017 If you have some local news to share, email editorial@indexmagazine.co.uk JULY NEWS Dame Kelly opens new arts and social centre


Local hero and double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes officially opened the new Chiddingstone Causeway Arts and Social Centre, The Causeway Hall. The much-anticipated and long-awaited opening marked the start of a week-long festival of events. Following the demolition of much-loved old Causeway Hall in 2002, a redevelopment group was set up in 2011, and after six years of enormous effort and hard work the final amount of £750,000 was raised by contributions and local endeavours. Dame Kelly said: “I am very proud of my community and


honoured to be here today to open your new Causeway Hall. I have witnessed this hall being built brick by brick as I run past it every day! I compare this to my Olympic training, years of struggles and challenges, highs and lows, culminating in one fantastic happy day of celebration and success such as this.” • For more information, visit www.causewayhall.co.uk/


How does your garden grow?


Local hospice charity ellenor is asking green-fingered folk to spread a bit of happiness this summer by opening their garden gates in aid of families facing terminal illness. They already have a number of gardens signed up, either to open to the public or as a private event. Area fundraiser Katie Gardner said: “We have a very helpful fundraising


pack for people who want to take part – with some handy hints from BBC Radio Kent gardening guru Andy Garland. Don’t be shy to show others the fruits of your labour.” • To find out more about the garden openings or learn how you can open your own garden, visit www.ellenor.org/ gloriousgardens


Diary date


Tunbridge Wells Belgian Week, 15th-23rd July During the week, pubs, bars and restaurants around the town will be offering Belgian-themed items – from beer and waffles to moules-frites.


At the time of going to


press work was in progress to brand a Saison beer, brewed in Tunbridge Wells by Pig & Porter, especially for the week. There will also be a


number of pop-up events at the Belgian Week Info Point in Royal Victoria Place and the organisers of the week-long event are delighted that a number of relatives of those who came to the town in the First World War will be visiting from Belgium and France for the occasion.


Dedicated local teacher raises £1,090 for Mind


Amy Brown, a science teacher at The Skinners’ Kent Academy in Tunbridge Wells, competed in the gruelling Comrades Marathon, the largest and oldest ultramarathon in the world, raising an impressive £1,090 (to date) for her chosen charity, Mind. The race direction alternates each year and 2017 was an ‘up-run’ of approximately 56 miles uphill from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in South Africa.


• Further information and tickets for events are available through the website www. twbelgianweek2017.org.uk or by calling 07754 306763.


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