Tunbridge Wells will hold a Heritage Open Day to celebrate Subbuteo as the table top game celebrates its 75th anniversary.
The Kent town was the original home of Subbuteo after founder Peter Adolph produced the early sets in his Langton Green home, eventually expanding to larger premises. The town was also the base for the famous ‘Kent housewives’ – and army of painters who painstakingly hand-painted the figures in the early days of Subbuteo.
Peter Adolph’s son, Mark, is set to attend the event on 18 September and highlights include photographs from Paul Willetts, author of ‘Teenage Flicks’, as well as a host of fringe activities for fans of the game.
The event, organised by Tunbridge Wells Heritage Open Days and Alan Crampton of Subbuteo Passion, the man behind the successful Farthinghoe collector’s fair, is the first in a series of Subbuteo-themed events in the town leading up to the 2024 Subbuteo World Cup.
The organisers said: “This display and exhibition at The Forum (which has links to Subbuteo!) will be an opportunity for all ages to try out Subbuteo – or maybe to revisit the game after many years!
“If you painted figures for Subbuteo in the past, come and add yourself to the special map and write down your memories. You’ll find out about local significant sites and the timeline for Subbuteo in the town.”
Event Times
Sunday 18 September: 1100-1500
Additional Information
30 mins The Forum is situated on the A26. If you’re approaching from London, take junction 5 off the M25 onto the A21 (signposted as Sevenoaks & Hastings) and then turn off the A21 at the Junction signposted for Tunbridge Wells. That’s the A26, so stay on that road for 3 miles or so till you see the common on your right. Parking: Castle Road behind The Forum usually has spaces on a Sunday and there may be spaces in the car parks on The Common itself. Contact for the day: Jenny Peterson 0776 494 7758
www.tunbridgewellsheritageopendays.org
Directions
You’ll find the Forum at the bottom end of town on Fonthill Common, opposite the King Charles The Martyr Church. It is only a five minute walk from Tunbridge Wells rail station, which has frequent direct connections in and out of London. what3words (main entrance) : ///hulk.grants.bottom
Organised by
Jenny Peterson with Alan Crampton of Subbuteo Passion and The Forum
