Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Tonbridge Daily Photo #60  -  Bank Street

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Up to the early 19th century Tonbridge Market took place between Church Lane and  East Street.  The cattle and sheep pens were set up in the centre of the High Street with a narrow space either side for passing carriages.  In 1856 the market moved from the High Street to open land between Bank Street and The Slade.

Following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 1971 the cattle market closed and became a general Saturday market until 2003.

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

I knew this would be an easy close up image to recognise.  It is one of the decorative brickwork arches on The Old Fire Station, Bank Street, built in 1902.

The first person to recognise the image was Shaun Jeffries who checks in on the blog all the way from Sweden.  He always tends to be one of the first to recognise a Recognising Tonbridge post, and so he should, as Shaun has great historical interest in his home town. He has written a detailed article on the history of the fire brigade in Tonbridge which contains some very interesting old photographs.If you wish to take a look you'll find it on http://tonbridgecollectables.com/page13.php

Old Fire Station in Bank Street

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

Can You Identify the Wording on this Tonbridge Ghostsign

I noticed this ghostsign high on a building at the corner of Bank Street and The High Street. As far as I can make out it is advertising 'gentlemens hairdressing', but the rest of the wording is so faded it is impossible to read.

Advertisements, just like the one in Bank Street, were painted by hand directly onto the brickwork of buildings, and would have been a common sight in Tonbridge and other towns, cities and villages. Printed billboards quickly led to a downturn in their use, but many still survive, often faded, lingering on the walls like ghosts from a past time. The skillfully painted advertisements provide us with a window into a past showing the craftsmanship of the sign writers.  However, they are now disappearing, as they have done in Tonbridge, often due to weathering but also as a result of property development and demolition.  Their faded appearance has led them to be known as ghostsigns.

Without researching this part of Tonbridge, I know little about the history of the shops and services in Bank Street.  I do know there has always been a hairdresser in this area.  The sign is very close to Mr Books and perhaps he might have some information.  

Barden Road

There is another ghostsign in the town advertising Hovis.  This is painted on the side wall of The Honeymoon Restaurant in Barden Road.  Maybe there are others in the town?  If any are spotted, or known of,  let me know!