A Statue Of Our Enry

I read this week that Henry Cooper, will be immortalised in bronze by a Staffordshire sculptor and the finished work will eventually stand in London.  Maybe it would have been fitting for a statue of 'Our Enry' to have had pride of place somewhere in Tonbridge, as he did live in the far northern reaches of the town for a while, and had strong links with Nizels Golf Club in Hildenborough where he was Chairman. Many Tonbridge members of the club have played a round of golf with Henry, and enjoyed a drink with him at the bar. Locals say that he regularly 'splashed it all over' (the vinegar that is) when he ordered an occasional fish and chip supper from the Rainbow Fish Bar at York Parade. So Henry was really 'Our Enry' for a time in Tonbridge.

Henry's funeral took place last May at Corpus Christi Church in Lyons Crescent, and many sporting celebrities and friends attended the private service.  Among them was the late Frank Carson who died recently. The selection of photographs are a few of the many I took that day.

The late Frank Carson talks to Barry McGuigan

Russ Abbot (Comedian)

Terry Wogan, Jimmy Tarbuck and his wife

Dancing (Brucie) Bruce Forsyth & Tonbridge golfer Paul Way former Ryder Cup player

Boxer Barry McGuigan

Three Legends - Kevin Keegan, Cliff Morgan & Bobby Charlton

Pat Jennings (Goal Keeper) & Kenny Lynch (Singer)

Kevin Keegan

Lyons Crescent Postie & Kevin Keegan
 all photographs copyright TonbridgeDaily