Fascinating interviews with people in the area of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells in Kent on the big topics of the moment. They are recorded by former BBC World Service journalist, Martin Webber, who delights in tracking down people passionate about improving their local community. Issues include who's running the council, safety on the streets, producing organic apples locally, cycle routes and help for electric car drivers. All the interviews were first broadcast on West Kent Radio - the volunteer OFCOM authorised community radio station on 95.5, 106.7 and 107.2 FM.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is still aiming to demolish the town's Friendly Societies' Hall, which houses a popular snooker club. I've been speaking to the owners of the Victoria Snooker Centre to hear their case to be preserved. They reveal they last week finally met in person the key Liberal Democrat on the council who is in charge of the redevelopment plans for the area that mean borrowing £ 68 million and building a "boutique cinema". The borrowing means a bill for council tax payers in loan repayments of £5 million a year - the council says it will get this money back due to the economic boost to the town from the shopping centre improvements.00:29 Co-owner Victoria Snooker Centre Graham Martin "please have a rethink"09:47 Co-owner Victoria Snooker Centre Liam Martin (son of Graham), ends with "we bring people into the their (council) car parks and into their streets"21:45 Support worker Ray at Motson House - a residential home who does activities to get adults into the community: "We have full support here...without having something like this local, we'd almost have to quit - we can't go to Maidstone."23:17 Club member Scott: "Where I forget everything and all I can look at is just the ball..it gives me comfort, something to escape from real life problems."26:22 Justine Rutland, Deputy Leader Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (speaking in April 2026) says the Friendly Societies Hall has to be demolished to make room for a new three screen boutique cinema which will allow the council owned Royal Victoria Place shopping centre to prosper.28:55 Mike Martin, MP for Tunbridge Wells (speaking in May 2026) on why he disagrees with the Tunbridge Wells Civic Society which says the Friendly Societies' Hall should be preserved for its architectural merit and its role in the town's social history.Work on the Friendly Societies' Hall started with a ceremony attended by Princess Louise, one of the daughters of Queen Victoria in 1877. It was funded by local tradespeople for the community in an example of Victorian "self-help." It was designed by William Barnsley Hughes and features distinctive heraldic elephant emblems on the front entrance.
4 Jun 2026
Episode 23: Southborough Votes on Neighbourhood Plan
The people of Southborough and High Brooms are being asked to endorse several years of work that local volunteers have put into creating a framework for future development in the town. A referendum on the Southborough and High Brooms Neighbourhood Development Plan is being held on Thursday 18th June 2026. The chair of the Steering Committee, Nicholas Woollett explains why it is so important to got out and vote.
21 May 2026
Episode 22: Climate & Nature Fair 2026
The second Climate and Nature Fair was held in Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells on Sunday 3rd May 2026. Visitors to the free event saw a big collection of nature and environment groups come together to explain to the public what they are trying to achieve.00:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxz-N5A8LmI) Mark McBennett, organiser of Tunbridge Wells Climate and Nature Fair01:10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxz-N5A8LmI&t=70s) Cally Fiddimore, Manager at Kent High Weald Partnership on volunteering on Commons (pictured)03:54 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxz-N5A8LmI&t=234s) Martin Barrett, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Beekeepers on Asian Hornet Threat07:09 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxz-N5A8LmI&t=429s) Rupert Reed, keynote speaker from Climate Majority Project on preparing for shortages11:35 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxz-N5A8LmI&t=695s) Upsum and list of events12:06 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxz-N5A8LmI&t=726s) end
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