 |
| Tonbridge Daily Photo #234 - Reflections on Cafe Nero |
Friday, 31 May 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
A young farm girl named Nellie who drowned herself in a pond behind The
Cardinal's Error some centuries ago is said to haunt the Tonbridge pub
today.
 |
| Cardinals Error - Lodge Oak Lane Tonbridge |
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
A dispute on mixed bathing at Tonbridge pool in 1910 caused national attention.
"The Daily Mail brought the pool to the attention of the nation in the 1920s after a councillor objected to Tonbridge Swimming Club's request for men and women to be allowed to swim together from 6am to 10am on Sundays, thus breaching the council's rule to keep the sexes apart.
A speech by Councillor Donald Clark of Tonbridge, a former Scots Guard officer, which was reported in the local newspaper, caught the eye of the Daily Mail - especially his explanation that he objected "not because I am a Puritan, but in the interests of ladies looking for husbands".
He said that "by making girls look like wet terriers, mixed bathing stops more marriages than any other cause and much unrest in the country due to the barbarous license in woman's dress". Clark was subsequently hired by the Daily Mail to travel around coastal resorts to comment on beach behaviour.
This whole episode lead to a mixed bathing protest by a local Tonbridge resident. An elderly woman carrying an umbrella mounted the pool's high diving-stage and began a shrill denunciation of mixed bathing and the spectators who encouraged it by their presence. She was pushed into the pool by an indignant bather and had to be rescued!
Mr Clark declared that, from what he had seen, strict Government supervision of bathing places was needed, because mixed bathing "must always have a debasing influence by lowering the respect that should remain between the sexes."
It all came to nothing when the swimming club's request was approved by the council, and the sexes swam together for the first time in July 1920."
(courtesy of Tonbridge Swimming Pool http://www.tonbridgepool.co.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=1670)
 |
| Tonbridge Swimming Pool and 'Cow Sheds' 1910 |
Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No.
31Sw.02
"The Daily Mail brought the pool to the attention of the nation in the 1920s after a councillor objected to Tonbridge Swimming Club's request for men and women to be allowed to swim together from 6am to 10am on Sundays, thus breaching the council's rule to keep the sexes apart.
A speech by Councillor Donald Clark of Tonbridge, a former Scots Guard officer, which was reported in the local newspaper, caught the eye of the Daily Mail - especially his explanation that he objected "not because I am a Puritan, but in the interests of ladies looking for husbands".
He said that "by making girls look like wet terriers, mixed bathing stops more marriages than any other cause and much unrest in the country due to the barbarous license in woman's dress". Clark was subsequently hired by the Daily Mail to travel around coastal resorts to comment on beach behaviour.
This whole episode lead to a mixed bathing protest by a local Tonbridge resident. An elderly woman carrying an umbrella mounted the pool's high diving-stage and began a shrill denunciation of mixed bathing and the spectators who encouraged it by their presence. She was pushed into the pool by an indignant bather and had to be rescued!
Mr Clark declared that, from what he had seen, strict Government supervision of bathing places was needed, because mixed bathing "must always have a debasing influence by lowering the respect that should remain between the sexes."
It all came to nothing when the swimming club's request was approved by the council, and the sexes swam together for the first time in July 1920."
(courtesy of Tonbridge Swimming Pool http://www.tonbridgepool.co.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=1670)
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
First Event For Local Friends of the Earth Group
The new Tonbridge and Malling Friends of the
Earth group held their first event on Sunday 19th May.
Dressed as bees, they took part in the annual
Lions Charities Walk, to raise funds and awareness of the Friends of the Earth
Bee Cause.
Bees are essential for pollinating our
crops as, well as honey production, and have been in decline over recent years.
Likely reasons for the decline in bee numbers include disease, loss of habitat
and flowers, and the use of certain pesticides.
The circular walk, passing through bluebell
woods, open fields and past Igtham Moat, began and ended at Shipbourne village
hall.
It was a fun day out for all involved, especially as the sun shone! Over £100 was raised for the Bee Cause.
If anyone would like to join in future
environmentally friendly activities , you can get in touch by emailing TandMfoe@gmail.com
Tonbridge Lions Annual Charity Walk
Early risers on Sunday May 19 may have heard the bells of St Peter & St Paul Parish Church, Tonbridge ringing Grandsire Triples on Radio 4 at 5.43 a.m. Tonbridge Lions needed no such wake-up call to prepare for their club’s 32nd annual charity walk.
The 124 walkers who embarked on either a five-mile or ten-mile walk, starting
and ending at Shipbourne Village Hall, raised thousands of pounds. The shorter
route took them via Dunk’s Green, Fairlawne Estate, Ightham Mote, Wilmott
Cottage, Budd’s Green, and Shipbourne Church. The longer route extended to
Carter’s Hill and Underriver.
 |
| Shipbourne Church |
With
fine sunny weather, that was not too warm, and the “going” good underfoot in most
places, the walkers returned full of reports of the magnificent views and the
springtime fragrances of bluebells, and wild garlic.
The
Lions planned and marshalled the event and supporters of other charities
obtained the sponsorship and did the walking. The charities keep all the money
for themselves and estimates indicate that around £4000 was raised.
At the
finish walkers had their sponsor forms officially “stamped” to show that they
had completed the walk and Mike Stout, President of Tonbridge Lions presented
each walker with a certificate.
The
Mayor & Mayoress of Tonbridge & Malling BC, Cllr Howard and Mrs Jane
Rogers completed the longer walk and raised funds for The Bridge Trust. Other beneficiaries included Age UK,
Hayesbrook School PTA, chYps Hospice, The Scotts Project, Angel Ladies and
Junior Bowls, Tonbridge First Responders and well as local Scouts and Beavers.
It's going to be a great day to be in Tonbridge!!!
The next Tonbridge Farmers Market is on Sunday June 9, and it's going to be a big day for the town as the Carnival Procession and Fair will be happening on the same day in the afternoon. What a great day to be in Tonbridge.
There are over 65 stalls booked, and this means it's going to be the biggest market happening in Kent, but that's not all as it's the Market's 2nd Birthday.
It's two years since the first Tonbridge Farmers Market appeared in our town. A chance was taken, and the organisers had absolutely no idea if the people of Tonbridge would support or even want a Farmers Market. Two years later, and with over 50,000 customers, we all know the answer is an unmistakeable YES.
In this short time they have become the biggest and best supported Farmers Market in Kent, and probably in the South of Kent. They have become runner up in the Taste of Kent Awards, and Best Farmers Market category. They have also been nominated and short listed for the BBC Food and Farming Awards.
 |
| Steve Wood Market Manager |
Tonbridge Farmers Market with its sister market, Elm Court, and a number of producers were invited to the Jubilee Rooms at the Palace of Westminster by Tracy Crouch MP on May 15 to promote and to tempt MP's with fresh Kent produce.
Steve Wood said 'I hope this event will boost the profile of our market, Farmers Markets in general and of course kent and Kent produce. We were all looking forward to meeting the Prime Minister, but he was in the USA but sent this message to us.'
“I am delighted that Kent's producers have come to Parliament today to showcase some of their high-quality local produce. I am sorry that prior commitments abroad mean that I am unable to join you today - I was particularly looking forward to being able to sample the honey brought to London by the Dartford Beekeepers, which I’m told is truly delicious! I am sure that today's event will offer an opportunity to celebrate Kent's fantastically diverse agricultural sector and will, I hope, promote the county’s producers as they continue to flourish. I wish all those producers who have travelled to London to showcase their produce - and all involved - my very best wishes for an enjoyable and successful day.”
New starting point for this year's carnival procession
A message from Tonbridge Lions who want this year's Carnival crowds in the High Street, and not waiting for the procession on Quarry Hill Road and Railway Approach.
'In a break with an almost unbroken custom that has existed over twenty five years, this year's Tonbridge Carnival procession, on Sunday 9th June, will not be assembling in Brook Street.
Instead the carnival floats, classic cars, bands and other groups will gather in the Sovereign Way car parks, close to the Tonbridge Farmers' Market and then proceed from Avenue du Puy at 12.30 p.m.'
'In a break with an almost unbroken custom that has existed over twenty five years, this year's Tonbridge Carnival procession, on Sunday 9th June, will not be assembling in Brook Street.
Instead the carnival floats, classic cars, bands and other groups will gather in the Sovereign Way car parks, close to the Tonbridge Farmers' Market and then proceed from Avenue du Puy at 12.30 p.m.'
Blog Comments
Receiving comments like this really makes it all worthwhile:-
'I log into this site on a regular basis. I lived in Tonbridge for the first 14 years of my life before moving to Melbourne, Australia with my parents in 1967. There are so many wonderful memories on this site - the Castle, the High Street, the Sports Ground where my dad played cricket every summer for the Brown, Knight and Truscott Printing Works Social Club. Tonbridge certainly has changed over the years and it's fascinating to see it all. All the Best, Christine'
'I log into this site on a regular basis. I lived in Tonbridge for the first 14 years of my life before moving to Melbourne, Australia with my parents in 1967. There are so many wonderful memories on this site - the Castle, the High Street, the Sports Ground where my dad played cricket every summer for the Brown, Knight and Truscott Printing Works Social Club. Tonbridge certainly has changed over the years and it's fascinating to see it all. All the Best, Christine'
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
Local schools took part in a country dancing festival every summer on the Castle Lawn during the 1950's/60's.
 |
| c1962 |
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Not a Tonbridge Daily Photo
 |
| Basilica di San Zeno - Verona - Italy |
I'm checking out the historical sights in Italy but Tonbridge Daily will be back soon.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
In 1778 a male midwife and surgeon opened a shop in the High Street
offering to deliver babies free of charge within a radius of 4 miles of the town.
Friday, 17 May 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
English Romantic landscape painter JMW Turner used Somerhill House Tonbridge as the subject in a painting in 1811, and here it is.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
What do you think?
The temporary tarmac has been broken up and taken away, and the new clay pavers are slowly taking shape at the Watergate by Big Bridge. What do you think of them?
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
The oldest post box in town is wall mounted on platform 2 at Tonbridge Station. It is Victorian and pre-dates all others in the town
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Monday, 13 May 2013
Egyptian Visitors
Egyptian Geese photographed by Martin Best at Barden Lake. The question is how did they get there?
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
Several military trophies were displayed in the castle grounds after
WWI, including an army tank which was sited on a concrete plinth on
Castle Lawn. It was removed to be melted down during WWII to help with
the war effort.
Be There for Bee Cause
These little insects are threatened by loss of habitat,
certain insecticides, and disease.
The loss of bees as
pollinators would be a disaster not just for lovers of honey, but also for farmers and
gardeners. It would cause food prices to soar.
The walk starts from Shipbourne Common Sunday May 19, and
will be 5 miles long.
(Dressing up as a bee, or wearing yellow and black clothes for
the walk is optional, but encouraged)
You can get a sponsor form and friends of the Earth ‘bee
cause’ petition cause from TandM.foe@gmail.com or just donate £5, and go along for the walk (dogs on leads are welcome).
Tonbridge Triathlon
 |
| The finishing line at Tonbridge School Track |
Tonbridge Triathlon was held on Bank Holiday Monday May 6 at Tonbridge School Sports Centre. A superb day was had by all, even the athletes with their aching muscles and tired limbs. The weather was dry, sunny and hot, so unusual for a Bank Holiday! The supporters made the most of the day basking in the sunshine, watching the competitors and enjoying the wonderful atmosphere created by the keen entrants and the friendly marshals.
386
competitors, of which about 120 were novices, tackled two distances: Standard
Distance, 800 metre swim, 50 km cycle followed by a 10 km run and Sprint
Distance, 400 metre swim, 25 km cycle and a 5 km run.
Malcolm
Davies from London completed fastest Standard Distance in a time of 2 hrs 17
mins 24 secs, and the fastest female completing the challenging course in a very
creditable 2 hrs 26 mins 40 secs. Rob
Barnes of Sevenoaks completed the fastest Sprint Distance in 1 hr 12 mins 56
secs. The fastest female was Susan Fairfax from London in a time of 1hr 21
mins.
For
the first time this year there were 10 local teams taking part, including two
teams from The Duke of York Military School at Dover. The fastest team time was
by the Peppa Dog team with a time of 1 hour 29 mins 54 secs. Jayne Nutley, from Tonbridge, was taking part
in her first Standard Distance event and posted the second fastest time for a
female with 2 hours 54 mins. Jane is the niece of a Tonbridge Lions Club
member.
The
organisers, Tonbridge Lions Club, have raised approximately £13,000 that will
be split between the Kent Sussex Surrey Air Ambulance, Headway and other local
charities. In addition some competitors also raised funds for other charities.
Friday, 3 May 2013
Tonbridge Daily Snippet
The two circular structures on the Sportsground, usually graffitied, are
covers to 20ft deep wells sourcing water for the waterworks. 'Well' I never.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)