Royal Tunbridge Wells to have been granted this (the others being Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Wootton Bassett). Although "Wells" has a plural form, it refers to the principal source, the chalybeate spring in the Pantiles (where the "waters" were taken). Royal Tunbridge Wells is the administrative centre for both Tunbridge Wells Borough and the parliamentary constituency of Tunbridge Wells. The Borough is governed by 48 Councillors, representing 20 wards (eight wards fall within the town of Tunbridge Wells itself). Elections are held for 16 Council seats each year on a rotational basis, with elections to Kent County Council taking place in the
Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells Advertiser" ceased publication in 1954. The term "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells" was later used to stereotype Royal Tunbridge Wells as being a town of retired British Army colonels who would write such letters to newspapers. Examples of letters of this type sent to the "Advertiser" may be found which pre-date these origins, such as: The type of letters written with a tone of incensed moral outrage have become commonly described as "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells" letters, even though the writer may not be from Royal Tunbridge Wells. For example, the actor Michael Caine once said: "I don't want to sound