Little Bridge Litter

Has anyone else noticed all the signs around and about that ask people to take their litter home, because other people do. These ugly signs annoy me, and I find them a constant reminder of the mess we often find on grass verges and in our streets. I find the signs so distracting along the roads and paths, that in I'd go as far as to say they are contributing to the problem, by being as unattractive as the litter we want to stop.

Yesterday I noticed that the river by Little Bridge in the High Street has been used as a litter bin, and even contains a street bollard (or something similar) floating in the water.

It seems as though litter isn't being taken home afterall but thrown into our town river instead. Come on Tonbridge clean up your act!

Floating litter by Little Bridge

Street Bollard

Remains of a takeaway

Neatly packed litter discarded in the water

Tonbridge Daily Snippet

A one day Traffic Census in 1871 counted 210 hand trucks, 694 carriages & 23 'beasts' crossing Little Bridge on the High Street

THe High Street Is Changing

Things are changing on the Little Bridge.  Large yellow notices displayed in the long gone photographic shop window inform passers by that a new dry cleaners will be opening soon, and there are rumours that the former QS building to being turned into residential apartments.

 

 

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

Little Bridge

Two people recognised the top of the scrolled Ionic Pilaster (column) on the former Quality Seconds building situated on Little Bridge. Sadly this grand old building is now just another empty High Street shop, however it was once a thriving cinema/picture house. I'm sure its resurrection as a cinema would be well received by Tonbridge residents.

Peter @GreenHares and A Lime Less Ordinary @Nevrandil both recognised the picture correctly via Twitter

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.