Eve, Midnight and Dec Poetry Society,
Christmas Day services take place across 7 Horsmonden Village Christmas Prize
the borough. See local church websites. Dec Events, Community Readings, Camden
Christmas Market Centre, Royal
13 Dec – The Snow Queen Tunbridge Wells
7 Bach: Christmas
5 Jan Trinity Theatre, Royal
Dec Oratorio, King 21 Southborough
Tunbridge Wells
Charles the Martyr, Dec Winter Festival,
Royal Tunbridge Wells Arty Farty Retreat,
7–8 Pantiles Christmas Southborough
Dec Market, Royal 21 TWFC V Canterbury
Tunbridge Wells Dec City, Culverden
10 Royal Ballet: Stadium, Tunbridge
Dec Coppelia, Kino, Wells
Hawkhurst 22 Carols on the Green,
Dec Five Oak Green

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 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

4 TWRFC V Brighton,
Jan St Mark's Recreation
Ground, Tunbridge
Wells

£2
23 John Constable: the
Jan Making Of A Master,
Pantiles Art Society, Sunday
Parking
Langton Green
1 Tedx, Assembly Hall
Feb Theatre
Why not linger for longer in Royal In partnership with the
2 Opera Gala, Tunbridge Wells on Sundays until Business Improvement
Feb Royal Tunbridge the end of December? You could District parking in
Wells Symphony linger for longer and skate, linger six of the town centre
Orchestra, Assembly for longer and shop, linger for car parks is just £2
longer and dine, linger for longer for all day parking.
Hall Theatre
and visit the theatre.
22 Local Drinks Heroes,
Feb Camden Centre, Royal
Tunbridge Wells
22 The Lion King,
Feb Rusthall Community
Cinema, Rusthall
CHRISTMAS
There’s too much going on to detail it all
here. You’ll find information about all
OPENING
these events and a comprehensive list on
tunbridgewellsevents.co.uk
HOURS
Christmas and New Year closing at the
Town Hall and Gateway
The Town Hall and Tunbridge Wells Gateway are open until 2pm
on Christmas Eve and closed from Christmas Day, Wednesday 25
December until we reopen at 9am on Monday 30 December.
We are also closed on Wednesday 1 January.

Tunbridge Wells Cemetery and the Crematorium grounds will

be open throughout Christmas and the New Year period.

13
COUNCIL
Independent Position Available on the
Council’s Audit and Governance Committee
Would you like to make an
important contribution to public
confidence in the Council?
Independent Members
We are looking for a new Independent
Member to join our Audit and
Governance Committee.
The main responsibilities of the
committee are to review the effectiveness
of the Council’s governance
arrangements, provide independent
assurance of its risk management
framework and internal controls, as well
as to provide advice and guidance for
Councillors on ethical standards issues
and the Council’s Code of Conduct.
As one of two Independent Members
on the committee, you will serve
an important purpose in bringing
independent scrutiny and oversight to the
committee’s deliberations.
14
New Littering and Dog
Fouling Enforcement Officers
In the last edition of Local we mentioned
the new littering and dog fouling
enforcement team who had just begun
work in the borough. Previously a
private contractor carried out this
service and when that arrangement
finished we decided to use a Council
team to focus on these issues instead
of appointing another company.
The new small team took to the
streets in late September and in their
first four weeks they issued 21 Fixed
Penalty Notices for littering. The
staff are concentrating their efforts
on places where litter is known to
be a problem and they are visiting
parks to tackle dog fouling.
According to Keep Britain Tidy
dropped cigarette butts are the
most common form of littering.
Applicants will need to show that they
have skills and experience in one or
more of the following: local government,
governance, law, risk management,
internal control assurance, accounting
issues, regulation and compliance,
together with a connection with the
Borough of Tunbridge Wells, typically
through living or working here. You will
be expected to attend a minimum of four
committee meetings each year.
Further information
Prospective candidates should have
a high level of integrity, the ability to
work as part of a team, be objective,
independent and impartial, and have
good analytical, communication and
interpersonal skills.
To ensure independence, the above post
is not open to anyone who is, or has
within the last five years, been a member
of the Borough Council or any of the
Team Leader Alex Devlin said: ‘We
hope that the uniformed Enforcement
Officers will act as a deterrent simply
by their presence. By issuing Fixed
Penalty Notices we are sending a clear
message that we are committed to a
clean and pleasant borough for all.’
The penalty for littering is £150 and dog
fouling £100. These are the statutory
maximum amounts the Council is
allowed to charge.
parish/town councils, or a council officer,
or who is a close relative or friend of such
a person.
This non-salaried post pays an annual
allowance of £800, in addition to the
reimbursement of relevant and approved
expenses. The appointment will be for a
fixed term of four years.
For an informal discussion please contact
Keith Trowell, Deputy Monitoring Officer
on 01622 602267/01892 554257.
To apply please visit the Council’s
website or contact Democratic Services
on 01892 554413/e-mail
committee@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
The closing date is noon on 10 January.
Interviews will take place on 23 January
2020 from 2pm.

An Update on What’s Happening in
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Decision taken on
future of Calverley
Square project
At the Extraordinary Full Council meeting
in October, Councillors debated the
delivery of the Calverley Square project.
They voted against approving funding and
for the project to go ahead. Following this
debate a motion was carried asking that
the existing cross-party working group
continue its work to examine the business
case and other aspects for options for
the four key sites owned by the Council
(the Town Hall, Assembly Hall Theatre,
Mount Pleasant Car Park and Great Hall
Car Park), together with other sites which
might become available. This cross-party
working group is expected to report to Full
Council on 18 December.
Essential Works on A21 –
Highways England
Works to the A21 Medway Viaduct and
the replacement of the subway under the
A21 at Manor Farm will begin in January
2020. In order to carry out these works as
efficiently and as safely as possible, the
A21 will be subject to a series of overnight
and full weekend closures in January.
Diversions will be in place. The works are
weather dependant and may be cancelled
due to high winds.
If you have any questions or you’d like to
know more about the work taking place,
please contact Highways England on 0300
123 5000 or info@highwaysengland.
co.uk. For further information online,
please search Highways England.
A temporary new home
for the library
If you’re a regular visitor to the library
in Royal Tunbridge Wells you will know
that it has relocated to a temporary new
home in Royal Victoria Place Shopping
Centre. The library can now be found on
the ground floor, opposite Fenwick, near
Muffin Break.
The move out of the museum and
library building on Civic Way is because
redevelopment work is due to start on the
Amelia Scott building in January 2020.
This exciting project will bring together
in one integrated space the museum, art
gallery, library, registrations, archives,
adult education, tourist information and
The Council’s Customer Service Team.
The space will be open for residents and
visitors to the borough to enjoy from 2022.
Amelia Scott building concept
PROJECTS
Pedestrian-friendly
Work on the new pedestrian-friendly
area around the War Memorial was
substantially completed in time for
the Remembrance Sunday service and
Armistice Day commemoration. Some
finishing touches were yet to be completed
but the new space enhanced the setting of
the events.
Shopping centre
refurbishment
Work has started to refurbish Royal
Victoria Place. Nicky Blanchard, centre
manager at Royal Victoria Place, said:
‘We’re so excited to see the start of the
renovation works to the main mall areas at
Royal Victoria Place.
‘The works represent a significant
investment from British Land, helping to
modernise Royal Victoria Place, as well as
creating a relaxing, feel-good space for our
visitors. We’re confident that what we’ve
got planned will provide a high-quality
shopping experience for shoppers.
‘A nicer shopping environment will
help to keep Tunbridge Wells a vibrant
place to visit, and help us to continue
to attract great retailers to the centre. It
has also created over 70 new jobs in the
community and we are working with a
number of local companies to deliver the
plans.’
15
FINANCE

Statement of Accounts for 2018/19

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has one Income and Expenditure
of the lowest levels of Council Tax and
2017/18 2018/19 2019/20
provides your services for the lowest cost
Actual Actual Budget
to the tax payer per household, in Kent.
Government spending power statistics Directorates £000’s £000’s £000’s
show that we deliver all of your services
Chief Executive 179 203 169
for just £239 of tax (including government
funding) per dwelling (£233 in 2017/18). Finance, Policy &
4,378 2,376 2,949
Development
Every year we have our accounts audited Change & Communities 9,815 10,551 9,383
and for the tenth year running have
delivered a clean audit. In their 2018/19 Net Cost of Services 14,372 13,130 12,501
Audit Findings Report, Grant Thornton Net Interest Receivable -852 -898 -795
(our auditors), said that the Council had
proper arrangements in all significant Government Grants -2,273 -7,993 -2,095
respects to ensure it delivered value for Council Tax Income -7,562 -7,957 -8,168
money and concludes that the Council has
made proper arrangements for securing Retained Business Rates
-4,533 -1,902 -2,335
economy, efficiency and effectiveness in (around 4% of total collected)
its use of resources. We are very proud that Transfer to/from Reserves 1,451 2,925 692
we have been recognised for our robust Asset Depreciation/
financial management and controls and -603 2,695 200
Impairment Adjustments
we have continued to provide value for
money for our residents. Fully Financed 0 0 0

Revenue Outturn for 2018/19 with comparator years

The full statement of accounts for
2018/19 was approved on 25 July.
You can find it on our website at
tunbridgewells.gov.uk (under Council/
Finance and Budgets). Our Net Cost of
Services for the year was £13.13 million
(full details can be seen in the June
2019 Cabinet papers), which was £216k
under budget. This was the result of our
consistently tight control of costs over
the year. All costs of services were fully
financed from Council Tax, grants and
investment income.
The table above shows that the net cost
of providing your services decreased by
£1,242,000 between 2017/18 and 2018/19.
This is due to a number of efficiencies
made and increases in income through
fees and charges. These efficiencies are also
forecast into the 2019/20 budget. Both the
2017/18 and 2018/19 actual costs include
the Property Development Programme
where the Council was obtaining the
appropriate expertise to produce business
and development cases for various sites
around the borough.
We also received some additional
Government Grants in 2018/19 from our
participation in a Kent-wide 100% business
rates retention pilot. All the Kent authorities
formed a pool for business rates and were
allowed to keep 100% of any business rates
growth surplus, providing they agreed to
forego some existing grants. This resulted
in an additional £1,658,000 of income.
The Council grants business rates relief
to businesses in the borough as directed
by government, and they compensate the
Council for this relief. The compensation
rules change every year, but in 2018/19
government increased the relief given to
businesses and the Council was given
£1,764,000 in compensation.
Government removed our Revenue
Support Grant entirely in 2018/19,
considering that we should be able to
raise sufficient additional funding to cover
inflation, for example, from Council Tax
and local fees and charges. The Council
has continued to make savings and has
avoided compromising services to the
public to any great extent. Contracts have
been re-tendered, partnership agreements
have been entered into, efficiencies have
been made and assets used to better effect.
We are constantly pursuing productivity
and efficiency, whilst maintaining service
innovation in our efforts to balance the
revenue budget.

16
 FINANCE

Capital Expenditure for 2018/19

We spent £13 million on capital investments At the Extraordinary Full Council meeting We have £128 million of property,
in the year. This was over a range of projects on 8 October 2019 Members decided to plant and equipment, heritage and
as can be seen below. £0.92m was funded stop the Calverley Square project. The software assets that can be utilised.
by grants or developer contributions, and impact of this decision is that the sum of The challenge is to use them to their very
£1.89m from the sale of surplus land. £4.974m spent in 2018/19 will need to best effect in delivering your services. We
This year we also invested £3.4m of the be funded from Useable Reserves, rather also have £24 million in reserves (although
Council’s reserves on these investments, than borrowing. The additional income and now £19 million due to Calverley Square)
some to improve facilities for the people of savings earmarked to fund the borrowing that were largely created when we sold
the borough and some to generate revenue for Calverley Square can now be used our housing stock to the Town & Country
for the Council into the future to help offset to balance the revenue budget without Housing Group. These reserves are either
government funding cuts. reliance on New Homes Bonus (funding invested, the interest supporting the revenue
given by government to reward the delivery budget, or are put to use creating new
of new houses) which government is now capital assets or delivering new initiatives,
suggesting may not continue. rather than just supporting existing services
until they run out.
Capital Balance
Expenditure Sheet
2018/19 2018/19
£000's £000's
Calverley Square 4,974 Council Assets 127,981 We used income from a film
Crescent Road Car Cash & Cash Equivalents 7,339
company using the Nevill, to
1,934
Park Refurbishment
Investments Net of
renovate the outfield at the cricket
16,028
Property Acquisition 1,785 Borrowing ground. We scarified, top-dressed
Strategic Land Acquisition 1,050 Money Owed to the and reseeded to improve drainage
-15,594
Council
Disabled Facilities Grants 924 of the playing surface for all users.
Money Owed by the
16,222
Cultural Hub/Amelia Scott 559 Council
Capital Grants Receipts in
Public Realm Improvements 445 -1,163
Advance
RVP Car Park Extractor Fans 296 Long Term Pension
- 54,473
Liability
21st Century Way
205
Cycle Route Net Assets 96,340 We helped over 70 people remain
Other Smaller Projects 834 Usable Reserves 24,413 independent in their own homes
Total Capital Investment 13,006 Unusable Reserves 71,927 by providing disabled facilities
Financed By: Total Reserves 96,430
grants, and assisted 100 people
Reserves 3,406
to be discharged from hospital
We do have a strong asset base as is
shown on the Balance Sheet above.
to a safe home. Over 30 rough
Government Grants 924
sleepers were helped off the
External and Developer
759 streets and we housed over
Contributions
Sale of Surplus Land 1,893 80 families who had become
Borrowing 6,204 homeless.
Total Financing 13,006

17
FINANCE
Council Tax and Business Rates Here’s how we spend some of your 48p
Collection
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council collects Council Tax on behalf Pence
of Kent County Council, the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Supporting Homeless People 0.04
Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the parishes in addition to the Environmental Protection & Taxi Licensing 0.04
amount it collects for itself. An average property in the borough
paid £1,709.15 for the year 2018/19 broken down as follows: Refuse Collection 0.06
Street Sweeping 0.04
Band D breakdown Parks & Woodlands 0.04
£'s % Community Grants & Centres 0.01
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 173.57 10% Economic Development 0.02
Kent Police and Crime 169.15 10% Planning Functions & Development Control 0.05
Commissioner
Community Safety & CCTV 0.01
Kent Fire & Rescue Service 75.51 5%
Museum & Art Gallery 0.02
Parishes 53.24 3%
Assembly Hall Theatre 0.03
Kent County Council 1,237.68 72%
Total 1,709.15 100% The accounts below show that we billed for £77 million of Council
Tax in the year and had to make provision for only £222,000
This means that the cost per average household per day is: not to be recovered. This shows that we recover well over 99%
of the Council Tax due. Our Revenues and Benefits team work
incredibly hard to achieve this recovery rate and pursue all debts
wherever possible.
e gh
r i dg rou Collection Fund
nb Bo
Tu ells cil 2018/19
£000's
W oun
8 p C Balance 1 April 2018 1,611
4
Income from Council Tax 77,342
Kent Kent Bad & Doubtful Debts Provision (222)
County 46p Police
Council Authority Total Income Available 78,731
£3.39
21p Ke Apportionment of Council Tax
n
14
p & Ret Fire Kent County Council (56,370)
Pa sc ue
ris Kent Police Authority (7,702)
To he Kent Fire & Rescue (3,441)
tal s
cost .68
per day £4 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (10,347)

Total Paid (77,860)

Balance 31 March 2019 871
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council gets only 48p per day of the
Council Tax you pay and for this we provide many, many services,
some of which you may be aware of and some you might not.

18

In 2013/14 government changed the way
in which business rates are administered.
Whilst the vast majority of business rates
recovered still go to government, there
is now the opportunity to share in any
business rates growth from 2013/14. This
growth is shared amongst, Kent County
Council, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and
the Council. This has helped us to offset
some of the reductions in Central Grants to
date. However, the government continues
to change the scheme, the amounts
chargeable to businesses for business
rates, and the law surrounding business
rate appeals, so we now also hold some
funds in reserves to protect our budget, and
therefore our services, in case our business
rates income is reduced in the future.
It is important to note that this Council has
lost £4.6 million through cuts to its Revenue
Support Grant which previously helped to
fund local services. The ability to fund these
services depends on the Council being
able to replace this central government
funding with a share of business rates from
growing the local economy. This Council
recognised the need to become financially
self-sufficient very early on and set about
a strategy of growing the local economy
through investing in culture and leisure,
which in turn provided confidence to the
private sector to also invest substantial sums
into the local economy. This strategy has
resulted in more income from business
rates growth being retained locally, and it
is hoped that the Royal Victoria Place and
Amelia Scott developments will continue
to support future growth.
Night Safety
When the days are short and sunshine
seems a distant memory, safety is a key
priority if you’re out at dawn, dusk or
after dark - whether that’s walking to
work or school, using public transport or
cycling, or heading out to walk the dog
or go for a run.
FINANCE
Help Set the
Budget for
2020/21
Every year we aim to set a balanced
budget that reflects the services you want
whilst fulfilling our statutory obligations.
With the ever-reducing grants from November saw the launch of the TN2
government prioritisation is a key part Health Walk in the Sherwood area of
of the budget process. Like all councils, Tunbridge Wells in partnership with One
Tunbridge Wells is facing further You Kent and the Greggswood Medical
reductions and will not be receiving a Centre. The health walk sets off every
grant this year. The ability to fund local Wednesday at 11am from the TN2 Centre.
services is now dependent on growing
the local economy and sharing in the
Want to get more active?
proceeds of business rate growth.
We’re here to help.
Walking is a great way to get fit, explore
Therefore, we would appreciate your what’s on your doorstep and make new
views to help form decisions for the friends. Join one of our free and friendly
2020/21 budget and would be very short walks today.
grateful if you could complete our online
budget consultation survey. We’re keen Are you interested in becoming a Walk
to hear from as many residents as possible Leader? Contact our team to find out more
as well as businesses and interest groups. about our volunteering opportunities
The link to the survey will be available on Call the Tunbridge Wells Health Team
our website from Monday 2 December on: 01892 554411 or email: health
2019 at tunbridgewells.gov.uk
tunbridgewells.gov.uk/consultations
Please complete the survey before 31
December 2019. We will store your
data in line with TWBC’s data protection
policy.
Thank you for taking part.
At this time of year it’s really important Road safety is a priority for the
that walkers, runners and cyclists are Community Safety Partnership for
visible. That means lights and high- 2019/20 and they have a programme
Are you interested in becoming a Walk Leader? Contact our
visibility or reflective clothing, and of of activities in support of this. Search
team to find out more about our volunteering opportunities.
course a helmet for cyclists. Even if you’re Community Safety Partnership Plan on
Call the
in an area with street Tunbridge
lighting thereWells
mayHealth Team on: 01892 554411
the Council’s website.
or email:
be dark spots, so make health@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
sure you can be
seen. Reflective armbands over clothing,
reflective stickers or strips all help to
make you stand out in a good way!
19
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Whether you are looking for a little extra help in the 26 Grosvenor Road
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Councillor Ronen Basu
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death
of Cabinet member, Councillor Dr Ronen Basu in
September.
Many residents met Ronen when he and his wife Sue
served as Mayor and Mayoress in 2013. Among other
things, he will be remembered as one of the driving forces
behind re-establishing Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom
which has gone on to win so many awards.
Those who knew Ronen
described him as a very
nice man, a good friend and
always a pleasure to spend
time with.
Council member for
Paddock Wood (West)
Matthew Bailey has taken
over as Cabinet member for
Sustainability.
Hard Work Bears Golden Fruit
for Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom
It’s been another successful year for
Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom
and the campaign scooped up lots
of awards in the South and South
East in Bloom competition.
Both Dunorlan Park and Tunbridge Wells
Common were category winners, and
the RHS Parks and Greenspaces award
was given to Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.
The judges gave a special award to the
residents of Sherbourne Close for
making this ‘a very pleasant
place both for the residents
and visitors to enjoy’.
The local in Bloom
competition received an
amazing 264 entries from
residents and businesses, and
there were 11 school competition
entries for the garden competition and
hundreds to the Bee Art competition.
COMMUNITY
The Draft Local Plan
In the autumn edition of Local A revised version of the Local
we featured the Draft Local Plan. Plan, taking account of comments
Since then, the programme of received, is due to be prepared by
exhibitions around the borough next Autumn. At this point there
has taken place, with very good will be a further opportunity for
attendances and lots of questions representations to be made, before
to planning officers. The public it is submitted for independent
consultation period on the Draft examination. More detail about
Local Plan was extended from six this and the Plan’s progress will be
weeks to eight weeks to allow available on the Council’s website
people more time to absorb the and in future editions of Local.
material and make comments.
This extended period closed on The Local Plan is the document
15 November and we are now which eventually, when adopted,
processing all the comments will set out the Council’s planning
received. strategy up to 2036. It will identify
development sites and new and
Thank you to everyone who has updated planning policies against
shown an interest in the Local which future planning applications
Plan and for contributing to its will be determined.
preparation by responding to the
consultation.
Ther
recog e was wid
Too many winners to mention here, but Tunb nitio er
ridge n for Roy
a nod to John and Sandra O'Callaghan W e lls in al
with
and Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre at the a Gold m Bloom
n ed
who were Champion of Champions, Bloom ational Br al
c om i tain i
credi n
residential and commercial respectively. t to th petition –
Well done too to St John’s Church e h a a
of all rd
involv work
of England Primary who won Best ed.
School, and Southborough Pre-school
for their Tallest Giant Beanstalk!
Alongside the competitions there
were two Open Garden events
which together raised over
£2,000 for both the campaign
and Hospice in the Weald.
Next year Royal Tunbridge
Wells in Bloom celebrates Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre (left)
its tenth anniversary. Why not John and Sandra O’Callaghan (right)
join in the competition and help Champion of Champions 2019
celebrate ten years of making Royal
Tunbridge Wells a lovely place. Bee artwork by Eleanor
from St James’ Junior School
21
AWARDS
The Winners Showing Why We
Love Where We Live
The winners of this year’s Love Where
We Live Awards were announced
in a memorable ceremony at the
Assembly Hall Theatre in October.
120 guests attended the presentation
of the eight community awards
including Ethical Business, Best
Group and Charity of the Year.
We were delighted to welcome the
This Is Us Youth Dance Company to
start the evening with a moving and
inspiring performance. This Is Us is
an inclusive local dance group that
works with disabled and non-disabled
children to give young people
access to the arts in a friendly
and welcoming environment.
22
With over 150 nominations across
the seven Love Where We Live
award categories, the judges had the
unenviable task of selecting three
finalists for each award prior to the
ceremony. In film-star style the winners
of each award were revealed from a
gold envelope before they were invited
on stage to receive their prize.
This year, Ben West was announced as
the overall 2019 Love Where We Live
Award winner, as well as being the
winner of the Young Volunteer of the
Year award. Ben, along with his family,
set up the Sam West Foundation after his
younger brother tragically took his own
life in 2018. Ben has gone on to become
a campaigner for young people’s mental
health issues, establishing initiatives such
as Project Walk to Talk and launching
a petition, Save our Students, which
aims to press the government to make
mental health awareness training a
compulsory part of teacher training.
This Is Us Youth Dance Company
 AWARDS

Ethical Business - Goupie

Janet Simpson has endeavoured to make Goupie, the Goudhurst-based chocolate company,
a company that does not cost the earth physically, or metaphorically. With flexible working
hours for the team, 100% recyclable packaging, compostable bags and locally-sourced
ingredients, Janet has made Goupie into as ethical a business as possible across all aspects of
the company.

Best Group - Special Educational Needs

Support Tunbridge Wells
SENS Tunbridge Wells was formed ten months ago to offer support and advice to parents of
children with Special Educational Needs. The parents helped so far feel less overwhelmed
with anxiety, fear, anger and guilt and instead feel empowered and supported.

Sports Achiever - Rita Weeks

Rita has tirelessly headed the Tunbridge Wells netball league for over 32 years and is now
retiring. Rita and her husband have organised all the teams and dedicated four nights a week,
come rain or shine, to allow the teams to play in a fun, friendly league.

Young Sports Achiever - Harley Curtis-Lawrence

Harley is an acrobatic gymnast who, at 11 years of age, has moved from the development
programme in his sport to the Federation of International Gymnastics - a much higher level,
which has gymnasts up to the age of 18. Despite facing injury this year, Harley has been selected
to trial to represent the GB squad at the European Championships in Israel later this year.

Individual Hero - Eugene Gardner

Eugene is the driving force behind Rusthall Community Cinema. Eugene’s vision and ability
to enthuse others has created a thriving club with over 75 people attending each film show.
Without Eugene the cinema would not have started and would not be running successfully for
the benefit of the local community.

Charity of the Year - Crossways Community

Crossways Community is a Tunbridge Wells mental health charity that wanted to share their
knowledge and support with the local community. To this end in January 2019 they opened a
new community café on Camden Road, The Kitchen Table. The Kitchen Table is a café open
to everyone but with a special focus on those suffering poor mental health and those who
support them.

Sports Training and Equipment awards were presented to the four runners-
up in the sports categories - Alexander Faulkner,
Suzi Rich, Rusthall Victors FC Under 10s and Michael Talebi.

The Love Where We Live Awards would not be possible without the
generous and continuing support of our sponsors - Town and Country
Foundation, Fusion Lifestyle, Trinity Theatre, Kent and Sussex
Courier, LMW Support Services and King Charles’ School Old Boys’
Association.

The full list of this year’s finalists can be found at

lovewherewelive.co.uk

To find out more about the This Is Us Dance Company please

visit thisisusdance.co.uk
23
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This Month We Celebrate
25 Years of Fairtrade
From small beginnings to an inspired vision for trade justice
and an international movement for social change
Twenty five years ago a crash in world
coffee prices, which caused terrible
hardship for coffee farmers around
the world, became the catalyst for the
formation of the Fairtrade Foundation.
A group of organisations, including
Christian Aid, The Women’s Institute,
CAFOD, `Traidcraft and Oxfam, got
together to tackle the crisis. They
introduced a minimum price, ensuring
farmers in the Fairtrade system were
paid a fair price, plus a premium for
community and business development.
We are now celebrating 25 years since
products bearing the Fairtrade mark
were first launched in the UK. From
these modest beginnings in 1994, this
mark is now visible on around 5,000
Fairtrade-certified products, ranging from
foods such as tea, coffee, chocolate and
bananas to flowers, footballs and even
gold. How amazing is that?
The people of Tunbridge Wells have
played their part in this demand for
ethical goods, including their involvement
in the Fairtrade Town campaign which
began in 2003. Thanks to the incredible
commitment of retailers, shoppers, cafes,
schools, churches, community groups,
businesses and the Council, Fairtrade
Town status was awarded in 2007. The
ongoing support for Fairtrade in the town
helps to maintain this status and we can
be proud of our involvement in the rise of
this fantastic social movement.
Today over 1.66 million farmers and
workers around the world benefit from
sales of Fairtrade products, both directly
through fair wages and better working
conditions, or indirectly via an additional
sum of money that goes directly to the
community, the Fairtrade Premium. By
choosing Fairtrade we are giving farmers
the hope and reality to help them out of
poverty. This is certainly something to
celebrate.
Why not get involved?
Fairtrade Fortnight
24 February – 8 March 2020.
Despite the celebration of 25 years of
Fairtrade, there are still millions of farmers
struggling with poverty and the ongoing
difficulties of climate change and volatile
prices. People such as cocoa farmers who
continue to earn as little as 74p a day.
Since global market prices for cocoa (and
coffee) crashed in 2017, the farmers who
grow these crops have been receiving
historically low returns and cannot pay
for life’s basics.
FAIRTRADE
However, we know that Fairtrade has the
power to bring positive change to the
lives of impoverished farmers. Changes
like clean water, schooling, better
business, climate change mitigation. This
is why we continue to work to promote
Fairtrade.
The theme for Fairtrade Fortnight in
2020 will be on ‘Fairtrade cocoa, living
incomes and the role of women farmers’.
The Fairtrade Town group are always
happy to welcome new members so get
in touch, contact the Fairtrade Town
group, let’s make Fairtrade Fortnight
bigger and better than ever before.
Our Vision for the Borough
of Tunbridge Wells
We want to expand the Fairtrade Town
campaign and become a Fairtrade
borough. As such we are keen to work
with schools, businesses, community
groups, faith groups, sports clubs and like-
minded individuals. There are currently
no Fairtrade schools in the borough -
perhaps a school you know could be the
first. We also need a Fairtrade Flagship
Employer; do you know a business who
would like to take a stand for Fairtrade
farmers? If we work together we can
achieve Fairtrade borough status.
Contact:
twfairtrade.org.uk
contact@twfairtrade.org.uk
25
ENTERTAINMENT

Assembly Hall Theatre

Winter 2019 | Guide
For all the latest shows and events or to join our
mailing list to receive news, information and show
announcements, including our digital brochure,
visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
And don’t forget to follow us on social media
AssemblyHallTheatre ahttw
AssemblyHallTheatre

Circus of Horrors
Monday 27 January

Lost in Music
Thursday 30 January

TEDx
Saturday 1 February

Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra

Opera Gala
Sunday 2 February
Saturday 7 December – Sunday 5 January
Milton Jones
Flying into Tunbridge Wells for Christmas 2019 is the Milton: Impossible
swash-buckling adventure guaranteed to have you hooked! Wednesday 5 February

The King is Back

Starring Paul Bradley (Holby City), Quinn Patrick (Tunbridge Ben Portsmouth is Elvis
Wells’ favourite dame), Lloyd Warbey (Disney’s Art Attack),
Thursday 6 February
Holly Atterton (Nick Junior’s Go Go Go)
and Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks).
We Love Little Mix
Saturday 8 February

Honky Tonk Angels

Think Floyd
Thursday 9 January
Saturday 8 February

26
 ENTERTAINMENT

The Take That Experience

Friday 20 March

Noble Jacks
Live in Concert
Saturday 28 March
Russian State Opera
Aida
Monday 30 March
German Cornejo’s Tango Fire Giovanni Pernice
Friday 14 February This Is Me
Wednesday 1 April
Jimmy Carr Vienna Festival Ballet
Terribly Funny Swan Lake
Wednesday 26 February Friday 3 April
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Thank You For The Music Thomas Gould
Thursday 27 February Sunday 5 April

Burn the Floor

ELO Again Anything You Can Do...
Friday 28 February
Wednesday 15 April

Believe
The Cher Songbook
Saturday 29 February
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Martin James Bartlett
Sunday 1 March

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

A Tina Turner Tribute
Friday 6 March

Havana Nights
Saturday 7 March Agatha Christie’s
The Mousetrap
Boyzlife Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 April
Thursday 12 March
The scene is set when a group of people gathered in a
Henning Wehn country house cut off by the snow discover, to their horror,
Get On With It that there is a murderer in their midst. Who can it be?
Friday 13 March
27
ENTERTAINMENT

Beyond the Barricade The Counterfeit Stones

Sunday 26 April Friday 29 May

Jools Holland and his

The Bootleg Beatles
Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Thursday 11 June
Wednesday 29 – Thursday 30 April

The Meatloaf Songbook

Saturday 18 July

Luther UK
A Luther Vandross Celebration
Friday 18 September

The World Famous Elvis Show

Saturday 19 September

The Magic of Motown

Friday 2 October

Tim Vine is Plastic Elvis Bowie Experience

Friday 1 May Saturday 3 October

Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra Jason Donovan

Mozart & Bruckner Even More Good Reasons
Sunday 3 May Tuesday 13 October
Hello Again Legend
The Story of Neil Diamond The Music of Bob Marley
Wednesday 6 May Saturday 14 November

28
 ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesdays
4.30 – 6pm
For residents
aged 8-16yrs
Free to attend
TN2 Centre
Greggs Wood road
Tunbridge Wells
TN2 3LZ

SHERWOOD YOUTH DRAMA

14 JANUARY – 11 FEBRUARY
25 FEBRUARY – 24 MARCH

29
 Help local good causes,
and you could be our next
£25,000 jackpot winner!
How it works
TW Lotto is a weekly online lottery with the winning
numbers for that week drawn each Saturday at 8pm
Each ticket costs £1 and consists of six numbers. The more
numbers you match on your ticket the bigger the prize. With
60p in every £1 going to good causes, it’s a great way to support
their fundraising, and you choose who you’d like to help.

You are notified by e-mail when you win.

TWLotto.co.uk
MG Homes 114x192 advert 11.19.qxp_MG Homes 114x192 advert 11.19 01/11/2019 17:39 Page 1

Care as
individual
as you

When you choose a care home, you want to find somewhere that feels just like home.
Both our family-run care homes, Warwick Park, in Tunbridge Wells, and Little Court, in Speldhurst, just on the
outskirts, are small enough to be friendly and welcoming, while still delivering the very highest standards of
nursing care.
For more information, please call 01892 864429 or email admin@mghomes.co.uk
www.mghomes.co.uk