local autumn 2011

Harvest fare at Farmers’ Market

LOCALwww.tunbridgewells.gov.uk

The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council magazine

Autumn 2011

Inside:A real ice rink in town!The Annual Budget ReportSafety tips for you

Harvest fare at Farmers’ Market

Local magazine is published by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council tel: 01892 526121 website: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk e-mail: [email protected] 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

If you would like to comment about any article in Local, or make suggestions for any that should be included, we’d love to hear from you.

In the first instance contact: Lizzie Goodwin, Communications & Engagement Team Leader, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS

lizzie.goodwin @tunbridgewells.gov.uk tel: 01892 554273

Advertising enquiries: Space Marketing Ltd 01892 677742 [email protected] 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 [email protected]

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Booking now for new autumn classes for absolute beginners starting in September.

Visit our website www.medwayschoolofdance.co.uk

or ring 01732 358355145 HIGH STREET TONBRIDGE Email: [email protected]

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Latin

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Rock Jive

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Zumba

MEDWAY SCHOOL OF DANCING celebrating 40 years

in Tonbridge

2

What do you want? Information 5

Free, after-school, healthy weight programme for kids! 7 Who benefits from Council grants? 8 Tunbridge Wells’ hidden lake 10

Achievements and aspirations – our Annual Report 11

Twenty thousand trees up for grabs 18

Find out about your neighbourhood 21

Hans Christian Andersen comes to town 23Get your skates on! 25

Not going out? Over 90 events in town 26 C

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SWelcome to your Autumn issue of Local!We have so many exciting projects to tell you about!

Primarily, and keeping to a seasonal theme, while we are hoping that as you receive this copy we’re experiencing an ‘Indian’ summer, we are also looking forward to the winter months and the new festive ice rink!

Our regular features include a write up on the Assembly Hall Theatre and an undertanding of who benefits and how from the community grants programme. Remember, if you would like to find out more about what we’re doing, please visit our website at: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

STOP PRESS! Look out for Compare the Market’s next TV advertisement, filmed at Cranbrook Coop !!

3

It’s almost that time of year when the clocks go back and this means darker evenings and, of course, Halloween and Bonfire Night. Make sure you stay safe this autumn with some timely advice from the Community Safety Unit.

Stay safe this autumn!

Halloween safety: Trick-or-TreatParents, carers and trick-or-treaters should always remember these basic safety messages:

�Young children should always have an adult with them and make sure they remain visible in the dark, particularly when crossing the road, staying in well-lit areas.

�When trick-or-treating, only call at houses if you know the people who live there won’t mind. Children should not be encouraged to call on strangers, particularly on dark evenings.

�Respect people’s wishes – if there is a notice asking you not to call, then please don’t. If you would like a ‘no trick-or-treating’ poster, they can be downloaded from our website: www.twellscommunitysafety.org.uk, copies are also available at the Gateway in Royal Tunbridge Wells and the Weald Information Centre in Cranbrook.

�Stay out of trouble: trick-or-treating is not an excuse for anti-social or intimidating behaviour.

Theft of domestic heating oilWith the price of domestic heating oil high, unscrupulous thieves can target residents who rely on heating oil to keep their houses warm as the cold draws in.

Avoid becoming a victim of heating oil theft by ensuring your tank is padlocked. Remember, if you spend a bit more you will get a better padlock; a closed-shackle padlock is the most difficult to attack with bolt croppers or saws. You can install a valve security lock or an audible alarm which triggers when the level of oil in the tank drops faster than it normally would.

A longer term solution is to plant a few plants and shrubs around the tank to make it less visible and more difficult to access in the dark. Other security measures include fitting a lockable cage around the tank and installing security lights.

If you would like to subscribe to the Community Safety Unit’s free quarterly newsletter, please e-mail [email protected].

Sorry, no trick or treat

I will not open my door to you

Top 10 Bonfire Night safety tips:

�Only buy fireworks from a legitimate retailer, showing British Standard 7114 on the box.

�Read instructions with a torch; never use a naked flame.

�Never drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks.

�Light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper.

�Never go back to a lit firework; even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode.

�Wear gloves and use tongs to dispose of spent fireworks.

�Keep pets inside at all times during the display.

�Do NOT give sparklers to children under five years old.

�Bonfires should be at least 18m (60ft) away from properties, trees, hedges, fences or sheds.

�Do NOT use flammable liquids eg petrol or paraffin when lighting a bonfire.

4

Call for sports nominations!

The big glass recycling questionWe are often asked why we don’t pick up glass bottles and jars with the plastic bottles and cans or the paper and cardboard kerbside recycling collections.

Glass can be recycled over and over again into bottles and jars by the remelt industry if the different colours are kept separate, saving energy and raw materials. There are uses for mixed coloured glass but they do not have the same environmental benefits.

Collecting glass was an option that was considered when the decision about which

recycling services to provide was taken towards the end of 2008. At the time we were concerned about having boxes containing bottles and jars out in the streets and the potential for broken glass on the pavement.

The extra costs of collecting, transporting and sorting the glass before it went for recycling were taken into account. We also considered the detrimental impact that glass has on the quality

and value of other items when they are collected together, increasing costs of the service and making it harder to find companies to take the materials.

Overall, to meet residents’ calls for plastics to be recycled, it was more cost-effective and better for the environment to continue with the colour-separated glass banks at the recycling sites across the borough and to introduce the new doorstep service for plastic bottles and cans.

We are very pleased that the new service has been successful and well received. Almost 1,000 tonnes of plastic bottles and cans were collected last year and just under 2,600 tonnes of glass was taken to the recycling ‘bring’ sites across the borough.

Thank you for recycling. Overall, 46% of household waste was recycled and composted last year. To find out where the ‘bring’ sites are and how you could recycle even more, see our recycling video at www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/recycling.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is calling for nominations for the Tunbridge Wells Junior Sports Achievement Awards 2011.

The awards recognise those who have contributed to sport, either through their own sporting success or through their

work assisting others involved in sport. The awards ceremony will be held in November with more details to follow.

Submit your nomination by completing an application form, which is available to download from www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/sports.

Freedom of Information requestsTunbridge Wells Borough Council would like to remind all residents that they can access previous responses to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 via the FOI Disclosure Log on the website.

By typing in the following link, residents are able to view the requests which have already been made, and the responses given by the relevant services: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/foi.

The Council recommends that residents check this section of the website before submitting new requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to establish whether or not the information they seek has already been provided.

If this procedure is followed, officer time will be saved and, in turn, so will taxpayers’ money.

5

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is now offering interest-free loans through Kent’s ‘No Use Empty’ initiative to help owners of empty properties bring them back into use.Tunbridge Wells has been a member of the No Use Empty scheme since 2008. Under the scheme, district and borough councils, in partnership with Kent County Council, provide owners of run-down and unused properties with the necessary information and advice to return them to use.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is now going a step further by adopting the Loan Fund element of the scheme, which is operated by Kent County Council and offers owners interest-free loans to cover the cost of repairs and renovations of properties that will then be either let or sold.

Cllr Paul Barrington-King, Sustainability Portfolio Holder, said:

‘There are approximately 200 properties in the borough that have remained empty for over two years. At the same time there is high demand for quality, affordable housing and putting empty homes back in to use can help to meet this demand. Derelict houses also have an impact on the value of neighbouring properties and can even serve as a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour. So returning properties to use has positive benefits for the whole community. By providing financial support to owners of properties in need of renovation, the No Use Empty loans can help to reduce the number of empty homes.’

No Use Empty has delivered 1,677 new homes across Kent since its launch in 2005, and has attracted national recognition as an innovative solution to the long-standing problem of empty homes. In April this year, Bristol City Council announced it would be the first local authority outside Kent to adopt the scheme.

Make use of empty homes

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‘Before and (almost) after’ images courtesy of Shepway District Council

MENDMEND stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it…! It is a 10-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 to help improve the lives of local people.

During the course, participants get 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.

Importantly, it is run in a supportive, non-pressured environment with other families who are keen to lead healthier lifestyles.

Ten year old Grace is leading a healthier lifestyle thanks to the Council’s MEND programme. Grace is now on the road to a healthy weight and has made a number of lifestyle improvements. She has joined a weekly trampolining course and regularly meets with other members of the MEND group.

Her packed lunch is much healthier than before, with 50/50 bread instead of white bread, healthy yogurts and cereal bars instead of chocolate bars.

Grace’s mum Michelle says: ‘We signed up to MEND as I was really keen to nip in the bud poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Grace is much more confident than before and for the first time enjoys taking regular exercise.’

MEND is a national initiative developed by Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health. MEND programmes will start

in Rusthall at the United Reformed Church on 26 September, and at St Gregory’s School on 4 October.

For more information and how to join visit www.mendprogramme.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 01892 554411.

Also, for more information on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Weight For It! programme, due to start in October, please visit www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Goudhurst walkers’ mapGoudhurst Parish Council, with help from Kent County Council, has produced a new map showing the footpaths around Goudhurst. It is based on the Ordnance Survey map but with a special footpath overlay.

One of the many in and around Goudhurst is the High Weald Landscape Trail; a route to Cranbrook and Lamberhurst from where buses can be caught for the return. Goudhurst attracts tourists due to its history as a medieval village on a hill and the breathtaking views, particularly from the church.

Its attraction to walkers is due also to its location in the Weald of Kent with attractive hills, woods and sunken lanes. Copies of the map are available from Burgess Stores in the village for less than £3.

7

Kent YouthTunbridge Wells Borough Council gave £1,750 to Kent Youth through the Community Grants programme, for the year April 2011–March 2012.

Kent Youth is an independent charity which supports over 230 youth groups, clubs and organisations throughout Kent, 11 of which are currently within the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council area.

They offer support and advice to these clubs, as well as providing a comprehensive training programme for volunteer leaders, a CRB checking service and an extensive range of activities for young people. Although work is supported through grants and the clubs are expected to pay a small affiliation fee to Kent Youth, this by no means covers the cost of providing these essential services.

The community grant that Kent Youth has received over the past two years from the Council has helped to ensure that clubs in the area are properly supported, the volunteer

leaders receive the essential training they need, and the young people themselves have a broad range of activities either at their clubs or off-site. The off-site activities particularly help young people to challenge themselves, enjoy new experiences and meet other young people from different areas of Kent. Having a safe place to go along to each week with these opportunities ensures that young people can grow and develop to reach their potential.

In addition to these services for the youth clubs, Kent Youth also runs a programme called ‘Young People Leading & Learning’. Delivering three different programmes directly with young people which can also be accessed by youth club members:

me2you – enabling young people to be effective peer mentors and peer educators. Participants are able to follow a programme that leads to a national qualification as well as contributing positively to their school or community group.

me2 – enabling young disabled people to achieve inclusion in

mainstream community groups. We recruit and train young people aged 15 – 19 to become peer inclusion mentors and then pair them up with disabled young people who want to access mainstream youth activities. The mentors support the disabled young person to access these activities, gradually withdrawing until the disabled young person is independently accessing the activity of their choice.

Activeyouth – enabling young people (15–25) to become volunteer community sports leaders in local community, sports and youth groups/clubs. This programme leads to a nationally-recognised level 2 qualification.

Kent Youth is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and if you would like to help us continue this hugely important work in your local area, then please do consider making this a very special year by becoming a ’Friend” of Kent Youth’. For full details, please contact Carol Wynn on 01622 793703 or e-mail [email protected].

Council grants support local charit ies

8

Council grants support local charit ies

West Kent MediationWith funding received from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, West Kent Mediation began working in the area in 2004. The two organisations have since built a strong working partnership to assist TWBC residents who may be experiencing a community dispute. This year, the Council has provided £6,000 in the form of community grants to WKM.

WKM is a valuable local facility, part-funded by your council. It is a charitable organisation that has been working with neighbourhoods to deal with local disputes and help make communities safer since 1996.

Each year six million complaints are made about nuisance neighbours to Environmental Health departments*.

38% of cases that WKM deal with are anti-social/abusive behaviour, with 29% being noise related. Almost half of all referrals to the service reach an outcome, being agreement or at least improvement.

WKM spokesperson Amanda Bell, explains: ‘In relation to residential disputes we have encountered it's a good idea to develop a dialogue with your neighbours, so that if a problem does arise, it won't be the first time you've spoken to them. But if one occurs that you cannot seem to solve, mediation offers options through independent, impartial and open communication.’

The organisation offers a wide ranging service. ‘Schools/Peer’ mediation teaches young people mediation skills. This has many benefits: frees staff to attend to other issues; teaches life skills; conflict resolution; combats bullying; and fosters a healthy, positive, productive school environment.

Workplace mediation can save considerable time and money to the companies and individuals involved. In 2010 employment tribunal claims cost British businesses £1.6 billion in fees, awards and out-of-court settlements.

All mediation is provided free of charge except for that in the workplace. WKM is run by a board of Trustee Directors, all of whom have a breadth of expertise, both in the voluntary and financial sectors. The charity has two full time staff members, three part time, and 38 volunteers.

For further information, please visit www.wkm.org.uk or telephone 01322 615744.

*source: The Office of National Statistics

9

Lamberhurst

Hidden gem of SherwoodSherwood Lake and Wood is situated on the urban edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells, yet remains unknown to most people.

The landscape and wildlife value of the site is reflected in its designation as a Local Wildlife Site, Ancient Woodland and High Weald Special Landscape Area, being located in the High Weald National Character Area. The importance of the site to the local community has been recognised in the declaration as a Town Green. Recorded species include: tawny owl, nuthatch, tree creeper, kingfisher, and great spotted woodpecker. Other residents include: badger, fox, grass-snake, slow-worm, and common lizard.

The impressive ancient London plane tree-lined avenue, remains of a walled garden and huge parkland oaks provide clues to the original designed landscape and planting scheme. Less welcome Victorian plants such as laurel and rhododendron have run wild over the site, much to the detriment of native plants and animals.

Sherwood Lake and Wood is a highly valued green space; it could become the focal point for the Sherwood area. The site has huge potential for recreation, education and the promotion of biodiversity. Correct management of the site would create a clean, safe and welcoming environment with facilities and resources in place, which could make a real difference to people’s lives. The establishment of a community-led trust is central to the long-term transformation and vision for the site, as it will be the catalyst for bringing the community together and fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the site.

John Chapple, Chairman of the Friends of Sherwood Lake (FOSL) added: ‘Friends of Sherwood Lake with the local community were awarded the 47 acres as Village Green. FOSL will ensure that the village green status is not breached and the community can enjoy local sports and pastimes without interference. FOSL have seen the management scheme set up by the Kent High Weald Partnership (KHWP) and can state at this stage that it looks very positive and we look forward to working with KHWP.’

For further information on Sherwood Lake please contact Brendan McGowan, Sherwood Regeneration Manager, on 01892 523464 or [email protected].

In association with TTCpresents Frances HodgsonBurnett’s classic story

Directed by Michael ElliottComposed by Steven MarkwickWritten by Diana Morgan

Supported by

Agent: Macnaughton Lord Representation, 44 South Molton Street, London W1K 5RT

Wed 14 Dec - Sun 1 JanTrinity Theatre | Church Road | Tunbridge WellsBox Office: 01892 678 678 | trinitytheatre.net

Supported by

Coutts

MOREINFOAT...

WWW.TRINITYSTHESECRETGARDEN

.CO

.UK

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Tunbridge Wells

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Broadwater

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Lambe

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HawkhurstSandhurst

Panti

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St M

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Pembury

Rusthall

Sherw

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High B

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Ramsly

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Matfield

Kilndown

Five Oak Green

Showfields

Showfields

Hawkenbury

Langton Green

Speldhurst

Bidbor

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St Jam

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St Joh

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11

ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11 page 2

THE COuNCIL’S PERFORMANCE IN 2010/11

Kent Police, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Kent County Council to combat crime and anti-social behaviour jointly.

■ You rated good shopping facilities, thriving businesses and low unemployment as important. We supported Paddock Wood, Cranbrook and Hawkhurst to secure external funding for economic improvement; and worked in partnership to provide advice and guidance to new business start-ups in the borough.

■ Activities for young people are important to you so we launched the new ‘Street Cruizer’ youth bus, a mobile youth club. This was funded jointly by grants through Kent County Council and provided by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in partnership with Kent Youth Service.

■ You said you want us to continue funding community organisations such as the

Citizens Advice Bureau and Trinity Theatre, so we have continued support for these organisations. During 2010/11, community grants were donated by the Council to 23 voluntary and community organisations in the borough.

■ Events, theatre and the arts are important to you, and a lively culture and arts scene continues to be supported by the Council. Funding has also been provided for ‘Applause’ rural touring and a range of arts activities; the Assembly Hall Theatre attracts 170,000 visits a year; and there were more than 60,000 visitors to the Museum & Art Gallery.

■ You said the inspection of food premises and entertainment venues to maintain safety standards is important. As a result, the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is now in place across the borough to measure and provide information on the hygiene standards in food establishments.

The Council produces an Annual Performance

Report which outlines the key achievements of the last year and aspirations for the year to come. The financial year from April 2010 to March 2011 has proved to be challenging, but we have responded effectively to the changing political and economic climate. The Council has continued to respond exceptionally well to the impacts of the downturn, and early financial planning has put our medium-term financial position on a sound footing.We constantly seek feedback from residents to help shape our services. Here is a summary of the full report which can be found at www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk:

■ Applications for housing and council tax benefit have risen by around 25% as a result of the economic downturn. Impressively, associated costs have been kept to a minimum and processing times have halved in the last three years. The Gateway enables services to be joined with other agencies, allowing enquiries to be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

■ You told us that low crime rates and feeling safe are important, so we set up the Community Safety Unit (CSU), bringing together colleagues from different agencies including


■ Working closely with GPs, leisure providers and health advisers, the Council has encouraged good health via advice and activities – helping over 200 people to make long-lasting changes such as stopping smoking, losing weight or becoming more physically active and enjoying a healthier life.

■ Planning is important to you. During 2010/11, over 1,700 planning applications have been received; more than 95% of those decided within eight weeks, after notifying over 10,000 neighbours.

■ Providing services, including the collection of plastic bottles and cans, contributes to the recycling and composting of 48% of residents’ household waste, the highest percentage in Kent.

■ The Cranbrook Conservation Area Appraisal was adopted in June 2010; the restoration of the Colonnade at Hawkhurst was completed; and following a community governance review, Rusthall Parish Council was created in March 2011.

■ Good customer service. A ‘severe weather text alert’ service was created to provide live information with regards to refuse and recycling collections and Council office opening hours during the period of snow.


Revised Budget Outturn Variance£000 £000 £000

Chief Executive 2,957 2,910 (47)Change and Communities 4 961 957 Regeneration and Sustainability 6,714 6,014 (700)

Cost of Services 9,675 9,885 210 Accounting and financing adjustments 6,724 6,724 -

Net Expenditure 16,399 16,609 210 Parish council precepts 1,600 1,600 -Interest receivable and payable (924) (811) 113 NNDR, RSG and central grants (7,018) (7,039) (21)Council Tax precept (8,097) (8,097) -Capital expenditure financed from revenue

80 80 -

Transfer to & (from) earmarked reserves (1,070) (1,129) (59)Net Position - - -

DRAFT SuMMARY STATEMENT OF ACCOuNTS FOR 2010/11

Below is the unaudited summary of the draft

statement of accounts for 2010/11. The full statements of accounts are currently being audited and are due to be approved at the Audit Committee on 20 September 2011.

The full accounts and details of the Audit Committee can be found on the Council’s website: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Revenue Budget and Outturn for 2010/11


2009/10 2010/11 Variance£000 £000 £000

842 Property Plant and Equipment 460 (47)243 Intangible Assets 123 957 87 Assets held for sale - (700)

1,442 Revenue Expenditure Funded from Capital under Statute (REFFCUS)

1,384

2,614 Total capital investment 1,967 210 -

Financed by: (810) Capital Receipts (405) 210

(1,086) Government Grants and other contributions

(1,482) -

(718) Revenue financing (80) 113 (2,614) Total financing (1,967) (21)

Capital Programme and Outturn for 2010/11

The Council has funded all capital

expenditure from internal resources received from grants, capital receipts from the sale of assets, developer contributions and its own General Fund. No external loans have been required to finance capital investment.

The main items of capital expenditure during 2010/11 were:£000

Disabled Facilities grants 455 Housing Renewal grants 653 IT Strategy 182 Goudhurst pavilion 178 Lamberhurst flood protection 106 Street Cruizer 101 Other schemes 292 Total capital investment 1,967


£000Cashinhand31March2010 3,403Cashin 291,659Cashout (292,176)Cashinhand31March2011 2,886

Balance SheetThis shows what the Council owns, including land and buildings, what is owed to the Council, and what the Council owes to outside bodies and individuals:

Cash Flow StatementThe table below shows that the Council paid out £75m and received around £78m during the financial year.

Collection FundThe Council collected a total of £41,438,000 in National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) on behalf of the Government during the year. £184,000 of this was retained to cover the costs of collection, but the remainder is paid over to the Government. NNDR is pooled and allocated to local authorities, and the Council received £6,108,000 from the pool, £453,000 more than the previous year. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council received eight pence for every £1 we collected in business rates in 2010/11.The Council also collects Council Tax on behalf of itself and other local authorities in Kent, as shown below:

£000

Council assets 75,040 Stocks 38 Cash and cash equivalents 2,886 Investments 39,448 Borrowing (19,090)Money owed to the Council 4,289 Money owed by the Council (5,417)Long term pension liability (26,360)

70,834

Non-current asset financing 23,138 Pension reserve 25,999 Distributable reserves 21,697

70,834

Distributable reserves are made up of the following:£000

Capital receipts (for future capital investment) 2,000 Capital contributions (for future capital investment)

464

Earmarked reserves 3,834 General Fund 15,399

21,697

£000 £000

Balance 1 April 2010 442 Income from Council Tax 65,067 Adjustments for debt not collectable

(407)

64,660

Precepts for 2010/11:Kent County Council (46,936)Kent Police Authority (6,212)Kent Fire and Rescue Service (3,044)Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

(8,098)

(64,290)Balance 31 March 2011 812

£102,000 of the £812,000 surplus is attributable to this Council, and the rest to the other precepting authorities.


HOW TO BECOME INVOLVED IN SETTING THE 2012/13 BuDGET?

Determining a budget that balances the

expectations of the public and the Council’s priorities with the available resources has always been a challenge. There may well be tough decisions to take surrounding the provision of some discretionary services and whether some services continue to be provided to the standards that the public has come to expect.

We are always encouraging greater feedback on the budget proposals and if you have any ideas to contribute, please e-mail them to [email protected] or alternatively write to Jane Fineman, Financial Services Manager, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS

Kent Free Trees Scheme branches outMore than 20,000 trees are available to community groups, schools, parish councils and charities across Kent to ‘green’ their spaces.The environmental initiative is part of the Kent Free Trees Scheme, which has over the past ten years given away a quarter of a million trees to local communities and residents. The 2011 scheme will continue to make a big impact by focusing its attention on local community groups and the spaces they use and maintain.

Groups are being offered free-of-charge packs of 25 trees. There are five different types of pack, including a Hedgerow mix, Woodland mix, Foragers’ mix, Wildlife mix, and Schools’ mix. All of these contain native species suited to Kent.

The scheme is open to groups and organisations throughout Tunbridge Wells borough and the trees are suitable for village greens, churchyards, schools and community centres for example.

As well as being attractive, trees are brilliant for reducing carbon levels and 25 trees can absorb up to seven tonnes of carbon dioxide in their lifetime.

For more details and how to apply, visit the Kent High Weald Partnership website www.khwp.org.uk, or call 01322 294727.

Orders must be placed by the end of October and trees will be ready for collection from the Kent High Weald Partnership in December.

The scheme is supported by Kent County Council, district and borough councils and Network Rail.

Showfields gets wild in the gardenDid you know that more than 60% of the urban land area is residential? That equates to a lot of gardens!An exciting new pilot project is under way in the Showfields area of Tunbridge Wells. Organised by the Kent High Weald Partnership (KHWP), Town & Country Housing Group (TCHG) and funding support from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the new ‘Urban Wildlife Garden Scheme’ aims to ‘wildlife-up’ your garden.

This may sound like you just leave your garden to go wild, but in fact wildlife gardens can be beautifully decorative. Imagine fragrant butterfly bushes and wildflowers nodding their heads in the breeze, the buzz of dragonflies as they whizz over a pond, and the fun you can have watching birds feeding just outside your window. There is plenty of room for people and wildlife, even in the smallest of areas!

As well as making room for wildlife in your garden, why not try your hand at growing your own veg. Organiser Sarah Tree said: ‘Children love to grow their own food in the garden and it is a really good way to bond as a family. Raised beds can be a relatively quick and easy way to a healthier lifestyle.’

KHWP working with the local community of Showfields will be offering advice, recruiting volunteers and doing a few garden make-overs to demonstrate how a little imagination can go a long way for wildlife.

If you live in the Showfields area and are interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sarah Tree on 01580 212972.

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By September 2011 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust will have:

�A dedicated centre for planned complex surgery at Maidstone Hospital.

�A dedicated centre for trauma surgery and orthopaedic surgery at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

�A dedicated centre for women’s and children’s care with a new purpose-built, midwifery-led birthing centre in Tunbridge Wells and paediatric assessment unit at Maidstone.

�A&E, outpatients, day surgery and ‘23 hour’ surgery continuing at both hospitals.

The new Tunbridge Wells Hospital

From now on, patients requiring emergency surgery will be taken by ambulance to Tunbridge Wells Hospital. Maidstone Hospital will become a centre of expertise for complex pre-planned in-patient general and cancer surgery. Both hospitals will continue to carry out day case and ‘23 hour’ operations, outpatient clinics and run 24 hour A&E departments.

Tunbridge Wells Hospital becomes fully operational from Wednesday 21 September when its Accident & Emergency department opens in the early hours of the morning at 2am.The new hospital has cost £230 million and taken more than three years to build. With the highest standards of care and quality of the patient environment, it establishes itself as a proud flagship for the NHS.

It is also the first in the NHS where in-patients have an en suite room to themselves. Many of them have spectacular views overlooking nearby woodland – another vital factor in the healing process. For greater comfort, the League of Friends generously donated £341,000 which paid for nearly 400 Freeview TVs.

The first patients to use the hospital in January 2011 were previously treated in the old Pembury Hospital. Valentina Osborn was one of the first to use the maternity unit when her son Hector was born. She said: ‘The place feels more like a hotel and I only remembered it was a hospital when I saw someone in a nursing uniform.’

As the hospital fully opens, so the Maidstone Hospital maternity department will transfer to provide a centre of expertise for West Kent. Back in Maidstone, mothers who are expected to have a straightforward birth can choose to give birth in the more homely surroundings of a newly-created £2.7 million birthing centre.

Trauma and orthopaedic in-patients from across the area will be cared for at the new hospital, which will be a centre of expertise making best use of staff skills and modern equipment. Among them a pelvic reconstructions team – a major feature.

Maidstone Hospital will continue to develop its national and international reputation for teaching, training and research. In the last decade about £100 million has been spent modernising and developing new services in the hospital.

The new hospital’s main phone numbers are 01892 823535 and 01892 526111.

19

Meet Cllr Ben ChapelardIn our last issue of Local, we met newly-appointed councillors. Cllr Ben Chapelard was elected on 7 October 2010 and we are pleased to tell you a little more about him...

Cllr Ben ChapelardLiberal DemocratSt James’, Tunbridge Wells01892 557792Ben has lived in Tunbridge Wells for ten years, and moved to St James’ five years ago.

He became a teacher and taught at local secondary schools for six years and loves teaching languages, currently French and Spanish to younger people. Meeting people and listening to their concerns is, for Ben, the best part of being a councillor. His view is that local government matters as it affects us all every day.

If you have an issue, please do contact Ben, he’ll be happy to help.

Mayor’s charity raises fundsThe Mayor, Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Thomas has been busy planning her fundraising events for her adopted charity Fegans.‘Since taking office I am delighted that Fegans has already benefited from our fundraising activities. There are some key events in the diary in the coming months, like the Mayor’s Annual Civic Dinner Dance, which I will be hosting. There will be great opportunities for me to explain why I wanted to support Fegans and how important the work they do is.

‘To hear that a child has said ‘I feel happy now because I have someone to talk to’ is very moving and I’m extremely grateful to all who have dug deep into their pockets and those who have committed their support to forthcoming events.’

Fegans will not turn away anyone in need of their counselling services – but there is a cost.

Their work would not be possible without the constant support of donors and volunteers, which makes the Mayor’s high profile endorsement particularly important.

All gifts big or small make a difference:

� £5 pays for a session at pre-school for a child under three whose parents have a low income.

� £30 pays for counselling for an hour; for an adult, teenager or child.

� £40 pays for a family therapy session to help both parents and children.

� £53 pays for a pair of goals and a set of boundary posts for a football club in a deprived area.

� £120 enables Fegans to provide a drop-in service, once a week, for a month, in a school in a deprived area.

� £850 pays for a course to empower parents in their relationships with their children.

� £1,700 pays for a STOP course to encourage and equip parents of teenagers so that they can build healthy, happy family relationships.

To make a donation to Fegans please contact the Mayor’s office on 01892 526121.

Additionally Fegans receives 20% of all purchases at their online store - visit www.fegans.ethictrade.com

Fegans welcomes referrals for counselling from a variety of sources such as Social Services, Health Visitors, GPs, churches and schools. To make a referral please contact Fegans’ head office on 01892 538288, or for more information please visit www.fegans.org.uk.

20

Local Councillors, Council staff and representatives from key agencies visited households within the ward area of Broadwater and the parish of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst during June and July. These visits were completed as part of the annual Ward Walks programme, which helps key agencies to understand what residents think of where they live and what needs improving.Thank you to everyone who took part. Residents provided some excellent suggestions for improvements, and all information gathered has been useful in helping identify where we need to focus our attention. We have been working hard to respond to your immediate concerns and will continue to work with our partners to resolve the longer term issues.

At the time this article went to print, we were still analysing the data but the results already indicate how much you like living in the borough, but there are just a few issues that would help to improve things.

CranbrookWe spoke to over 130 households in various roads within the Cranbrook area.

� 95% of you are satisfied with your local area as a place to live

You particularly like the surrounding countryside and the peace and quiet.

� 84% of you think it is a great place to raise children

� 86% of you feel safe from crime and anti-social behaviour

Over half of you are satisfied with the way the Council runs things (60%) and two thirds of you think the Council keeps you well informed about the services provided.

SissinghurstWe spoke to around 90 households within the village of Sissinghurst and surrounding area.


� You particularly like being in the countryside and also like the community spirit in the area


� 88% of you felt safe from crime and anti-social behaviour

Over three quarters of you are satisfied with the way the Council runs things (79%) and over half of you think the Council keeps you well informed about the services provided (56%).

BroadwaterWe spoke to over 140 households in various roads across the ward area of Broadwater in Royal Tunbridge Wells.


Being in the urban area of Tunbridge Wells, location towards the edge of the town means that you particularly like being near the countryside and the peace and quiet.


� 78% of you felt safe from crime and anti-social behaviour

Over two thirds of you are satisfied with the way the Borough Council runs things (70%) and over two thirds of you think the Council keeps you well informed about the services provided (70%).To find out more about the key issues in each of these areas, please visit:www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk

W a r d W a l k s 2 0 1 1

Are YOU on the Electoral Register?

The Borough Council elections will take place next May. To be able to cast your vote in 2012, make sure you have completed and returned your Register of Electors form.

All Tunbridge Wells borough residents will have received a Register of Electors form through their door. It is

important to complete and return this form – either by post, freephone, internet or SMS – so that your name is included on the Electoral Register and you are entitled to vote in elections. Please help us to keep down the cost of compiling the Register of Electors by responding immediately and avoiding the need for further reminder forms and canvassing of households. If you have not received a form, or want to check that you are on the Electoral Register, please contact the Electoral Services on 01892 554025. The Register of Electors is published on 1 December, so

you need to return your form by the middle of November at the latest to be included.

The Borough Council elections will take place next May. To be able to cast your vote in 2012, make sure you have completed and returned your Register of Electors form. All Tunbridge Wells borough residents will have received a Register of Electors form through their door. It is important to complete and return this form – either by post, freephone, internet or SMS – so that your name is included on the Electoral

Register and you are entitled to vote in elections. Please help us to keep down the cost of compiling the Register of Electors by responding immediately and avoiding the need for further reminder forms and canvassing of households. If you have not received a form, or want to check that you are on the Electoral Register, please contact the Electoral Services on 01892 554025.

The Register of Electors is published on 1 December, so you need to return your form by the middle of November at the latest to be included.

21

Perry Court FarmFresh, farm grown, home grown and hand made products are what the Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market is all about. Every second and fourth Saturday morning sees stalls being laid out and filled with the goodies that bring Tunbridge Wells residents and visitors to Civic Way. The autumn season brings the benefit of freshly harvested, delicious apples and pears, and Perry Court Farm bring them to the market to sell to you!

Perry Court Farm has been growing wonderful fruit and vegetables in a responsible and environmentally-friendly way for three generations now. Traditional methods of farming have been passed down, and mixed with modern know-how on sustainable agricultural practices, to give a way of producing food that really works in the long run.

The farm now produces over 200 different varieties of English crops, the majority of which they are able to supply directly to the public at events exactly like Tunbridge Wells Farmers’ Market and at their own farm shop.

In addition to fresh fruit, Perry Court Farm also produces apple crisps, pear crisps and their famous juice from home-grown apples.

For more information, please visit www.perrycourtfarm.co.uk.

Come and see them at the next Farmers’ Market on Saturday 24 September at Civic Way, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RS 9am-2pm.

Mealsfrom only£1.95

For your FREE brochure, call us on

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WFF217_TWBC_114x94_col.indd 1 20/07/2011 17:22

22

Interview with Artistic Director Chris MooreBallet Theatre UK is delighted to present an all-new production of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale The Snow Queen at The Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Tunbridge Wells.As it’s the first time Ballet Theatre UK has performed in Tunbridge Wells we spoke to Artistic Director, Chris Moore, and found out a little more about him, the company and the production...

An Artistic Director is usually attached to a particular theatre and will be involved in organising varying aspects of a stage performance, including all the people involved in the production. Chris Moore is no exception to this, but with Ballet Theatre UK he takes the role a step further by touring his productions nationally.

What’s your background? Were you a dancer?‘Yes, I trained as a dancer and spent nearly 12 years dancing professionally. I then moved on to choreography and knew that this was the sort of direction I wanted to go, then it all started coming together and now we have Ballet Theatre UK and I’m Artistic Director!

‘With my company it’s all the organisation; it’s the hiring of dancers, holding auditions, finding venues, choosing the repertoire, the choreography, staging, costumes... it’s the entire interpretation and bringing the complete production together.’

You founded Ballet Theatre uK in 2009, what was your inspiration?‘I was really conscious of two – well actually three – elements that I felt could be addressed. The first being that if you wanted to see high quality ballet and choreography you had to go to London, or at least big cities to find these productions. Secondly, that if you did find something regionally it was generally a foreign production and possibly not the best quality; and lastly that the number of schools and colleges producing top quality dancers and performers in the UK meant that these dancers had little opportunity to display their talents.

‘I wanted to be able to produce top quality performances using the best talent available and give it a British badge, utilising British talent.’

Are you happy with how that’s working?‘Oh yes, it’s working really well for us. We have 16 dancers and we double cast and rotate the roles to help each of them to experience different roles, different character techniques and to reduce fatigue and the risk of injury for the principal dancers.’

The Snow Queen

23 October 1.30pm & 6.30pm

Tickets £20

Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Ticket office: 01892 530613/532072

What made you decide to choose the Snow Queen as your next production?‘Our first production in 2009 was The Nutcracker, followed last year by Cinderella. Basically, I was looking for something that complemented these. They are both very popular, particularly The Nutcracker and I didn’t want to get into the bracket of simply doing ‘the classics’. Choosing something like the Snow Queen, I think, separates us a little more and makes us a bit unique.’

The Snow Queen has been performed as a play, an opera, a ballet and a musical; how will this ballet production differ?‘It’s a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and we’ll be staying true to the original text and true to his writing. Many other performances carry narrative or have tried to modernise the script. We’ll develop the characters through dance; it’s a production specifically for our company and for the talents that our dancers have. The musical score includes pieces from Glazunov as well as some pieces written especially for this production.

‘It’s a brilliant story with lots of character and it’s seasonal; we’ve got great music and all the depth required for a spectacular production.’

23

Each of the hotspot areas measures ten square metres and a note was made about the number of gum stains in each before the campaign started and before they were cleaned of all gum residue.

As the campaign progresses the sites are being monitored and a note made of the amount of gum litter.

When the campaign is over the number of gum stains will be compared against the number at the start of the campaign.

Locally we used the funding we received to buy gum wraps and pouches.

These little containers have a dual use and allow gum or cigarette butts to be wrapped and put away until

they can be disposed of (as they often go together so it makes sense to provide for both).

A number of local shops have supported our efforts by offering to give out the pouches to customers when they buy gum or cigarettes – ask your shop if they have any or pop into Gateway in the town centre.

There’s nothing wrong with chewing gum; the sugar-free varieties can promote good oral hygiene and for many people gum is a great way to freshen up after eating.

The campaign is promoting a responsible approach to chewing and asks you to dispose of your gum accordingly.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was lucky enough to be chosen to be part of the 2011 national campaign to reduce littering from chewing gum.Our local campaign began with a launch in Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre on September 3 and is running until early October. National advertising is happening at the same time and you may already have seen the posters, which encourage responsible disposal of chewing gum, on billboards and phone boxes as well as on ad-vans and ad-bikes as they drive through the borough.

A campaign like this has to be focused and it was decided to identify ten hotspots in Royal Tunbridge Wells and Southborough where gum littering is noticeable. The campaign aims to:

� raise awareness of the problem of chewing gum litter

� encourage you to be responsible when you dispose of your gum

� educate you that dropping gum is littering and that if you do, you can be fined

Local campaign to reduce litter and chewing gum

Gum facts:According to Keep Britain Tidy, around 20 million people in the UK chew more than 935 million packs of gum every year.

£150 million – the annual cost to Britain’s local authorities for cleaning chewing gum litter.

How should you dispose of gum?Put it in a litter bin.

Wrap it if you can – use a gum wrap but any little piece of paper works.

No bin? Wrap it and keep it with you until you find one.

24

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council wants to put some extra fun into the festive season this year!

What provides a festive feeling more than a twirl round an outdoor ice rink with family and friends, followed by a warm hot chocolate or something mulled for the adults! Whether you are an experienced skater or a complete beginner, the open air ice rink at Calverley Grounds this Christmas will be an essential winter experience!

The rink will open on Saturday 26 November and be open every day (excluding Christmas Day) until Monday 2 January, with the official opening taking place the evening of Friday 25 November. Skating sessions will be for one hour (this includes time to fit your skates, so expect to have about 50 minutes on the ice) and the ticket price includes skate hire.

The ice rink promises to be great fun for all ages and abilities; there will be set times for Parent and Toddler sessions, entertainment in the form of themed nights, sponsors’ evenings and spot prizes for the best skater, or the best ‘Bambi’ on the ice!

Family tickets, school and groups rates (15+) are available; Go! Card holders will enjoy concessionary rates. For those smitten with the skating bug there will be a loyalty card enabling skaters one free skate for every six skates.

For full details on ticket prices, session times and to make an advance booking visit

www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com

Advance booking is recommended for peak times – Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday. From Monday 24 October bookings can be made via the Box Office – 01892 530613/532072 or in person at the Assembly Hall Theatre Box Office.

Cllr Mrs Catherine Mayhew, comments:

‘Many people have said that they would like an ice rink in the town and the Council has listened. It can be enjoyed by residents of all ages as well as visitors who can combine a spin round the rink with their Christmas shopping trip.’

So get your skates on and come and enjoy the thrill and magic of skating on real ice in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells…

In partnership with

25

Wh

AT’S

ON

Trinity Theatre

Box Office 01892 678 678

www.trinitytheatre.net

Assembly Hall

Box office 01892 530613/532072

www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

2 0 S e p t e m b e r The Tree Of Life 11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity TheatreArt Stroll : Ring Species – an exhibition by Dawn Badland12 noon – 1pm Tunbridge Wells Museum

2 1 S e p t e m b e r Last Night 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 2 S e p t e m b e r Lee Hurst: MAN v WOMANTrinity Theatre

2 4 S e p t e m b e r The Jackie Generation 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 5 S e p t e m b e r How the Koala Learnt to Hug2.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreWar Of The Buttons3pm Trinity TheatreCell 211 | Celda 2118pm Trinity Theatre

2 7 S e p t e m b e rThe Big Picture | L’homme Qui Voulait Vivre Sa Vie Film11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 8 S e p t e m b e rThe Tree8pm Trinity Theatre

2 9 S e p t e m b e r Jimmy Carr8pm Assembly Hall TheatreBeefTrinity Theatre

3 0 S e p t e m b e rCraig Ogden: Guitar RecitalTrinity Theatre

1 O c t o b e r The Magic of Mowtown 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreThe Local & Live Sessions: Origami Dinosaur | Goldie Reed 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 O c t o b e r RTWSO – Freddy Kempf 3pm Assembly Hall TheatreHigh Jinx Magic & Circus Roadshow3pm Trinity Theatre

2 O c t o b e r Graham Seed8pmAssembly Hall TheatreBeginners8pm Trinity Theatre

4 O c t o b e r Sarah’s Key | Elle S’appelait Sarah11am | 2pm | 8pm Trinity Theatre

Poetry8pm Trinity Theatre

5 O c t o b e rThe Hollies 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

6 O c t o b e r Rory Bremner & Friends8pm Trinity Theatre

7 O c t o b e rMr Stink 10.30am & 7pm Assembly Hall Theatre

8 O c t o b e rMr Stink 10.30am& 2.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

7 O c t o b e rThe Zanniskinheads and the Quest for the Holy Balls 8pm Trinity Theatre

8 O c t o b e rBig Draw11am – 4pm Tunbridge Wells Museum Rick Wakeman 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreHal Cruttenden 8pm Trinity Theatre

9 O c t o b e rMilton Jones – Lion Whisperer 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreIn Love With The Dance 3pm Trinity Theatre

1 0 O c t Katy Ashworth 11am & 2pm Assembly Hall TheatreSoweto Gospel Choir 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

1 1 O c t o b e r Beautiful Lies | De Vrais Mensonges 11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 2 O c t o b e r Aled Jones 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreSalt Of Life | Le Donne Di Gianni 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 3 O c t o b e r Over the Rainbow 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreComedy Café 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 4 O c t o b e rFriday Fun : Birds and beetles10.30am-11.30am Tunbridge Wells Museum

1 5 O c t o b e rElkie Brooks 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

1 6 O c t o b e r Marc Almond 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

1 8 , 2 0 , 2 1 , 2 2 O c t o b e r King Lear 7.30pm Trinity Theatre

1 9 O c t o b e r King Lear 1.45pm Trinity Theatre

2 1 O c t o b e r The Illegal Eagles 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

2 2 O c t o b e r The Burlesque Show 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

2 3 O c t o b e r King Lear 3pm Trinity Theatre

T u e s 2 5 – F r i 2 8 O c t Holiday Happenings : Around the World in 80 Ways10.30am – 12.30pm or 2 – 4pm Tunbridge Wells Museum

2 5 O c t o b e r Paul Rose 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreArrietty 11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 6 O c t o b e r Peter Alliss 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreThe Wells & Weald : evening talks series7.45pm Tunbridge Wells MuseumThe Hedgehog 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 7 O c t o b e r Kate Rusby 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreFlute Master Class 4pm Trinity TheatreBritten-Pears Ensemble 7.30pm Trinity Theatre

2 8 O c t o b e r House of Bernarda Alba 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 9 O c t o b e r Fabulous Food!All day Tunbridge Wells MuseumSixties Gold 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreCasablanca: Rotary Club Charity Event 7pm Trinity Theatre

3 0 O c t o b e r High School Rocks 2.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreReginald D Hunter 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreTheo The Mouse 3pm Trinity TheatreJulia’s Eyes | Los Ojos De Julia 8pm Trinity Theatre26

1 N o v e m b e r Lee Nelson 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreIn A Better World 11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 N o v e m b e r Ralph McTell 8pm Trinity Theatre

3 N o v e m b e r The Conspirator 8pm Trinity Theatre

4 N o v e m b e r Richard Keys & Andy Gray 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreHard Times 8pm Trinity Theatre

5 N o v e m b e r Tommy Tiernan – Poot 8pm Assembly Hall Theatre5 & 6 November Gunpowder, Treason And Plot 3pm Trinity Theatre

6 N o v e m b e r RTWSO – David Pyatt 3pmFascinating Aida 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreOne Day 8pm Trinity Theatre

8 N o v e m b e r Sally Morgan 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreThe Skin I Live In | La Piel Que Habito 11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity Theatre

9 N o v e m b e r Shakin’ Stevens 7.45pm Assembly Hall TheatreMonsieur Hulot’s Holiday 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 0 N o v e m b e r Numberjacks 11am Assembly Hall TheatreLa Serenissima: Great Sonatas Of Venice 7.30pm Trinity Theatre

1 1 N o v e m b e r The Troggs, Spencer Davies & The Animals 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreTony Hawks: Random Fun 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 2 N o v e m b e r RTWCS – Mendelssohn’s Elijah 7pm Assembly Hall TheatreThe Floyd Effect 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 3 N o v e m b e rChris & Pui Roadshow 10.30am & 1.30 pm Assembly Hall TheatreBoot Led Zeppelin 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreHansel & Gretel 3pm Trinity TheatreProject Nim 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 4 N o v e m b e r Rhythm of the Dance 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

1 5 N o v e m b e r Jane Eyre 11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 6 N o v e m b e r Dave Gorman 8pm Assembly Hall TheatreThe Guard 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 7 N o v e m b e r Show Of Hands 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreComedy Café 8pm Trinity Theatre

1 8 N o v e m b e r Friday Fun : Time for tea!10.30am – 11.30am Tunbridge Wells Museum

Brubeck 7.30pm Assembly Hall Theatre

1 9 N o v e m b e rRoyal Marines Band 7.30pm Assembly Hall TheatreGreat Expectations 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 0 N o v e m b e r Goldilocks 3pm Trinity Theatre

2 0 N o v e m b e r The Devil’s Double 8pm Trinity Theatre

2 2 N o v e m b e r Mademoiselle Chambon 11am, 2pm & 8pm Trinity TheatreArt Stroll : Tunbridge Wells on a Plate12 noon – 1pm Tunbridge Wells Museum

2 3 N o v e m b e rThe Wells & Weald : evening talks series7.45pm Tunbridge Wells Museum

The 3 day activity pass must be activated by 16 November 2011. 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.

**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.

Valid for 1 person for a swim, gym workout and studio class

Free 3 day activity passName:

Mobile: Postcode:

Email:

Centre to complete

Date activated: Date expires: (3 days only)

Activity redeemed (centre to initial each visit):

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!

*Terms and conditions apply per centre. See www.fusion-lifestyle.com for details.

Putlands Sports and Leisure Centre Tel: 01892 838 290Mascalls Court Road, Paddock Wood TN12 6NZThe Weald Sports Centre Tel: 01580 710 720Angley Road, Cranbrook TN17 2PNTunbridge Wells Sports Centre Tel: 01892 540 744St John’s Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9TX

www.tunbridgewells-leisure.com

Free 3 day activity pass

Code: TWC3

Swim Gym Class

*

**

27

Find it all in one easy location.

Visit us at Fountains Retail Park, Longfi eld Road, TN2 3UY today and save.

Valid from 19/9/11 until 4/12/11 at the Tunbridge Wells store only. One voucher per transaction and only one voucher per customer, not transferable. Not valid with any other voucher offer. Voucher must be surrendered. No copies/facsimiles. No cash alternative or credit back. Not valid on prior purchases or exchange items. Not valid on purchases of mobile broadband, DHL delivery, gift vouch-ers and postage stamps.

your in-store purchase of £30 or more.

Voucher code: 301472

£5OFFValid in Tunbridge Wells Staples® store only.

Offer valid 19/9/11–4/12/11

Stationery • Computers • FurnitureTechnology & support • Ink & tonerPaper • Copy & Print services

Weekdays 9am–8pm • Sat 9am–6pm • Sun 11am–5pm

Everything your offi ce needs. Including low prices.

local autumn 2011

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