Ramada Jarvis

The Town Hall and the Heritage Walk

by Mariajoy

2006 is a very special year for the Kent county town and to commemorate the 400 years since the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in T.Wells, the Borough Council have created a Heritage Walk throughout the town. Click the Heritage Walk link for further information.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS - WHERE THE BROGUES RUN FREE!

by themajor

"DISGUSTED! TUNBRIDGE WELLS..."

Ladies and Gentlemen! Be not afraid of this chapter heading, for Tunbridge Wells (or to give it it's full title 'Royal Tunbridge Wells') is a delightful town where the tweedy and conservative amongst us may walk freely and drink deeply...'er, that's tea I'm talking about! 'Disgusted! Tunbridge Wells' is simply a British expression, shorthand when you want to show that something is likely to offend or when you want to point out a person who is moralistic and easily offended. This came about because Tunbridge Wells was/is supposed to be the sort of place well-to-do personages of military bearing would retire to. A place steeped in good old British conservatism and traditionalist values.

Apparently, Tunbridge Wells was once a mecca for crumbly Colonels and moustached Majors but they are, sadly , a disappearing breed. Nevertheless, in the Major's book the measure of any decent place is whether the local charity shops are likely to offer a smattering of bow ties and cravats...and here, they do. I love it !