Local, National and International
OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
– 1905 – Tunbridge Wells High Street – 2016 –
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All the news that matters
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Wednesday, December 28, 2016
INSIDE STATION FACELIFT
The search is on for artists to replace the murals. Pages 4
SURVEY SURPRISE
Is Tonbridge a better place than Tunbridge Wells? Page 5
NOW AND THEN: An amateur photographer has endeavoured to capture 100 years of transformation in the town with his new book The Time Travel Tour of Tunbridge Wells. Jonathan Bolland, who lives in the area and works for AXA – a sponsor – is dedicating all the proceeds to local charities 3H and West Kent Mind. Above is the High Street of 1905 and today
Syrian refugees celebrate their new lives By Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk REFUGEES who fled the civil war in Syria, and have now been rehomed in Tunbridge Wells, gathered at the Town Hall in the days before Christmas to celebrate the start of their new lives. More than 60 people met at the afternoon event organised by the Mayor’s office to mark one year since the first two families arrived in the town. Among them were 21 refugees from five rehomed families. Others were people who have helped in the process of assimilating them into their new community. Their resettlement in Tunbridge Wells is part of a broader national programme to help those deemed ‘most in need’ following their displacement by the conflict in Syria, with Tunbridge Wells pledging to take ten families in total by 2020. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Housing Services Manager, Jane Lang, one of the key people involved in
the programme, explained the process involved in helping those fleeing war in their own country to adapt to their new lives. She said: “Most of the families we have been asked to house so far have children. This is why we place them in private accommodation, and this has been mainly two and three-bedroom houses. We are not using social housing as it is so scarce.”
‘We help them learn English and then find jobs’ So far it has been ‘easier than expected’ to find willing landlords who are happy to match their rents to the local housing benefit cap, currently £223.19 per week for three bedrooms. Management of the scheme, which is funded by central government for the first two years, is split between the borough and county councils, with the latter ensuring the educational and health needs of the new arrivals is catered for. Those being resettled have not been a part of Europe’s current migration crisis.
Instead, they are families who have been languishing in refugee camps in places such as Jordan, often for years. The first few weeks of their new lives in Tunbridge Wells involve a lot contact with the relevant members of each council and social workers. “We work with an organisation called Rethink to help them settle down, set them up for benefits, help them learn English at the Adult Education Centre and then find jobs,” said Ms Lang. For many families, health issues mean gaining employment is not a straightforward process, she added. But others have been finding work, particularly at fashion retailer Childrensalon, which already employs Arabic-speaking staff, making the transition easier. Cllr Lynne Weatherly, Cabinet member for Communities and Wellbeing, said: “The Syrian relocation scheme is working incredibly well in the borough. A good part of the reason for this success is the support that’s come from within the local community, for which we are very grateful. I’m pleased we’ve been able to help these families, who’ve come to us from such desperate circumstances.”
THAT WAS THE YEAR
The stories that made 2016 such a memorable time. Pages 18-19
HAPPY BEAR DAY
Local author helps pen Pooh’s big birthday book. Page 50