Tonbridge Daily Photo

Tonbridge Daily Photo #293 - Path Permanently Closed - No Access to Castle

Earlier this year the east curtain wall path was removed, and access to the castle via this route was permanently closed.  

Personally, I was really disappointed by this action having used the path throughout my childhood and adulthood to enter Castle Lawn. I'd slid down the banks on trays in the snow (when there were no Health & Safety concerns and life was maybe more exciting) and rolled down the slope during summers. My children did the same. No doubt many other Tonbridge residents now miss this entry point and the stunning views it allowed.  Even last year the path enabled our very own Dame Kelly Holmes to descend its length to bring the Olympic Flame to Tonbridge.

But ... now's it's gone because a survey found an instability of the earth embankment below the curtain wall. According to TMBC it was considered that this  'MIGHT, if left unchecked, also damage the fabric of the Ancient Monument and give rise to issues of public safety'. After consultation with English Heritage the removal of the path was the 'preferred solution, being a readily achievable, less intrusive and more cost effective way forward'. One can interpret that as one wishes, but it could read as an easy, quick and cheap solution. Maybe that was the best way? Maybe it could have become unstable in the future, dangerous to the public and the historical wall damaged. Maybe it could have been saved. But now there are no more maybe's ... now this access has been lost.

In a recent article in the Tonbridge Civic Society newsletter Peter Charlton called for a clean-up of the former path and area:-

'We are appalled by the state in which the ground has been left below the Castle Wall after the highly expensive removal of the 'unsafe' path, from which both we and many tourist used to get one of the best views of Tonbridge.

Even is there is no possibility of the path being re-instated, it is high time that something is done to improve the appearance of this weed-infested unkempt eye-sore, with cheap inappropriate fencing, in the very centre of the town.'

Yesterday, I did  pass this area and noticed a couple of workmen precariously balanced on the slope chopping down bushes and cutting the grassy bank. So, perhaps a clean-up is starting.

What do you think? Do you think this was a loss? Don't you care? Will you be happy to see this area cleaned up and planted? I'd love to see a bank of daffodils and crocuses in the Spring and the slope planted with flowers. Maybe even the word 'Tonbridge' in flowers. Any ideas? 

Tonbridge Graffiti Tags

Lyons Crescent

Lyons Crescent

No sooner have the unsightly scribbles been cleaned off ... they appear again. I don't get tagging. It's ugly, uncreative and unacceptable. These meaningless tags plague our neighborhoods, and undermine pride in the local community. It's negative, illegal and a blight on our society. If caught the perpetrator can be charged with criminal damage, given a criminal record, fined and can be ordered to do community service as a result. What I don't understand is that with all those possible consequences why is it so tempting to mess around defacing walls and public spaces.

If you spot graffiti in the town please report this to TMBC http://www.tmbc.gov.uk/services/environment-and-planning/street-care-and-cleaning/graffiti-reporting-and-removal

That Smell Over Tonbridge

 

This was Tonbridge High Street on Monday afternoon. It all looks quiet and nothing unusual is happening, but if I could have visually captured the sweet sickly odour that was in the air this photograph would show a different picture. If that chemical smell of bubblegum or candyfloss, or however it has been described, were tinted grey the High Street would not be visible, but be clouded so darkly that probably pedestrians wouldn't be able to see their way through the town.

There are many questions asked about this foul smelling odour that often descends on Tonbridge? Some are ... What is it? Where does it come from? Is it harmful? Why do we have to put up with it? Can it be stopped? Does it pose a health hazard to our children - asthma sufferers? What are the effects when it is mixed with pollution from cars? The list is endless.

The company who are responsible for this odour is Drytec who are sited on the Industrial Estate. If you are concerned about what you are breathing-in, contact Environmental Health at TMBC, but also inform and research yourself once you have the information. If you consider that it is a nuisance, especially so if it is on your property, complain in writing giving time date, location and description of odour to:-

Jacqui Rands

Environmental Health

TMBC

Gibson Building

Gibson Drive

Kings Hill

West Malling

Kent

ME19 4LZ

or email jacqui.rands@tmbc.gov.uk

Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground

We all have different names for the park area in Tonbridge.  Some call it The Recreation Ground and older members of the community tend to know it as The Racecourse or The Sportground, whilst younger people affectionately call it The Park.

Recently I was contacted by a number of readers asking what the official name for this area is. The best I could do was to photograph the TMBC board at the entrance to the Recreation Ground, Racecourse, Sportsground, Park.