Our Pennington Road house was built in the 1850s and one of the many charms of owning an old house is being able to speculate about what the people who lived here before were really like. At night - on their way up to bed - they slid their hands on the same stair banisters …

Continue reading A Successful Hunt for Our Home’s History

The closure of schools, hairdressers and other non-essential businesses has produced a 19% drop in Covid-19 cases in Tunbridge Wells Borough in January, compared with December's record figure of 2,139 positive tests. The weekly case rate trend is down in both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, but national restrictions are likely to stay in place for …

Continue reading Local Covid Cases Fall in January

Tunbridge Wells Borough has recorded another record rate of new Covid-19 cases, although the latest rise was less than previous days suggesting cases may be nearing a peak as tougher restrictions and school holidays have an effect in reducing transmission. It is not clear whether full testing and reporting will be in place over Christmas, …

Continue reading Thursday Update: Local Covid-19 Cases Edge Higher

All non-essential shops were forced to shut from today in Kent and London after the UK Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said a new variant Covid-19 virus was "out of control" and it needed to be brought under control. Mr Hancock said it would be very difficult to keep the virus under control until the vaccine …

Continue reading Sunday Update: Covid-19 Virus “Out of Control”

Despite the so-called "Second Lockdown" coming into force on November 5th, which meant only essential trips were allowed away from home, Covid-19 cases have doubled in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells over the past month. Latest updates now at: https://southborough-news.com Given the situation is complex and fast moving, official figures for how each local borough and …

Continue reading Local Cases of Covid-19 Surged in November

The mayor of Southborough, Cllr Alain Lewis, has said the new community building under construction that is currently known as the "Southborough Hub" will have a new name suggested by residents. Cllr Lewis told Southborough News: "There should be community engagement to decide on the name, so we are open to suggestions." The latest pictures …

Continue reading Wanted! New Name for Southborough Hub

The mayor of Southborough, Cllr Alain Lewis, has said the people of the town need to remain vigilant to keep themselves safe from the Covid-19 virus, even though there are now only a "handful" of cases in West Kent. Cllr Lewis stated: "People should socially distance in the street. If you are not wearing a …

Continue reading Southborough Mayor says People Must Stay Vigilant

The broadcasting regulator OFCOM has today approved the opening of a new community radio station serving Tunbridge Wells, Southborough and Tonbridge which will be easily accessible on all FM radios from next year. The news delighted the dedicated volunteers at Hospital Radio Tunbridge Wells who had  put in many hours of work over the past year …

Continue reading New Community FM Radio Station Approved for Tunbridge Wells

The sitting local Conservative MP, Greg Clark, won his seat comfortably in the General Election, receiving 55% of the votes cast and telling local media he was "thrilled" to be re-elected and "would be representing the whole community for the next five years". The Liberal Democrat candidate, Ben Chapelard (second from left above at the …

Continue reading Greg Clark returns as Local MP with 55% of Votes

A local residents' group has warned that a very large area - equivalent to 250 football pitches - between the A26 and Vauxhall Lane could be opened up to development if local people fail to object strongly enough to the Borough Council's Local Plan. The Hangman's Hill Residents' Association submission seen by Southborough News states …

Continue reading “Thousands of New Homes” Possible in Southborough if Local Plan isn’t Opposed