Heritage Open Day at Hadlow Tower

 With my online ticket booking firmly in my hand, I turned up 15 minutes early for my allocated group slot to visit Hadlow Tower. I wasn't about to miss this golden opportunity to spend time at the restored folly, especially as the ticket was issued free of charge for Heritage Open Day.

When 'my' group had gathered we walked through the grounds, with a very informative steward who led us to the main entrance to the tower. We passed this very old tree with a wooden prop that was put into place in 1951 - half a century ago!!!

Then it was on to a small exhibition centre on the ground floor with videos, a 3D tactile model and explanatory display boards about the history of Hadlow Castle, the people who lived there, the surrounding countryside and how the Tower was restored.

Original 1901....Disrepair 1995....Renovation 2012....Restored 2013

A lift took us up floor by floor to see the refurbishment of the rooms, that now can be rented for up to six people. The living space is on 3 floors all of which, of course, have a 360 degree view aspect of the surrounding countryside.

The last climb is a 100 step spiral staircase to reach the viewing platform which offers views as far as reaching as Tonbridge. I easily spotted Quarry Hill and K College in one direction and enjoyed a wonderful bird's eye view of Hadlow Village from another.

Hadlow Church and Village

Tonbridge in the distance - K College is the white oblong centre right

Hadlow Village

Looking towards Tonbridge

Castle Grounds

The restoration is fascinating!!! I particularly loved the relationship between the internal new architecture of strong metal girders and the original brickwork together with the wooden structural beams.

Above the living accommodation and looking up to the top of the tower

The final 100 step spiral staircase

Looking down

Original structural wooden beam

The tower is open tomorrow and over the weekend during the Heritage Open Days. Booking is online through the website http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/hadlow-tower but I'm not sure if there are any slots left.  Hadlow Tower closes for the season  on the 16 September and will open again next year. It's really worth a visit.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #276

This photo was taken on the Penshurst Estate and is looking towards Tonbridge. That's Bidborough Ridge in the distance, but at the end of the field there's an uninterrupted view towards south Tonbridge, and K College is easily spotted. This could be one of my favourite walks in the local area as it passes through many differing landscapes.

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #256 - K College Designs

Two of the beautiful designs by K College fashion students (from the Tonbridge Campus) in the exhibition 'The Age of Opulence' currently on display in the stunning Orangerie at Knole House.

Getting Lost in Art

Last night we all got lost in the fabulous art on display at the Tonbridge Art & Media Show at K College.

Tonbridge Art & Media Show 2013

Creative Arts students at Tonbridge will be showing off their work from this year.

Work includes Fine Art, Sculpture, Fashion Textiles, Graphic Design, Photography and Media

Location: Hawthorn Building, Tonbridge Campus (TN9 2PW)
Times: Wednesday 19th - Friday 21st June (10am - 4pm)

The show will also be open to view during the  Open Day on Saturday 22nd June 10am - 1pm.

Homemade Wine Anyone?

If you enjoy learning about and tasting new wines, you may be tempted to make your own, and there's help at hand at the local Tonbridge Winemakers who are based at K College in Brook Street. Every month this friendly bunch of wine making enthusiasts get together to discuss, advise and taste different wines. The group are opening their doors to new members, and you don't have to have any experience in winemaking, as there are plenty of members who will help you on your way to making your first bottle of wine.

Cathy Rishman

Member Cathy Rishman has been making wine for many years. She says 'I started winemaking in 1974.  The first I ever made was dandelion wine. This was from a recipe in an old cookbook that belonged to my grandmother, “Mrs Beeton’s All About Cookery”.  At that time I made medium to sweet country wines.  Later I favoured grape based wines, but in recent years I have reverted to producing country wines.'

Cathy will be talking about her experiences of making wines at the club meeting in June, when there will be tastings and recipes for wines which have been made from ingredients bought in supermarkets and winemaking shops.

Les Maskrey

The July meeting is certainly something to look forward to as member, Les Maskrey who apparently has an inimitable style will be giving a talk which he promises to be a blast from the past. He calls this “Some of our Yesterdays – plus Yankee Doodle Dandy”.  The event will feature photographs of past club activities including fancy dress parties, barn dances and trips abroad, and there’s a bonus, Les’s talk coincides with American Independence Day, so he proposes putting up some American wines for tasting, “just to help the evening along”. Sounds good doesn't it.

If all this whets your appetite for getting involved, and you want to know more or contact the group, take a look at Tonbridge Winemakers on http://www.tonbridgewinemakers.com/148003674  The next meeting is in April.

'That's Entertainment' is the 2013 Carnival Theme

Carnival Fete on Castle Lawn

Tonbridge town centre will be full of excitement on Sunday 9 June when the town’s annual carnival takes to the streets. This year the carnival theme is “That’s Entertainment” so you can expect to see local interpretations of all varieties of entertainment from theatre, cinema, TV and maybe even local radio!

IN a break with an almost unbroken custom that has existed over twenty five years, this year's Tonbridge Carnival procession on Sunday will not be assembling in Brook Street. Instead the carnival floats, classic cars, bands and other groups will gather in the Sovereign Way car parks, close to the Tonbridge Farmers' Market and then proceed from Avenue du Puy at 12.30 pm along the High Street passed Tonbridge Castle. With a variety of walking groups and motorised float entries, this year’s carnival promises to be bigger and better than ever and will also include the Southern England Marching Band Championship, a display of classic cars, and Morris dancers.

The then Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr. Howard Rogers and Lion President Mike Stout will judge the entries and later in the afternoon, on the Castle lawn, will present shields to the best in each category taking part in the procession.

In addition to the fun of the carnival procession, there will be a Fête on the Castle Lawn and along Castle Walk providing an array of entertainment and fun activities throughout the afternoon including the silver band 2nd Wind who will perform at the Watergate entrance from 11.45am – 12.45 pm.

As usual the show will feature Punch & Judy, Rondo the Clown, children's entertainment area, bungee trampolines, children's rides, a full arena programme presenting local talent, including the Cannon School of Irish Dancing, song and dance by Stagecoach and music from local band Rosewood Drift. And in the tradition of this popular event, there will also be a wide selection of tombolas, raffles and side-shows including the coconut shy, crazy kitchen and other games to test your skill as well as stalls selling cakes, jams, books, toys and jewellery. Hot and cold food, drinks, ice creams and scrumptious cream teas will also be on sale.

The Carnival is organised annually by Tonbridge Lions Club with support from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. Proceeds from the day will help local good causes and Lions' charities.

There is still time to take part in the Carnival procession, contact Barrie Bromley on 01732 851415, or to book a stall space at the fête, contact Peter Godsall on 01732 354174.

K College in Pictures

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #157 - K College

Tonbridge Arts Festival Revisted

Tonbridge Arts Festival has long gone, but I stumbled on some photographs I took at The Eliza Acton event at K College in June this year, and the theme of the event is suddenly current again.

I've noticed that it's become really popular to celebrate Christmas by roasting a 'bird within a bird within a bird' sometimes known as a 'three bird roast'. It's all a bit much for me being a sometimes-lapsed vegetarian, but this method of preparing a bird has been around for hundreds of years.

Eliza Acton wrote her famous cookbook whilst living in Tonbridge at No 1 Bordyke, and at the event we were shown by K College lecturing chef how to bone a chicken a la Eliza. It looked incredibly easy at the time, but it would when there's an expert wielding the knife. There was a gasp of disbelief  when he held up the completely boned chicken which was all in one piece. Quite a skill.

 

In a moment of 'one I prepared earlier' Chef produced not one, but two, firm packages of roasted and stuffed chickens and proceeded to confidently demonstrate his expert carving techniques, whilst the audience looked longingly at what was to be on their lunch menu.

Not only was there the fabulous roast meat to enjoy, but also a buffet of dishes made from Eliza Acton recipes, all laid out in the restaurant on the top floor of K College with far reaching views over Tonbridge. If I remember correctly the ticket price was £6. Fantastic value, and for me this was definitely the highlight of the Arts Festival.

Apologies to the Lecturing Chef in the photograph, and the people who made the delicious dishes, who I am unable to mention by name as my notes of the day have disappeared.  If this event runs again during the next Tonbridge Arts Festival get yourself a ticket, and you'll be in for a real treat.
If you're interested in learning how to bone a chicken in this way, the method can be found in Eliza Acton's cookbook.

K College Art & Media Show 2011 - Taster