Welcome to the website of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. The Society is an independent organisation
which campaigns for the conservation and improvement of this attractive town with its important heritage and rich cultural life.
- see more about our objectives and background;
- get the latest news on current issues;
- learn about Tunbridge Wells' greatest architect Decimus Burton;
- find out about the Decimus Burton Museum and Study Centre Project;
- see what the Daily Mail has to say about the decision to sell 9 & 10 Crescent Road Daily Mail 11th November 2023;
- download our latest Newsletter;
- check out our latest Publication (use the Publications tab to buy on-line);
- send us your comments on any of our activities or on current issues in the town.
New book on Trinity now available to order
This book has been produced to coincide with the opening of Trinity
tower to the public. Today, the historical significance of this
splendid building and the role it plays in the artistic and cultural
life of the town are widely recognised. Yet less than sixty years ago
it was threatened with demolition. The book explains the campaign
fought by the local Civic Society, and others, to save the building
and find a new and worthwhile role that would safeguard its future.
Brian Lippard has lived or worked in Tunbridge Wells since 1971.
He is a member and past chairman of the RTW Civic Society, and is
currently chairman of its Local History Group. He has had access
to the archives of the Civic Society, Trinity, TWBC and the Courier
newspaper. He also wishes to acknowledge the unfailing support he
has received from Dr. Philip Whitbourn OBE. Without his help this
book would be a shadow of what it is now.
In A5 portrait format it costs just £4.95. You can get your copy by clicking on the link above to our Publications page and ordering on-line.
Our next events for 2024:
Friday 6th September to Sunday 15th September 2024
Heritage Open Days in and around Tunbridge Wells
Heritage Open Days 2024 are go and you can find out all you need to know on the national website for Heritage Open Days.
Click on the link below and type Tunbridge Wells in the Search by location box and then click on search:
http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on.html
Thursday 12th September 7.30pm at Christ Church, High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1UT
'Herbert Caley: the Father of the Town Council'
- Neil Spalding, one of our members, traces the life
and work of this influential Tunbridge Wells architect, mayor and benefactor. Herbert Murkin Caley,
a successful local architect, was elected to the council in 1900, becoming Mayor
of Tunbridge Wells in 1909, the year that we became 'Royal'. He also served
as a Borough and Kent magistrate for 34 years in total. In 1931 he donated the
land on Ashley Park in Rusthall that became the Mary Caley Recreation Ground
in memory of his late wife. When he died, newspaper articles described him
as 'The Father of the Town Council'. This is his Tunbridge Wells story. Neil
Spalding's interest was sparked by living in the lodge to Caley's house (now
demolished).
