Tonbridge Daily Photo

Taken tonight from Big Bridge at sunset

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #389

I stopped on the Big Bridge to take this photo of the moon shining on the river. A stunning scene!

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #380

The lights along the river are in place but you'll have to wait until Sunday November 24 to see them lit up and reflecting in the water below.

Here are the details of the Tonbridge 'Switch On' and fireworks.

2.00pm Carol Singing and the 17th Tonbridge Scout & Guide Band

2.30pm Music entertainment on the stage at the Big Bridge

5.50pm Christmas Lights Switch-On

6.00pm Fireworks display over Tonbridge Castle

6.30pm Carol Service at Tonbridge Parish Church

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #295

I enjoy spending time being close to the river on a sunny day in Tonbridge. There's always so much to see on the water from the members of the canoe club to day trippers hiring boats. Down by the locks there are fishermen, larger vessels and plenty of wildlife.  Over the weekend I spotted this lovely family and their dog paddling through the town. The dog standing on the front of the canoe was obviously enjoying the experience, as were the onlookers who waved to them until they disappeared under the bridge and on towards the Sportground.

 

 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #292

Floating leisurely on the River Medway is a great way to spend a lazy sunny day in Tonbridge, and it's also a way of seeing the town and sportground/park from a different perspective. Boats are for hire by the Big Bridge during the summer months, and I did notice a pedalo on the water over the weekend, so that's perfect for those who aren't too confident about being the oarsman.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #282 - Lunch by the river

Tonbridge sadly doesn't make the best use of it's river frontage. I personally would like to see more cafes and facilities along the Tonbridge Medway. Maybe in summer a number of decent pop-up cafes would be well received. I've always thought that River Walk where it backs onto the Weatherspoon garden is an underused spot with a great view of Big Bridge and The Castle. What do you think?

Tonbridge Daily Photo - George Wise of Tonbridge

Tonbridge Daily Photo #280 - George Wise Sundial

We've all heard about Tunbridgeware. It's now associated with Tunbridge Wells, but it originated from wood turner George Wise's business in Tonbridge. His workshop was known to exist in 1746 on the banks of the Medway next to Big Bridge - it would have been somewhere between Pizza Express and The Wharf pub. the original buildings have been demolished. The site was probably chosen for easy river access and comprised of a workshop, showrooms and the family lived there too.

This small firm specialised in woodworking and eventually in the product we know today as Tunbridgeware. Tunbridge Wells museum hold a large collection.

Tunbridgeware Box

If you take a walk through Tonbridge School grounds you will find a sundial dedicated to George Wise. It's on the lawns by the chapel. Go take a look and also take in the interesting contemporary sculptures and architecture that the grounds have to offer. Remember to keep to the pathways. It really is a worthwhile and interesting walk.

The sundial was spot on with the time!!!!

Big Bridge has Makeover

The Big Bridge in town is having a revamp. Built in 1887 by Gray Brothers at their Avebury Avenue foundry it is now an iconic and much loved landmark in Tonbridge.

Hopefully the Little Bridge will receive the same treatment. 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #262  -   Early morning peace

This peaceful picture was captured by George Hall from the Big Bridge, on his way to work last week, very early in the morning. I very rarely see the river at this time of the day, but I think he mentioned this image was taken at around 5am.

George lives in Tonbridge and loves living in the town. Not only does he take great pictures he's also pretty good at cooking, and loves that too. It is really worth taking a look at his recipes, and food related chat about everything culinary, on his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kylies-Kitchen/364992873617607. He posts some fabulous photos of his dishes These delicious images will seriously make your mouth water, and they'll have you in the kitchen trying to have a go yourself. If you're not talented in all things cooking, George can be booked to cook up a feast for a special occasion, or an intimate dinner for two.

George is not only a fellow Tonbridge blogger (there are only a handful of us in the town), he can also be found on Twitter as @campervanchef, where if you catch him in the evening, he will prepare recipes to his choice of tunes for the night. How does he do that you ask - well you'll have to follow him to find out, and you'll be amazed.

Castle Pub

More scaffolding has appeared at the Castle Pub on Big Bridge, and it's now up to the second floor.

Ooooops ... Obstruction

Ooooops - A bollard/post has been knocked over on Big Bridge and it's now obstructing the cycle path.

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Recognising Tonbridge detail

I thought this one would be easy, but only two people recognised where this detail is situated. The four petalled flower forms part of the pattern on both Big Bridge and Little Bridge.

 

If you look closely on the larger pillars the makers of the ironwork, Gray Brothers, can be seen. Gray Brothers were a Tonbridge company who made the intricate and beautiful railings in their Avebury Avenue foundry in 1887.  The site of the former workshop was approximately where the Adult Education building now stands.

Next time you cross either of the bridges stop to look at the railings, as more often than not, we are so used to our surroundings we simply don't notice how stunning they are, and the added bonus is they were made in our town by Tonbridge men.

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?

An exotic view on Tonbridge

This painting of Big Bridge was exhibited at Tonbridge Art Group's recent spring exhibition.
I found it somehow compelling as it has a kind of exotic feel to it, and slightly eastern look, due to the shapes of the trees and the foliage. In fact the spot down by the river is almost unrecognisable to me although clearly recognisable. I think that's what drew me to it.

Tonbridge Then and Now

Big Bridge - date unknown but post 1888 - shows Brewery House opp Castle Inn

Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No. 14A.205

Big Bridge 2013

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Recognising Tonbridge Feature

140 High Street, Tonbridge

This Recognising Tonbridge had more replies that any Recognising Tonbridge feature has ever had. Most of you who thought you had recognised the top of the dome were sure it was above Pizza Express on the Big Bridge.  However, if you look up when you are next passing the restaurant, you will notice that the dome is topped with a weather vane.

Dome on clock tower above Pizza Express

The featured dome is on the corner of Lamberts Yard and the High Street and nestles on the junction of the roof space, above what was the former Santander branch in the High Street.  Built in 1898 it is  typical of late Victorian architecture. It is well worth spending a few moments looking at it from the opposite side of the road, and trying to image what the building may have looked like a century ago.

It's sad to see this dignified old lady empty, but a planning application has been received by TMBC for a change of usage, so we will have to wait and see what that will be. Hopefully it will be befitting for what is afterall such a grand building.

Tonbridge Christmas Festival

The Christmas tree has arrived at The Watergate area next to Big Bridge in Tonbridge, and is waiting to be decorated in time for this weekend's Christmas Festival, when it will light up for the first time.

The Festival takes place this Sunday November 25, and kicks off with live music on the Watergate Stage at 3pm. The Christmas lights switch-on will happen at 5pm followed by a firework display over the castle area starting at 6pm.  For those who wish to take part in the Carol Service at The Parish Church please arrive by 6.30pm.

This year's festival features the Simply Take That tribute band.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

William Bartram lived by the Big Bridge until 1882. His brewery (Bartrams) was lost in the Tonbridge street widening scheme

Tonbridge Then and Now

Boat Hire at Big Bridge - Bartrams Brewery on the left - Early 1900's

Boat Hire at Big Bridge November 2012

Tonbridge Then and Now

View towards the Big Bridge - date unknown

Courtesy of Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No. 16.112

View towards the Big Bridge - October 2012