LOCAL

www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk

The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council magazine Spring 2012

Celebrate 2012 ...meet Will Bayley inside

Inside:

Vote for your better broadband!

Matthew Davies talks farmers markets 2012 In Bloom

BE INSPIRED / PART-TIME UNIVERSITY COURSES IN TONBRIDGE

Our Summer Course programme from May 2012 allows you to explore a subject purely for interest
Subjects include Art History, Literature, Creative Writing and History

We plan to introduce an MA in English from September 2012

Please contact us to register your interest

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Please contact us for more information:

Everyone at the Tonbridge Centre is friendly and helpful, and the whole environment is supportive and nonthreatening. Ive made new friends. It has opened my mind to new ideas and Ive learnt things I hadnt expected to. It has most definitely exceeded my expectations. Im hooked! Now that Ive achieved my degree, Ive begun an MA.
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Here we are again its spring and were about to see the clocks move forward to British Summer Time. A Year of Celebrations is well underway with free sports and cultural activities being tried out by hundreds of our residents. If you havent yet, you can still join in - visit www. tunbridgewellscelebrates.co.uk for more information.

There are street parties planned to help celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee in June and beacons will be lit throughout the borough to mark the occasion... and we still have the Olympics and Paralympics to look forward to - thats in the next issue! STOP PRESS!!! Sainsburys Sports Relief Mile is coming to Tunbridge Wells on 25 March! Sign up now to enter and help raise money at: www.sportrelief.com

Keep the healthy new year going

4 5 8

Broadway or Tunbridge Wells?

13 15

Tunbridge Wells Farmers Market is special because...

22

A year of celebrations with Will Bayley

How to become a Councillor

Not going out? Over 90 events in town

26

Who benefits from Council grants?

Help us to improve our website

20 21

Vote to improve your broadband now!

28

Tunbridge Wells is Traffic Aware find out more

CONTENTS
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Welcome to your Spring issue of Local!

Healthy new year!

The Communities & Health Team are running their successful healthy lifestyle programmes again this spring. With support from qualified professionals there has never been a better time to start making lifestyle changes. Make 2012 your healthiest year yet!

WEIGHT FOR IT!

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council also delivers a weight management programme for adults called Weight For It! Weight For It! is a FREE ten week programme for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 28 who want to make a lifestyle change by altering the way they think about food and exercise. This group is led by a qualified nutritionist and a fitness professional. One hour meetings are held each week for ten consecutive weeks. Each session covers a different topic and includes a presentation to the group with handouts, leaflets, recipes and the chance to discuss any specific issues. Participants also have the opportunity to try some new exercises, ones they take away and do at home to help them with their lifestyle change. Additional follow-on groups are also available to help keep you on track after you have completed the ten weeks. Both the MEND and Weight For It! programmes are coordinated by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, in partnership with NHS West Kent. For more information and to book, please call The Communities & Health Team on 01892 554411 or e-mail health@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

MEND
MEND stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it! It is a ten-week FREE after-school healthy weight programme, run for children aged seven to 13 who are above their ideal weight. It works with the whole family to promote healthy eating and regular exercise, helping to improve the lives of local people. During the course, participants have the opportunity to find out how different foods affect the body, how to make sense of food labelling, healthy portion sizes and to try their hand at a range of exercises. Most importantly it is run in a supportive, non-pressured environment with other families who are keen to lead healthier lifestyles. MEND is a national initiative developed by Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health.

Celebrate with Will

A hotly-tipped medal favourite for the Paralympics later this year, table tennis player and local resident Will Bayley is supporting the 2012 celebrations programme planned for the borough.
Ranked number one in the world in January this year, Will was crowned European Champion in Croatia last October, beating the then World No1 in the final 3-1! Its through Wills passion, hard work and determination that hes achieved so much and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is more than delighted that hes agreed to be an ambassador for our own 2012 Year of Celebrations. We know a fair amount about Will; he was born with a rare congenital disorder affecting the development of his limbs. At the age of eight, he was diagnosed with cancer and during his recovery his grandmother bought him a table tennis table to keep him active. He took to the game quickly and began playing competitively at the age of 12. By 14, he was representing the Kent mens able-bodied team. Will always knew he wanted to represent the country and when friend, and Paralympics player, Joe Stotesbury suggested that Will should also try for the team, Wills immediate response was: But I can play table tennis just like anybody else! Theres nothing wrong with me! Having thought it through, Will knew that this would be a fantastic opportunity to represent Team GB. A gruelling qualification programme allowed Will to realise that playing at this level is much more about ability than disability, and being able to deliver that ability to the highest standard possible. Representing Great Britain at the Olympics means everything to me. People have said that they must get tickets for the final, but I just dont think they understand its not easy for me to say that Ill be there. It is only the top 15 players that get selected for the team out of the however many there are, and you have to fight to get your place. Its not just about playing well. You need the experience to play better than the best at all times at this level. Im looking forward to playing in London this year and Im really hoping the home crowd will help and provide the support Im going to need. It was difficult in Beijng (2008) because its such a massive national sport out there and their home crowd would boo and cheer as if it were a football match.

What I do know is that when I get to the Olympics, I will have trained and prepared as much and as hard as I can. Even getting to London as part of Team GB, Ill feel like a winner and Ill know in my heart that Ive done everything I can to get me there. To read the full interview with the amazing and inspirational Will Bayley please visit: www.tunbridgewellscelebrates. co.uk. If you are not a Twitterer do sign up and follow Wills progress @WillBayleytt or to read more visit his website at: www.willbayleytt.com. You could even send him and Team GB your support for London 2012!

Blooming Tunbridge Wells goes for gold

The Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom Campaign for 2012 has started in earnest and the team in this prestigious Olympic year are GOING FOR GOLD.
The Campaign aims to: Improve the green town environment and raise awareness about issues Bring community theand enter thetogether to undertake a range of projects gardening competition

Whilst the campaignisis named In Bloom it

much more than flowers recycling and green issues together with standards of cleanliness are vitally important

Last year the town entered the Regional In Bloom competition and were awarded coveted RHS medals, Gold for Dunorlan and a Silver Gilt for the town. Campaigners aim to build on this result for 2012. Groups, businesses and individuals can be involved through: Entering the gardens competition that has seven categories where the judging follows the RHS medals criteria. Why not join us and go for your own gold? There are many sponsorship opportunities for all businesses that want to support the environment and local community. All levels of contributions will be very welcome and will attract marketing benefits. To date, large contributions have been secured from TWBC, Cory Environmental and Sodexo Land Technology, but we need more. A wide range of projects for all abilities and interests will be organised via the In Bloom campaign and our partners. These include Kent High Weald Partnership and the network of Friends Groups. From planting, hedge laying, making bird boxes and baskets, to spring cleans and corporate business days. Come and meet new people and learn new skills. Schools have their own competition and we encourage everyone to enter with a special award for the best newcomer and many links to the teaching curriculum. For more information visit our website www. royaltunbridgewellsinbloom. org.uk or contact Paul Meek on 01892 554031.

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Youth Paddock Wood affiliation

YPW has been fully affiliated to Kent Youth, a charitable organisation that supports youth groups across the county. Affiliation is gained by putting the correct policies in place to ensure the safety of the young people who attend.
YPW is run solely by volunteers and, with support from the Paddock Wood Community Partnership, the team prepared and adopted the following documents:

Child Protection Policy Risk Assessments Safeguarding Children Code of Behaviour Equal Opportunities Statement Complaints Procedure In addition, the groups commitment to having all helpers CRB checked is also a requirement of Kent Youth. Now that the policies are in place it will ensure all volunteers are prepared and know exactly how to handle issues that arise. YPW meets on Thursday evenings in term-time and, with support from Succeed, has been running since 2009. The group gives young people in the area a regular place to meet their friends in a safe environment. A wide range of activities are provided to give them the opportunity to try something different and learn new skills. Kent Youth was established in 1936 and operates throughout Kent and Medway. It provides training, advice, support, activities and resources to over 200 affiliated youth clubs, groups and organisations as well as delivering face to face programmes with some of the harder to reach groups. Over 18,000 children and young people and 1,500 adult leaders are involved in affiliated clubs each week.

Council grants supp

The Bridge Trust 20 years of helping the homeless
Twenty years ago a group of like-minded people recognised a need in the local community and they were determined to do something about it. They saw that local homeless people had no prospect of finding anywhere to live, as they were often very vulnerable and had run out of options. So, enlisting the support of local authorities for help, advice and guidance, The Bridge Trust was formed to provide a bridge from homelessness to independent living.
Over the years, the trust has developed into an effective and respected local organisation, with an impressive track record for a small, local charity. Its difficult to say precisely how many people we have helped as records in the early days were not as complete as the statistics we keep now, but a ball-park figure would be around 600 people given a home and perhaps another 4,000 people we have helped with advice, mediation, outreach and so forth. The Bridge Trust has always majored on accommodation services and currently runs five residential properties in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. We house up to 23 otherwise homeless people at any one time and an average of 35 to 40 people each year. Our client group is single homeless adults those who fall outside of the priority need category so cannot get housing from the local councils. We believe that providing a normal home, based within the heart of the community, is a key part of helping people get involved with and become part of, our society a society that has often rejected them. Providing a home is only the start. Alongside the bricks and mortar, we provide that key ingredient of support. Each of our residents has a dedicated support worker who works with them to facilitate and empower them to retake control of their lives, set their own goals and ultimately to become independent once more or sometimes for the very first time. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has always been supportive of our work as although our office is based in Tonbridge, most of our housing projects are actually based in

Tunbridge Wells. Our largest house, (remembered by some as the old Night Stop) is leased from TWBC and together with the Councils Community Grants programme, gives us a platform and some security to grow our much-needed services. We have provided financial workshops, careers advice, life-coaching and computer skills training, as well as social events such as an art workshop and even a Chinese cooking night. Continued funding via the Community Grant will allow us to press ahead with phase 2 of that project and provide our residents with even more opportunities in the coming year. We anticipate a time of significant changes ahead, not least welfare and benefit reforms that are already affecting both us and our clients. We have therefore been working hard on our future strategy to make sure that what we do, where we do it and who we do it for, remains effective and relevant to the community in Tunbridge Wells and most importantly to the individual people we seek to help.

p o r t local cha r i t i e s
Relate West & Mid Kent
Relate is nationally recognised as the leading specialist in relationship counselling, providing help and support for all types of relationships at all stages, from cradle to grave, from formation to separation. Our main focus is the quality and health of relationships, providing help and support for marriage, co-habitation, same sex relationships, children, family, individuals and couples.
Until a problem in our relationship becomes unmanageable, it may be that an organisation such as Relate is not one that we are aware of. However, it is quite probable tht we all know of someone, or are related to someone, who has had relationship difficulties in th past or who is currently experiencing them. Last year alone in West & Mid Kent, almost 3,000 appointments were attended at our centre/s, of which 1,500 were in Tunbridge Wells. As the number of appointments attended per client/s varies, this number of appointments equates to approximately 275 people. Client evaluation forms completed for West & Mid Kent during 2010-2011 show that: 89% say Relate relationshiphas strengthened their 97% say with they are more able to as deal relationship difficulties a result Funding support received from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council last year has helped contribute towards us being able to increase the skills of our counsellors, enabling them to work with more complex relationship issues. Domestic violence, alcohol problems, anger, abuse and trauma are all issues that are becoming more and more common in the counselling room, and with more counsellors equipped to deal with these issues we are able to reach and help more people experiencing these problems. We help people make those personal changes, which enable them to engage in committed and loving relationships for the benefit of themselves, their families and society. In Tunbridge Wells our services include relationship counselling (individuals and couples), family counselling, young peoples counselling (ages 5 21 years), psychosexual therapy and Relparent (a consultation service for those contemplating separation to help minimise the impact on children). Our work can prevent break up where couples seek support at an early stage, as well as saving enormous upset when a relationship is beyond saving, thus reducing the fall out, and helping children, often victims in these situations, come to terms with the situation. Our work deals with unaddressed conflict which can be damaging and can lead to problems like anti-social behaviour, homelessness, truancy, drugs and alcoholism, and we work to improve emotional and mental wellbeing. Established over 75 years ago, Relate has over 70 centres nationally. We have been in Tunbridge Wells for over 25 years. Referrals to our service are predominantly self-referrals, but we also receive them from GP practices, social services, schools and other charitable and voluntary organisations. We do charge for our services; the cost of a counselling appointment will vary according to whether you attend during the day, or in the evening. Bursaries may be available in certain circumstances and further details are available on application.

For further information on any of Relates services please call: 01892 529927 or e-mail: appointments@ westmidkent.eclipse.co.uk or visit www.relate.org.uk.

Dipping in at Dunorlan Park

To help make the most out of your visit to Dunorlan Park a new FREE resource has been created, which is aimed to be fun and educational at the same time.
A super new pond dipping kit is now available for use at Dunorlan Park.

Nominated anyone for an award yet?

The deadline for nominations is only a few weeks away.
So hurry you have until 9 April 2012 to choose your category and send nominations to: LoveWhereWeLive@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk Alternatively, send them through the post to Lizzie Goodwin, TWBC, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RS We did a feature in the last edition of Local, but if youd like a reminder, visit www. tunbridgewells.gov.uk or call Lizzie on 01892 554273. Could 2012 be the year for someone you know to receive a Love Where We Live Award? Let us know now!

The kit includes nets, trays, identification sheets, activities, fun things to do and even health and safety advice its all you need get the most out of your self-led pond dipping experience! Any organised groups can book the kit free of charge through Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils Parks Team on 01892 554031. The top pond in Dunorlan Park has undergone somewhat of a face-lift recently. With leaks repaired, vegetation cut back, island restored and dipping platforms together with work tables installed around the pond. The free loanable pond dipping kit with fun things to do is also available on the Kent High Weald Partnership website at www.khwp.org.uk

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5 facts
about going digital

What is Succeed?
The Paddock Wood Community Partnership (PWCP), fondly known as Succeed, is made up of a committee of local volunteers working together to deliver many improvements identified in its Action Plan.
The Action Plan was published in March 2008 following in-depth research within the community. The Plan sets out actions that will make Paddock Wood a better place for those who live, work and play in the town and surrounding areas. Phase 1 of PWCPs improvements project is complete with Succeed investing and delivering the following: CCTV camera New Centre upgrades in the directional signs to the Town town centre Paddock Wood Business Paddock radio reduceWood crime scheme Association training courses to retail New equipment and activities Upgrades to the Succeed Youth Paddock Wood for website and special community Support for Play Paddock Wood activities

TV across the UK is going digital. Digital UK is the not-for-prot organisation responsible for leading the digital TV switchover.

1 2
3 4 5

The digital TV switchover is happening

Different areas switch at different times To nd out when you switch visit our predictive postcode checker at digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker or call us on 08456 50 50 50*

You dont have to buy a new TV

Almost all sets can be converted with a digital box However, if you are thinking of getting a new TV, look for one with the logo. This means its designed to work through switchover. The logo looks like this:

You can choose how you switch to digital

Providing independent advice. Prices vary depending on which service you choose. There are two ways of going digital: A one-off payment with services such as Freeview, Freesat from Sky or freesat A monthly subscription with services such as Sky TV, Virgin Media, BT Vision or Top Up TV

Switchover affects people with a Freeview service

Succeed would like to thank the following organisations for their funding and support: SEEDA and Kent Rural Towns ~ Big Lottery Fund Awards for All~ Paddock Wood Town Council ~ KCC Members Fund ~ KCC Childrens Centres ~ Tunbridge Wells Borough Council ~ Tunbridge Wells Community Safety Unit ~ Kent Youth Opportunities Fund ~ Southeastern We want to work with you. We have already carried out lots of research to find out what the people in Paddock Wood want and we are still listening. If you would like to get involved or tell us about something you think Paddock Wood needs, please contact us. Succeed contact info: Phone: 01892 837373 e-mail: pwcp@hotmail.co.uk Website www.paddockwood.org

If you have a Freeview service you will need to re-tune your digital TV or box at switchover TV channels sometimes move to new frequencies and go missing. Re-tuning will bring them back. To nd out how to re-tune visit digitaluk.co.uk/retuning

The Help Scheme and Digital UK are here to help

The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC and provides older and disabled people with everything they need to switch one TV to digital. For more information please visit helpshceme.co.uk Digital UK offers independent advice and information about switchover
DUK_5fgeneric_Dec10

Any questions? Please visit digitaluk.co.uk or call 08456 50 50 50*

*Calls are free for BT customers within inclusive calling plans. Call charges from other providers may vary. The standard business hours for Digital UKs contact centre are 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on a Saturday, Sunday closed. Opening hours will be extended during switchover in each area. Digital UK, PO Box 26833, Kirkcaldy, KY2 9AG.

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The last Diamond Jubilee

Because of the towns royal associations, the people of Tunbridge Wells have always been enthusiastic about celebrating national royal events.
This year sees the first

the Ringing of Joy Bells at St Peters Church. An hour later, the new Victoria Tower at St Johns Church was dedicated. At 10am popular Mayor Charles Fletcher Lutwidge serving his second term of office laid the foundation stone of the towns long-awaited indoor swimming baths in Monson Road. The official programme of events gave the Mayor only half an hour to complete the stone-laying ceremony and get to the Town Hall for the next stage in the days proceedings. The Town Hall had been specially decorated to exhibit an imposing look announcements beforehand promised that in the evening it will present a veritable blaze, as no fewer than 200 electric lamps will be hung from the building. Led by the Mayor, the Grand Procession wound its way through decorated streets of the town, finishing on the Commons Lower Cricket Ground having started at the Town Hall. At 12 noon a 21 gun royal salute was followed by a Great Public Demonstration, in which four thousand children will join, and sing the National Anthem, led by the Massed Bands. The afternoon saw old English sports, dancing on the green, a promenade concert by the borough band, and finally a magnificent display of fireworks, the gift of the Mayor. Celebrations continued on the night of 22 September, when a new bandstand was inaugurated in the Grove on Mount Sion with an illuminated fete, described in the press as almost Parisian in variety, beauty and extent. Over 7,000 coloured lamps and Chinese lanterns were, we are told, brought into service for the display, and the illuminations included special arches over the side and central walks, festoons of fire on and around the fine old trees, and huge lamp letters expressive of loyalty and patriotism near the half a dozen entrances.

Diamond Jubilee commemoration since 1897, when Tunbridge Wells joined the rest of the nation in celebrating 60 years of Queen Victorias reign. Local residents remembered with pride the then Queens childhood visits to the town, when she stayed with her mother in what is now the Hotel du Vin. Wanting to present a unique Jubilee gift to the Queen, the Council commissioned an illuminated address in an ornate mosaic frame by Tunbridge ware maker Thomas Barton. Jubilee Day, Tuesday 22 June, began at 8am with
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Assembly Hall Theatre The West End on your doorstep

Dont get stuck at the back of the queue, book now for our selection of smash-hit musicals, direct from the West End.
The legendary all-singing-and-dancing high school classic GREASE opens at the Assembly Hall Theatre in March, and the multi award-winning gangster glamour show CHICAGO arrives in May, closely followed by the legendary BLOOD BROTHERS in June. High demand for tickets for these productions is certain so be sure to book early. Skating legend Robin Cousins will swap the ice rink for the stage to guest star as Teen Angel in the smash hit musical GREASE for its limited one week season in Tunbridge Wells. The former Olympic champion and Dancing on Ice CHICAGO remains one of the sassiest, most stylish musicals on the London stage. Starring Ali Bastian (Hollyoaks, The Bill) as Roxie Hart, Stefan Booth (Eastenders) as Billy Flynn, Tupele Dorgu (Coronation Street) as Velma Kelly, and Bernie Nolan as Matron Mama Morton, the show has legs, dirty brass, and attitude enough, as any burlesque act will tell you, to leave a willing audience hot for more. With six Tony, two Olivier, one Grammy, two Bafta and six Academy Awards, CHICAGO truly is The sharpest, slickest show on the block The Times. Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi award-winning BLOOD BROTHERS. Hailed as one of the best musicals of all times, it tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grew up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.

judge will leave audiences hopelessly devoted to his charms. A magical trip down memory lane for those who saw the original and, with its timeless exuberance, it is bursting with denim, cheerleaders, slick hairstyles, rock n roll and a-wop-bop-a-loo-bop, a wopbam-boom!

GREASE: CHICAGO:

Monday 19 Saturday 24 March Tickets from 24 Monday 7 Saturday 12 May Tickets from 24

BLOOD BROTHERS: Tuesday 12 Saturday 16 June Tickets from 18 Remember to book early for these shows. Contact the Booking Office, Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2LU. 01892 530613/532072. Online booking: www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk. Parking is easy there is a large, multi-storey car park in Crescent Road with disabled car parking on the ground floor.
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Around 250 tasty meals delivered to your door. (Not all at once, that would be greedy!)
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We offer a choice of around 250 delicious dishes, including mini meals and desserts. All meals are delivered frozen by your friendly, local driver, ready to be stored in your freezer and cooked in minutes. Simply take a look at our FREE brochure and order over the phone or online. You can then enjoy free delivery to your door. Mealtimes taken care of - what could be easier?

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We are offering readers the chance to enjoy a free swim, gym workout and studio class with this exclusive reader offer. To trial our range of facilities simply complete the attached form and present to your local Tunbridge Wells Leisure Centre to activate your trial. We offer a great range of facilities and classes across Tunbridge Wells including pools, courts, gyms, sports halls, studio classes and much more!

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**By entering your details, you are agreeing that we may update you by email, mobile or post with exclusive offers and updates. We process your data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. We will not share your data with anyone else and you can opt out at any time. See our full terms and conditions and privacy policy online at www.fusion-lifestyle.com. The 3 day activity pass must be activated by 18 April 2012. Use of the pass is subject to availability. Valid for use at Putlands Sports and Leisure Centre, The Weald Sports Centre and Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre. Full terms and conditions available at www.fusion-lifestyle.com. Code: TWC4

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Elections

new by proxy to applications to voteexisting or change/cancel an

Borough and Parish Elections - Thursday 3 May 2012

Elections for Borough and Parish Councils are to be held on Thursday 3 May between 7am and 10pm. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council holds elections by thirds, therefore an election to elect a Borough Councillor will be held in the following Wards only: Benenden & Cranbrook Brenchley & Horsmonden Broadwater Capel Culverden Goudhurst & Lamberhurst Hawkhurst & Sandhurst Pantiles & St Marks Park Pembury Rusthall Sherwood Southborough & High Brooms Speldhurst & Bidborough St James St Johns There will be no elections in Frittenden & Sissinghurst, Southborough North, Paddock Wood West and Paddock Wood East. If there are enough candidates, elections will take place in the parishes of Brenchley, Capel, Hawkhurst, Horsmonden, Lamberhurst and Sandhurst to elect Councillors to the Parish Council.

proxy vote - 5pm on Wednesday 25 April For an application form call 01892 554106 or visit our website www. tunbridgewells.gov.uk, under Democracy and Standards, Electoral Services. You do not need a poll card to vote but you can only vote at the polling station you have been allocated. Contact Electoral Services on 01892 554106 if you do not receive a poll card.

The Council has recently set out the Strategic Plan and Budget for the year ahead. We have listened to what you have been telling us and made important decisions on what the Council and our partners will be working on over the next few months. Of the 36 projects we will be seeking to explore and deliver, the following are just some which have been considered by you to be most important and of benefit to the community. Work on an infrastructure plan for North Farm Work with the new owners of the cinema site Deliver a programme of community grants Provide livingassistance to improve the conditions of vulnerable people Develop a management plan for Calverley Grounds to provide a suitable level of infrastructure to support future events

The year ahead

Interested in becoming a Councillor?

Becoming a Councillor involves playing a role in providing services within that area and speaking on behalf of the community. Councillors serve for a four year period. To become a Councillor you must: complete a nomination paper be aged 18 or over be a British, Commonwealth or European citizen be on the electoral register (or have lived, worked or owned a property in the borough for at least one year) be supported by ten registered electors for borough elections and by two registered electors for parish elections. The registered electors must be within the ward/parish in which the candidate is standing Councillors do not have to be a member of a political group and can stand as an Independent. For further information or advice, contact Nicky Timms, Electoral Services on 01892 554106, nicky. timms@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Improve Grosvenor & Hilbert Recreation Ground Promote a year of celebrations : - launch of the Sports & Culture Passport - Queens Jubilee celebrations - managing the Olympic Torch passing through the borough Install a new lift the museumand public lavatory into Thank you to all of you that took the time to give us your opinions on what really matters for the borough of Tunbridge Wells. To view the full list of projects, please visit: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/ policyframework

Unable to vote in person?

If you are unable to vote in person on 3 May, you can apply for a postal or proxy vote and the deadlines for receipt are: new applications to vote by post or to change/cancel an existing postal vote - 5pm on Wednesday 18 April

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Community Curators
The current exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery is a real feast for the senses. Taking the theme of the environment, the exhibition explores both the urban and natural environments through a wide range of media.
This multi-sensory exhibition includes elements to see, feel and explore. There is a mixture of two and three dimensional work, all inspired by the different aspects of the local environment. The show includes striking, acrylic paintings of fantastical cities alongside delicate, printed paper houses. There is also a series of beautiful clay birds nestling alongside a set of handmade books.

Affordable homes A local needs housing scheme in Sandhurst

providing 12 homes for rent, has recently been built.

The work in the Community Curators 2012 exhibition has been created by three professional artists working alongside three local community groups. Over the past four months, the artists have spent their time and energy on giving local children and young people an opportunity to see their creative ideas come to life. Starting with the Museums own collections, the participants have had the chance to work with different materials, learn new skills and explore the creative process with a professional. This year students from Brenchley & Matfield Primary School, St Gregorys School and The Skinners Kent Academy have all been involved in the project, working with artists Niki Campbell, Rosamund Farmer and Nova Marshall. Community Curators 2012 is at Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery from Saturday 10 March to Saturday 26 May. The Museum & Art Gallery is open Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5pm, and Sundays 10am-4pm, (except Bank Holidays). Entry is free. For more information visit www. tunbridgewellsmuseum.org or telephone 01892 554171.
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The units, which include homes for single people and couples as well as families, are provided by Moat Homes and the new residents, who have strong local connections to Sandhurst, moved in in January. The development was built following a survey carried out in July 2008, which identified a need for housing in the parish. The Parish Council together with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) worked hard to find a suitable site which, as well as providing some much-needed housing, also has the additional benefit of a large area now designated as allotment plots for local people. This new scheme has been very well received by the local community. In addition to the completed scheme in Sandhurst, a further 15 homes in Horsmonden are due to complete by the end of June 2012. Again, all of these will be for local residents with a strong connection to Horsmonden and are for affordable rent only, not for sale on the open market. Since 2006, TWBC has worked with Action for Communities in Rural Kent (ACRK) in assessing housing needs in several parishes. The results of these surveys inform planning applications under the Councils Exception Site Policy whereby development outside the Limits to Built Development can be permitted. The homes are built by housing associations, to high design and environmental standards and can be secured for future generations as affordable housing for the households of that parish. If you think that you may be eligible for any of these schemes then you need to be registered on the Councils Joint Housing Register and complete a Local Connection Form. Both are available from the Housing Needs Team, please telephone 01892 526121.

Horsmonden First Responder

The Horsmonden Community First Responder Scheme is soon to go live and with the obvious benefits of such a scheme it is hoped other parishes will follow suit.
Community First Responders are volunteers trained and supported by the Ambulance Trust who respond to selected 999 calls within their own community or locality. They are often the first trained personnel on scene and provide emergency medical help before an ambulance arrives. This means that emergency and potentially lifesaving treatment can be given within minutes, which for conditions such as cardiac arrest could mean the difference between life and death. Community First Responder teams also hold certain medical equipment within their locality which ensures emergency help can reach patients even when ambulances cant. This is particularly reassuring for communities such as Horsmonden which can quickly become cut off during extreme weather and heavy snow. The scheme empowers communities and gives them the tools to help themselves when others cant. In addition to Community Responders, Horsmonden has a public training programme in place. This is designed to teach members of the community basic life-saving skills and includes training on the use of the public access defibrillator located in the heart of the village. So far over 40 people have been trained and it is hoped to have many more by the end of 2012. The placing of a public access defibrillator and the setting up of the Community First Responder scheme in Horsmonden has been a great success; it ensures urgent medical help is always close at hand. Anyone wanting further information on setting up a scheme should contact The Highwayman on 01892 722516 or by e-mail to claire@ highwaymanhorsmonden.co.uk.

Walking Through Time around Cranbrook

Cranbrook in Bloom in partnership with the Kent High Weald Partnership has been working to create a series of circular walks around Cranbrook. Each walk has its own free guide which includes a walking route map and information on the history and landscape features related to each walk.
A series of events to launch the walks are planned for the week after Easter, culminating in an exhibition at the Vestry Hall, Cranbrook on Saturday 14 April. Launch events are open to all with different themes and experiences to have: join the storytelling walk around Benenden or the interactive birdsong walk around Cranbrook! For full details about the project and launch events, visit www.khwp.org.uk or speak to Ian at the Kent High Weald Partnership (01580 212972).

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Thank you for doing your bit!

Tunbridge Wells residents continue to be tops for the level of recycling. So far this year, 48% of household waste has been recycled and composted using the Councils services. Every tonne of material that is recycled instead of being thrown helps the environment and keep costs down.
This year we will be campaigning to get an even higher rate through our service by encouraging more people to slim their bin and recycle and to get the message out to help people understand what can be put out for recycling. For useful tips and advice, our recycling film is on the internet at: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/recycling A key message is that the brown bin can be used for both food waste and garden cuttings. This means that you can choose which bin to put any food waste in depending on which of your bins is being collected that week. Additionally, you can compost the bedding from non-meat eating pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits so that can go in with the garden cuttings too! Another question we often get is about junk mail, glossy mailings and envelopes can all be recycled with newspapers and cardboard by using your green box. If you want to reduce the amount that comes through your letter box in the first place, you can register with the Mailing Preference Service either online at: www.mpsonline.org.uk, or by phone: 0845 703 4599. Please keep recycling and doing your bit and look out for our new campaign during National Recycle Week (18-24 June).

Bank Holiday Collections

We will be collecting your recycling and rubbish as normal over Easter and the May and June Bank Holidays.

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Community in Common
The community of Southborough is working to find common ground on the future of an important Local Wildlife Site.
Southborough Common, a 70 acre common in the heart of the town, will be managed under a new communityled plan. A public consultation, organised on behalf of Southborough Town Council by the Kent High Weald Partnership, has seen workshops, drop-in sessions, and e-newsletters used as a way to focus on the issues facing Southborough Common, and the value that people place in the site. The results of the consultation will be presented to Southborough Town Council at a public meeting on 5 April. A new plan will then be written based upon the consultations findings and the recommendations put forward by the local community. If you would like to add your thoughts to the consultation before 5 April, please visit www.khwp.org.uk or call Jane on 01580 212972 to find out how.

DisabledGo Tunbridge Wells has been updated!

A unique guide, designed to provide information about the services offered in the borough to disabled people, their assistants, carers, family and friends is still available to residents. By visiting the website you can check, for example, whether a shop is accessible to a wheelchair user, whether a cinema can offer a hearing loop, whether a hotel offers adapted rooms, and whether a restaurant offers menus in large print or Braille.
DisabledGo -Tunbridge Wells was launched in 2008, covering over 1,000 venues in the area. In June 2011, all the information was updated to ensure it remains up to date, useful and reliable. New venues were added to the guide, including a number of car parks and tourist attractions across the borough. Information is continually updated to ensure the guide stays up to date and develops in the way that local people want it to. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council works with and funds DisabledGo, a national accessibility project, to maintain the guide which provides access details to goods and service providers including shops, pubs, restaurants, theatres, hotels, train stations and other public venues across the district. The online access guide is available for free at www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/access.

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Were improving our website and we need your help

The Council is currently working to deliver a new website by the end of 2012 and we want to know what you would like to be able to do on it.
Our aim is to improve the pages for you by simplifying the amount of information and increasing the range of services you are able to apply for online, but we need your help. Wed like you to tell us which tasks youd most like to use our website for perhaps it is to look for jobs or find a house to live in? Do you use the website to comment on planning applications and pay your bills online, or do you simply want to find out when were picking up your rubbish? Could it be something else that we dont currently offer? We want to know what you would choose for your top searches or tasks on our website. Wed also like to know how easy it is for you to find your way around and how useful you think the information is when you find it. Please help us by completing our online questionnaire at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/websitetwbc (You can scan the QR code and complete the survey using your smartphone).
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Want to help test our new website?

If youre interested, join one of our customer focus groups!
We will need help at different times throughout the year. We would also like help with refining the new site once it has been launched. Simply complete the online survey including your name and e-mail address and well be in touch: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ websitetwbc

Tunbridge Wells Is Traffic Aware introducing TWITA

In 2010 there were 285 road traffic collisions (RTCs) in Tunbridge Wells borough, which resulted in 361 injuries; 34 of which were serious or fatal.
Thats 34 life-ending or life-changing events on the roads of Tunbridge Wells alone, and five of those killed or seriously injured were children. Quite understandably, road safety is one of the biggest concerns for our residents. During Road Safety Week in November 2011, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and our partners in the Community Safety Unit (CSU) piloted a specially produced Road Safety play which was seen by 750 children from primary schools in the borough. In the same week the Mobile Police Station was deployed to ten primary schools in the borough at drop-off and pick-up times, accompanied by staff based in the CSU. All children received a road safety booklet and a CSU reflective slapper band or bag charm, and the Kent County Council Community Warden spoke in assemblies about how to keep safe.

Urban Wildlife Gardening 2012

You may remember reading about the exciting new project to transform gardens in Showfields into wildlife friendly areas where residents could grow their own food. Well it was so successful were doing it again!
At the end of last year, the Kent High Weald Partnership and local volunteers transformed five gardens and community woodland. Features such as raised beds, compost bins, bird tables and bug hotels were added to the gardens along with wildlife friendly planting schemes.

On 1 March, TWITA Tunbridge Wells Is Traffic Aware was officially launched, where local businesses, road user groups and schools were able to find out more about how TWITA is here to champion road safety. Various road safety awareness events and activities are planned for 2012, so please watch this space! If you would like more information on the road safety initiative Tunbridge Wells Is Traffic Aware (TWITA) e-mail roadsafety@tunbridgewells.gov.uk and you will be added to the mailing list.

The community woodland at Underwood Rise was cleared of invasive rhododendron, native wildflowers and bushes such as hawthorn and holly were planted, and bat boxes were constructed and hung in the trees. This year, with help from the local community, we are running the scheme again. If you can recommend an area of Showfields in need of a wildlife make-over, if you would like to learn about wildlife gardening and growing your own food, or would like to volunteer your time to help please call Sarah on 01580 212972 or email sarah.tree@khwp.org.uk. The project is funded by Town & Country Housing Group and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
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explain: he wrote a book called In Praise of Slow, which advises on and advocates a cultural shift toward slowing down lifes pace. The sub-movement known as Slow Food seeks to encourage the enjoyment of regional produce, traditional foods, which are often grown organically and to enjoy these foods in the company of others. (Which sounds perfectly aligned to a farmers market ethos!) Whenever I visit the farmers market I get to talk to the people who have either made or grown the food, and they know the provenance of the produce and products theyre selling. Having a narrative on food is brilliant and it always tastes so much nicer! You can also learn about the stewardship of food. By that I mean, for example, that a while ago, I made a decision to stop eating chicken that wasnt free range. So now I pay more for my chicken, but Ive also learnt more about how to cook it and how to make it go that bit further, like how to make a stock or a curry after a Sunday roast and again, everything tastes so much better. It is, simply, much more enjoyable. I moved to the South East from the North East of England and the diversity down here is just massive the weather helps too of course! But the Garden of England is so well equipped to grow things, theres a much wider range of fresh, local produce.

Farmers Markets Matthew Davies spills the beans

Self-confessed foodie and presenter at BBC Radio Kent, Matthew Davies tells us why it is that he loves Tunbridge Wells Farmers Market...
I think its my favourite, because its all just sort of there. Its in the middle of town, but its almost intimate because of where it is, and sort of wraps itself around the Assembly Hall, Town Hall and Library so neatly. Anytime Ive visited, I enjoy the variety of choice and the stallholders that I have met are just wonderful In life, Im part of the Carl Honor slow movement. Ill
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The other thing is that you know when people say that people up North are much friendlier? Well, I havent seen that, I just think that people are people and I have some great banter with the stall holders theyre no exception to that. I just cant think of anywhere Id rather shop... of course, the other wonderful thing is that, more often than not, you get to try before you buy. Its great!

Tunbridge Wells Farmers Market, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 9am-2pm Listen to Matthews show on BBC Radio Kent, every Saturday 10am-1pm youll fairly often hear whats going on at the farmers market too! Next markets: 24 March, 14 & 28 April, 12 & 26 May, 9 & 23 June. Follow us on Twitter: @TWBCFrmrsMkt

A year as Mayor
As my term as Mayor draws to a close, I have discovered during my busy civic year that there are an amazing number of people who volunteer to help others in our borough.
They fill in the gaps left in modern society and quite simply they care. Many make time in their busy lives for those with particular illnesses, old and young, disabled and lonely. Some organisations are well known while others are not. Reflecting on the past year, I thought it appropriate to highlight a few of the events and the important organisations that have helped make my year so memorable. One such organisation is Blood Runners, which I met at our new Tunbridge Wells Hospital as they

set off on a sponsored walk. Blood Runners operate an out of hours service 365 days of the year to transport urgently needed plasma, blood and medication between hospitals. Without their tireless help the NHS would have to pay out thousands of pounds. Others work hard to raise funds for charities and one of the most dramatic scenes during my year was viewing a sea of pink at Dunorlan Park as hundreds of runners got on the move in aid of Cancer Research UK. On a personal note it is also appropriate to thank all of those that helped make the Mayors Toy Appeal such a great success this year. Thanks to the people of the borough we managed to help 326 children. A record year, Im told. As I have moved and travelled round the borough it is evident just how many talented artists, actors and musicians there are and the events attended as Mayor range from school productions, to concerts and shows at theatres such as Victoria Hall, Trinity

and the Assembly Hall. Hopefully we can look forward to many more shows and continue to support the talent in our borough. As Mayor, I also entertain guests from time to time and one of my personal highlights this year has been hosting groups of young people at the Town Hall to talk about the office of Mayor. Ive welcomed a diverse range of groups that has included visiting Indian students, a group of Beavers and local primary schools to the Council Chamber to talk about democracy and the role of Mayor. This task proved quite challenging at times and interest in the role varied from understanding the significance of the Chain of Office to asking if the Mayor could walk through walls! An interesting idea but not a talent Ive perfected just yet. On all our behalf, I see my role as thanking all those who selflessly help others, entertain us and organise functions to raise funds for good causes. It makes the office of Mayor exceedingly, worthwhile.

Young peoples artwork brightens up Paddock Wood

Youth Paddock Wood members weaved hundreds of different coloured carrier bags through a wire mesh in order to create a banner for their group.
The eye-catching creation now displayed outside the Wesley Centre in Commercial Road was the work of local young people aged 10 to 16 who are part of the group. Supported by a talented local artist, the youngsters designed and produced the banner themselves. Youth Paddock Wood meets at the centre on Thursday evenings, from 6-8pm in termtime. The group gives young people the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities right on their doorstep. Chairman of the Paddock Wood Community Partnership, Peter Nicholls, said: The Youth Paddock Wood banner is a real credit to the young peoples artistic talents and really helps to brighten up Commercial Road. It also gives the young people a real sense of achievement to see their work in such a prominent location. They should be extremely proud of their work which will cheer up our community.
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Free health checks

There is also a Wellpoint machine located in Gateway this provides a free, personalised health check in around five minutes and gives you a personalised printout of test results. The machine is able to check the most important vital signs of health: Weight, Hydration Quota, Body Mass Index, Body Fat Content, Heart Rate and Blood Pressure. Pop in next time youre in town and take a quick health check!

Gateway Services:

Know your Gateway

Do you know that the Gateway offers something for everyone, from skills learning to housing advice, access to voluntary organisations and Kent County Council services? You can also access the internet free of charge and make automated payments. All Tunbridge Wells Borough Council services are delivered out of Gateway.
The Gateway includes a Changing Place toilet facility with a hoist and an adult-sized, heightadjustable changing bench. The Changing Place allows access to the heart of the community for people with complex physical needs, their carers and families.
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Tunbridge Wells Gateway is open six days a week 9am-5pm on Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri; 9am - 6.30pm on Thursday and 9am - 1.30pm on Saturday. 8 Grosvenor Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2AB For information about services offered from Gateway: t: 08458 247 202 (24 hr) or e: gateway@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

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Council cuts carbon

The Council recently joined 500 public sector organisations as alumni of the Carbon Trusts Local Authority Carbon Management Programme.
At an award ceremony in London, Louise Woollen, Greener Borough Officer, accepted a certificate on behalf of Councillor Paul Barrington-King, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability in recognition of the Councils work in cutting energy costs and carbon emissions.

The Council now has a carbon-cutting plan that sets an ambitious target to save money on energy costs and reduce carbon emissions from across its buildings and services by 25% by 2015. The Council has already taken significant steps to reduce its emissions and make savings and the plan includes more than 30 projects to help the Council hit its target. We are already on the look out for further opportunities. First year successes have come from better monitoring and awareness of energy use at a number of sites. A 10% saving in electricity consumption at the Gateway has shown the importance of no cost, good housekeeping measures, such as using timers and heating controls, that tackle energy waste. The annual Climate Week campaign in March has been used again this year to encourage staff to take action to reduce their energy use at work.

Big cuts in emissions are expected from projects to upgrade lighting in a number of multi-storey car parks in Tunbridge Wells, driver training and the replacement of equipment at the crematorium. This year we will also continue to explore where renewable energy sources can be used on some of its buildings. The Councils Carbon Management Plan can be downloaded in full from the website and progress will be reported annually in July in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report. Local businesses can access energy savings advice from the Carbon Trusts website www.carbontrust.co.uk and helpline 0800 085 2005 Advice for local residents can be found at www.energysavingtrust.org. uk and the helpline 0800 512 012.

The Town Halls heavily-insulated boiler system

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19-24 March

31 March

11 April

WhATS On

Grease The Musical

(varied times) AHT
20 March

The Flanagan & Allen Story

8pm TT
1 April

Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close

8pm TT
14 April

The Well Diggers Daughter

(varied times) TT
21 March

RTW Symphony Orchestra

3pm AHT
1 April

Opera By Definition
7.30pm TT
15 April

Shame
8pm TT
22-23 March

Stephen Venables
8pm AHT
1 April

Handels Messiah
3pm TT
15 April

Blue Remembered Hills

(varied times) TT
24 March

W.E.
(varied times) TT
2 April

Red Dog
7pm TT
16-18 April

Comedy Cafe
8pm TT
25 March

Curtis Stigers
7.30pm AHT
3 April

Chinese State Circus

(varied times) AHT
17 April

The Mod All Star Band

7.30pm AHT
25 March

All The Single Ladies

7.30pm AHT
3 April

Rigoletto
7.15pm TT
18 April

Tunbridge Wells Arts Festival 2012 Gems

3pm TT
25 March

The Descendants
(varied times) TT
4 April

Martha Marcy May Marlene

8pm TT
19 April

Haywire
8pm TT
27 March

Carnage
8pm TT
5 April

Stewart Francis
7.30pm AHT
19 April

Katya Virshilas and Pasha Kovalev

7.30pm AHT
27 March

Jim Davidson
7.30pm AHT
5 April

Stacy Kent
8pm TT
20-21 April

Patrick Monahan
8pm TT
6 April

The Iron Lady

(varied times) TT
28 March

Peppa Pigs Treasure Hunt

(varied times) AHT
20 April

Lee Nelson
8pm AHT
7 April

Trinity Theatre Box Office 01892 678 678 www.trinitytheatre.net Assembly Hall Box office 01892 530613/532072 www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

J Edgar
8pm TT
29 March

Fever Pitch
8pm TT
21 April

The Woman in Black

(varied times) TT
8 April

Bjrn Again with Stavros Flatley

7.30pm AHT
30 March

Showaddywaddy
8pm TT
22 April

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

(varied times) TT
9 April

St George & The Dragon

(varied times) AHT
22 April

No Jacket Required
7.30pm AHT
31 March

Warhorse
(varied times) TT
10 April

Anonymous
8pm TT
24-28 April

Joe Brown
7.30pm AHT

A Dangerous Method
(varied times) TT

TWODS 42nd Street

(varied times) AHT

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24 April

1 May

19 May

10 June

Coriolanus
(varied times) AHT
25 April

La Boheme
7.30pm AHT
2 May

RTW Choral Society

2pm AHT
20-21 May

Grimethorpe Colliery Band

3pm AHT
12-16 June

Black Gold
8pm TT
26 April

Madama Butterfly
7.30pm AHT
4 May

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

(varied times) AHT
21 May

Willy Russells Blood Brothers

(varied times) AHT
14 June

Mark Steel
8pm TT
27 April

Wild Boyz
7.30pm AHT
7-12 May

Simon Amstell
8pm AHT
24 May

Barry & Stuart

8pm TT
17June

A Midsummer Nights Dream

7.30pm TT
29 April

Chicago
(varied times) AHT
14-15 May

One Night Of Queen

7.30pm AHT
25 May

Dave Gorman
8pm AHT
19 June

Treasure Island
3pm TT
29 April

Science Museum Live

(varied times) AHT
15 May

Brit Floyd
9pm AHT
26 May

Jimmy Carr
8pm AHT
21June

Bill Cunningham New York

8pm TT
30 April

Jimeoin
7.30pm AHT
16 May

Thatll Be The Day

7.30pm AHT
27 May

Essence of Ireland
7.30pm AHT
28 June

Paul Merton Out of My Head

8pm AHT

The Good Old Days

2pm AHT
18 May

Let There Be Drums

8pm AHT
31 May

Well Meet Again

2pm AHT

Sally Morgan
7.30pm AHT

Jools Holland
AHT

If you would like to comment about any article in Local, or make suggestions for any that should be included, wed love to hear from you. Local magazine is published by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council tel: 01892 526121 website: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk e-mail: info@tunbridgewells.gov.uk text: 07870 526121 fax: 01892 534227 Personal callers should visit the Gateway at 8 Grosvenor Road Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2AB For postal enquiries please contact: Town Hall Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1RS In the first instance contact: Lizzie Goodwin, Communications & Engagement Team Leader Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1RS localemail @tunbridgewells.gov.uk tel: 01892 526121 Advertising enquiries: Space Marketing Ltd 01892 677742 emmam@spacemarketing.co.uk
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.

Is this publication accessible and easy for you to understand? To comment on it, or to get it in an alternative format, please call 01892 554079 or e-mail publications@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk

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Vote for better broadband

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is committed to securing better broadband for the parts of the borough where provision is poor. We need you to help us by registering your interest!
Kent County Council has prepared a Local Broadband Plan in order to secure government funding to improve broadband speeds across the county. The plans target is that 90% of homes and businesses will have superfast

broadband access (25 Mbps) by 2015, and the remaining 10% will have access to a service of at least 2 Mbps. In order to achieve this ambition, investment by broadband providers is needed. The greater the demand, the more willing broadband providers will be to invest in a high speed infrastructure. It only takes five minutes to register your vote for better broadband and it could make a big difference. So please register now, via the link below, and encourage your neighbours to do the same. www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/ votebroadband

Try Angle Awards 2012

Nomination forms are out now!
The Try Angle Awards celebrate the achievements of young people aged 11-18 (up to age 25 for young people with a disability) who try their best to make a difference to their lives and the lives of those around them. There are eight categories including bravery, personal development and personal achievement awards.

17-year wait for a parish office ends!

Speldhurst Parish Council was founded in 1894 and for the first time has its own, purpose-built parish office. Greg Clark MP came along to officiate at the proceedings and officially declared the opening of the extension to Langton Green Village Hall.
The opportunity to build the parish office came along when the village hall trustees decided to expand the building because bookings continued to grow to the extent that people were having to be turned away. Now there is a large extra room for the benefit of the community and a parish office where residents can go and discuss various issues with the parish clerk. The office is open Monday, Tuesday and Fridays 9.30am1pm, Wednesday 2-5pm and closed Thursday. Contact details are tel 01892 862927 or e-mail clerk@ speldhurstparishcouncil.gov.uk Visit www.kent.gov.uk/ youthservice to download a nomination form. The awards evening will take place at Trinity Theatre, Royal Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 30 June 2012. For more information please contact Theresa Seal on 01622 751622.