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Original poster

New to Tunbridge Wells

21 replies

alicehh · 11/11/2007 09:17

Hello, we are movng to Tunbridge Wells from London soon. I have a one year old son. I was wondering if anyone can recommend somewhere in Tunbridge Wells to do swimming lessons. At the moment we do Gymboree classes in London, they don't seem to have a branch in TW, does anyone have any recommendations of other types of music/baby gym classes. Any advice is welcome, thanks.

OP posts:
gingernutlover · 12/11/2007 07:46

hi i live in tunbridge wells with my husband and daughter who is 2. I work part time but also go to some toddler groups and have used music groups, gym sessions and swimming lessons in the area.

There is a magazine called the west kent grapevine which has complete listings of everything on - they dont have listings on their website but i could send you a copy if you would like.

also there is a national website called netmums.com which has local pages you can join and they have a very comprehensive listings section fuill of todddler groups, gym classes etc. They also have a meet a mum page where you can cointact other local mums and meet for coffee etc. www.netmums.com/h/f/HOME/home/

there is an active NCT branch at www.tunbridgewellsanddistrictnct.co.uk/index.shtml

hope that helps, if you want anything else just email me at [email protected], maybe we can meet for coffee when you move here?

sleighedbytwins · 18/12/2007 20:07

My husband and I moved to TW last month from London with our 2 year old twins. I have been finding it really difficult to find any toddler groups etc - I have tried to get hold of the family grapevine for the area but no joy. Will be following gingernutlover's suggestion for netmums. Would love to meet up when you arrive - not that I'll be able to help much but it would be nice to meet someone else in the same boat.
And would love to meet up with gingernutlover - I need loads of advice about TW and 2 year olds in general!

sian370 · 07/01/2008 00:16

We are moving to TW in a few weeks too! Would love to meet up with others. I have a 3 year old boy and a 10 month old daughter.

AnaKi · 09/01/2008 13:26

Hi, this is so exciting!!! We moved to TW last October and have been going to Baby bounce & Rhyme at the library on Tue-11am and a couple of times we went to a Toddlers group at St James Church on Thur-10:15am (£1)
Would all of you like to meet there tomorrow?
My LO and I would love to meet you guys. If you can't make it tomorrow may be next Tue?
She is 1 year old, we both have dark hair and dark eyes and I'll make sure I have a ponytail. Come talk to us!!! What do you think?
Oh, I haven't seen any babywearers around here yet, so if you see one, that's probably me . I'll be wearing my LO on my back.
Please describe yourselves so we can find you.
In St James church we'll be in the baby-non walkers area and at the library we are usually at the back (we can never make it on time) lol.

To find st James church type "st James church tunbridge wells" on any map, ie. maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

AnaKi · 11/01/2008 11:37

May be we'll see you all Tue.

ginnedup · 17/01/2008 21:39

Hi. There is also a really good toddler group at St Peters Church on Tuesday mornings, its called Noahs Ark and they are really friendly.
Also there is a local magazine called Family Interest which has details of lots of activities.
I always used to take mine to Tumble Tots at St John's church (can't remember what day but I think it was on a Thursday or Friday)
Sadly my toddlers are both at school now so I miss out on all that fun now I have gone back to work
You will love it here in the summer, there are some lovely parks (Dunorlan is the best imo) and the Pantiles has a really nice atmosphere on summer days.

JosieWarren · 05/02/2008 16:38

Hi there, saw this and thought maybe I could join you as I moved down to Lamberhurst (near Tun Wells) last Jan from London and have a 4 month old. Did you guys meet up?

AnaKi · 07/02/2008 14:54

Hi! No, we haven't but I've met lots of nice mums on those two groups I go to. We try to get early for the library one and for the one at St. James we are usually close to the mmmh, where you can get a drink and a biscuit area. Slightly enclosed area for the ones that are not running yet.
today I met another mum that moved from london and might be seeing her on Mon or definitely at the library next week.
Let us know if you can go to either of them and we'll meet there! (or somewhere else?)

Lennsuey · 13/02/2008 14:51

Hi! I live in TW with my husband, we've been here since August 2006.
I recommend the public leisure centre on St Johns Road for swimming lessons, it's run by a company called Fusion. There is a swimming club based there called Monson.
I am 30 weeks pregnant and use their pool regularly to try and keep fit throughout this testing time!
Here's a link:
www.fusion-lifestyle.com/CentreDetails.asp?cat=221
Hope this helps, might see you there one day!

JosieWarren · 20/02/2008 09:03

Thanks AnaKi, sorry haven't replied for ages, only just remembered about this post - babies eh! Where is St.James's Church? It's slightly tricky for me right now as I have to get a bus into town because I'm learning to drive. But if it's central ish I should be able to get there!

AnaKi · 21/02/2008 20:49

Hi JW,
I found this map
Today it was closed but next week it will be as normal and we'll be there. Hope your bus passes close by it. The one at the library is very central.
Hope to see you and your lo

All4thekids · 27/02/2008 22:22

Hello mums new to TW. We moved here a few weeks ago and what with unpacking and generally trying to sort stuff out have been slow to get started on finding our way around. I have a 3 year old ds and 1 year old dd. We are only around on Mondays and Wednesdays. Any suggestions? Everything seems to be on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

AnaKi · 28/02/2008 21:16

Hi All4thekids!!!
There's a Mothers & Toddlers Group on Wednesday mornings from 10.00 until noon, in the Meeting Room at St Augustine?s.
It's on Crescent Road, right at one of the entrances of Carverley Gardens. £0.50 to enter.

We've been there once but a few of my friends go there regularly (I wish I'd have the time). HTH.

EHughes · 02/03/2009 22:28

Hi there,

We too have also just moved down from London (all the usual reasons - great schools, green space, nice vibe).

I am back to work in a few weeks time, but my husband will be looking after the kids (aged 4 months and nearly 4). In London he was part of a regular dads group which he really enjoyed. Is there anything similar in Tunbridge Wells? Or a particularly dad-friendly group with mums as well? All the groups seem to be in the morning which isn't good for him as that's his time for working when the oldest is at nursery.

Thanks,
Ellie

MoosterfromOz · 04/03/2009 20:30

Hi Ellie

We have just moved here from Australia, but used to live in London. Hubby and I are both home at the moment, and he has found a "Daddy and me" session at the Pandas playgroup at Pantiles Baptist Church (up on Frant Road). I think you can just turn up, once a month, next one is Saturday 21 March, 10am-12pm. He hasn't been yet but they were very friendly on the phone. Come along!

To others out there, I want a playgroup for my 18 month old active boy, and I need some mums to drink coffee with (I hate to drink alone!) Any suggestions? I have only been here 3 weeks myself.

Cheers
Amanda

EHughes · 06/03/2009 00:56

Hi Amanda,

Thanks for the info on Daddy and Me at the Pantiles Church - will definitely get Peter to try it.

I also found out about another 'Daddy and Me' at St John's Church Hall in Amhurst Road - again Saturdays - next one is 28th March. Also 10am - 12.

I have been told by my health visitor that there are 'lots' of Home Dads (or whatever the best term is?) in TW but as we have just moved and had another baby we have been too busy to go along to any of the week day parent groups to see if we bump into any of them... Hopefully it will all happen soon.

Thanks!
Ellie

EHughes · 06/03/2009 01:00

Hi Amanda,

Just a suggestion to help you on your quest for a playgroup - have you checked out 'Grapevine' magazine? I got it from my GP but I bet the library would probably have them too. It lists all the playgroups in TW and lots of other family friendly stuff.

Ellie

MoosterfromOz · 10/03/2009 20:51

Hi Ellie

Sorry for slow reply, you know how it is! As well as my 18 month old I have a 4 year old and I don't know which one keeps me more busy. I think on balance the 4 year old as he is much more demanding.

Anyway, thanks for all that info, I do have Grapevine and have rung a few playgroups and finally found one that wasn't full - we went today for the first time. I have found a nursery for 4YO, Hawkenbury, which seems lovely and he will start school in Sept.

I have a separate question, as I am a non-native. Should I have a health visitor, or such? I haven't even been to the GP, so how does the "system" know that my children are being cared for/not abused/not starved/receiving their vaccinations?

Just wondering...
Cheers
Amanda

EHughes · 10/03/2009 22:39

Hi Amanda,

When we signed on with a GP we had a visit from the Health Visitor. Just a formality really to introduce herself and check we were OK. Not sure if this is because we were new to the area or because we have v. new baby. Would have thought if you sign up for GP they can tell you.

Which school are you hoping for for your 4 year old by the way?

Ellie

maryjane66 · 03/04/2009 16:44

Hi Amanda;we are also from australia(brisvegas) and we have a 2 year old and a 5 year old;we live in the Pembury area;just outside of tunbridge wells.We go to Little Rascals on a wed or a thurs at the pembury baptist church.my 2 year old loves it as did my 5 year old.if you ever need help through this english school system;nursery and applications etc etc or feel homesick we could meet up.

take care
mary-jane

Ka18 · 28/04/2009 21:22

Thought you all might be interested in new Mumsnet Local - Tunbridge Wells.

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