{"id":5658,"date":"2026-03-12T13:47:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T13:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/tunbridge-wells\/?page_id=5658"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:27:25","slug":"latest-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/tunbridge-wells\/latest-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Obituary: June Bridgeman CB 26th<\/sup> June 1932 – 19th<\/sup> April 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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June Bridgeman CB was a distinguished public servant, community leader, and tireless advocate for women\u2019s equality, safety, and education, whose life was marked by both national achievement and deep local commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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June began her long association with the Tunbridge Wells Soroptimists in 1966 while working at the Prices and Incomes Board. Her career in public service went on to include senior Whitehall appointments, notably within the Cabinet Office Think Tank and as Transport Director for London. In recognition of her national and international contributions to road and vehicle safety, she was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her dedication to equality was evident in her role as Deputy Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission, where she built strong relationships with women\u2019s organisations across the UK and beyond. In 1995, she represented the Fawcett Society at both the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York and the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing. She later served as one of three Commissioners on the three-year BSE Public Inquiry.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In 2001, June received a Women of Achievement Award from the European Union of Women, recognising her outstanding contribution to pan-European understanding and progress.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Before her marriage to Michael Bridgeman and the arrival of their five children, June also served as a Territorial Army Signals Officer, driving heavy lorries and developing expert rifle-shooting skills. Her commitment to public and community life extended into the Church, where as a Bishops\u2019 Selector for the Advisory Council on the Church\u2019s Ministry, she was involved in selecting the first women to train as deacons.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A passionate advocate for girls\u2019 education, June served as a Council member of the Girls\u2019 Public Day School Trust, a governor at several schools, and was made an honorary Fellow of Queen Mary Westfield College.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Within Tunbridge Wells, June\u2019s impact was profound. As President of the Soroptimist Club (1996\u201397) and long-serving Programme Action Officer, she applied her public policy expertise to advance the work of Soroptimist International. Through the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society and Town Forum, she championed women\u2019s perspectives, notably leading a pioneering Southeast Region Rail Project that examined personal safety in rail travel through women\u2019s experiences, resulting in national improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her evidence-based approach informed influential reports on public safety and community wellbeing, addressing issues such as car park and taxi safety, spiked drinks, facilities for teenagers, recycling provision, public lavatory design, and litter reduction. She was also a founder member of the Kent Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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June\u2019s lifelong passion for local history led her to help found the Edenbridge Historical Society, the Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery, and the Friends of Tunbridge Wells Cemetery, fostering historical, environmental, and educational engagement, particularly among local schoolchildren.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0In 2021, June was one of one hundred women who were recognised as part of the #WhoIsShe celebration of the first centenary of Soroptimist International as having \u2018made a noteworthy contribution to society in the furtherance of the aims and objects of the organisation\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In recognition of her exceptional service, June was awarded the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Civic Medallion in 2022. The award acknowledged her outstanding contribution to community life and her ability to bring people together across backgrounds and interests to improve the town she loved.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Those who knew June remember her as astute, driven, and deeply thoughtful. She had a remarkable ability to anticipate emerging issues, ask probing questions, and inspire others to act. A gifted speaker and natural connector, she combined intellectual rigour with warmth and a strong sense of civic duty.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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June Bridgeman\u2019s life exemplified the belief that individuals can make a lasting difference through service, insight, and determination. She leaves a legacy of progress, community spirit, and opportunity for others, truly embodying the sentiment that \u201cwomen hold up half the sky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0Caroline Auckland \u00a024\/04\/2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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SITWD\u2019s Annual Lend <\/a>With Care Report \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

(<\/b>22nd<\/sup> April 2025 \u2013 25th<\/sup> March 2026)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Volunteer Hours: 35 hours. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/b><\/span>How much raised \/ gifted: \u00a3330<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Lendwithcare is a revolutionary way to help people in low-income countries to work their way out of poverty with dignity. Through Lendwithcare, it is possible to lend as little as \u00a315 to fund a small business. Once the money <\/a>is repaid, the loan can <\/a>be recycled to support more low-income entrepreneurs. This\u00a0empowerment programme\u00a0<\/a>is centred around\u00a0providing loans to people to start or expand planned business\u00a0ventures that enable them to pursue long term\u00a0livelihoods.\u00a0It is the\u00a0initiative of the charity; Care\u00a0International UK\u00a0and the micro-financing\u00a0work\u00a0currently <\/a>operatesin eleven countries. SITWD have\u00a0supported the\u00a0provision of loans to women through this\u00a0scheme since\u00a0March 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Why<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It <\/a>is estimated that 1.9 billion people, <\/a>nearly 25% of the world population, survive on less than $4 day. 700 million live on less than $2.15 a day, the majority of which are women and girls. Empowering women to build better livelihoods, increase their income, and create businesses that provide jobs and boost local economies, has a significant impact on reducing poverty and promoting social justice. Studies have also shown that women are often the\u00a0<\/span>change agents<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>of the family. As a direct result, the overall status of the household, particularly the children, is more likely to improve. Targeting women also makes commercial sense because they have <\/a>been proven to be more reliable borrowers and are more likely to repay promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What did it involve<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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An\u00a0account has been set up with\u00a0Care International\u2019s Lend with Care programme.\u00a0A sub-committee of the club\u00a0handles the month-to-month decisions as to which women and projects\u00a0<\/a>are funded. During the last year, \u00a3330 has <\/a>been lent.\u00a0This includes money re-lent which has previously <\/a>been repaid.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Result<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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SITWD has, this year, helped\u00a022 female entrepreneurs (who are the main support for\u00a041 family members), in the process creating\u00a048 jobs. In total, 111 people have <\/a>been helped.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tunbridge Wells members making items for Comfort Cases<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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At\u00a0the March 2026 SISEE Region meeting\u00a0there was\u00a0an excellent presentation from Sarah Jacoby, CEO of Comfort Cases, a charity which provides filled backpacks\/holdalls for children in and young people in care, to provide them with essentials as they go into care initially or subsequently move between foster homes. The Comfort Cases, intended as a better alternative to bin bags, and would be the children\u2019s own to keep, and can be used by them to move\u00a0their possessions when changing foster homes or moving to other accommodation.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the meeting Sarah\u00a0invited Soroptimists to make\u00a0and donate drawstring bags, lined with waterproof fabric, to hold toiletries, to be added to the Comfort Cases. The bags were to be made up in different fabric designs to suit both boys and girls, and also younger and older children. For those bags for older girls, fabric \u2018Period SOS\u2019 pouches, where girls could keep spare sanitary pads or tampons, were also requested.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A group of club members \u2013 initially five, later joined by others – from SI Tunbridge Wells set to with a will and embarked on producing the toiletry bags and period pouches. The intention is to produce as many bags as possible by the time of the June club meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Campaign Against Sexual Harassment in Tunbridge Wells<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>In October 2021, a young woman was attacked on a street in Tunbridge Wells. This, alongside the tragic murder of Sarah Everard earlier that year, brought renewed focus on the safety of women and girls in public spaces. In response, the Soroptimists of Tunbridge Wells & District (SITWD) took immediate action. They organised a candlelit vigil on the steps of the Town Hall to raise awareness of gender-based violence, and launched a survey to understand how safe local women and girls felt.<\/span><\/p>\n

The survey caught the attention of then MP Greg Clark, sparking a collaboration that led to the introduction of a Private Member\u2019s Bill, the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Bill<\/em>. Mr Clark presented the bill for its first reading in June 2022, acknowledging SITWD\u2019s crucial role in shaping its provisions. The legislation creates a specific criminal offence of intentionally harassing someone in public on the basis of their sex, causing alarm or distress. The Bill received Royal Assent in September 2023, and adds a sex-based aggravation to offences under the Public Order Act 1986, allowing for harsher penalties when harassment is motivated by gender.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Normally, enactment\u2014the process that ensures the Act\u2019s provisions are operationalised\u2014would have followed automatically. However, the 2024 General Election delayed this vital step. SITWD raised the issue with their newly elected MP, Mike Martin, who immediately took action. He first raised a Parliamentary question to draw attention to the delay. When that failed to result in action, he tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to commence the Act. Despite securing cross-party support from around 100 MPs, the amendment did not pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, thanks to persistent pressure, the Act came into force on 1 April 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

The offence carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Home Office said the new law had given police “stronger powers to act decisively.”<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD will continue to work with Mike Martin and local police to discuss what changes this will bring on the ground, ensuring the safety of women and girls in Tunbridge Wells is prioritised.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD participates in the Royal Tunbridge Wells Spring Clean<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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On 27th<\/sup> March, members of SITWD participated in the\u00a0Tunbridge Wells\u00a0Spring Clean project\u00a0organised by\u00a0RTW Together, the local Business Improvement District. The plan was to collect litter, clean street furniture, and signs, remove graffiti and de-weed pavements and planters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The litter pickers collected in total\u00a03 bin bags of miscellaneous litter,\u00a0a large number of\u00a0(empty) vodka bottles and\u00a0some discarded bedding. It was a tiring but rewarding experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the two hours\u00a0spent picking up litter,\u00a0between them they walked a total of\u00a08 miles!<\/span><\/p>\n

A Toolkit for Grassroots Activism<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Tunbridge Wells members Caroline Auckland and Lorna Blackmore have played an active role in the Women\u2019s Grassroots Activism Project (2023\u20132025), funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The project aimed to raise the visibility of leading women\u2019s organisations, highlight their legacy in campaigning for gender equality, and safeguard future activism by preserving local archives and promoting innovative ways of using them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grassroots activism takes many forms, from local community action and education to campaigning and influencing policy at national and global levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorna and Caroline focused on two key areas: environmental sustainability and women\u2019s safety, highlighting the work of the Tunbridge Wells Soroptimists. Environmental initiatives included the collection and recycling of aluminium cans, helping to fund sanitation projects in developing countries, helping Tunbridge Wells becoming a \u201cToilet Twinned\u201d town.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caroline\u2019s contributions centred on campaigning against gender-based violence and harassment. She highlighted initiatives such as community vigils, safety surveys, and collaboration with former Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark on his Private Member\u2019s Bill, the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023. The Act, which received Royal Assent in 2023 and comes into force on 1st<\/sup> April 2026, makes harassment in public motivated by sex an aggravated offence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Working alongside organisations including the Irish Countrywomen\u2019s Association, the National Federation of Women\u2019s Institutes, the Federation of Women\u2019s Institutes of Northern Ireland, and Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, the project represents the activism of over 200,000 women committed to improving the lives of women and girls.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project concluded with the publication of Women\u2019s Grassroots Activism Toolkit 100+<\/em>, a resource outlining how women\u2019s activism has shaped society at every level. The toolkit provides practical guidance for those wishing to become activists, encouraging approaches such as storytelling, intergenerational conversations, the use of meaningful objects, and collaboration and networking.<\/span><\/p>\n

The steering team, led by Caitr\u00edona Beaumont, Professor of Social History at London South Bank University, launched the toolkit in March. Caroline participated as a roundtable member representing the Tunbridge Wells Soroptimist club.<\/span><\/p>\n

The toolkit can be downloaded here:<\/span>
\nWomen’s Grassroots Activism Toolkit 100+<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Tunbridge Wells and District hold an International Women\u2019s Day Event \u2013 \u201cGender Equality through Economic Empowerment\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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SITWD organised an event to mark International Women\u2019s Day aimed at raising awareness of the importance of financial literacy as a means of being safe and empowered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Members of the public were invited, and many club members also attended. Four representatives from Citizens Advice, who provide financial guidance, and an expert from Wave Community Bank worked with club leaders to plan a session designed both to educate participants and to address specific financial situations and concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

A panel discussion, led by President Jill Ruddock, explored topics such as the warning signs that someone may be heading towards unmanageable debt, times when women may be particularly financially vulnerable and how they can protect themselves, and initiatives aimed at improving financial education in schools.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were four workshops covering: recognising economic abuse; budgeting and debt management; managing energy costs; and the role of credit unions and how they can help.<\/span><\/p>\n

The experts also engaged with participants on a one-to-one basis, offering personalised advice tailored to their individual circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Feedback from the session was very positive. Participants shared a number of encouraging comments, including: \u201cThat knowledge share is going to help people directly in the community and increase the ripple effect of the couple of hours we spent together.\u201d<\/em> Another attendee noted, \u201cI really enjoyed the event and the speakers were excellent,\u201d<\/em> while someone else added, \u201cThe interactive tasks were fun and helped me retain the information.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n


\nInternational Women\u2019s Day Event in Southborough:<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Celebrating Local Women<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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On Friday 6th<\/sup> March, the Ridgemont Pavilion in Southborough hosted an evening event with Southborough Street Community to honour women\u2019s achievements and strengthen the spirit of support that drives real change.<\/span><\/p>\n

Club member Kathy Lewis gave a talk about the Southborough Women who featured in the recent display in Southborough Library that marked the contribution of local women to\u00a0the community, both now and in the past. This display is featured below in the article SITWD celebrates Women\u2019s leadership.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD celebrates Women\u2019s leadership<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Members of the Tunbridge Wells and District Club worked in partnership with the local Southborough Society to organise and present a library display celebrating the significant contributions of local women, past and present, to the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally created as part of the Soroptimists\u2019 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the exhibition resonated so strongly within the local community that it remained on display in the library until the end of February.<\/span><\/p>\n

The exhibition highlighted women from the town of Southborough who have made or are making a meaningful difference to the safety and wellbeing of women and girls. It featured photographs of seven contemporary local women making a significant impact, alongside seven prominent women from Southborough\u2019s past. Current representatives included GPs, a headteacher, a councillor and former Mayor of Southborough, a vicar, a community artist, and a Keep Britain Tidy Ambassador.<\/span><\/p>\n

Past local residents featured in the display were:<\/span><\/p>\n