About Us
The Rink
The rink was opened by Ernest Fenton in 2004. This was the first dedicated curling rink opened in England, and introduced a whole new generation of players to the intriguing sport of Curling. The rink remained opened under the Fenton’s family stewardship until November 2020, when COVID restrictions prevented the normal operation, and sadly the rink had to close for the 2020-2021 season.
A passionate group of curlers decided to take on the running of the rink for a shortened season in 2022, to provide a last ‘hoorah’ once the COVID restrictions eased. This was a ten week season which spanned the Olympics period and ensured that those who were hooked by the TV coverage had an opportunity (albeit briefly) to try their hand at the sport. This was run purely on a volunteer basis, with several people working/playing six days a week for this intense season.
Following that brief hiatus, the rink closed again and was used for other purposes.
Roll forward to December 2024, and a new entity Tunbridge Wells Curling Club was setup to once again take on the lease from the Fenton’s family, to bring curling back to Kent.
Tunbridge Wells Curling Club Limited
The club was formed in December 2024 when the lease for the rink became available following alternate use.
The rink underwent extensive refurbishment, modernising the changing facilities, providing separate mens and ladies facilities, relocating the bar to enable a better line of sight to customers and extend our offerings to enable barista made coffees and draft beer. The exterior walls of the ice hall were insulated, the concrete base sanded and repainted to bring this back to life. The warm room was refurbished, adding new seating options and an area surrounding a new TV to offer live/recorded curling competitions for those at the rink.
Reopening in March 2025, the rink has welcomed many thousands of visitors especially during the Winter Olympics in February/March 2026, with several of these visitors becoming regular curlers.
Kent and Sussex Curling Rink Limited
Following a change in ownership, a new company Kent and Sussex Curling Rink Limited will operate the rink from the 2026/2027 season onwards. This group will continue to invest in the facilities at the rink, and will maintain the trading identity of Tunbridge Wells Curling Rink. The five directors are all passionate curlers, with experience in running rinks both in England as well as the USA. We hope to continue building the legacy that has been started since the rink opened in 2004, with many curlers from the rink going on to represent England at the National and International level, in all formats of the game.
Directors
The directors of Kent and Sussex Curling Rink Limited are:
Amber Mechem
Jamie Malton
Jonathan Havercroft
Owen Rees
Stephen Lea
Company Number:
17350914
Registered Address:
Linden House
Linden Close
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN4 8HH
VAT Registration:
GB525345596