To mark the double celebration of Trinity Theatre’s Clocktower opening and the return of TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells, musician and sound artist Paul Cheese, from the nearby village of Lamberhurst, will capture the unique sounds of the newly refurbished Clocktower to incorporate into his performance at the TEDx event on Sunday, 16th March 2025. As a local artist with a strong connection to the area, Paul will blend these sounds into his performance, creating a distinctive experience for the audience.
TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells, sponsored by Cripps, is returning to bring the global conversation back to the Tunbridge Wells community, with the theme “Next Steps.” This exciting moment for the town is punctuated by the reopening of Trinity Theatre’s Clocktower to the public in April 2025, giving visitors the chance to “climb back through time” and explore over 200 years of history through immersive exhibits and breathtaking views.
TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells was last held before the pandemic on 1st February 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. After a long hiatus, Lizzie Bentley-Bowers and Nathan Friend made the bold decision to reignite the TEDx spirit in Tunbridge Wells. The return of the event will be a deeply emotional moment for all of us, offering the community a chance to reconnect, embrace new ideas, and spark conversations that matter through carefully curated talks on the Trinity Stage. The theme of “Next Steps” resonates now more than ever as we look to the future and explore the ideas shaping our world.
Paul Cheese, who previously performed at TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells in 2017, is renowned for his ability to transform everyday sounds into musical compositions. His past project, which involved collecting over 11,000 “found sounds” during a 5,000-mile bike journey around the UK, captivated audiences with its exploration of local culture through audio. Another previous cycle audio album project kicked off in places with names that, quite fittingly, had a cheese connection, Edam, Gorgonzola, Gruyere and culminated in Camembert. (And in case you’re wondering, there is a “triple-cream” cheese aptly named Trinity that exists)!
This time, Paul’s will commemorate both the opening of the Clocktower and the return of TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells after the challenging period of social isolation and theatre closures during the pandemic. With the Clocktower as a canvas, Paul will capture its resonant sounds; the ticking of the clock, the echoes of the bells, and the unique acoustics of the tower itself, and make them a part of his performance, reflecting the “Next Steps” theme. It will be a fitting tribute to the resilience of the theatre, the community, and the creative arts, which have endured and thrived despite the challenges of recent years.
Jacqui Green, CEO of Trinity Theatre said “We are thrilled to be able to open our doors to the return of Tedx in Tunbridge Wells. As an arts charity with no core funding, Trinity came through the pandemic thanks to huge local community support and stands today at the heart of community connections. We look forward to continuing to engage and inspire through the arts with the continued support of Tunbridge Wells.
The chairs of TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells, Lizzie Bentley-Bowers and Nathan Friend, also shared their excitement: “We chose Trinity as we felt it embodied the community that is a key part of the experience we want to create for TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells. As a hub for creativity of all kinds, it felt natural to bring back our showcase of ideas to a venue that has a unique blend of scale and intimacy for our event, and we’re excited for Paul to bring his own incredible brand of creativity to the Trinity stage.”
The Trinity Clocktower, once a symbol of the town’s rich heritage as Tunbridge Wells’ first parish church, has undergone extensive refurbishment and opened in September last year. Looking forward to Spring, the Clocktower will open its doors to the public from April. The tower will offer visitors the chance to uncover over two centuries of local history through interactive displays and panoramic views of the town.
Paul’s performance will take place at TEDxRoyal Tunbridge Wells on Sunday, 16th March 2025 at Trinity Theatre, which is now SOLD OUT, as we take the next steps together in this exciting chapter of creativity and connection.
For press enquiries please contact: press@tedxroyaltunbridgewells.com
