Recognising Tonbridge

Where in Tonbridge have I been today?

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

From 1747 fire fighting tools were stored in Tonbridge Parish Church where 2 fire hooks remain in the entrance porch #TonbridgeDailySnippet 

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Many of you recognised the bronze roof finial on the building on the corner of Church Street and East Street.  It was suggested that The Judd School was on this site, however the adjoining building on East Street displays a plaque stating the school was once housed there.

Heart Failure on Tonbridge High Street

Bristish Heart Foundation on Tonbridge High Street

John Ruck of Tonbridge Lions Club sent me a photograph taken recently
which he titled 'Heart Failure on Tonbridge High Street'.

I thought it worth inclusion on the site.  If anyone else has an interesting photo connected to Tonbridge, and wishes it to be published on the blog, send it in.

Tonbridge Lions’ Christmas Collection

Lion Ken Thomas (barrel organ mechanic) looks on whilst Lion President Allan Mort collects the donation from Sir John Stanley MP.

Tonbridge Lions have rolled out their barrel organ again for their Christmas collection in Tonbridge.

To demonstrate his support for the good work done by the club, Sir John Stanley, MP for Tonbridge & Malling, stopped to put his donation in the collecting tin of Lion President Allan Mort outside Iceland Foods, Tonbridge.

The idea for a Christmas collection, with the proceeds being used to provide Christmas gifts to some of the elderly in the community, started back in 1952. At that time the Club had been in existence for less than two years, and was just beginning to establish its reputation as a charitable service organisation in the town. 

Founder member Lions Tom Wakefield and Jim Parks had to drive an open van to Brighton to collect a barrel organ that was hired at a cost of ten guineas a week. As well as appearing in the High Street, the barrel organ was taken to pubs in the town where customers were encouraged to make donations to the good cause by being allowed to give the organ handle a twirl. 

The proceeds of the collection were used to provide gifts – two hundredweight of coal and two bushels of logs (a precursor to the Government’s Winter Fuel Allowance) for the elderly.

In 1969, as barrel organs became museum pieces and were more difficult to obtain, club members set about building one of their own. The music came from a tape recorder powered by a huge lead acid battery from a railway carriage. Thankfully electronic miniaturisation has provided smaller and lighter equipment to be installed in more recent years.

Tonbridge Panto Over For Another Year

Tonbridge Lions Club`s hugely successful production of Cinderella has taken it`s last bow after entertaining packed houses at every performance.


The Producer Richard Hill said  "The Angel Centre box office was inundated with last minute bookings. So much so, that extra seats were employed to increase the capacity. This meant that there was little room at the front. We hope that this didn`t inconvenience the audience too much”


Performed by the local Drama Group, The CLIPS Theatre Company, the production was very family orientated, with all the usual pantomime humour and featuring many favourite songs.


Lions President Allan Mort says “We had the awful weather last year, so we were pleased that so many people came to be entertained at our second pantomime. Lions are dedicated to providing a community service in Tonbridge, and the pantomime is a welcome addition to our other activities like the Summer Carnival and the Triathlon”


All proceeds from the pantomime go to local charities.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The Big and Little Bridge fancy iron railings were made by Gray Brothers c1887 whose Tonbridge foundry was on the Adult Education site in Avebury Avenue #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The interior wooden structure of the Rose&Crown dates from the 16thC. The rear of  the entrance arch shows rare half-timbering #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Rose & Crown Tonbridge

Recognising Tonbridge

Where is this splendid bronze leaf finial that sits above a Tonbridge roof spire

Cinderella Entertains Variety Club

 

As part of their 2011 Community Programme, Tonbridge Lions are delighted to be giving the Variety Club children an opportunity to see the pantomime Cinderella, free of charge, at The Angel Centre on Thursday December 15.

The Variety Club consists of professional and amateur entertainers, and is dedicated to improving the lives of sick and disadvantaged young people by fundraising and providing entertainment. It has many links with local schools such as Ridgeview School for Special Needs, Sussex Road CPS and Sherwood Park School.

Produced by The CLIPS Theatre Company, a local drama group based at Tonbridge Baptist Church, this production of Cinderella will be full of  fun and frolics and all the usual panto humour. This really is the show to see, as not only is it bursting with festive cheer, you will also have a ball and ALL the proceeds from the pantomine go to local charities. 

Don't be disappointed and book now for the performances on December 16 at 7.30pm and December 17 at 1pm and 6pm. Tickets are available from the Angel Centre Box Office on 01732 359966 priced at £10 adults, £8 children/concessions and £30 for a family of four

Look Down in Tonbridge

A 19th century coal hole cover is preserved in the pavement outside Pizza Express by the Big Bridge in Tonbridge High Street.   Bearing the name Hayward Brothers of Union Street, Borough, London the plate would have been removed to allow the delivery of coal into the cellar.

Look down when next passing.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The telephone box outside Tonbridge School is a listed building. It is early 19th century and bears the cipher of King George VI #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The Cage, a deer park, lay between Shipbourne Road and Hadlow Road in KingHenry VIII's 16th century.  It later became farming land and is now known as Cage Green, a residential area of North Tonbridge #TonbridgeDailySnippet

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The George and Dragon in Shipbourne Road was an inn by 1839. The timber framework suggests it is of sixteenth century origin #tonbridgedailysnippet

Christmas Drinks Special at Tonbridge Farmers Market

Tonbridge Farmers' Market 11^th December 2011 and then the second Sunday of every month. 9.30am – 1.30pm Sovereign Way, Tonbridge TN9 1RG

The biggest market yet and the biggest farmers' market in Kent!

… And it's a Christmas Drinks Special

 

This will be the 7th Tonbridge Farmers' Market, happening on Sunday 11^th December.

With over 65 stalls booked in already this month, it is going to be the biggest market to date.

This Month is our Christmas Drinks Special

We have some of the best drink producers from the local area showing off their wares this month, so it will be an excellent chance to find something a little bit special, stock up on all your Christmas booze and also soft drinks.

We will have a great selection of wine, beer, cider, spirits and local fruit juices, something for everyone’s taste. Hepworth Brewery will be holding a meet the brewer day, you can find out what goes into their wonderful beers.

Confirmed already are

Big Tree Cider

Dudda's Tun Kentish Cider

Fallen Angel Brewery

Hepworth Brewery

Meopham Valley Vineyard

Pine Trees Farm Apple Juice

Rent a Cherry

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard

Marsh Produce

Marsh produce have a new Christmas plum mulled wine sausage, what a great way to add some festive flare into your traditional English dishes.

The Market Kitchen

As always the cookery demonstrations will run with the theme of the market, so lots of drink included this month.

Jenny - Happy Apple

Jenny from the Happy Apple will be making a vegetarian gravy, and Coombe Farm Turkeys will be demonstrating how to carve a turkey.