West Kent Talking

West Kent Talking

Episode 10: Gatwick Airport Expansion; Big Apples; Kent Cricket's New Captain

45 min · 28. okt. 2023
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episode Episode 10: Gatwick Airport Expansion; Big Apples; Kent Cricket's New Captain cover

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Gatwick Airport wants to double its passenger numbers from current levels. Its proposals are being considered by the planning authorities. Members of the public have until the end of Sunday 29 October 2023 to register if they want to comment. Many local residents are concerned about noise and pollution from the airport. Listen to the arguments against Gatwick's expansion from campaigner, Charles Lloyd. Plus hear from Gatwick's Head of Noise and Airspace Strategy, Andy Sinclair, on why he thinks the plans are compatible with net zero climate commitments and why night flights won't increase. We also return to the organic orchards of Mole End Farms to hear about their summer growing season and why their apples are the largest they've ever had. We hear from apple pickers - some have come from as far away as Central Asia for the seasonal work. Cyclists have continued to campaign for better cycle routes in West Kent - we'll hear how their convoys on the A26 were received. Then we talk to the Pembury Councillor David Hayward who left the "Tunbridge Wells Alliance" Party and formed a new "Independents for Tunbridge Wells" Party in the summer. He explains why. Finally, we focus on cricket, after Kent sucessfully avoided relegation from Division One of the County Championship on the final day of the season. We speak to Kent's new captain Daniel Bell-Drummond about how his parents inspired him to take up the game. And we hear from Kent Cricket's Chief Executive Simon Storey on the chances of county cricket returning to the Neville Ground in Tunbridge Wells next season. To end, Fred Atkins explains his role as the Kent reporter for the ECB network and he runs through the highs and lows of Kent's 2023 season.

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23 episodes

episode Episode 22: Climate & Nature Fair 2026 artwork

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

21. maj 202612 min
episode Episode 21: Lib Dems Win Big in Vote 26 artwork

Episode 21: Lib Dems Win Big in Vote 26

The Liberal Democrats have consolidated their control of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, winning 11 out of the 15 seats that were at stake in the election of May 2026. Neither Reform or the Green Party got any councillors elected. Lib Dems won 38% of votes. Labour lost 2 seats. Watch the leader of the council Ben Chapelard and the Lib Dem MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin, on their success, plus they explain what the results means for the future of the RVP development which currently means the demolition of the Victorian Friendly Societies' Hall that houses the snooker club. 00:24 Daniel Dzenkowski says he will continue campaigning for residents despite losing as the Conservative candidate in Pantiles ward. 01:19 David Hayward talks about how he beat the Lib Dems by just 18 votes in Pembury & Capel.03:08 Ellen Neville talks about why voters backed her for the Tunbridge Wells Alliance in Hawkhurst ward and why not everything is yet fixed with the RVP plans. 09:02 Mike Martin, Lib Dem MP for Tunbridge Wells on adding 3 seats12:10 Reform UK's Chair in Tun Wells Rob Grindley explains his disappointment at failing to win a seat despite his candidates' hard work. 14:12 Kate Sergeant of the Green Party points to her party's four fold increase in vote in Sherwood, where the party campaigned strongly. 16:32 Ben Chapelard, Lib Dem leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough CouncilOverall, Lib Dems now have 25 seats, Conservatives 7, Labour 3, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 3 and Independents for Tunbridge Wells 1 seat.

9. maj 202621 min
episode Episode 20: Reform UK's Challenge in Vote 2026 artwork

Episode 20: Reform UK's Challenge in Vote 2026

Reform UK only won 1% of the votes in the last Borough Council elections in Tunbridge Wells two years ago. But Reform support soared in the County Council elections last year when the party took control of Kent County Council. Reform has strong hopes of taking seats in the Sherwood ward in the Borough elections on Thursday 7th May 2026. Oliver Kinkade is standing for Reform UK in Sherwood. He's one of the younger candidates competing for votes in this election. Martin Webber challenged him on how the party can fulfil its promises on housing and taxes. Oliver also spells out his outright opposition to the Liberal Democrat plan for the council to take on a £68 million debt to revamp the shopping centre by building a "boutique" cinema and demolishing the historic Friendly Societies' Hall in Tunbridge Wells which currently houses the thriving snooker club. For other parties see previous podcasts. Results on Southborough News website.

5. maj 202624 min