Friends
ew Year resolutions? At best they're a waste of time, and at worst an invention cooked up by an evil conglomerate to diddle me out of my hard-earned cash. Don't know about you, but the chances of me being richer/thinner/nicer by the end of the year are about the same as the cinema site being transformed into an ornate golden temple. Or anything at all come to think of it. Still, there's one thing I can do in 2012 which doesn't cost much money, takes next to no effort, and is a jolly nice thing to do for the town.
If you Google "Friends of Tunbridge Wells", you'll see that you can become a friend of just about anything - buildings, churches, parks, your hairdresser's cat. There must be at least one of them that piques your interest, so go on, why not do it? Here are just some I've joined, or intend to join this year. But the list really is endless.
Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.
Friends of Grosvenor and Hilbert Park. Having just been set up last year, this is a young society, so it's a good time to join in and support their progress. Their Lottery bid was unsuccessful, which I find quite unbelievable considering what a boon this park is for the town. With a skateboard park, ponds and Panini in the Park, it's a truly all-inclusive place which has something for everybody. What excites me the most is that there have been recent sightings of one of our loveliest birds, the kingfisher. Just to catch a glimpse of that lovely vivid blue is an absolute treat and well worth the membership price alone.
A mean, moody and magnificent shot of the Common.
Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons. The Commons mean a lot to me, as although I live in the centre of town, if I feel the need for a walk in the country, I can be there in a couple of minutes. At £5 a year for single, and £10 a year for the whole family, this is an absolute bargain. And if you can't get enough of my unique and engaging writing style, then their quarterly newsletter gives you the chance to read my birding journal. Join now and you can look forward to my fascinating insights into that little ol' Turdus, the song thrush.
A nice place to park your bum for the afternoon with a glass of wine.
Friends of Trinity. With prices starting at £20, this is definitely one of the priciest friendships around, but the concessions are really good and if you're a regular Trinity-goer, you're guaranteed to make your money back almost immediately.
Back view of the Library/Art Gallery; did you know it was round?
The Friends of Tunbridge Wells Museum, Library & Art Gallery. Lots of exciting goings-on at a museum staffed by interesting, passionate and helpful people. Last year, Mr Anke and I attended a great talk on butterflies by Tunbridge Wells's Greatest Living Gentleman And All-Round Oracle, Ian Beavis, and we look forward to attending a few more this year.
Admittedly, though, I have made one resolution, and that's to try to get to some Tunbridge Wells FC matches. Come on, let's get behind our our local team this year!
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