K College Art & Media Show 2011 - Taster

Fisher Hall Fire

A Fisher Hall has stood opposite Corpus Christi Church in Lyons Crescent since the 1940's.  The original building was made from corrugated iron and brick, and worryingly shook when more than about 10 people moved around inside it.  I'm not too sure why it was named the Fisher Hall, but at a guess it could probably either be the fact that it lies only yards from the banks of the River Medway, or it could have a Biblical connection with 'Fishers of Men', but whatever it might be a Fisher Hall has been well used by the local community for around 70 years.

The black and white photograph shows the hall in the 1950's and seems to have been taken from the Presbytery at the church, and to the rear of the single storey building  was a paddock surrounded by large pines and a small woodland that led down to the river.  This idyllic and quiet part of central Tonbridge has sadly long since disappeared, along with the wildlife, and has been replaced by a large hall, a car park and a small housing estate.  If you look very carefully at the bottom of the photograph it looks like a carnival float carrying perhaps the carnival queen, with a tiara, taking a circular route away from the High Street.

The Fisher Hall - 1950's

In September 1986 during a Sunday morning mass the Fisher Hall mysteriously caught fire.  At the time the car park to the rear, and to the front, was full of cars, and the area was urgently evacuated for fear of explosions.  Firemen from Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Southborough were called to fight the flames, and I have been told that extra water had to be pumped from the river to help fight the blaze which eventually destroyed the building.  Luckily nobody was hurt in the fire, and speculation of arson and anti-religious groups was eventually put to rest when it was reported that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault.  Rumours and stories still surround the blaze even now.

 

Smoke billowing from The Fisher Hall

The bulldozers move in

Going ... Going ... Gone

Blooming Marvellous

In all truthfulness I am not a gardener, but after my visit to the Chelsea Flower Show this year inspiration caught hold of me, and I started a flurry of garden planning.  So, when I saw that the North Tonbridge Horticultural Society was holding their Summer Show I thought I would top up my enthusiasm, and see how the experts do it.  I wasn't disappointed as I waded through the coloured displays of flawless flowers and marvelled at the skill in growing the perfect vegetable.

First Prize Spring Onions - Mr. B Cook

Now it wasn't quite Chelsea, but the scent from an impressive display of sweetpeas was divine, and reminded me of the famous flower show's marquees. Other categories on display were scones and traditional Victoria Sponge making, jams, formal flower arranging and a fantastic collection of winemaking - no tasting though.  Oh to have been the judge.  I spoke to a lady member of the Tonbridge Winemakers Club who explained there were no grapes used in the bottles on display but a  combination of fruit and berries (very impressed), and she shared that last year's raspberry vinegar was good remedy for sore throats.

First Prize Gooseberries - Mr B Nicholls

Expert advice was on hand at the plant stall so I now have plenty of plants for my own my newly planned Chelsea inspired garden.  All this garden show stuff is not usually my thing but it proved to be an afternoon full of ideas and inspiration for a budding new gardener like myself.  Where's the trowel.

Cowsheds

A 'snap' taken in the early 1960's has surfaced showing the infamous cold and drafty changing rooms at Tonbridge swimming pool known as the 'cowsheds'. Apparently the gap at the bottom of the cubicle was notoriously unpopular because of the view from the swimming pool.

circa 1962

Country Dancing Festival

A country dancing festival was held every summer on Tonbridge Castle lawn during the 1960's.  All the junior schools in Tonbridge took part and country dancing teams from the fourth year (that's year 6 now) provided an entertaining, albeit chaotic, afternoon of traditional folk dancing for an audience of parents and teachers.

There was lots of skipping round in circles , and skipping round in inner and outer circles, and more skipping around in circles - not to forget the heel/toes, promenading and clapping  to the tune of the loud speaker music which was linked to a gramophone, or perhaps it was a tape recorder, but apparantly it was always crackly.

Does someone know any more about the festival?

Tonbridge Country Dancing Festival - circa 1962

The Slade

Have you ever wondered why the area next to Tonbridge Castle was named The Slade?  This small area nestles close to the river and includes The Slade School, The Rugby Club and a late Victorian residential area all of which were built on a low lying moist area that can be prone to flooding.  According to Websters Dictionary the definition of 'slade' is a little dell or valley or a flat piece of low, moist ground.  Interesting!

Needles and Pins

Now this isn't strictly a snippet about Tonbridge but certainly in the 1960's the majority of a young Tonbridge person's socialising took place in Tunbridge Wells.  This flyer was given to me by somebody who spent her teenage years here in Tonbridge, and what's a young girl got to do in 1963 when her favourite band hits the Assembly Hall ... put on her white stilettos of course and partake in a bit of back combing, get on a number 7 bus to The War Memorial, and get on over there. And, that's exactly what she did, and not only did she see her idols, swoon and get needles and pins, she also waited for their autographs.  All four Searchers signed the back of the flyer.

The strange thing is that this piece of memorabilia was rediscovered just recently and I noticed that The Searchers are back on their Sixties Gold Tour at The Assembly Hall this October.  That's nearly 50 years since their signatures graced the flyer.

I wonder if she'll take a nostalgic trip.

Tonbridge Welcomes Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Thousands turned out to pay their respects and welcome the 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment as they exercised their right to march through the Borough.  Recently back from Afganistan, and Royal Wedding duties, the soldiers marched with colours and bayonets fixed to the beat of the drums through Tonbridge High Street past flag waving and cheering spectators. After  taking the salute on The Big Bridge, and the Major's inspection, they marched on to the Castle.  The celebrations continued on a sunny Castle Lawn with military bands and specially laid on refreshments.  This was an experience not to have missed but if you did below is a taster of the afternoon.

Carnival Maidens

I took loads of photographs last week at the Tonbridge carnival fete which was held on the castle lawn but these two maidens deserve a mention.  They were so enthusiastic about promoting The Vauxhall Inn their shouts could be heard over the loud speakers.  The Inn is lucky to have such loyal followers.
 

Extreme Weather

We've been having some really odd weather recently. It's been hot when it's not supposed to be, and we've experienced one of the warmest and driest Springs on record.  Now it's June we have wall to wall grey up above, and with every deluge of rain we could be moving towards a record breaking early wet summer?  It's all so extreme, but it could be worse.

According to records I found on tonbridge-weather.org.uk on August 19 in 1763 a three mile wide storm consumed Tonbridge and destroyed hop gardens, orchards and cornfields including a number of houses and farm buildings.  And, to add to the strange weather over 200 years ago on June 12 in 1791 Tonbridge experienced summer snow and frost.  Now last Sunday's Carnival drizzle doesn't seem so bad after all.  It could have been worse.

Tonbridge High Spots

Continuing my fascination of looking up at buildings here is a selection of Tonbridge high spots.  Any ideas of where they are?

Tonbridge Carnival in Pics

Camera at the Ready

Parker Building Supplies - Main Carnival Sponsor

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Kingston & Maldon Scout and Guide Band

Tonbridge Art Club - Make Art Not War

Hornchurch Drum and Trumpet Corps

Twirlers

Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre