Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Nestles Milk ... Richest In Cream

The Nestles Milk Ghost Sign sits high on the side wall of New Jimmys Restaurant in Avebury Avenue.
Only one person knew where the sign was positioned, although there were many vague guesses, and it's probably because it is in a narrow alleyway and very difficult to spot.

I have searched through Kellys Street Directories, thinking I would find a dairy or grocer in or around this building. but I came to a dead end.  A confectioner occupied the spot for many years and there were a number of 'dining halls' in the street, but nothing that explains the advertising of Nestles Milk. 

This type of advertising had its heydey in England from the 1920s to the 1950's, although ghost signs were in place during the end of the 19th century.  Their decline was the coming of mass produced posters, which were cheaper than individual traders having to pay for costly commisioning of hand painted wall advertising.

I have now found three Ghost signs in Tonbridge.  There is the very well preserved Hovis sign on the wall between the Honeymoon Restaurant and the town library, the faded hairdressing advertisement on the corner of Bank Street and The High Street, and now The Nestles painted sign in Avebury Avenue.

On a final personal note, I believe these haunting and faded hand painted advertisements should be preserved for their important historical and cultural significance to the community, but they are fading and fast disappearing often due to weathering, but also as a result of property development and demolition.  It is their faded appearance that has led them to be known as ghostsigns.    So go out and take a look before they vanish from Tonbridge.

If anyone can shed light on the reason Nestles milk was advertised in Avebury Avenue, or if there are any more hidden ghost signs in Tonbridge please contact Tonbridge Daily.

Bank Street/High Street

Hovis Sign in Barden Road