Clean this up please!!!!

The Big Bridge is looking really clean at present and the new paintwork is showing off the ironwork features to its best advantage. I do hope that the Little Bridge, made by the same Tonbridge Foundry in Avebury Avenue, will now get the TLC it too deserves as it's looking a little jaded.

Situated outside the Shaw Trust on the Little Bridge is the most decorative ironwork I have come across in Tonbridge. I believe it too was made by Gray Brothers of Avebury Avenue, but it is far more delicate and intricate in design. However, it is in a poor condition and in desperate need of a clean. I don't know who is responsible for the wrought ironwork, but whoever that may be is allowing it to fall into disrepair. This is directly in the High Street and doesn't do the town any favours. It would be good to see this cleaned up and renovated so that everyone can enjoy this little bit of history in our town.

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. 

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.

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

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The iron railings on the town's Big and Little Bridge were made by Gray Brothers whose foundry was in Avebury Avenue. The foundry stood on the now Adult Education building.

Look carefully at the railings when next passing over the bridges and the Gray Brothers logo can clearly be spotted.

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The Big and Little Bridge fancy iron railings were made by Gray Brothers c1887 whose Tonbridge foundry was on the Adult Education site in Avebury Avenue #TonbridgeDailySnippet