Tonbridge Daily Snippet

In 1903 a community of nuns expelled from France opened a Convent School at Shrublands, Mill Lane. The building has now been demolished.

The Covent eventually moved to the mansion house of Foxbush in Hildenborough. Known as Notre Dames de Lourdes it was both a day school for local girls and boarding school for international students. The pupils could be seen in Tonbridge wearing flat bloaters and white gloves (even in the heat of summer). The covent closed its doors in the early 70's.

If a reader has photographs, attended the school or knows anyone who did please contact tonbridgedaily@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Tonbridge Then and Now

The Mill House, Mill Lane/Cannon Lane (date unknown)

Tonbridge Historial Society Pictorial Collection No 5.805

http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/photos/houses-and-buildings/slides/5.085.html

The Mill House 2013

Tonbridge Tollgates

Three iron posts, in separate locations in Tonbridge, mark former tollgate sites in the town.
All the commemorative markers are identical, and were put in place by TUDC (Tonbridge Urban District Council). They are undated.

The first is situated outside the Public Library on the corner of The High Street and Avebury Avenue. It's hard to imagine a tollgate in this busy area of the town, but until the coming of the railway the southern part of Tonbridge, as we know it today, simply did not exist.

Outside the Public Library on The High Street

The second marker is on the corner of Hadlow Road and Mill Lane.  This was one of several tolls along this route and it was there until 1868.  There is an undated photograph of this location on

http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/photos/other-roads-and-streets/slides/15.Had2b.html

 

The final tollgate marker can be found on Shipbourne Road.  This one is very hard to spot as it sits behind railings and is slightly hidden by foliage.  The location is directly opposite the petrol station that is next to The Royal Oak pub.

 

Shipbourne Road tollgate marker