Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #293 - Path Permanently Closed - No Access to Castle

Earlier this year the east curtain wall path was removed, and access to the castle via this route was permanently closed.  

Personally, I was really disappointed by this action having used the path throughout my childhood and adulthood to enter Castle Lawn. I'd slid down the banks on trays in the snow (when there were no Health & Safety concerns and life was maybe more exciting) and rolled down the slope during summers. My children did the same. No doubt many other Tonbridge residents now miss this entry point and the stunning views it allowed.  Even last year the path enabled our very own Dame Kelly Holmes to descend its length to bring the Olympic Flame to Tonbridge.

But ... now's it's gone because a survey found an instability of the earth embankment below the curtain wall. According to TMBC it was considered that this  'MIGHT, if left unchecked, also damage the fabric of the Ancient Monument and give rise to issues of public safety'. After consultation with English Heritage the removal of the path was the 'preferred solution, being a readily achievable, less intrusive and more cost effective way forward'. One can interpret that as one wishes, but it could read as an easy, quick and cheap solution. Maybe that was the best way? Maybe it could have become unstable in the future, dangerous to the public and the historical wall damaged. Maybe it could have been saved. But now there are no more maybe's ... now this access has been lost.

In a recent article in the Tonbridge Civic Society newsletter Peter Charlton called for a clean-up of the former path and area:-

'We are appalled by the state in which the ground has been left below the Castle Wall after the highly expensive removal of the 'unsafe' path, from which both we and many tourist used to get one of the best views of Tonbridge.

Even is there is no possibility of the path being re-instated, it is high time that something is done to improve the appearance of this weed-infested unkempt eye-sore, with cheap inappropriate fencing, in the very centre of the town.'

Yesterday, I did  pass this area and noticed a couple of workmen precariously balanced on the slope chopping down bushes and cutting the grassy bank. So, perhaps a clean-up is starting.

What do you think? Do you think this was a loss? Don't you care? Will you be happy to see this area cleaned up and planted? I'd love to see a bank of daffodils and crocuses in the Spring and the slope planted with flowers. Maybe even the word 'Tonbridge' in flowers. Any ideas? 

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #249  -  Dame Kelly Holmes at Tonbridge Taster

Tonbridge Taster Opens

The Tonbridge Taster Day kicked off today at 10am with Dame Kelly Holmes leading a workout to warm up the members of the Dragon Boat teams. Here it is in pictures.

Dame kelly with Tonbridge Boots Camps

Dame Kelly

Tonbridge Juddians

Juddian Dragon Boat team members

Dame kelly and The Juddians Team

Dame Kelly encourages The Bridge Trust Tonbridge

Even the Mayor is joining in the excitement

The Bridge Trust Dragon Boat team members

KAT Dragon Boat team

If You Haven't Walked-the-Walk You Never Will

East Curtain Wall - Tonbridge Castle

If you haven't already walked the steep path from the foot of Watergate to the Castle Grounds entrance you never will.  Works to remove the upper path, and reinstate it as an earth structure have already commenced. In future, entrance to the Castle will be via River Walk or Cannon Lawn.  Apparently the path has contributed to severe slippage of the embankment supporting the curtain wall, so the works are necessary to safeguard the structural safety.  An archaeological team are on site just in case anything interesting is unearthed. How exciting!!!! I really hope something is.

So there'll be no more iconic path moments in Tonbridge such as we saw during the summer when Dame Kelly Holmes brought the Olympic flame to the town.  Event advertising banners will have to find an alternative spot, and for all those of us who use it as a test of our fitness levels, including myself, we will be looking for another steep path. I've been walking the pathway since I was a child and I for one will miss it.

Dame Kelly Holmes with the Olympic Flame

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 Arts Festival Open Art Exhibition has an Olympic Flavour

Olympic fever is slowly edging to a crescendo with only 11 days to the Opening Ceremony of London 2012. The Torch Relay is about to arrive in Kent, passing through our neighbouring towns and communities on its final journey to the Olympic Stadium. The Australian team have arrived in our town and are settling in to the first class sporting facilities at Tonbridge School. Sadly, Tonbridge missed out on being en route for the Torch Relay, but tomorrow through the sheer determination of Dame Kelly Holmes the people of Tonbridge have a chance to join in the celebrations as she brings The Flame to her home town.

So whilst the Olympics are forefront in our minds I thought I'd make a diversion, and catch up with blogging about the Arts Festival that took place in Tonbridge for 10 days in June.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do this whilst all the events were taking place, due to problems with the blog.  Perhaps this could be a slight diversion from all things sporting, to something more art related, but it just happens that my favourite event during the Tonbridge Arts Festival was the private view at the Open Art Exhibition, which actually did have a slight Olympic flavour as Guy Portelli brought along a prototype of his new sculpture inspired by our own Dame Kelly Holmes.

Not only did Guy talk about his vision for the sculpture, and where in Tonbridge the larger sized finished work might be placed, but he was eager to show me how his idea would bring together both the viewer as a participant and the sculpture itself.  The end effect can be seen in the photograph below as the daughter of Maria Heslop, TMBC Cabinet Member for leisure, youth and the arts becomes a living artwork.

Sculptor Guy Portelli

Portelli's living artwork

The opening evening of the exhibition was the first chance to view the brilliant and diverse selection of local art that had been chosen and hung in the Castle Council Chamber, including work by Hildegard Pax of Hadlow, who currently has work included in the Summer Exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts in London.

The artist of the winning artwork, who had been selected by the judging panel earlier in the day, was presented with a metal life sized paintbrush designed and made by Guy Portelli. I was surprised as to the weight of this beautiful piece of work when the winning artist allowed me to hold it in my hands. I'm not sure if there is such an amazing prize every year, but it almost had me rushing off to sign up for a course in fine art, just to submit a piece and be in with a chance next time.

Winning artist holding her prize

Judging Panel

This really was a super event and for me a highlight of the Arts Festival. My only criticism of the event was that the exhibition didn't last for the full 10 days of the Arts Festival. Maybe next year.

TONBRIDGE HALF MARATHON

I've just returned from the start of the first ever Tonbridge Half Marathon, and a brilliant start it was.  The band was playing, the atmosphere was infectious, cameras were at the ready and even a balloon artist was entertaining the children. Under clear blue sunny skies the runners were raring to go and awaiting the start, which our own Dame Kelly Holmes had the honour of getting under way.  I am not a runner myself, and so know little about perfect weather conditions for these events, but I did hope that the warm temperatures at the starting grid wouldn't take their toll on the competitors as they travelled around the country lanes and highways surrounding Tonbridge.

Although Dame Kelly has a slight and petite frame she certainly did not have a voice to match as she wished all the competitors good luck, towering high above the runners on the roof of a car her mighty voice carried the length of Brook Street and beyond, and with one blow of the starting horn they were off.

A great day and a first for Tonbridge.

Dame Kelly Holmes

A pic for Twitter

On your marks - get set (check the time)

and GO