Anke: Royal Tunbridge Wells

Today was the So Create a Difference Exhibition's open day, the opportunity for the people of Tunbridge Wells to submit their ideas for the future of our town.

Even before the doors opened people were queuing to get in and have a look. I was only in there for an hour or so and in that time hundreds of people passed through the door. If this doesn't show how passionate we are about our town then I don't know what would. People want action. People want change.

It was something really lovely to see people of all ages grabbing coloured pens and scribbling designs onto pieces of paper. Lots of the architects responsible for the concepts on display on the walls were on hand to help people get their ideas out of their brains and onto the paper. I can't wait to see some of the amazing ideas that you have all come up with. Stay tuned and I will bring you some of them when I can.

If you missed the action today then there is still plenty of time to see the displays, albeit without taking part, as they are on show until Tuesday 29th January. Bravo to RIBA South East, James Galpin and Stuart Page for doing something tremendous like this. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens and bringing you all the results.

Click to see some photos from the morning's frenzied activity.

The So Create a Difference Exhibition opened today in Royal Victoria Place showcasing some fabulous concepts for the future of our town.

Jenny, James, Stuart and Mike from So Create a Difference.

The exhibition showcases fifteen or so local architects who have a passion for Tunbridge Wells and want to see it evolve into something more fantastic than it already is. People have grown tired of seeing the town centre resist progress, especially the Ritz Cinema site, and this group are hoping to kickstart the next redevelopment of our town with this display of ideas. Let's just hope it works.

James posts up one of the concept boards.

The real beauty of this exhibition is the fact that you can contribute some of your ideas too, all you have to do is pop along on Saturday from 10:00. Architects will be on hand to help turn your gem of an idea into a drawing so don't worry if you're not too sharp with a pencil.

James' superb Museum and Art Gallery concept. Copyright James Galpin at HazleMcCormackYoung LLP Chartered Architects.

I have to say that I was blown away by the concepts on display, one of which I think we should start building tomorrow. The plan was the brainchild of James Galpin, whose idea of making our Museum and Art Gallery into a building worthy of its contents, and our town, deserves real close study. Please TWBC, please please please build this.

James' superb Museum and Art Gallery concept. Copyright James Galpin at HazleMcCormackYoung LLP Chartered Architects.

How much would having a Museum and Art Gallery like this improve our local economy? It would entice tourists from miles and miles away to come and visit us, it would bring jobs, income, and attract many other businesses. It's a no-brainer. This is the new design I have inside my head for what the future of the Civic Centre should be. It must be built. Please!

James' superb Museum and Art Gallery concept. Copyright James Galpin at HazleMcCormackYoung LLP Chartered Architects.

The other idea which I think will be a firm favourite, although probably won't be built, but it should, is the idea pitched by the students of Skinners Kent Academy for the Ritz Cinema site. A zoo! Yes, a town centre zoo! How unbelievably brilliant would that be? Imagine walking up Mount Pleasant and seeing a giraffe poking his head over the fence. Total genius.

The Tunbridge Wells Zoo. Genius. Copyright Students at The Skinners' Kent Academy.

The Tunbridge Wells Zoo. Genius. Copyright Students at The Skinners' Kent Academy.

I think a zoo would be a wonderful draw for tourism and the funfair would keep everyone entertained all year long. Can you imagine falling asleep at night with the gibbering of monkeys and the trumpeting of an elephant carrying over the night air. Very cool eh?

The boards had only been up five minutes and lots of people were taking an interest.

I very highly recommend that you take a quarter of an hour of your day on Saturday to pop along to see the exhibition and see some of the other fabulous concepts on display and perhaps even take part, but if you can't then the boards will be available to see in the windows of the old Zoola Fish shop (next to Thorntons at the Five Ways Entrance) until Tuesday 29th January.

To put a final cherry on the top of the Kent & Sussex Hospital tiles adventure, Cheryl Baker today unveiled the superbly restored Noah's Ark tile in its new home at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.

In wonderfully expert fashion, as only the skirt-ripping legend could, Cheryl tore down the paper cover to reveal the tiles once more to the daylight. It looked fantastic, and now in its new home in a busy corridor will be enjoyed by thousands of people every year. I wonder how many people will see it and recognise it from the old Children's Ward of the Kent & Sussex Hospital?

A huge thank you to the Comms Team at the NHS Trust for inviting David and I down to see the unveiling. It gave us a nice warm feeling inside.

Click to see more photographs from the event.

District3 and FTW visited Royal Victoria Place this evening to perform a few songs to a deafening crowd and to turn on the Christmas lights, all hosted by Toby Anstis.

District3 perform in Royal Victoria Place.

I have never seen Royal Victoria Place so packed and so loud since the last time Marks and Spencer mistakenly priced the Percy Pigs at five pence a bag. It was truly deafening but quite an amazing event. If the screams and tears of girls crying "He touched my hand!"are anything to go by I think a great time was had by all.

Click here to see the photos.

It’s rather handy that Artisan comes around at this time every year because that special day is fast approaching, you know the one, that day we dare not mention until next month, ok it's Christmas (sorry).

The wonderful embroidered art by Gillian Bates.

The Artisan exhibition is in its third year and is getting more and more popular every year. Not only is it a lovely exhibition of local artist's art and crafts, you can also take the pieces home with you, as long as you pay for them first of course. New this year is the Arts Council's ‘Own Art’ scheme which makes it even easier for you to buy with the option of a ten month interest free loan.

My highlight this year, well there are a few but I was immediately taken by the embroidered images of The Pantiles by Gillian Bates. She's an artist from Eastbourne so I may find myself popping down and paying her a visit very shortly.

Go take a look for yourself, Artisan is open until the 6th of January. You can now follow the Art Gallery on Twitter too, which I heartily recommend, find them at @twartyculture.