Tonbridge Daily Photo

Man of Kent, East Street

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #302 - Man of Kent & old Methodist Church, East Street

Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #3  -  Man of Kent, East Street

Man of Kent or Kentish Man?

Man of Kent Pub sign - East Street Tonbridge

An idyllic Kentish scene.  A Man of Kent with scythe in hand works the field cutting and gathering his crop.  White clouds billow in the blue sky above a backdrop of oast houses.  His hat shades him from the sun and he leisurely smokes his pipe whilst harvesting. The grain is mature and is bountiful and will feed his family and community.  The Bakers will offer daily bread.  Hops will dry in the oasts and produce local ale.  The image is full of symbolism.  Is this the contented, self sufficient and hardworking Man of Kent?

Locals would probably say if you are born on the North side of the Medway that runs  through the town you are a Man of Kent, and if you came into the world on the South side you are a Kentish Man.  But that's just us locals.  It's all very ambiguous as there are those who say that anyone born West of the River Medway is a Man of Kent or East a Kentish Man.  Even more confusing is the school of thought that it has absolutely nothing to do with the River Medway but the border is in Rainham, well slightly outside Rainham at at little place named Rainham Mark.  So if you are born West of the border at Rainham Mark you are a Man of Kent and East of the border you are a Kentish Man.  All very baffling.

I have also been reliably told that The Man of Kent pub in East Street is actually east of the Medway which makes this all the more muddled.  This may be why us local use the north and south of the river distinction.  It's just easier.  And, to confuse matters even more a Man of Kent is often referred to as a man of honour and a Kentish Man an ordinary man.  The Man of Kent on the pub sign seems to be rather an ordinary man throwing everything into disarray.