Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Recognising Tonbridge Feature

Kent Invicta Horse

Lots of you recognised this one and so there are too many of you to name.  It is of course the White Horse of Kent or Kent Invicta Horse on both the Big and Little Bridge.  At my last count there were 26 on the Big Bridge and 8 on Little Bridge.

Big Bridge Tonbridge

If you look closely above the Invicta Horse, the makers of the ironwork can be read. Gray Brothers were the 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.  I wonder what remnants are left below the building.

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

River Walk - Big Bridge

Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Recognising Tonbridge Feature

There were lots of guesses on this Recognising Tonbridge, but only three correct answers came through. Steve Abrahams and Peter Harris as always knew our town very well, and it's only occasionally I post a feature they don't recognise.  Andrea Turner has also become a Recognising Tonbridge super sleuth, and actually makes a point of keeping eagle eyed on her trips to Tonbridge to spot where the image has been taken. She found this one too.  The small window, with a view over the river, sits under the apex of roof on the Pizza Express building on the Big Bridge.

 

Kelly Holmes brings The Olympic Flame to Tonbridge ... In Pictures

Big Bridge Tonbridge

River Security

Cheers from K College Tonbridge

Dame Kelly Holmes on the Castle Wall

River Walk

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #7 - Big Bridge and Boats

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The first gas street lamps to be lit in Tonbridge were in The High Street, Bordyke and East Street. This took place on 12 November 1836 amidst a town celebration. The lamps were only used during long dark winter nights.

By 1856 Tonbridge Gas Company supplied gas for about 51 street lamps  and 150 consumers including Tonbridge School & the Parish Church

Big Bridge Tonbridge

The lamps on the Big Bridge and Little Bridge are surviving original gas lamps which have been converted for use with electricity.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

Big Bridge (as it is now affectionately known) was built at a cost of £2146 and officially opened in 1888.

The Big Bridge over the River Medway - Tonbridge

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.